Sunday 21st June - 2nd Sunday after trinity
Father’s Day
Good Morning & welcome all to our virtual Sunday Gathering
Alex will be leading the service this morning with music, readings & prayers and the talk from Ben all streamed Live on Facebook at 10:30am.
Our bible readings for today are Romans 6.1-11 and Matthew 10.24-39
The words for the service will be on the screen for you to follow along this week. A copy of these words (liturgy) are in the booklet linked below.
If you are missing seeing people from church is there someone you can make contact with to see if they fancy joining you for a chat on WhatsApp / Zoom / Facetime or the telephone after the Live Stream service? Grab a coffee and have a catch up much like you would in church on a Sunday morning. If you are not sure who you could make contact with please speak to Vicar Lee or one of the churchwardens (Dave, Jeanette, Maria or Alan) and we will see what we can arrange for you.
UPDATE: a recording of our Facebook Live service has now been added below (scroll to the bottom of this page to watch the children’s prayer video with sound).
Some questions to consider after you have heard Ben’s talk today, to either reflect upon privately or to chat about with others:
How do you respond to seeing and hearing what is going on in the world at the moment? What do you often pray for?
What aspect of Jesus’ ministry do you find it most easy to associate with? What aspect of Jesus’ ministry do you find most difficult to associate with? What is one way you would like to be more like Jesus in what you say and do?
What are the things (or people!) that most easily make you afraid? What gives you courage?
JUNIOR & SMALL CHURCH
Click on these links for fun worksheets and activities to do with the kids, including looking at promises in the bible and a family stretching challenge and many great activities on the theme of ‘A Blueprint of our Place in God’s Family’ for Father’s Day.
You will also find more useful links for families on the Junior & Small Church Resources page.
FATHER’S DAY WITH HOME FOR GOOD
For some, Father’s Day is a chance to celebrate the love they have been given by the men who raised them. For others it is a reminder of lost loved ones, lost hopes and dreams for a family they cannot have, or painful memories of men who were not able to offer a good model of loving care.
Home for Good is Christian charity that exists to find a home for every child who needs one and to make sure that foster carers and adoptive families get the support they need.
They will be broadcasting a special Father’s Day Service on Facebook at 7pm hosted by their founder Krish Kandiah and with many interesting guests including Cary & David Grant, Danielle Strickland, Rob Parsons, Pete Grieg and Tim & Rachel Hughes.
Click the words in bold for the links.
For our closing prayer this Sunday
Dear God, we celebrate how blessed we are to be called your children, however old we are. Thank you that you want us in your family.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the men you put in our lives who have cared for us. For earthly fathers and carers of every type, uncles, grandfathers and the many men who help raise us. Where we miss them, may you comfort us. As we pray for each other, we recognise that sometimes fathers are not perfect like you. Where we are hurt, may you restore us.
We pray for those who are part of caring for children in all sorts of different ways. For those in schools, churches or hospitals; health or social services. Fill them with the Fruit of your Spirit and equip them for the work you have set before them.
We thank you Lord that you set the lonely in family. We pray for those who are feeling lonely today. Help us to see them, and reach out to be community to those who need it most. We pray especially for children who are lonely today. Help us to find a home for every child who needs one.
Amen.