God’s Generosity

 
The suggested Bible readings for this week are:

Ephesians chapter 3, verses 14-21
Mark chapter 6, verses 30-44

 
You might also like to use these intercessionary prayers:

Let us pray to God who is generous and compassionate.
Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us

Lord Jesus, you look upon your people with compassion. We pray for all who exercise leadership within your church; may they be filled with care and concern for all, seeking first your kingdom...

Let us pray to God who is generous and compassionate.
Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us

Lord Jesus you look upon your world with compassion. We pray for the leaders of the world, guide them with your light, that stirred by the Holy Spirit they may be filled with concern and love and that in all they do they may seek justice and truth...

Let us pray to God who is generous and compassionate.
Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us

Lord Jesus the disciples, stirred by your words, reached out and cared for others. We pray for the communities from which we are drawn, that we may seek to minister your love to all those around us...

Let us pray to God who is generous and compassionate.
Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us

Lord Jesus look with care and compassion on all who are ill that by your healing power they may be made whole. Especially we pray for...

Let us pray to God who is generous and compassionate.
Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us

Generous and compassionate God,
accept our prayers and stir in us a generosity of spirit that comes from you. Amen.

 
Week three, starting on Sunday 19th September, sees us focus on Thanksgiving as we give thanks for all we have received ourselves and for all the generosity that has come before which has made our churches what they are today.

Finally, on Sunday 3rd October, we look at what Our Response could be.

As the campaign draws to an end, we think and consider how we are going to respond in our own lives, through our own giving.

We will be invited to complete a pledge form with how we have decided to respond.

The campaign is supported by a range of adaptable resources, everything from video sermons from our Bishops to a special leaflet available in your churches that is packed with a host of practical ideas to help to engage you at a personal level.

Together as a Diocese, we are committed to supporting each other in our churches as we bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the communities we serve. Resourcing stewardship and giving was endorsed by the October 2020 Diocesan Synod as part of our response to the budget.

So this autumn we are resourcing a Diocesan-wide Generous Giving Campaign with an open invitation to our parishes to take part if they are able.

The resources are flexible and the campaign remains open to parishes to join at any time over the next 6 months.