St Thomas's Church, St Anne's-on-the-Sea, Lancashire, FY8 1JL, United Kingdom.
Proclaiming the love of Jesus in our community.
News
Our Licensed Lay Minister Elizabeth O'Connor has been supplying short meditations each week, available on our Downloads page.
Below is the most recent.
Thought for the week by Licensed Lay Minister Elizabeth O’Connor2021-02-25
Contemplation
We all have choices to make on a daily basis and it seems they are ever increasing in such an “instant” age that we live in. Everything must be now – faster, quicker and more – therefore making the demands even greater. Yes, with lockdowns, the pace of life in some respects has slowed, but the demands, choices and issues remain. It is so easy to get caught up with social media and feel compelled to do something, for instance. We can quickly respond to emails, texts and messages without necessarily thinking things through and so say something that can be taken the wrong way. Equally we shop online and get carried away with our purchases, or rely on various ‘props’ to excess. We have the difficult decisions of how to manage with the income we have, given that costs are increasing and income isn’t. Then there’s what we do in the future – with jobs, our lifestyle for instance. All these can somehow dominate our thoughts and overwhelm us. No wonder that we often need a “time out space,” to take a deep breath and be still, to recharge, refocus and get a perspective, rather than feel that everything is running out of control. To be ‘mindful’ in our lives to coin a current phrase – to see things from a bigger point of view. It’s part of what the Christian season of Lent is about. Reflection, decisions to change and renewal. God gives us freedom and life in its fullness. Not devoid of issues and problems, but a life of true joy and peace. May we choose to seek, trust and follow Him in our daily lives, taking time and space to realise and so reflect the wonder and love of God, here and now.
Jesus
my true King
when you were tempted in the wilderness
you
rejected the way of easy popularity
and chose instead a path of
humiliation
at the hands of those you had come to love.
Give
me the wisdom to see
when it is necessary
to be like you,
a
fool in the eyes of the world,
and keep me always true to you.
Take
me Lord from busy-ness
To the place of quietness
From the
tumult without cease
Into your great and unending peace
Help
me then, my Lord to see
What I am and ought to be.
God of life
God of peace
God of wonders that will not
cease
God eternal
Trinity
God everlasting
Come to
me.
David Adam
Even if individuals don’t have a computer or tablet, most people will have some sort of phone. The Church of England has the ‘Daily Hope Line.’ The line – which is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 – has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind. Daily Hope offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of a telephone line.
If you know someone without access to technology, they may be interested in this facility.
The February edition of No Doubt is available on our Magazine page.
Also available on our Downloads page.
O Lord, open our lips
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Blessèd
are you, God of compassion and mercy,
to you be praise and glory
for ever!
[In the darkness of our sin,
your light breaks
forth like the dawn
and your healing springs up for
deliverance.]
As we rejoice in the gift of your saving
help,
sustain us with your bountiful Spirit
and open our
lips to sing your praise,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
Blessèd
be God for ever!
Saviour of the world
1 |
Jesus, Saviour of the world, we look to you to save and help us. |
2 |
By your cross and your life laid down, we look to you to save and help us. |
3 |
When they were ready to
perish, you saved your disciples: |
4 |
In the greatness of your
mercy, loose us from our chains, |
5 |
Make yourself known as our
Saviour and mighty deliverer; |
6 |
Come now and dwell with us,
Lord Christ Jesus: |
7 |
And when you come in your
glory: and to share the life of your kingdom. |
|
Psalm 51 |
1 |
Have mercy on me, O God, in
your great goodness; blot out my offences. |
2 |
Wash me thoroughly from my
wickedness |
3 |
For I acknowledge my
faults |
4 |
Against you only have I
sinned |
5 |
So that you are justified
in your sentence |
6 |
I have been wicked even from my birth, a sinner when my mother conceived me. |
7 |
Behold, you desire truth
deep within me in the depths of my heart. |
8 |
Purge me with hyssop and I
shall be clean; |
9 |
Make me hear of joy and
gladness, |
10 |
Turn your face from my
sins |
11 |
Make me a clean heart, O
God, |
Or one of these psalms 3, 6, 11, 12, 32, 61.
One of the readings set for this week.
(See the service sheet on the church website or Facebook page.)
The collect for the week.
Prayers for your particular concerns or from the church prayer list.
Lord have mercy upon us
Christ have mercy upon us
Lord
have mercy upon us
The Lord’s Prayer: Our Father who art in heaven ...
May the Lord bless us, may he protect us from all evil and keep us in eternal life. Amen.
Sing to the Lord, you saints of his;
praise his holy name.
Psalm 30:4
The side chapel inside the church is open for private prayer most days between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm. Access is via the door facing Clifton Drive South. Hand sanitiser is available.
Regular Services