God is a giving relationship of love, a mystery, close and beyond us. We are invited to join in. May we come and meet together, and worship and receive this Trinity Sunday.
This vital occasion to help us to play our part will give encouragement that what we eat makes a huge difference. 9.30am: United Benefice Service in St Thomas’ with live jazz, Food glorious Food. And Bread of Heaven. Only with God’s help can we change our hearts, and then our ways and hopes.
11.00am-2.00pm in the Rectory Garden: Bring a picnic or buy food and drink in the garden. There will be live music, stalls and activities for all the family, to inspire and encourage. 12noon-1:00pm: Special Question Time... in the marquee with visiting experts facing our questions and sharing their insights. They will guide us in discovering what a difference our eating habits make to the world and how we can all have a positive impact on climate change and biodiversity. You can guarantee your seat and encourage us to have a full marquee, by booking online for this part: https://www.thegapfestival.org/events/climate-change-question-time-ask-the-experts/
Hymns and songs in church – Is something missing? We have great hymns in our books, but no one book is perfect and we can’t please everyone all the time, but we try! Please, if you are longing for a particular song, do let the ministry team or organists know. We can occasionally print a hymn/song on the weekly sheet to be included.
How Can I Keep From Singing! The latest concert by a new choir will be held in St Thomas’ this Saturday, 25th May. VentiQuattro (24) was established about 18 months ago, made up of auditioned and semi-professional singers, with a love of singing a capella music in small groups. They’ve tackled a mix of renaissance, classical and contemporary music in their first two concerts. In this concert, they will showcase why US composers right now are among some of the best for classical a capella.
This week we are asked to pray
Prayers for this week Thank you to Alun for this week’s prayers.
Let us give praise to the Father who by his grace has made us his children; to the Son who by his death and resurrection has brought us new life; to the Holy Spirit who dwells in our hearts and strengthens us for service. To the holy and blessed Trinity be praise and glory for ever. Lord, we thank you that the churches of our benefice are still standing and for the witness they have maintained down the years as centres of Christian worship, teaching and service. We thank you for all who have loyally served as clergy and laity, and for the continuance of their work today. We pray that we may grow and flourish. We ask your blessing on Ben and the ministry team; may they lead your people with courage and conviction and care for them lovingly, sending them forth to be your witnesses in the world. We pray in the power of your Spirit for fresh ventures of faith in the days ahead. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Almighty God, we pray for all people across the world. Though divided into nations and races, all are your children, drawing from you their life and being, commanded to obey your laws in accordance with our ability to know and understand them. We pray that hatred and strife may vanish, that abiding peace may fill the earth, that humanity everywhere may be blessed with the fruit of peace. We pray for the work of missionaries in all parts of the world, and most especially for our mission partners Steve and Lindsey Poulson in Honduras, that they may be kept safe and that the support they need may be forthcoming. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Lord, we rejoice that you have made the earth rich in natural resources. We pray that we may learn to use them responsibly, not wasting them on what we do not need, not polluting the land, the air, the seas and rivers, not wantonly destroying the life of animals and plants, but taking care to hand on to future generations an earth fit for people to thrive in, to the honour of your name. We thank you for the community of which we are part. May we all find opportunities to make our own contribution to local life, to be good neighbours, that by love we may serve one another. We pray especially for those who feel lonely and isolated, and for charitable organisations working to alleviate suffering. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
We pray for those we know who are unwell at this time. If it may be, grant them healing, but above all grant them the knowledge that they are safe in your hands. The Lord Jesus, in the days of his life here on earth, showed compassion to the sick and afflicted, and made them whole; bless those who carry on this healing work on our hospitals and nursing homes. Grant them sympathy and skill, and an ever-deepening understanding of their task.
We pray for those who mourn the loss of dear relatives and friends. May they be comforted and helped to know that we are all united with each other through your love. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
We thank you Lord, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, that faith is not a matter of knowing the right formulas or putting things into the right words, but of knowing what you have done for us, and being willing to let you work through us and in us, of letting your love control us. Lord, we ask that you give us that kind of faith. Amen.