17 January
Greetings to you once again and I hope this finds you well in the continued constraints of COVID-19. Due to the continuing danger churches are now being strongly urged not to have any ‘live’ singing at all in their services, and this means that this coming Sunday we will not be able to have the usual small group of singers to lead us. We may possibly have to make do with just the words of hymns on the screen and music accompaniment – if so, it simply means that you will all have to sing louder at home!
Next week is the annual Week of Prayer or Christian Unity, and this is usually an opportunity for us to join with other churches on the Spui and Singel – Lutheran, Mennonite and Roman Catholic – in doing something together. Last year we had a big ‘Sing-in’ after our services on the Sunday of the Week of Prayer. This year, of course, we are much more limited but our four churches have agreed to say the same prayer in our services at the beginning and end of the week ands to use it in any occasions that we can during the week. The theme of the week is ‘Abiding in Christ’ and we will include it in our prayers of intercession this Sunday and next. In case you might like to use it this coming week, here it is:
Holy and gracious God,
perfect trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
we praise you, source of all unity and diversity.
And we praise you, eternal God, who in Jesus Christ
has come to abide with us, uniting heaven and earth
in one great communion of love.
We give thanks for the unity and fellowship
shared by the churches of the Spui and Singel.
We pray that we may continue to abide with one another,
united in our worship, fellowship and mission.
Bless all who associate with our congregations,
especially in these difficult times of separation and isolation.
Keep us well; keep us strong, keep us faithful.
We pray for the peace and wellbeing of our city,
asking you to endow those entrusted with power and authority
with wisdom and righteousness.
And so may our city reflect that eternal city
where Christ abides, sovereign Lord over all.
In his name we pray. Amen.
All good wishes for another week – this week’s programme is below.
Lance
Sunday, 10.30 hrs, live- streamed service
You can access the live-stream at 10.30 via this link: https://youtu.be/EABmUg8Oe_A . Our reading for this Sunday, the second after Epiphany, is 1 Samuel 3:1-20.
Sunday, 21.00 hrs
Short evening prayers, Compline
Tuesday, 08.45 hrs:
Psalm Reciting (this week Psalms 56-64). We will not meet at the church for this, but you might like to participate from your from our home at 8.45 or some other time.
Wednesday, 19.30 hrs
Bible Study, continuing our series on Genesis and looking at Genesis 2-3.
Thursday, 21.00hrs.
Short evening prayers, Compline
Prayer:
In this time there may be people who feel especially in need of prayer either for themselves or for someone else. There is a small group of people in the congregation who take it in turns on Sundays to be available after the service to pray for anyone in need - so, if you would like prayer or have a a particular prayer request please contact Margaret Richards on margaretanne_richards@hotmail.com and she and the others will pray accordingly.
A word about finance….
Please note that in this period when we are not meeting together there is a way of giving to the church on the website.
God bless you all and keep us united as a church family – and safe and well.
Lance