Hello Everyone

We continue with the Senior Church Leaders Call to Prayer over the four weeks of Lockdown and we continue with the final set of prayers. 

PRAYER FOR WEEK 4 –  30^th November –6^th December

Week 4 

Loving God, your Son Jesus Christ came that we might have life and have it abundantly;
pour out your blessing upon our nation;

where there is illness, bring your healing touch;
where there is fear, strengthen us with the knowledge of your presence;

where there is uncertainty, build us up in faith;

where there is dishonesty, lead us into truth,

where there is discord, may we know the harmony of your love;
this we ask in Jesus’ name.     Amen.

A PRAYER FOCUS FOR US TO USE EACH DAY

MONDAY  SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

We pray for all those involved in the shaping of young lives.   We give God thanks for the sacrifice and commitment of teachers and all those involved in serving children and young people in education.

TUESDAY  ELDERLY, ISOLATED ABD VULNERABLE

We echo God’s commitment to those most at risk of this virus by praying for those who are particularly vulnerable and isolated.   We pray for their deliverance protection and comfort.   We hold before God those who care for them – that they would be strengthened and encouraged in this work.

WEDNESDAY  BUSINESSES, THE WORKPLACE AND ECONOMIC WELLBEING

In this time of great challenge, we pray for the economic wellbeing of the country.   We remember before God those who face great uncertainty in their work.   We lift before God those who have lost their jobs and face an uncertain and difficult future.

THURSDAY  NHS AND OTHER KEY WORKERS

Our God is the great healer – and the agent used more than any other is the NHS.   Today we voice our gratitude for those who serve this country in the National Health Service and pray that God would prosper the work of their hands – that they would be encouraged in their continued work of sacrifice and care amongst  us.

FRIDAY  NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

We pray for those who are in positions of authority with responsibility for decision making at national and local level at this difficult time.   We ask that God would give great wisdom, deep commitment to all and right judgement.

SATURDAY  ALL WHO ARE GRIEVING AND ALL SUFFERING WITH PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ILL-HEALTH.

‘Lord the one you love is ill.’   John 11.v3

We bring to God all those who suffer in body, mind spirit or with grief.   We ask that in God’s great loving kindness they might know God’s sustaining presence amidst their pain.

SUNDAY  FAMILY, FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES

We lift to God those we hold in our hearts – praying for their healing. their well-being and their sense of hope.   We pray that even when loved ones cannot physically be together, they would not feel apart.  We ask for God’s help in our communicating, our connecting and our caring.

Each week during the season of Advent we will have a scripture to reflect on, followed with a Prayer.

SCRIPTURE READING     ISA 40:27-31

Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God’? Have you not known’? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not fail or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, and they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

PRAYER

Lord, I am poured out, I come to you for renewal.

Lord, I am weary, I come to you for refreshment,

Lord, I am worn, I come to you for restoration.

Lord, I am lost, and I come to you for guidance.

Lord, I am troubled, I come to you for peace.

Lord, I am lonely, I come to you for Love.

Come Lord,

Come revive me.

Come re-shape me.

Come, mould me in your image.

Re-cast me in the furnace of you love.              

Power Lines David Adam

Let us continue to pray for our community, the Crossroads Project and those we know who are struggling at this time with loneliness and the effects of the Virus.

We pray also for the METHODIST ADVENT CHRISTMAS CAMPAGN – GOD IS WITH US’

The campaign name, of course, comes from John Wesley’s purported words on his death bed:

‘the best of all is, God is with us’ and this reminds us that even in the times which feel most uncertain, we can be certain of God.

Who do you know who needs to hear this message over the coming months?

‘Keep praying; ask the Lord for help for he is powerful.

That is your weapon; do not lose it. Pray without ceasing, for the Lord is powerful.’     

KEEP SAFE – KEEP PRAYING   

Peter  

It’s the first Sunday of Advent. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!
Join Rev’d John as he takes us on a journey around the Parish of #Meltham for our joint online Parish Communion service. The service is scheduled for 10:30am but can be viewed any time afterwards.
https://youtu.be/wDna3ZyFr-8

Please come and do some Christmas shopping whilst supporting 3 charities. 

Mandy’s gift baskets, Caroline’s craft stall and lots of other gift sets and decorations will be raising funds for ‘Crisis’. 

The Meltham Shoebox project will have a stall and all the other items sold will support the Crossroads project.  There are lots of Christmas jumpers and sparkly clothes to bring some Christmas cheer!

Hello Everyone

We continue with the Senior church leaders Call to Prayer. We are in week 3 of Lock Down and we will continue with the set prayers. There is a new prayer for week three and we will be following the set focus prayers to be used each day.

PRAYER FOR WEEK 3 –  23^rd -29th

Lord Jesus Christ, in these dark and difficult days, we turn our hearts to you.

In ages past, you have delivered our nation from disaster.

Do it again, we pray.

Give wisdom beyond human wisdom to our leaders,

Give strength beyond human strength to the NHS and all our frontline workers.

Give comfort beyond human comfort to the elderly and all who grieve.

Lord Jesus Christ, in these dark and difficult days, turn your face towards us, have mercy upon us, and heal our land, we pray.
Amen.

A PRAYER FOCUS FOR US TO USE EACH DAY

MONDAY  SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

We pray for all those involved in the shaping of young lives.   We give God thanks for the sacrifice and commitment of teachers and all those involved in serving children and young people in education.

TUESDAY  ELDERLY, ISOLATED ABD VULNERABLE

We echo God’s commitment to those most at risk of this virus by praying for those who are particularly vulnerable and isolated.   We pray for their deliverance protection and comfort.   We hold before God those who care for them – that they would be strengthened and encouraged in this work.

WEDNESDAY  BUSINESSES, THE WORKPLACE AND ECONOMIC WELLBEING

In this time of great challenge, we pray for the economic wellbeing of the country.   We remember before God those who face great uncertainty in their work.   We lift before God those who have lost their jobs and face an uncertain and difficult future.

THURSDAY  NHS AND OTHER KEY WORKERS

Our God is the great healer – and the agent used more than any other is the NHS.   Today we voice our gratitude for those who serve this country in the National Health Service and pray that God would prosper the work of their hands – that they would be encouraged in their continued work of sacrifice and care amongst  us.

FRIDAY  NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

We pray for those who are in positions of authority with responsibility for decision making at national and local level at this difficult time.   We ask that God would give great wisdom, deep commitment to all and right judgement.

SATURDAY  ALL WHO ARE GRIEVING AND ALL SUFFERING WITH PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ILL-HEALTH.

‘Lord the one you love is ill.’   John 11.v3

We bring to God all those who suffer in body, mind spirit or with grief.   We ask that in God’s great loving kindness they might know God’s sustaining presence amidst their pain.

SUNDAY  FAMILY, FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES

We lift to God those we hold in our hearts – praying for their healing. their well-being and their sense of hope.   We pray that even when loved ones cannot physically be together, they would not feel apart.  We ask for God’s help in our communicating, our connecting and our caring

Next Sunday sees the beginning of the Church’s Calendar- Advent –  so we pray –

A PRAYER BEFORE ADVENT  from St Augustine of Hippo

Lord Jesus our Saviour, the One who is to come, we come to you now.

Our hearts are cold;  Lord, warm them by your selfless love.

Our hearts are sinful;  cleanse them with your precious blood.

Our hearts are weak;  strengthen them with Your joyous Spirit.

Our hearts are empty;  fill them with your divine presence.

Come, Emmanuel:  enter our lives, possess them always and only for yourself.

And let us give thanks for all the progress the scientists have been making in their search for a vaccine.   Let us continue to pray that God will continue to be at work in all the research  they are doing.  

KEEP SAFE – KEEP PRAYING

‘Keep praying; ask the Lord for help for he is powerful. That is your weapon; do not lose it. Pray without ceasing, for the Lord is powerful.’     

Peter  

Today in #Meltham we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King which is also the name of our joint Parish of 4 churches which also includes Helme, Meltham Mills and Wilshaw.

Normally we would meet together at Christ Church, Helme to celebrate this our special Patronal Festival which marks the end of the Church year and reminds us that Christ is our Lord and glorified King.

Join us for a special online service of celebration led by Rev’d John Dracup at 10:30am. The link can be found here:
https://youtu.be/c4rB0rZfuiE

In years gone by, this day would also be called ‘Stir up Sunday’ because of the Post Communion collect – this would also be a reminder to start baking your Christmas cakes and pudding!

Stir up, O Lord,
the wills of your faithful people;
that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works,
may by you be plenteously rewarded;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Here is the link to join our Zoom Holy Communion service led by Rev Dennis Shields.

We join from 11am for a chat and the service starts at 11.15am.

Hope to see you in the morning

Topic: Holy Communion

Time: Nov 22, 2020 11:00 AM London

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86054021126?pwd=c3BFdW1zRGNUbk80NVh2RmlIbkdTZz09

Meeting ID: 860 5402 1126

Passcode: 651813

Hello Everyone

16 NOVEMBER MCT PRAYERS

RACHEL SPENCER-HENSALL Director of Public Health has been in contact with each household in Kirklees during our first week of Lockdown with an urgent and important update on the Covid-19 figures which are rising. Firstly, she offered thanks for everything people have been doing to keep themselves and others safe. She acknowledges how difficult the lockdown period is for us all, the efforts we are going through and the sacrifices we’re making which are a key part in our fight against COVID-19.

FROM THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE

Prayer changes things.

From Abraham’s plea to save Sodom to Jesus’ cry for forgiveness of others on the cross, we see the willingness of God to listen.  God invites us to talk to Him, to share with Him our fears, worries, struggles and heartaches, because when we do, God tells us He will act.

The COVID-19 pandemic has left no life unscathed in the UK. The national health crisis caused by the severity of illness for many has pushed our healthcare system and those who work within it to breaking point. The consequences of the resulting lockdowns are wide-ranging and, for many, catastrophic.

Many businesses are unsustainable. Unemployment is booming. Children’s education has been severely impacted. Families have been separated. The vulnerable have been left exposed. For many, experiencing isolation and uncertainty,  has led to an overwhelming sense of hopelessness as we see statistics indicate the rise in divorce, domestic abuse and suicide. 

We need things to change. We need to pray. 

STEPHEN COTTRELL THE NEW ARCHBISHOP OF YORK SAYS –

“Prayer changes things.  It changes things by inviting God into the room.”

A CALL TO PRAYER FROM SENIOR CHURCH LEADERS

A prayer call has been made with the support of senior church leaders –  Churches Together in England, Evangelical Alliance, RC Archbishop of Westminster, Leader of the Pentecostal Church, the Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London, Pete Grieg of 24.7 Prayer International, and the Church of England House of Bishops.

A PRAYER FOR WEEK 2 of LOCKDOWN

Loving Father God be with us in our distress; be with our families, friends, and neighbours, our country and our world.  Give health to the sick, hope to the fearful, and comfort to mourners. Give wisdom to our frontline and key workers, insight to our Government, and patience to us all. Overcome disease with the power of your new life,
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.    Amen

A PRAYER FOCUS FOR US TO USE EACH DAY

MONDAY

SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

We pray for all those involved in the shaping of young lives.   We give God thanks for the sacrifice and commitment of teachers and all those involved in serving children and young people in education.

TUESDAY

ELDERLY, ISOLATED ABD VULNERABLE

We echo God’s commitment to those most at risk of this virus by praying for those who are particularly vulnerable and isolated.   We pray for their deliverance protection and comfort.   We hold before God those who care for them – that they would be strengthened and encouraged in this work.

WEDNESDAY

BUSINESSES, THE WORKPLACE AND ECONOMIC WELLBEING

In this time of great challenge, we pray for the economic wellbeing of the country.   We remember before God those who face great uncertainty in their work.   We lift before God those who have lost their jobs and face an uncertain and difficult future.

THURSDAY

NHS AND OTHER KEY WORKERS

Our God is the great healer – and the agent used more than any other is the NHS.   Today we voice our gratitude for those who serve this country in the National Health Service and pray that God would prosper the work of their hands – that they would be encouraged in their continued work of sacrifice and care amongst  us.

FRIDAY

NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

We pray for those who are in positions of authority with responsibility for decision making at national and local level at this difficult time.   We ask that God would give great wisdom, deep commitment to all and right judgement.

SATURDAY

ALL WHO ARE GRIEVING AND ALL SUFFERING WITH PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ILL-HEALTH.

‘Lord the one you love is ill.’   John 11.v3

We bring to God all those who suffer in body, mind spirit or with grief.   We ask that in God’s great loving kindness they might know God’s sustaining presence amidst their pain.

SUNDAY

FAMILY, FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES

We lift to God those we hold in our hearts – praying for their healing. their well-being and their sense of hope.   We pray that even when loved ones cannot physically be together, they would not feel apart.  We ask for God’s help in our communicating, our connecting and our caring.

A PRAYER FOR ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS
Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy. Sustain and support the anxious, be with those who care for the sick, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may find comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord.     Amen.

KEEP SAFE – KEEP PRAYING

‘Keep praying; ask the Lord for help for he is powerful. That is your weapon; do not lose it. Pray without ceasing, for the Lord is powerful.’

Peter  

Due to the current restrictions of the 2nd national lockdown, our church buildings are currently closed – consequently there are no services taking place for the live stream. A service of Holy Communion from Christ Church – Helme has been prepared by Rev’d John and can be viewed here from 10:30am:
https://youtu.be/bR2l5RxlmJw

The planned work on the Church Grounds for Sat 14th and Sat 28th November by the Vicar and his band of merry helpers has been postponed due to the current Covid lockdown restrictions. New dates will be announced in due course. Thanks for your help!

The names of the fallen heroes from #Meltham can be heard read out from the Remembrance Service which took place last Sunday. Today, as we remember, you may want to listen to them from the Act of Remembrance part of the service using this link: https://youtu.be/oC7RthCCDfM?t=595

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

You can also listen to the whole service using this link:
https://youtu.be/oC7RthCCDfM?t=185

When you go home, tell them of us and say,
For your tomorrow, we gave our today.