On Sunday, 3rd May at 4pm (GMT) we will gather on Facebook Live (or on YouTube) with interactive discussions afterwards in Zoom. You can follow along with the running order below and find any links that you need.

We’ll be doing an online worship gathering every Sunday at 4pm we are also meeting for a weekly online prayer gathering Wednesdays at 7:30 via Zoom. If you would like to ALSO connect with one of our mid-week Zoom Community Groups email newchurchbirmingham@gmail.com.

When we gather in person we always have cake and a creative/ mindfulness area with activities. You’ll have to grab your own snack this time, but if you fancy doing some mindfulness colouring as you watch/ listen/ engage with our worship gathering, you can download and print this. Here’s what else to expect:

Welcome (Danielle)

Song (Ellie & Ali)

Be My Everything

Prayer (Adam)

God of comfort.
When evil darkens our world, give us light.
When despair numbs our souls, give us hope.
When we stumble and fall, lift us up.
When doubts assail us, show us what faith can look like.
When nothing seems sure, help us discover new ways to trust.
When ideals fade, give us vision.
When we lose our way, be our guide that we may find peace in Your presence and purpose in loving others and ourselves in big and small ways.
Amen. [Based on a prayer written by John D. Rayner and shared via Grace Cathedral.]

Question for Sharing (Tom): Is there something that has given you hope or joy this week?

Story: Parenting in Lockdown (Matt & Nathan)

Song (Rachel): “Hum”

Scripture Reading (Sarah):
“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and dishevelled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair^[and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” Matthew 6:16-18 (from Jesus’ first big speech – The Sermon on the Mount)

Reflection (Eunice) – Open to God

Response (AKA a moment to think)

Love Feast (Danielle & Josie)

Song (Ali & Ellie): You Say

What’s Coming up (Danielle)

Blessing: “May we live fully, love wastefully and have the courage to be all that God has created us to be.”

After our Worship Gathering, at 5:15 we will move over to Zoom to chat about how we’re doing and discuss some of the themes from today. If you are in a regular Inclusive Gathering Community Group, please join your regular group. If you are not, please pop in to any of the groups below by clicking the link. If you enjoy the chat, you are very welcome to meet up with your group again, later in the week. If there isn’t a group near you, that’s okay – join whichever one. You can read more about Community Groups here:

Edgbaston Community Group (Pete & Eunice – also meets Mondays – FULL)

Coventry Community Group(Ali & Ellie – also meets Mondays)

Moseley Community Group(Danielle & Joel – also meets Tuesdays)

Summerfield/ Winson Green Community Group(David & Nettes – also meets Tuesdays)

West Brum Community Group – (Adam & Rachel – also meets Thursdays)W

Here’s the questions the groups will be discussing this evening:

• Where have you seen glimpses of beauty this week?
• If you feel comfortable sharing, what have been the difficult moments this week?
• Was there anything that stood out to you from the reflections today? What challenged you? What encouraged you?
• Eunice asked the questions: “What have you given up to help you?” and “What have you taken up to focus on God”? Do you have responses to these questions you’d like to share?