Sunday !st June 2008

Richard writes…

Today we welcome Canon John Thomson back with us and we are again grateful for the help that he and many other clergy have offered us over the past 15 months of the interregnum.

I am sure that most of you have heard that, following the interviewing of three candidates 10 days ago, we decided not to make an appointment which, in many ways, was a disappointment. All three had different gifts to offer but it was felt that none of them was the right person for the challenging work required to lead both St Mary’s and St Paul’s. Let us remember the three of them in our prayers as they continue their ministries in their current parishes and pray that they may be guided about their future in God’s service.

Many people have been praying hard for St Mary’s and for our future, and Fiona and I have been very aware of your prayer support over the last few weeks especially regarding the interviews. God does answer prayers and we felt His guidance in the decision to say “No”. Remember Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good for those who love God.”

It is all in God’s plan that we wait a little longer, and maybe it is part of His plan that we need to offer ourselves in some way to help in the work of St Mary’s? There are many pastoral and teaching duties to be done which we would normally expect a vicar to carry out. Can you think of some way you could help at this time?

With love and prayers, Richard.

Please pray…

… for the sick:

Marion Smith, Zita Rickwood, Roly Woolridge,

Pauline Hoe, Catherine Bibey and Jack Gosling.

… for the continuing recovery of:

Geoffrey Oates, Noel Beattie, Sue Ledger and Beryl Wood.

… for the housebound:

Sheila Mitchinson, Mary Bell, David Gagg, Nora Mason,

Pat McGregor and Doris Bodimeade.

… for the bereaved relatives of:

Gwendoline Cliffe, Mavis Wilson, Terence Newey, Bradley Lane, Norma Smith and Trevor Westmoreland.

… for those who live on: Raby Road and Rectory Gardens.

Second Sunday after Trinity

(1st June 2008)

Sunday Services:

10.30 Holy Communion Genesis 6 9-22, 7 24, 8 14-19 (p.8)

Matthew 7 21-end (p.972)

p.m Root Groups Psalm 33 (p.560)

Luke 8 4-15 (p.1037)

Wednesday

10.00 Holy Communion Mark 12 18-27 (p.1017)

Collects

Lord, you have taught us that all our doings without love are nothing worth: send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the true bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whoever lives is counted dead before you. Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Faithful Creator, whose mercy never fails: deepen our faithfulness to you and to your living Word, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The month ahead…

June

2nd 1930 PCC meets

4th 1200 Church Lunch

1930 City Prayer (Christ Church)

8th 1030 Morning Prayer

(Genesis 12 1-9/Matthew 9 9-13, 18-26)

1830 Holy Communion

(Psalm 41/ Luke 8 41-end)

12th 1030 St Mary’s Nursing Home

1400 Thorndene

1445 Town Moor House

19th 1030 Amphion Lodge

1430 Walton Grange

Christian Aid Week…

Thank you for the magnificent total of £1082.34 to date, given as result of house-to-house collections and donations from members of St Mary’s.

From the records…

Funerals

May 19th Terence Newey 58yrs

May 22nd Trevor Westmoreland 64yrs

May 23rd Bradley Lane 29yrs

May 30th Norma Smith 67yrs.