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Reflection: "Of the Eternal and the Everyday" by Rev Dr John Harrison

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Mark Twain famously said, ‘Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.’ I have been trying to get out into the garden in the last few days, just to see what the worst of the Winter has done and to see that the early signs of Spring are beginning to show through. The birds seem to be singing louder and the first of the daffodils are just starting to poke through the soil. For five minutes, the sky cleared and a little bit of the sunshine we are blessed with her on the Wirral danced across the garden. The sky was blue, the clouds cleared, and all was right with God in His heaven. Which in a round about way lead me to think about today’s sermon and that quote from Twain. For so many people, the existence of God is a concept that they struggle with. The idea of a Creator who loves us all equally is a proposal that they find very difficult to comprehend. How could God love each of us equally, with all our myriad faults and differences? There mu

Watch: Holy Communion for Sunday 7 February 2021:

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A Prayer for Candlemas (2 February)

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Lord God, you are the source of everlasting light. Your son, our beloved Lord Jesus was presented in the temple 40 days after his birth. He was recognised by Simeon and Anna, and welcomed as the promised Messiah. May we like them, behold the glory of the Lord Jesus. Grant that we may stand before you with hearts cleansed by your forgiving love. May we serve you all our days and make your name known as we worship you as our Lord. So may we come by your grace to eternal life. Amen.   

Watch Holy Communion for Sunday 31 January 2021:

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Watch: Holy Communion for Sunday 24 January 2021:

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Watch: Holy Communion for Sunday 17 January 2021

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A Prayer on the Baptism of Christ in the River Jordan by John the Baptist

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  God of all righteousness, we need the life and grace that you alone can give.  Open the heavens to us  and pour out your Holy Spirit  so that we may live as your beloved children. God of all wilderness wanderers,  you sent John to prepare the way for Jesus Christ, your beloved son.  Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us  so that, like John, we may proclaim  the time to turn from sinfulness  and the good news of your grace. Gracious God, in Jesus Christ,  baptized by John in the Jordan,  you came to share our life  and deliver us from sin and death.  As we are baptized with water  pour out your Holy Spirit upon us  to make us your beloved children;  through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

Watch: Holy Communion for Sunday 1 January 2021

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Prayers for Epiphany

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"On entering the house, the three wise men saw the child, Jesus, with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh." Arise, shine, for the Light of the World has come! Darkness covers the earth and its people, but the radiance of God's Light burns away its shadows, illuminates the smallest corner, and heralds in the start of a new dawn, where hearts no longer fear, souls might be set free, and sister shall follow brother, nation shall follow nation, and kings and princes bow down in awe before the one who comes to reign. Arise, shine, for the Light of the World has come! Alleluia! We are drawn to your feet in worship Your creation facing its creator Hearts laid bare by your light Humbly asking for your mercy. We come to you as a people in need of assurance and forgiveness. We come to you as a people in need of healing and wholeness. We come dependent upon your love. D

Video: Holy Communion for Sunday 3 January 2021:

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Christmas Communion - December 2020

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A Christmas Acclamation

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Praise and adoration be to our God, for he is good. His grace and mercy fill the heavens and earth. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving, and joyfully praise our creator. As a father, he loves us, his children. Sing his praises with joyful thanks in love and devotion! Let us love him who has loved us since the world began. Who would not love God from the heart? We can not give him adequate praise. Still, in heaven he receives with goodwill our joyful songs of praise and pours much joy into our souls, whenever we thank him, whenever we live in him. Sing to Jesus Christ praise, thanks and glory, for he came from heaven to destroy sin and death for us and by his precious, willing sacrifice, restored innocence and peace. Already here on earth he renews joy and life to us by his grace. Still greater bliss is prepared there for those who love him when one day they will be renewed in his image, made new and holy, and awakened from death. Let us rejoice in our holy God! Let us rejoi

A Christmas Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson

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Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, That we may share in the song of the angels, The gladness of the shepherds, And worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate And open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift And good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing, which Christ brings And teach us to be merry with clear hearts. May the Christmas morning make us Happy to be thy children And Christmas evening bring us To our beds with grateful thoughts Forgiving and forgiven For Jesus sake Amen.    — Robert Louis Stevenson    

A Christmas Prayer

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Christ, for whom there was no room in the inn, give courage to all who are homeless; in your mercy hear our prayer.   Christ, who fled into Egypt, give comfort to all refugees; in your mercy hear our prayer.   Christ, who fasted in the desert, give relief to all who are starving; in your mercy hear our prayer.   Christ, who hung in agony on the cross, give strength to all who suffer; in your mercy hear our prayer.   Lord of the Church hear our prayer, and make us one in heart and mind to serve you with joy for ever. Amen.    

Watch: Holy communion for Sunday 20 December 2020:

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Messy Church: Nativity

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Christmas is such a special time and although things are different this year, we can still gather and celebrate the birth of a very special baby... a baby who changed the world! This Messy Church at home session focuses on the true meaning of Christmas and explores the theme of God’s gift to us in Jesus. Thanks be to God for his gift that is too wonderful to describe! 2 Corinthians 9:15 (ERV) Activity: Try this collage activity. The nativity scene will be great to have as a decoration over your mantelpiece or on your wall.  Read through the nativity story in your bible to remind yourself of what to include in your work of art.  Here are some materials ideas. If you can’t get exactly these materials, just see what you can find around the house instead! Nativity collage You will need: paper or card; egg boxes; coloured pens or crayons; glue; different materials from your home or garden. Create the wonderful Nativity picture or model using different materials! Gather materials from around

Watch: Holy Communion for Sunday 13 December 2020

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Watch Holy Communion for Sunday 6 December 2020:

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Messy Church at Home: ADVENT AND EASTER!? YES - BE READY FOR A SURPRISE MEETING!

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The bible tells of two men meeting Jesus just after he was crucified, and was raised from the dead. A confusing, sad time turns into an amazing surprise – it just took a walk, a wait and a meal! Read the account in Luke 24:13-35. It’s a great story with a brilliant ending! Footprints activity: You will need: cardboard; craft knife or scissors; chopping board; sticky tack or PVA glue; paper; paint With adult supervision, cut the cardboard into the rough shape of little feet (a small disc will be fine, if a foot shape is too fiddly) – make them small enough to stick on to the end of your finger as if your finger is the leg. Stick a foot with sticky tack or PVA glue on to the tip of your middle and index fingers, dip into the paint and ‘walk’ your feet along the paper, leaving a footprint trail behind. Repeat it with a different colour of paint walking beside the first set. Then, with a third colour, add a third set of footprints joining the first two half way across the paper. Talk and t

Watch our Advent Sunday (29 November 2020) service. (To play video, click on "Read More" under the image)

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