Time
Out provides an opportunity for both committed Christians and
those who are undecided to explore spiritual and faith matters together
in a jargon free, non judgemental, friendly and supportive
environment. Each week’s programme offers an hour and a half away
from the pressures of daily busy-ness to consider priorities and what
life is all about. Through prayer, song, study and discussion, we
seek to know God better and to grow closer to Him. Modern worship songs
are led by our “band” (vocals, piano, guitar and ‘cello) who invite
others to join in or just reflect quietly on the words.
EXPLORING PRAYER AND MEDITATION
Should
you pray or meditate? If so, then why, how, when and how
often? What purpose does it serve? What results should you
expect? Would you like to explore different ways of praying and
discover which might best suit you? There are many different
approaches to prayer that have been adopted since the very first days
of the church and we’re dipping into some of these and considering how
they might suit different personality types. Whether you believe
prayer is important or not, whether you find it easy, difficult,
impossible or can’t see the point, we hope these sessions will provide
the usual quality time for quiet reflection, good fellowship and
spiritual growth, as well as worship.
- 15th May : What is prayer?
- 22nd May : Centring Prayer and Practising the Presence of God
- 29th May : School Half Term – no Time Out
- 5th June : Labyrinths
- 12th June : Sensory Prayer Stations
- 19th June : The Examen
- 26th June : Holy Reading (‘Lectio Divina’)
- 3rd July : Focus Prayer Stations
- 10th July : Prayer and Personality
This
month we share with you the psalm written by Elain Mordaunt. A few
people who come to Time Out had a go at writing a modern day psalm
following our looking at the Psalms, songs and poems from the soul!
Sing unto the Lord a new song
By
the flowing waters of the Thames, I sat down and wept. Deliver me,
Lord, from the floods and winds of change and bring me through to a
good place. God be merciful.
Bless the farmers who
cultivate their fields for my food. Bless the shepherds who tend their
flocks of sheep, llamas and goats. Bless the dog walkers who look after
their animals as you, Lord, look after me.
I will worship in thy holy places. Blessings be upon St Mary, St James and St John.
Yea,
I will sing of the glory of the National Trust common land and the
Burfitt's meadows. I will lift up mine eyes to the Hill of Ashley, and
higher still to the heavens filled with the clouds of hopefulness and
the vapour trails of scurrying angels.
Hear
my voice, O God, in my prayer. Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
Protect me from the rushing chariots that pass by in every direction,
and from the fiery beasts on the iron rails.
God hath put a new song in my mouth. Praise be unto the Lord that many shall hear his good words and trust in Him.
