Collect and Readings for Sunday 31st January 2021 – Private Prayer at All Saints, Marthall 9:30am.Plough Service and Blessing of the Lamb
Readings: Genesis 8.20-9.3, Psalm 104, Matthew 6.25-end
The Prayer for Today
Almighty God and Father, you have so ordered our life that we are dependent on one another: prosper those engaged in commerce and industry and direct their minds and hands that they may rightly use your gifts in the service of others; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
In our Benefice this weekend would traditionally have been our Blessing of the Plough and lamb services when one of the vintage ploughs are brought to church to ask for God's blessing on the labours of our farmers for the coming season. We ask God's blessing on the first of the new born animals, an early sign of the Spring and warmer days ahead.
During the last 12 months, many people have found a new interest in growing things, especially fruit and vegetables. Families have explored how our food is grown and got their hands dirty with some amazing results. Nothing though comes without some hard work and the right conditions for seeds to germinate, water – not too much and definitely not too little, good quality ground with plenty of nutrients and the final ingredient some warmth from the sun as it grows stronger and the days lengthen. And so the cycle of life continues.
In our first reading from Genesis we see God's promise that while the earth remains this cycle won't stop. But we are all becoming aware that our lifestyles and actions can have a detrimental effect on our planet and we need to think about what we do and how we can help our planet to thrive. We can't leave it all to God. If we try to live our lives in a sustainable way we will get his help and a Louis Armstrong said 'It really is a wonderful world'.
Things to do and think about:
- All the beautiful things in creation
- Where your food comes from, How it is produced and how it gets to your table
- Plan what plants you might like to grow in your garden this year, what you will need and when you need to sow the seeds.
- Pray for our farmers and local growers.
God bless and stay safe and well
Rev'd Fiona Robinson