23rd May 2020
Benefice of Farleigh, Candover and Wield
Dear friends,
First of all news of David’s injury – he doesn’t need surgery but will be in a surgical boot for the next 3 months at least, so no driving for the time being. Please do pray for him and the family as they adjust to this temporary situation, but also he is able to sleep and that the pain may diminish quickly.
Second, as we write on 23 May, we are still awaiting news of when we can re-start weddings, funeral services in church and Sunday worship – it is frustrating, but all we can do is pray and wait, and we have been thinking about the practical things we will need to do then – PCCs will be circulated in due course with draft plans.
Third, we are part way through “Thy Kingdom Come”, praying from Ascension Day (Thursday 21 May) to Pentecost (Sunday 31 May) for God’s presence to manifest in our personal lives as we are renewed by the Holy Spirit, for His power to be released in our church fellowship life and worship – even at home, His presence will meet us: for family members, friends, neighbours who don’t yet know Jesus Christ as Saviour, that we may see their souls awakened and that they start to seek after and to find in Jesus Christ. Please do join us in prayer on your own, or on Zoom as indicated below – delighted to welcome newcomer to Northington, Dr Sarah Noble to the prayer time on Thursday!
If you dont have the joining details (they are in the copy of this letter circulated by email) please contact us by email and we will send them to you - all you have to do is to click on the link we will send you to join us.
THY KINGDOM COME PRAYER TIMES 24 MAY TO 31 MAY 2020 –
- Sunday 24 May – part of prayer online, in services
- Monday 25 May 7.00-7.30 p.m. Zoom prayers
- Tues 26 May 9.00 -9.30 a.m. on your own at home
- Wed 27 May 9.00 – 9.45 a.m. – Ellisfield prayers on Zoom:
- Wed 27 May 7.30 – 8.15 p.m. on Zoom with Fellowship group in Ellisfield
- Thurs 28 May 9.30-10.00 a.m. on your own at home
- Friday 29 May 7.00- 7.30 p.m. on your own at home
- Sat 30 May 9.00-9.30 a.m. on Zoom
- SUNDAY 31 MAY PENTECOST SUNDAY – online services
For Farleigh Parish, we are actively seeking a new editor for Hill and Dale; a full role description is available from Stephen, so if you have a calling to take on our parish magazine and develop it even further, please get in touch and explore what is needed.
Please do feed in faith stories – Stephen did ask last week in his sermon as well as in letter 14 – you will be surprised how much a short account of how God has touched your life can help others….
Online services are being prepared for Sunday – please do watch them – we do put a lot of prayer and time into them. Feedback is always welcome and we try to vary it each time.
Some people will echo the question the psalmist poses in Psalm 42: As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
Our Saviour is in the midst of the suffering, the pain as well as with those at home living with hope, joy or fear. “Put your hope in God for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God.”
We are both available to talk on email, phone, Zoom, and even at your garden gate – let us know. It is so encouraging to hear of many of you who ring one another and support each other: please tell us if we can support you better.
May the Living Lord whose Ascension into heaven we celebrate meet you, bless you and fill you with His peace. With our prayers and greetings,