BH Bulletin - Thursday 16 April 2020

Thought for the Day by Phil Moon (Vicar)

​Ebenezer. One of those words we haven’t a clue what it means.

It appears in Come Thou fount of every blessing and we sing it cheerfully, and sometimes explain it before we sing it. You’ll find it in 1Samuel 7:12 “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying “Thus far the Lord has helped us”. It’s in the context of the Philistines being a nuisance with repeated battles, and the Israelites have just won a resounding victory.
I don’t think it’s taking things too far to say exactly the same for us today in this period of lockdown. Thus far the Lord has helped us. With our loneliness; with our tech; with our food supplies; with our health; with our church services; with our pastoral care; with our family; with our mental health. And so on. And we believe that just as the Lord has been faithful and has helped us, so He will continue to be. He is our Ebenezer, our stone of help.
“Thus far has the Lord helped us.”
Phil Moon

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Easter goes on and we're still praying Easter prayers
​by Sandy Salter (Goldstone Church)

Lord of Heaven          
At Easter we celebrate new life following the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. New life as Spring brings forth chicks, lambs, longer evenings and this Easter beautiful sunshine.
You created these things.  You are Lord of heaven and creator of our earth.
This Easter your earth is being given time to heal.  With less people driving, less public transport and less planes flying your earth is healing. Let us learn from this experience that it is possible to go through life and survive whilst taking consideration of your earth. Let lessons be learnt.
It is also an opportunity to see the world united. United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, America… the virus is not choosey about the lives it destroys.
Hear the prayer of all our Christians around the world as we beg you to bring an end to this awful situation. Be with those who we know and within our congregation who have loved ones abroad.  Help them feel your peace as they lift these loved ones to you in prayer.
Help the thousands of stranded people around the world who need repatriation to get home to their loved ones and thank you again for the miracle you worked in getting Joy back from Australia.
Amen
Gentle Saviour, Closest Friend
At Easter we remember that you are our Saviour and our Father. You chose us to be your children and we are so grateful to you for that. As your children you protect us, you defend us, you want only what is best for us.
We pray for those in our lives that need your healing touch right now, family, friends at home and at church.
We think of Cliff now at home recovering from his operation and for Teresa who is caring for him. Please let the operation have been successful, let him find relief from the pain and let him feel more comfortable as time goes on.  Give Teresa the strength she needs to care for him.
And we think of dear Pam who is so poorly once more and for Mike as he cares for her.  Be close to them both during this time.  Let healing come quickly to Pam and let them both find comfort as you draw near to them.
We pray for the protection for those we love who we cannot get to right now.
We think of Mari Lush and of Beryl in care homes and pray that you will help them to understand and not to feel abandoned. We pray for their constant protection from this virus.
We also pray for the residents of the Lindridge care home, of Wayfield care home and the other care homes in our area.  For the staff who are daily putting their lives in danger to serve the elderly.
For the strength and protection for all those working in the NHS, care sectors and other key workers.
Amen.
Strong Deliverer Beginning and End
Thank you that you were there at the beginning. You created the earth. Through your perfect planning Jesus was born in Bethlehem, to die for our sins so that we might be with you for eternity. If we choose you then you will be with us all our days from the beginning until the end. Easter isn’t just about now.  Now is just a season in life. Easter is about eternity.
Easter 2020 is very different this year but your love for us is unchanged.  You continue to love us now, just as you did when you chose us to be yours, just as you will for eternity if we choose to let you. 
Thank you for the miracle of Easter.
Amen
Thank you to Sandy for yesterdays and todays Easter Prayers.

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