During the Coronavirus crisis we are adapting to continue to support, serve and encourage, in ways other than physically meeting together. One of these is our daily 3Ps – a way to take a bit of time at home to Pause, Ponder and Pray. We recommend 12noon, but whatever suits is fine. We will be posting the 3Ps in place of Midweek Musings each day.
|
Morning all!
With slightly more time in the house and whilst still attempting to sort the many papers in my study, I have found myself reminiscing more and more (apologies if I’ve shared this already – memory and following the track of time are all a bit fuzzy in this particular season!). One precious find, among many letters, was one of encouragement from my dad (who was also a minister), written and sent when I was on retreat, days before I too was to be ordained in the Church of England. As he’s no longer with us, it was lovely keepsake (even if my own failing eyesight made his tiny writing even harder to decipher!). Our house is full of stuff that contain memories (Helen our de-clutterer would say too much!), and another is a mug with a Celtic design, given to me by Christine Mullins - a name some of us will remember. Again, whenever I use it for a drink, I am reminded of that precious gift that came all too briefly to our parish. Whist still in lockdown, and separated from friends and family, search around your home today for a letter, picture or present; any item which reminds you of the kindness of someone else for you, and give thanks for them today. Keep safe Keep in touch Keep the faith Simon Wednesday 27th May Pause Mark this time as one set aside for God by focusing on your breathing. Count to 5 as you breathe in, hold your breath for another 5, and then exhale slowly again counting to 5. You might want to think about the things you want to receive from God: holding a word in your mind as you breathe in, and equally share with Him a word concerning something particular that you want to hand over and leave with Him (perhaps a worry, care, concern or failing) when you breathe out. Ponder “You are worthy, our Lord and God to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelation 4:11 Think:
Pray “Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night.” George Herbert Church family:Alison, Michelle and Claudine and Malique, Dilu, Anna, Daniella and Danet Varughuse. Pray for those who are working in the NHS and all who’s service of others places them at risk. Pray that we can create good memories of time spent in this trying period. Pray for Bishop Tim (Westcott’s acting principal), and son Adam whose wife and mum Wendi’s funeral takes place today. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen. Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy. Sustain and support the anxious, be with those who care for the sick, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may find comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. And a final blessing May the peace of the Lord Christ go with us, wherever He may send us. May He guide us through the wilderness, protect us through the storm. May He bring us home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown us. May He bring us home rejoicing Once again into our doors. Morning all!
So, another day…. I’ve just popped through into church, where two chefs are preparing food to go out from our kitchen, both near and far; near: through our 'Brunswick Beeistro' pick up, but far as well throughout South Manchester. It’s all come about through different community organisations and volunteers coming together and wanting to meet need across the city. If there has been one good thing to have come out of this crisis so far, it has been a greater desire for community groups and individuals to work together for the common good, with many acts of kindness alone the way. Long may that continue, when Covid is a distant memory Keep safe Keep in touch Keep the faith Simon Tuesday 26th May Pause Mark this time as one set aside for God by focusing on your breathing. Count to 5 as you breathe in, hold your breath for another 5, and then exhale slowly again counting to 5. You might want to think about the things you want to receive from God: holding a word in your mind as you breathe in, and equally share with Him a word concerning something particular that you want to hand over and leave with Him (perhaps a worry, care, concern or failing) when you breathe out. Ponder "See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess". Deuteronomy 30:15-16 Think:
Pray “Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night.” George Herbert Church family: Kelly and Callum Moore Pete, Alex and Bella Chadwick. Pray for those who face and destruction through no fault of themselves. Pray for those who will be fed by Brunswick Beestro today, and for the staff from ARMR as they cook. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen. Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy. Sustain and support the anxious, be with those who care for the sick, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may find comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. And a final blessing May the peace of the Lord Christ go with us, wherever He may send us. May He guide us through the wilderness, protect us through the storm. May He bring us home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown us. May He bring us home rejoicing Once again into our doors. Morning all!
Believe it or not, indeed feel it or not, today is a Bank Holiday. What I wonder shall we do with it? Over the years my dad religiously used this day off on the last Monday in the month to complete his tax returns!! Whilst I’ve not planned the rest of the day, I can be pretty sure that this particular Monday won’t be filled with that particular chore! Last week Jess wrote about having a spontaneous day. Despite the obvious limitations, can I encourage us to take up the challenge of doing something slightly different with today? Keep safe Keep in touch Keep the faith Simon Monday 25th May Pause Mark this time as one set aside for God by focusing on your breathing. Count to 5 as you breathe in, hold your breath for another 5, and then exhale slowly again counting to 5. You might want to think about the things you want to receive from God: holding a word in your mind as you breathe in, and equally share with Him a word concerning something particular that you want to hand over and leave with Him (perhaps a worry, care, concern or failing) when you breathe out. Ponder Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:6-8 Think:
Pray “Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night.” George Herbert Church family: Anne and Gordon Flear, Naomi, Matt, Charlotte, William and Emily Harrison Rather than simply focusing on the immediate things around us, pray for the out of sight and mind areas of the earth, and their own struggles at this time Once again we find ourselves in the middle of a stranger than usual Bank Holiday. Pray that all within our country observe it sensibly Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen. Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy. Sustain and support the anxious, be with those who care for the sick, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may find comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. And a final blessing May the peace of the Lord Christ go with us, wherever He may send us. May He guide us through the wilderness, protect us through the storm. May He bring us home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown us. May He bring us home rejoicing Once again into our doors. Hi Everyone,
It was so great to see so many of you this morning. I absolutely loved the breakout groups where we could meet and chat in smaller groups after the service. A huge thanks to Tim and Gordon for facilitating that. One of the lovely thinks that seems to have happened spontaneously is that people have started sending me poems and songs that they have written or are meaningful to them. It's been really lovely. This is a song that Alex sent to me, that is really special to her and I thought would be nice to share with you all: All My Hope. If anyone else has any songs, poems, pictures, reflections , stories etc. that are special to you that you would like to share, please send them over to me and I'll try and include as many as possible in future Pause, Ponder and Pray mailings. I think sometimes one of the most generous things we can do is to share our lives with others. I love hearing from you and the things that are inspiring you and are making you think. So thank you to those who have got in touch with me or have sent things too me. It really is appreciated. It's been wonderful seeing the creative ways we have found to encourage each other. Long may it continue. With love Jess Pause Take a moment now to recognise that you are in the presence of God. It might help to slow your breathing. Take a few deep breaths in and out. Let’s proclaim together: Alleluia. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia We say together our family prayer: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen. Ponder Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.
Pray Father God, thank you for the gifts that you have given me. Help me to use them well in your service. Amen Say a prayer today for the worldwide church. On our church list today we pray for: Veronica Lewis, Wynn Leech Let’s finish by saying this acclamation of praise: Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: he has given us new life and hope by raising Jesus from the dead Alleluia! |
Pause, Ponder,
|
RSS Feed