Stephen has been on holiday this week so there is not a new service but there are links which you might find helpful below.

Last Sunday sixteen of us met to share Communion in the church garden.

We hope to be able to meet in our building next Sunday morning (16th August), and we will then put a recording of the service online later in the day.


Some ideas for today

If you have missed any of our previous weeks why not catch up, or listen again to one which you found helpful, you can find them on this link.
Sermons from previous weeks (including links to the full service)

You may like to join BBC1 Songs of Praise at 1.15pm today which is looking at the role Christians played in the founding of the National Trust or Radio 4 Morning Worship at 8.10am when the theme is The Cross and Black Liberation
Recent editions of Songs of Praise on the BBC i-player
Recent editions of Radio 4 Morning Praise

If you would prefer to find out what the local churches are doing this page from Churches Together has links (it talks about Easter events, but the links are still relevant)
*Rev Andy Murphy at the Methodist Church has been recording videos under the heading ‘Never Alone’
*At the Baptist Church Rev Christopher Brown has just finished a series on the Lord’s Prayer which you can watch on Youtube.
*The Anglican Churches are broadcasting on zoom, you need to get a password to join but I know you will be made welcome, instructions are here.
*If you would like to join the Rural Mission Solutions service at 9am, you need to register beforehand and I know that Barry would love to welcome you to that service.


Readings and prayers for today

Psalm 23 from The Message

A David Psalm
23 1-3 God, my shepherd!
    I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
    you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
    you let me catch my breath
    and send me in the right direction.
4 Even when the way goes through
    Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
    when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
    makes me feel secure.
5 You serve me a six-course dinner
    right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
    my cup brims with blessing.
6 Your beauty and love chase after me
    every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God
    for the rest of my life.
(Alternatively a more traditional translation)

Ephesians 1: 15-17


“For this reason, ever since I have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people. I have not stopped giving thanks for you remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better”

Gracious Lord, we thank you for people who love us.
Who have cared for us and been there for us (we take a few seconds of silence to picture them.)
Thank you for their advice, their kindness and their prayers.

We thank you for your love for us that you have no favourites but you constantly love us fully and unreservedly.
Help us to love others in your name.

Lord in this time of change and uncertainty, grant us wisdom and revelation. That we may make good decisions for ourselves and for others.

In Jesus’ name
Amen

Evangelical Alliance UK

A Prayer for Beirut

As we continue to see and hear reports of devastation in Beirut we pray for those who are bereaved or injured and for those responding to the catastrophe that has engulfed the city.

Gracious God,
We pray for those who live and work in Beirut that
the bereaved may be consoled and
the injured comforted and healed.

We pray for the rescue services and the hospital staff
giving thanks for their commitment and skill.

In the midst of catastrophe we pray for peace, truth and justice.
As the sound of explosion fades and the smoke clears
give wisdom to those who lead,
courage to those who serve,
and hope to all.
Amen.

Prayer from the Revd Ruth Gee, Assistant Secretary of the Methodist Conference.