Thank you to Jo and Elizabeth for their amazing organisation and to all who helped welcome the Immanuel Gospel choir from Stockholm last weekend. They shared their hearts and voices with us. A harmonious and uplifting time for everyone. We hope they will come again.
Annual Parochial Church Meetings The Annual Parochial Church Meetings for St Mary’s will take place this Sunday, 10th May, at 12:30pm after the 11:15am service. Copies of the annual report and accounts will be available in the church.
This will be a meal for families and their children where we meet, eat and share faith together and the kids have a brilliant time eating, playing and sharing faith in their way. Families of all ages are very welcome. The meal will start at 5:45/6pm.
Lithuanian Harp Recital by Emilija Karaliūtė at St Mary’s On Sunday 17th May at 4pm St Mary’s will be welcoming Emilija Karaliūtė, who plays the kanklės, which is similar to a UK classical harp for versatility and range and sound but is a flat instrument rather than an upright one.
In Paul’s letter to Corinth he says: “For as in Adam all die, Even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” This phrase is joyously set to music by GF Handel. In this Easter season let us pray for that life - to live abundantly in us.
For the spring and early summer all around us which has sprouted after the cold winter. We thank you, O God. We pray for new growth in our church, for evolution and change to be fit for the world today. We pray for Jed and George preparing for Confirmation and our families work and outreach. Father we pray for unity and joyful spiritual life together. May we give time and heart to grow our fellowship. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Following many local and regional elections we pray for all who stood and for all who hold office. We pray for public debates over complex current issues, including the right legislation around internet use. Please guide leaders, local and national and each of us to improve our country economically and ecologically. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the wider church we continue to pray for our archbishop Sarah and for your love and direction in finding a new Bishop of Oxford. Please bless the work of street pastors who offer support to the homeless and also to the transient revellers in our cities in a brief but meaningful way. We pray for all who work in hospitality businesses, that they can do their jobs with easy-going patience and feel job satisfaction. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for our marvellous world and for all the nations' leaders. We pray that they may feel their way to peace-making. Bless the hard work of those who are behind the scenes; translators, diplomats and journalists working tirelessly towards fairness for all. We pray for those displaced from their homes by war, especially in the West Bank and Lebanon. We raise to you all the religious leaders that they may be blessed to communicate effectively and be united with love at the heart. We pray for Jewish and Palestinian communities who are both currently living in fear. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Please guide and inspire our community leaders: the Parish council and Goring in bloom teams. We pray for the Goring Gap Festival this year - for all the volunteers who are running it, the professionals rehearsing for it and the audiences looking forward to it! Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Dear God - in praying for the sick we can reflect on Jesus' care taken to take time with the sick and perform miracles with healing. We remember those who are sick and can’t take part in the community as they would like to, that they may have patience and the energy to stay cheerful in their troubles. We pray for the NHS teams as they provide the appropriate medical and spiritual care. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lastly we pray for our church's bereavement course, that the team can reflect the healing balm of your love. We pray for healing and hope for those participating to go forward, alongside Christ.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.