Given the very concerning events in Ukraine at this present time, it was so good to be able to gather to pray in church yesterday. Gerry Stacey, who has frequently visited Ukraine led us movingly in prayer in the evening; and in the morning we used the short prayer liturgy below (which Lesley Ann Riches had received from a woman with experience of being in the underground church in Eastern Europe).

We also began our sermon series, looking at the Cross of Christ. This week’s focus was on the Cross as the place of God’s great act of Reconciliation:

Finally, may I remind you that we will be joining together in St John’s, Itchen Abbas, this coming Wednesday evening at 7.30pm for our celebration of Ash Wednesday. The evening will be in two parts:

Part I:   Showing of the video from my In the Steps of Jesus Film Series, entitled ‘Jesus in the desert’. Bible Focus: Luke 4:1-13

Coffee break

Part II:  An short, informal communion service in the nave. Bible Focus: Psalm 51

Please do join us if you can,

Revd Peter

Caring God, Creator of all, we confess the times when we have looked away

Forgive us and melt our hearts

We confess the times when we have walked by

Forgive us and melt our hearts

We confess the times we have chosen wealth and power for us over freedom and dignity for all

Forgive us and turn our cold hearts into hearts

That beat in solidarity and in compassion.

Comfort and shield those who suffer.

Give us courage and wisdom to stand up against the bullies and the doers of violence.

Touch their hearts and move them to turn away from their wrongdoing.

Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth.
Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust.
Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace.
Let peace fill our lives, our world, our universe.

Peace, peace, peace. Amen