‘Hand in hand’ at the start of week five
Yes, it is now four weeks since the Prime Minister made his address, and we all began this strange ‘lockdown’ experience. Much is being written about a ‘new normal’ as many adjust to a more restricted way of living and others whose roles demand, work tirelessly to keep us going. One of the ways we have found to sustain ourselves is to give time to nurture our faith and encouragement of one another.
We are very grateful for those in the Conwy Valley who have contributed to today’s thoughts and prayers: Helen Tattersall from St. Peter’s Llanbedr-y-Cennin for her reflection, and Meira Shakespear from St. Mary’s Caerhun for her translation into Welsh of a number of prayers, written for this time (that we will continue to share in the coming days).
We treasure this sense of community as we continue into another week, with hope in our hearts of the Easter season. If you haven’t yet sent a photo and greeting, then please do: here’s the link!
“Greetings” from our daily walk.
Mike and Jenny Young
Pontwgan, Caerhun.
“Easter Greetings” from Lawrie and Maria in Australia.
We worshipped with you at Llanbedr Church on our wedding anniversary last year and remember Myfanwy playing our favourite hymn!
“Happy Easter” from Heather Barling.
A much-loved member of the St. Peter’s Llanbedr-y-Cennin congregation.
Hand in hand
How I look forward at 8am each morning to receiving the Bro Celynnin Reflection – thankful for daily Spiritual Manna – always so fresh and sustaining. What joy this week, too, of a gift via WhatsApp from a member of our church which I would like to share with you. I wrote in my ‘lockdown journal…’:
“a different way to worship You today Lord, singing 4 verses of my favourite hymns, In Christ Alone, accompanied by the tune thoughtfully played on a Kalimba!” (an African ‘thumb piano’).
As we watch with increasing tears the horror and distress being inflicted by COVID-19, it is to my Bible I turn. The first verses of Psalm 61 have helped to guide my prayers this week… I picture The Lord, as He leads, to be ‘hand in hand’ with each one of us accompanying us from a place of fear to a place of Hope, ever mindful of God’s promise that in the words of verse 4 of the worship song… “no one can pluck me from His hand”.
The powerful words of this hymn are here: for those missing our ‘Celtic Prayer and Praise’ services, a link to a Celtic Worship version and a link to it sung in Welsh: Yng Nghrist Ei Hun.
Hand in hand
Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I call to you,
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I;
for you are my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.
Let me abide in your tent for ever,
find refuge under the shelter of your wings
Psalm 61: 1-4 NRSVA
Dw i wir yn caru’r Arglwydd
am ei fod yn gwrando ar fy ngweddi.
Mae e’n troi i wrando arna i
a dw i’n mynd i ddal ati i alw arno bob amser.
Roedd rhaffau marwolaeth wedi eu rhwymo amdana i;
roedd ofn y bedd wedi gafael ynof fi.
Ro’n i mewn helbul! Roedd fy sefyllfa’n druenus!
A dyma fi’n galw ar yr Arglwydd,
“O Arglwydd, plîs achub fi!”
Salm 61: 1-4 Beibl.net
Prayer
Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
Prayers for use during the coronavirus outbreak, the Church of England
Gweddi
Cysgoda ni, O Arglwydd da, â’th drugaredd
yn y cyfnod hwn o ansicrwydd a gofid.
Atgyfnertha’r pryderus a’r ofnus,
a chynnal y gwan a’r digalon;
fel y byddo i ni ymhyfrydu yn dy gysur,
gan wybod na all dim ein hynysu oddi wrth dy gariad.
Trwy Iesu Grist ein Hraglwydd,
Amen.
Cyfieithiad Meira Shakespear
Click here for previous daily reflections from our Ministry Team.
caruconwy.com 