Notices

Sunday Service at Christ Church

Eighth Sunday After Trinity     Download the homily [ PDF ]. Download the service sheet [ PDF ].

Sunday Service at Holy Trinity

Sermons and Services for the Summer from the Archdeacons

The Archdeacons  of the Diocese of Southwark have been putting together a series of Sermons and Services which we hope will be useful over the next six weeks – especially if you’re going to be taking a period of well deserved leave over the summer....

Sunday Service at Christ Church – by Nick Mayhew-Smith

Sixth Sunday After Trinity Download the service sheet [ PDF ]. Hellfire, brimstone and the eternal flames of damnation lie in wait. I’m joking of course. It’s probably not the first time however in the past 150 years when the pulpit of this church has been...

Sunday Service at St John the Divine – by Rev’d Alison Judge

Fifth Sunday After Trinity Whilst we’ve been in lockdown I have been having some lovely chats with people on the phone. Keeping in touch with members of the congregation and, to be honest, also being rather more in touch with my friends than I usually...

Messy Church – Being Thankful

Rev’d Alison Judge explains how important it is to be thankful for the things that we enjoy in life. 

Sunday Service at the Holy Trinity – by Rev’d Mark Eminson

Fourth Sunday After Trinity   Download the service sheet.

Guidance about public worship and private prayer

From 5th of July, Sunday services will resume in the Churches of our parish.  Please see our bulletin for the detailed schedule of services as well as church opening times. Update as of 23 July 2020: Face masks need to be worn by all those...

News about church opening and services

Monday, 29 June 2020 Dear Friends, We are pleased to send you news that all of the churches in the team are now open for private prayer: Monday 3pm – 7pm      Holy Trinity Open (3-4pm priority for those shielding) Tuesday 8am – 10am     St John...

Sunday Service – Petertide Service – by Rev’d Mark Eminson

Petertide, in the contemporary Church, is the preferred time for ordinations.  The small-print of my diary is littered with my own and friends’ anniversaries of ordination during these days; in fact, today is my twelfth anniversary of ordination as a deacon and eleventh anniversary as...

Windrush Day – Call for 2 minutes silence on Monday 22 June 2020

The Bishops, Archdeacons and Dean of the Diocese are calling the people of the Diocese to observe two minutes’ silence at 11.00am on Windrush Day, Monday 22 June. Bishop Christopher writes: “I rejoice at and take pride in the diversity within the Diocese of Southwark...

Sunday Service – Second Sunday after Trinity – Rev’d Belemo Alagoa

The child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.(Genesis 21:8) Today is Father’s Day a special day when we say thank you to our fathers. In the dictionary there are many meanings to the word...

Prayers for the Week – 15th June

Prayers and Scripture for private use in church or at home, and Prayers for Racial Healing. Download the Prayers and Scripture for private use in church or at home [ PDF ].   Download the Prayer for Racial Healing [ PDF ].   Please bring this...

Church buildings open for private prayer

The Government has announced that, beginning this week, our buildings may be open for private prayer, but not public worship.  This is a good beginning and we hope church members and the general public will avail themselves of this opportunity.  If you come, you will...

Sunday Service – first Sunday after Trinity – Rev’d Alison Judge

We are sent out to proclaim the values of the Kingdom. ‘For while we were still weak Christ died for the ungodly’; that’s us. This is not an invitation to feel how bad we are but a statement about how astonishingly and unfailing generous God...

Messy Church – Jonah and the Whale

Rev’d Alison Judge explains the story of Jonah and the Whale that teaches the need for obedience to God’s instructions and also God’s grace that gives us a second chance to fulfil our purpose. 

Thought of the Week—Where everybody knows your name – Susan Shriver

Psalm 122:8 For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name Every morning when I first get up – I am an early riser – I turn on the...

Prayers for the Week – 8th June

Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing make you afraid. All things are passing. God alone never changes. Patience gains all things. If you have God you will want for nothing. God alone suffices. — St. Teresa, The bookmark of Teresa of Ávila, From Wikipedia, source Teresa...

Sunday Service – Trinity Sunday – by Rev’d Mark Eminson

‘Have you not known?  Have you not heard?  The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth’ (Isaiah 40.28).  YHWH, the Divine Name, I AM WHO I AM, the source of all being; the Father who speaks through His Word...

Prayers for the Week – 1st June

Prayers for the week, by Joy Lyons   Open our eyes Lord and help us to see you in the awesomeness of your creation, but also to see you in one another needs at this time of crisis. Open our ears Lord and help us...

Thought for the Week 3rd June – by Nick Mayhew-Smith

The locked door. Jesus, as we remember in the Easter Season, was not troubled by a locked door. One of his most important appearances was of course in the room where his disciples gathered after the Crucifixion. Afraid for their very lives, they had locked...

Pentecost Resources

For online service on the Feast of Pentecost, please follow this link.https://www.christchurchsw19.org.uk/sunday-service-feast-pentecost A homily for Pentecost Sunday 2020 by the Rt Revd Dr Richard Cheetham, Bishop of Kingston A Pentecost message from the Bishop of Southwark  A ‘thank you’ from the Archdeacons of the...

Sunday Service – The Feast of the Pentecost – by Rev’d Alison Judge

On Sunday, the 30th May, as we celebrate the feast of pentecost we can all share together the Agape even whilst we are separated and in our different homes.  Download the Service Sheet [ PDF ]. Section 1: Introduction, Reading and Talk – Revd Alison Judge...

Messy Church – Craft Ideas – God’s call to Jonah

We shall be having another Messy Church online-gathering on Saturday 13 June and our theme will be the story of God’s call to Jonah (Jonah 1).  So if you would like to join in here are some creative things that you could make or do....

Thought for the Week 27th May – Rev’d Alison Judge

Are you a patient person?  I hope that I am when it comes to people but I know that when it comes to life in general I am not very patient.  I like to know what is going to happen – and what I need...

Prayers for the Week 26th May

Prayers for the week, by Liz Holder From Christian Aid: A prayer for times of isolation ‘For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come… will be able to separate us from the love...

Sunday Service – Seventh Sunday of Easter

Thy Kingdom Come – Christian week of prayer from Ascension to eve of Pentecost – By Rev’d Belemo Alagoa.  Download the service sheet [ PDF ]. Download the collect and reading for this sunday [ PDF ]. A couple of days ago the church ...

Ascension Day Service – 21st May – Nick Mayhew-Smith

Today we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord into heaven, and the end of his earthly ministry. In some ways it is an end point in the Christian story, Jesus vanishing, closure on that chapter of our evolution, closure on an earthly life, closure on...

Thought for the Week 20th May – by Liz Holder

 “DO NOT BE AFRAID” There are a lot of reasons to be afraid just now. Am I or my family going to get the coronavirus?  Will I survive?  Will I have a job to go back to?  Am I going to be able to pay...

Prayers for the Week 18th May

O God our Father, you invite us to pray, and you grant what we ask, when we ask according to your will. Hear me as I tremble in this darkness, and stretch forth your hand to me. Shine your light before me. Recall me from...

Sunday Service – Sixth Sunday of Easter – Rogation Sunday

Sunday Service – Sixth Sunday of Easter – Rogation Sunday – By Rev’d Alison Judge. “The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands.” Download the service sheet [...

Stewardship

  Tuesday 12 May 2020 Dear brothers and sisters, ‘So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith’ (Galatians 6.10). Eastertide greetings to you all in these strangest of lockdown...

Thought for the Week 13th May – by Andy Coles

‘Trust & Obey’, by Andy Coles. I am reminded of the Old Gospel Hymn, written around the time of Moody the famous American Evangelist, and well known by previous generations of Sunday School Children… which goes onto say ‘For there’s no other way to be...

Prayers for the Week 11th May – Nicky Morgan

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...

Sunday Service – Fifth Sunday of Easter – Stewardship Sunday

Sunday Service – Fifth Sunday of Easter -Stewardship Sunday – By Rev’d Mark Eminson.    Download the Collect and the Reading for this Sunday.   Introduction – Holy Trinity Vicarage drive Alleluia.  Christ is risen. He is risen indeed.  Alleluia.   We thank God...

Noah’s ark, God’s Rainbow

A Messy Church celebration from Merton Priory Team. As part of our Messy Church initiative Rev’d Alison Judge shares the story of Noah’s ark and God’s Rainbow along with the art work done by the Children of the Merton Priory Team. 

Thought for the Week 6th May by Evelyn

Evelyn shares below a prose poem from Paul’s letter to the Colossians Chp 1. The cosmic dimensions of who Christ Jesus is revealed with awe and wonder. In the second half we read that Christ brings about a New Creation. Download the full document in PDF.

Food and practical support during Covid-19

Food and practical support during Covid-19   Merton Voluntary Service Council (MVSC) Volunteer Task Force Help for isolated households and those more at risk of COVID-19, Monday to Friday. To get help: E-mail: help@mvsc.co.uk Telephone: 020 8685 2272. In addition, an urgent COVID-19 Community Response Hub...

Safeguarding resources during the Covid – 19 situation

During the current Covid-19 restrictions It is vital that we continue to safeguard those who need our help. Please download the Covid-19 related safeguarding guidelines. HT Safeguarding 020420 Thought [PDF] Safeguarding matters domestic abuse [ PDF ] Think Safeguarding [ PDF ] For more information about safeguarding at...

Prayers for the Week 4th May – Mardelle Jordan

 Prayers – Mardelle Jordan  I will lift up my eyes to the hills form where cometh my help My help cometh from the Lord who made heaven and earth Lord in your mercy hear our prayer.   For those who have to make decisions that...

Sunday Service – Fourth Sunday of Easter 2020 – by Rev’d Belemo Alagoa

The Good Shepherd – John 10:1-10. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who together with God leads us to what we need, food, water, air, true security, rest and real love. When we trust Him we are free to enjoy all the good gifts fully as...

Messy Church – Craft Ideas

Our next Messy Church is due to take place on 9 May and will again be a virtual celebration. The theme will be Noah’s Ark and you can read the story in Genesis starting at Chapter 6 and going through to Chapter 9 verse 17. There...

A homily for the Third Sunday of Easter 2020 by the Rt Rev’d Dr Richard Cheetham, Bishop of Kingston.

In this video homily, Rt Rev’d Dr Richard Cheetham talk about something which points to the deepest truths about reality, and about life, and about God.

Video homily for First Sunday of Easter 2020 – Rt Revd Dr Richard Cheetham, Bishop of Kingston

In this message, Bishop Richard talks about the the transition from fear to a profound peace in the presence of the risen Christ.

Why the church buildings are closed – by Archbishop Justin Welby

Archbishop Justin Welby explains the five (5) reasons for why the church buildings are closed.

Music in worship

The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM)  promotes the study, practice and improvement of music in worship. In the absence of all of the usual routines of life, we RSCM has put together a whole range of initiatives, which will help to hold everyone together. For...

Sunday reading and the collect

Most merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your SonJesus Christ delivered and saved the world: grant that by faith in him who suffered on thecross we may triumph in the power of his victory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who...

Stay at home – letter from Archbishops and Diocesan Bishops of the Church of England

Letter from Archbishops and Diocesan Bishops of the Church of England to all clergy in the Church of England Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Stay home, protect the NHS and save lives We are writing further to you given the rapidly changing nature of...

Coronavirus church response

Church continues to be alive and active, but our buildings must close in London in response to Covid-19. All public worships are suspended. The following are the letters circulated by Church authorities in response to coronavirus: Letter from Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of England....

Announcement from the diocese of southwark

Following on from the Prime Minister’s message on 23 March, the Diocese of Southwark announces: Church continues to be alive and active, but our buildings must close in London. London is seeing a huge increase in the number of people falling sick with COVID-19. We...

Sunday Prayer – worship and pray from wherever you are

Join in us worship and prayer recorded by Rev’d Mark Eminson – Team Rector. During this challenging season, let us come together through digital sources to share our faith and exemplify the hope and peace that God offers to all of us. (Audio Recording)

Mothering Sunday message from Rev’d Mark Eminson

Video Message from Rev’d Mark Eminson on Mothering Sunday. Coronavirus Pandemic: Thought for the Week 21.3.20, by Mark Eminson Here we are, brothers and sisters, in these unprecedented times, on the eve of a very untypical Mothering Sunday: no church services, no meals out or...

Guidance on Spiritual Communion and Coronavirus

The term ‘Spiritual Communion’ has been used historically to describe the means of grace by which a person, prevented for some serious reason from sharing in a celebration of the Eucharist, nonetheless shares in the communion of Jesus Christ. The form of prayer below offers...

Mid-Week Worship at Home

If it is not possible for people to worship together, the various Church of England apps for Daily Prayer and Reflections are a wonderful resource and unite us in prayer. Alongside them, we have crafted two simple acts of worship, particularly geared to those who...

Coronavirus Justin Welby national broadcast 22 March

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is to lead a national broadcast as the Church of England responds to the challenge of becoming a “different sort of church” in the face of the coronavirus crisis. The service, including prayers, hymns and a short sermon, will...

Christ Church Covid-19 Response

Message from Mark Eminson, Team Rector of Merton Priory Team. Download in PDF Wednesday, 18 March, 2020 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Many of you will have heard that, in the context of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have directed that...