A very warm welcome to all
Psalm 98: “The Lord has made known his victory in the sight of the nations.”
The Sixth Sunday of Easter
Readings: Acts 10: 44-48; 1 John 5: 1-6
Gospel: John 15: 9-17
In our Gospel today
Today’s Gospel follows immediately after the Gospel proclaimed last week, in which Jesus taught that he was the vine and that his disciples were the branches. In the example of the vine and the branches, we learned that our union with Jesus will lead to fruitful service. Today’s reading extends this teaching to describe the kind of service that Christians are called upon to offer to others. Commandments – those things we are called to – are a theme in the Epistle. In the first reading, Peter realised God’s impartiality and while he spoke, the Holy Spirit filled everyone present and Peter baptised them (a trailer for Ascension and Pentecost in the days and weeks ahead). The Psalm extols us to ‘Sing a new song to God, who has done marvellous things’ perhaps something to remember as we sing in our worship today and this week.
Open Table Invitation from Bishop Dorsey McConnell
Bishop Dorsey McConnell has issued an invitation to all in the Diocese to meet for an evening open table conversation around three significant questions: Who is Christ? Who Are We? and So What? The full invitation letter is appended to this week’s noticesheet. The three opportunities to join are:
15th May at 7pm, St Ternan’s, Banchory
5th June at 6:30pm, St James’ the Less, Cruden Bay
26th June at 7:30pm, St Drostan’s, Insch
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. As we’ll have to book a venue this weekend is the deadline for signing up. 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! The webmaster is still waiting for the first entries!
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 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
Tuesday 7th May 10am Morning Prayer: Revd Roger Dyer
Wednesday 8th May 10am Holy Communion: Revd Roger Dyer
Thursday 9th May 7pm Ascension Day Holy Communion: Revd Roger Dyer
Friday 10th May 6pm Compline: Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 12th May 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 12th May 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Kate Gibson
Next Sunday’s readings: Acts 1: 15-17, 21-26; Psalm 1; 1 John 5: 9-13
Gospel: John 17: 6-19
“But remember the root command: Love one another.”
(John 15.17 from The Message translation of the Bible)
For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd. Roger Dyer on 07719 458571
or revrogdyer@btinternet.com