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.
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Afternoon all! - I’m not doing very well at getting this out before midday am I? A reminder therefore to reply to Gordon’s email requesting mobile phone numbers so that a (much) slimmed down text edition, can come to your phone shortly.
Keep safe Keep in touch Keep the faith Simon Pause
Ponder As they were going along the road, someone said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ As they were going along the road, someone said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ To another he said, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ Another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’ Luke 9. 57 – end Think:
Pray “Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night.” George Herbert Church family Gina, Rosalia, Mathilde Alfonso; Judith and Paul Keeble Pray for the ability to follow Jesus avoiding the temptation to look back. Pray for those whose decision to follow Jesus brings tension from family members. 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. Afternoon all! - apologies for this late edition! A short window (weather wise) of opportunity meant that I nipped across to the house I run in Salford to sort out the lawns before winter.
Do if you can, make the most of the sun we shall have with us for the next few hours - the forecast isn’t wonderful for the next few weeks ahead! Keep safe Keep in touch Keep the faith Simon Pause
Ponder When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man. John 1:47-end Think:
Pray “Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night.” George Herbert Church family: Alex, Lee and Nicky Ellis Angelina, Didi and Alicia. Pray for those currently in unexpected lockdown. For a unity of purpose amongst world leaders in their response to the challenges of Covid. 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. Morning all! - Autumn is definitely with us, and I for one have pushed the boat out and handed our home heating back over to the auspices of the timer switch. As for other changes of course we remain a bit in limbo, and there is no easy fix.
As we look to the future, thank you to those who replied to the question I posed concerning what it has been in these daily emails that folk have valued. Certainly, the daily list of concerns to pray about, and the opportunity to be reminded to pray for our sisters & brothers within our church family was seen as important. As Jess and I plan through the rest of this year, we are looking rationalise correspondence from church, perhaps offering as an alternative, a daily text service, whereby these names and concerns can be easily shared. Watch this space! In the meantime; Keep safe Keep in touch Keep the faith Simon Pause
Ponder An argument arose among them as to which one of them was the greatest. But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side, and said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest.’ John answered, ‘Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Do not stop him; for whoever is not against you is for you.’ Luke 9:46-50 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 For the “little ones” –those whose needs might be overlooked by the world For the governors of Medlock school as they meet this evening, and for wisdom for all school leaders. 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. 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. |
Pause, Ponder,
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