St Thomas’ churchyard working party Saturday 11th November 9.30am-12 noon This is an opportunity to get the churchyard tidied and ready for winter. We will break at 11am for a minute’s silence and some prayers. Coffee and Scottish shortbread will be available as refreshments…. Please put it in the diary!
Deanery Synod, Tuesday 14th November at 7.00pm The meeting will take place at the Chantry House at St Mary’s, Henley where Revd Sarah Nesbitt will be talking about County Lines and Cuckooing. If you have no idea what County Lines are, or what we mean when we talk about cuckooing, come along and find out. Sarah will also help us to explore the vulnerabilities in our communities. Please let Ben know if you would like a lift.
This week we are asked to pray for
Prayers for this week Thank you to Alison for this week’s prayers.
Heavenly Father, as we remember with gratitude the lives of all your saints in the Christian Church, we give thanks to you for those past church members who have shone in our midst with the brightness of your love and have now left us to be with you in the Heavenly Kingdom. We thank you for our Bishops, Steven and Gavin and for our clergy team who lead us in offering ourselves and our lives in renewed commitment and awareness in these troubled times for our world. Father, in your mercy: Hear our Prayer
Father, we pray for this world so much in need of healing. We pray urgently for peace in the Holy Land and the whole of the Middle East and we continue to pray for Ukraine and all other areas of conflict and oppression. Grant wisdom and resilience, Father, to all those who seek to mediate in these conflicts and be with those on all sides who are in captivity, fear and suffering. On this International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Churches, we ask your protection for all those who risk their lives by continuing to spread the Gospel. Father, in your mercy: Hear our prayer
Father, as we draw near to the season of Advent and we prepare for the coming of your Son, we ask your blessing and guidance for the leaders of our Ecumenical Advent Course. May they be inspired by you to share with the participants from across our villages our common message about the love of Jesus, whilst gaining knowledge and hence respect for our differences. We pray for the leaders and teachers in our local schools as they start to plan their Christmas Celebrations. May the message of the love of Christ shine through the excitement. We thank you, Father, for the dedication and courage of our Mission partners, Steve and Lindsay, carrying your undying love to the street children of Honduras. Father, in your mercy: Hear our prayer
As autumn turns to winter, Father, make us aware of how even more difficult life can become for so many people, including the elderly, the sick and the impoverished. Wrap your loving heart around all the vulnerable in our community and encourage us to give as generously as we can to the food bank collections in our churches. We thank you for the tender care given to residents by all those who work in our local homes and ask your blessing on them and the residents themselves. Father, in your mercy: Hear our prayer
Loving Father, we pray for the sick in our community. Comfort and heal all those in hospital and those undergoing demanding treatment. And we also remember the housebound.
Father, we remember with gratitude those who have died recently and who have enriched our lives by giving us love and laughter but have now left us for your Eternal Kingdom. We hold them in our hearts, knowing that you Lord hold them and those that mourn in yours.
Heavenly Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.