Hi Everyone,
It was so good to see so many of you this morning on screen and in the building to worship together. I love the way that, each time we meet, we try something new to make sure that we can connect with God and one another. It was also great to have the worship team back in the building this morning. Even though we have to do things differently for now the one thing that hasn't changed is God's presence with us.
Why not take a moment now in God's presence as you snuggle up with your hot chocolate (or whatever evening drink takes your fancy) as we stop to pause, ponder and pray.
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:
This is the day that the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
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 Matthew 21:23-32
When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
“What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.
Pray
Father God, thank you that you show us mercy when we mess up and get things wrong. Help me to see myself as you see me and to respond to your call. Amen
Say a prayer today for those in leadership positions.
On our church list today we pray for:
Kelly and Callum Moore
Pete, Alex and Bella Chadwick
Let’s finish by saying this blessing:
May the Lord bless us and watch over us,
the Lord make his face shine upon us
and be gracious to us,
the Lord look kindly on us and give us peace.
It was so good to see so many of you this morning on screen and in the building to worship together. I love the way that, each time we meet, we try something new to make sure that we can connect with God and one another. It was also great to have the worship team back in the building this morning. Even though we have to do things differently for now the one thing that hasn't changed is God's presence with us.
Why not take a moment now in God's presence as you snuggle up with your hot chocolate (or whatever evening drink takes your fancy) as we stop to pause, ponder and pray.
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:
This is the day that the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
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 Matthew 21:23-32
When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
“What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.
- Why do you think Jesus was so harsh towards the chief priests and elders?
- Which son do you most identify with from Jesus’ parable?
- What is Jesus saying to you today?
Pray
Father God, thank you that you show us mercy when we mess up and get things wrong. Help me to see myself as you see me and to respond to your call. Amen
Say a prayer today for those in leadership positions.
On our church list today we pray for:
Kelly and Callum Moore
Pete, Alex and Bella Chadwick
Let’s finish by saying this blessing:
May the Lord bless us and watch over us,
the Lord make his face shine upon us
and be gracious to us,
the Lord look kindly on us and give us peace.
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