We cheer that Jesus is risen, ascended and glorified. He gives us another Comforter. This is a reality we are called to celebrate and live in.
Piano Recital at St Mary’s, “Dances with Dreams” Janet Pound will be giving a Piano Recital in St Mary's on Sunday May 12th at 4pm, followed by tea and cakes in the Morrell Room (donations for these). Janet will be playing pieces by Carbonelli, Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, Chopin, Grieg, John Ireland, Albeniz, Debussy, Leroy Anderson and George Gerschwin. Tickets £10 full, £9 concessions, sold on the door only, cash only please. Advance reservations and enquiries by text only to 0776 233 9853 or e-mail StMarysConcerts@hotmail.co.uk
This week we are asked to pray for
Prayers for this week from "Roots on the Web"
Lord Jesus, we pray for your Church in these times of change when it would be easy to become entrenched. May we always be open to new ideas; may we never fear the challenges brought by new people, because their insights might surprise us and inspire us to try new things; may we always seek your guidance and be alert to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Open our hearts and minds, O Lord – lead us forward
Lord Jesus, we pray for your world, where age-old conflicts continue to fuel wars in Ukraine, the Middle East and elsewhere, and where conflict between individuals and groups with different ways and ideas has never been greater. We pray for openness of heart, mind and spirit, in order to find solutions to enable peace and harmony; meanwhile, may the hungry be fed, the sick receive the care they need, and the grieving be comforted. May the humanity shown in acts of bravery, self-sacrifice and kindness in these troubled times and places continue to surprise us, O Lord. Open our hearts and minds, O Lord – lead us forward
Lord Jesus, we pray for our own community, especially for any new neighbours who have come among us this week. May we welcome them with open hearts, minds and doors and encourage the contributions they bring. Open our hearts and minds, O Lord – lead us forward
Lord Jesus, we pray for all who are sick in body, mind or spirit; for all who lack shelter, or food, or other basic necessities of life; and we pray for all those who seek to help them, especially those who explore new ways to ensure better lives where all needs are met. Guide and inspire them, Lord, in their scientific endeavour, or their policy making, or in whatever field they labour to improve the lot of those in need. May we always be amazed by what can be achieved. Open our hearts and minds, O Lord – lead us forward
Lord Jesus, with knife crime dominating the headlines again this week, we pray for all who have been personally affected; please comfort the grieving and heal the injured, and give strength to those whose professions bring them into contact with its consequences. We pray, too, for those who work to change hearts and minds, so that the lives of many may be changed for the better, and many lives may be saved. Let knives be laid down, O Lord; let lives be changed, and spared Open our hearts and minds, O Lord – lead us forward
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.