Bowland Benefice Pews News for 30 August 2026 13 th Sunday after Trinity Collect Almighty God, you search us and know us: may we rely on you in strength and rest on you in weakness, now and in all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For the last Sunday service in August, everyone is welcome to St Leonard’s, Broughton Hackett. This week in the Benefice Sunday 30 August 10.30am Benefice Holy Communion in Broughton Hackett Tuesday 1 September 7.00pm Bowland Benefice Council meets in The Parish Room, White Ladies Aston Friday 4 September Evening and night Claire’s sponsored 10K Night Walk around centre Birmingham for Cancer Support Saturday 5 September Morning Coffee Morning and Mini-Fete in St Leonard’s Church, Broughton Hackett Sunday 6 September Trinity 14 10.30am Family Service in Upton Snodsbury 11.00am Holy Communion in Peopleton 6.00pm Songs of Praise in White Ladies Aston The Bowland Benefice Council, made up of members representing our 4 churches meets again on Tuesday. Members work together to support Revd Claire and our congregations. Fund-raising advance notice Saturday 12 September is the annual Ride and Stride event organised by the Worcestershire and Dudley Historic Churches Trust. Funds raised are split equally between the Trust for its valuable work around the Diocese and a nominated local church. Church Warden Helen Bennett will ride for St Kenelm’s and would be grateful for your sponsorship! For most of us, especially young families, the summer is now almost over and the reality of normal life will start to kick in – back to school, back to further education, new college and university courses and the adventure of different challenges and changed lives. For all of us maybe a time to take stock and to make mini-resolutions for the seasons ahead. With the nights drawing in, maybe time to resurrect an old hobby or take up a new one. A time maybe to resolve to change just a small part of life – to trust – to feel the fear and do it anyway. Much more of a challenge as we get older. A prayer for those facing big decisions…… Lord, you are my steady ground when everything around me shifts. Life is changing now, and I feel uncertain about the path ahead. New challenges stand before me, and I confess that I feel vulnerable and a bit afraid. Please calm my anxious thoughts. Remind me that you go before me into this new season. Give me the courage to take the next right step, even when I cannot see the final destination. Grant me wisdom to make good choices. Give me strength for the heavy days and peace that quiets my heart in the quiet hours. When I feel overwhelmed, hold me close and remind me that I am never alone. Thank you for walking with me through every yesterday. I trust you with my today and my tomorrow. Amen. and for the rest of us….. Father, you know which direction my life is headed and the little changes I need to make. Guide my path and heart as I continue to trust You through this change in my life. Help me to remember that you are always there for me to depend upon. Amen. The day the rains came down! As I write this we have the blesséd rain we have yearned for, for so many weeks but at the same time we see the horror of flash floods, landslips and disaster caused by flooding across the world – much of it caused by man’s stupidity, greed and selfishness. Heavenly Father, thank you for the wonders of your creation. Thank you for guiding us, leading us, protecting us, developing us since the beginning. God of hope, bless all peoples and fill us with your abundant grace to work together to heal the earth. We pray for your wisdom, sympathy and creativity for a worldwide shared vision for the common good of creation. In the precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen. (from prayers written by priests from Myranmar)