The prayer of Examen

Another Friday blog post from Dave

Wow!

I could hardly believe my ears this morning!  After posting "The Lord's Prayer" on the blog late last night, I listened to this morning's Lectio 365 to hear the speaker ask the very same question that I had asked, using exactly the same words!  Is God wanting us each to ask this question of ourselves - Is your prayer rooted in ritual or is it rooted in relationship?

The Lord's Prayer

Web Browsing

Freda, one of our newest Congregation members is having coaching sessions on how to navigate the Blog and Website.  I anyone else could use my help please give me a call, or put a comment on this post and I will be happy to help you get the best out of the material that is being posted.  

To leave a comment click on the No(/number of) comments at the bottom of the post.  I will not publish comments giving contact details so I will be the only one to see them.

David Green
Blog and Website Administrator

Jesus remember me

For those of us who, like me, are missing our singing on Wednesday mornings, here is the Taize anthem we use:

We were introduced to using this when Bishop Mark sang it during the preparation of the Lord's Table during Rev'd Sally's Licencing at our Wednesday Communion in March last year.

Luke 23:41-43

41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ 42 Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ 43 He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’

Catherine of Siena

Caring for Care Homes

Rev'd Christine is featured in an article on the Diocese of Manchester Website, you can view it here

Gratitude

Seeing Christine's blog post made me think about gratitude.  How thankful are we for the things that God provides and how often do we take the time to give thanks? 

A couple of Christmases ago, I was given a book called "The Birds, our Teachers" by John Stott.  In this book Stott talks about many things but in one place he says that the Ghanaians have a proverb about gratitude that goes, "Even the chicken when it drinks, lifts its head to heaven to thank God for the water".

It seems that all but one class of bird (the dove family) have to drink by getting the water into their beak, then tipping their head back to allow the liquid to trickle down the throat, by gravitation.  This means that with every beak full of water, they have to look upwards, giving the impression that they are thanking God for every drop.   

In this time of lockdown, when we are allowed out for a daily walk, perhaps we take more time to appreciate the beautiful things that we see and to thank God for them.  When the lockdown is over and we return to what we class as normal, let's make sure that we take time to express our gratitude to God for the many things that we have, for so long, taken for granted.

I needed to write this reflection rather than video it as I want you to see this alphabet of thanks where, with just one cheat, each line begins with consecutive letters of the alphabet

Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard and
Fierce winds, they blow
God is forever able,
Hold on to what you know.
Imagine life without His love,
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things His
Love imparts to thee.
Move out of "Camp Complaining",
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power that
Praise can yield alone.
Quit looking to "the good old days"
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To "thank" is a command.
Until we see Him coming,
Victorious in the sky,
We'll run the race with gratitude
"X" alting God on high.
Yes there'll be times both good and bad - but
Zion waits, where none are sad. *

*My adapted version of a poem in "A barrel of Fun" by J. John and Mark Stibbe

Free phone line of hymns, reflections and prayers

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has launched a free national phone line as a simple new way to bring worship and prayer into people’s homes while church buildings are closed because of the coronavirus.

Daily Hope, which is available from today, offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of a telephone line.

The line – which is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 – has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind.

Please share this with anyone you think might benefit especially those who may not have access to a computer or the internet.

Callers will hear a special greeting from the Archbishop before being able to choose from a range of options, including hymns, prayers, reflections and advice on COVID-19.

Options available include materials also available digitally by the Church of England’s Communications team such as Prayer During the Day and Night Prayer, updated daily, from Common Worship, and a recording of the Church of England weekly national online service.

A section called Hymn Line offers callers a small selection of hymns, updated daily. An option entitled ‘Hymns We Love’, provides a hymn and reflection and is based on an initiative by the Connections group.

More details available here.

What have you seen today that is beautiful and lovely?

Something beautiful and lovely


Lovely flowers are the smiles of God's goodness (William Wilberforce)


I wonder, what have you seen that is beautiful and lovely today? In Revd Lyn’s own words “my challenge to you this week is to find something beautiful and lovely in each and every day and give thanks to God. That is how I ended my blog last week. So, what have you seen this week that is beautiful and lovely?

I shall set the ball rolling, with two pictures that I took whilst I was out walking with my grandson Archie. And a rambling about cow's tongues.

The first is a picture of bluebells and if you look carefully there are also some forget-me-knots. Archie and I stopped to admire them. If you look even m closely you can just about see his feet with his wellington boots Even though it was a hot sunny day he insisted on wearing them, he is very attached to them. The flowers looked resplendent in the glorious morning sunshine. Very beautiful and lovely. Thank you, God.

The second picture is of my grandson Archie. He loves all creatures and animals and has no fear of them whatsoever. So much so, he tried to pick up a bee and is quite happy to let ants and spiders, crawl over him, which is more than I can say for his mum. You do have to watch him though because he has a tendency to squash them between his fingers. You can imagine his delight when we sat on a bench for a drink and the farm cat came and joined us. The cat came/stood/ sat/walked rolled over beside us and allowed Archie to play with him. Archie was fascinated with the cat’s nose and kept trying to touch it. The cat wasn’t at all bothered. Archie is a very affectionate little boy; he quite often comes up to you to give you a kiss and a cuddle. He is no different with any of the animals and creatures that he comes across. As you can see in the picture, he got down on his hands and knees to give the cat a kiss and a cuddle, demonstrating his affection. I do have to say the cat was very obliging. Very beautiful and lovely, thank you, God.

On another walk, further up the lane, we came across some Cows. They had lumbered to the end of the field where we were stood which was next to the water butt and proceeded to have a drink. Archie chuckled so much as he watched the cows have a drink. Their very long tongue flicking from sound to side really tickled him. Beautiful and lovely. As we stood looking at the antics of the cows tongues,I noticed what beautiful eyes they had, made especially more beautiful by their long eyelashes. Very beautiful and lovely, thank you, God.

I don’t live too far away from daughter and I give thanks to God for the beautiful and lovely countryside that surrounds us. I don’t know where all you who are reading this blog live: high rise or ground floor flat, house or bungalow, warden controlled, residential or nursing home, urban, industrial, countryside setting, it really does not matter, what matters is that when you come to the end of each day can you say thank you to God for something beautiful and lovely that you have seen that day. I have spoken of what  Archie and I have seen but maybe you have heard or read something beautiful.

My challenge to you this week is to share what you have seen that is beautiful and lovely. You can email me at csteel58@hotmail.com and I will put them on the blog.

Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer

Easter Season

Sunday, 26 April 2020

Second Sunday of Easter

Preparation

O Lord, open our lips

All and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

In your resurrection, O Christ,

All let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia.

Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,

to you be praise and glory for ever.

As once you ransomed your people from Egypt

and led them to freedom in the promised land,

so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness

and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son.

May we, the first fruits of your new creation,

rejoice in this new day you have made,

and praise you for your mighty acts.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All Blessed be God for ever.

Hymn: Lord Enthroned in Heavenly Splendour

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,

so may the light of your presence, O God,

set our hearts on fire with love for you;

now and for ever.

All Amen.

Click for The Word of God Luke 24:13-35

Click for Christine's written sermon this week

Death is swallowed up in victory.

All  Where, O death, is your sting?

Christ is risen from the dead,

the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

All Death is swallowed up in victory.

The trumpet will sound

and the dead shall be raised.

All Where, O death, is your sting?

We shall not all sleep,

but we shall be changed.

All Death is swallowed up in victory.

Where, O death, is your sting?

from 1 Corinthians 15

The Lord is risen from the tomb

who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

1

Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, ♦

who has come to his people and set them free.

2

He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour, ♦

born of the house of his servant David.

3

Through his holy prophets God promised of old ♦

to save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all that hate us,

4

To show mercy to our ancestors, ♦

and to remember his holy covenant.

5

This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham: ♦

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

6

Free to worship him without fear, ♦

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

7

And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, ♦

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8

To give his people knowledge of salvation ♦

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9

In the tender compassion of our God ♦

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

10

To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, ♦

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1.68-79

All Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All The Lord is risen from the tomb

who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

Click for the Prayers

The Collect

Lord of all life and power,

who through the mighty resurrection of your Son

overcame the old order of sin and death

to make all things new in him:

grant that we, being dead to sin

and alive to you in Jesus Christ,

may reign with him in glory;

to whom with you and the Holy Spirit

be praise and honour, glory and might,

now and in all eternity.

All Amen.

All Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done;

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power and the glory,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

May the risen Christ grant us the joys of eternal life.

All Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.

All Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

https://www.christianaid.org.uk/pray/churches/coronavirus-prayers

Sunday Worship from the Church of England with Rev Kate Bottley

Inner Vision

Christine's blog post on Monday was beautiful, quite poetic.  I received an email from a member of St John's to explain why I hadn't been able to get hold of him on my ring round to see if everyone is alright.  The email said how he and his wife had been on their daily walk, and he commented on how lucky we are to have such pleasant country walks nearby.  This made me think about both those people who don't have such places nearby to help them see the goodness of God, and those people who do, but don't take joy in it, perhaps envious of others who might have, say, the sea to walk by.  Then I came across this poem by Wordsworth:

The Inner Vision 

Most sweet it is with unuplifted eyes

To pace the ground, if path there be or none,

While a fair region round the traveller lies

Which he forbears again to look upon;

Pleased rather with some soft ideal scene,

The work of Fancy, or some happy tone 

Of meditation, slipping in between

The beauty coming and the beauty gone. —

If Thought and Love desert us, from that day

Let us break off all commerce with the Muse:

With Thought and Love companions of our way—

Whate’er the senses take or may refuse,—

The Mind’s internal heaven shall shed her dews

Of inspiration on the humblest lay.

— William Wordsworth

As Christine challenged us, let us all look for something beautiful, and if we don't have access to country walks, or poor health prevents our taking such walks, let us pray that God will give us the inner vision to be transported to a place of beauty with Him.  Let us also make the most of what we have, allowing the mind's internal heaven to shed her dews of inspiration.

God bless you all.

The trumpet shall sound, and we shall be changed

After listening to Lyn's post today, Edna immediately thought of this piece from Handel

The stream

St George 23rd April

It’s perhaps typical of the English that they should have a patron saint who isn’t English, about whom next to nothing is known for sure, and who may not have existed at all. That didn’t stop him being patriotically invoked in many battles, notably at Agincourt and in the Crusades, and of course it is his cross that adorns the flags of English football fans to this day.

It’s most likely that he was a soldier, a Christian who was martyred for his faith somewhere in Palestine, possibly at Lydda, in the early fourth century. At some point in the early centuries of the Church he became associated with wider military concerns, being regarded as the patron saint of the Byzantine armies. There is no doubt that he was held as an example of the ‘godly soldier’, one who served Christ as bravely and truly as he served his king and country.

The story of George and the dragon is of much later date and no one seems to know where it comes from. By the middle ages, when George was being honoured in stained glass, the dragon had become an invaluable and invariable visual element, so that for most people the two are inseparable. Pub signs have a lot to answer for here: ‘The George and Dragon’.

However, it’s probably more profitable to concentrate on his role as a man who witnessed to his faith in the difficult setting of military service, and in the end was martyred for his faithfulness to Christ.

The idea of the ‘Christian soldier’ was, of course, much loved by the Victorian hymn-writers – ’Onward, Christian soldiers!’ The soldier needs discipline. The heart of his commitment is to obedience. The battle cannot be avoided nor the enemy appeased. He marches and fights alongside others, and he is loyal to his comrades. In the end, if the battle is won, he receives the garlands of victory, the final reward of those who overcome evil.

St George’s Day presents a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is to distance the message of his life from the militarism and triumphalism that can easily attach itself to anything connected to soldiers and fighting. The opportunity is to celebrate the ideal of the ‘Christian soldier’ – one who submits to discipline, sets out to obey God truly, does not avoid the inevitable battle with all that is unjust, wrong and hateful in our world, and marches alongside others fighting the same noble cause. Discipline, obedience, courage, fellowship and loyalty – they’re not the most popular virtues today, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve our gratitude and admiration.

Grasshopper

Our newsletter is a little different this month.  As there are no events of our own I have included a diary of events from history; there are pages for young people which can be printed out for colouring and word searches.  The poster on page 11 is for you to complete what you think God will give you.  In order to print one of the pages, select the printer icon from the .pdf reader (top right) and enter the page or pages you want to print.  You can find the newsletter here

Eternal life

We have seen and heard much about death during this pandemic, but those who believe in Jesus have the promise of eternal life because Jesus came not to judge the world but to save it.

Hymn: Go so loved the world

Water of Life

Water of life

I would like to share with you a version of a story from Margaret Silf's book, "Wisdom stories".

Three people were searching for the water of life as they had heard that if you drink from it, you will live forever.  A warrior with weapons and a suit of armour, thinking that by force he could make the water yield to him.

An enchantress thought that the water would be a magical whirlpool that she could manipulate with spells, so she donned her floor length, star spangled robe and carried various potions.

A trader imagined the water to be like a fountain of pearl drops or diamonds.  He felt that the water would be very costly, so he loaded all his pockets and several purses with money, hoping to buy some of the precious water.

When they reached the water they found that it was not a torrent to be tamed or intimidated by force.  It was not a magical whirlpool to be charmed by spells.  And it wasn't a fountain of pearl drops or diamonds to be purchased with great wealth.

It was a tiny sparkling spring and it's benefits were absolutely free, but you had to bend down, stooping low to drink from it.   The problem was that the warrior couldn't do this in his armour, the enchantress couldn't soil her magical robe and the trader was so laden with money that if he so much as leaned forward, coins would roll this way and that, many, never to be found again.  They could not lower themselves to drink from the water of life.  

The only solution was to strip themselves of the armour, the robe of superstition and finally, great wealth if they were to receive the benefits of the water of life.



Probably the most obvious moral of this story is that sometimes we need to cast aside certain attitudes, ideas or possessions in order to receive what is good, but for me, there is more to it than that.

John's gospel and the book of Revelation both speak of the water of life, and yes, we may need cast aside certain things in order to receive it.  If we have been hurt in life, we can put on the armour of cynicism or  mistrust to avoid being let down and hurt again.  Past hurts can convince us to trust no one, not even God.  We can think that we have to perform certain rituals in order to get what Jesus offers.  We can also be guilty of thinking we can buy His favour - having an attitude of "if I give this I expect you to give me that"  All of these are clearly wrong yet so easy to fall into. 

The water of life is a free gift from our Lord but the idea in this story of needing to kneel down to get it made me think, obviously, of prayer, but also, the idea of stooping low, reminded me of today's message from Lectio 365, which speaks of our need to humble ourselves before God and pray for Him to heal the land (referring to the pandemic).  This pandemic is a very humbling experience, it has a very leveling effect- anyone can get it, young, old, rich or poor.  It has certainly made me reevaluate many things in my life, and I believe that now is a very appropriate time for us to kneel humbly before our God and ask Him to give us the water of life to replace this awful spread of death.  

May God bless us all as we kneel before Him.  Amen

Challenge for the week

Have you seen something beautiful and lovely today?

“The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19: 1)

In an evening prayer service lead by Canon Marcia Wall she said “I hope you have seen something beautiful and lovely today. Canon Marcia had been speaking about how nice it was to see all the different birds drinking and washing in the birdbath her family had inherited from her mother-in-law.  It led me to think about what I had seen that was nice and beautiful and lovely.

The first thing that sprung to mind was the walks I have had with my grandson since the lockdown. It is no easy task trying to work from home whilst keeping children entertained at the same time. This where I come in. I have temporarily moved in with my daughter, her husband and my grandson, Archie who is 20 months old. One of my greatest pleasures has been to take Archie for a daily walk.

He is very much an outdoor sort of little boy and our favourite walk is only a short distance from where he lives.  We walk there most mornings. As we walk along the lane people call out and greet us, Archie always responds with a wave and a smile. We collect sticks and stones as we go and enjoy playing Pooh sticks or hearing the “sploosh” of the stones and they hit the water in the stream. On picking up one of the stones Archie caught sight of a worm, the first one he had ever seen. He squealed with joy as he watched this little worm wriggle around, he even dared to pick it up. Nana was not too pleased when he wanted me to do the same!

It was quiet and still as we walked further up the lane. Goats were basking in the sunshine whilst keeping an eye on their kids. Sheep could be heard bleating on the hillside, two or three fields away. Birds were twittering in the hedgerow and one or two horses were whinnying as they cantered around a field. We stopped and I encouraged Archie to listen to all the different sounds that we could hear.

Further up the lane as we approached a smallholding the gentle harmonious sounds we had just listened to, were drowned out by ducks and geese making a real cacophony of noise. It was as if they were trying to outdo each other with all the noise they were making.  As we returned down the lane, Archie continued to be fascinated by all manner of things, from ant’s scurrying along the pavement, to seeing airplanes high in the sky leaving a trail behind.  We desperately tried coaxing a cat to come a little nearer so that he could stroke him. He looked wistfully at a slide in a garden and saying “Archie slide, Archie slide.

As we got nearer home, I encouraged him to look and smell all the different plants and flowers that were springing up on the roadside and in gardens. He watched with great fascination as he saw the bin men empty the bins. He became really excited when he saw a policeman who had stopped his car, to wave to Archie and then gave him a display of car’s flashing light. He was even more excited to see a tractor trundling up the lane with lots of logs on a trailer. When we got home, we walked into the back garden and saw a wood pigeon hopping around the flower bed. Archie watched with great intensity as the bird finally found what it was looking for. It picked up a stick almost bigger than itself and flew off with it in his mouth. We could hear the birds singing, bees buzzing happily around the flowers and squeals of laughter from other children playing in their own back gardens.

None of what I have described is anything new. I have seen and heard it all before on various other walks. The difference is, previously I probably didn’t stop and pay enough attention to all the details of life that surrounded me and how much pleasure can be derived from the beauty of the simpler things in life

“I hope you have seen something beautiful and lovely today”.

Not only had we seen something beautiful and lovely but we had also heard. Walking with my grandson is a good reminder that sometimes I need to slow down and breathe in the beauty of God’s creation. Maybe you need to as well.

I wonder, what have you seen that is beautiful and lovely today? In Revd Lyn’s own words “my challenge to you this week is to find something beautiful and lovely in each and every day and give thanks to God.



  

Low Sunday Morning Worship at Home

A family friendly service from the Church of England

Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer

Easter Season

Sunday, 19 April 2020

Second Sunday of Easter

Preparation

O Lord, open our lips

All and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

In your resurrection, O Christ,

All let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia.

Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,

to you be praise and glory for ever.

As once you ransomed your people from Egypt

and led them to freedom in the promised land,

so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness

and brought us into the kingdom of your risen Son.

May we, the first fruits of your new creation,

rejoice in this new day you have made,

and praise you for your mighty acts.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All Blessed be God for ever.

Hymn: Be still and Know that I am God

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;

let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,

so may the light of your presence, O God,

set our hearts on fire with love for you;

now and for ever.

All Amen.

Click for The Word of God John 20:19-end

Click for Lyn's written sermon this week

Death is swallowed up in victory.

All  Where, O death, is your sting?

Christ is risen from the dead,

the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

All Death is swallowed up in victory.

The trumpet will sound

and the dead shall be raised.

All Where, O death, is your sting?

We shall not all sleep,

but we shall be changed.

All Death is swallowed up in victory.

Where, O death, is your sting?

from 1 Corinthians 15

The Lord is risen from the tomb

who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

1

Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, ♦

who has come to his people and set them free.

2

He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour, ♦

born of the house of his servant David.

3

Through his holy prophets God promised of old ♦

to save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all that hate us,

4

To show mercy to our ancestors, ♦

and to remember his holy covenant.

5

This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham: ♦

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

6

Free to worship him without fear, ♦

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

7

And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, ♦

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

8

To give his people knowledge of salvation ♦

by the forgiveness of all their sins.

9

In the tender compassion of our God ♦

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

10

To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, ♦

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1.68-79

All Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

All The Lord is risen from the tomb

who for our sakes hung upon the tree. Alleluia.

Click for the Prayers

The Collect

Lord of all life and power,

who through the mighty resurrection of your Son

overcame the old order of sin and death

to make all things new in him:

grant that we, being dead to sin

and alive to you in Jesus Christ,

may reign with him in glory;

to whom with you and the Holy Spirit

be praise and honour, glory and might,

now and in all eternity.

All Amen.

All Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done;

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power and the glory,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

May the risen Christ grant us the joys of eternal life.

All Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.

All Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.