St James Church Clapham

10/06/2026

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

By Revd John Marshall

Oleksandr Usyk has been supporting Anthony Joshua through his bereavement for his friends. Usyk has lost friends in the conflict in Ukraine.
He said "Listen God gave you one more chance (in boxing). Take this chance and don't stop or cry. This is life, pray everyday and God will help you. Whatever you need I will help"
Usyk said "Every day I pray for my friends......I don't know what waits for me and my team tomorrow but I continue to work, pray and help . If God gives you a gift every day then appreciate it. It is hard but you must continue to live because God gives you that. "

What gifts has God given us?
Thank you for the love of Jesus, may we share his love and life.

BIBLE VERSES:
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
- James 1:17
PRAYER:

Lord Jesus Christ, in times of loneliness may we be comforted by your presence. In days of affliction may we be fortified with your strength. In hours of despair may we be raised up through your love. Amen.
- Marie Bernarde Soubirous (1844-1879)


What song shall I sing today?
What prayer shall I pray today?

Abide with me, O Love Divine.

Thank you, God, for music and song in our hearts and lives.

I pray to you every new morning,
anticipating what might lie ahead.

I pray to you in the afternoon,
thinking of family and friends.

I pray to you in the evening,
repeating “Thank you, God” for life in all its richness,
remembering all who cannot sing or pray
because of pain and sorrow in their lives.

What song shall I sing tomorrow?
What prayer shall I pray tomorrow?
- Pamela Stenson, President, Methodist Women in Britain, Darlington District

08/06/2026

By Revd Kit Gunasekera

Speech

I have been thinking a lot about speech recently. In terms of how I respond to those who get me angry, with what I feel is unreasonable and unfair comments. None of this is coming from Church, I hasten to add! But it is a fact of life, that we all hear things that trigger something angry in us wanting to lash back out. It can FEEL SATISFYING AND IT SCRATCHES THAT INITAL ITCH TO GET THINGS OFF ONES CHEST. I accidently hit the caps button just now, but will keep it as it is, because one of the ways we can lash out in written text is to use capitals!

I asked AI this question: What is the Christian view as to how to speak to those who insult us? The answer was, The Christian view teaches that while anger is a natural emotion, believers are called to respond to those who hurt them with grace, forgiveness, and self-control. The focus is on reflecting God's love and seeking peace rather than giving in to retaliation or bitterness.

There seems a lot of truth in that. But that is a hard thing to do isn't it? I often fail to do that. A few things that can help us:
1. Do not to respond immediately. Allow things to settle. Take three deep breaths.
2. Ask our selves, do we really need to respond, or is this something we can let go.
3. Examine the words that have got under our skin. Ask our selves are they being reasonable? What is causing us to get so angry?
4. Ask our selves, is there at least a grain of truth in what they said?
5. Do not disregard the anger or the hurt. It could well be justified. But don't let it control us.
6. And if we do need to respond, to do so constructively, avoiding emotionally charged phrases.
7. And above all pray, to ask for God's help.

Some helpful bible verses are below.

BIBLE VERSES:
"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone". - Colossians 4:6
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called..." — 1 Peter 3:9
"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." — Romans 12:14
"When they hurled their insults at him, he (Jesus) did not retaliate... instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." — 1 Peter 2:23
"A fool shows his annoyance at once, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent." — Proverbs 12:16
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. - Romans 12:18

03/06/2026

By Revd Kit Gunasekera

I came across these verses this morning:
33 “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. 35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. 36 Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.”
- Luke 11:33-36

I wonder how it might feel like for us to see our bodies full of light? It speaks about what we choose to look at, both literally, but also, for all of us, what we dwell on, how we interpret what we see and hear, how we recognise what lies deep inside all of us, and the choices we make when we are confronted with the darkness we all carry.

29/05/2026

By Revd Kit Gunasekera

We had a great Pentecost Celebration last Sunday in Church. Ruby and Suresh had decorated the church with flags from different nations. It looked wonderful! At the front were the Union Jack and the flag of St George's Cross. These two flags have been getting a lot of attention lately, with some using it in a negative and divisive way. We used it, to show our inclusion and diversity, the flags belong to all who call this great country their home. And the two flags stood amongst flags from other nations, depicting every nation on earth, as a sign that we are united and all come under God, who owns all the lands of the world. When the Holy Spirit came on the disciples on that first Pentecost, which Mike Hayes described beautifully in his sermon, He/she started a movement that was sent to all the world with the message of God's love and his healing and transformative work through Jesus death and resurrection. On Saturday, three young people from our church, responded to that message and took a huge step forward in their faith, when they were confirmed at Southwark Cathedral.

When they were confirmed, the Bishop, said this prayer over them;

Let your Holy Spirit rest upon them:
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding;
the Spirit of counsel and inward strength;
the Spirit of knowledge and true godliness;
and let their delight be in the fear of the Lord.

Then she said:
God has called you by name and made you his own.
Confirm, O Lord, your servant with your Holy Spirit.
Amen.

May the Spirit lead and and guide us, equip us and inspire us, to be the loving, welcoming, inclusive community of God and may the Lord add to our number those whom He is calling.

24/05/2026

May the refreshing power of the Holy Spirit be with you. Join us for our Pentecost Service at 11 am at St James, as we celebrate the birthday of the world wide Church!

24/05/2026

The fire and peace of the Holy Spirit be with you. Join us at 11 am this morning for our Pentecost Service at St James.

23/05/2026

A Cathedral resident joined us for the Confirmation service at Southwark Cathedral today!

17/05/2026

What kind of future are we building together?

On Friday 5th June at 7.30pm, at St Thomas with St Stephen’s, we’re hosting a screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing — a powerful and accessible film bringing together leading voices on the climate and nature crisis, and the practical hope that can be found through collective action.

This isn’t about doom or guilt. It’s about understanding what’s happening, why it matters, and how communities like ours can respond with courage, compassion and imagination.

After the screening there’ll be space for conversation, reflection and sharing ideas together.

Please come along — and invite someone else too. A friend, neighbour, colleague, family member, or someone who cares about the future but perhaps doesn’t know where to begin. If each of us invited one person, we could create a really meaningful evening of learning, connection and hope.

📍 St Thomas with St Stephen’s
🗓 Friday 5th June
🕢 7.30pm
🎟 Free to attend

Hosted by our Eco Church team. Everyone welcome.

13/05/2026

09/05/2026

Plants are out! St James Plant, Book and Cake sale, today 9 th May from 11.30am to 2.30 pm!