Tuesday, 13 April 2021
Sunday, 11 April 2021
The Queen
I usually watch the press preview at 10.30pm or 11.30pm on the BBC news channel. It like to see how the papers plan to cover the different stories the next day.
Today's service
Our service for the Second Sunday of Easter, including special prayers to mark the death of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Saturday, 10 April 2021
In memory
The bells of St James's Church are tolled ninety-nine times, one for each of the years of Prince Philip's life:
Midday prayers for the Queen and Royal Family took place at 12 noon today:
Friday, 9 April 2021
A prayer for the Queen
O Lord, our heavenly Father, high and mighty, King of kings, Lord of lords, the only Ruler of princes, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth: Most heartily we beseech thee with thy favour to behold our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen ELIZABETH; and so replenish her with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that she may alway incline to thy will, and walk in thy way. Endue her plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant her in health and wealth long to live; strengthen her that she may vanquish and overcome all her enemies; and finally after this life she may attain everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Monday, 5 April 2021
Easter joy
With the Covid regulations now allowing outdoor singing in churchyards, we were able to conclude our Easter Day communion services in both churches by going out to sing 'Thine be the glory' and 'the greatest day in history.'
It was a wonderful moment singing at the tops of our voices:
Sunday, 4 April 2021
Saturday, 3 April 2021
Resting, waiting
The body lay in the grave. It was Saturday, the sabbath, the seventh day of the week, the day of rest.
He rested.
In the first chapter of the Bible the Lord begins the act of creation on the first day of the week.
On the sixth day he completes his work; 'the heavens and the earth were completed in their vast array.'
On the seventh day he rests: 'God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.'
In the same way, on the sixth day, the Friday, the Son of God completed his work: 'It is finished' he cried from the cross
Then on the seventh day, like his Father, he rested.
Holy Saturday: This is the day of resting and waiting.
Tomorrow is the first day of the week, and it was on the first day that the Lord Jesus Christ emerged from the tomb alive. The New Creation had begun (on a Sunday, just as before).
Friday, 2 April 2021
Good Friday
Good Friday and we had our open air service in St James's Churchyard and, for the first time since Christmas: we could sing! It was so good to be there.
Our concluding hymn was that classic, I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene, with its repeated refrain
Here from Celtic Worship is a wonderful version of that hymn:
Thursday, 1 April 2021
Maundy Thursday
We do not presume
to come to this your table, merciful Lord,
trusting in our own righteousness,
but in your manifold and great mercies.
We are not worthy
so much as to gather up the crumbs under your table.
But you are the same Lord,
whose nature is always to have mercy.
Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord,
so to eat the flesh of your dear son Jesus Christ
and to drink his blood,
that we may evermore dwell in him
and he in us. Amen.
Wednesday, 31 March 2021
Tuesday, 30 March 2021
Singing returns
Until this week the Government Covid guidelines have prevented congregations from singing during acts of worship, but the good news is that from this week congregational singing is allowed at outdoor events.
This means that on Good Friday at our open air service in St James’s Churchyard at 11am we will all be able to sing the lovely hymns and songs we have prepared for this occasion. Do come and join in as we celebrate the good news of God’s love and make a joyful noise in the churchyard.
Then on Easter Sunday, in both churches, we will move outside after communion so that we can all sing together our concluding Easter songs of joy and praise.
As the psalmist says: ‘O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.’
Monday, 29 March 2021
Friday, 26 March 2021
Thursday, 25 March 2021
Wednesday, 24 March 2021
Tuesday, 23 March 2021
Day of reflection
Today, the anniversary of the first national lockdown, us being observed as a national Day of Reflection to commemorate those who have died of Covid-19, to remember all who have suffered, and to give thanks for all who have worked to alleviate the terible effects of this disease.
Here are some prayers for the day produced by Church Society:
For those grieving in isolation for the death of loved ones
Gracious Heavenly Father,
who knows our grief is the price we pay for love:
give gospel comfort and consolation
to those who feel the pain of bereavement
and the anguish of separation at this time of global crisis;
and reminded as we are of the fleeting frailty of this life,
teach each one of us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
For we ask in the name of your Son,
who was cut off from the land of the living
to rescue us from the present evil age,
Amen.
For those dying alone during this time
Sovereign Lord, our rock and our salvation,
who has promised never to leave or forsake those who put their trust in you:
hear the feeble sighs and groaning
of those now fighting their final battle without their loved ones by their side;
by your Spirit, grant them grace and strength to endure what they must,
and having put their faith in Christ,
may their eyes see at last the Redeemer
for whom our hearts have always yearned,
so that along with all those who love the Lord Jesus with an undying love, they may receive the crown of righteousness from him
on the day we meet again,
Amen.
For those diagnosed with COVID-19
Lord Jesus,
who offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears
to the one who could save him from death,
and was heard because of his reverent submission:
have mercy on ____________(insert names)
(and) all those who live in the shadow of this terrible virus,
that they may have strength for the struggle and hope for the future;
And in the midst of the heat and urgency of their condition
grant their thirsty souls true repentance for their sins,
that they may know forgiveness and eternal life in you,
Amen.
Collect for the present time
Heavenly Father,
our ever-present help in trouble,
our fortress and our God:
calm the anxious fears of all who turn to you;
give strength and healing to those who are sick,
and courage and skill to those who care for them;
grant wisdom and clarity to those in authority;
and humble us all to call upon you
that we may be saved not only in this life,
but also for that which is to come,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.
23rd March is also the anniversary of our first Bermondsey Daily Message. Since then there have been a further 230 BDMs, but here is the first one:
Monday, 22 March 2021
Sunday, 21 March 2021
Friday, 19 March 2021
Thursday, 18 March 2021
Wednesday, 17 March 2021
Tuesday, 16 March 2021
Monday, 15 March 2021
Sunday, 14 March 2021
On Clapham Common
Gift for mums
Thank you Pat for making up the posies with the flowers donated by Nancy and Jeff, soon to be married at St James, and adding a tag to each posy with this verse from 1 Corinthians: 'And now these three remain; faith, hope, love. But the greatest of these is love.'
A lovely gift for mums on Mothering Sunday.
Saturday, 13 March 2021
Friday, 12 March 2021
Wednesday, 10 March 2021
Tuesday, 9 March 2021
Monday, 8 March 2021
Sunday, 7 March 2021
Saturday, 6 March 2021
Upgraded, repainted
Friday, 5 March 2021
Wednesday, 3 March 2021
Tuesday, 2 March 2021
Monday, 1 March 2021
Sunday, 28 February 2021
Friday, 26 February 2021
Interpreting the joyslide
Wednesday, 24 February 2021
Tuesday, 23 February 2021
Monday, 22 February 2021
Sunday, 21 February 2021
Friday, 19 February 2021
Thursday, 18 February 2021
Let us love one another
Sonal, who with her husband, David, read the Bible reading from 1 John 4 in our online Valentine's Day Service, has produced this beautiful, representation of 1 John 4.7: 'Dear friends, let us love one another, because love comes from God.'
You can watch the whole service here:
Wednesday, 17 February 2021
Tuesday, 16 February 2021
St James view
Monday, 15 February 2021
Saturday, 13 February 2021
Bermondsey Valentines
Watch our special Valentine's Day Service featuring 3 special guest couples, a beautiful solo of Amazing Grace, a message about love, and a peek at what we keep in our bomb proof church safe, all topped off with a gallery of photos from the many weddings that have taken place at St James and St Anne's over the years
Friday, 12 February 2021
Wednesday, 10 February 2021
Tuesday, 9 February 2021
Monday, 8 February 2021
Sunday, 7 February 2021
Saturday, 6 February 2021
Accession Day
Today the Queen has been reigning for 69 years.
6th February 1952 is the day her father died and she acceded to the throne. The picture shows the coronation which took place the following year.
Here, from the Book of Common Prayer, is the Prayer for Accession Day. God save the Queen!
Almighty God, who rulest over all the kingdoms of the world, and dost order them according to thy good pleasure: We yield thee unfeigned thanks, for that thou wast pleased, as on this day, to set thy Servant our Sovereign Lady, Queen ELIZABETH, upon the Throne of this Realm. Let thy wisdom be her guide, and let thine arm strengthen her; let truth and justice, holiness and righteousness, peace and charity, abound in her days; direct all her counsels and endeavours to thy glory, and the welfare of her subjects; give us grace to obey her cheerfully for conscience sake, and let her always possess the hearts of her people; let her reign be long and prosperous, and crown her with everlasting life in the world to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Friday, 5 February 2021
Wednesday, 3 February 2021
Tuesday, 2 February 2021
Monday, 1 February 2021
Friday, 29 January 2021
Wednesday, 27 January 2021
Tuesday, 26 January 2021
Monday, 25 January 2021
Friday, 22 January 2021
Wednesday, 20 January 2021
Tuesday, 19 January 2021
Monday, 18 January 2021
Sunday, 17 January 2021
Friday, 15 January 2021
Thursday, 14 January 2021
Church assembly for St James school
In this week's assembly we find out what happened to Jesus after Christmas
Wednesday, 13 January 2021
Monday, 11 January 2021
Remembering Peter
Today I heard that my beloved friend and training vicar, Peter Ronayne, has died at his home in Lymington.