Adult baptism/confirmation preparation course. Have you got an adult understanding of who Jesus is? Do you have questions to explore before being able to confirm your faith? If you are interested in joining a group to help people decide whether or not to be confirmed do speak to a member of the ministry team. Timing of a group this autumn will depend on what people can do, some Tuesday or Wednesday evenings seem likely.
This week we are asked to pray:
Prayers for the week from Roots on the web Lord God, we come before you today, with full hearts, as we think about the privilege it is to serve you, whatever the cost. “Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve; to give, and not to count the cost; to fight, and not to heed the wounds; to toil, and not to seek for rest; to labour, and not to ask for reward, except that of knowing that we are doing your will.” St Ignatius of Loyola 1491 - 1556 We pray for the church worldwide. For those who lead, and those who follow. Fill us all with your Holy Spirit, and your compassion. Lord, we pray for people for whom the cost of being a disciple is high. For people who give their all for Jesus, prioritising him above family and possessions, above physical freedom and safety, above status or ease. Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve To give, and not to count the cost. We pray for all countries at war. Through modern technology we can get frighteningly close to what is happening in these areas. But we still don’t really know what it feels like to be amongst it all. We pray that you would plant peace in the hearts of those who seek only to destroy. And meet the needs of all who suffer. We pray for those who work in war-torn countries, and areas of natural disaster. For people there who have literally nothing. Especially today we pray for the victims of the earthquake in Afghanistan and land-slide in Sudan. Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve To give, and not to count the cost. We pray for people who are not treated as equals. For refugees, asylum seekers. For those who have fled their beloved homeland to seek safety and security. But may find nothing but hostility. Help us to remember that we are all children of the same living God. We pray for our government juggling national debt with spiralling need. Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve To give, and not to count the cost. Help us, Lord, not to count on our possessions for security. To put you first in everything we do. To depend completely on our relationship with you. But also to temper our courage with being realistic about our resources. Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve To give, and not to count the cost. Lord, this week we celebrate International Literacy Day. We thank you for the opportunities we have had to learn to read and write. Some of us may have found it easier than others. But we thank you for the privilege literacy gives us. For the voice it gives us. We pray that we would use these gifts in your service. We pray for organisations that promote literacy in underdeveloped countries. And among women. For organisations like Wycliffe Bible translators who make the Bible readily available in so many languages. For Christian writers, thanking you that the pen is mightier than the sword. We pray for teachers and volunteers who put their all into enabling their students to read and write. Especially as the new school year is starting. We pray for a spirit of excited and fulfilling learning in the classrooms. Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve To give, and not to count the cost. Onesimus ran away from his troubles. Paul thanked God for Philemon as he remembered him in his prayers. We pray that we would never be afraid to use the written word to plead for others. Help us always to work together with our fellows to promote your gospel in whatever way we can, wherever we can. To stand firm and be partners in the faith. To always put you first. We pray for the people in our lives who stand firm in the faith for us. Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve To give, and not to count the cost. We give thanks for, and remember in our prayers, our church family gathered here today. We pray for those who cannot be with us. For those who minister to us in so many ways, often not seen. For the sick and bereaved. Bring them your healing and comfort. Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve To give, and not to count the cost. Amen.