A very warm welcome to all
Psalm 95: “O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!”
Christ the King
Readings: Ezekiel 34: 11-16, 20-24; Ephesians 1: 15-23
Gospel: Matthew 25: 31-46
In our Gospel today
The annual cycle of the Church’s year comes to an end with the Feast of Christ the King. The year that begins with the hope of the coming Messiah ends with the proclamation of Jesus’ universal sovereignty.
The ascension has revealed that Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, and final judgement is one of his proper purposes. But what type of King is this? This king is also a shepherd. A shepherd working amongst the flock getting dirty and sweaty as the goats are sorted out from the sheep. In our gospel reading we learn the basis upon which this judgement will be made. We are to be judged by how we treat others.
Revd Canon Dr Jenny Holden
This week Revd Dr Jenny Holden was elected to the Cathedral Chapter by the clergy of the Diocese. Well done, Jenny! The Chapter is constituted to give ‘godly advice to the Bishop’. Jenny’s formal title is now Revd Canon Dr Jenny Holden.
Christmas Worship
Reverend Roger Dyer recently contacted Bishop Dorsey McConnell 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.
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 started collecting Christmas Selection Boxes from Sunday 19th November. Thank you to all that have already contributed. We already have a nice 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 26th November 2023
Sunday 26th November No 8am Service
Sunday 26th November 10am Christ the King (1982 Liturgy): Revd Kate Gibson Tuesday 28th November 10am Morning Prayer: Revd Roger Dyer
Wednesday 29th November 10am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Roger Dyer
Thursday 30th November 10am (Feast of St Andrew): Revd Roger Dyer
Friday 1st December 6pm Compline: Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 3rd December 8am Said Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Canon Dr Jenny Holden
Sunday 3rd December 10am Advent Sunday (1982 Liturgy): Revd Canon Dr Jenny Holden
Sunday 3rd December readings: Isaiah 64: 1-9; Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19;
1 Corinthians 1: 3-9
Gospel: Mark 13: 24-37
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.”
(Edmund Burke)
For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd. Roger Dyer on 07719 458571
or revrogdyer@btinternet.com