Do check out the display in the Crowthorne Methodist Church Garden this week. Changing daily… here’s Palm Sunday’s tableau.
Find the garden on Duke’s Ride, opposite the Prince.
Follow the Easter Story at Crowthorne Methodist Church
“Come and See” – joint service for Good Friday 2nd April 10am
Do join St John’s for the Churches together in Crowthorne shared online Good Friday service at 10am. It will be available via our normal Youtube channel. The service will be followed at 11am by Zoom Chat. Click here for the link.
Everyone is welcome. You are requested to bring along your own hot cross bun and coffee.
National Day of Reflection – a short prayer to help
Join our 2021 Lent Programme
Churches together in Crowthorne invite you to join one of our study programmes over Lent. An opportunity to learn together with other Christians about our shared discipleship.
On Monday evenings, “Mission and creation care for Christian Disciples” a five week course (starting Monday 22nd February) connecting science, Christianity and the environment designed to challenge our understanding of Christian discipleship and encourage us to practice sustainable lifestyles including the care of creation. Joining details here.
On Tuesday evenings, a series of pre-recorded lectures on the theme ‘Excited by…’ This year our speakers will deliver recorded lectures to be hosted on Facebook and YouTube followed by an opportunity for Questions and Answers on Zoom at 9pm. Full details here.
On Thursday evenings, “Woven”, a six week course (starting Thursday 18th February). As people of faith we know that our story and God’s story are woven together, not
because we wish it to be so but because God is interested in the smallest detail of our
lives. During the course we will reflect on our personal relationship with God and on
every Christian’s responsibility to engage with the world as it is. Joining details here.
For further details contact the secretary, churchestogetherincrowthorne@gmail.com
Week of Prayer Day 8
“So that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete”
(John 15:11)
read
Colossians 1:15-20 – In him all things hold together
Mark 4: 30—32 – As small as a mustard seed
prayer
Thrice-holy God, We thank you for having created and loved us.
We thank you for your presence in us and in creation.
May we learn to look upon the world as you look upon it, with love.
In the hope of this vision, may we be able to work for a world where justice and peace flourish, for the glory of your name.
go and do
- Global Find out about and join the prayer chain for climate justice.
The Prayer chain for climate justice was set up to help us all connect together across the world in our prayer and action for climate justice. It is an initiative of Christian Aid and is being done in partnership with CAFOD and Tearfund. It was initially set up to lead to the climate change talks originally planned for November 2020 but now postponed to November 2021 due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
You can sign up on the calendar to fill a time-slot to pray by yourself or with others from your church. You can choose to pray on a regular basis as part of the prayer chain.
- Local
Are your local churches already involved with ecocongregations or ecochurch ? Visit Christian Aid campaigns to find out how to add your voice to the call for climate justice.
- Personal Take action for climate justice in your own life.
Visit Green Christian to join in the conversation and get involved in making a positive difference in the world. Green Christian are a community of ordinary Christians from all backgrounds and traditions working to care for Creation through prayer, living simply, public witness, campaigning and mutual encouragement.
Week of Prayer Day 7
“I am the vine, you are the branches”
(John 15:5a)
read
1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 3:21-23 – Is Christ divided?
John 17:20-23 – As you and I are one
Week of Prayer Day 6
“Go and bear fruit, fruit that will last”
(John 15: 16b)
read
Genesis 18:1-5 – Abraham hosts the angels at the Oak of Mamre
Mark 6:30-44 – Jesus’ compassion for the crowds
go and do
- Global: Take time to engage with global news stories today. Take action in response to the story that most moves you with compassion.
- Local: Contribute in any way that you can to a foodbank, food growing scheme or community meal initiative in your area. https://crowthorne.foodbank.org.uk/
- Personal: Reflect on and identify who ‘the other’ is for you. How might you connect with and offer a welcome to them in your next encounter?
Week of Prayer Day 5
“You have already been pruned by the word… “
(John 15:3)
read
Deuteronomy 30:11-20 – The word of God is very close to you
Matthew 5:1-12 – Blessed are you
prayer
Blessed are you, God our Father, for the gift of your word in Holy Scripture.
Blessed are you for its transforming power.
Help us choose life and guide us by your Spirit,
so that we can experience the happiness which you want so much to share with us.
go and do
Global: Find out more about the Just Scripture initiative and help organise a session connecting the churches in your area with a community across the world.
Local: What one act of kindness could the churches in your area take together to be a unified blessing in your wider community?
Personal: Read the Beatitudes through slowly (Matthew 5: 3-11). Which of the actions described in the passage are you encouraged to take today?
(see www.ctbi.org.uk/goanddo)
Week of Prayer Day 4
Photo: Christian Aid/Tom Pilston
“I do not call you servants any longer.. have called you friends” (John 15:15)
read
Romans 8:26-27 – The Spirit helps us in our weakness
Luke 11:1-4 – Lord, teach us to pray
prayer
Lord Jesus, your entire life was prayer, perfect harmony with the Father.
Through your Spirit, teach us to pray according to your will of love.
May the faithful of the whole world unite in intercession and praise, and may your kingdom of love come.
questions
- Jesus lived as an example of what it means to “live in prayer’! If prayer is the foundation of our relationship with God how much time and attention could you give to your personal prayer life?
- What have you learned from praying with other Christians? What might God want you to learn from the practices and traditions of others?
- What specific need in your community can you commit to pray for over the coming year?
Week of Prayer Day 3
“Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12b)
Read
Colossians 3:12-17 – Clothe yourself with compassion
John 13:1-15; 34-35 – Love one another
prayer
God our Father, you reveal to us your love through Christ and through our brothers and sisters.
Open our hearts so that we can welcome each other with our differences and live in forgiveness.
Grant us to live united in one body, so that the gift that is each person comes to light.
May all of us together be a reflection of the living Christ.
