Adult baptism/confirmation preparation course. Have you stood up and been counted as a member of God’s family? Have you got an adult understanding of who Jesus is? What feeds you? We have a 15 year old and a ripe adult and would welcome others to join a group. Timing will depend on what people can do but will probably be in the evenings in September. Do speak to a member of the ministry team about this if you are interested.
Piano Concert, “Take a Peaceful Moment”, at St Mary’s Thank you to Rachel Neiger who stepped in at late notice and all who contributed to this concert. You can read a full review by clicking here
Songs of Praise service Live in harmony, join together in songs of praise the Bible urges us. So we can look forward to doing as we are told, for once!
Our Benefice Songs of Praise on Sunday 31st August at 10.30am is in St Andrew’s. The organist and choirs from Streatley and Goring will be there to help raise the roof.
This week we are asked to pray:
Prayers for the week from Roots on the web Faithful God, You created a beautiful world for us to enjoy and treasure and you surround us with Earth’s gifts to sustain us. Though our planet is damaged by greed and our destructive choices and the resources meant for everyone to share are exploited by a few; your healing is seen in the small steps we make towards more equal sharing. Forgive our short-term thinking and inspire us in the work needed to renew the Earth and fill us with gifts of compassion, bravery, joy and love for your world as we seek to challenge the deep structural injustices and build a fairer and more sustainable future. Your kingdom come: Your will be done. Faithful God, Your forgiveness towards us is limitless and though we often fail you, you give us strength to start again. We pray for a world in which we hold on to the things that unite us and where we seek the best for other people. We pray for our communities to be places of radical inclusion, where we look not on appearances but on the heart. May we show the same loving kindness to others that you have shown to us. May we be slow to judge other people and generous in our opinions of them. Your kingdom come: Your will be done. Faithful God, Your generosity to us is endless and you give us much more than we need or deserve. We cry to you on behalf of all who do not know where their next meal is coming from; we cry for victims of a massacre claimed to have been carried out by Syrian forces at a hospital in Suweida city; we cry for the seemingly endless deaths of civilians, especially children, at food aid sites in Gaza and for the horror of people being killed there as they seek the essentials for survival. We pray for urgency in ending this war; we pray for Palestinians risking their lives daily just to find food; we pray for strength to carry on for all aid workers and medical staff in Gaza and for humanitarian aid to be swift and generous. May there be justice for earth’s suffering and starving peoples. Your kingdom come: Your will be done. Faithful God, Your love for us is unending and you are with us every step of life’s journey. Though we walk through life’s troubles you give us the strength we need to face each day’s challenges. We pray for all in our community who are suffering in body or mind asking that you would surround them with your peace. In the quiet we name to you the people we know who are in particular need today and ask for courage and peace as they face illness or adversity. Your kingdom come: Your will be done. Faithful God You restore us and give us rest. As school terms end and holiday season begins, we pray for relaxation, peace of mind and fun for teachers, parents and students, for time to think and to focus on what matters and for new energy to face the challenges of life as summer moves towards autumn. Your kingdom come: Your will be done. Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.