A very warm welcome to all
Psalm 104: “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live.”
The Day of Pentecost
Readings: Acts 2: 1-21; Romans 8: 22-27
Gospel: John 15: 26-27; 16: 4b-15
In our Gospel today
The season of Easter concludes with today’s celebration, the feast of Pentecost. On Pentecost we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem; this event marks the beginning of the Church. The story of Pentecost is found in the Acts of the Apostles, today’s first reading.
In our Psalm we find praise of the Holy Spirit work seen in creation and God’s provision. In Romans 8:22-27 Paul clarifies some of the work of the Holy Spirit within us. The Holy Spirit is the ‘helper’ whom Jesus promised to the disciples at the Last Supper (gospel reading).
Jesus tells his disciples that he must leave but that the Holy Spirit would come to carry on Jesus’s work and be his continuing presence in the world. Many different names have been given to the Spirit, each one defining a different role. In each case, the work of the Spirit is to glorify Jesus – the Spirit makes Jesus known to us and enables us to live Jesus-shaped lives in the world.
All are warmly invited to the joint Confirmation Service 4pm Sunday 26th May to be held at St James, Holburn Junction. Come to worship with others from local SEC churches and to support the candidates from St Marys, St James and St Johns as they take this step.
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.
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 last of 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 19th May 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 19th May 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy) with Baptism: Revd Roger Dyer
Tuesday 21st May 10am Morning Prayer: Revd Roger Dyer
Wednesday 22nd May 10am Holy Communion: Revd Roger Dyer
Friday 24th May 6pm Compline: Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 26th May 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Jason Hobbs
Sunday 26th May 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Jason Hobbs
Sunday 26th May 4pm Confirmation Service at St James
Next Sunday’s readings: Isaiah 6: 1-8; Psalm 29; Romans 8: 12-17
Gospel: John 3: 1-17
“Every divine action begins from the Father, proceeds through the Son, and is completed in the Holy Spirit.”
(Saint Basil)
For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd. Roger Dyer on 07719 458571
or revrogdyer@btinternet.com