Piano Recital at St Mary’s In celebration of JS Bach's 340th birthday Christopher Burrows, virtuoso organist and pianist, will be giving a piano recital in St Mary's on Sunday March 23rd at 4pm. The programme will comprise short works composed by the Birthday Composer himself. This will include toccatas, preludes and selections from the
Goldberg variations and the Art of Fugue. Tickets £10 full, £9 concessions on the door only and please bring cash not cards! Tea and cakes will be provided by the Friends of St Mary’s in the Morrell Rooms after the concert. Any enquiries please text to 0776 233 9853.
This week we are asked to pray:
Prayers for the week Thank you to David for this week’s prayers. Let us pray to God who has drawn us here today and thank him for the life and gifts he has given us. They are perhaps not always what we have expected and sometimes test our faith, but we know Father they are your will. We thank you for your guiding hand on our shoulders. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us. As we gather in the presence of the Almighty, all-knowing God, let us pray for all Christian Churches, with all their strengths and sometimes their weaknesses. Give us the grace to recognise that in your spirit we are one and to curb our tendency to cause division. We pray for all those engaged in ecumenical work. Give us the faith and confidence to engage with other religions and not denounce them. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us. Father, we pray for the benefice of Goring, Streatley and South Stoke, its churches and clerical team led by Reverend Ben. Grant your blessing upon them and all the volunteers who contribute to their smooth running. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us. We pray that all in authority here in UK and in other nations of the world, may use their positions for good, instigating and upholding what is right and fair. We pray that they listen to the needs of those they represent and recognise their responsibility to support and stand up for God’s values. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us. We pray for all those caught up in conflict, injury and displacement through no fault of their own. In Ukraine, in the Middle East, in Africa, in Latin America, in SE Asia – the list is depressingly volatile and seemingly endless. We are living through a period of dramatic change to what we have considered to be the world order. Amidst this turmoil and uncertainty, we pray Lord for the calm, reconciliation and peace that you alone can provide. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us. Father, we thank you for our families and the joy that that they bring us. We pray for our young people as they enter the exam season at whatever level that may be. Help them to focus away from the distractions that our world throws at them. We pray for those less fortunate children living in poverty – in some cases close to our doorstep. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us. Loving Father, bless those who are ill and suffering pain and depression. We pray for those who nurse them and watch anxiously over them. Give them the Faith that will bring them strength and peace of mind as they live out their lives. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us. We pray for those who have recently died and ask that you give them the eternal peace of your love. We pray that you give those family and friends left behind the strength to handle their inevitable shock and remember the happiness and contribution those who have departed gave to their lives. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us. During this period of Lent, give us the Faith to meditate upon Christ’s final weeks on earth before his cruel torture, crucifixion and the final sacrifice made for us. Father, we thank you for our lives, our health, our achievements, our families and your love. We thank you for your daily guidance as you watch over us every minute of the day… Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us. Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.