Acting Right Reverend Bishop Ruth Worsley
On the 6th March 2024, the Acting Right Reverend Bishop Ruth Worsley – Bishop of Coventry, came to visit the Ley Group of Churches.
We met at St. Wilfrid’s Church, Old Arley, North Warwickshire, and meet members of the six churches, with referents served the Barn followed by church members telling a little about each church and their hopes for the coming years.
This was followed by a short service entitled Watch and Pray. This service follows below.
Watch and Pray Service – St. Wilfrid’s Church, Old Arley –
We welcome to St. Wilfrid’s The Right Reverend Bishop Ruth Worsley of Coventry, and also all members of the Lea Group of Churches
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen
We sing:– for music
Stay here
and keep watch with me,
watch and pray
watch and pray
Stay here
and keep watch with me,
watch and pray
watch and pray
Stay here
and keep watch with me,
watch and pray
watch and pray
Stay here
and keep watch with me,
watch and pray
watch and pray
Opening sentences
All: My soul waits for the Lord
more than those
who watch for the morning,
more than those
who watch for the morning.
Out of the depths I have cried to You.
All: O Lord, hear my voice.
With my whole heart I want to praise You.
All: O Lord, hear my voice.
If you, Lord, should mark iniquities:
All: Who could stand? Who could stand?
I will wait for the Lord,
All: My soul waits, and in His word do I hope.
Expressions of faith
Lord, You have always given
bread for the coming day;
All: and though I am poor, today I believe.
Lord, You have always given
strength for the coming day;
All: and though I am weak, today I believe.
Lord, You have always given
peace for the coming day;
All: and though of anxious heart, today I believe.
Lord, You have always kept
me safe in trials;
All: and now, tried as I am, today I believe.
Lord, You have always marked
the road for the coming day;
All: and though it may be hidden,
today I believe.
Lord, You have always lightened
this darkness of mine;
All:and though the night is here,
today I believe.
Lord, You have always spoken
when time was ripe;
All: and though you be silent now,
today I believe.
Today’s Scripture Reading is Psalm 121
1 I look to the mountains; where will my help come from?
2 My help will come from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let you fall; your protector is always awake.
4 The protector of Israel never dozes or sleeps.
5 The Lord will guard you; he is by your side to protect you.
6 The sun will not hurt you during the day, nor the moon during the night.
7 The Lord will protect you from all danger; he will keep you safe.
8 He will protect you as you come and go now and forever.
Talk by the Right Reverend Bishop Ruth Worsley
The Bishop thanked all for the warm reception she has received and the very welcome refreshments.
Her talk was concerned Watching and Prayer, reflecting the reading of Psalm 121.
Her main points were:-
- God Never Sleeps
- He is always Watching
- The protector of Israel never dozes or sleeps
- He will protect you as you come and go now and forever
- We must Watching and Prayer to God and our Lord Jesus Christ
Amen
Prayers and Intercessions
In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father,
Lord, thank you for bringing Bishop Ruth to our diocese and today, to our Ley group of churches. Thank you for her joy in all that you are doing and her encouragement and enthusiasm. Be with her and her family as she serves you. We ask for your great blessings on her time here, so that you will be honoured and loved.
Lord in Your mercy;
All: Hear our prayer.
Father, we pray for our villages; Ansley, Arley, Corley and Fillongley, for all who live, work, serve and cherish these places. Give us the confidence and the words to share, with the people we meet, our love of Jesus, our stories of all you have done for us and our hope in you. Fill us with love for them and for each other so that we work together, with Gail, Steve and Jo, forgetting boundaries and denominations, but coming together as one, as we seek to do your will.
Lord in Your mercy;
All: Hear our prayer.
Loving God, are you filled with sadness, as we are, by all the fighting and hatred that goes on between nations, communities and families? Please help us to be your agents of love and peace. Help us not to be overwhelmed by what we don’t have and can’t do, but to look at what we do have and can do, as you help us. Forgive us for the times we’ve ignored opportunities to do good. Help us to be more available to help others.
Lord in Your mercy;
All: Hear our prayer.
Healing Lord. We bring before you those suffering in any way. You understand their needs completely and love them absolutely. Bring your healing, your peace and your comfort to all who suffer and use us Lord to do the work you have prepared for us.
Lord in Your mercy;
All: Hear our prayer.
Lord, as our loved ones die, help us to cherish their memories, to bring your love to those who mourn and to remember the hope and the promise you have given us, that you are with us always.
Lord in Your mercy;
All: Hear our prayer.
And Lord, as we go from here, we just thank you, that you teach us, inspire and lead us. That you have great plans for us and that our hope and trust rests in you.
Merciful Father;
All: Accept these prayers, for the sake of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Canticle
All: In the shadow of Your wings
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.
In the shadow of Your wings
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.
The Lord is my light, my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the refuge of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
All: In the shadow of Your wings
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.
One thing I ask of the Lord,
one thing I seek;
to dwell in the presence of my God,
to gaze on Your holy place.
All: In the shadow of Your wings
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.
I believe I shall see the goodness
of the Lord in the land of the living.
O wait for the Lord!
Have courage and wait,
wait for the Lord.
All: In the shadow of Your wings
I will sing Your praises, O Lord
Prayer of St. Patrick
All: Christ as a light
illumine and guide me.
Christ as a shield overshadow me.
Christ under me; Christ over me;
Christ beside me on my left and my right;
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meet; yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light;
Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me on my left and my right.
The Lord’s Prayer
All: Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who
sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
Blessing
All: May the peace of God go with you,
wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness,
protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing
at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing
once again into our doors,
May He bring you home rejoicing
once again into our doors.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen