Thy Kingdom Come

Hello Everyone

Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement which the Archbishop of Canterbury is inviting people around the world to join. The wave of prayer will start on 21 May and run for 10 days between the Christian festivals of Ascension and Pentecost to 31 May. It’s not complicated – it simply encourages people to pray in whatever way they want and with whoever they want for others to come to know Jesus Christ.

Here is an extract from the introductory letter from The Revd Canon Chris Russell, Archbishop of Canterbury’s Advisor on Evangelism and Witness

“This year as we pray for others, we pray that they would come to know Christ so that they may come to give their lives to serve God’s Kingdom. We will once again encourage every person taking part in TKC to pray for 5 others who don’t know the love of Christ and then to resolve to invite them along to something appropriate once our church buildings are reopened. All this prayer is reliant and expectant that the Holy Spirit would draw more and more to encounter God’s love in Christ, so we might be and bring the difference in the world he sends us to stake everything on”.

Links to follow

https://www.thykingdomcome.global/resources/prayer-journal-2019

https://www.thykingdomcome.global/

https://www.thykingdomcome.global/taking-part

https://www.thykingdomcome.global/#Pledge2PrayCounter

On the website you will find lots of ideas to help you pray, at home, as a family or an indiviual.

There is a Prayer Journal to download and there are resources to help with Daily Prayer.

For families you can order a Family Box with items to help you pray and have some fun at the same time. If you look around at home you may be able to find the items and there is a list below with ideas of how to use them. Be Careful!

There is an interactive adventure map for families which was available last year as well. Just follow the links and it will be there to join in or perhaps you can use this one.

https://www.thykingdomcome.global/resources/prayer-adventure-map

To make your own Family Prayer Box you will need the following:

tea light, candle, bubbles, paper, colouring pencils, scissors, some sweets, tissue paper, balloons, lolly sticks, straws, a few seeds, lemonade/fizzy drink, raisins and a Bible

Each family should do one activity a day and use the read the Bible verses set for each day too.

Day 1 - Jesus - Luke 15: 4 – 7

· Bubbles: As you blow the bubbles pray for 5 people you know and love to come to God.

Day 2 - Praise - Psalm 126: 1 - 3

· Colour: Draw a wheel and cut into segments. Each person takes a segment of the wheel and as you colour it in, thank Jesus for his love and pray for your 5 friends that they might know his love too.

Day 3 - Thanks - James 1: 17

· Sweets: As you share sweets with your family, say a prayer of thanks for all the wonderful things you have, light the tea light candle and pray for your 5 people.

Day 4 - Sorry - Luke 7: 44 - 50

· Paper: Each write down something you are sorry for on a torn piece of tissue paper, screw it up very small and put in inside the balloon. Blow up the balloon with your ‘sorrys’ in it and let it go - they will fly away! Light the candle and pray for your 5 friends and family.

Day 5 - Offer - 2 Corinthians 4: 7

· Lollipop: Each person takes a lolly stick and decorates it with stickers which show something they would offer up to God such as a skill or gift – or even favourite toy.

Day 6 -Pray For Luke 19: 1-10

· Candles: Light a candle and offer the names of the 5 people to pray for up to God.

Day 7 - Help - Luke 10: 30 – 37

· Rocket: Write the name of someone to pray for on a piece of paper and then attach to the top of a straw to make your rocket and then blow them in the air, praying for each person as you do (maybe without lighting the candle beforehand!)

Day 8 - Adore - Matthew 13: 44 - 45 & Matthew 6: 21

· Seeds: Add some seeds to some damp tissue paper or cotton wool and pray to God that he will help the seeds to grow. Then pray that he will help your 5 friends/family to grow closer to him. Light the candle for prayers and tend to the seeds throughout the week.

Day 9 - Celebrate - Luke 15: 8 - 10

· Hearts: Make some paper hearts and decorate them with the names of people to be prayed for and tell God how much we love Him. Pray that these 5 people may come to love Him also.

Day 10 - Silence - Proverbs 10: 14 & Psalm 62: 5 – 6

· Lemonade: You will need a glass of lemonade for this prayer. Take it in turns to drop a raisin into the glass. While the raisin ascends to the surface, use the time to pray for one of your 5 friends.

Day 11 - Pentecost - Acts 2: 1 - 4

· Extreme: You’ve had 10 days of prayer – now try some ‘extreme prayer’. Go out somewhere to pray, and take photos or film yourselves to make your own little prayer album/video/instagram story.

· You can use the Lord’s Prayer and pray for your 5 friends and family as well - you may even want to share what you make with them, so they know you’ve been praying for them.

Keep a prayer journal to help you pray.

For Individuals

In past years we have prayed for 5 people to come to know the Lord. We have had a cord or lace and tied 5 knots in it. You might wish to do the same again. Also you might write their names on a card to remind you to pray each day for them.

Bible References For Each Day

Day 1 Day 1 - Jesus – John3:16-17

Day 2 - Praise – 1 Corinthians 13.4-7

Day 3 - Thanks – 1 John 4:9-10,19

Day 4 - Sorry – Romans 5:6-8

Day 5 - Offer – Luke 15:1-6 also Matthew 18:12-14

Day 6 - Pray for – 1 John :4-7

Day 7 - Help – 1John 3:16-18

Day 8 - Adore -Romans 8 :37-39

Day 9 - Celebrate - Luke 15: 20-24

Day 10 - Silence – 1Kings 19:11-13

Day 11 - Pentecost - Acts 2: 1 - 8

© Thy Kingdom Come 2020

Coffee with God by Gail Spence

More Coffee with God? What’s all that about? Well, for those who have not come across it before, Coffee with God is an article I write in our church magazine. It started as a ‘one-off’ after a sleepless night. I think the first one was about ‘prayer’. Prayer is important to me, and even more so at the moment. It’s the first thing I go to most days during breakfast; for me it’s a time to be still and think about the day, hence the title “Coffee with God”.

I have a disability, so planning at the start of a day is important and, like I said in that first church magazine article, sometimes my prayer can just be saying, “Morning God”, or just sitting still with my drink and concentrating on my breathing - to a full blown “Why? it’s not fair!” conversation, or “Who cares anyway?” Today was one of those days. I got up as normal and felt good, the morning went well, I managed to get a few little jobs done, then everything started falling apart. The TV reported that the PM had caught the covid-19 virus, then others from the government were confirmed as testing positive. The reporter was constantly going on and on about it; how is he going to cope? who will take over if he can’t run the country? what will happen to the government if more fall ill? Well, call me cynical but they will just have to do what the rest of us are doing - work from home, keep safe, and do our best.

We can all follow the example of the NHS who are dealing with a situation never been seen before, yet they carry on, and most of the time (as I write) without proper personal protection, yet still turn up for work, working long hours. I know some have felt guilty when they can’t go into work due to illness in their family. So let’s pray for all the frontline NHS workers; doctors, nurses, auxiliary staff, porters, cleaners and kitchen staff, clerical and administration staff, all those working in our doctors’ surgeries, pharmacy staff and prescription delivery people, all those delivering vital equipment, the half a million plus who have volunteered in any way to help, and all those unsung volunteers I have missed.

THANK YOU!!!

We pray for protection for them and the strength to deal with each day. When they get time off, hold them Lord, help them rest to renew their energy. We also pray for those who seem to have no regard for others, or the health restrictions, but carry on with their normal lives; Lord open their eyes.

Yes we are living in a time of a viral pandemic, but we are also living with a pandemic of God’s love in action. I know which I would prefer. It’s within each and every one of us, and (thankfully) there is no cure!

Yet you can get a prescription for it.

Prescription for: Patients name. you

Charge: None

To be taken: Daily as and when needed

Repeat prescriptions: Unlimited

Side-effects: Love, Joy, Peace, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Self-control, Feeling of well-being.

It doesn’t come in a bottle or packet and can be passed on easily to others in every action we do to help, from a simple phone call, or a card through the door, to full-on care for those who are ill.

So, what is it? God’s Spirit.

So, I pray for peace for us all, that any fear will be stilled as we journey together through these difficult times.

May God hold you,

Christ walk with you,

And the Holy Spirit fill you.

God bless,

Gail

Keep safe and keep taking your prescription.

P.S. This was sent to me just as I had finished writing. It says it all.

‘Prayers for Bolton’ - 96.5 Bolton FM, Sundays at 11am

It is in times of crisis when we see people standing together and the British spirit coming to the fore, and the current worldwide pandemic of the Corona Virus which is hitting everyone is testing most of us but, here in Bolton, we can see a sense of community developing because of the common goal of getting through these awful times. That is the observations of local minister the Reverend Ian Smart.”

Everyone is making sacrifices in one way or another and some more than most if we truly heed the governments advice to stay indoors, and even if we have to go out to shop for essential items or take some exercise we have to take note of social distancing and not getting too close to our fellow Boltonians.

Many people ordinarily attend a religious service of one kind or another and in times of crisis others who might not be normally that religious turn to religion in search of some kind of comfort and solace. With all churches and places of worship closed there will be a real gap in some people’s lives and for that reason local radio station 96.5 Bolton FM are broadcasting a Sunday service.

Because we are unable to attend a church on Sunday you may feel like their worship is taken away from them – but this is not the case. On Sundays, at 11:00 am Bolton FM will be offering "Prayers for Bolton".

It will be hosted by two of the popular providers of ‘It’s the thought that counts’ a truly motivational message with religious undertones that is broadcast daily, Sue Snowden and Rev'd Ian Smart from the Methodist Church. They will lead listeners through a selection of worship, hymns and songs, prayers, readings and reflections all based around the theme of the day. It is a chance for you to be able to worship at home, and to raise your voices in praise with others from around the Bolton Family. This week the speaker sharing his thoughts with you will be The Rev'd Dr. Chris Bracegirdle the Vicar of Bolton from Bolton Parish Church & St Philip's Bolton – we look forward to hearing what he will share with us.

So please join us at 11:00 am on 96.5 Bolton FM, the home of the Bolton family, listen on the website at boltonfm.com, or on your smart-speaker.

The Rev’d Ian Smart said “Although we rightly cannot gather to worship at this time, that does not mean that worship will cease – and through Prayers for Bolton, and other initiatives, we will seek to keep those of faith in Bolton worshiping our God”.

Life at Christ's Church

Hello Everyone

We do hope you have managed to read the Vicar’s Blog and watch Rev’d Julia Gordon’s video which were posted on this website a couple of days ago.

We are hoping to bring you updates as, and when they are required about the life and times of our church during this time of great uncertainty and worry.

The news is we have been informed by the Diocese that APCMs (AGM) which normally have to be held before the 31 May each year for churchwardens, deanery synod reps and PCC members to be elected must now be held by 31 October this year.  This means that our present  PCC and officers will continue in post until we can actually have a meeting.

Archbishop of Canterbury to lead first national virtual Church of England Service

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is to lead a national broadcast as the Church of England responds to the challenge of becoming a “different sort of church” in the face of the coronavirus crisis.

The service including prayers, hymns and a short sermon will be broadcast online by the Church of England and broadcast across 39 local BBC radio stations this Sunday, Mothering Sunday as congregations across the country find new ways of sharing worship together after public church services were put on hold.

National Day of Prayer

This Mothering Sunday, 22 March, all major denominations are calling all churches to a National Day of Prayer and Action.

At such a time as this, when so many are fearful and there is great uncertainty, we are reminded of our
dependence on our loving heavenly Father and the future that He holds.

At 7pm this Sunday, light a candle in the windows of your homes as a visible
symbol of the light of life, Jesus Christ, our source and hope in prayer.

We have the great privilege and freedom to be able to call upon God, wherever we are, individually and corporately, for healing in our country.

Please pray for all in leadership at this time, making decisions about the containment of the Covid-19 virus, for those working in health and social care, and especially for the most vulnerable, whether elderly or those with underlying health conditions.

Message from Rev Wendy Oliver

I don’t know about you, but I feel like I’m living through some kind of disaster movie at the present time!  What will happen next? Society seems to have gone a bit bonkers doesn’t it?  Well never fear God is still here and so is Christ’s Church, Harwood.

Sadly though in the light of the Government guidance around non-essential contact to help stem the spread of the Coronavirus, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have issued advice that public worship is suspended until further notice.  Therefore, it is with great sadness that we must announce that there will be no more formal worship services held at Christ’s Church, Harwood during this very difficult period.  Our APCM (AGM) due to take place on 28 March is also postponed.  All other church groups including the Lounge Café are cancelled until further notice.

However, this does not mean that the church is not still alive and active!  WE ARE!!!  We are still church although in different ways.  AND there are lots of ways we can support one another, stay in touch, pray even if we don’t meet for regular worship on Sundays.

There is no way COVID-19 will defeat us!  I know many people are feeling fearful of the future and what it holds, but remember we are a Church of HOPE!  That hope is what will bring us through to the end of this difficult time.

How can we bring HOPE in this situation? Well first let’s look to scripture, Psalm 23 is a marvellous place to start, with acknowledgement that God is the good shepherd always with us, meeting our needs, even if that leads us to walk through the shadow of death, he brings us through to the other side and is still with us.  Let’s remember too that as Christians we have HOPE of a future, eternally with God.

We can PRAY, and if we don’t know the words to use, or we feel we’ve never really prayed before and are nervous why not try using the Lord’s Prayer.

Christ’s Church, Harwood has a Strategy Team which is looking at different ways we can still be church in a very different world. 

Although there will not be usual worship services on Sunday morning the church will be open this Sunday from 9.30-10.30am for people to come and spend a time of quiet reflective prayer in our beautiful church building.  Obviously safety measures will need to be adhered to.  

From Monday 23 March a number of us will, in our own homes, be using the Church of England Daily Prayer at 10am and 7pm.  If you would like to join in the app can be downloaded at the Google and Apple app stores, it’s called Daily Prayer.  It is very easy to use.

It is hoped that we will be able to make sure that the majority if not all of our regular congregation will be contacted by someone from church and are putting plans in place so everyone knows we are there for them.

Our social media sites will be regularly updated with prayers, podcasts, videos and information to help everyone through.  The magazine due out at the beginning of March will have lots of articles prayers and articles which we hope will encourage us all in this difficult time.

Please remember that we also have a Grub Tub here in Church and many people will need help from Food Banks during this time of uncertainty, so if you have an extra tin or two, toilet rolls or anything else which could help someone else, please do drop it off on Sunday mornings whilst we are open.

The Canon Slade register will also be available to sign and a collection plate for your regular giving.  Please remember that just because the church is closed we still have to keep it aired and cleaned, we also have a busy churchyard that needs maintaining and without all of us continuing to give financially, it can quickly fall into disrepair.  It is 181 years old after all!!!

A small number of notice sheets will be available for collection on Sundays for those who can’t get online, together with lists of people who are available to volunteer to shop & deliver food and for those who are self-isolating and need our help.  There are also some volunteer forms you might like to put through your neighbours doors to let them know you are there for them. We are already being contacted by members of the community to see if we can help out as they are self-isolating.

Finally my dear brothers and sisters let’s remember that even if we are self-isolating, feeling ill, alone and scared that God is always there and if we ask will wrap his loving arms around us. Also we, The Church is there for you too.

Be safe and trust in the Lord.

Wendy

Alternative Prayer Course

Earlier this year I was chatting to Gail about a new discovery I had made – Bible Journaling.  We had a long conversation about prayer and how we both struggle with more traditional formats.  For me, Bible Journaling was a way for me to spend time in conversation with God.  A time when I can shut out everything else that’s going on and focus just on His Word.  I’m a creative person and the best meditation for me is keeping my hands busy so this new discovery was a revelation! Gail shared with me her experience of colouring and how this focused her mind in prayer in much the same way.

“ Do you think if we ran a workshop people would come?” I said. “Let’s make it a course!” said Gail, “Alternative Ways to Pray”.  And so the Alternative Prayer Course was born.

With a little help from the Diocese social media guru, Eve Powers, word quickly spread and we had 22 people sign up for the course from 6 different churches!

The course ran each Monday through June and over the month we all learned something new.  I think it’s fair to say that every person who signed up for the course did so with Faith as they had no idea what to expect.  We knew that not everybody would love every session as we all pray differently and after all that was the point of the course. But what we did find is that everybody came with a willingness to learn and try something new and everybody left with at least one new approach to prayer that they were comfortable to try at home.

We thank God for bringing us all together in fellowship and opening our minds to alternative ways to pray.

For those who missed the course, here’s a summary of what we covered:

Bible Journaling

A Bible journal is a hybrid diary where you keep both notes on your study of the Bible and a record of things that happen in your everyday life. Over time, as you analyse and study the Bible, you can apply what you've learned to your life experiences, which may make it easier to overcome difficult situations.

Specific Bible’s are available for use with journaling – usually with wide margins, but you can journal in any Bible.  Some people are happy to write/draw/paint over the text – others prefer to stick to the margins or use separate paper to fasten inside.  It’s entirely down to personal choice.

Bible journalers are documenting in words and pictures the messages they hear from God, testimonies in their lives, and creative worship of the Lord they love. Approaches to Bible journaling are as varied as artists themselves. Full-page illustrations and simple backgrounds, scrapbooking supplies and simple art supplies — the combinations and possibilities are endless! Some pages focus on a verse in the margins, or add a simple stick-figure doodle; other pages can be complex paintings or drawings representing ideas studied in verses on the page. There is no right or wrong — Bible journaling is all about the Bible journaler deepening their relationship with God.

Colour

Colour surrounds us all every second of our lives. Advertisers use colour to sell their product, artists use colour to provoke an emotion, so why can’t we use colour to help us pray?

Today we can obtain lots of different adult colouring books targeted at wellbeing, or download clipart pictures from the internet. We started by looking at the Celtic knots. Just looking at the complex pattern can leave us confused, just like life, but following one of the paths in the knot and colouring it in can turn the confusion into a wonderful pattern of our lives.  Each colour represents a different part of our lives, all interwoven with one of the paths in the knot representing God who works though all our lives. As we colour it helps us focus our pray on that part of our  lives, but not forgetting to thank God for all he does and just listen to his voice as we colour.

If the knot is large enough you might have space to write your thoughts, prayers or even part of a bible passage to help you focus.  But again try to use different colours. Don’t think too much about which colour you use let your emotion pick it! Does your choice of colour change as you work through and hand over to God your thought and prayers?

Clay

There are no less than 34 mentions of clay/pottery in the bible! It’s a great metaphor for the shaping of our lives and how we can always start over afresh.

Working with clay can be therapeutic.  It keeps our hands busy as we channel our thoughts and prayers.  In our session we made prayer pots.  We prayed for various people in our lives with every piece of clay, not forgetting ourselves as the base.  The result was a complete pot that had God’s love embedded in every single layer that could continue to be used as a vessel to place our future prayers as a physical handing over to God.

Copies of the Instructions sheets followed during the session can be emailed on request.

Words in Psalms

Words are a powerful thing! They can encourage or destroy someone, heal or hurt, be said with love and understanding or anger and hate. Just changing a word in a sentence can change its direction from a collective to a personal meaning, so as we worked through a passage, prayer or song, we look at how we can change a word here or there to make it our own to help us pray and listen to Gods word.

God bless

Rebecca Webster