5th July 2020 
Dear All
Coronavirus – Covid – 19 – continues to change our lives. No doubt by the time you read this, instructions could easily have changed! This is inevitable because we have never been here before.
It’s as if the pause button has been pushed on our remote controls and life has been put on hold. We have all been told to stay at home, except for a daily walk, run or cycle; work from home, as far as possible; keep our distance. How important it is to follow this advice.
We can all play our part. We thank God for the many, many people who have volunteered to assist the NHS in this crisis.
As you have no doubt heard, we have been requested by our bishops to close our churches. This means, as we have started to do, is to share our worship differently. On the Hempnall Group website there are thoughts and prayers to guide us and we are hoping in the future to add a morning and evening prayer so we can share and pray together.
There seems to be a network of practical help available in our villages. Thank you to those who have arranged this. We all have different needs and there are those who can assist. Please don’t hesitate to contact someone to help or just for a chat.
If Liz or myself can be of help, we are only a phone call away, my number is 01508 498157, Liz’s number is 07891 854219.
Let’s cope with this crisis with a spirit of kindness and loving service to those around us.
Remember SPS: Stay at home; Protect the NHS; Save lives;
Our love
Michael and Liz
I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2
Thoughts and Prayers for the Week
Sunday 5th July 2020
4th Sunday after Trinity
Prayer of the Week:
Gracious Father,
by the obedience of Jesus
you brought salvation to our wayward world:
draw in into harmony with your will,
that we may find all things restored in him,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Thought for the Week
It is always good to get an invite – come for a meal, a walk or a coffee and many other things. We accept the invitation and attend.
Jesus knows that there are times in our lives when, for a number of reasons, things can get difficult. As our gospel says we get ‘weary and heavy laden.’ He offers us an invitation to come – come to Jesus, just as we are – no conditions or expectations because of his unconditional love for us. What a wonderful God we have.
Jesus’ love reminded me of ‘Footprints’ by Margaret Powers which has been precised:
One night I dreamed a dream.
I was walking along a beach with my Lord,
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
I noticed 2 sets of prints in the sand –
one belonging to me and one to my Lord.
In the lowest and saddest times of my life there was
only one set of footprints.
I just don’t understand why when I need you most,
you leave me.
He answered ‘My precious child,
I love you and will never leave you.
During the difficult times when you saw
only one set of footprints it was then
that I carried you.
Let us continue to care for and remember each other
....... Sunday 10.00am, light a candle and The Lord’s Prayer together. 
....... Daily Prayer 8.30am and 5.00pm, saying The Lord’s Prayer together.
....... Our next Food Bank Collection is Sunday 5th July
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
we pray that your Church may always be open
to receive your love;
keep us clear of pomposity, complacency and
self-righteousness.
Let us come humbly and simply into your presence
and wait on you, knowing our dependence on you
and rejoicing in it.
Amen.
Prayer for our Villages, Nation and World
May your love that never fails
continue to be shared
through the kindness of strangers
looking out for each other,
for neighbours near and far
all recognising our shared vulnerability,
each of us grateful for every breath,
and willing everyone to know the gift
of a full and healthy life.
Keep us all in your care.
Amen.
Readings for the week: Zechariah 9:9-12, Psalm 145:8-15, Romans 7:15-25a, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
