Hello everyone,

As the nights draw in, the weather turns colder and we consider the need to turn on lights and the heating at home, please take a moment to remember the many who are still struggling with the cost of living.

Pray for the work of organisations such as Christians Against Poverty (https://capuk.org/) and Acts 435 (https://www.acts435.org.uk/), and for our local foodbanks as demand remains so high.

Upcoming Services:

On Saturday 2^nd November we have two Lights of Love services: one at Donisthorpe at 2pm and one at Packington at 3pm. Do invite any families you know to these special services of remembrance and reflection. During the service we will pray by name for those who are to be remembered, and you can light a candle for your loved one.

This Sunday (3^rd) we have services of Holy Communion at Measham, Normanton and Snarestone, Morning Prayer at Donisthorpe and Swepstone, and Morning Worship with guest speaker Jane Henderson from Church Army at Packington, all at 10.00am.

Looking ahead:

There will be midweek Communion at Appleby at 10.00am on Wednesday.

Snarestone have a Coffee Morning at Snarestone House Farm from 10.30am to noon on Wednesday.

Activeage meet at 11.00am in Measham Church Hall also on Wednesday.

Kids Kingdom Baby & Toddler group meet on Thursday morning from 9.00am to 11.00am in Appleby Church Hall.

Packington’s ‘Come and See’ for school years 7-9, is later on Thursday at 3.45 to 5.00pm.

Next Sunday (10^th) is Remembrance Sunday. There will be special services of remembrance across our team as follows:

9.30am at Measham and Norton

10.00am at Donisthorpe

10.30am at Moira War Memorial and Swepstone

10.45am at Appleby and Packington

10.55am at Snarestone War Memorial

Further ahead, Donisthorpe will be having a Beetle Drive evening in church on Friday 15^th November at 7.00pm with a two-course meal and a drink, followed by the Beetle Drive. Tickets are £12 available from Joan Smith, 07837 028439.

Woodfield Team prayer

God our Father, you long to draw all people into your love.

Increase in number your church throughout the Woodfield Team; deepen us as followers and learners of Christ; and give us courage to share the good news of your kingdom.

We pray this in the power of your Spirit, to the glory of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect for Sunday 3^rd November – The Fourth Sunday before Advent

God of glory,

touch our lips with the fire of your Spirit,

that we with all creation

may rejoice to sing your praise;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Reading for 3^rd November – Mark 12.28-34 New International Version (UK)

The greatest commandment

²⁸ One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’

²⁹ ‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” ³¹ The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these.’

³² ‘Well said, teacher,’ the man replied. ‘You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. ³³ To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.’

³⁴ When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

Prayers for today:

We pray:

Eternal Lord, you are our creator and sustainer. We bring before you the needs of our church, our world, our communities, and ourselves:

• We pray for your church throughout the world; for all those who seek God at home, at work, in the streets, and in the pews, for all who search for life.  We pray for the stillness to listen to the voice of the Spirit, to recognise what you have already done for us, and to give you our endless thanks and praise. 
• God of all creation, you gave to us the care of our planet and yet all that we seem to do is spoil it.  We pollute the atmosphere in our striving for worldly goods, we endanger the lives of your animal kingdom in our constant desire for farmland and cash crops, and we bring death and destruction in senseless wars and acts of terrorism.  We pray for a time when common sense rules and we all learn once again to be good stewards of your wonderful creation.
• God of Compassion, bring healing and peace to the nations in conflict and where there is political instability. Protect those who are poor and hungry and give them hope. Move those with plenty to share with those who have little, and help all people to love their neighbour as themselves.
• God of Healing, we pray for all who bear the burdens of pain, bereavement, anxiety and depression. We pray for those whose illness stems from financial problems. We pray that they may have an awareness of your presence and an understanding that you are bearing those burdens with them and always working towards their healing and wholeness.
• Loving God, we remember in these prayers those who have died, those we have known and loved, and those known only to you.  Help us to leave them with you in perfect trust, knowing that you care for them and for us with infinite love.
• Faithful God, we commend ourselves and all for whom we have prayed to your mercy and protection.

Amen.