Last chance to get an Advent candle
These are available in church with a new card this year, an ideal present for yourself, a friend or grand/godchildren, offering calming hope at the opening moment in each day in December. These cost £4. Cash please.
Church Christmas Cards Our village Christmas cards from all the churches with details of the Christmas services are being printed this week. These need to be delivered to every house in the benefice, please. At 2.30pm on Friday (8th December) in the Canterbury Room we will be folding all the Goring cards and counting them into folders ready for delivery. Anyone who is able to come and help with the task would be most welcome and tea & biscuits will be supplied!
Jo and Family Farewell As you already know, Jo, our curate, is moving to a new post in the New Year. Her final Sunday with us will be 14th January and we will be holding a bring and share lunch in the Canterbury Room at St Thomas’ at 12:30pm for Jo and her family when we can thank them for all they have contributed in their time in the Benefice and wish them well on their next adventure. We also hope to give Jo a gift to remember us by. Donations can be given to church wardens or made online to the Goring Parochial Church Council account with TSB, sort code 30-13-42, account number 11162560 using the reference “JA Gift” please. (In this case please do not use the Parish Giving route as there is a lag between the donation being made and our receiving it.) There will also be a bowl for donations at services at St Mary’s.
This week we are asked to pray
Prayers for this week Thank you to Judith for this week’s prayers.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. The Lord Almighty is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.”
Lord God, there is so much trouble and conflict in the world, yet you are our refuge and protector, the unchanging One, Who has the whole world in His hands. Help us to cast on you all our worries and uncertainties on you, knowing that you care and are involved, and that our security is in you. Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer
Sovereign Lord, we cry to you for all the parts of the world where there is conflict or war, for Yemen, Myanmar, Sudan and others. We ask that you will intervene in Israel and Gaza, that there may be a change in heart of the leaders and people, a true desire for peace. Please inspire them with a workable plan, giving justice to all, so they may live together in friendship and harmony. We ask for your provision for orphaned children, for those who have lost their homes and their livelihoods, and healing those who have been injured. We pray, too, for Ukraine, that the war may cease and Putin have a complete change of mind. May the refugees be able to return and the country be rebuilt. Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer
Lord, we bring to you our own government, with all the current problems in the country. May they rule with compassion and understanding, particularly for any who are disadvantaged; the homeless, those affected by the cost-of-living crisis, the hungry, the cold and the asylum seekers. Give our leaders wisdom and insight to find the right solutions and may they be concerned for the good of the people rather than their own position. Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer
Father God, we commit to you our archbishops and our own bishops, Steven and Gavin, as they often walk a tightrope, with difficult decisions to make. May they seek to be faithful to Scripture and keep walking close to you and know your joy. We pray, too, for our own ministry team, that you will protect them and deepen their trust in you. Help them to care for those in need. We also bring to you the persecuted church, that they may be kept firm in their faith and be released from their sufferings. May your light shine out from them. Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer
Father, we ask for your healing touch on those who are sick. May they know your comfort and be aware of your love surrounding them. We also ask for your comfort and help for the lonely, the depressed, the bereaved and any suffering from mental illness. Draw near to them and meet their needs and restore them.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.