Staying in Touch - suggestions for worship
This week has been challenging; all our familiar routines, daily activities, and the collective worship which binds us as local christians have all been disrupted. We hope the links below help you find your feet and help you worship and explore your faith.
Exploring Prayer
Over five lessons, Archbishop Justin explores different ways of praying. From asking for things and giving thanks, to expressing deep sadness and anger, Exploring Prayer helps you begin – or develop – your conversation with God.
https://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/exploring-prayer
Daily Worship
For those who want to take part in a longer and familiar service the Church of England daily offices are available on the website. You can also download the app which includes all of the readings and prayers in one place. https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily-prayer
Sunday Worship
The next diocesan live-stream will take place at 10am on Sunday, 29 March by the four bishops working together, each from their own homes (God willing). The service will be broadcast on this page, the Bishop of Oxford Facebook page, the Diocese of Oxford Facebook page, and YouTube. Ahead of the broadcast, read this excellent blog by Canon Dr Grant Bayliss on the practice of spiritual communion.
https://www.oxford.anglican.org/coronavirus-covid-19/livestream/
Messy Church
As we can’t be together, here are our ideas for a Virtual Messy Church – things to make, things to bake, stories to tell and sheets to colour. It would be wonderful if you could join the St Peter & St Paul Facebook community and share pictures of some of your Easter creations https://www.facebook.com/SaintsPeterPaulBotley/ or search for @SaintsPeterPaulBotley Please do share this with other families who may like to do some activities around the Easter Story.
St Peter & St Pauls Virtual Messy Church Pack
A Messy Church Prayer for Easter
God of all life and power
your love proved stronger than hate and evil,
stronger than death itself.
May the life of the risen Jesus live in us today and for ever.
Making traditional Easter Biscuits, the Mary Berry way (see attached PDF)
Making an Easter Garden (see attached PDF)
Make an Easter Crown (see attached PDF)
Easter Story colouring sheets ‘Young Church Mag’ which we issue with the service sheet every week has made available all of its sheets for April https://www.bathandwells.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/YCM-26-April-2020.pdf
General resources The Bible society also provides some https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/content/get_involved/easter/2017/resources/easter_colouring_sheets.pdf
https://biblestoryprintables.com/themed-bible-printables/easter-bible-printables/ The resources are free, but you have to register
Easter stories https://www.topmarks.co.uk/easter/easterstory.aspx
Worship for Families Live every Saturday, or view when you have time https://www.facebook.com/worshipforeveryone or @worshipforeveryone