elham valley group Newsletter
9th August 2026 - 10th Sunday after Trinity
The Collect:
Lord of heaven and earth, as Jesus taught his disciples to be persistent in prayer, give us patience and courage never to lose hope, but always to bring our prayers before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Post Communion Prayer:
God of our pilgrimage, you have willed that the gate of mercy should stand open for those who trust in you: look upon us with your favour that we who follow the path of your will may never wander from the way of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Old Testament Reading: 1 Kings 19:9-18
At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ 10 He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’ 11 He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ 14 He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’ 15 Then the Lord said to him, ‘Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. 16 Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place.
17 Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.’
Gospel Reading: Matthew 14:22-33
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25 And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’ 28 Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ 29 He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’
Please Pray for Joseph, Rev Carol, Mark, Andy Ashman, Val Pinder, Roger Goody, Jenni Lister, The Bradley family, Wendy Cook, Sue Leaver, Millie Collins, Jill Fitch, Poppy Allard, Michael Kirk, Alice Mills, Lilian Bowles & family, Claire Laker.
Please contact the Benefice Administrator Alison Dale 07985025381 or beneficeadmin@elhamvalleygroupofchurches.co.uk to add people to the prayers.
Please pray for the departed, John Speicher, Barbara Amblard, and those for whom an anniversary of death falls at this time Cynthia Porter, Marjorie Hayward & Jocelyn Lees.
For Baptisms and Weddings please contact the Benefice Administrator as above.
To arrange for Funerals, Ashes Interments, Thanksgivings, Blessings, Renewal of Vows, and all other services please contact Revd Sharon Paine - 07503 290552 or email sharonpaine10@aol.com
Parish Notices:
Weddings
Margaret Wright & James Leppard – Sat. 8th August 1pm – Lyminge
Manon Prost & Alexander Cullen – Sat. 8th August 1pm - Elham
Funeral – Barbara Amblard – Tue. 18th August 1pm – Barham Crematorium
Music on a Friday & BBQ – Fri. 14th August 7pm – Lyminge – Free!
Benefice Notices:
Benefice Prayer Meeting
For the last several months a few of us have met at Lyminge church at 9am on the 4th Thursday of each month. We pray for our benefice churches, the village communities, and any particular need we are aware of, both local and wider. It would be lovely to have representatives from other churches to join us in upholding these needs in prayer. Do feel free to join us. The next meeting is on the
27th August. If you have any questions, or prayer requests, do contact me on sharonpaine10@aol.com or 07503 290552. Rev. Sharon
