After the service, we started work tidying everything away, so it is all protected, during the building works.

We prayed the following prayer in church:“Lord God,we give you thanks for this place that has been our spiritual home, for us and for our forebears for hundreds of years.We give you thanks for the worship, the prayers, the hymns, the reading of scripture and the teaching, for the baptisms, confirmations, marriages and funerals, for the laughter and tears, for the hopes and fears—all of which have made this space sacred, where people have encountered you and had their lives touched, shaped and blessed by you.We pray that your hand will continue to guide and bless this church in this new season as it undergoes major refurbishing workMay every aspect of the project be a success. May the work proceed without difficulty and to schedule.Bless all those who will be working in this place during the project with the knowledge that they work not just on a building but on a house of God.And when the work is complete may we return with joy and thanksgiving.May the building enhance the mission and ministry that we offer in your name.May it stand for generations to come as testimony to your goodness and grace, your truth and light, and your redeeming love in our Lord Jesus Christ.We pray in his holy name, and to your glory.Amen.”