Good News from St Hildeburgh's

     O God the Holy Ghost      Who art light unto thine elect      Evermore enlighten us.      Thou who art fire of love      Evermore enkindle us.      Thou who art Lord and Giver of Life,      Evermore live in us.      Thou who bestowest sevenfold grace,      Evermore replenish us.      As the wind is thy symbol,      So forward our goings.      As the dove, so launch us heavenwards.      As water, so purify our spirits.      As a cloud, so abate our temptations.      As dew, so revive our languor.      As fire, so purge our dross                - Christina Rossetti

May the blessing of light be on you - light without and light within. May the blessed sunlight shine on you like a great peat fire, so that stranger and friend may come and warm himself at it. And may light shine out of the two eyes of you, like a candle set in the window of a house, bidding the wanderer come in out of the storm. And may the blessing of the rain be on you, may it beat upon your Spirit and wash it fair and clean, and leave there a shining pool where the blue of Heaven shines, and sometimes a star. And may the blessing of the earth be on you, soft under your feet as you pass along the roads, soft under you as you lie out on it, tired at the end of day; and may it rest easy over you when, at last, you lie out under it. May it rest so lightly over you that your soul may be out from under it quickly; up and off and on its way to God. And now may the Lord bless you, and bless you kindly. Amen. (Original source unknown)

There is real wisdom, Lord, in the adage 'It is always Springtime in the heart that loves God.' Springtime is a season of optimism and hope, and the Christian lives a faith centred on hope. Winter, with its cold and dark days has gone, just as Good Friday has passed to Easter and beyond. We live a resurrection life reflected in the new life springing up around us. Thank you, Lord, for the hope that you bring, the renewal that you bring, both to this world and to our hearts and lives. (From the Website: 'Faith and Worship')

Dear God, like the first disciples, after they witnessed Jesus’ Ascension into heaven, we are continually praising you. We thank you for all the joy you have given us as we strive to follow the example of your Son, Jesus Christ. We rejoice that, although we may not see him with our earthly eyes, Jesus is with us every day, always on hand to help us and support us, to guide us and to admonish us when we do not follow his teaching. We are sorry that we do not always manage to do what we should to play our small part in bringing your kingdom to our community and neighbours. We thank you for all the opportunities you give us to offer your love and kindness to all those we encounter in our daily lives. Help us to see the face of Jesus in all the people we meet today, and treat all of them as you beloved children. Grant us, too, the patience to wait for you to clothe us with the power that your Holy Spirit offers to those who listen to your still, small voice, and may we turn t