A very warm welcome to all
First Sunday After Epiphany
Readings: Isaiah 42: 1-9; Acts 10: 34-43
Gospel: Matthew 3: 13-17
In our Gospel
“Let it be so now,” Jesus says to John. Then he consented. What if that’s to be our way too? What if Jesus is saying to us, “Let it be so now?” What if we too are being asked to consent? The consent to which Jesus calls us isn’t simply about giving up, acquiescing, approving, or agreeing. It’s about a way of life. It’s about Jesus’ way of life. It doesn’t mean we have to like or want what is happening. It does, however, mean that we face it and deal with it.
War in Ukraine
Please continue to offer prayers for our brothers and sisters caught up in Ukraine’s mayhem. Please think about what you can do to help in any way for those who continue to reach out to the rest of Europe and beyond for our assistance. Whatever method or organisation you use to make donations, please do it rather than think about it. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!
Poem Competition 2023
Just to remind everyone that our Short Poetry Competition was launched on the 4th of December. If you recall how successful our previous competition was it was a ‘no-brainer’ that we should do it again. So, get your artistic thinking caps on once more and let’s see if we can have some wonderful poems as we did the last time. You have until the end of March 2023 to submit your entries, either via email to stmaryscardenplace@gmail.com or if you do not have a computer, on hard copy to either myself or Mr David Rose our webmaster. The rules can be found via the website on the following link to this year’s competition at https://stmaryscardenplace.org.uk/uncategorized/poem-competition-2023/ Further information will be updated and will soon be made available.
Holy Communion rules
Several weeks ago, when we resumed providing the wine during Holy Communion, you may recall that I stressed we cannot allow intinction (dipping the wafer into the chalice). I must stress that this is still in place. Therefore, I ask you to avoid any embarrassment at such a solemn point in our worship, where a refusal could seem offensive, that you would either take directly from the common cup or not at all. Please know that taking in one kind only completely fulfils your participation in the Holy Communion.
Annual General Meeting
On the 5th of February 2023, St Mary’s will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM). This is, therefore, the third notification of the said meeting. There are two posts that need to be advertised annually, these are, the Lay Representative for Synod and the Alternative Lay Representative. Presently Dr Nicola Mills and our Peoples Warden, Mr Iain Stewart hold these posts respectively. Both have offered to continue in the roles unless other names are submitted. Should this be the case, then it will need to be subject to a ballot. I will soon post nomination sheets for anyone who wishes to be considered.
Services/Events Commencing Sunday the 8th January 2023
Sunday 8th January at 8 am – Holy Communion (1970 – Cn Terry)
Sunday 8th January at 10 am – 1st Sunday after the Epiphany – Sung Eucharist (1982 Cn Terry)
Monday 9th January – Cn Terry Day off
Tuesday 10th January at 10 am – Morning Prayer (Cn Terry)
Wednesday 11th January at 10 am – Holy Communion
Friday 13th January at 6 pm – Compline (Cn Terry)
Sunday 15th January at 10 am – Sung Eucharist
Sunday the 15th Jan Readings: Isaiah 49: 1-7; 1 Corinthians: 1-9, Gospel: John 1: 29-42
“All the great works of art, the cathedrals – the Gothic cathedrals and the splendid Baroque churches – are a luminous sign of God, and thus are truly a manifestation, an epiphany of God.”
(Pope Benedict XVI)
Cn Terry Taggart:
01224588776/07768219984