A very warm welcome to all
“All nations you have made shall come and worship you, O Lord.”
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
Readings: Isaiah 44: 6-8; Romans 8: 12-25
Gospel: Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43
In our Gospel today
Following on from Bishop John’s sermon last Sunday, we have more well-known parables about seed time and harvest in this week’s Gospel. Matthew goes on to tell us about the ‘wheat and tares together sown’, allowed to grow together, before the tares, the weeds, are taken away for destruction and the wheat is gathered in the last harvest. And our other readings echo this ominous tone: in Isaiah, God reminds us very firmly that He is the only God, the only one to follow, while Paul in his letter to the Romans describes all creation in distress. But all of these give us hope amidst the warnings: we are part of creation, but we have a chance, the greatest chance, for salvation.
Peace Garden
Work on the Peace Garden Project has continued and is on schedule. In the fifth week of the works the landscaping is almost completed from the raised bed to the rowan trees and the central path is now visible. For safety reasons the church carparking area will be for the use of the contractors between 8am and 5pm during the working week. If you have any questions about the project, please approach our folks on the Buildings Committee – David Rose and Freddie Stephens.
Services of Evensong
There will be two further services of Evensong at St Mary’s through the summer months on 30th July 6:30pm and 27th August 6:30pm). Our Director of Music, Matthew McVey, will be gathering a choir for these occasions. The Evensong on the 27th of August at 6:30pm will be Matthew’s last service with us before he takes up his new post. After this service there will be a Reception and an opportunity for us to express our thanks to Matthew for his work amongst us in recent years. Please mark this date in your diaries and on your calendars! Full details to follow.
Gallowgate Fair
The Gallowgate Fair will take place on Saturday 5th August at St Margaret’s Hall from 10am to 4pm. St Mary’s usually take a stall and sell homemade toffee, jam, and bakes. Please speak to the Fundraising and Social Team for more information on how to get involved.
St Mary’s Gift Day
On Sunday 13th August it will be our Patronal Festival (transferred from the 15th). This will also be our annual St Mary’s Gift Day where we ask congregation members to think about reviewing their regular giving and to consider making a further one-off gift to St Mary’s.
Photograph Competition 2023
Our Photograph Competition for 2023 has been launched and will be our third such competition and will run until 30th September. We are still awaiting our first photographic entries! Competition rules can be found here:
https://stmaryscardenplace.org.uk/notices/photograph-competition-2023/
Bottle Appeal
We ask everyone to consider donating attractive (and empty) gin or whisky bottles for our ‘Bottle Appeal’. This is an ongoing fundraising initiative and we ask you to keep your eyes open.
Services/Events Commencing Sunday the 23rd July 2023
Sunday 23rd July Said Eucharist (1970 Liturgy): Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 23rd July 10am Service of the Word: Leading Godwin Chimara and preaching Dr Nicola Mills
Tuesday 25th July at 10am (St James) Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Roger Dyer
Wednesday 26th July 10am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Roger Dyer
Friday 28th July 6pm Compline: Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 30th July 8am Said Eucharist (1970 Liturgy): Revd Dr Jenny Holden
Sunday 30th July 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Dr Jenny Holden
Sunday 30th July readings: 1 Kings 3: 5-12; Psalm 119: 129-136; Romans 8: 26-39
Gospel: Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52
“To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. this is my symphony.”
(William Ellory Channing)
For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd. Roger Dyer on 07719 458571
or revrogdyer@btinternet.com