Be Strong and of Good Courage was the message God gave to Joshua after the death of Moses.
In this time of cost-of-living crisis, with debt becoming the norm for some and many struggling to keep above water financially, we need strength and peace inside to help us deal with our problems. That and the wars and threats of wars that are in our daily news, can make us feel insecure.
Churches Together members want to shed light on the hope that Jesus’ love gives and to try and help people who may be feeling mental and emotional strain, with prayer and practical support.
These messages are to encourage you and to assure you of God’s love and of

SHARING CHRIST 106 added 24.09.26

Welcome to Framlingham Churches Together Thoughts and Prayers

Local Sharing Prayer and Faith

St Clare’s Roman Catholic Church

Sunday Mass at 9am

Framlingham Community Baptist Church

In the FAYAP Centre and on Zoom each Sunday at 10.45am –Communion all Sundays except 1st

,

which is informal, café style. For a Zoom link email theologyben@sky.com

St Michael’s, Framlingham

Sundays -8am said Holy Communion and 9.30am Parish Eucharist (All-age on First Sunday)

Wednesdays – Said Communion at 10.30am

Toast Rack, 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month, 10-12, coffee and chat around tables

All Saints, Saxtead

Sundays 11.15am - 1st Sunday Morning Prayer, all others Holy Communion

United Free Church, Framlingham

Sunday worship at 11.00am with a Zoom link to those at home.

Zoom information may be found on the church website. http://framlinghamufc.onesuffolk.net/

Prayers from all of us https://www.stmichaelsframlingham.org.uk/prayers-framlingham-churches/

Harvest Festival at St Michael’s Church, Sunday 11th October, 10.30am, to which all

churches are invited.

Caring for the earth

The autumn is upon us and we celebrate harvest. In our rural communities this continues to

be an important festival. It has always been a time to think about creation and God's call to

humanity in the book of Genesis to tend and care for the earth. This year, with a protracted

period of drought and very high temperatures, we have started to sense more acutely,

perhaps, the challenges humanity will need to face with the effects of climate change.

I know that this year has been a concern for our farmers; and poor yields which come along

with lack of rain affect us all, especially financially. Our denominations are all in their own way

tackling this and encouraging local congregations to be part of the solution - to till and care

for the earth with renewed commitment, reflecting God's earliest call to us. As we celebrate

harvest and the care of creation this year let us hold our farmers in our prayers in the

challenges they face and in all their labours, to bring forth the fruits of the earth for us to

share and enjoy.It's wonderful that we can work together in supporting the foodbank, to ensure that those

who struggle to supply for their needs and enjoy the fruits of the harvest have a resource to

help make that a reality.

Rev Chris Davey, St Michael’s Church

Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God,

we offer you our grateful thanks for your fatherly goodness and care in giving us your gifts

and the fruits of the earth in their seasons.

Give us grace to use them rightly, to your glory, for our own well-being, and for the relief of

those in need;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

SHARING CHRIST 104 added 23.07.36

Welcome to Framlingham Churches Together Thoughts and Prayers

Local Sharing Prayer and Faith

St Clare’s Roman Catholic Church

Sunday Mass at 9am

Framlingham Community Baptist Church

In the FAYAP Centre and on Zoom each Sunday at 10.45am –Communion all Sundays except 1st

,

which is informal, café style. For a Zoom link email theologyben@sky.com

St Michael’s, Framlingham

Sundays -8am said Holy Communion and 9.30am Parish Eucharist (All-age on First Sunday)

Wednesdays – Said Communion at 10.30am

Toast Rack, 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month, 10-12, coffee and chat around tables

All Saints, Saxtead

11.15am 1st Sunday Morning Prayer, 2nd

, 3rd 4th and 5th Holy Communion

United Free Church, Framlingham

Sunday worship at 11.00am with a Zoom link to those at home.

Zoom information may be found on the church website. http://framlinghamufc.onesuffolk.net/

Prayers from all of us https://www.stmichaelsframlingham.org.uk/prayers-framlingham-churches/

Wondering why?

Sometimes we find ourselves in situations or places where we didn't expect or plan to be. At

the time it's not always easy to understand why, but prayer is our amazing connection to God.

When we give our questions, doubts and fears to Him we receive His peace, which is beyond

our understanding, as described in Philippians 4 verse 7:

‘And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in

Jesus Christ.’

Sometimes we never find out why we were put in that situation or place, not until we meet

God face to face, but sometimes God reveals why, and then we see the bigger picture.

I read in BMS news about Serhii, a Ukrainian pastor who felt called to go to France, he was

confused but obeyed. Then, in 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine and thousands of Ukrainian

refugees fled to France. Serhii was where God had put him, to set up a network of accredited

pastors from Ukraine, and many congregations were planted in France.

Being connected to God through prayer and being obedient isn't always easy, but blessings

follow for us and those around us if we listen and obey.

Joanne Siggins, Framlingham Community Baptist ChurchPrayer

Dear Lord,

Help us to connect with you through prayer,

Help us to listen and hear your voice, Lord.

Help us to be obedient to where you lead us or who you lead to us,

Help us to trust you.

Help us to not let fear and doubt control us,

Give us trust and Hope in your plans for us, Lord.

Praise you for each amazing blessing and opportunity that you give us.

 

SHARING CHRIST 103

Welcome to Framlingham Churches Together Thoughts and Prayers

Local Sharing Prayer and Faith

St Clare’s Roman Catholic Church

Sunday Mass at 9am

Framlingham Community Baptist Church

In the FAYAP Centre and on Zoom each Sunday at 10.45am –Communion all Sundays except 1st

,

which is informal, café style. For a Zoom link email theologyben@sky.com

St Michael’s, Framlingham

Sundays -8am said Holy Communion and 9.30am Parish Eucharist (All-age on First Sunday)

Wednesdays – Said Communion at 10.30am

All Saints, Saxtead

11.15am 1st and 3rd Sunday Morning Prayer, 2nd, 4th and 5th Holy Communion

United Free Church, Framlingham

Sunday worship at 11.00am with a Zoom link to those at home.

Zoom information may be found on the church website. http://framlinghamufc.onesuffolk.net/

Prayers from all of us https://www.stmichaelsframlingham.org.uk/prayers-framlingham-churches/

In the steps of St Paul

I’ve recently returned from a pilgrimage to Greece, following the footsteps of St Paul in his

second missionary journey as recounted in Acts 16-18.

We flew from Gatwick and the airport chaplain (it was me a few years ago!) allowed us to use

the peaceful chapel for our opening Eucharist and prayers for a safe journey and successful

pilgrimage. The first reading in our service was from Acts 9 and we prayed that, as St Paul was

converted, so might we experience in the pilgrimage a renewal of faith.

Our first day saw us in Philippi and visiting the riverside site where tradition has it that Paul

met Lydia and converted her and her household. We renewed our baptismal vows as we

sprinkled water from the river over each other. Lydia was Paul’s first convert to Christianity on

European soil.

We then visited Thessaloniki, as Thessalonia is now known. ‘Always be joyful, pray constantly,

giving thanks in all circumstances’ (1 Thes 5:16-17), Paul later wrote to the Jewish converts to

Christianity. We visited the Jewish area of the city where Paul preached. Not all the Jewish

community were pleased to hear Paul’s message, and a mob threw them out of the town.

The following day, we visited Beroea, where Paul and Silas had been sent for safety and they

were warmly welcomed in the synagogue. However, the Thessalonians brought the mobdown to expel Paul who then sailed for Athens, leaving Timothy and Silas to follow when they

could.

We, however, travelled down to Athens by road through the mountains visiting some hill-

perched Orthodox monasteries on the way and the historic ruins of the Delphic Oracle against

whose cult Paul would have preached.

Eventually catching up with Paul, we followed his missionary journey into Athens and to the

Areopagus, where he famously debated with the philosophers who derided and laughed at

him. However, some became believers and followed him (cf Acts 17:34).

Paul then left Athens and proceeded to the thriving, rich and multiracial port of Corinth. He

was rejoined by Timothy and Silas. After being rejected by the Jewish community, he turned

with a clear conscience to the Gentiles (Acts 18). Paul preached there for 18 months

establishing the early Christian communities, at the same time lodging with Aquila and

following the same trade as a tentmaker.

It was from the nearby port of Kechries that Paul sailed for Ephesus and so ended his second

missionary journey and our wonderful and inspiring pilgrimage.

Are we not all called to be missionary disciples like Paul? Our baptisms equip us to fulfil this

calling. As St Francis was reputed to say, ‘preach the Gospel at all times and, if necessary, use

words’!

Fr Chris Dobson, St Clare’s Church

Prayer

Gracious God, we ask for courage as we move forward.

Do not let us walk by habit, fear, or distraction, but teach us to walk by your Spirit, as Paul

did.

Guide our steps when the path is unclear; correct us gently when we wander; strengthen us

when obedience feels costly.

And may our lives, day by day, bear witness to the life you are calling us to.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.