An Epiphany Reflection:
At the turn of the stairs
between waking and sleeping
and waking again
between action and reflection
God speaks to us
in riddles and symbols
and half remembered stories
where angels have their feet on the ground
and wise men are foolish.
Even in mystery
There is epiphany
God speaks to us – reminds us of the stars
Gives us glimpses of the way ahead.
At the turning of the year
is a time to look forward, while holding on
to those moments in the year past
When we suddenly became aware
of God with us.
We waste time if we look back in anger or regret
or forward in fear
Though these days are short,
they can dazzle us with their brightness.
Epiphany, a season of clear-seeing:
Life in perspective, with all its possibilities,
Before the diary fills up –
An unwritten page; a door opening;
A field of snow untrodden.
God of dreams and discoveries,
At this turning point in our lives
May your epiphany open our eyes:
May we be wise enough
To become fools for Christ’s sake,
And as we step into another year
Of our journey home to you,
May we find courage to go a different way.
Amen
During the services on 3rd January 2010 we prayed a special covenant prayer that you may like to remember and join in with. They commit us afresh to God and his hold over our lives.
I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to do what thou wilt,
rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed for thee, or laid aside for thee.
Exhalted for thee, or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things. Let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Sprit, thou art mine and I am thine.
So be it.
And the covenant which i have made on earth let it be ratified in heaven.
September 2009 - Please keep in your prayers the Household cavalry as they complete their deployment in the next two weeks to Afghanistan. Please pray for the Padre Dowell who is going with them. Also the families who remain. Rev. Louise will be involved a little more in the armed forces work again in these coming few months to support Alex who came to preach in All Saints in September.
The Christmas Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson
Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and the worship of the wisemen.
Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing that Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake.
Amen
A Kenyan Blessing
Ee Mungu nguvu yetu O God of all creation
Itete baraka kwetu Bless this our land and nation
Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi Justice be our shield and defender
Natukae na undugu May we dwell in unity
Amani na uhuru Peace and liberty
Raha tupate na ustawi Plenty be found within our borders
Lambeth Prayer
Loving God, give grace and strength to the members of the communities of Canterbury who in cathedral and city, diocese and university, are preparing to welcome members of the Lambeth Conference. May the vision, energy and excitement of preparation be translated into warm and sensitive hospitality for those who will gather from all parts of the world, that our Communion may be richly blessed, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
This well known poem was brought to study group. It is a good thought as we step into another year. Did you know that it is engraved on a plaque in St. George's Chapel?
I said to the man who stood at the gate of
the year
'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.'
And he replied, 'Go into the darkness and
put your hand into the hand of God
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!'
So I went forth and finding the Hand of
God
Trod gladly into the night
He led me towards the hills
And the breaking of day in the lone east.
So heart be still!
What need our human life to know
If God hath comprehension?
In all the dizzy strife of things
Both high and low,
God hideth his intention."
Minnie Louise Haskins
See John 8:12
Psalm 23 – what it means to me
Ruth Norris October 2006
Because the Lord is my shepherd I do not need to look for anything I do not have. I’m happy that he’s in charge and he makes me take time out to lie down in the greenest of pastures where it is so lush, and rest. He leads me to still waters which don’t frighten me but refresh me totally.
When I am down and feeling despondent he restores my soul, the very centre of my being, and revives me so I can go on. He shows me the right ways to go. I can trust him to guide me to make the right decisions and not stumble on the rocky ground. Even when the going is especially tough and it all seems too much for a time you will be with me, protecting me, and I will not be frightened. Your rod will see off the wild animals and other nasties that would otherwise harm me, and with your staff you will nudge me from time to time to remind me that you are still there beside me, putting my mind at ease.
The pleasures you are preparing for my home-coming will have to be seen to be believed for I am loved and honoured beyond measure although there is no way that I deserve any of it. I am so looking forward to being there. Help me to remember that, until that glorious day, you will always be here with me showering me with what is good, forgiving my mistakes and loving me whatever I do. You delight in me just because I am me! As I really come to appreciate the depth of your love for me, I realise that I will be with you all through today and tomorrow and next week, and I have a place in your home for the rest of my life and then for more and more, with you.
Thank you Lord.