LiFT 14th September
Good evening lovely people,
Goodness me the weeks go by quickly! I trust all is well with you? Whilst I”m preferring the slightly cooler days, I have noticed that the nights are drawing in. I don’t mind the dark, cold months but it always surprises me when they start to approach. Before we know it we will be in the season of remembrance and then lurching towards Christmas! I don’t wish the time away, it just seems to disappear!
This week I have two services to highlight for you –
St. Mary’s Usk has added a regular service to its Sunday rota by offering a monthly evening prayer on the fourth Sunday of the month, starting on 24th September. It will be at 6pm and everyone is very welcome. The service will be led by someone from the lay worship team, and I hope this service will fill a local request for something in the evening. Please spread the word about this regular new service.
Also, St. Tegfedd’s Church in Llandegfedd is doing something a little different for its usual service on the same day, Sunday 24th Sept. at 10.30am. Instead of the usual liturgy we will be using the 1662 version of the Communion Service, slightly modified and with the addition of the William Byrd Mass setting. There will be a choir and I hope to see some of you there.
We are very lucky to have so many people willing to try different things, and put in the extra work to make them happen. Thank you so much.
Also while I think about services, the harvest season is upon us with many local services and activities. Thank you to everyone who is busy decorating, collecting, and preparing for this important festival in our rural communities. You know, I never complain when I’m held up behind a tractor or other farm vehicle in the lanes – where would we be without a good harvest?
Finally, a prayer request – I have a sense of lots of weary people, many who are anxious or fearful, some who are angry, and all in all, our congregations and communities have a feeling of tension and concern. Let us pray for each other over the next few weeks, particularly praying for patience, gentleness, and peace. Be assured of my prayers and my eternal hope for our future together. We have much to look forward to, and I know we can share God’s love with each other if we keep our focus on him.
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Forgive our foolish ways;
Reclothe us in our rightful mind,
In purer lives Thy service find,
In deeper reverence, praise.
Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.
Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm. (John Greenleaf Whittier)Amen.
With love to you all,
Sally xxx
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07813 264429