A very warm welcome to all
“Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great.”
Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Readings: Zephaniah 1: 7, 12-18; 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11
Gospel: Matthew 25: 14-30
In our Gospel today
The prophet Zephaniah calls for renewal, that the nation returns to right relationship with God and each other, during the reign of Josiah (640-609 BCE). He speaks of the ‘Day of the Lord’, a terrible day of judgement that is to come.
Two decades after Jesus’ death and resurrection Paul still clearly indicates his conviction that Jesus will return soon. He uses the same phrase calling this the ‘Day of the Lord’. Paul is addressing the understandably growing complacency, even scepticism, with Jesus’ return delayed.
In our gospel reading Jesus teaches that we are to use the talents given to us wisely for there is to be a reckoning before God and judgement will be delivered with some entering into joy and others being cast into outer darkness.
Christmas Worship
Reverend Roger Dyer contacted Bishop Dorsey McConnell this week about Christmas worship at St Mary’s. The good news is that +Dorsey has offered to be with us for our 11:30pm Midnight Service on Christmas Eve and again at 10am on Christmas Day.
Vestry Meeting
The Vestry are meeting on Tuesday evening (21st November at 7pm) and Bishop Dorsey McConnell will be present. Dave Chouman, our architect, has also been invited to make a short presentation on our Quinquennial Reports.
Calendar 2024
The St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Calendar for 2024 is now available in church. Single copies can be purchased at the price of £10. If you’d like to purchase more than one, we will offer a 10% discount on the total payable.
Collecting Christmas Selection Boxes
We plan to start collecting Christmas Selection Boxes from this Sunday 19th November. In fact, some congregation members started giving early and we already have a small pile of selection boxes. These will be distributed to charities such as Barnardos and Cyrenians.
Gin & whisky bottle appeal
Many thanks to all that contributed nice gin and whisky bottles to our yearly appeal. Over 100 bottles have now been collected by the candle company Tipsy House, with a promise of a donation in return before Christmas. The company has recently changed hands with a new manufacturing unit now in Kemnay and is up and running with retail units in Union Square and the Bon Accord Centre. Chris Webster, the new Director, said “I am really grateful that you have kept the contact with Tipsy, and hopefully we will be able to have a lasting relationship going forward.”
Services/Events Commencing Sunday the 19th November 2023
Sunday 19th November 8am Said Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 19th November 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Roger Dyer
Tuesday 21st November 10am Morning Prayer: Revd Roger Dyer
Wednesday 22nd November 10am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Roger Dyer
Friday 24th November 6pm Compline: Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 26th November No 8am Service
Sunday 26th November 10am Christ the King (1982 Liturgy): Revd Kate Gibson
Sunday 26th November readings: Ezekiel 34: 11-16, 20-24; Psalm 95: 1-7a;
Ephesians 1: 15-23
Gospel: Matthew 25: 31-46
BBC Prom 13 Verdi’s Requiem – Dies Irae & Tuba Mirum
For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd. Roger Dyer on 07719 458571
or revrogdyer@btinternet.com