Dear Church Friends,
Hello again. How has your week been? It has been good to welcome some new people to our services recently and also some of our members for whom it is their first visit since the 2020 lockdown. Usually between 40 and 50 people now attend the Sunday service, but there is room for a few more.
There were some lovely days at the beginning of the week but recently it has been the turn of the gardens to benefit from some much needed rain. On Tuesday we decided to go out for the day – our first trip into the countryside since last June! As we are members of the RSPB, we thought the Leighton Moss Reserve near Silverdale would be a suitable place to visit. We felt so lucky to be able to wander around this beautiful area soaking in the tranquillity and peace of the natural world and hearing and seeing the animals and birds around us. It was deeply refreshing for the spirit. At this time of the year the reserve has less birds than in the winter, but we were told that at present there are marsh harriers, ospreys and bitterns in the area, as well as the usual ducks and swans and other birds. At one point we saw a swan family swimming in a straight line – Mum and Dad at the front with 5 cygnets following one behind the other. Although we used binoculars it was more difficult to identify the birds of prey but we saw some soaring above us using the thermals. We gave thanks to God for the opportunity to enjoy and be uplifted in this beautiful area. On Thursday four happy hares were chasing one another up and down the fairways of the golf course and the pheasants and peacock put in appearances from time to time. Seeing them all puts a smile on my face and uplifts me.
A thought from the 2005 Friendship Book
“Think of this picture of perfect peace – a small bird perched on a slender branch overhanging a roaring waterfall. The bird has no cause to be afraid because it puts its trust in the fact that it has been blessed with wings and can take flight to freedom at any time.
We, too, can have the perfect peace in the one Lord who protects, guides and leads us and who loves us with a love that is enduring and unfailing. No matter how delicate our situation, no matter how storms rage all around us, we can have that inner peace. If we have worries we should share them with Him so that we are not feeling alone, burdened down with a load of care. “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is shifting sand.”
In the United Nations HQ in New York there is a Meditation Room. In this room there is a plaque with words written by Dag Hammarskjold, who was Secretary of the UN for several years:
“This is a room devoted to peace and those who are giving their lives for peace. This is a room of quiet where only thoughts should speak.”
Our Worship on Sunday 27th June at 10.45am will be led by Rev Terry Hudson
Please book before 6pm on Saturday 26th June.
Our Worship on Sunday 4th July at 10.45am will be led by Val Atkinson and will include Communion. If possible, please bring your own individual portion of bread and wine (squash or water) for communion services. There will be some individual prepacked cups with wafers available for anyone who forgets.
Please book before 6pm on Saturday 3rd July.
Induction of Rev Janet Calderley
Sunday 4th July 2021 at 3pm at Fleetwood United Reformed Church, Fleetwood, Agnew Road, FY7 7BJ
The service will be led by the Rev Lis Mullen
The preacher will be Rev Peter Lyth.
There are still 3 places available, so if anyone wishes to attend, please let me know as soon as possible and preferably by Tuesday, as I have to send names to the Secretary of Fleetwood or tell her if we do not require all our spaces. There will be no refreshments after the service, but people are welcome to bring a picnic. Up to 30 people can use the church garden.
This service will be live-streamed and I will send you all the link when I have it.
A Prayer by the Revd Dr Elizabeth Welch – member of St Andrew’s URC Ealing.
Loving God,
We live in this waiting time,
Wondering what will happen next.
Asking, questioning, searching.
Will we return to the old normal?
What new things do you have in store for us?
Creator God, grant us hope in the midst of a confused and troubled world.
Redeemer God, pour out your gift of love, that our lives may bear fruit.
Sustainer God, free us from fear about what the future might hold
and give us power to live whole-heartedly for others and all creation.
Amen.
Let us pray.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for watching over us and caring for us. Be with us as we face the next week and help us to cope with any challenges that might arise. We pray for those for whom life is difficult and ask You to support, encourage and uplift them, giving them hope for the future. 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
