As we approach a General Election we ask God to guide us in his ways.
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.
Daily Prayer returns to its usual pattern. Why not join in one day? We listen to the Bible and pray for our world and church members in turn. Monday: 8.30am Goring, Tuesday and Thursday: 8.30am Streatley. Friday: 9am Goring.
This week we are asked to pray
Prayers for this week from "Roots on the Web"
As we come to God, let us sit in stillness and silence, listening for his still, small voice…
Lord, we lift our world up to you. We look at all the places of war and unrest: Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Myanmar and many parts of Africa. There is so much anger, hatred and distrust. Lord, it grieves your heart of love, and we lament with you for a world in pain. We pray for those who are the victims of the violence as well as those who bring it about. Lord, speak your words of peace into the nations. Bring a ceasefire to all hostilities, we pray. Lord, show us how to pray for your world. Show us how to be peacemakers and bringers of restoration in places of conflict. O Lord, when you call, let us answer: Speak, Lord, we are listening.
As so many countries of the world will have elections this year, we pray for the leaders of the nations, that you will raise up women and men of integrity and peace. We pray for those who serve their country in whatever capacity; may they be people who seek to put the needs of others before themselves. We pray for Christian politicians, that they will not be torn between their faith and their job. Give them courage to speak and act for you and to be an influence for good. We also pray for ourselves, that you will show us how and where we can be influencers for you, Lord. We think of where you have placed us: in our families, our homes and streets, our work or school, our leisure. Help us to bring your wholeness into every situation this week and always. O Lord, when you call, let us answer: Speak, Lord, we are listening.
We pray for our church community. We bring before you any pressing needs or concerns. We pray for the work of this church during the week ahead. Show us where we can be your hands, eyes, ears and voice in our local area. Lord, is there someone or somewhere you particularly want us to go to this week? We pause in silence to listen again for your still, small voice…. Help us to take our love for you out into our streets, shops, schools and businesses this week. We pray that our community will be flooded with your love and glory. O Lord, when you call, let us answer: Speak, Lord, we are listening.
We pray for the young people of our community, particularly those taking exams at the moment. Lord, may there be an air of calm and peace in their hearts and in the exam rooms. Help the revision to go well and the students to do their best. Give wisdom, also, to those who are marking the exam papers. Help parents, teachers and friends to speak words of encouragement and support and may all our young people be safe in the knowledge that they are loved and valued by you no matter what the outcome of their exams. O Lord, when you call, let us answer: Speak, Lord, we are listening.
We pray for those we know who are struggling at the moment: for those who are sick; for those who suffer from depression or anxiety; for the elderly and bewildered; for those who are sad and sorrowful, especially because someone they love has died. Lord, help us not to pass by on the other side when we see someone in need or in pain. Help us to be good listeners to one another and to give up our time just to sit with those who need our support. O Lord, when you call, let us answer: Speak, Lord, we are listening.
Finally, Lord, we offer the coming week to you. In the stillness, we picture the places where we are expecting to be and the people we are expecting to be with. Go before us to prepare our way. Smooth the path where there might be friction and ease the path where there might be pain. Help us to be ready for any eventualities that may take up more time or effort than we might have hoped. Help us to see your presence in every situation and to follow where you lead. O Lord, when you call, let us answer: Speak, Lord, we are listening.
Go before us and guide us and help us to follow. Amen.