A SPECIAL WORD from Paul Kerry ...

Dear St Bridget's church family,

No doubt by now we have all heard the news about the Queen's death this afternoon (8 September). We grieve with the nation and world at the loss of a faithful servant of her people and even more so of the Jesus she knew and found hope in. In history Queen Victoria was said to have hoped Jesus would come back in her lifetime in order that she might lay her crown down at his feet - our most recent monarch will be in divine presence now rejoicing to do the very same. This was her hope and it is ours too.

As a way of expressing our shared grief at her death and our thankfulness for her life we would like to extend the following invitations to you:

Tomorrow (Friday 9th) the church will be open for a drop in. At the top of the building in the choir stalls there will be a candle lit with the Queen's photo to allow you to pray and reflect on her life.

Sunday (11th) there will be the usual 10:45am service but there will also be a special 4:30pm service of mourning and giving thanks for the Queen, her reign, her faith and the family she leaves behind. It would be a huge blessing to us as a community to meet one another there.

This comes as ever with my heartfelt prayers for us all

Many thanks

Paul Kerry

A WORD FROM ... Paul Kerry

Verse: Romans 8:14

‘For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.’

- The Lord does not want us to do life alone.
- He wants us to know that He is with us to lead us each step of the way.
- God’s Holy Spirit wants to show you which way to go.
- It is part of our privilege, as children of God, to know this dimension.

PRAYER: Lord, I ask that Your Holy Spirit will come right now and invade my heart and my life. May I know what it means to be led and guided by Your Spirit so that I can do what pleases You. Amen.

Stay safe and God Bless,

Paul

A WORD FROM ... Paul Kerry

Dear All,

Verse: John 7:38

‘Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’

- The Lord wants you to be alive from the inside out.
- He wants His life, the life of God, to be alive within you.
- As you believe in Him, this life can begin to flow like a river.
- His living water can come and bring new life to your heart and soul.

PRAYER: Lord, I pray that Your living water will start to flow afresh in my life. May I know that life-giving flow, which comes from You, flowing through my very being. Amen.

As Covid cases are still on the rise please do take care and stay safe,

Paul

A WORD FROM ... Paul Kerry

Dear All,

Verse: Genesis 22:12

The Angel said, ‘for I know that God is first in your life…’

- The Lord deserves to have first place in our lives.
- There are so many things demanding our attention.
- But the choice is ours to put first things first.
- Once we have settled this, God will work out the other issues.

PRAYER: Lord, I declare that You are the One Who is first in my life. I give You that position of honour and authority because I know that You have my best interests at heart. Amen.

As Covid cases are on the rise again please do take care and stay safe,

Paul

A WORD FROM ... Paul Kerry

Dear All,

Verse: Genesis 21:22
At that time Abimelek and the commander of his forces said to Abraham, ‘God is with you in everything you do.’

- When God is on our side, even others can see it.
- The fact that God is with you changes the dynamic of what you’re dealing with.
- Today God is with you, helping you in everything you do.
- As you walk in His steps, it will be obvious to others that He is with you.

PRAYER: Lord, I pray that others around me will see that You are with me and that You are helping me. May my life be a testimony to the fact that my Living God is with me in everything I do. Amen.

Take care and stay safe,

Paul

A WORD FROM ... Paul Kerry

Dear All,

Verse: Acts 4:33

‘The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all.’

- It’s time for us to live in the powerful knowledge that He is alive.
- We have a great hope because we have a living Saviour.
- May our lives reflect the greatness that lives within us.
- May you know and enjoy His blessing and favour on your life.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for all You have done for me. May my life be a powerful testimony to the fact that You live within my heart, and may I enjoy Your great blessing on my life. Amen.

Take care and stay safe,

Paul

A WORD FROM ... Paul Kerry

Dear All,

Verse: Romans 5:8

‘But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’

- This Good Friday we remember our great God and how He died for us.
- God knew what humanity needed and He gave His Son, Jesus.
- He died on a cross so that we can be forgiven and given eternal life.
- His death was the greatest demonstration of His love for you and me.

PRAYER: Lord, I take this moment to remember what You did for me on that cross, all those years ago. Thank You for Your great love and sacrifice for me. May I never forget the great price that was paid for my life. Amen.

Take care and stay safe,

Paul

A WORD FROM ... Paul Kerry

Dear All,

Verse: Philippians 4:6

‘Do not be anxious about anything…’

- In life, and now more than ever, worries and cares are a reality.
- Who isn’t concerned about all that is going on around us?
- At times like these we can take God’s Word and apply it to our lives.
- Without fear, you can bring your requests to God – He is your Father.

PRAYER: Lord, at this time, and in the middle of all that is going on, I choose to trust in You and not to live in fear and anxiety. You, oh Lord, are in control of all things and nothing is too difficult for You. Amen.

Take care and stay safe,

Paul

A WORD FROM ... Paul Kerry

Dear All,

Verse: Luke 11:36

‘If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.’

- We reflect what is going on within us to those around us.
- If we are discouraged and unhappy, this is what others will see.
- If we are hopeful and positive, this will influence others around us.
- So be filled with His light and hope and shine that light into the darkness.

PRAYER: Lord, I desire to be filled with the light and hope that can only come from You. Fill my life with Your light so that my life can be radiant and a blessing to those around me. Amen.

I will be taking a break for Half Term. Please contact Anne or Jim if you have any queries.

Take care and stay safe,

Paul

A WORD FROM ... Paul Kerry

Dear All,

Verse: Psalm 78:35

‘Then they remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.’

- At times in our lives we need to remember that God is with us.
- Sometimes we can go into autopilot and try and do it ourselves.
- At these times we must stop and remind ourselves that He is our Helper.
- You are not alone in what you are facing, He is with you.

PRAYER: Lord, today I choose to remind myself that I have You in my life. I am helped and secured because You lift me up and You deliver me from all my fears. Amen.

Take care and stay safe,

Paul