WEEKLY UPDATE As we remain at home, we as church continue to be alive and connected. We would like to give you a weekly update especially to those that do not have access to the internet or social media. We hope that through this you may encounter the Lord’s blessing and stay connected in the life of the St John’s church community in Copthorne.

From our 9.30 Service on Sunday, 3rd May

Paul and Mary Smith led our 9.30am service. They moved to Copthorne in 1977 from Snodland (yes - the land of the Snods!) and were members of Christchurch (URC) Crawley until they joined St John’s in 1992. Paul was ordained on 2002 and served for many years as Assistant Priest in Copthorne until retirement a few years ago. Mary has a leading role in the prayer life of the church and co-runs our prayer group. Over the years they have petitioned God for many things and have found that God answers prayer, but not always in the expected way!

Reflections on the service by Liz Logan

In this Easter season, we have, as a church, been exploring the wonderful theme of prayer, surely one of the richest aspects of the Christian life. Prayer holds its challenges and often we feel that we fail. It is heartening to remind ourselves that this was true too for the disciples, who, having seen the depth of Jesus’ prayer life, wanted to experience something of that same intimacy with God, whom he called Father, and, who seemed to provide the joyful inspiration for his whole life and ministry. What Jesus gave them by way of instruction with the Lord’s Prayer, which we have inherited, and because of his saving act upon the Cross, we now share that same privilege of being able to call on God our Creator and the sustainer of all life, as our good Father, who knows our needs better than we know them ourselves.

Each week one aspect of prayer has been examined, as we explore the meaning of each line of the Lord’s Prayer. This week we looked at the prayer of PETITION, through the words “Give us this day our daily bread.” Joelle, who has been actively involved at St. Johns Church for several years, was interviewed by Wim. Petition is to do with asking - naming our needs, in the belief that our loving Father wants us to turn to him, and to ask him with a child-like trust. For Joelle, petition is the type of prayer that comes most naturally and easily; as is often the case, it really began for her through her own personal tragedy of losing a child. at a time when any conversation was difficult, and prayer especially so, all she could pray was the Lord’s Prayer. Joelle explained that she often still says this prayer, but for her, prayer is simply talking to God and asking in her need; she worries though that praying for herself makes her sometimes feel unworthy and selfish. With gratitude she believes that God both heard and answered her prayer, through the comfort and strength she received from a timely visit by her Minister, helping her and making a difference to her in her sadness. It is this same comfort that she longed to pass on to others in their need, so gradually she has found her prayers of petition extending outwards from herself, to include friends and neighbours, and even strangers in the street. In common with all of us, she adds praying for others can seem an overwhelming task – often she doesn’t know where to start, or even what to pray; she has learned to call upon the Holy Spirit, who is our helper. He knows the thoughts of our hearts, and just as vitally, knows the will of God, helping us to align our prayers to his will. Just naming that person and asking God’s blessing on their life will make a difference. Such responsive prayer can happen any time, any place, anywhere!

It was inspiring to hear Joelle say that this work of prayer for others has changed her life and drawn her into an even closer relationship with God. Perhaps this is because when we pray in this way, not only do we find restoration for our own lives, but also get drawn up into his redemptive purposes for others.

Bible Reading - Matthew 7 v 7-12 - Ask, Seek, Knock

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Hymn – Lead us Heavenly Father Lead us

1 Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us thou didst feel its keenest woe; o'er the world's tempestuous sea; lone and dreary, faint and weary, guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us, through the desert thou didst go. for we have no help but thee; yet possessing every blessing, 3 Spirit of our God, descending, if our God our Father be. fill our hearts with heavenly joy, love with every passion blending, 2 Saviour, breathe forgiveness o'er us: pleasure that can never cloy: all our weakness thou dost know; thus provided, pardoned, guided, thou didst tread this earth before us, nothing can our peace destroy.

News from the Diocese

Welcome to our New Suffragan Bishops

Last week 10 Downing Street announced the names of the new bishops of Horsham and Lewes to serve as suffragan bishops in the . The Revd Ruth Bushyager, currently Vicar of St Paul’s, Dorking in the will serve as and the Revd William Hazlewood, currently Vicar of the United Benefice of Dartmouth and Dittisham in the Diocese of Exeter will be the next . The , Dr , said it was “a very significant day in the life of the Diocese of Chichester. It is the outcome of prayer, across the diocese and beyond, that has sustained us in this complex and demanding appointment process. “We gladly open our hearts to Ruth and to Will, and to the wonderfully diverse gifts and experience they will bring to our apostolic life, as we welcome them and their families into this household of faith.”

Christian Aid Week

Next week it is Christian Aid Week. Like many church activities at the moment, Christian Aid Week is being done differently and digitally this year. We stand with communities across the world who are most vulnerable to coronavirus. We pray for Christian Aid partners working to provide education, soap and buckets ensuring they are kept as safe as possible.

Website: copthornechurch.org Email: [email protected] Rev. Wim Mauritz: 01342 457064 Office: 01342 712063