Stockton Methodist Circuit

ORDINARY 25A 20th September 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers Take time to find something in your home that you hold as precious and important. It may be a photograph, a flower or personal item. Whatever you choose, consider: What is it that makes it important to you? What memories does it hold? How do you feel about it and what would happen if you lost it? Now imagine that God is holding you as precious and important: Loving and caring for you

ORDINARY 23A 6th September 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers God is everywhere, In this space and all spaces In this time and all times. God is waiting to meet you and is ready to welcome you Just as it has been for all eternity, So be still. Pause Get ready to notice the spirit working, Through words on the page, Through sounds around you, Through familiar and unfamiliar smells, Through all that you see when you look up from what you are readin

ORDINARY 22A 30th August 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Hymn / Song: 20 STF – Be still for the presence of the lord – YouTube Opening Prayers Be still, in the midst of the noise. Be still, in the midst of the business. Be still, in the midst of all the distractions and the other places you could be today. Be still, for the Spirit of God is here, and is calling you to notice, If you can just be still. When all around is noisy and busy, help me in this

ORDINARY 21A 23rd August 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers God is everywhere, In this space and all spaces, In this time and all times. God is waiting to meet you and is ready to welcome you, Just as it has been for all eternity. So be still. Pause Get ready to notice the spirit working, Through words on the page, Through sounds around you, Through familiar and unfamiliar smells, Through all that you see when you look up from what you are reading

ORDINARY 20A 16th August 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers The light shines in the darkness, The joy comes in the morning, The hope rises, each new day. As I turn to meet with you today, As I lay down my burdens for a moment, As I ask forgiveness for my mistakes, And find acceptance in your love, Help me to see you here, alongside me, I pray, And help me to hear your call on my life, As I seek to follow you, God of all grace. Amen. You may now wi

ORDINARY 19A 9th August 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers Sit down, close your eyes and breathe three deep, slow breaths. Keeping your eyes closed, pay attention to your breath for a minute or more and in doing so, when you breathe in, imagine you are breathing in the love of God. When you open your eyes look around you, what do you notice in your room that reminds you of the love of God? If this is something you can hold, hold it, if it is to be

ORDINARY 18A 2nd August 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers Today our opening prayers come at an invitation from our friends at All We Can, as part of joining with them in a commitment to pray, act and respond to the conflict in Palestine/ Israel, and include an invitation to support their Middle East Justice Appeal. You might like to hold a moment of quiet, and light a candle if you have one available. In your humanity, incarnate God, you walked t

ORDINARY 17A 26th July 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers Take time to read this prayer: God of all creation, I worship you. You know me: what I need, what I rejoice in, what I’m nervous about. You see me: as the unique individual you created with all my little habits and characteristics. You hear me: when I pray aloud or silently. You meet me: here and now and I am content. God of all creation, I worship you. Amen. Wonder to yourself if you are r

ORDINARY 16A 19th July 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers Take a moment to be peaceful. If you are able you may like to plant your feet on the floor and concentrate on your body being still (if this is hard then do just sit quietly and comfortably). Notice how you feel and what you are thinking about and let those things float away giving thanks for each even if they are difficult feelings or thoughts. When you are ready: raise your hands open bef

ORDINARY 15A 12th July 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers As you sit here in this space you call your own ready to meet the living God remember… You are connected to people of faith worshipping in different ways and places. You are part of a community of saints that have worshipped for generations. You are joined with others across the world choosing to do the same. Here in this special space where God has been for all time you are free to worship

ORDINARY 14A 5th July 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers Look at your feet. Notice the scraps and marks on your shoes or slippers, or if your feet are bare notice the lines and wrinkles. Wriggle your toes and notice how that feels. Look at the ground your feet are on. Is it a carpet? Or wood? Laminate or something else? When you are ready, offer this time of worship to God “Creator God, thank you that my feet are on holy ground. As I sit here I c

ORDINARY 12A 21st June 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers If you have a candle, find it and something to light it. Put it somewhere you can see it. If you do not have a candle, use a lamp. As you light the candle, or light the lamp, say these words: “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never put it out” Sit in silence and notice the light and the shadows in the room. When you are ready, offer this time of worship to God. You migh

ORDINARY 11A 14th June 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening prayers As sure as the sun rises, So sure can I be of your love for me, Of your grace, going before me. Come into this space, this day, I pray, O God, That I might know your presence and sense your hand at work in my life. May I become aware of your Spirit, I pray, O God. And may I be still. [Hold a moment of quiet, perhaps noticing your breathing and stilling your mind for as long as you dare. Whe

ORDINARY 10A 7th June 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers Sit down, close your eyes and breathe three deep, slow breaths. Keeping your eyes closed, pay attention to your breath for a minute or more and in doing so, when you breathe in, imagine you are breathing in the love of God. When you open your eyes look around you, what do you notice in your room that reminds you of the love of God? If this is something you can hold, hold it, if it is to be l

TRINITY SUNDAY 31st May 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers On this Trinity Sunday, take a moment to pause in prayer. Find a comfortable position to sit or lie down in. Take a deep breath in through your nose, and let it out through your mouth When you are ready, say out loud or in your head… Lord, I come into your presence Breathe in…breathe out… I come just as I am Breathe in…breathe out… I bring everything I have experienced this past week - the

EASTER 7A 17th May 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers As you sit here in this space you call your own ready to meet the living God remember: You are connected to people of faith worshipping in different ways and places. You are part of a community of saints that have worshipped for generations. You are joined with others across the world choosing to do the same. Here in this special space where God has been for all time you are free to worship. So

EASTER 6A 10th May 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers As I come into this space, O God, I bring myself, just as I am, bringing all my baggage, all my grief, all my pain. I bring my worries, my doubts, my fears, my regrets, The fear that I am not enough, not doing enough, not fulfilling my potential. As I come into this space, O God, Help me to remember that I am lovingly made in your image, and that I am loved, Loved unconditionally, Loved more th

EASTER 5A 3rd May 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers Lord of my life, Lord of every life, I give you thanks for this world, the beauty that is all around me, the people with whom I share my life. Let my soul sing out in awe and wonder, Let me give thanks. Lord of all life, I know, though, that sometimes I forget the wonder of your world. I don’t respect and protect the beauty that surrounds me, everyday. I can be unthinking and uncaring towards th

EASTER 4A 26th April 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers Use the following words to help centre yourself in the moment. Say them out loud, or speak them in your mind. Jesus, open my heart. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word in a new way. Jesus, open my heart. Listen for God’s voice, calling you to serve others and love radically. Jesus, open my heart. Hold the joys, regrets and frustrations from the week, and look ahead to the opportunities next

EASTER 3A 19th April 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers In the midst of the business and busy-ness of this week, Come holy Lord. In the midst of the fear and conflict in our world, Come prince of peace. In the midst of the signs of spring around us, Light up our life with your love, I pray. [Pause] Open my eyes and my heart to what a life with you truly is, a life full of hope, healing, gratitude, love, and above all, faith. Awaken my body, mind a