Welcome to St Vigor’s Church, Stratton on the Fosse and St John’s Church, Chilcompton.
Weekend of 23rd / 24th May 2020: 7th Sunday of Easter
Dear Friends,
I write on a glorious sunny day; the evening of Ascension Day when we celebrate our Lord’s return to heaven and the promise of his Holy Spirit to come in power to resource and guide us, which we will celebrate on Pentecost Sunday (31st May.) The ten days in between offer us a special time of waiting, perhaps even longing, to see this power at work in our own lives. I invite you to join the Worldwide Christian Church in praying daily for #Thy Kingdom Come for five friends, family or neighbours. This will be the focus of our prayers at Sunday’s service and you might like to make sure that you have a piece of paper, a pen and a length of string, wool or cotton with you when we gather.
Further resources to help you pray with focus this week are available on the Church of England website, here. As well as a booklet and written prayers you will also find there, not only an invitation to download an app to your phone or listen to a daily podcast, but also an array of family focussed activities. Isaac has trialled the Interactive Prayer Map for me (an augmented reality game) and he tells me it is quite fun: perhaps some adventurous adults might enjoy it too?
Pictures to cheer and encourage us this week come from Tony and Marion and from Nigel. What a beautiful world we live in, and what green fingers you all seem to have!
Finally, a word of apology if you had difficulty joining us last week. Apparently, there was a problem with Zoom nationwide which caused the Church in its new-found enthusiasm for technology lots of problems! Messy Church went ahead eventually in the afternoon, and lots of fun was had by those who finally managed to join the meeting. Please continue to pray for our lovely Messy Church Families in this season of uncertainty and challenge. I am hopeful that normal service will be resumed this weekend, and look forward to seeing you all at 10.30am. Click on the link at the top right of this page.
Join us next Sunday, 31st May
Join us on Zoom for Morning Prayer at 10:30am.
There's still time to try our Messy Church activities Sunday 17th May.
Contemplative Prayer 11th May
Click here for details of this month's Contemplative Prayer
Archbishop Justin Welby speaks about
why churches are closed?
Resources
Our Prayer
Loving God,
We pray for all those who are suffering because of the coronavirus, may they know your healing power.
When we are afraid for ourselves and our loved ones, give us your strength and courage.
When we feel alone and isolated, reassure us with a sense of your presence.
Give wisdom to those in authority and may our community work together for the good of all.
We give thanks for those who care for others and ask you to bless them in all they do.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, healer and physician.
Amen
Coronavirus (COVID-19):
Community Support
Are you in need of help, feeling isolated or anxious?
We want to assure you that the church community remembers you all in our prayers. We are here to help in any way we can, even if you'd just like to chat with someone. We are also working in conjunction with our Parish Councils and can help you get in contact.
Please fill in the form below and we will get back in touch as soon as we can.
The Association of Christian Counsellors are also offering support. Click the button below to find out more.
Church Activities.
The list of activities below normally run at our church. However, they are suspended for the time being.
Tea and Toast
Lunch Club
Youth & Children
Music Group
in St John's Church