Friday, 28 May 2010
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Easter Day
Easter Day celebrations began with a 7am Service of Light and Breakfast. Parish communion as normal at 10am.
Moiras first Holy Week and signs of creativity and inspiration. A marvelous Agape Meal, a love feast, a simple meal between between friends, Moira added prayers and reflections in between an thought provoking service and something that should be done more often. It was almost breaking bread and drinking wine without a Eucharist a reinactment of the last supper.
For more information on Agape have a look at the wikipedia site http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agape
Friday Service I did not get too myself but the feedback was excellent most people found it very moving, very powerful.
Back to Sunday I enjoyed the silence and reflection, the singing of verses the monostic style.
Maria and Paul's Baptism of Thomas at 10 made the day. Then home for Dinner for 14.
Moira's service notes for Easter Day; http://www.allsaintsstretford.org.uk/worship/service-notes-april-2010.php
Sunday, 21 March 2010
Fresh Expression Stories
Read for inspiration on new forms of church; something similar for our parish?
Inparticular 308Nailsea but have a look through the stories.
http://www.freshexpressions.org.uk/stories
Inparticular 308Nailsea but have a look through the stories.
http://www.freshexpressions.org.uk/stories
Lent Course
CTiS Lent Course:
It isn't very often that we get all the churches (5) in Stretford, it has been very enjoyable and I personally have enjoyed listening to other peoples experiences and understandings.
Sharing experiences about meeting God in our oridnary places, places of work, homes, meeting places.
Material "Meeting God in Ordinary Places"
Attendance;
All Saints Pancake Starter - 30
Sevenways - 27
St Anns - 26
Lutheran - 28
St Matthews - 25
All Saints - 25
I have had some feedback on the course in general;
+ives
Good material
Enjoyed the variety (different Churches, different point of views/experiences)
Lay led, not just what the priest/pastor thinks
-ives
Sometimes rushed
Knowledge, uncertain
Book was expensive
Suggestions for the future;
Group Leaders to be identified early and sessions in leading bible studies to be organised.
Sessions on topics for leaders before the course begins.
Same leaders but still at different churches
Clergy led
Something to think about - the attendance sheet could have been written prior to the course starting. How can we open the sessions up to enquirers and those people who are on the peripheral of our churches???? Lets try and be more creative next year.
It isn't very often that we get all the churches (5) in Stretford, it has been very enjoyable and I personally have enjoyed listening to other peoples experiences and understandings.
Sharing experiences about meeting God in our oridnary places, places of work, homes, meeting places.
Material "Meeting God in Ordinary Places"
Attendance;
All Saints Pancake Starter - 30
Sevenways - 27
St Anns - 26
Lutheran - 28
St Matthews - 25
All Saints - 25
I have had some feedback on the course in general;
+ives
Good material
Enjoyed the variety (different Churches, different point of views/experiences)
Lay led, not just what the priest/pastor thinks
-ives
Sometimes rushed
Knowledge, uncertain
Book was expensive
Suggestions for the future;
Group Leaders to be identified early and sessions in leading bible studies to be organised.
Sessions on topics for leaders before the course begins.
Same leaders but still at different churches
Clergy led
Something to think about - the attendance sheet could have been written prior to the course starting. How can we open the sessions up to enquirers and those people who are on the peripheral of our churches???? Lets try and be more creative next year.
Saturday, 20 March 2010
Prayers for Sunday 21.3.2010
The response today to LORD OF LENT is RENEW OUR LIVESHeavenly Father as we journey through this time of Lent let us remember that You faced temptation in your life and because of this may we should never be ashamed of temptation in our own lives - but save us from the weakness that gives way to it.
Grant us all the strength to stand up against all that is evil and keep us firm in times of trial and temptation knowing that your support and love are always close at hand.
Make us resolute in obeying your will and seeking your kingdom that we may stay true to you.Lord of LentRenew Our LivesWe pray for your Church and give thanks that we can meet together in this church and pray openly to you. Help us to see where you are working in our lives and in our communities and bless us with opportunities so that we can build your church. Give courage and strength to those wanting to outreach into our community and spread your good news.
Lord of Lent Renew Our Lives
Lord, help each one of us to see our priorities and not be led astray. Too often we fail to live up to our ideals; we compromise for comfort; we become too concerned about material things and other peoples business. We fail to put our trust in you, trusting only in our own schemes and plans. As we journey through Lent help us to see more clearly the ways by which we follow you and as we come to you for direction and nourishment, help us to forget ourselves and find true happiness in serving you. As we re-examine our lives through self discipline, prayer and study help us to enter your stillness, be sensitive to your call and know your will for us.
Lord of Lent Renew Our Lives
We pray for Your world, especially we pray for all people who hold positions of authority that they do not misuse their power to the detriment of those they are supposed to be helping. We pray for all the world’s leaders and for our own leaders who are responsible for making decisions about our future. We pray that they will be given the insight and integrity to govern wisely according to your will, being fully aware of the true needs of the people.Lord , look with compassion on all those whose minds are full of anxiety and bewilderment and for whom everyday is one of despair. We pray especially for involved with Natural disasters and the problems that come with that, famine, broken families, uncertainty about the future, we pray for those caught up in war and those still suffering from past wars, landmines still going off and causing injury, planted 55 years ago.
We pray that you will turn their despair to hope and free them from fear. Whatever the future may bring them, may they know that you are the rock on whom they depend and that your love will help to ease their burden.
Lord of Lent Renew Our Lives
Lord Jesus, we pray that you will bless and protect our homes, our families and our friends. Help us to build bridges of tolerance and understanding between the different generations. May our homes be havens of peace and rest – a place to call our own and a community in which we can feel safe and secure.
Help us to be mindful of those who have no homes, families or friends. Make us grateful for all that we have so that we may use every endeavour to ensure that every person has a home to call his own and feels wanted within his own community.
Lord of Lent Renew Our Lives
We pray for all people everywhere in their varying needs. Into the gentleness of your healing love we bring before you the lonely, the hungry, those living in poverty and those without hope. We remember all those who are ill and in pain: those recovering from surgery - giving thanks for the work and dedication of our doctors, nurses and care workers.
We have in our hearts some people known only to ourselves, who are in need of our prayers and we remember them in a moment of quiet……………….
And this morning we pray especially for those in our church family who have been made known to us….PEW SHEET
May your healing touch support and strengthen them and we pray that you will remove from them all that hurts, harms and hinders.Lord of LentRenew Our LivesWe pray for all those who are mourning the loss of loved ones that you will comfort and strengthen them in their time of need.
Lord of Lent Renew Our Lives
We remember before God all those who have died…………..
This morning we pray for and remember those whose anniversaries fall at this time …………………………
Confident in the promise that those who believe in you will live though they have died, we give you thanks for all who have left their earthly body and now share with you the joys of heaven.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your son, Our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Moira's Service Notes for March: http://www.allsaintsstretford.org.uk/worship/service-notes-march-2010.php
Grant us all the strength to stand up against all that is evil and keep us firm in times of trial and temptation knowing that your support and love are always close at hand.
Make us resolute in obeying your will and seeking your kingdom that we may stay true to you.Lord of LentRenew Our LivesWe pray for your Church and give thanks that we can meet together in this church and pray openly to you. Help us to see where you are working in our lives and in our communities and bless us with opportunities so that we can build your church. Give courage and strength to those wanting to outreach into our community and spread your good news.
Lord of Lent Renew Our Lives
Lord, help each one of us to see our priorities and not be led astray. Too often we fail to live up to our ideals; we compromise for comfort; we become too concerned about material things and other peoples business. We fail to put our trust in you, trusting only in our own schemes and plans. As we journey through Lent help us to see more clearly the ways by which we follow you and as we come to you for direction and nourishment, help us to forget ourselves and find true happiness in serving you. As we re-examine our lives through self discipline, prayer and study help us to enter your stillness, be sensitive to your call and know your will for us.
Lord of Lent Renew Our Lives
We pray for Your world, especially we pray for all people who hold positions of authority that they do not misuse their power to the detriment of those they are supposed to be helping. We pray for all the world’s leaders and for our own leaders who are responsible for making decisions about our future. We pray that they will be given the insight and integrity to govern wisely according to your will, being fully aware of the true needs of the people.Lord , look with compassion on all those whose minds are full of anxiety and bewilderment and for whom everyday is one of despair. We pray especially for involved with Natural disasters and the problems that come with that, famine, broken families, uncertainty about the future, we pray for those caught up in war and those still suffering from past wars, landmines still going off and causing injury, planted 55 years ago.
We pray that you will turn their despair to hope and free them from fear. Whatever the future may bring them, may they know that you are the rock on whom they depend and that your love will help to ease their burden.
Lord of Lent Renew Our Lives
Lord Jesus, we pray that you will bless and protect our homes, our families and our friends. Help us to build bridges of tolerance and understanding between the different generations. May our homes be havens of peace and rest – a place to call our own and a community in which we can feel safe and secure.
Help us to be mindful of those who have no homes, families or friends. Make us grateful for all that we have so that we may use every endeavour to ensure that every person has a home to call his own and feels wanted within his own community.
Lord of Lent Renew Our Lives
We pray for all people everywhere in their varying needs. Into the gentleness of your healing love we bring before you the lonely, the hungry, those living in poverty and those without hope. We remember all those who are ill and in pain: those recovering from surgery - giving thanks for the work and dedication of our doctors, nurses and care workers.
We have in our hearts some people known only to ourselves, who are in need of our prayers and we remember them in a moment of quiet……………….
And this morning we pray especially for those in our church family who have been made known to us….PEW SHEET
May your healing touch support and strengthen them and we pray that you will remove from them all that hurts, harms and hinders.Lord of LentRenew Our LivesWe pray for all those who are mourning the loss of loved ones that you will comfort and strengthen them in their time of need.
Lord of Lent Renew Our Lives
We remember before God all those who have died…………..
This morning we pray for and remember those whose anniversaries fall at this time …………………………
Confident in the promise that those who believe in you will live though they have died, we give you thanks for all who have left their earthly body and now share with you the joys of heaven.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your son, Our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Moira's Service Notes for March: http://www.allsaintsstretford.org.uk/worship/service-notes-march-2010.php
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Thursday, 18 February 2010
Lent
Lent is upon us.
30 people turned up for a pancake party on Tuesday evening which was the start of our Lenten Observance. We opened with prayer and an introduction into our Lent material. After that we split into smaller groups and shared with each other what we expected to gain from the lent course and what we were doing as part of our own Lent. We had 3 area's to look at Prayer, Study and Reflection and we had a piece of paper with a Lent Cloud on thatw e could add our thoughts and expectations to. We will review this at the last Lent course session and see whether we have tried hard enough.
More to follow.....
30 people turned up for a pancake party on Tuesday evening which was the start of our Lenten Observance. We opened with prayer and an introduction into our Lent material. After that we split into smaller groups and shared with each other what we expected to gain from the lent course and what we were doing as part of our own Lent. We had 3 area's to look at Prayer, Study and Reflection and we had a piece of paper with a Lent Cloud on thatw e could add our thoughts and expectations to. We will review this at the last Lent course session and see whether we have tried hard enough.
More to follow.....
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Time fly's
20th Jan already - no blogs as busy busy busy, putting into place all that I need to meet the objectives for this year.
When I get chance I'll let you all know.
I'll update you on my thoughts on our Sermons - Last weeks (17/jan) spoke to me personally (http://www.allsaintsstretford.org.uk/worship/service-notes-january-2010.php)
A couple of thoughts - WALSINGHAM this year? I will be going so its no trouble arranging it.
CTiS what is its future - I'll be putting my thoughts to type very soon.
Happy New Year!!!!
When I get chance I'll let you all know.
I'll update you on my thoughts on our Sermons - Last weeks (17/jan) spoke to me personally (http://www.allsaintsstretford.org.uk/worship/service-notes-january-2010.php)
A couple of thoughts - WALSINGHAM this year? I will be going so its no trouble arranging it.
CTiS what is its future - I'll be putting my thoughts to type very soon.
Happy New Year!!!!
Tuesday, 29 December 2009
2009 and the year ahead
2009 came with it's challenges whether it was work, family, church or finances. I'm glad 2009 is over and I hope 2010 will be better. What do I understand being better is, more money, no arguements, no family crisis, church running smoothly, no one complaining. No these I enjoy, we need to argue and get things of our chests so we can live together. We need a crisis to bring us together, a united front. Church running smoothly what a bore. No what I want to do is make better time to cement my daily prayer into my daily life, let something else break. Spend time with God to listen more and understand my calling, this would make life better. There are things in my life I need to iron out and I'm putting building block in place to resolve these.
I hope during this period where most of us are not at work take time to reflect and recreate yourself and here I am looking forward to 2010.
I hope during this period where most of us are not at work take time to reflect and recreate yourself and here I am looking forward to 2010.
Thursday, 24 December 2009
Monday, 9 November 2009
This weeks sermon (8/11)
Moiras sermon this week was about Rememberance Day. As with Moira I wasn't born during a war nor have I ever experienced the affects war can have on a community. In the past I have attened Rememberance services with Cubs and Scouts and as a leader, I have slowly over the years seen the amount of people attending dwindle and now I see them increasing in numbers which is good. Still I have not had to experience war. I have a lot of respect for all our troops who have been involved or who are involved in any of the wars around the world at the moment.
The first war I remember was the Falklands war, nobody actually knew where the Falkland Island actually are, most thought they were off the coast of Scotland. I have watched the Gulf war on CNN available 24 hours a day, then Iraq again 24 hours a day but still so far away that they didn't really connect. Now we have Afganistan and our troops are mobilised all over the world and we need to remember both the people of old wars and the new. I don't always agree with the politics of war but our men and women are out there protecting and we must remember them.
The next time you pray for peace in worn torn area's remember our own men and women.
Read Moira's sermon again follow this link Sermon 8/11
Monday, 2 November 2009
Saints and Supper Evening
All Saints welcomed Sevenways and St Matthews.A fantastic evening was had by all.
There was plenty of Hot Pot, Jacket Spuds, Apple Pie and Trifle for everyone and I think some people had thirds never mind seconds.
Quiz winners "Double Value" I'm sure they had a helping hand :o))
Lots of Bingo winners - what a fantastic game that is ha ha
Sunday, 1 November 2009
All Saints Sermon 1/11
All Saints Day Service Sunday 1/11 10amAll Saints' Day (officially the Solemnity of All Saints and also called All Hallows or Hallowmas), often shortened to All Saints, is a solemnity celebrated on 1 November in Western Christianity, and on the first Sunday after Pentecost in Eastern Christianity in honour of all the saints, known and unknown.
For more information on All Saints Day please have a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Saints
Moira's sermon this week really made me think, I'm not against Halloween, I enjoy the children knocking at the door in their frightening costumes and letting them take a selection of sweets from the pumkin bucket. It's good to see people going round their community, why don't Christians embrace this evening. But how? That has always been my problem but this week Moira has given me what I need. We can remind people why the ghouls and wirches are out, they are being chased off by the saints of God, the good old good vs evil story. We can also tell them of the frightening deaths some of the saints endured - John the Baptist having his head chopped off and it served to Herod on a plate, Laurence roasted on a barbeque, Stephen stoned to death. What great stories to tell the children :o) I'll be doing a bit more research on our Saints, watch out for more stories.
Moira's 1/11 All Saints Day sermon follow this link sermon 1/11
All Souls Day - 2 Novemember ( Our Service this year will be on Sunday 1/11 at 7.30pm)
In Western Christianity, All Souls' Day commemorates the faithful departed. All Souls' Day is also known as the Feast of All Souls, Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed.
For more information on All Souls please take a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Souls%27_Day
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