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ELHAM VALLEY OPEN DOOR PRAYER HUB: WELCOME!
Sunday 24th May 2020Stephen and Jane are recording videos of Acts of
Worship every week, and they are available on our websites –www.elhamvalleygroupofchurches.co.uk and
www.achurchnearyou.comIn addition, at 8am every morning, the Ministry Team will be saying morning prayer – and every Sunday at 10am, Rev’d Jane will be doing a service of Holy Communion BCP Common Worship Order 2.
Holy Communion service with ZoomThe congregation of St Mary and St Radegund, Postling are meeting ‘virtually’ for a communion service fortnightly at 9.30am. The next one is Sunday 24th May. If you would like to join with them, please contact Alison Dale and she will send you the link a day or so before. All are welcome!
This Week’s Readings
Acts 1: 6-14, 1 Peter 4: 12-14; 1 Peter 5: 6-11. Gospel – John 17: 1-11
Thoughts for this Week
The disciples were with Jesus after his resurrection, he had talked of the kingdom of God. They gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes…”
I am reminded of the journalists who ask “Give us a date for when the government will do this and that – when we can meet again, when the vaccine will be ready, when the pandemic will end …”The disciples were told to wait.We also are in a time of waiting. We wait in Advent, and now between Ascension and Pentecost is also a time of waiting, but we may have to wait much longer with this virus. Waiting for a vaccine, for the end of illness, suffering, separation of families, loss of contact with friends, loss of job or money, waiting for celebration or mourning.
The disciples were asked “Why are you standing here staring into heaven?”
So they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. They all were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, men and women.
ELHAM VALLEY OPEN DOOR PRAYER HUB: WELCOME!
What are we doing while we’re waiting ? Some are waiting and working, working desperately hard and in fear.
For others it might seem like exile - we are here but not here, we learn a little of what it’s like to be a refugee.
In Jeremiah 29 we hear of people in exile, they could get letters and one was sent from Jeremiah in Jerusalem to those in Babylon, far away from their church building (temple) and home, some separated from friends or family, in a strange land, –
“4 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. ….. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. ““11For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. 12 Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. 13 When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, 14 I will let you find me, says the LORD, and I will restore you…”
So when possible we plant and build and eat … but also write letters and pray, find different ways to worship God together, ways of supporting key workers,…
Remembering that Jesus said “I am praying for them….. for those whom Thou hast given me, for they are Thine; 10 ……… I do not pray that Thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldst keep them from the evil one. …… I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word.”
Janet Butcher-Weisner
Although we are apart, we pray together:
Prayers of Intercession: Please use in conjunction with your own prayers.
Through this bulletin, we are all able to join the intercessor in prayerful petitioning on behalf of all under God’s benefaction. Believing there is harmony and a powerful loving Spirit at the heart of the universe, a God in whom we can trust.
I believe in the sun, even when it’s not shining…..I believe in love, even when I can’t feel it… I believe in God, even when He is silent…... In faith, let us do what we can and pray…..
We too may be silent before you Lord, as we offer our lives in thanksgiving. Help us to be open, ready for when you speak in the stillness. Please keep us relaxed
ELHAM VALLEY OPEN DOOR PRAYER HUB: WELCOME!both in body and mind, constant in our love towards you, confident in your redeeming grace through Jesus Christ our Lord….Amen
Ascension (21.05.20): Christ is the King to whom all authority has been given in heaven and on earth. While we may own him as our Lord, we yield to him in obedience. May we dedicate our lives to his service…..So come Lord Jesus and reign in us that we may be agents of your Kingdom. Alleluia! Christ is risen…..He is risen indeed Alleluia!
“Nothing is impossible for God”: God of compassion, be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation. In their loneliness, be their consolation...In their anxiety, be their hope...In their darkness, be their light...Through him who suffered alone on the cross and now reigns with you in glory, Jesus Christ our Lord….. Amen
People of Faith (The Church): Dear Lord please anoint your Church with the Spirit of recovery and evangelistic mission. We pray for Archbishop Welby, Bishop Rose and all who serve under the banner of Christ within the Elham Valley Ministry. Help us Lord, to proclaim the spirit of the Gospels by action and word within the needs of recovery and national rebuilding, that others may be drawn to your love, worship and service….. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Our Nation: Dear Lord God, please bless this land which you have given...Sustain our Queen…Guide our Politicians...Resolve our differences...Revive your Church...Forgive our selfishness...Protect our homes...And may your will be done in this nation, as it is in heaven….. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Those who bravely serve: Almighty God we cannot thank you enough for the Spirit which sustains those who continue to serve in the front line of this Pandemic. While our gratitude goes out to Doctors, Nurses and all who sustain our N.H.S., there are many others, known to you, too numerous to mention. Please sustain their bravery by your mighty power, keep them safe and in your mercy hear their prayers and the prayers we offer up for them.
For the Unwell & Recovery: Father please comfort and heal all those who suffer in body mind and spirit. May their healing and wholeness be empowered by your hand and may those who care for them be sustained in all aspects of their care.
Lord, we commend to your love and care all those in our community who are sick at this time especially Kevin Bennett, Janet Thornby, Derek & Nicki North, Daniel Stevens, Katherine Goody, Baby Rowan, Mike Wilson, David Ratcliff, Colin Laker, June Edwards, Derek Ufton, Jean Anderson, Paul Hutchins, John Hammond, Sheila Godden, for all known to us who need a prayer for healing and also the many others who we don’t know. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers and the prayers of others for their wellbeing.
ELHAM VALLEY OPEN DOOR PRAYER HUB: WELCOME!Departed & Bereaved: Dear God of Compassion, we thank you for those who have influenced our own lives and now dwell with you in glory. For us, who have to compensate for the loss of a loved relative or friend, the spiritual pain can be a life scar. We also think of David Rawlings, Iris Weeks, Margaret Prior, Mary Osborn, Raymond Morphew.Loving Lord, please enter the lives of those who mourn and bring them courage, faith and peace in recovery…..
And we remember also all those dear, whose year’s mind falls at this time: Margaret Rumble, Muriel Wilson, Hastings Barry, Lucy Davies, Marianne MacKinnon, Jeanette Seldon and Ron Godfrey.Merciful Father, accept all our prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ...
Amen
May we conclude with the prayer taught by our Ascended Saviour, The Lord’s Prayer.
Traditional
Our Father, who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name;thy kingdom come;thy will be done;on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation;but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom,the power and the glory,for ever and ever.Amen.
Contemporary
Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name,your kingdom come,your will be done,on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sinsas we forgive those who sin
ELHAM VALLEY OPEN DOOR PRAYER HUB: WELCOME!against us.
Lead us not into temptationbut deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power,and the glory are yoursnow and for ever.Amen.
Update on our Curate
The ordination of our new curate, Deb Scoble will not now be taking place until the end of September, and she won’t move to her new house in Lyminge until then, but she will be working amongst us from the end of June as a Lay person.
Here are some links for videos of services and further resources from Canterbury Diocese and the Church of Englan d
NEW: - https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org
https://canterburydiocese.org/parishsupport/coronavirus/prayer-worship-during-coronavirus/ - some excellent resources and Apps for prayerhttps://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily-prayerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgN0s2xmCuMThe cathedral will live stream a midday Eucharist and Evensong at 5.30 p.m. weekdays, and at 3.15 p.m. weekends. Please follow this link to access the live stream on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x1i7znmokE
Follow the church of England on Twitter https://twitter.com/churchofengland
Daily Hope offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of a telephone line. Options available include materials such as Prayer During the Day and Night Prayer updated daily, from Common Worship, and a recording of the Church of England weekly national online service . A section called Hymn Line offers callers a small selection of hymns, updated
ELHAM VALLEY OPEN DOOR PRAYER HUB: WELCOME!
daily. An option entitled ‘Hymns We Love’, provides a hymn and reflection and is based on an initiative by the Connections group. The line – which is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 – has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind.
For families:Toddler Praise from St George’s Church, Folkestone, with Rev’d Kate McNeice:https://www.facebook.com/StGeorgesFolkestone/videos/2649435245312121/
https://www.rootsontheweb.com/familiesathome24may (pdfs at the bottom of the page)
Assistance during Isolation
Alison Dale and some of the churchwardens (see below, marked with *) have a list of contacts who can help or provide a service to everyone in the Group, from walking a dog to supplying take-away meals. Please get in touch if you would like to find out more, or wish to make an offer of assistance to others.
ELHAM VALLEY GROUP OF CHURCHES CONTACTS:Priest-in-Charge Rev’d Jane Weeks: 01303 840219 (Monday to Thursday. Jane is not available on Thursday evenings and all-day Friday) [email protected] Priest Rev’d Stephen Dougal: 07764775507 [email protected] Team Leader Paul Jarvis: 01303 862215 [email protected] *Benefice Administrator: Alison Dale: 07985025381 (Thu-Fri 9-11am) [email protected]:Elham *Peter Swain 01303 840408 - *Graham Ernest-Jones 01303 840645Acrise *Simon Smith 01303 892162 – Martin Bradley 01303 864289Denton & Wootton Sue Clough 01303 844324.Lyminge *Phil Hawken 01303 862151Stanford *Sara Myers 01303 814183 – *Paul Smallwood 01303 813198Postling Peter Le Feuvre [email protected] – Chris Reynolds [email protected] Celia Mosley 01303 893609 - *Lindsey Smith [email protected] the Internet: www . elhamvalleygroupofchurches . co.uk www.achurchnearyou.com
ELHAM VALLEY OPEN DOOR PRAYER HUB: WELCOME!
Artist - Dave Walker