The Coronation of King Charles III on Saturday 6th May 2023The Coronation of King Charles III is a historic moment in the life of our nation.As the King and Queen Consort prepare to solemnise the promises and commitments they make to the nations and people they represent, the Church will begin 28 days of prayer and spiritual preparation alongside the King – praying with and for the King. This will take place from Easter Day, Sunday 9th April 2023 until the Coronation on Saturday 6th May 2023.The Church of England has compiled a booklet of Daily Prayers for the Coronation of King Charles III, for this period which offers a daily theme, reading, reflection, and prayer for use by individuals or groups. Copies are available for purchase at Church House Publishing (Daily Prayers for the Coronation of King Charles III, Church House Publishing 2023; ISBN 9781781404119)On Saturday 6th May 2023, the Coronation ceremony will be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury. This ceremony is rooted in a longstanding tradition and will reflect The King’s role today as well as look towards the future.On Sunday 7th May 2023, our Church will be celebrating the Coronation at our 10am Service of Holy Communion.A Prayer for the King: Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness, bless our Sovereign Lord, King Charles, and all who are in authority under him; that they may order all things in wisdom and equity, righteousness and peace, to the honour of your name, and the good of your Church and people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenA Prayer for the Royal Family: Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness, bless we pray, Camilla the Queen Consort, William Price of Wales, the Princess of Wales, and all the Royal Family. Endue them by your Holy Spirit; enrich them with your heavenly grace; prosper them with all happiness; and bring them to your everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenA Prayer for ourselves: Gracious God, in company with our King, we rededicate ourselves to your service. Take our minds and think through them, take our lips and speak through them, take our hearts and set them on fire with love for you and your kingdom; that here we may have your peace, and in the world to come may see you face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
An Animation from the Church of England 2020 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTtYrCqBnhg&feature=youtu.beThen a story for Christmas: In a room in heaven there were four candles. Now, what you may not know about heavenly candles is that they burn with the oil of worship. On the day in question, the 4 candles were burning to the glory of God and the ambiance was so soft that you could hear them talking. The first one said, “I am PEACE, however as the world is devoid of peace between heaven and earth - I believe I will go out.” Soon after this, the flame of Peace rapidly diminished and the candle went out. The second one said, “I am FAITH. However as so few people believe in God - I am afraid that I will go out.” Soon after this, a breeze of disbelief rolled in and blew out the flame of Faith. The third candle said “I am LOVE. But there is so little love in the world for God and humanity - that I have insufficient strength to stay lit”. And, with a sigh of sadness, the candle of Love went out. Just then, a child entered the room and saw that three of the four candles were not burning. The child said to the three unlit candles: “Why are you not burning - for you are supposed to stay lit until the end of all time?”Then the fourth candle spoke up and said, “Don’t be afraid for I am HOPE and even in the darkest of time my flame stays alight in the smouldering embers of desolation. And, my flame will burst into flame at the smallest sign that things can be better”. Then with my flame of Hope you dear child can help me to re-light the other candles of Peace, Faith and Love. With shining eyes and a deep joy of spirit, the child took the candle of Hope and lit the other 3 candles. Then set off on the journey as the Fathers’ only son – to bring the flame of hope to the world. Today, as we recall the Christmas story - let the flame of Hope burn bright in your life because by its light we keep alight FAITH, PEACE and LOVE. Author Unknown
Welcome and thank you for joining me as we hear and see the Christmas story at https://youtu.be/hQg2Y9Qrj5A. The posters were prepared for us by Peter Featherstone.Let us pray. We gather in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Lord our God, with the birth of Jesus, your glory breaks into the world. We give you thanks as we hear once more the story of your loving purposes brought to us by the Holy Child. AmenReadings: Our story begins with a prophecy - Isaiah 9 v2&6. It continues in the Gospel of Luke: Luke 1 v26-38 and Luke 2 v1-16. It concludes with a reading from the Gospel of John: John 1 v1-5 & 10-14.Closing prayer: May the Light of God - Lead you; May the Power of God - Hold you; May the Joy of God - Heal you; May the Love of God – Cradle you; May the Laughter of God - Bless you. Now and always. AMENDismissal: Jesus is the light of the world. As you go, carry the Christ-light to all that you meet.HAPPY CHRISTMAS.
View this service at https://youtu.be/CYeRqBQNb1QIntroduction: As we commemorate and recall all who died in wars - we give thanks for the sounds of war falling silent.Let us pray: Lord, as we remember, we call to mind our need of your God’s forgiveness – Lord have mercy. Cast out our sin of dominating others - Christ have mercy. Heal us from the desires that leads us into conflict with others and cause war between nations. Lord have mercy.Reading from Micah 4 v1-4 (NRSV): In days to come the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised up above the hills. Peoples shall stream to it, and many nations shall come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into plough shares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore; but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken.Reflection: This reading tells us that God promises that one day there will be a time of enduring peace. A peace that lasts forever. I hope for that time on earth and believe that time will be in heaven.Today we Remember: We remember the men, women and children who gave their lives to restrain evil and oppose tyranny. Lord, we give you thanks for the sacrifices of people who give their lives that others may live and amongst them we remember those who serve in the army, navy and airforce. We remember all those hurt and maimed. Bless them dear Lord.Thanksgiving prayer: We give you thanks for times of peace. We give you thanks for all who help, encourage and comfort others. We give you thanks for all who work for the relief of the needy. We give you thanks for all who work for peace and the welfare of all nations.Offering of ourselves: Lord, we offer ourselves to you, to serve you: in the cause of peace, for the relief of suffering and for praise of your name. Teach us the ways of peace and the ways of hope. Guide us by your Spirit, lend us your wisdom, give to us courage and keep us faithful now and in the years to come. Amen.Lord’s prayer: 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 them that 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.Prayer of Blessing: God grant to the living, grace; to the departed, rest; to the Church, the King, the Commonwealth and all people, your gift of peace and concord; and to us and all your servants, life everlasting; and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, come down upon us and remain with us always.
