Stockton Methodist Circuit

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

EASTER 2A 12th April 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers 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 things I’m proud of, and the things I wish had been diffe

EASTER SUNDAY A 5th April 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers Risen Lord, First there was nothing, then there was light. Later, the stone was rolled away, revealing the emptiness of the tomb. What was once seen as sorrow, you turned into joy and a sense of peace. What once was lost, you restored to life. On this Easter Sunday, I come to you in prayer, O God, and give thanks because you raised Christ from death, you held my hand and lifted me, lifte

PALM SUNDAY A 29th March 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening prayers Lord of light, Shine into the midst of this day, Bring me life and light and hope and joy as I worship you, I pray. Pause Today, I thank you for your enduring love and your ongoing presence in my life, even when it can all just feel too much sometimes. O God, My God, You are good; your love endures forever. Today, I give thanks for those closest to me. For the overwhelming love I feel f

LENT 5A 22nd March 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers Come and meet me here, O Lord, Help me to notice your presence in this space, no matter how ordinary, In this holy time and place, and in every moment of my life. Come, Lord Jesus, by your Spirit I pray. [Pause] God of love and forgiveness, I come before you today bringing all of who I am, and have been and all of who I will be. I bring my joys, my fears, my pains and my heartbreaks. I also

LENT 4A 15th March 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

LENT 3A 8th March 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

LENT 2A A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers Throughout the ages, people have turned aside from productivity and business in order to worship. Across the centuries, we have turned our praise to God on high. Today, you are joining in with this ancient tradition, And marking this Lord’s day, in this place, wherever you are today. Hold a period of quiet, and then join in with these words, reading aloud or in your head, when you are ready. Loving Lord, As

LENT 1A 22nd February 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers Now is the time to worship, Now is the time to open your heart, Now is the time to receive God’s blessing, Now is the time to be inspired to follow Christ again this week, Now is the time to be attentive to what the Spirit may be asking you to do. Now is here, come Lord Jesus. Christ, the forgiver and redeemer, I praise you. How wonderful that you know what it is to be in the wilderness, wa

TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY A 15th February 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

EPIPHANY 5A 8th February 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers Hush. Be still. Rest in this House of God. You are welcome here. Hush. Be still. Come with all you are, the bitter and broken bits, the shining and shimmering parts, the questions and the doubts, the convictions and the certainties. Hush. Be still. Bow your knees in quiet humility (you might like to physically do this, or simply imagine it). As you, find a way to confess and know your ow