Thursday 21 January 2021

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Many of us may have watched the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States and be praying for him and his new administration as he faces the immense challenges of these days. You may want to use the prayer below:

Holy God of grace and justice,
we pray for the people of the United States
and for President Biden and his team
as they face many challenges and continued divisions:
Guide this nation in the ways of justice, wisdom and peace,
break down barriers of anger, suspicion and fear,
and build up all that makes for the health, hope and flourishing of all.
We ask all these things trusting in your goodness and love,
and in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Let us pray for people of integrity and humility who will work together for the common good, not only of the United States but also of the rest of the world.

This Sunday, 24th January, we celebrate the Conversion of St Paul. You can join in the online service which we hope will be on the website by Saturday evening. Thanks to Hector, Martin, Art and others who make this possible.

Sunday coffee time, 11am: an opportunity to meet up with one another (via zoom) and to share any reflections on the readings and sermon. Ask Helen for the zoom link.

Men's Group, Sunday 10.45am: the men's group will meet this Sunday for a short Bible study and an opportunity to share news. Please let us know if you would like to join in.

Online Bible Study: The online Bible study will meet on Tuesday 26th January, 7-8.15pm. Please do let me know if you hope to attend so I can work out the breakout rooms.

Private Prayer in Church: If you would like to use the church for private prayer, please ring Maria in the office to make a time.

Will you come and follow me?
Last Sunday's readings included the call of Samuel and the call of Philip and Nathanael. We reflected on the good news that God knows us - both our weaknesses and our potential - and that he loves us and calls us to serve him. This coming Sunday we remember the conversion of St Paul, which is also the call of St Paul.

Let us ponder God's call on our own lives and consider what it might mean to follow Christ in these troubling times.

I leave you with the words of a well known song:

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown? Will you let my name be known,
Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

Will you love the 'you' you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In Your company I'll go where Your love and footsteps show.
Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

With my love in Christ,
Helen