| Good News
June 2020 |
Prayers for June
For Ourselves
Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can
separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen
For those who are ill
God of compassion, be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation.
In their loneliness, be their consolation; in their anxiety, be their hope;
in their darkness, be their light;
through him who suffered alone on the cross,
But reigns with you in glory, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
For hospital staff and medical researchers
Gracious God, give skill, sympathy and resilience
to all who are caring for the sick,
and your wisdom to those searching for a cure.
Strengthen them with your Spirit, that through their work
Many will be restored to health;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
(From Church of England ‘Prayers for use during the coronavirus outbreak’)
The streets we will pray for this month are:
Langley Grove, Laurel Drive, Ledbury Way, Ledra Drive, Leonora Drive, Link Way, Lion Road, Lodsworth Road, Lower Bognor Road, Mallard Crescent, Malvern Way and manor Park
We remember those who have died: Chloe Green and Hilda Baxendale
Letter from the Parish
The season of Easter is beginning to fade and the creation around us is burgeoning with new life. The promise of Easter is difficult to grasp in these days of grief, lockdown, estrangement from loved ones, unknowing, invisible enemies and inability to see what lies ahead. Our present situation is not something that we have encountered before. We are compelled to look to others to help us see the way forward!
The present invisible threat of coronavirus is new and lethally threatening but there has always been an invisible threat that we ignore at our peril. Complacency to the threat of “the evil one” leaves us vulnerable to being separated from the love of God. The world may mock those who recognise the threat of Satan yet if we take a good look into what is happening in this world, that look reveals a world wracked with unholy violence. Others in our world are seeing their hospitals being bombed, daughters trafficked, children suffocated with poisonous gas and countless other horrific acts.
The fight against evil begins in our hearts. We need to realise the truth that the tentacles of evil are all pervasive in our world and that there is only one answer. Evil is strong enough to overpower us all. We need an almighty, conquering Saviour. Easter and its message of victory over evil need to blossom in our hearts and lives giving us confidence that, together with our Saviour, we can overcome.
As Moses and the people of Israel set out on the way to freedom, their spirits flagged and they were ready to succumb. Moses answered those fears, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
When Moses was given the task to set the people free he said, “Who am I?” and God said, “I will be with you!”
We must never forget that nothing is impossible with God.
During my service in the Royal Navy I was often on a parade ground. Presence on a parade ground was, of necessity, preceded by long periods of preparation and drill. We needed to be ready! Ready to respond to orders given, working in close harmony. When all had mustered the trumpet would sound “still.” The order to move would come and we would be ready putting our trust in our Commanders. That moment of stillness spoke of readiness and purpose.
In our hearts we must work out with our Creator what our purpose is and then strive to be ready.
After Moses said to the people that they needed to be still he was commanded by God to tell them to move on. They moved on through the Red Sea, through the Wilderness and on, eventually, to the Promised Land. That promise for us is eternity in the Kingdom of God where evil has been vanquished.
Rev Bill Meyer
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress:
my God; in him will I trust.
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,
and from the noisome pestilence. Psalm 91. 1-3