We all want to break bad cycles of behaviour and make good cycles. How do we do it in life in this complex world? God leads the charge. Alleluia.
Please come and pray for the life of our parishes: As we prepare for Lent as a growing time and for all our life, worship and service. The prayer breakfast will take place in the Canterbury Room at St Thomas’.
South Stoke Open Day, Saturday 1st March The church is taking part in this event which takes place from noon in South Stoke village hall. We will show and tell of what we are doing and can do. We wish to be at the heart of the village and cheering for all its life and activity. Come along and find out what is going on in your village and join in. For more information please click here.
Lent Groups The Ecumenical Lent groups start the week beginning 10th March. Journey with us this Lent as we look at stories of steadfast faith, hope and trust found in the Bible and reflect on what God's transformational love can mean for our world today. Find encouragement and strength in stories of hope that span over 3000 years of history - showing us that God remains with us at all times. We will be using the Embrace book, "Hope in Hard Places". Sign up sheets are at the back of the church. If you have any questions, please contact Catherine via the church office (01491 875651).
News from Wallingford food bank When our Goring deliverer very kindly dropped off the latest food bank deliveries from St Thomas’, he was asked to remind people about the app you can download to your phone which highlights items that the foodbank particularly needs. Here is a link to a very short film explaining how it works. https://www.bankthefood.org/notjustbakedbeans/ If you have a smart phone, you can download the free app called “BankTheFood”, register and “follow” the
This week we are asked to pray:
Prayers for the week from "Roots on the Web" Living God, we ask for a generous spirit to pray for our world with passion, with persistence and with your heart of love. Father, Son and Holy Spirit, receive our prayer. We pray for a generous spirit for the leaders of the world, that their decisions would be shaped by wisdom, justice and courage. We pray for those whose are hugely impacted by these decisions; those who feel helpless, those who feel afraid, angry or betrayed; those who are affected financially and those whose lives are endangered. We remember especially the people of Ukraine and Russia, of Israel and Palestine, and we pray for those people suffering in places of extreme violence, especially those in DR Congo. Living God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, receive our prayer. We pray for a generous spirit for the faith leaders of the world, for integrity, prayerfulness and action, and particularly for those who guide and shape our worship and life together in this place. We pray for a passion to serve, a willingness to listen, a commitment to change and a dependence on you to live as your kingdom people. Living God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, receive our prayer. We pray for a generous spirit for those in the media: journalists, film makers and influencers, that their headlines, stories and images would be truthful, challenging but fair. We pray for those whose lives have been ruined by the press, but give thanks and also pray for those who risk their lives to bring hidden suffering and injustices to the eyes of the world. We pray for those killed in war zones and those silenced by imprisonment. Living God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, receive our prayer. And we pray for all those in need of receiving your generous spirit of hope, healing and love: those under great stress at work, at home; those surviving on minimal resources; those battling trauma and anxiety; those we know and name now.... and those with no-one to name them in prayer. Living God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, receive our prayer. Amen.