A very warm welcome to all
Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”
The Fourth Sunday of Easter
Readings: Acts 4: 5-12; 1 John 3: 16-24
Gospel: John 10: 11-18
In our Gospel today
Today is the Fourth Sunday of Easter also known as Vocations Sunday or Good Shepherd Sunday. All people are called to serve God according to their given gifts, talents, and context. Every Christian has a vocation, and on this Sunday, this is the focus. The readings speak of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, with Jesus calling himself this in our Gospel reading (John 10.11-18). We hear of Jesus as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep, indicating His sacrificial love and commitment to us. The Epistle (1 John 3.1-12) tells us that we are already God’s children, loved deeply by the Father. The world doesn’t know us, as it didn’t know Him. In the future, we’ll fully become like Him, seeing Him as He truly is. In our readings from Acts Peter (with John) is before the Sanhedrin (council and tribunal of Jews) and describes who Jesus is. The Psalm appointed for today is Psalm 23 – The Lord is My Shepherd speaks of God of the one who guides us through the joys and trials of life. The readings all speak of God’s love for us and challenges us to think about what that means in terms of how we use our time, talents, and gifts.
Italian Night
There will be an Italian Night on Friday 19th April at 7pm. This will be a fundraising event with some nice Italian style foods. To gauge numbers attending on the evening there are sign-up sheets at the back of church and also in the Choir Vestry. Please bring along your own drinks. Donations will be taken on the night. Buon Appetito!
Aberdeen Bach Choir Music Hall on Sunday, 28th April at 7.30
Aberdeen Bach Choir are singing Bach’s B minor mass at the Music Hall on Sunday, 28th April at 7.30. Tickets available via Aberdeen Performing Arts (or members, if you know any – e.g. Julia or Jason).
Ladies’ and Gents’ Evenings 17th May
Our Ladies’ and Gents’ evenings have been planned for Friday 17th May. Please add your name to the sign-up sheets at the back of church if you are planning to attend. Please also jot down any particular venues you’d like to suggest for the night out.
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.
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. Please think about dusting off your 35 mm single lens reflex camera or just think about using your mobile ‘phone more artistically!
Would you like some tomato plants?
Tomato plants for sale! Are you a green fingered gardener or someone who likes a couple of small tomato plants on the kitchen windowsill? Please look out for our tomato plant sales later this month and in early May. Plants will be available for purchase after the Sunday services.
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 21st April 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Canon Dr Jenny Holden
Sunday 21st April 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Canon Dr Jenny Holden
Tuesday 23rd April No Morning Prayer
Wednesday 24th April 10am Holy Communion: Revd Roger Dyer
Friday 26th April 6pm Compline: Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 28th April 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 28th April 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Kate Gibson
Next Sunday’s readings: Acts 8: 26-40; Psalm 22: 25-31; 1 John 4: 7-21
Gospel: John 15: 1-8
“Vocation is the place where the world’s greatest need and a person’s greatest joy meet.”
(Frederick Buechner)
For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd. Roger Dyer on 07719 458571
or revrogdyer@btinternet.com