Prayers and Resources

From your own home, you can use the resources below and you can join in community prayer at regular Zoom meetings, being held at the following times. Tuesdays at 9.15am, Mon, Weds, Thurs, Fri at 8.30am.  If you would like to join, please email Sandy for a link.

Find the weekly lectionary below, and Prayers for this time here.  

In your own time you might like to:
find a place for prayer, light a candle, play some reflective music. If you have a cross place it in your space, have your Bible to hand.

December 5th: Second Sunday of Advent

Taking a moment to rest in God's presence, to listen for the still, small voice of God in the daily round of our lives can be a source of calm and comfort and peace.

Readings and collect: 
You might like to use these over this coming week, use your regular Bible notes or choose a favourite reading. 

Take time to settle into God's loving presence:

In the love of the Father,                                                                                                            
In the light of Christ,                                                                                                                          
In the leading of the Spirit,                                                                                                            
I place myself today.

Psalm 5, 8:

Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
make your way straight before me.
 

Intercessions:

Remember those on your heart, and pray for your own needs.   Here are some ideas for subjects you might like to bring to God.

The Church: Forgive where your people have fallen short, and lead us back to the vision of  your glory and the passion to live in your way.  The church in the United States.

Global:  for Creation, as it awaits liberation from its bondage to decay and the freedom and glory of the children of God. (Romans 8, 21); may humans so act as to allow the world to heal.  For the people of Barbados as they begin a new stage in their history; for refugees and victims of war. 

Local: for local shops and businesses; for charities appealing to the generosity of the public (maybe you have a favourite one?); for all who are struggling as the world becomes darker and the days shorter.  For all preparing Christmas performances and events.

Parish: That in this Advent God may open our eyes to what He is doing; Special Advent events: quiet evening prayer on Zoom on Monday; Advent Groups on Wednesday; the Nativity Christingle at Brambleton and Come and See Carol Service at St Martins next Sunday; Grace Knight, to be baptised today, and her family;

Unwell:  For all who are afraid when hearing the talk of the new variant of Covid-19;                                
and for Eilidh MacLeod, Mike and Helen Tanswell, David Brown, Yvonne Fairlamb, Bill Loach, Sophie, Matti Carrington, Mark Clapson, Shirley Parker, Gemma, Flo B.

Rest In Peace:  Darryl Blunden, Helen Purdie, James McLaren

                                                         Feel free to include times of quiet - simply waiting upon God.

Conclude your prayers with the Lord's Prayer and/or the grace.  

OTHER RESOURCES FOR PRAYER, SERVICES & REFLECTION

ST PAULS  
St Paul's Cathedral is offering daily reflections via email - they are short but thought provoking and there is also access via this page to videos and podcasts of the various talks/presentations from various theologians/Christian thinkers they have held over the past few years.  Click here to access St Paul's resources.

Links to other sources for prayers

• Church of England Daily Service and Prayers
• Pray as you Go
• Prego

Church Services are available on

• Radio 4 longwave - 9.45 The Daily Service
• Radio 4 FM and Digital - Sunday worship 8am
• Radio 3 FM and Digital - Evensong Wednesdays and Sundays
• Songs of Praise
  BBC1 Sunday 1.15pm.

More information from the BBC