Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Sunday 8th August Trinity 10
Church office: 07804 558 160 www.longmelfordchurch.com www.alphetonandshimplingchurches.org.uk
Page 1
WELCOME TO
OUR CHURCH
COMMUNITY
If this is your first newsletter, welcome … if you have any questions about the church family, the Christian
faith or about our children’s work, please do not hesitate to call Matthew the Rector on 01787 310 845. This
newsletter combines:
Notices for this week (p1 – p3)
The church diary (including livestream & Zoom joining instructions) (p4)
Prayers and readings for Sunday’s morning service (p5-6)
Covid Guidance as Restrictions Lift … May we thank all (about 40 people) who have responded to our questionnaire relating to the wearing of
masks in church, for your comments, and for the consideration expressed for those with different views.
About 75% of people were in favour of a lifting of restrictions – most favouring a modest lifting. In light of
the fact that we estimate that 90% of those attending have been double-jabbed, and that Covid rates
continue to decrease in our area (approx. 14 cases currently registered locally) … from next Sunday we will
offer the opportunity to remove masks not only when seated but also when singing. We will continue to
encourage social distancing in our worship services and continue to ask that masks are worn when moving
around the church. Those wishing to keep masks on are of course welcome to do so, and that there is plenty
of space in our churches for people to sit with additional space around them.
To answer a specific question, the use of masks for communion is because people end up face to face – both
when receiving communion (where those distributing are in close contact with numerous people) and when
walking down the aisles (where you may get very close to someone in our church family with a different
comfort level re covid risks). Also it is not always easy to manage social distancing with queues.
Messy Church – Possibly Inside? Yes Messy church is planned outside for this Sunday 8th August, 4-6pm. Yes the weather forecast is dire and the gazebos may buckle and break. Are we down-hearted? NO! For if the winds are too high and the rain too squally, we will hold Messy Church inside Holy Trinity Church. With a groundsheet or two, and a mop and bucket to hand, most of the activities can be held inside with just the exploding rockets and water diversions being outdoors. We can even hold our picnic inside - bring your food and a blanket and we can eat in the dry. Please also bring a mask which will not always need to be worn. I do hope you can join us. Pam
Sunday 8th August Trinity 10
Church office: 07804 558 160 www.longmelfordchurch.com www.alphetonandshimplingchurches.org.uk
Page 2
Marianne Sansbury’s Funeral This will be on Tuesday 10th August at 2 p.m. at Lavenham Parish Church, with an interment at Preston St.
Mary churchyard, followed by afternoon tea at the Six Bells in Preston. All welcome to the funeral, interment
and tea. Please wear colours - there is no need to wear black (but feel free to do so if you wish). It would
help for numbers that if planning to come to the tea you could let the family know before 3.30 p.m. on
Sunday 8th (Richard Sansbury 07790 511732) but you are welcome to join us even if you miss that time.
There will also be a livestream on Zoom and a recording for those who miss the funeral. Please contact
[email protected] if you would like Zoom details.
DVD’s / Hymn Projection This is advance warning that due to holidays, unfortunately there
will be no DVD’s for the Sundays of the 22nd and 29th August,
thankyou in advance for your understanding. Also thank you for
the feedback about screen readability from the back of church -
we will aim to increase the font size.
Weddings! It has been a huge joy to have weddings at Long Melford and at
Alpheton. Thank you to all who have helped to make these such
special occasions for couples and their families and friends. We
are reminded in the weddings service that the special union
between husband and wife reflects the intimacy that Christ has
with his church – you and me. Let’s remember not to take God
for granted and to keep the relationship healthy!
Melford Music – Wed 11th Aug… After a fantastically well attended event on Wednesday, next week will feature David Chivers (clarinet). His
programme will include works by Ruth Gipps, Tom Jackson and Sylvian Kassap. There will be no refreshments
available on site but please feel free to bring your own. There is no charge for this event but there will be a
retiring collection in support of the church fabric (after running costs).
Confirmation / Enquirers In autumn we will be holding a course for all wanting to learn more about the Christian Faith, or indeed any
who want to get baptised or confirmed. It will be on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm starting on the 6th
October. If you would like to find out more please contact the Rector Matthew Lawson on 01787 310 845 or
Sunday 8th August Trinity 10
Church office: 07804 558 160 www.longmelfordchurch.com www.alphetonandshimplingchurches.org.uk
Page 3
The Book Group This will be meeting at Mansel Hall, Little St Mary’s, at 6pm on:
Thursday 19th August to consider The Choice by Edith Eger,
Thursday 16th September to consider The End of the World is Flat by Simon Edge.
All are welcome; the meeting is a good opportunity to meet people, have a glass and enjoy the books. Get
in touch with Cheryl (07943 811030) or Sally (07808 338751) with any queries.
Launchpad - Camping Weekend 10th – 12th September Normally in summer there are a variety of Christian Festivals e.g. Spring Harvest, Greenbelt, New Wine, Soul
Survivor, and so on; these are particularly helpful for families due to the children’s groups, however all are
very welcome. Living, praying (and camping!) together deepens relationships between all involved.
Though not quite the same scale, Lightwave Suffolk, headed by Archdeacon Sally Gaze, will be hosting
‘Launchpad’ - a weekend away to encounter God afresh. This will take place at the Vauxhall Christian Trust,
CO7 6QQ (between Ipswich and Colchester). The weekend will include the commissioning (or
recommissioning) of our Lightwave leaders by Bishop Mike on Saturday evening.
You can come for one day (no camping); under 5’s are free.
Food is provided. Some basic chalets are also available.
There is a swimming pool.
Please visit: here to book and/or email queries
We are hoping to take a group from the Chadbrook Benefice –
please contact Vicky if you are planning to attend so we can camp
together ([email protected]).
Thankyou! For your card and generous gift for my 50th which was some rather
special produce of the vine, much of which had been produced locally
– very much appreciated and will not all be consumed at once!
Rev Lawson
Farming Update Please click here for an update about life on a local farm including a
conference called groundswell where organic farmers came together.
Robotic machines included! I promise Jeremy Clarkson does not feature
(much as I commend ‘Clarkson’s Farm’ on Amazon Prime).
Sunday 8th August Trinity 10
Church office: 07804 558 160 www.longmelfordchurch.com www.alphetonandshimplingchurches.org.uk
Page 4
Diary
Sun 8th Aug 10.30am Holy Communion at Holy Trinity with Live Stream *
11.45am Zoom Coffee after the Service **
4.00pm Messy Church at Holy Trinity / Glebe Land
7.00pm Eden’s Youth Project Social
Wed 11th 1.10pm Melford Music- David Chivers clarinet
7.30pm Bell Ringing Practice at Holy Trinity
Fri 13th 4.00pm Wedding Rehearsal at Holy Trinity – Jonathan & Rebecca
Sat 14th 1.00pm Wedding at Holy Trinity – Jonathan & Rebecca
Sun 15th 9.00am Holy Communion at Shimpling
10.30am Holy Communion at Holy Trinity with Live Stream *
11.45am Zoom Coffee after the Service **
* Livestream Joining Instructions
Google the five words “Holy Trinity Long Melford Facebook”.
Click on the top link (or simply click here) to open the church’s Facebook page and scroll down a bit.
Please note that you do not need a Facebook account yourself in order to watch the livestream.
** Zoom Coffee after the Service
Zoom Meeting ID: 833 5925 6347, Passcode: 682003, or click this link
# Morning Prayer Zoom Meeting ID: 810 2345 2032, Password: 283350, or click this link
Dates for your Diary Fri 23rd July – Sat 7th August – Suffolk Art Society Exhibition in the Lady Chapel
Wed August 11th, 18th and 25th – Melford Music Lunchtime Recitals
Fri 10th – Sun 12th Sept – Camping Weekend, Launchpad.
Sunday 26th Sep, 4.00pm – Informal Worship at Holy Trinity
Sun Oct 10th – Elders Commissioning, 10.30am, HT, with Bishop Mike
Sunday 8th August Trinity 10
Church office: 07804 558 160 www.longmelfordchurch.com www.alphetonandshimplingchurches.org.uk
Page 5
Collect (prayer for the day) Let your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of your humble servants; and that they may obtain their petitions make them to ask such things as shall please you; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
First Reading Psalm 73 1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. 3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. 5 They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. 6 Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. 7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits. 8 They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. 9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. 10 Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. 11 They say, ‘How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?’ 12 This is what the wicked are like – always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. 13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. 14 All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments. 15 If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children. 16 When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply 17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. 18 Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. 19 How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! 20 They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies. 21 When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, 22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. 23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterwards you will take me into glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. 27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. 28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.
Gospel Reading John 6:35,41-51 Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John Glory to you, O Lord
Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever
believes in me will never be thirsty. 41 At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, ‘I am the bread that came down from
heaven.’ 42 They said, ‘Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he
now say, “I came down from heaven”?’ 43 ‘Stop grumbling among yourselves,’ Jesus answered. 44 ‘No one can come to me unless the Father who
sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets: “They will all be
Sunday 8th August Trinity 10
Church office: 07804 558 160 www.longmelfordchurch.com www.alphetonandshimplingchurches.org.uk
Page 6
taught by God.”[ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me. 46 No one has seen
the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. 47 Very truly I tell you, the one who
believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they
died. 50 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. 51 I am the
living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live for ever. This bread is my flesh,
which I will give for the life of the world.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to You O Christ
(Bible readings courtesy of Bible Gateway New International Version - UK (NIVUK))
Post Communion Prayer God of our pilgrimage, you have willed that the gate of mercy should stand open for those who trust in you: look upon us with your favour that we who follow the path of your will may never wander from the way of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Suggestions for Prayer We remember before God those who have recently died and those who mourn, including the friends
and family of Peter Gavin Brown-Eidsgard, Rita Rice, and Marianne Sansbury.
For Lawshall Parish as we continue to reflect on the possible union.
For those who are ill and for those who care for them. In particular we pray for Ian Spear.
Final Thought A huge well done to the British Team at the Olympics, medal winners or otherwise. Included below is an inspiring quote from American gold medalist and world record holder in the 400m hurdles, Sydney McLauchlin … "Let me start off by saying, what an honor (sic) it is to be able to represent not only my country but also the kingdom of God," McLaughlin wrote. "What I have in Christ is far greater than what I have or don't have in life. I pray my journey may be a clear depiction of submission and obedience to God." (from CBN news).
