Churches together in Crowthorne

Prayer

God of all humanity your Son was born into a line of men and women, ordinary and extraordinary. Some of them were remembered for their great deeds, others more for their sins. Give us an open heart to share your unbounded love, and to embrace all who experience discrimination. Help us to grow in love beyond prejudice and injustice. Grant us the grace to respect the uniqueness of each person, so that in our diversity we may experience unity. This prayer we make in your holy name. Amen

Source: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Resources, Churches in Britain and Ireland

Ephesians 4:22-25, Matthew 5:33-37

The letter to the Ephesians presents a call for Christians to be honest and accountable to each other, so that we may grow in community. There is no place for deceitfulness, for it serves only to impair our relationships and so destroy that community. We are called to live an authentic life of faith and stand up for the truth. Our ‘yes’ must mean ‘yes’ and our ‘no’ must mean ‘no’ – with no equivocal language or dishonest behaviour. Dishonesty disrupts the unity of the Church fror which we are called to pray and work.

Material for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity originates from the churches of Indonesia, where there is a strong emphasis upon the need for unity alongside the nation’s ethnic and religious diversity. The resources also highlight issues of economic injustice and how religious pluralism can face challenges in the face of radicalisation. The theme is based around Deuteronomy 16:18-20, ‘Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue…’

DAY 1 Amos 5:22-25 Luke 11:37-44

Christians in Indonesia recognize that in their land there are people who passionately try to practise their faith, but who oppress those of other beliefs. In the prophecy of Amos, God rejects the worship of those who neglect justice. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus reminds us that the outward sign of true worship of God is acting justly. Christians can sometimes be very committed to prayer and worship, but less concerned for the poor and the marginalized. When, as Christians, we work together on justice issues we grow closer to one another and to God.

Source: Churches Together in Britain and Ireland Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Resources. Each day there are scripture passages, a short reflection, a prayer, questions for discussion and suggestions for further action (“go and do”).

We will be joining Churches Together Sandhurst on Sunday January 20th 6:30pm at St George’s Owlsmoor to celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity that happens between 18th and 25th January each year.

In addition, there are a number of opportunities to prayer together during the week, open to all:
Thursday 17th 12-12:30 p.m. Post Coffee Shop Prayer for Christian Unity (NB arrive by 11:45 if you want coffee first!) at Crowthorne Baptist Church
Monday 21st at 10.30 a.m. welcome tea/coffee followed by a meditation group at 11.00 a.m. at Holy Ghost RC Church
Tuesday 22nd at 10.00 a.m. Worship at Crowthorne Methodist Church followed by CTC coffee morning.
Tuesday 22nd 12-1.00 p.m. informal time for prayer at Crowthorne Methodist Church, Rev Sharon will be available during this time
Friday 25th at 6.00 p.m. Prayer for the sick at St John’s Church

If anyone would like to meet up and pray with someone from your own or another church, please contact the secretary, Carla Lee McLachlan ([email protected]) who will co-ordinate prayer partners.

Each day we will be posting from the excellent material produced by the Churches in Indonesia. You can find these resources at: https://ctbi.org.uk/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-reso….