Today is Ascension Day when, as we can read in Acts chapter 1 verses 1-11, Jesus was taken back into heaven before the sight of the Disciples. The angels challenge the disciples, asking them why they stand staring up into the sky, and sending them back into the world to follow their calling as disciples of Christ. They are to await the coming of the Holy Spirit upon them, which will empower them to become the people they are called to become.
From today until Pentecost Sunday we are invited into a process of prayer and preparation. Thy Kingdom Come is an international and ecumenical initiative of prayer. As we stand staring up into the heavens, wondering what happened, we are challenged to turn our eyes and hearts back to the world in which we live and move and have our being. I would encourage you to participate in the Thy Kingdom Come initiative and come back for the daily material which will be posted here on our website.
Prayer from Ascension Day to Pentecost: Thy Kingdom Come
Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray between Ascension Day (21 May) and Pentecost (31 May) for more people to come to know Christ. The movement is supported by the Methodist Church in Britain.
Daily Videos for reflection
Sunday's worship is being led by three of our Local Preachers, Peter Owen, Norman Unsworth and Dawn Allison. I appreciate their contribution to our worship life and especially appreciate that they have given me a little bit of respite from the challenges of creating our worship online week by week. Go to the usual worship page of our website to participate or go to the usual telephone number if you are accessing worship in that form.
I hope that all remains well, please let me know if there is anything that you need.
Blessings abound!
Adrian
The Rev Dr Adrian Burdon
Superintendent Minister
Shaw & Royton Circuit of the Methodist Church
Quick Links
Registered Charity no. 1194708
