7th May 2020
It's Thursday, 7th May 2020.
Hello everyone, it’s Mr Keep here.
May the Lord be with you.
We are Bishop Ridley, we are One Community, Learning & Growing Together, Sharing the Love of God.
If you have younger children, you may want to put today’s collective worship into your own words to help children in Early Years and KS1 understand the events mentioned.
Our song for today.
Today I have chosen a peaceful song called 10,000 Reasons. This is a new song to Bishop Ridley. I hope you enjoy it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E
Our Bible passage for today is John 16:33
Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Christians have hope in Jesus’ promise of peace in our hearts.
Our thought for the day
During the lockdown period, it can sometimes be hard to remember what life was like before. It has surprised me how quickly we have all adapted to our new way of living and learning.
Throughout history, a number of big events have happened which have fundamentally changed the way that normal people live. Sometimes it has been as a result of natural events (maybe a flood, or crops not growing as well as people hoped). Other times it has been as a result of people’s actions, like war or greed.
Today we are going to think back to an event which happened before most of us were born.
On 8th May 1945, a major event changed the lives of people in Britain and across Europe. This was 75 years ago tomorrow, which is why there is a Bank Holiday tomorrow.
Since the 1st September 1939, countries across Europe had been fighting in World War 2. The war had changed as it progressed and the impact was different in each country. By 1945, many people had lost their life and whole cities had been destroyed by the fighting. But there was a growing feeling that the war was reaching an end and the allied forces (those countries fighting alongside Britain) had won some key battles against the axis forces (the countries fighting alongside Germany).
On the 8th May 1945, Winston Churchill gave an historic speech (which you can watch here if you would like - the first 1 min 30 secs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEavcsrMoMw) to announce that the war in Europe was over.
As you can see in the clip, crowds cheered and celebrated the end of the war. They had renewed hope that life could return to peace, that food rationing could come to an end and that relatives could come back from the danger of fighting.
To celebrate, communities came together and had parties in the street, hung up bunting and ate together with neighbours. They remembered the strength that came from standing alongside their friends, family and the rest of the country.
I wonder how communities will celebrate at the end of the lockdown period? During this time, remember that you are a member of our school community and that this experience will help you learn and grow in ways which we don’t yet understand.
A prayer for today
Dear God,
Thank you for all those who serve to protect us and our freedom, either in the armed forces during war time, or in the NHS and other key roles during the lockdown.
We ask for God’s peace for those who remember hard times during WW2 and who may have lost loved ones.
We thank you for the victory and peace that came with the end of the war.
We pray for continued peace and justice in our world.
In Jesus’ name
Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.