Our church building may be closed, but God’s eyes are open and his ears are attentive to our prayers (2 Chronicles 7.15).

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Opening

Speak these words out loud:

Let us build with care,
building on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

from 1 Corinthians 3.10-11

Today’s Proverb

Read the proverb through three or four times, slowly. Pause in-between, maybe write it out by hand – savour the words, let them speak deeply to you.

Proverbs 16.8

Yesterday the news was full of the fact that Apple Computer is now worth more than every company listed in the FTSE 100 put together: $2.3tn. Yes, that isn’t a typo, it really is 2.3 trillion dollars. Although they are much better now, the conditions in their factories used to be appalling – and of course the cheaper they are to make, the more profit each phone brings.

Jeff Bezos is the world’s richest man, but his wealth is built on the exploitation of Amazon warehouse workers, delivery drivers, and companies driven out of business because of the lower cost of doing business online.

You may not want an gold-plated elevator (as Donald Trump has) but I’d be surprised if even just a little part of you isn’t a teeny bit jealous of his wealth. Who wouldn’t want to provide for their family, support good causes, see the world, live in security and comfort?

And yet, honesty is both free and far more valuable than wealth. Seeking justice and equity for other people is far more precious than getting whatever you can out of life.

The problem is we can often find ourselves with the worst of both worlds: being full of dishonesty and greed, but without the massive bank balance. You’re unlikely to get the bank balance, but we can all live with honesty.

Are you willing to cut out the lies – even the ‘tiny little ones that don’t hurt anyone’?

Prayers

Pray for Five – pray for your five friends / family from Thy Kingdom Come.

Our daily prayer sheet includes the names of everyone for whom we have a signed church family directory form – and local parishes and senior church leaders. Today we are praying for:

Irene Davies, Alan & Joyce Page, Rita Harris

Father, please bless them with your peace, and a deep awareness of your presence with them, every day and in every way.

We also pray for: Local Councillors

Please pray for our leaders and healthcare workers, and all those working to keep us safe, well, and fed. Please pray that people would unselfishly put others before themselves.

Church Family Prayer

Come Holy Spirit,
and make us one in heart and action,
so that we can serve God faithfully:
abounding in love,
maturing in holiness,
and seeking out the lost.
Help us grow as disciples of Jesus –
in commitment, in depth, and in number –
that we may be a blessing to Amington;
to the glory and praise of God the Father.
Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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.

Closing Prayer

Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labour in vain.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus
the only way to the Father.

Psalm 127.1, Hebrews 12.2 & John 14.6

May Christ our Saviour give us peace.
Amen.