A very warm welcome to all
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.”
Twenty-Third Sunday After Pentecost
Readings: Micah 3: 5-12; 1 Thessalonians 2: 9-13
Gospel: Matthew 23: 1-12
In our Gospel today
If we see a ‘Beware of the Dog’ sign in front of a house, we know to stay away. In our gospel reading Jesus gives us a ‘Beware of False Teachers’ sign.
We find Jesus at his fiercest in the words recorded in Matthew chapter 23. He hated religious hypocrites and warned the crowds about them. The scribes and Pharisees were hypocrites; they did not do what they taught. And in this passage Jesus tells us the tell-tale signs by which we can identify such hypocrites – they love to be seen and they love honour.
We would do well to heed this warning from Jesus not only in relation to religious leaders but also for ourselves. The hypocrite is a deceiver of other people. What counts to the hypocrite is not what they are really like but what others think they are like. Jesus, of course, is interested only in the inner person (and its congruence with the outer person).
Calendar 2024
Hopefully, by the time we are all in church on Sunday 5th November we will have the St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Calendar for 2024. Copies should be available for purchase from that day and the price for one is £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 plan to start collecting Christmas Selection Boxes from Sunday 19th November. These will be distributed to charities such as Barnardos and Cyrenians
Mexican Night – Friday 17th November
On Friday 17th November we plan to have a Bring & Share Mexican Evening in the Choir Vestry. The idea is to bring along Mexican food and drinks to share. So please start thinking about your Mexican recipes and drinks and dust off your sombreros!
Gardening Gangs
Many thanks to the Gardening Gangs that have done such a great job on the weeding in the church grounds over the last few weeks. It would be great to keep the effort going for another few weeks if the weather is fair to clear the east end of the grounds – at least as best we can!
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 5th November 2023
Sunday 5th November 8am Said Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy) Revd Dr Jenny Holden
Sunday 5th November 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Presiding Revd Dr Jenny Holden and preaching Dr Nicola Mills
Tuesday 7th November 10am Morning Prayer: Revd Roger Dyer
Wednesday 8th November 10am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Roger Dyer
Friday 10th November 6pm Compline: Iain Stewart
Sunday 12th November 8am Said Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Dr Jenny Holden
Sunday 12th November 10:45am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Dr Jenny Holden
Sunday 12th November readings: Solomon 6: 17-20; Psalm 70; 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18
Gospel: Matthew 25: 1-13
“He preaches well that lives well.”
(Cervantes, Don Quixote)
For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd. Roger Dyer on 07719 458571
or revrogdyer@btinternet.com