Remembrance Sunday 8th November 2020Join us for a service of Remembrance from St Matthew with St Chad Church at https://youtu.be/CYeRqBQNb1QIn 2020, we had wreaths for all those who have died from the Military services, the Emergency services, the NHS, Care and Social services as well as those from Essential and Key services.
Feast of All Saints (All Hallows) 1st November 2020 & Commemoration of the Faithful departed (All Souls) 2nd November 2020Opening prayer: As we gather, God’s spirit is with us, thanks be to God.Read: Matthew 11v25-30Lucy prays: 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. AmenLucy reflects: On the 1st November each year the Church keeps the Feast of All Saints, which is olden days was called the Feast of All Hallows. This is a day when we give thanks for all the Saints, for the people considered to be: sacred and blessed, godly and devout, righteous and virtuous. In the Church of England, the title of Saint includes: people considered to be devout and spiritual; people whose way of living is worthy to be imitated; as well as people in heaven, whose existence is affirmed in the prayers known as Creeds. For saints are all of the people who are made holy by God, some with the formal title of Saint and others quite ordinary, just like you and me, people who simply become more Christlike by the way they live their lives. And whether they are alive in the world or among the faithful dead in heaven, they are our elder brothers and sisters in Christ. A great crowd who strengthen and encourage us in our spiritual journey of searching for God and seeking the way to heaven. To become part of that great cloud of witnesses in heaven, alongside all the faithful departed, already in heaven. A people that the Church gives thanks for on 2nd November each year in its Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. A people who have gone before us into heaven and are now with God.A prayer of people who want to become more holy: Day by day dear Lord, of thee three things we pray. To see you more clearly, to love you more dearly and to follow you more nearly, day by day. AmenA prayer for the dead: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shone upon them. May the souls and those of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace and rise in glory. AmenClosing prayer: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen
Opening prayer: As we gather, God’s spirit is with us, thanks be to God.Read: Matthew 24 v30-35Prayer for the day: Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: help us so to hear them, to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word, we may embrace and for ever hold fast the hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.A word about the Bible, from Lucy: Today is Bible Sunday and our prayer for today reminds us that the Bible is there to help us learn about God. Today’s prayer calls us to hear, read and study the word of God so that we can learn about and live our lives in keeping with God’s word. Finally, our prayer affirms that if we live in line with God’s word that we are also holding onto the promise of eternal life in Jesus. So, what can you hope to find if you take the time and trouble to read the Bible? So far, I have learnt lots about God. For God is beyond anything I can think or imagine; and God is so gracious and loving and merciful; and God has plans, plans that God always succeeds in fulfilling; and God knows what is best for us and wants to do what is best for us. I have also realised that the Bible teaches everything I need to know in order to live a life that is pleasing to God and be ready when the time comes for all creation to be judged. So, with all this in mind, I commend the Bible to you. You will find it an amazing read that opens up all sorts of insights and experiences that draw us closer to God.Closing prayer: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen
HARVEST (Year A) - 11th October 2020Lucy said: Today we call to mind that, if the Pandemic had not happened, that this Sunday would probably have been our Harvest Festival day. A time when we would bring gifts of food that would then be distributed to organisations that feed and support people of our Parish. Gifts that would contribute towards the help of people who are vulnerable, people who are sick, people in need, people sleeping rough, people who are running away, people who are refugees, people who are homeless, people with no possessions as well as people with no means to feed themselves. This tradition of making a Harvest offering is a Holy tradition began millennia ago when God asked his rescued nation of Israel to offer back to God the first fruits of their Harvest. A gift that God intended to be used to offer hospitality, mercy and help to others. This practice of sharing was instigated by God to ensure that no-one was left without what they need. It was also a reminder to everyone with enough to meet their own needs to generously share what they had – a calling that has always been in line with God’s will. In Corinthians chapter 9, Paul reminds us that we are to share what we have; and to do so cheerfully and generously; because God will bless whatever is given; as well as pour blessings on the giver. For Paul says that God will do miracles with all that is given by: enlarging the harvest, enriching those who donate and transforming the bounty received into a harvest of thanksgiving and praise of God. So, this year, instead of giving food gifts to the Church we give thanks that during the time of Pandemic that everyone has been giving generously and cheerfully to neighbours and friends and local charities.
