Stockton Methodist Circuit

ORDINARY 28A 11th October 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

ORDINARY 27A 4th October 2026 A short act of worship and daily devotions Opening Prayers Find a comfortable place to sit and close your eyes. Rest your hands on your lap and allow your fingers to settle in place. Take a deep breath in through your nose, and slowly let it out through your mouth. Lock your fingers together. Think of the people you share your life with…the connections you have…the networks you are a part of…your loved ones, friends, family, colleagues. Allow you

ORDINARY 26A 27th September 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 opportunitie

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