Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - Today is Day one of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The material for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2024 has been prepared by the churches of Burkina Faso. The theme this year is “Go and Do Likewise.” Each day there is are bible readings, prayers for the community and the world, a time of reflection, a question and a 'Go and Do' The details are below are on also on the website www.ramsbottomchurches.org where you can also download a PDF of the week's booklet DAY 1— THURSDAY 18TH JANUARY 2024 A lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25) Help us, Lord, to have a life turned towards you. Additional scripture passages Romans 14: 8-9 Psalm 103: 13-18 Reflection “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” This crucial question asked of Jesus by a lawyer challenges every believer in God. It affects the meaning of our life on earth and for eternity. Elsewhere in the Bible, Jesus gives us the ultimate definition of eternal life “… that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17: 3). Knowing God means discovering and doing the will of God in our lives. Violence, greed and exploitation distance us from one another and from Jesus as “the Way” that leads us to the Father, our ultimate destiny. Speaking from a society that has been torn apart and traumatised by violence and identity based conflict for the last eight years, the churches of Burkina Faso offer us a message of hope in the promise of Christ’s all-embracing love. We pray for Ramsbottom Community Church. Emmanuel Church, Holcombe. Our local vision for working together in Ramsbottom. Our brothers and sisters in Christ who are unable to worship freely. We pray together God of life, You have created us to have life, and life in all its fullness. Help your wounded church to be a source of hope and healing. As we follow the way of Jesus with determination, may we lead others to you. Amen Question How do you see God’s dream for you unfolding in your life? Go and do Christians gathering to worship and witness in parts of Burkina Faso have been attacked and murdered, and the threat of violence continues to oppress and scatter that community. As we gather this week, pray for all those facing persecution in Burkina Faso and other parts of the world.
We are blessed to have some amazing people as members of our Team Churches. One of which, in honour of our new Team Rector's licensing, painted a picture of our four churches.It was received with much appreciation by Ian and Layna as something that will always remind them of this special day. Thank you John Arnott, you are a star....
After a long journey, the Ramsbottom & Edenfield Team Ministry were delighted when the Rev Ian Fleming was licensedRector of the Ramsbottom & Edenfield Teamby the Right Reverend Doctor Matthew Porter, Bishop of Bolton, at St Paul's Church in Ramsbottom.Rev Fleming was supported by Clergy, friends and family, and many from the Team Churches.As it is a crown appointment, the letters patent were read by the Vice Lord Lieutenant Mrs Sharman Birtles MBE,JP,DL who we were honoured <a></a>to have attending.Congratulations Rev Fleming.
ReadingLuke 2.25-32Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,according to your word;for my eyes have seen your salvation,which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,a light for revelation to the Gentilesand for glory to your people Israel.’ ReflectionSimeon had been waiting all his life. He has been waiting so long he must have grown so tired of waiting, or doubted or even forgotten what he is waiting for.I wonder how many of your hopes and visions seem to have come to nothing? Sometimes we just have to keep on turning up, keep on putting one foot in front of the other, keep on trusting, keep on singing.The musician and writer Nick Cave once said, “Hope is optimism with a broken heart.” Or, in other words, hope is believing in God’s promises even in the midst of the world’s pain.And yet, each day there are glimpses of salvation. In these last twelve days of Christmas we have had a chance to dwell in Christ’s presence. In him we have seen salvation.I wonder...What you are waiting for? What you have already found? How God finds you? If you have seen salvation?Lord, we have seen your salvation and heard your song. May we join in this song on earth and in heaven – evermore and evermore. Amen.
