Thank you to everyone who has prepared our churches to be open and decorated our church buildings. They look wonderful. What an amazing God we have who is so humble but so giving. Alleluia. Wishing you the joy of God With Us, in it all.
Thank You Wendy would like to thank everyone who has sent messages of sympathy following the recent death of her father. Your prayers and good wishes have been a great comfort at this time.
“Gifts of the Magi”, Goring Chamber Choir Concert On 6th January at 3pm Goring Chamber Choir will be giving a concert on the theme of Epiphany in St Thomas'. When Christmas and New Year festivities are over it is a good time to 'find the star within our hearts', as Bob Chilcott says in his carol 'Epiphany'. Goring Chamber Choir will sing both familiar and some new carols reflecting on the bringing of gifts today. Atmospheric pieces by Canadian Stephanie Martin and Thomas Allain describe modern journeys 'to learn and to believe'. Steve Bowey will perform Gaston Litaize's organ piece 'Epiphanie' on the wonderfully restored organ, and there will be familiar carols for the audience to join in. Tickets are £15 (with free entry for under 18s) obtainable from Inspiration in Goring; or from a choir member, or on the door. Further information including details of the programme are available on the Goring Chamber Choir website. https://www.goringchamberchoir.org.uk/
Jo Allen and Family Farewell As you already know, Jo, our curate, is moving to a new post in the New Year. Her final Sunday with us will be 14th January and we will be holding a bring and share lunch in the Canterbury Room at St Thomas’ at 12:30pm for Jo and her family when we can thank them for all they have contributed in their time in the Benefice and wish them well on their next adventure. We also hope to give Jo a gift to remember us by. Donations can be given to church wardens or made online to the Goring Parochial Church Council account with TSB, sort code 30-13-42, account number 11162560 using the reference “JA Gift” please. (In this case please do not use the Parish Giving route as there is a lag between the donation being made and our receiving it.) There will also be a bowl for donations at services at St Mary’s.
We are asked to pray
Prayers for this week Thank you to Judith for this week’s prayers.
Heavenly Father, this Christmas, we give you thanks for caring so much for us that, in spite of our disobedience and shortcomings, you sent your son to live among us and teach us how to live. Not only that, you allowed him to be crucified for our sins and then raised him from the dead, so that we could be reconciled with you, and have the hope of eternal life. We thank and praise your holy name. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Loving God, we pray for our nation. Forgive us for the poverty which exists in our land, for the fact that so many people go to bed hungry in this rich nation and there are people who have to beg and sleep on the streets. Give us generous hearts and show us how we can work for a fairer society. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Lord, we lift to you all those areas in the world where there is conflict. We pray especially for the people in the Middle East, caught up in the war between Israel and Hamas, and for the Ukrainians fighting against Russia. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Prince of peace, we ask you to bring peace to these nations and to Myanmar, Afghanistan and all other nations where there is conflict. We pray also for refugees and all those agencies working to help them. Please protect them and help them not to lose heart. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Creator God, forgive us for the way we have treated this beautiful world. We pray for all those, here and abroad, suffering the effects of climate change, such as flooding and forest fires. Help the leaders of all nations to take seriously the resolutions made at COP this year and to heed the warnings that you are sending. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord of life, We pray for our bishops and clergy in this diocese and for our Ministry Team here in Goring, Streatley and South Stoke. We pray also for our fellow Christians in the Free Church and the Roman Catholic Church. Thank you for the Advent groups which have met this year and the friendships that have been formed. Help us to continue to work together to bring your message of hope and salvation to the people of these villages.
Bless and protect our mission partners Steve and Lindsey as they visit some of their sponsors. We pray that the shortfall in the finances for their mission work will be met. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We lift to you all those we know who are sick at this time, we ask for healing for them and support for their families. We also pray for the housebound, and the residents of the care homes in this area.
We remember those who have died recently, we pray that you will comfort their families and friends.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.