|
Spreading Love & Hope...
Welcome to today's devotion. These resources have been gathered for your use at home during these days of physical social isolation and virtual social connection. May this devotion and the links provided help you stay connected to God and the wider community. Thanks to Joyce for her 'reflections at sunset'.
|
|
If you have items to share -- a prayer, song, Bible verse, reflection, photo, link -- please send it, so we can share them with everyone.
|
|
Blessings & peace, Ana & Tod
|
|
|
|
|
|
Golden Ball
Reflections at sunset
by Joyce Dent, Andover United Reformed Church
|
My golden ball hangs by a golden yarn
From my wood-gold curtain rail;
It is half-obscured by the golden drape
With its pattern of golden sun-rays.
Behind it the fading golden sky
Is streaked with the grey of evening clouds.
|
And then I recall that my golden globe
Was formed from the glowing white-gold ash
Flung forth from the burning golden heart
Of bursting Mount St. Helen’s.
The fading gold of the cooling ash
Turned grey like the evening clouds,
Until the skill of the maker of glass
Created my beautiful golden ball,
Which hangs from my wood-gold curtain rail.
|
I live on a wonderful blue-green ball,
Enfolded by floating clouds of grey.
It hangs in space as it spins its way
Round the flaming sun which controls it all.
But the blue-green ball is changing now;
Its embracing clouds have lost their power
To guard from the magic rays of the sun,
Giving life or death to the globe below.
My kin and I have despoiled those clouds
By the ash we have flung from our oil-soaked hearts.
|
God strengthen our will to make clean again
Our blue-green ball, as it hangs in space
Like my golden ball, with its golden yarn,
Which hangs from my wood-gold curtain rail.
|
|
|
|
|
Music
|
|
Peaceful, relaxing, instrumental music -- "Birds of Spring" by Tim Janis
|
|
|
|
|
Send in your favourite music links to share.
|
|
|
|
|
Relax in God
This is a relaxation practice to bring your heart and mind into coherence
which helps release tension, stress, and anxiety
and cultivates calm, peace, and clarity.
|
Place your hand or finger on heart:
Breathe deeply (peace state happens).
Think of who or what you CARE about.
Think of who or what you APPRECIATE.
Think of who or what you have GRATITUDE ABOUT.
Think of who or what you are or have COMPASSION ABOUT.
|
This will bring the heart and mind into coherence.
|
Note: you only need to focus on one or two of the qualities. The more you can FEEL them, the better. You should do this for at least three minutes at a time.
|
|
This practice is adapted from Reiki, a Japanese system of relaxation which is an embodied prayer connecting with the universal energy, life force, and love of God.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deadline for voting for your favourites is 31 July. The theme is 'Historic Britain' submitted for the Salisbury Church 2021 Calendar fundraiser.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We'll be celebrating a baptism together on Zoom on Sunday 5 July!
|
|
This is a photo of the Andover baptismal font which will be used.
|
|
|
Sunday Worship online and on-the-phone 10:30
|
You can now call in using your landline. You do not need a computer or smartphone. If you would like to learn more so that you can join us in worship and communion, contact your Church Secretary or the Ministers or reply to this email.
|
|
|
Andover, Broad Chalke & Salisbury congregations
|
|
of the United Reformed Church gather for worship.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click on the blue button above to visit Worship Words for prayers and reflections related to the Lectionary Readings for this Pentecost season of the Church Year.
|
|
|
|
Reminder - Tuesday's Corona Christ Care Zoom Group
|
14:30-16:00 for fellowship, Bible study and prayer.
|
|
Everyone is welcome. Bring your Bible and a cup of tea.
|
|
Readings prepare us for Sunday worship.
|
|
(Zoom Meeting ID: 852 5929 3409)
|
|
Here's the Zoom link to copy into your browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85259293409
|
|
|
|
Trouble seeing the photos?
|
