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Prayer for the week

Kindle in our hearts, O God,
the flame of that love which never ceases,
that it may burn in us giving light to others.
May we shine forever in your temple,
set on fire with your eternal light. Amen.

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Prayer for the week: from Remembering Srebrenica on the 26th anniversary of the murder of 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys

O God of truth and justice,
we remember today the consequences of hatred in lives brutally extinguished
in hearts torn apart, in memories scarred with pain.
As we remember and honour the victims of hatred,
lead us to sorrow over the sins of humanity.
Draw close, we pray,
to mothers and sisters, wives and grandmothers
and all relatives and loved ones left behind, and heal the pain in their souls.
And teach us, O Lord,
to learn how to live for a world
where differences are respected and valued, and where fear and mistrust
can never overwhelm us
nor vengeance be stirred in our hearts.
Give peace we pray, to the people of Srebrenica; that their lives may be restored
through your grace.
Amen

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Picnic in the Park

Saturday 10th July, 12 noon until 2pm, on North Lane Recreation Ground,
West Hoathly, organised by St. Margaret’s with permission from the Parish
Council. Free entry with a retiring bucket collection.
Bring along your picnic, chairs & rugs to come together to be entertained by
our local singing artist and entertainer, Niki Mak. This will be a lovely
opportunity to come together as a community and raise funds for the Church.
There will be opportunities to spend your money on Church run stalls,
including Plant and Cake stalls, tombola, face painting and Children’s stalls &
games.
Offers of help or sponsorship of the event would be much appreciated, please
contact Derek Shurvell on derekshurvell@gmail.com or 01342 810780.

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The Village Sketchbook

The Village Sketchbook is open to everyone within our villages. Drawing is a
fantastic way to connect with your local surroundings, keeping a visual diary
whether you are an amateur or professional artist.
For a £5 donation you get an A6 sketchbook, plus on-line access to two 10
minute tutorials from Caz Greenwood with some basic sketching tips, and
ideas on keeping a sketchbook. You and then invited to share your sketchbook
at the ‘Celebrate!’ Exhibition at St Margaret’s on the 25-26th September.
If you would like to take part, please email villagesketchbook@gmail.com or
sign up in the sheet in the porch of St Margaret’s.

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Prayer for the week

Heavenly Father,
we come to you with mixed emotions:
excited at the prospect of time with friends and family,
looking forward to shared meals and shared homes,
anxious about what the future holds.
We come to you celebrating, grieving, joyful and angry
at the life and death we see around us.
We come to you grateful that in all we face
you walk alongside us.
Give us the courage to respond with compassion
to those who are hurting
and to work for justice for those who are oppressed.
In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Prayer for the week: (known to have been a favourite of Fr Scarborough)

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.

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A Prayer for the week

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