Trinity 12
St Mary’s and St Andrew’s Worshipping Together
A very warm welcome to all
Readings:Joshua 24: 1-2a, 14-18; Psalm 34: 15-22; Ephesians 6: 10-20
Gospel:John 6: 56-69
In today’s Gospel
If we listened to today’s Gospel, we could easily assume that Jesus clearly did not read some of the latest books on ministry leadership. As chapter 6 of John closes, he seems determined to drive away as many followers as possible from his ministry. There is no mention here of a new ministry growth campaign. Contrast this passage with the opening of John 6. Then, the crowd is so large that Jesus asks where he can find enough food to feed everyone. His disciples cannot imagine where they would find the money to feed so many. Jesus then feeds the multitude with a boy’s lunch. He makes food packed for one young boy into more than enough to feed a hungry mass. There are twelve baskets left over. Now, as the chapter closes, Jesus doesn’t have a multitude, but twelve followers.
“I am the bread of life,” Jesus said, not once but twice. “I am the bread of life.” When was the last time you ate the bread of life? I’m not asking about the Holy Eucharist because I don’t think that is what Jesus is talking about in today’s gospel. I’m not denying that the Eucharist can be and is bread of life but maybe it’s just one slice in a larger loaf of bread. Maybe the bread of life is the Eucharist and more than the Eucharist. Maybe you and I are to become the bread of life, just like Jesus.Thank You
Thank You
I would like to thank everyone involved in our Patronal Festival service which took place here at St Mary’s last Sunday. It was indeed a joyous occasion filled with song, prayer, colour, incense and no small amount of ritual. However, it was made all the more special by everyone who attended, from both St Mary’s and St Andrew’s congregations, which made it incredibly uplifting. I would like to name and thank Matthew McVey our Organist, who chose and organised our music. I know how hard he worked last week to ensure the end result was as good as we all witnessed. I would like to thank those members of the Choir on the day, whose voices lifted our hearts and souls. To our robed assistants, Mr Athol Jermieson, Mrs Anne Farquhar, Mr Malcolm Hay and the thurifer extraordinaire, Dr Ferdinand von Prondzynski. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Bishop Anne, who accepted my offer to preside on this special day.
Baptism
There will be a special event taking place during our Sunday Worship next week, the 29th of August, when Master Kevin Tobechukwu Victor Abugwu will receive the holy sacrament of Baptism in the presence of his family and family friends. This will indeed be a joyous occasion, and the family are very generously providing some light refreshments at the end of the service. These will be available from the Choir Vestry and should either be taken away or consumed within the main body of the Church to allow for appropriate social distancing.
Thinking about 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.
5th Sunday in August
Next Sunday is the 5th Sunday in August and therefore, as usual, we shall use the 1970 liturgy, which will be slightly altered to accommodate the baptism taking place.
Prayer Request
For those of you who know the Rev’d Jean Soutar, please remember her in your prayers as she continues a course of chemotherapy for cancer of the liver.
Memorial / Thanksgiving 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.
Poem Competition
Until Sunday the 17th of October, when we shall celebrate the Harvest Thanksgiving, I challenge 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. 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
‘Get together at Old Deer’
After the recent success of the previous get-together at Ellon, we are now encouraged to get together for a Holy Communion and Picnic. On Saturday 28 August: Meeting at St Drostan’s, Old Deer – gathering from 10.30 am, for start at 11.00 am After opening prayers, there will be a short pilgrimage to Old Deer Monastery. We will hold an open-air Eucharist in the monastery grounds, Bishop Anne presiding. After this, we will picnic together.
Services/Events at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral w/c Sunday the 22nd of August 2021
- Sunday 22nd August at 8 am – Said Holy Communion (Cn Terry-1970)
- Sunday 22nd August at 10 am – Holy Communion (Cn Terry – 1970)
- Monday 23rd August – Cn Terry – Day off
- Tuesday 24th August at 10 am – Morning Prayer
- Wednesday 25th August 10 am Holy Communion (1970) (Cn Terry)
- Friday 27th August at 10 am – Pre-Recording Sunday Service
- Sunday 29th August at 8 am – Holy Communion (1970) (Cn Terry)
- Sunday 29th August at 10 am – Sung Eucharist (1970) (Cn Terry) (Baptism of Kevin Tobechukwu Victor Abugwu)
“Yet for us, there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist”.
(1 Corinthians 8: 6)
Blessings Always
Rev Canon Terry Taggart
01224588776/07768219984