Author: Peter Chapman

Will your duck win? Join us to find out…

Keep us, O Lord, from all Pettiness:
let us be large in thought, word and deed.
Let us be done with all fault-finding
and leave off all self-seeking.
May we put away all pretence and
meet each other face to face,
without self-pity and without prejudice.
May we never be hasty in judgement
and always generous.
Let us take the time for all things and
make us grow calm, serene and gentle.
Teach us to put into action our better impulses, straight forward and unafraid.
And, O Lord God, let us not forget to be kind. Amen.

Give me, Lord,
a stout heart to bear my own burdens,
a tender heart to bear the burdens of others,
and a believing heart to lay all my burdens on you,
for you care for us. Amen.

A prayer of Lesslie Newbigin

My God, do not abandon me
though I have done nothing good in your sight:
but, because you are compassionate,
grant me the power to make a start. Amen

A prayer of St Arsenios (d 449)

Some of you may have had this already, but probably not all of you. Prayer is a difficult topic for many of us and this might help!

“Prayer is like watching for the Kingfisher.
All you can do is be there when he is likely to appear and Wait.
Often nothing much happens,
There is space, silence and expectancy.
No visible sign, only the knowledge that he’s been there,
And may come again.
Seeing or not seeing cease to matter,
You have been prepared.
But sometimes, when you’ve almost
Stopped expecting it,
A flash of brightness gives encouragement.”

Ann Lewin, Candles and Kingfishers

Eternal Light, shine in our hearts.
Eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil.
Eternal Power, be our support.
Eternal Wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance.
Eternal Pity, have mercy upon us,
That with all our heart and mind and soul and strength we may seek thy face, and be brought by thine infinite goodness into thy holy presence. Amen.
Alcuin

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation:
for in your abundant care you have given us fertile land,
rich soil, the seasons in their courses.
You provide seed for sowing, water, light and warmth
to bring forth the miracle of growth.
You give us skill to work the land,
to prepare and nourish it, that it may be fruitful.
Prosper the work of our hands,
and provide abundant crops for your people to share.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.

Lord,
I can only see a little of the road ahead.
I can’t see my final destination.
I can’t even see over the next hill.
and I know there’ll be other ups and downs beyond it –
high points from which one can see quite a long view,
valleys where the hills shut one in.
And some of those clouds may mean storms.
But the great thing is to have started!
Lord,
thank you for calling me,
and setting my feet on the way.
Thank you for the map of the way,
which is yourself.
Lord,
help me to persevere.
Amen

Creator God,
there is so much that is strange in our lives at present.
Help us to pay attention to your creation,
so that we may see you in the common and everyday.
Shepherd Jesus,
as we walk through this rapidly changing world,
help us to know you walk with us.
If our path runs through the valley of the shadow
may we see your light and know your comfort as you lead us.
Comforting Spirit,
as we go about our ordinary lives, surprise us with glimpses of holy ground.
Blessed Trinity, Creator, Shepherd, Spirit,
surround us with you love, now and always.
Amen

Although our churches are now open for services, our numbers are restricted and many people are not yet ready to return to our church buildings. This means are collections are considerably down, and we have had to cancel our fundraising events. At the same time, our spending has not fallen significantly and we have not reduced what we pay those kind people who keep the churches clean and the churchyards looking so beautiful.
We would love a little more support to make ends meet so if you have been wondering whether you could help the church, now would be a really good time to do so. Ideally, you may wish to support us through the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) which is tax-efficient and helps our administration. We can either send you a form to complete (please email the appropriate church treasurer, or ask Mthr Nicol) or you can phone the PGS directly. Their phone number is 0333 002 1271. You will need to have to hand: your bank account details, whether you wish to increase your gift in line with inflation each year (we hope so but if not we shall still be grateful), confirm if you are eligible for Gift Aid and the PGS code for the church you wish to give to (Highbrook: 102010161 or West Hoathly: 100610170).