How do we prepare for Lent? For a stretching and strengthening time - to be better able to realise the fruits of our Saviour’s suffering and victory. Moses glowed after his encounters with God. May we follow? Ash Wednesday is this week.
South Stoke Open Day, Saturday 1st March The church will be joining 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.
Come along for croissants and coffee on this first Sunday of a month from 8.45-9.15am. This is a wonderful way to integrate our different church members of all ages and stages. Thank you to Simon and Sylvia for providing this!
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).
This week we are asked to pray:
Prayers for the week Thank you to Simon for this week’s prayers. Father God, help us to still our hearts and centre ourselves on your saving grace. As the Psalmist says, we thank you that we are held in the palm of your hand, loved and protected individually by your saving Grace. Looking out into the world, we thank you that the ceasefire in Gaza is still holding, and we pray that all the parties and leaders involved will be confident enough to move ahead to the next phase towards a more lasting peace. We pray for the families returning to their homes, and for humanitarian aid to flow freely to where it is needed. As new actors appear on the world stage, we ask that this may swiftly lead to the start of peace talks in Ukraine and an end to the destruction and bloodshed. May you give the stakeholders and leaders involved wisdom and patience that we may quickly see an end to the fighting, and a pathway towards peace and rebuilding after the devastation and loss of the last three years conflict. Here at home, we remember King Charles, asking for wisdom for him and the Ministers that form his government. With so many challenges facing our fellow-citizens, we pray for your provision and blessing particularly as decisions are made concerning the delivery of our front-line services, in particular those which support the elderly and those who are ill and in need. Here in our Benefice, we ask that you would bless the leaders at our churches - Gavin our Bishop, Ben and the entire ministry team. May we both support them practically and, in our prayers, as they lead the devotional life of the Benefice and especially as they prepare for the coming season of Lent. We pray for our congregations, for health and wellbeing and for the depth of our spiritual journey together. Please bless the study groups that are coming together in the coming weeks – may they be fruitful, instructive, and enjoyable for those able to join. As we reflect on how best to support the work of the church, guide each one of us to think about our response to your generous provision for us, as we recognise that indeed - “All things come from you O Lord, and of your own do we give you.” Finally, Lord, thank you that you are with us in times of grief and distress; comfort those who we know who are ill or in suffering at this time. We commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray, to the mercy and protection of God our Lord and Father. Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.