It’s Ascension Day this Thursday (18th) and there will be a barbecue at The Rectory, 25 Upper Hale Road, from 6pm, followed by a short communion service at 7.30pm.
Bring your own alcoholic drinks and meat. Buns, salad and soft drinks provided.
All ages welcome.
During the period of Thy Kingdom Come, we are asking people if they can create prayer stations at home and send them to us (news@badshotleaandhale.org)
Here is one which Michelle Chapman has made – a finger labyrinth with instructions which we have reproduced below.
Praying with the finger labyrinth
Once prepared
Coming out of the Labyrinth
Thy Kingdom Come – words so many of us know from the Lord’s Prayer, and, since 2016, the name given to the days between Ascension and Pentecost (this year May 21-31) which are set aside by many churches and individuals as a time of prayer.
We are joining in – church closures can’t get in the way of prayer! Every day we will be posting a video below, and, at midday you will find a version of the Lord’s Prayer spoken (or sung) by a member of the parish. There are also loads of wonderful resources on the Thy Kingdom Come website, including an app for Apple and Android.
Then there is a fun, interactive prayer map (the Archbishop of Canterbury is said to be a bit of a fan), with a daily podcast , a prayer journal, a Novena (a guide for nine days of prayer), and other ideas. It will end on Pentecost Sunday when we will be having three services – 9.30am formal, 10.30am informal, and 6pm all-sung (even the sermon!).
Day 11: This Pentecost is very different from last year’s but it is the same Spirit! Here are some highlights from last year:
Day 10: Can you meet God in silence?
Day Nine:
A touching video about what adoption into God’s family means:
Day Eight:
Pope Francis prays ‘Thy Kingdom Come’:
Day Seven:
Faith on a different frontline.
Christian Armed Service workers share about the power of faith on the frontline and how it sustains them through difficult times.
Day Six: The power of prayer.
Methodist Youth president, Thelma Commey reflects on God’s love through praying and serving others.
Day Five: Watch Eye Can Talk author Jonathan Bryan reflect on what it means to offer our lives to God irrespective of our circumstances.
Day Four and a moving story about the life-giving, transforming, rescuing power of Jesus, with us in real darkness, in light and in everything:
Day Three and two videos. In the first, Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church talks about giving thanks and in the second emergency workers talk about prayer:
Day Two, focuses on praise and a new hymn for Thy Kingdom Come:
Day one of Thy Kingdom Come:
Next Thursday (May 21), we will be celebrating Ascension Day online with a special service for all ages which will be available on this website from 7.30pm.
Ascension Day is a Christian festival which takes place 40 days after Easter Sunday, and which celebrates the story of Jesus ascending to heaven as told in the Bible in the book of Acts, Chapter 1.
The service will incorporate many of the elements which will be familiar to followers of the parish – hymns on fiddle, double bass and keyboard, photos of members of the church looking up to the sky (they may even be wearing tea towels on their heads in time-honoured fashion), prayers, a story about the impact of Jesus on the life of his disciples and a talk about the impact he still has. There will be contributions from people from all across the parish.
We do still need a bit of help though. Can you pop a tea towel or scarf on your own head and transport yourself back 2,000 years to the time just after Jesus died and rose again? Imagine you are one of the disciples and you are with Jesus when he ascends to heaven. Look up to the sky and take a selfie.
Maxine Everitt, who is organising the service along with Kris Lawrence, explains a bit more: “We would like you to imagine what it would have been like to watch Jesus ascend into heaven; the tea towel or scarf is to help you get into character.
“What would you be thinking? Can you capture that in an expression? Individuals, couples and families including youngsters would be great too – Please!”
Once you have taken your selfie, send it to Alan, then join us here on Thursday, May 21, from 7.30pm or on Facebook.
The Parish of Badshot Lea and Hale 