A very warm welcome to all
Psalm 1: “The Lord knows the way of the righteous.”
The Seventh Sunday of Easter
Readings: Acts 1: 15-17, 21-26; 1 John 5: 9-13
Gospel: John 17: 6-19
In our Gospel today
On this Sunday, which comes between the Ascension and Pentecost, we continue to follow the development of the infant Church and return to St John’s theme of God’s love for us.
In the First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, the disciples come together to discern and pray, so as to choose an apostle to replace Judas. The lot falls to Matthias.
The Psalm is a hymn of praise and describes the love of God that covers the whole universe.
The Second Reading emphasises that God’s love for us is the reason and example for our love for each other. As long as we do this, God will live in us, and will share the Spirit with us.
In the Gospel, taken from Jesus’s priestly prayer to the Father, Jesus prays that the disciples will remain true to his name. As the Father sent Jesus into the world, so he now sends his followers. May they be united in faith and love.
The readings lead us to contemplate the love and unity within the Trinity, a fitting preparation this week as we look towards Pentecost.
Open Table Invitation from Bishop Dorsey McConnell
Open Table Invitation from Bishop Dorsey McConnell. Bishop Dorsey McConnell has issued an invitation to all in the Diocese to meet for an evening open table conversation around three significant questions: Who is Christ? Who Are We? and So What? The full invitation letter is appended below. The three opportunities to join are:
o Wednesday 15th May at 7pm, St Ternan’s, Banchory
o Wednesday 5th June at 6:30pm, St James’ the Less, Cruden Bay
o Wednesday 26th June at 7:30pm, St Drostan’s, Insch
Thursdays @ 7
Would you like to meet mid-week for bible-study, prayer and encouragement? Thursdays @ 7 will be starting on 16th May in the Crypt. Until the end of June our focus will be Meeting and Serving Jesus. You’d be very welcome wherever you feel you are in your faith journey. Bring a friend if you wish. We’ll aim to be an hour – longer if you stay for refreshments.
Ladies’ and Gents’ Evenings 17th May
Our Friday 17th May Ladies’ and Gents’ evenings are now organised. The venue for the ladies’ evening is Mi Amore at 7:15pm and a deposit of £10 per head has been paid by Gillian Rose – so kindly reimburse her as soon as you can. The venue for the gents’ evening is Maggies Grill at 7pm (no deposit required). See you there!
Confirmation at St James Sunday 26th May
Confirmation 4pm Sunday 26th May. Baptised as a child and wish to affirm your adult faith? Baptised as an adult and wish to state your commitment to serve God in the world, asking God’s help? Returning to a place of renewed faith and wish to mark this, asking God’s help? Then, Confirmation is something you might wish to consider. St Mary’s will be joining in a joint Confirmation Service with St James and St Johns on 26th May 4pm. Venue – St James. Please speak to Revd Roger by 21st April if interested (revrogdyer@btinternet.com). There will be confirmation classes to prepare at a time to suite candidates.
Would you like some tomato plants?
Are you a green fingered gardener or someone who likes a couple of small tomato plants on the kitchen windowsill? Please help yourself to the plants in the Choir Vestry for a donation towards church funds. If you don’t have any cash on you, please think about using the church PayPal account – you’ll find the link at the bottom of our homepage.
Photograph Competition 2024
Our Photograph Competition for 2024 began on Monday 1st April and runs to August 30th. Entries in the last few years have been really fantastic and many have made it into the St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral calendars. The webmaster is looking forward to seeing your entries!
Thinking ahead for Christmas?
Thinking ahead for Christmas? If you’d like to commission a pair of handknitted socks as a gift – or for yourself – please contact Nick. Price can be arranged depending on wool and size – proceeds to St. Mary’s.
Services and events commencing this Sunday and for the coming week
Sunday 12th May 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 12th May 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Kate Gibson
Tuesday 14th May 10am Morning Prayer: Revd Roger Dyer
Wednesday 15th May 10am Holy Communion: Revd Roger Dyer
Friday 16th May 6pm Compline: Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 19th May 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 19th May 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy) with Baptism: Revd Roger Dyer
Next Sunday’s readings: Acts 2: 1-21; Psalm 104: 24-34, 35b; Romans 8: 22-27
Gospel: John 15: 26-27; 16: 4b-15
“You would know our Lord’s meaning in this thing? Know it well. Love was His meaning. Who showed it to you? Love. What did He show you? Love. Why did He show it? For love.”
(Julian of Norwich)
For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd. Roger Dyer on 07719 458571
or revrogdyer@btinternet.com