Trinity 17th
St Mary’s and St Andrew’s Worshipping Together
A very warm welcome to all
Readings: Numbers 11: 4-6, 10-16, 24-29; Psalm 19: 7-14; James 5: 13-20
Gospel: Mark 9: 38-50
In today’s Gospel
In our Gospel reading today, I don’t believe that Jesus wants us to take him literally when he talks about gouging out an eye or cutting off a hand, but I think he wants us to take him seriously. We certainly are obsessed with physical appearance – maintaining good health, eating the right things, and getting exercise. Jesus wants us to remember that the spiritual dimension of our life is just as important as the physical.
“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
Notification of Work
St Mary’s Vestry Committee has voted to change the carpet and lighting in the Choir Vestry. It was proposed and carried that the carpet would be replaced with engineered wood flooring, thereby allowing a more hygienic and easier to clean floor. It was also proposed and carried that the current lighting system is replaced, like for like, which should also have a dimmer capacity therein. In accordance with Canon 35 (resolution 5) ‘Of the Structure, Furniture and Monuments of Churches, and the due care thereof’, I am required to allow a consultation period to receive comments/objections to said proposals. This period will last for 4 weeks from today’s date and will therefore expire on the 10th of October. All communications need to be in writing, either by email or letter.
Cancellation of Choral Evensong
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Choral Evensong that was due to take place at St Mary’s on Sunday the 26th of September (this Sunday) commencing at 4 pm, has had to be postponed. Please accept my most humble apologies in this instance and rest assured that a new date and time is being arranged for the very near future. Please spread the word on my behalf if you have made arrangements with others to attend.
Christmas Cards
Guess what, the first Sunday of Advent is only 9 weeks away! So, there’s no time like the present to prepare for what culminates after it. 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 continue 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.
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
Drip-Feed
You will notice a certain repetitiveness in some of the newsletter items. I have a tendency to drip-feed information over an extended period in order to ensure that everyone is aware of what is, and what might be taking place at St Mary’s over the next few months or so. It is also useful, if you are able, to refer to our website at www.stmaryscardenplace.org.uk where you will also find other information.
Services/Events at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral w/c Sunday the 26th of September 2021
- Sunday 26th September at 8 am – Said Holy Communion (Cn Terry-1970)
- Sunday 26th September at 10 am – Holy Communion (Cn Terry – 1982)
- Sunday 26th September at 11 am – Provincial Online Service from St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral (Cn Terry)
- Sunday 26th September at 1 pm – St Mary’s Zoom Brunch
- Monday 27th September – Cn Terry – Day off
- Tuesday 28th September – at 11 am – Morning Prayer
- Wednesday 29th September at 10 am – Holy Communion (1970) (Cn Terry) Followed by Tea and Coffee
- Friday 1st October at 10 am – Pre-Recording Sunday Service
- Sunday 3rd October at 8 am – Holy Communion (1970) (Cn Terry)
- Sunday 3rd October at 10 am – Sung Eucharist (1982) (Cn Terry) Followed by Tea and Coffee
- Sunday 3rd October at 1 pm – St Mary’s Zoom Brunch
“God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars”
(Martin Luther)
Blessings Always
Rev Canon Terry Taggart
01224588776/07768219984