Category Archives: Worship

Sunday Worship

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Holy Communion Service – Sunday 25th May, 10:30am

Today’s service marked the last Sunday of Easter – with Ascension Day coming on Thursday 29th May – and a new church season begins.

Today’s Collect Prayer

God our redeemer, you have delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your Son: grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his continual presence in us he may raise usto eternal joy; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Themes and thoughts

The conversion of Lydia

11 Setting sail therefore from Tro′as, we made a direct voyage to Sam′othrace, and the following day to Ne-ap′olis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is the leading city of the district[a] of Macedo′nia, and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days; 13 and on the sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyati′ra, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to give heed to what was said by Paul. 15 And when she was baptized, with her household, she besought us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

Acts 16:11-40

One of the readings today talked about St Paul – during his time spreading the Word near to Europe. The story told of his meeting with Lydia – a seller of purple – one of the most expensive dyes – and her conversion to Christianity. Lydia was the first European convert – and our Lay Preacher, Maxine is still so excited about this important step in the growth of the Christian faith around the world. Like Jesus on the first Sunday – the first revelation came to a woman.

A thorn in my side

Also, the story is one of hope – St Paul, so devout and strong – was at that time experiencing ill-health and had a period of struggle before meeting Lydia. His words fell on deaf ears on his long journey and his spirits were low. He described his discomfort with a phrase that has become part of the English language – ‘A thorn in my side’, which describes perfectly that awful feeling of being ‘out of sorts’ not quite our usual self. Lydia’s conversion helped him through that time and brought with it, new hope and belief for him.

Hymn

One of the hymns at our service was “Guide me, O thou great Redeemer” (also known as “Bread of Heaven”) has a rich history, originating in Wales in the 18th century. It was originally written in Welsh by William Williams (1717-1791), a Methodist preacher. The hymn was translated into English by Peter Williams in 1771 and became widely known as “Guide me, O thou great Redeemer”. The tune “Cwm Rhondda”, composed by John Hughes, was later associated with the hymn, making it one of the most beloved hymns today. 

Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty,
Hold me with thy powerful hand;
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven
Feed me till I want no more;
Feed me till I want no more.

Wonderful words that resonate in English and the original Welsh as 

Cwm Rhondda

Coffee and social afterwards

We followed the service with a good cup of coffee or tea and caught up with news from everyone – This is the time of year when people come and go on holidays and trips, so it’s great to see photos and hear about adventures.

Thanks to our service team for a warm and thought provoking service.

Donations

Donations can be made to St Peter’s at any time from the secure payment site here. Donations go towards maintenance of the building, day to day service bills and supports our work in our small community. Donations can be made as one-offs or regular payments.

We thank you for your kind and continued support.

Donate to St Peter’s Church

Sunday Worship

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Holy Communion Service – Sunday 11th May, 10:30am

80th anniversary of VE Day

Today’s Collect Prayer for Peace

Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: kindle in the hearts of all people the true love of peace; and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Themes and thoughts

Today is the culmination of a week in both the UK and Europe, celebrating VE Day 80th Anniversary, which marked the end of World War II in Europe. Our service gave thanks for the freedom, sacrifice and endurance of our friends and family members who served or lived through World War II – A number which is slowly diminishing – as even those who were children then, are in their 90s now. Precious and dear to us – each and every one.

Prayers

For those who served and died in the Second World War

O God of truth and justice,
we hold before you those men and women 
who have died in active service, particularly in the Second World War, 
whose sacrifice brought Victory in Europe.
As we honour their courage and cherish their memory, 
may we put our faith in your future;
for you are the source of life and hope, 
now and for ever.
Amen.

Reading from Micah

….and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
    and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
    neither shall they learn war any more;
4 but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree,
    and none shall make them afraid;
    for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.

An Act of Commitment

Let us pledge ourselves anew to the service of God and our fellow men and women: that we may help, encourage and comfort others, and support those working for the relief of the needy and for the peace and welfare of the nations. All Lord God our Father, we pledge ourselves to serve you and all humankind, in the cause of peace, for the relief of want and suffering, and for the praise of your name. Guide us by your Spirit; give us wisdom; give us courage; give us hope; and keep us faithful now and always. Amen.Coffee and social afterwards

Coffee and social afterwards

We followed the service with a good cup of coffee or tea. Finally, it was warm! So much so, that the church team had opened the North Door before the service to reveal the spectacular greens of Spring in the churchyard beyond.

Thanks to our service team for a warm and thought provoking service.

View through the North Door - St Peter's Church. Image shows dark interior of old church, with large wooden door open to the left. Outside is the view to the bright greens of the trees in the churchyard. A beautiful bright view
View through the North Door – Photo Maxine Dodd

Donations

Donations can be made to St Peter’s at any time from the secure payment site here. Donations go towards maintenance of the building, day to day service bills and supports our work in our small community. Donations can be made as one-offs or regular payments.

We thank you for your kind and continued support.

Donate to St Peter’s Church

Sunday Worship

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A Service for VE Day

St Peter’s, Church Langton

Sunday 11th May, 10:30am

This week sees the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

Here in the UK, there have been services of thanksgiving, parties and more celebrations through the week.

On the Anniversary itself, King Charles, along with his family, attended a special service at Westminster Abbey and later a unique concert where he read from the diary of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth who described the happy events of the day, appearing on the balcony at Buckingham Palace and later, slipping out with her sister, Princess Margaret to join the crowds below – cheering with them for another appearance by her mother and father.

She recalled doing the conga through the door of the Palace and finally going to bed at 3am!

It is easy to forget that for everyone alive back then, there was no end date in sight, no idea of the outcome when the war began in 1939.

Six long years of loss, destruction, hardship and uncertainty came to a close for Europe on 5th May 1945, but in the Far East the fighting continued.

Nonetheless, the victory in Europe was immense; the joy in the country literally rang out. Bells were silent during the war but they rang on that day.

Our worship on Sunday will reflect all the emotions from back then and precious peace we have just now.

Join us at 10:30 to give thanks for the Victory in Europe, the people who served and lost their lives and the remaining generation who live with us still today. They are very much loved and most precious!