A reminder to reply to the invitation to Jo’s licensing by today, 26th January, to help with refreshment provision! We are all welcome. If anyone can offer or needs a lift please contact Ben. Please click here for more details about the service and how to reply to the invitation.
This was our first concert of 2024. We were pleased to welcome Russell Thompson back to St Mary’s after he enchanted us all with his recital in 2022. On a dark, wet and windy January afternoon we were again dazzled and amazed by Russell’s technical
Next Piano Recital at St Mary’s There will be a recital entitled “A Song on Love” by concert pianist Ikuko Inoguchi on Sunday February 25th at 4pm in St Mary's followed by tea afterwards. The programme will feature both Western Classical and Japanese pieces including works by Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann, Debussy and Toru Takemitsu. Ticket are available on the door for £10 full, £9 concessions (cash only please).
This week we are asked to pray
Prayers for this week Thank you to Alison for this week’s prayers.
Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for your light that shines in our lives through your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Fill your church with that light that it may be a light to all nations and that we may proclaim your presence and glory.
We pray for all who have dedicated their lives to you and for all who work in our church today, for our Archbishops, Justin and Stephen, our Bishops Steven and Gavin, for Ben and our Clergy Team, for our Wardens and all who support them here in our Benefice. In the wider world, we thank you for Steve and Lindsay who are following your call to help the street children of Honduras. And, as we approach Candlemas and the Presentation of Christ, we remember the members of our Benefice churches who have died recently and who, like old Simeon in the Temple, served you faithfully over so many years. Light of Christ: ”Scatter the darkness from our world”.
We pray for the growth of our Benefice churches that they may flourish for many generations to come. Heavenly Father, cast your blessings on our new initiatives, including the proposed Year 6 After-School Club and its Leaders; may this serve as a seed bed for future Christians in our community. We pray that you will shine your light over those meeting this week to discuss the best way forward in the appointment of a Children and Families Worker. We ask your blessing on the ongoing Benefice Digging Deeper Course and on the Ecumenical Lent Course, Hope and Healing, due to start shortly. Light of Christ: “Scatter the darkness from our world”.
Heavenly Father, at this worrying time when living costs are still rising, many in our community and the wider country have difficult decisions to make. Grant wisdom to our government and patience to those quick to condemn. Help us to realise that there is poverty on our doorsteps. Inspire us to give generously to our foodbanks. May we be watchful, Father, and aware of those in our community who are struggling and vulnerable but too proud to seek help. Light of Christ: “Scatter the darkness from our world”.
Heavenly Father, there are many areas of strife in our world. As the wars in Ukraine and The Holy Land continue to rage and the conflict over shipping in the Red Sea is becoming increasingly threatening, we pray that your everlasting light may overcome the darkness. May it bring peace to all involved, freedom and hope where there is oppression, recognition and respect where there is none and, in all areas of unrest, positive and non-violent ways forward. Light of Christ: “Scatter your darkness from our world”.
Heavenly Father, we ask for your healing light on all those in our Benefice who are sick or housebound and those who care for them. We pray to you Father, for the families who mourn the loss of their loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers turned this week to the families of the students and school caretaker murdered in Nottingham. We ask that you support them with your love. We pray that at a time when the mental health of the nation, and especially our young people is in decline, the often under-funded area of psychiatric care is given a higher priority.
We give thanks to you that life is eternal and pray that all those who have no one to help them through their last journey will know that you are alongside them.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.