Celebrating the Harvest
St Mary’s and St Andrew’s Worshipping Together
A very warm welcome to all
Readings: Joel 2: 21-27; Psalm 100; Philippians 4: 4-9
Gospel: John 6: 25-35
In today’s Gospel
In our Gospel reading today, this lesson speaks against a simple “Thank you God for the harvest” message for Thanksgiving. It reminds us that we have deeper hungers and thirsts that bread alone does not satisfy. It calls us to make our relationship with Jesus as really real as bread is. The challenge for us is NOT that we see Jesus with our eyes and believe in IDEAS about Jesus. The challenge for us is to SEE which things perish and which things endure, and to embed ourselves – to abide in, to focus our living on – the things that endure. Because only the things that endure truly satisfy, and only the things that endure bring true life. The challenge for us is to BOND with Jesus in a way that is as real as eating real bread.
Evensong
There will be an Evensong service later today (Sunday) commencing at 4pm. We shall have a small choir, who with Matthew our Organist and Mr Sam Paul, have worked very hard to bring this to us here at St Mary’s. I sincerely hope that some of you can find time to attend this service, which I can guarantee you will feel much the better for having experienced it.
Zoom Brunch
There will be no 1pm ‘Zoom Brunch’ today. This is to allow all of us some small amount of breathing space between each of the three services provided today. Normal service all be resumed on Sunday the 24th October. There will also be no recorded service provided for the 17th as I have some pressing commitments on the Friday morning. I would therefore guide those who normally watch this service to the Provincial service which is usually broadcast at 11 am each Sunday.
All Souls Service
Our ‘All Souls’ Service will take place here at 7pm on Tuesday the 2nd of November. During this time, we will remember the souls of the dearly departed. The members of our family whom we have lost and miss so very much. Those friends we grew up with, those work colleagues. We will remember them all in prayer with some appropriate musical accompaniment. Should you wish a lot one’s are to be read out during the service, please either email, call, text or speak with me prior to the service. There will also be a sheet at the back of the church for those who wish to place names thereon.
SECMA
The Scottish Episcopal Church Mission Association (SECMA) Magazines are here. This Church has always given generously towards this wonderful and hard-working arm of the SEC and between now and the end of October, I would ask you to consider, if you are able, to make your SECMA donation separate as part of the retiring collection (in a separate plate or appropriately marked envelope). This can be cash/cheque.
Christmas Cards
As I have ben mentioning recently, there’s no time like the present to prepare for Christmas. With that in mind, the St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Christmas cards are now available. You will find them at the rear of the Church as you leave and also in the Choir Vestry if you are joining us for a cuppa after the service. All we ask is the same as last year; £1 per card, or £5 for a pack of six. They are lovely cards, professionally designed by Mr Stuart Smith at Alt 10 Interactive, the local company who built our website.
Confirmation
I would like to put out a call to all of those who have yet to be confirmed in the Scottish Episcopal Church and are considering taking on this further commitment in faith. I urge you to get in touch so we can talk about it and delve deeper with a view to experiencing this momentous step in your Christian lives. Feel free to either email, text or call me; or even give me the nod when we conclude our worship and I will ensure space in my diary
Memorial Service
I am looking at providing a service of memorial and thanksgiving for those who suffered loss during the height of the Corona Virus pandemic, and also to give thanks to the wonderful and dedicated members of our NHS who worked, and continue to do so, in the battle to keep on top of this devastating virus. I am hoping that it can be an ecumenical event with contributions from different faiths and denominations. Please watch this space.
Last Day of Poem Competition
Today is the last day when you can submit your poem for our competition. I have challenged all of you to compose a short poem, no longer than 2 verses (although some flexibility will be allowed) between 4-6 lines per verse (all your own work). It can be about anything and not necessarily connected with the Church. I also urge any of our children who attend our services to think about entering as well. Please send your entries to the church email address either via our website at www.stmaryscardenplace.org.uk or direct to the email address at stmaryscardenplace@gmail.com As per our last competition, we ask for a donation of £2 per entry, and you can submit as many as you wish. Please either use the ‘Donate’ function at the foot of the website home page (preferred option) where there is also an opportunity to note what the donation is for, or speak to our Treasurer, Mrs Lydia Ross for alternative arrangements. I will assume (unless advised to the contrary) that everyone who submits an entry gives their permission to have it published on our website. The rules are also available via the homepage on St Mary’s Website.
Services/Events at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral w/c Sunday the 17th of October 2021
Sunday 17th October at 8 am – Said Holy Communion (Cn Terry-1970)
Sunday 17th October at 10 am Sung Eucharist (Cn Terry-1982)
Sunday 17th October at 4pm – Choral Evensong (CnTerry, Mr Matthew McVey, Mr Sam Paul and Choir
Monday 18th October Cn Terry – Day off
Tuesday 19th October at 10 am Morning Prayers (Cn Terry)
Wednesday 20th October at 10 am – Holy Communion (Cn Terry – 1970) Followed by Tea / Coffee
Friday 22nd October at 10 am – Pre – recording service with Mr Matthew McVey
Sunday 24th October at 8 am – Holy Communion (Cn Terry – 1970)
Sunday 24th October at 10 am – Sung Eucharist (Cn Terry – 1982)
Sunday 24th October at 1pm – Zoom Brunch
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.”
(Robert Louis Stevenson)
Blessings Always
Rev Canon Terry Taggart
01224588776/07768219984