ST. JOHN’S CHURCH PRAYER DIARY – MAY 2017
At the time of drafting Lent was drawing to its close and Eastertide days away. One glance around
our beautifully kept churchyard is enough to remind us of the time of year. In the west corner,
overlooking Waterloo Road, stands a tree smothered in snow-like white blossom. Perhaps not a
cherry tree “about the woodland ride” but the following poem by A. E. Housman reminds us that
Easter is the most joyous time on the Christian calendar.
Loveliest of trees, the cherry now
Is hung with bloom along the bough,
And stands about the woodland ride
Wearing white for Eastertide.
Too much, perhaps, to hope that this spectacle will persist until the first of May, and the tree will
still be “hung with snow” as we celebrate our May fair, but we can but hope.
Monday 1st May Our May Fair.
Lord, bless all our endeavours as you have done in past years. Whatever the
weather may our Crowthorne residents turn out in force, enjoy the sense of
community and spend generously so that we can continue to support all those
deserving charities (listed at the end), every one of which deserves our help.
1st May is also the festival of Philip and James named among the original apostles. It is probably
the mother of “James the Younger” who stood at the foot of the cross. Certainly it is Philip who is
verbally castigated, if mildly, by our Lord at the Last Supper; “Have I been with you all this time,
Philip, and you still do now know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father,” John Chapter
14.
Lord God, the source of truth and love, keep us faithful to the apostles’
teaching and fellowship, united in prayer and breaking of bread, and one in joy
and simplicity of heart.
In Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Pray for the Standing Committee meeting that their deliberations prove fruitful.
Wednesday 3rd May the birthday of Henry Vaughan, a doctor and poet, who fought on the Royalist
side in the Civic War. He lost his brother in the fighting, his much beloved young wife and his King
who was executed and witnessed the suppression of his Church. He found consolation in the
crucified Saviour and with it light and hope and peace. He sees divine meanings in simple,
ordinary and everyday things that surround us. His words might be a source of consolation to any
of us in need.
“All Things that be, praise Him, and had
Their lesson taught them when first made.”
Thursday 4th May. The clergy meet together at Ranelagh School for a link meeting. This prompts
us to remember all our schools in the parish and particularly we pray for the teaching Christ and
the Gospels, not only here but nationwide.
God bless our schools and its teachers. Protect our children and may they
always enjoy and take pleasure in learning.
Teach them how to put their trust in You so that they grow up to be faithful,
loving disciples confident in Your support.
Sunday 7th May Janet Rogers from the Children’s Society (a charity we support) will address us
during the service. We pray for God’s support with all those who work so hard to help those needy
children.
We pray for the residents of Brookers Corner, Bracknell Road and Cheyney Court.
Monday 8th May. We should not let this day pass without remembering Julian of Norwich who on
this day in 1373, experienced a series of sixteen visions which inspired her to spend the rest of her
life pondering their meaning. She recorded her conclusions in a book which became the first book
written by a woman in English. Her thoughts are just as relevant today;
“As truly as God is our father, so just as truly is he our mother.
In our father, God Almighty, we have our being; in our merciful mother we are
remade and restored.
Our fragmented lives are knit together and made perfect man.
And by giving and yielding ourselves, through grace, to the Holy Spirit are we
made whole.”
‘Enfolded in Love’ Daily Reading with Julian of Norwich.
It is her concentration on the love of God which is so inspiring to her contemporary audience.
Monday 8th May marks the resumption of our course which began with ‘Start’ for those considering
Baptism or Confirmation. ‘Moving On’ proposes to instruct those committed to learning more
about the Christian faith. We ask that God blesses those who are searching for truth and a deeper
understanding of the love of God.
Tuesday 9th May. A meeting of the Stewardship Committee.
God grant them support in this onerous but undeniably important task of finding funds for the
upkeep of our Church.
Saturday 13th May. A joyous occasion! On this day James Walker and Amber Da-San Martino
exchange vows, committing themselves to married life together in Christ’s Church.
May the love and happiness of the occasion be a hallmark of their future life together.
Sunday 14th May the start if Christian Aid Week. The importance of this week cannot have gone
unnoticed nor can the shortage of people prepared to act as collectors. It is not always an easy
task at times as some might experience something of the abuse, if not apathy, our Lord suffered in
him ministry. Not everybody is prepared to recognise the importance of this organisation in
helping the disadvantaged, particularly in the Third World.
May God help all those prepared to face criticism and hostility for the sake of others.
We pray for the residents of Pinehill Road.
Wednesday 17th May. Please pray for the parents and godparents of those who meet this evening
wishing to give their child the proper start in life by dedicating him/her to Christ. This meeting
should help them to recognise the importance of the vows undertaken. We as a congregation will
be happy to welcome them all among our numbers.
Sunday 21st May Vocations Sunday.
information nearer the date.
The visiting speaker will be Tina Molyneux.
Further
We pray for the residents of Kingsley Close, Byron Drive, Masefield Gardens and Shaw Park.
Tuesday 23rd May. CTC meets at St. John’s.
Wednesday 24th May. We celebrate the work of John and Charles Wesley. Their concern
was for the education, relief of the poor, organisation and training of preachers providing a
firm basis for Christian growth and mission in England. Wesley hymn tunes have played an
essential part in our worship.
Lives again our glorious King;
Where, O death, is now they sting?
Dying once, he all doth save;
Where thy victory, O grave.
Wednesday 24th May. The Governing Body of the C of E School meet this evening. Given
the financially straightened conditions under which it now has to operate, theirs is no easy
task. We ask for God’s guidance with the difficult decisions imposed upon them.
Thursday 25th May is Ascension Day, when we celebrate Jesus’s final ascension to God our
Father. It is a further indication of God’s promise to the faithful that all those who believe
will receive peace at the last. See prayers below.
The Venerable Bede, who died on this day in 735A.D. was famous for his teaching and
learning. He wrote a complete history of England up to the year 729A.D. as well as Bible
commentaries.
Sunday 28th May. We pray for the residents of Heath Hill Road and Lilley Court.
Wednesday 31st May marks the first meeting of our newly appointed PCC.
May God bless their commitment to this new undertaking.
Prayer for Ascension Day
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that like as we do
believe Thy only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to
have ascended into the heavens; so we may also in heart
and mind thither ascent and with him continually dwell,
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one
God, world without end.
Book of Common Prayer
A short prayer for Jesus to watch over us all
(We include also this month the residents, together with their
families and friends, of the streets earlier mentioned)
Watch, O Lord, over these who sleep tonight.
Tend our sick ones and rest our weary ones.
May we wake safely in the morning to start
A new day and all for your love’s sake.
Amen
P.T.O.
The Charities We Support
Church Mission Society
Church Army
Leprosy Mission
Embrace the Middle East
Corymeela Community
Bible Society
Children’s Society
Hope Zone Drop-In Café
Helen and Douglas Hospices