Opening Prayer Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Readings for Lent 3 - Exodus 17.1-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5.1-11 ; John 4.5-42 A Word: The reading from Exodus shows how difficult and contrary we can become when we cannot get what we want or fail to get our own way. The reading also shows us that in all times we should trust that God will provide for us. Finally this reading shows us that when we work co-operatively together that great things can be achieved. The psalm calls us to worship and obey God and to stop being wayward because disobedience tests God’s patience. The letter to the Romans reminds us that we can do nothing to save ourselves because only God can save us. For even though we do not deserve it, God justifies us through faith. In the Gospel, we learn that Jesus seeks out all sorts of people to assist in his mission to save the world. People just like the Samaritan women who was believed to be unworthy and unsuitable to even speak with Jesus. Yet, she became a messenger for God amongst her own people. Calling them to come and meet Jesus and sharing her testimony with them. The Lord's Prayer Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be they 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 them that trespass against us. Deliver us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen Prayer: Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: graft in our hearts the love of your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, make us perfect in your love and by your great mercy keep us in the same, so we may share in his glory; through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord, the true vine and the source of life, ever giving himself that the world may live. Amen Prayer of blessing: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen. Closing Note This message is sent to you with love and prayers as: a word of encouragement and a sign of hope.
Opening Prayer Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Readings for Lent 2: Genesis 12.1-4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4.1-5,13-17; John 3.1-17 A word: In Genesis we hear God giving Abram instructions on what he is to do. Alongside the instructions, God promises that he will take care of Abram (who became Abraham) and bless all nations through him. The psalm echoes this promise by reminding us that God is always watching over and taking care of us. The letter to the Romans tells us that Abram’s willingness to do that which God asked of him was counted to him as righteousness. It also tells us that if we have the same faith as Abram, we will receive the same promises that God made to Abram. The gospel shares with us how God was fulfilling his promise through Jesus, who was lifted up so we can be saved. This is God’s message to us, for us to receive and for us to share with others.The Lord's Prayer Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be they 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 them that trespass against us. Deliver us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen Prayer: Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: graft in our hearts the love of your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, make us perfect in your love and by your great mercy keep us in the same, so we may share in his glory; through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord, the true vine and the source of life, ever giving himself that the world may live. Amen Prayer of blessing: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen. Closing Note This message is sent to you with love and prayers as: a word of encouragement and a sign of hope.
1st Sunday of LentReadings 1 Lent - Genesis 2.15-17; 3.1-7, Psalm 32; Romans 5.12-19; Matthew 4.1-11Let us pray: May the words of my mouth and the thoughts and meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer.A word: Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Lent is the time of year when the Church calls on Christians to take part in a period of Spiritual Discipline for 40 days that ends with the great celebration of Easter. Yesterday was Shrove Tuesday when, in days of old, it was the tradition to use up all the goodies in the pantry and have a feast before Lent began as Lent used to be a time of fasting.Traditionally, Ash Wednesday is the day when children and adults would go to Church to confess their sins and receive the mark of ash on the forehead, as a sign that we are sinners in need of God’s mercy and grace. This year, we shall be making our confession in Church on the 1st Sunday of Lent and those who want them may receive the ashes. For those of you who want to - make your confession at home. For true freedom comes when we recognise our sin, are sorry for our shortfalls, confess them to God and ask God to help us change. For, no matter how bad we are, what is truly remarkable is that God loves every sinner who turns back to Him and when even one sinner repents Jesus said that the angels rejoice in heaven.Let us pray: For all my sins Lord, I am sorry and ashamed, I know I do not deserve your forgiveness, so I come to you trusting in your loving mercy and grace, asking: Lord Jesus Christ, son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Holy God, our lives are laid open before you: rescue us from the chaos of sin through the death of your Son and bring us to healing and wholeness. Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are repentant: create and make in us new and contrite hearts that as we lament our sins and acknowledge our unhappiness, that you, the God of all mercy, grant us forgiveness through Jesus. Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be a sacrifice for sin and an example of godly life: give us grace that we may thankfully receive his gifts then undertake to follow in the blessed steps of his most holy life. Amen Thanks for joining us today.
Opening Prayer Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Readings for Sunday next before Lent: Exodus 24.12-18; Psalm 2; or Psalm 99; 2 Peter 1.16-21; Matthew 17.1-9A Word: In Exodus we hear God call Moses to come to Him and listen to His instructions. Moses did as asked and spent 40 days and nights listening to God. In the psalm we hear that God is mighty, just and righteous. A God who listens to what we have to say. A God who calls people to serve him. God who pardons and forgives us our sins. A God who we are called to worship. A God who we hear in the Gospel made himself known on the mountain when he showed who his son was to Jesus' disciples. A God who the letter reminds us declared that Jesus is His son. All of this is powerful testimony about God's love and care for us His creation. For God wants the best for each one of us and permitted His son to come here to earth to save us. The Lord's Prayer Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be they 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 them that trespass against us. Deliver us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen Prayer: Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: graft in our hearts the love of your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, make us perfect in your love and by your great mercy keep us in the same, so we may share in his glory; through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord, the true vine and the source of life, ever giving himself that the world may live. Amen Prayer of blessing: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen. Closing Note This message is sent to you with love and prayers as: a word of encouragement and a sign of hope.
