The Chaplaincy of the Holy Spirit is entirely self-supporting and relies totally on donations from members, friends and visitors - please would you consider making a donation here
For the following weeks, our chaplaincy will celebrate each Sunday as indicated until Christmas - we will try to provide readings following the lectionary and readings for the specific day which we will use within the chaplaincy, if different
Fr Rodney has prepared two information leaflets which you may find useful to guide members of the our congregations in presenting both the readings and the intercessions - they are available in .pdf form to read here (intercessions) and here (readings), and can also be downloaded to print from our resources page here
Our prayer calendar is
November 9th 2025 - Remembrance Sunday
November 16th 2025 - Second Sunday before Advent
November 23rd 2025 - Christ the King
November 30th 2025 - Advent Sunday (Year A in the lectionary begins)
December 7th 2025 - Advent 2
December 14th 2025 - Advent 3
December 21st 2025 - Advent 4
The prayers set out below should be carefully read and, where necessary, amended for YOUR use
Intercessions for Fourth Sunday of Advent Year A - December 21st 2025
Everlasting God we come today on the last Sunday of our Advent journey towards Christmas and we give thanks as we remember those journeys that were being taken on that first Christmas 2000 years ago.
Mary and Joseph - travelling by foot to enrol in the Roman census; The Wise Men following the signs in the heavens; The unsuspecting Shepherds moving from pasture to pasture with their flocks; The Jewish Nation, also unsuspecting, moving through history towards a world changing event.
(Short Silence)
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Father God As we think of Mary, pregnant with the Holy child journeying towards motherhood we pray for all women who are expecting a new addition to their families. We also remember that not all pregnancies are wanted and so we pray for all who are carrying unwanted babies and for the decisions they have to make, some of which may be very unpleasant.
(Short Silence)
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Merciful God, we pray for all who, like Mary and Joseph, are making long and difficult journeys by foot, especially those fleeing from war and terror. For those trying to escape hardship, drought, famine or persecution. For those embarking on perilous journeys across the Mediterranean in dreadfully unsuitable craft and for those who are providing rescue services.
(Short Silence)
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Creator God We thank you for the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas. We pray that this would bring lasting peace to the whole region, and that you would restore hope to the hopeless. We also pray that Israel would allow a flood of aid to freely enter Gaza and for a lasting ceasefire, and that the peace plan is implemented fully by all parties. Our hearts break for the millions of people who’ve endured relentless violence and conflict, and we ask that you restore them to life in all its fullness. For all those who are suffering, starving and mourning, we ask that help would reach them quickly – and that you would be their comfort, their healer and their safe refuge. [Tearfund 2025]
(Short Silence)
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Mighty God we pray for the wise men and women of our modern world who are making amazing technological advances and moving our world ever faster into the future. Help us at all times to use that technology for the good of your creation and let it never get in the way of the way that we live our lives for you and for our neighbours in Christ
(Short Silence)
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Faithful God we pray for the sick and the suffering especially when having to travel to hospital for treatment or surgery and for those who love them and care for them.
(add names of those requesting prayer)
(Short Silence)
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Loving God, give us ears to hear and minds to understand the message and gift of Christmas so that we may look forward with patience and confidence to that time when we will join you in the peace of eternity. And we especially pray for any we know who recently died and are on that journey to you.
(add names of the recently departed or on Anniversary list)
(Short Silence)
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Gracious God, who chose the Mary to be the mother of the promised saviour: fill us with your grace, that like Mary we might rejoice in your salvation; send us out to finish our Advent journey filled with love and joy and peace ready to receive that promise afresh into our lives.
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
I
You can also find these prayers fourth sunday of advent year a.pdf
Using this link will open a .pdf file which can be read online or downloaded for printing
Yours in Christ
Rev’d Steve Foster
We have been asked by The Archbishops of Canterbury and York to continue to pray for Ukraine:
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
We write to you as the world is in
turmoil following recent events in Eastern Europe
I am sure that you will agree that the horrific and unprovoked attack on Ukraine is an act of great evil
Now, more than ever, we need to place our trust in Jesus
Christ, as we remember that God is not the author of confusion but of
peace; and so I urge you to pray for a ceasefire, a withdrawal of Russian
forces and for peace to prevail
Pray for the innocent – the women, men and children who are displaced, whose lives are disrupted, and who live in fear of the atrocities of war
Pray for those with power – that they may make a resolute and public decision to never use force, to actively work for peace and seek peaceful solutions to dispute and disagreement
Pray that there may be a recognition of common and shared humanity and God’s promise of flourishing life for all people
The Bishop in Europe has asked us to join them in prayer for the chaplaincy in Kyiv and the churches that serve Ukraine
At this time of great uncertainty, we place our hope and trust in God, whose love never fails. Lord, have mercy
Fr Steve Foster
The Singing Vicar
Email: singingvicar@gmail.com