Dear Church Friends,
I am sorry to have to tell you that we have lost another longstanding church member this week. Penny Riley passed away on Monday night. She had been in a Nursing Home for a few years and you will all know her daughter Glenys who worships with us. Please hold Glenys and the rest of Penny’s family in your prayers this week. Penny’s funeral will be held in the Church on Friday 4th February at 11am.
Revd David Phillips has asked me to include the following:
“Please convey my sincere thanks to all those who have sent cards and messages following the death of my son, Sam. This is a harrowing time for us but we have found it very comforting to know that so many of you are thinking about us and remembering us in your prayers. We have been overwhelmed by the love and support shown to us and will be always grateful. Although the cause of death is unknown we have been given permission to go ahead with Sam’s funeral on 11th February. It will be a family farewell which I shall lead as we lay him to rest with our deepest love.”
Winter Watch has returned to our screens for a couple of weeks. I have been impressed by the quality of the thermal imaging pictures that are being transmitted. Technology has improved so much that it is almost possible to see as much detail when it is dark as when it is light. At Wild Ken Hill in Norfolk, Jack Snipe are shy winter visitors spending their summers in Scandinavia. Little egrets have been present in Strangford Lock in Northern Ireland since 2002 and numbers have increased every year since then. I never cease to be amazed by the beauty and diversity of God’s natural world.
Our Worship on Sunday 23rd January at 10.45am will be led by Andrew Barratt
Bible Reading: Luke 4: 14 – 22 Page 859
Our Worship on Sunday 30th January at 10.45am will be led by Rev Jim Williams
Our Worship on Sunday 6th February at 10.45am will be led by Rev Terry Hudson and will include communion.
Church Meeting on Sunday 30th Jan.
There will be a Church Meeting after worship on Sunday 30th January.
An Invitation from Linda Lunn
Linda Lunn has been following a Stepwise Course and the final part is a joint project by all of the students on the Faith Filled Worship stream. Since they live in various parts of Lancashire, organising a joint venture has been a challenge! It is taking the form of a Zoom service this Sunday evening at 6.30 pm. Anyone can join in the service, using the link provided.
WEEK OF CHRISTIAN UNITY (Sunday 6.30pm)
Come and join the Lancashire Stepwise group to (virtually) travel on pilgrimage around the 7 continents of the world. There will be prayers and songs for racial justice and ecumenical unity in this time of climate change.
If you have a spare ribbon, a scrap square of cloth and a pine cone for participatory activities that would be great, or you can use paper and pencil.
Song lyrics by Linda Lunn for use in the service are given below.
Join us using the Meeting ID 965 1457 5443 and the Passcode YourChurch, or click on the link: https://bit.ly/2Tf1EUk
LOVE AND LIGHT AND UNITY (To the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)
Love and light and unity
One in Spirit, you and me
No more war and pain and greed
No more hungry souls to feed
Love and light and unity
One in Spirit, you and me
Good News Bibles At present these are stored in the parlour. Most of these are now surplus to requirements, so if anyone would like one, please ask me.
Some more thoughts from Iris Hesselden
Looking before us we see only the road ahead.
Looking behind us we see only the shadows of the past.
But looking around us we see beauty, friendship, love and laughter,
Enjoy the present and the wonderful world around us.
Let us pray
Dear Lord,
We pray for those who have lost love ones recently. Pour out your love and compassion on them and give them strength to cope in difficult times. We pray for those who have had accidents or are sick in body or mind. Give them your love and strength. We pray that the light at the end of the Covid tunnel continues to get brighter and people will feel more confident to be in the company of others. Thank you, Lord, for the people who developed the vaccines which have proved so effective in reducing the severity of the disease. Fill us with hope for the future knowing that You are always there at our side. We pray for the people of Tonga following the devastating impact that the underground volcanic eruption and tsunami had on their islands. Be with them during their recovery and give them Your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Please join me in saying the Grace together.
May the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen
God Bless you all
Ruth
