Sing to the Lord, and praise him! Proclaim every day the good news that he has saved us (Psalm 96.2, GNB).

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Opening

Speak these words out loud:

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.

Jeremiah 17.7 (NIV)

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 20.18

I like a good plan: neat, ordered, clear, with a purpose. Solomon likewise knew the wisdom and importance of taking advice, and being well prepared. Don’t forget: in those days battles and war were constant.

Helmuth von Moltke the Elder once said, ‘The tactical result of an engagement forms the base for new strategic decisions because victory or defeat in a battle changes the situation to such a degree that no human acumen is able to see beyond the first battle.’ (!) You may know it better in a paraphrase: ‘No plan survives contact with the enemy.’

There is wisdom in both teachings – and it is important for churches too. Sometimes people tell me, ‘Why can’t the church just get on with stuff instead of talking about it all the time?’ Other times people tell me, ‘Why is church stuff so slapdash, why can’t we spend more time preparing?’

Both are right, and both need to listen to each other. At the moment (as you read) the PCC is going through an important process talking about visions and plans for the future. It’s something we’ve done before, and it’s something we’ll need to do again – why?

Because a) planning is vital, and b) plans need to change as circumstances change. We must walk the line between being well-prepared, and flexible enough to adapt. It’s not easy – so please pray for the PCC as we discuss!

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:

Peter & Jane Sheppard, John & Cathy Ward

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: Tamworth Christian Churches (TCC)

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.