Category: Union Notes 2020

Dear Parishioners,

Due to the recent Government restrictions the holding of Church Services has been postponed for the moment. The details of the Church Services in the October Union Notes will not now apply

However, God’s providence is still something that is very important to many people and a source of great strength, comfort and inspiration.  For centuries Christians have believed that God does intervene in the life of His people and provides loves, support and protection to those in need.  This is borne out through the prayers of so many people who truly value the opportunity of coming into the Lord’s Church and presence in times of need, to pray that His intervention and His love will make a difference, not only to individual lives but to the lives of the wider community and world.

God’s peace is a precious gift.  By coming to Him in prayer we can know His peace for our stress, anxiety and worry – a peace that passes all understanding.

While we will not be holding formal Church Services at the moment we are pleased to let you know that the churches will be open for private prayer on Sundays and during the week.  I warmly invite parishioners, their families and neighbours to avail of this.  Sitting in the sacredness of the churches in our Parish, listening to sacred music and offering our own prayers provides a very peaceful and comforting time.

During the restrictions I will conduct a short Service online every Sunday morning which I entitle “Sunday Moment’s in God’s Presence”.

The postage for this leaflet has been very kindly paid for.

I wish everyone well in our current circumstances and pray that you will remain safe and healthy.

Revd. Alastair Graham

Church Opening Times for Prayer  

Sundays           10.00 a.m. – 12.00 noon            All Saints’ Mullingar

11.30 a.m.                                St. Etchen’s Killucan

4.00 p.m.                                  Kilbixy

Monday            10.00 a.m. – 12.00 noon            All Saints’ Mullingar

Wednesday    12.00 noon – 2.00 p.m.              All Saints’ Mullingar

Friday               1.00 p.m. – 3.00 p.m.                All Saints’ Mullingar

“Our heart is restless until it finds rest in thee”

St. Augustine

Lighten Our Darkness

The young leaders got a wonderful surprise recently when a handwritten letter arrived for them from Sir David Attenborough, on his personal writing paper.  In his letter to the young leaders Sir David said he was delighted to hear of their Initiative and warmly congratulated them, wishing them every encouragement and support with the very important work they are undertaking.

Sir David’s endorsement is also supported by Bishop Pat Storey who, along with Sir David, offers her congratulations and looks forward to seeing the presentation in All Saints’ on Sunday 7^th March 2021

CHRISTMAS RAFFLE

 The Select Vestry hope to organise a big Christmas Raffle to help support the Parish finances due to the cancellation of the Annual Mayfair fundraiser which had to be cancelled due to the pandemic.

Details of the Christmas Raffle will be given in the November Union Notes.  We hope parishioners will generously support the Raffle this year.

For your Daily Prayer

Prayers

Lord, we come to you in the assurance that you are present with us now, we do not have to seek your presence, we are daily living in your presence.  Make us aware of it, make it real to us and help us in these moments of prayer to know that we are speaking to one who is near and not far off, whose love is all around us and who knows our every need.  Amen.

Remember in mercy our Father those who are passing through illness and especially of whom we are now thinking in our prayers.  Bless all that is being done for their good and surround them with your healing love and power, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour.   Amen.

We continue to thank God for the dedication and compassion shown by so many who in their work support and care for those who are suffering during the pandemic.

 MULLINGAR UNION OF PARISHES

‘The Lord is my shepherd.’

Psalm 23

Corona Virus Pandemic

  “The Lord is my shepherd”

Psalm 23

Dear Parishioners,

Return to In-Church Worship

We are all delighted to know that, from Monday 29^th June, Parish churches reopen for public worship and we look forward to welcoming you back to church.   Our last Service before the pandemic was midday prayers in All Saints’ on Monday 16^th March.  That was 16 weeks ago and so it will be very nice to open the church for worship from this Sunday 5^th July.  In response to national guidelines the Church of Ireland has drawn up protocols which we will observe on our return to church and details of these are in the Union Notes.  The Select Vestry will be very grateful if parishioners would follow the protocols and guidance of the churchwardens.  Initially we have been given permission to open two churches for worship – All Saints’ Mullingar and St. Etchen’s Killucan.  The Service in Mullingar will be at 10.00 a.m. and in Killucan at 11.30 a.m. every Sunday.

Online Services

While the churches were closed for public worship we were so blessed to be able to provide online Services every Sunday and Wednesday and a Friday school assembly during term time.  I would like to thank everyone who participated in the Services – the readers, those who led the prayers, the Choir and those who provided the floral arrangements each week.  We also owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Lorraine Hales who prepared the presentations for the online Services.  She did a truly wonderful job and enabled everyone to still have a church connection while the churches were closed.

Virtual Coffee Mornings

Each Thursday in All Saints’ Church Hall we gather together for coffee and conversation to raise money for local charities.  Arthur and Marion O’Toole are fantastic hosts – Arthur’s “Tasty Treats” will always leave you coming back for more.

With the Church closed these charities are missing out – so recently virtual coffee mornings have been held in the form of an online Zoom Meeting and Facebook chats.  I would like to thank those who participated in the virtual coffee mornings and also to those who have contributed so generously to the Go Fund me campaign  https://www.gofundme.com/manage/allsaintscofeeforcharity

The Zoom Coffee Mornings will continue for the moment and details can be found on the Parish website.

Lighten Our Darkness

The Bishop sent a special message of thanks and encouragement to all the young people who undertook the Candle Prayer Initiative for 102 days.  We will continue to pray for those who have succumbed to the corona virus and those who compassionately are responding to help.  However, the Group Prayer Initiative came to an end after 102 days but individually the young people will continue to offer their own prayers.

Christians Supporting the Common Good

In the June issue of the Union Notes I encouraged everyone to take personal responsibility for complying with the hygiene guidance we are now so familiar with.  I would urge everyone to continue “being hygienic”.  As we know, the Christian faith strongly encourages us to think of others as well as ourselves and so there is an added imperative to keep up our “hygienic habits” to ensure that we are part of helping the common good and the welfare of all people.  In our church Services we will continue every Sunday to remember those suffering from Covid19 in both our own country and in the wider world.

Select Vestry

The Select Vestry met on Monday 29^th June and approved the protocols for in-church worship.  The Select Vestry will meet again on Monday 27^th July at 7.30 p.m.

 County Westmeath

This is the third week since the onset of the pandemic that there are no cases of Covid19 in the county.   Let us hope that through the good efforts of others and ourselves this will continue.

I do hope you are all keeping well and safe and if I can be of any assistance or help to you in any way please do not hesitate to contact me at the Rectory – 044 9348376.

With kind regards and with God’s blessings,

Rev. Alastair Graham

Rector

Return to In-Church Worship Protocols

We ask all parishioners to follow these protocols on returning to church.

• On entering church parishioners are asked to go to their seats or pews as requested by the churchwardens.  In All Saints’, families will sit together in the Gallery where possible.
• Parishioners are asked to be flexible in the use of seats and pews.  Parishioners are asked to arrive before the Service.  The Service Sheet will be placed on the seats and, in All Saints’, seats must not be moved.
• Prayer Books and Hymnals will not be used.
• There will be no singing at present but organ music is permitted.
• Tissues will be provided if required.
• Hand sanitizer is provided and parishioners are requested to use this on entrance and exit.
• Safe distancing both inside and outside the church is required.  Little movement should take place in church.
• If you intend to wear a mask please bring your own mask.
• Holy Communion.  The clergy will wear shields and sanitize their hands before and after Communion.  Parishioners are asked to stand for Communion and are also asked to neither kneel nor queue.
• Please avoid bottlenecks as parishioners exit the church.
• Fresh flowers will not be used at present.
• Churchwardens will keep the names of attendees for 3 weeks for social tracing purposes.
• Outside the church, after the Service, people are asked to observe social distancing in meeting each other.

The Church of Ireland authorities have asked churchwardens to take on the important role of overseeing the protocols and I am sure you will give them your full co-operation and support.  I would like to thank the churchwardens for generously agreeing to undertake this role.

We look forward to welcoming you back to church.

Prayer has been a wonderful source of strength to all of us during these very challenging weeks and months and we will continue to have a very strong focus of prayer as we now return to the worship of Almighty God in church.

MULLINGAR UNION OF PARISHES

 Corona Virus Outbreak

Prayerful Thoughts and Comforting Words and

Parish Information at a time of National crisis

  May God be gracious to us, bless us and make His face shine on us”

Psalm 67

May 2020

Dear Parishioners,

The Covid-19 pandemic has been hard for everyone and, sadly, tragic for many.  While the phased reopening plan outlined by An Taoiseach has give some confidence, we are still in a very challenging situation.  I am very conscious of the financial, employment, farming, health, social and personal pressures so many people are suffering in the Parish.

We remember in prayer and offer our deepest sympathy to two families in the Parish who have recently been bereaved.  On Sunday 26^th April, Ivan Bourke sadly passed away.  Everyone in the Parish and the wider community was heartbroken on hearing the sad news.  Ivan was a legend in the business community with his ownership of Hutchison’s store, in the Parish community of All Saints’ where he played the organ for over 60 years, in the wider community through his involvement in the Mullingar Choral Society and many other organisations.  He was the epitome of the true gentleman, with a graceful, generous, compassionate and kind personality which won the admiration and affection of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.  Ivan was pre-deceased by his beloved wife Elsie and we offer our deepest sympathy to David, Olwyn, Shirley, Adele, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister and all members of the wider family.

Sadly, on Monday 27^th April, Ann Hill of Killynon, Mullingar, passed away suddenly at her home. Ann was a warm-hearted loving person whose welcome to visitors was unsurpassed, with her lovely friendliness and her great generosity and hospitality, with plenty of cups of tea.  Her beloved husband, Bob, passed away last August and we offer our deepest sympathy to Robert, Anna and Aidan, her adoring grandchildren and her great-granddaughter, her brothers and sisters, and all the members of the wider family.

We pray that both Ivan and Ann may rest in peace and rise in glory.

Every week through the Parish website, (mullingarunionofparishes.net), and Facebook, Lorraine Hales is working exceptionally hard to keep everyone in the Parish up to date with Parish news.  I would like to sincerely thank Lorraine for her wonderful work and kindness, and if you are able to convey your own appreciation please do so.

Remember the Parish community Noticeboard : Text or Whats app   089 2497078  or email info@mullingarunionofparishes.net  It’s a lovely way to keep in touch and remind us that we are still together and united as a parish.

PARISH COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

The Sunday Service at 12.00 noon is now well established.  The Bible Reflection continues every Wednesday at 8.00pm on the website and the virtual School Assembly is held every Friday morning at 11.00 a.m. on the All Saints’ School website. www.allsaintsns.org

The phased reopening will allow for churches to reopen for public worship on 20^th July.  I will be liaising with the churchwardens and Select Vestry to agree what arrangements the Parish will be making and I hope to be able to give you details in the next issue of “Union Notes” in June.

I hope you will continue to keep well and safe and prayerfully benefit from the select readings and prayers I am including in this issue of the Union Notes.

If I can be of any assistance to you at any time, please do not hesitate to contact me in the Rectory on 044-9348376.

With kind regards and with God’s blessings,

Rev. Alastair Graham

Rector

Prayerful Thoughts and Comforting Words

Psalm 67

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us—

so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.

May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you.

May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth.

May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you.

The land yields its harvest; God, our God, blesses us.

May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

******************

1 Peter, Chapter 1, verses 3-9

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,

who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Matthew 6, verses 25-34

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.

Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Reflection:  We live in a world filled with anxiety, and it’s easy to let it rub off on us.  Jesus in this passage is talking about the Creator, who has filled the world with wonderful and mysterious things, full of beauty, energy and excitement, and who wants people above all to trust Him and love Him and receive their own beauty, energy and excitement from Him.  Jesus watched a thousand different kinds of flowers growing in the fertile Galilean soil.  He held his breath at their fragile beauty.  One sweep of a scythe, one passing donkey and this beautiful flower is gone.  Where did its’ beauty come from?  It didn’t spend hours in front of the mirror putting on makeup.  It didn’t go shopping in the market for fine clothes.  It was just itself, glorious, God-given, beautiful, showing us the goodness of God our heavenly Father.

Psalm 31, verses 1-5

In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.

Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.

Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.

Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, LORD, my faithful God.

Prayers

For those fearful of the future:

Living God, we pray for everyone in Ireland as we face the future with uncertainty and anxiety.  We pray for those who feel troubled in any way and long for peace and an end to conflict.  We pray for those who face trauma and upheaval in their lives, feel insecure and search for hope.  We pray for those who doubt their ability to cope with what life may bring, those overwhelmed by pressures, paralysed by fears, crushed by sorrows.  We pray for those faced with difficult decisions, circumstances beyond their control, unexpected dangers, awkward choices.  Living God, reach out to all of us for whom the future seems uncertain and unwelcome, and bring the assurance that, even in the darkest moments, greatest challenges, most worrying times, you are always there, able to bring light out of darkness, hope out of despair, joy out of sorrow and good out of evil.  Amen.

Most merciful Father, we commend to your care and protection those who succumbed to the Corona virus and those whose work is dangerous, especially those who risk their lives in providing care to those with Covid-19.  We thank you for their courage and their devotion to duty and pray that in every hour of need they may know that you are with them and need fear no evil.  Amen.

Lighten our darkness O Lord, we pray, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers at this time, for the love of your only Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.  Amen.

The Great Realisation by Tomas Roberts

This has already been read by over 18 million people:

It was a world of waste and wonder, of poverty and plenty,

back before we understood why hindsight is 20/20.

You see the people came up with Companies to trade across all lands

but they swelled and got much bigger than ever we had planned.

We had always had our wants but now things go so quick,

we could have everything we dreamed of, today, or with a click.

We noticed families had stopped talking, that didn’t mean they never spoke,

but the meaning must have melted and the work/life balance broke.

The children’s eyes grew squarer and every toddler had a phone,

they filtered out the imperfections but amidst the noise they felt alone.

And every day the skies grew thicker till we couldn’t see the stars,

so we flew in planes to find them and down below we filled our cars.

We’d drive around all day in circles, we’d forgotten how to run,

we swapped the grass for tarmac, shrunk the parks till there were none.

We filled the sea with plastic because our waste was never capped,

until each day when we went fishing we pulled them out already wrapped.

And while we drank and smoked and gambled, our leaders taught us that it’s best not to upset the Lobbies, more convenient to die,

But then in 2020 a new virus came our way, the governments reacted and told us all to hide away.

But while we were hidden amidst the fear and all the while,

the people dusted off their instincts, they remembered how to smile,

They started clapping to say ‘thank you’ and calling up their mums,

and while the car keys gathered dust they would look forward to their runs,

And with the skies less full of voyagers the earth began to breathe,

and the beaches bore new wildlife that scuttled off in to the seas,

Some people started dancing, some were singing, some were baking,

we’d grown so used to bad news but some good news was in the making.

And so, when we found the cure and were allowed to go outside,

we all preferred the world we found to the one we left behind.

Old habits became extinct and they made up for the new,

and every act of kindness was now given its’ due.

But why did it take a virus to bring the people back together?

Well, sometimes you’ve got to get sick my boy before you start feeling better.

Now lie down and dream of tomorrow and all the things that you can do

And who knows if you dream hard enough maybe some will come true.

We now call it The Great Realisation and since then there have been many,

but that’s the story of how it started and why hindsight is 20/20.

Keep safe, keep well.

Corona Virus Outbreak

 Prayerful thoughts and comforting  words and Parish information at a time of  National Crisis.

‘The Lord is my Shepherd’

Psalm 23

Dear Parishioners,

I would like to thank you very much indeed for the kind and generous comments regarding the prayers and readings I sent out to you following the outbreak of the Corona Virus.  I thought you might like to receive some more suggested readings and prayers which I hope will be of comfort to you during the challenging time we are all experiencing.   However, first may I just wish you all a very happy and holy Easter.  I hope it was a nice time for you given the social restrictions we were all asked to observe.  I would also like to update you on what has been happening in the Parish in recent weeks.

Church Services

As everyone will know, the holding of public church services is not permitted at the moment, and in the Parish we were fortunate to have been able to live stream a church service every Sunday morning.  During Holy Week we were able to live stream a Prayer Service each evening.  I am greatly indebted to Lorraine Hales who has so generously made her experience and expertise of technology available to the Parish, so that everyone can enjoy watching these church services.  Lorraine has been ably assisted by her husband John and I know I would be speaking for everyone when I offer them our sincere thanks and appreciation.  The numbers watching the Services have been quite remarkable.  Last Sunday, Easter Day, well over 1200 people watched the Service from All Saints’ and during the evenings of Holy Week over 500 people watched each evening.  On Good Friday evening that number rose to over 700.  The church services will continue to be live streamed every Sunday at 12.00 noon and everyone has very easy access by simply going to the Parish website or Facebook – www.Mullingar Union of Parishes.net – and follow the very straightforward instructions Lorraine has provided.

Community Noticeboard

We have now put up a Community Noticeboard for messages.  Parishioners might like to share a comment or idea and again the procedure is very straightforward either by WhatsApp or text 0892497078 or by e mail to info.@mullingarunionof parishes.net.  You are invited to send a message to either the Mullingar Union of Parishes website or Facebook and it will then be posted on Community Noticeboard.

Wednesdays – Bible Reflections

Starting on Wednesday 22nd April, at 8.00 p.m., I will be giving a live streaming Bible reflection.  If you would like to join me just go to the website and Facebook every Wednesday evening at 8p.m.and the instructions will be very clear.

Lighten Our Darkness Project

Every evening at 7.00 p.m. the young people light a candle and offer prayers in their own homes.  You are very welcome to join them by also praying in your own home every evening at 7.00 p.m.  The words of the prayers can be found on the Parish website.

Let’s Keep Talking

At this time we are encouraging everyone to keep in touch by telephone and I am trying to contact as many people as I can.  You, too, might like to join us by ringing people in Parish that you know.  The young people involved in Lighten Our Darkness Project telephoned a number of people over the Easter weekend and will continue to do so.

Bereavements

Recently there have been four bereavements in the Parish and we offer each of the families our deepest sympathy.

Billy Walshe of Anneville passed away peacefully and we offer our sympathy to George his son and Avril his daughter, Charlie and Mervyn, his grandchildren Sophie, Steven, Benjamin and Rebecca, and everyone else in the family circle and all friends.

Ivor Fogg of Lynn Avenue passed away peacefully and we offer to our sympathy to Janet his daughter and Gerald his son and Ivor’s wider family and many friends.

Douglas Matthews of Ballinea passed away peacefully and we offer our deepest sympathy to his daughters Olwen and Lorna, Martin and his grandchildren Carolyn, Leah, Joshua, Alison, Vicky,  Muriel Ray and Ilona and his wider family and circle of friends.

Frank Small of Newcastle passed away peacefully and we offer our deepest sympathy to Mary his wife, Mark and Vicky his son and daughter, Billy his brother, Marie his sister, his grandchildren and wider family and circle of friends.

Keeping in Touch

We will be updating both the Parish website and Facebook regularly with all the news in the Parish.  Please do go on the website, or ask a family member to do it for you, so that you can keep abreast of all that is happening.  I will always be very pleased to hear from you in the Rectory and my mobile telephone number is  087-787 0985.

Prayerful Thoughts and Comforting Prayers

Psalm 40, verses 1-5, 16 and 17

¹ I waited patiently for the Lord;  he turned to me and heard my cry.
² He lifted me out of the slimy pit,  out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock  and gave me a firm place to stand.
³ He put a new song in my mouth,  a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord  and put their trust in him.

⁴ Blessed is the one  who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,  to those who turn aside to false gods
⁵ Many, Lord my God,  are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us. None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,  they would be too many to declare.

Psalm 40:16-17

¹⁶ But may all who seek you  rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,   “The Lord is great!”                                                        ¹⁷ But as for me, I am poor and needy;  may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;  you are my God, do not delay.

Psalm 42, verses 1-5

¹ 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?”
⁴ These things I remember  as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise  among the festive throng.

⁵ Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Acts 5, verses 12-16

¹² The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. ¹³ No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. ¹⁵ As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. ¹⁶ Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.

Romans 8, verses 35-39

³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”^[a]

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Colossians 3, verses 1-4

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your^] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Prayers – Let us Pray

Almighty God, whose son our Lord Jesus Christ was made perfect by the things that He suffered: have compassion on those who are passing through illness and pain.  Uphold their faith that they may trust and not be afraid and give them the comfort and strength of your presence for your tender mercies sake.

  Amen.

We remember in mercy, Our Father, those who have succumbed to the Corona virus and those who have thankfully recovered and their families and friends and those who have sadly passed away. We ask you to bless all that is being done for their good by doctors, nurses, ambulance paramedics, medical staff, carers and pharmacists. We pray that you will surround everyone with your healing love and power. We make this our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour.

Amen

Most merciful Father, we commend to your care and protection those whose work is dangerous, and especially those who risk their lives for the lives of others. We thank you for their courage and their devotion to duty; and we pray that in every hour of need they may know that you are with them and may fear no evil.

We ask it in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Lighten our darkness, O Lord , we pray and in your great mercy defend us from all  perils and dangers at this time for the love of your only son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen 

Living Lord, conqueror of death, we remember with gladness how on the day of your resurrection you appeared to your disciples in your risen power and said to them ‘Peace be with you’.   Speak that word to our hearts today, O Lord. Lift us above all our doubts and fears; and help us to practice your presence and to rest upon your victory that your peace may be with us, now and for ever more.

Amen.

Living God,     Speak to each one in your still small voice,                                                                                And grant them your peace which passes understanding,                                                                                           that quiet confidence that only you can bring,                                                                                                      And so may their burdens be lifted,                                                                                                                         And their souls refreshed.                                                                                                                                    Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

In time of National anxiety

O God our refuge and strength in every hour of need, raise up among us at this time faithful and fearless people who know that through loyalty to your word and will alone can a nation find true peace and security.

To such and to all in authority give a right judgment and the courage to follow your way for the good of all people and for the honour of your name.

Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer  

                                                                                                                                                     May the Almighty and merciful Lord, grant us all peace and preserve each of us this day and forever more.

With God’s blessings,

Rev. Alastair Graham.                                                                                                                    Rector