God of hope, We give thanks      for the signs of hope around us: For rainbows in windows: For the signs of spring,     bringing this long winter to an end: For vaccinations: For longer days. Bring us through this time of trouble to a place of peace and renewal of life.   Wounded God, we bring…Continue reading Intercessions Lent 1

We’ve had a rash of rainbows over the past few months – everywhere you go they’re there. They have stood for hope, even when there was very little of it about. Perhaps there is hope on the horizon now: hope for NHS and other front line staff, for elderly people, especially those in care homes,…Continue reading Sermon Lent 1

O God, whose glory is beyond our seeing and knowing, we pray for your church, that it may it be a place  where your glory is glimpsed, your beauty reflected in worship and in the lives of your people:  and a place where many will hear whispers of your love for all your children.   God…Continue reading Intecessions – Sunday Next Before Lent

This week’s readings give us a ‘boost’ before the beginning of Lent on Wednesday. They all hold a common theme, but one which it’s not that easy to pin down. We could say that they are all about ‘revelation’ – about disclosures of amazing things: the fury chariot, the light-filled face of Jesus, the Transfiguration.…Continue reading Sermon – Sunday Next before Lent

God of the vastness of creation, we pray for your church.  Forgive us when we lose sight of  Your grandeur, Your eternal nature and worship something small and tame. Help us to lift our eyes to you, And to walk in humility and gratitude. Help us to create, not destroy, to speak words of love,…Continue reading Intercessions – 2 before Lent (Church of England Lectionary)

Our (Church of England) readings for today are about the beginning – or even, before the beginning. How can there be a ‘before the beginning’? An impossible thing which shows us that God is beyond us, beyond our comprehension, as well as being with us in many different ways. In the same way, Jesus is…Continue reading Sermon – 2 before Lent (Church of England lectionary)

God, revealed to us in the vulnerability of infancy, we pray for our church. Give us hope that we will soon gather again, to worship you together to sing your praise to celebrate the Eucharist  to share friendship and fellowship.  When we gather again, may we gather in the love your require us to share,…Continue reading Candlemas Intercessions 2021

In the past 12 months we have learned much about waiting. Many people are asking ‘when will this be over’? When will life get back to normal? The answer is, of course, that we don’t know. We have some hopes; hopefully the vaccine will make a difference; hopefully warmer weather will bring some respite. But…Continue reading Candlemas Sermon 2021

God who calls us anew each day, we pray that, as a church,  you will  give us ears to hear and hearts to respond in love and trust. Give us grace to work together in response to your love. Forgive our divisions and help us to follow only you, our God and Saviour.   God…Continue reading Intercessions Epiphany 3

At Christmas the fact of the Roman Occupation of Israel is high in our consciousness, especially in relation to the 3 Magi from the Easte who encounter Herrod before they find Jesus and who avoid him afterwards. The slaughter of the innocents was the result. We then tend to forget about Roman occupation until we…Continue reading Sermon – Epiphany 3