The Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene, Clitheroe

Home Clergy and Officers Organisations Worship & Prayer What's On Choir Hymns and Music Organ Music at St. Mary’s History Early views of the church Church processions Parish Magazine

Worship & Prayer SERVICES Every Sunday: 8.00am Holy Communion (said) - CW Order One in Traditional Language; 9.45am Parish Communion (with choir) - CW Order One; 6.30pm Evening Prayer (said) - Choral Evensong usually on 3rd Sunday of each month. Friday weekly: 10.30am Holy Communion (said) - CW Order One in Traditional Language THE PRAYER NETWORK This is a group of about a dozen people who offer prayers at least once a week in their own homes as a result of requests made to them. They pray for individuals who are in any kind of need. Requests for names to be included may be made either by filling in a card to be found in the pews or by asking one of the group. The Vicar coordinates the list which is then circulated to members on a regular basis. The information given to the group is confidential and sometimes names are changed to preserve this. "Prayer is part of the mission of the Church. It is allowing God to do his work in us." Father Peter Huckle. You can also pray while you work. Work doesn't stop prayer and prayer doesn't stop work. It requires only the small raising of the mind to God. "I love you, God, I trust you, I believe in you, I need you now", small things like that. They are wonderful prayers. Mother Teresa Intercession Holding a name, lovingly, trustingly before God, without diagnosing the person's need, or telling God what to do, leaving God to do in love what is most needed. The name may be repeated many times, on the lips or in the mind, and then held silently in the heart. If our Lord's name is added after the one for whom we are praying, his love is invoked to magnify our own human love. George Appleton A few suggestions Almighty God, you are the source of health and healing, the spirit of calm and the central peace of the universe. We ask that you would fill all for whom we pray, with such an awareness of your presence within, that they may have complete confidence in you. In all pain and weariness and anxiety may they rest in your protecting care; may they know themselves to be encircled by your loving power so that they may allow you to give them health and strength and peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Avery Brooke (adapted) Watch, 0 Lord, with those who wake, or watch or weep tonight. And give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend you sick ones, 0 Lord Christ. Rest your weary ones. Bless your dying ones. Soothe your suffering ones. Pity your afflicted ones. Shield your joyous ones. And all for your love's sake. St Augustine of Hippo "Breath" prayers (Names)           May the power of God protect you                         May the love of Jesus heal you                         May the wisdom of the spirit guide you                         Now and forever                         Lord Jesus have mercy on them Heavenly Father, we commend to your love and care, those who suffer in body, mind or spirit, and especially those known to us whom we hold up to you in silence now... In your goodness and mercy grant them health of body, soundness of mind and peace of heart, that in wholeness of being they may glorify your name. Frank Colquhoun Almighty God, in the name of Jesus your Son, who healed the sick and consoled the sad, we pray for all who suffer                   - through sickness of body or mind                   -  through fear or depression                   - through loneliness or bereavement... and we ask that according to your will they may be healed and comforted, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Almighty God, giver of life and health. Send your blessing on all who are sick and upon those who minister to them, that all weakness may be vanquished by the triumph of the Risen Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son; Accept and fulfil our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty God, the comfort of the sad, the strength of all who suffer, Hear the prayers of your children who cry to you. And to every soul that is distressed. Grant mercy, relief and refreshment, Through Jesus Christ our Lord. It is hoped that these thoughts and prayers may be helpful, but that each individual will bring his or her own prayers to form part of this Network. Parish Prayer Diary We have our own Prayer Diary for each month which is published in our monthly Parish Magazine. To find the current Parish Magazine click here. SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday School meets every Sunday (except Parade Sundays). The children are collected from church during the first hymn of the 9.45am service and are guided by the Sunday School teachers (plus any parents or grandparents who wish to attend with their child/grandchild) to St. Mary’s Centre where Sunday School takes place. On Parade services the children participate in the service by carrying our Sunday School flag to the altar. On certain ‘Sunday School’ Parade services the children take also part in the readings and collection. At the moment there are five Sunday School teachers who take it in turns to lead the Sunday School. This creates variety for the children and allows the teachers to be present in the service when not ‘on duty’. The number of children varies week by week, and there are also a variety of ages from babies to late primary school age. New members are always welcome! In the course of a normal Sunday School session we usually have a starter game followed by a teaching/bible story in which the children often participate by acting out the story. This is usually followed by a practical ‘main activity’ such as collage, model making, puzzles etc. We return to the service in time for Holy Communion. At the end of the service (during the notices) all the Sunday School attendees go to the altar to present a summary of their morning to the congregation and show off what they have made. In addition to our usual programme we have seasonal celebrations, (at Christmas etc.) and each child’s birthday is celebrated by a gift and a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’! Our Sunday School sessions are generally quite short (about 35-40 minutes) so when we have a big project we can arrange to have a longer Saturday afternoon session, as we did when producing our Sunday School collage (see picture). There are many biblical connections/references in this collage- see if you can spot them all! The children really enjoyed producing the collage (as did the adults) and have produced a lovely piece of artwork to inform visitors of the Sunday School presence at St. Mary’s. As mentioned before, new members (and teachers!) are always welcome. Any enquires tel. Janet Barnes on (01200) 423049.