A very warm welcome to all
Psalm 22: “Be not far from me, O Lord.”
The Fifth Sunday of Easter
Readings: Acts 8: 26-40; 1 John 4: 7-21
Gospel: John 15: 1-8
In our Gospel today
Our passage from Acts showed how the gospel became a faith outside of Judaism. It tells us of the incorporation of a Gentile, of indistinct gender identity, into the early church. This story is told as a part of the main theme of Acts – the expansion of the early church from Jerusalem to the Gentile nations of the world. It was a massive challenge to the church to accommodate all the difference that this would bring. How could this be done?
In 1 John 4:7-21 we have the wonderful definition of God: ‘God is love’. No one has seen God but as we love one another, across difference, we allow the world to catch a glimpse of God’s nature.
John 15:1-8. The allegory of the vine and the branches offers insight into our relationship to God and the possibility of living a fruitful loving life. The solid trunk of the vine grows long tender branches on which the fruit is produced. Without those branches the vine cannot produce. Cut off from the root the branches are useful only as kindling for a fire. God is the vine grower who cares for both the vine and the branches. Part of the caring involves pruning so that the vine continues to bear fruit.
What differences might the Holy Spirit be asking us to bridge in the church? How might we love those who are different from ourselves that the loving character of God might be shown? In what ways do we see ourselves ‘abiding’ and/or being pruned that we might bear the good fruit of love?
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.
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.
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 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. Please think about dusting off your 35 mm single lens reflex camera or just think about using your mobile ‘phone more artistically!
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 28th April 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 28th April 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Kate Gibson
Tuesday 30th April 10am Morning Prayer: Revd Roger Dyer
Wednesday 1st May 10am Holy Communion: Revd Kate Gibson
Friday 3rd May 6pm Compline: Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 5th May 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Canon Dr Jenny Holden
Sunday 5th May 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Canon Dr Jenny Holden
Thursday 9th May 7pm Ascension Day Holy Communion
Next Sunday’s readings: Acts 10: 44-48; Psalm 98; 1 John 5: 1-6
Gospel: John 15: 9-17
“Because we are, I am.”
(African Proverb)
For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd. Roger Dyer on 07719 458571
or revrogdyer@btinternet.com