Author: Worth Parish

Pewsheet for week beginning 20th March 2016, Palm Sunday

Pewsheets

Click here for the pewsheet for the week beginning Sunday 20th March 2016, Palm Sunday.

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From the Curate

Pewsheets

Here are my credentials of faith; I was baptised on the day of my birth and was married in a Church; I did my first Alpha (over ten years ago) and went to a Free Church in London; I made a commitment to Christ and was baptised in a full immersion ceremony.  I then started going to a rural Anglican Church and was then confirmed in the Anglican faith by Bishop Mark; I ran the youth group for several years, ran a home group, led Alpha Courses, went to study at Cambridge for two years, and was then ordained deacon and then priest.

Does any of that mean anything to God? Of course, yes – they are important markers on the way – but what matters most to God is none of this.  I am equal to every single human being, for what matters is my response to the Gospel.

Is it, like Judas, where the Gospel does not penetrate the heart or is it from the heart, like Martha, who cannot help but show her love in anointing Christ with perfume?  What matters to God is that we know with all our heart, soul and mind that Christ made us his own and from that we are to press on in our relationship with Him.  From this knowledge we can then look forward with firm foundations at what God might be calling Worth Parish to do in the coming years.

Steve

Feb/March Parish Magazine Crossword Answers

Pewsheets
Answers
Across 1. Belloc 5. Easter 8. Opus 9. Moccasin 10. Ritenuto 11. Leek 12. Adonai 14. Edward 16. Balm 18. Noontide 20. Handmaid 21. Away 22. Parcel 23. Rialto
Down 2. Emptied 3. Lisle 4. Communion Rail 5. Enclosed Order 6. Swallow 7. Exile 13. Nomadic 15. Radiant 17. Asama 19. Tiara

 

Pewsheet for 6th March 2016

Pewsheets

Click here for the pewsheet for the week beginning Sunday 6th March 2016, the Fourth Sunday of Lent and Mothering Sunday.

Tip: If this, or any other, PDF document opens at too large a size, here’s what you do:

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From the Rector…

Pewsheets

I sometimes wonder if anyone reads these contributions to the weekly pew sheet.

Last week there was encouraging confirmation that you do when, on coming in to St Nicholas’, I was greeted by an overflowing basket of chocolate bars with an invitation to take one. And later in the day a parishioner randomly offered me a chocolate sweet. That’s at least two others journeying though Lent as part of the 40acts.org.uk community.  Thank you both and all those others whose random acts of kindness are contributing to the transformation of lives this Lent.

Today’s Old Testament reading is set in Gilgal – the place where the Israelites camp when they have crossed over the River Jordan at the end of their 40-year journey to the Promised Land.  It served as their base of operations during the initial conquest of the Holy Land under Joshua.  As you read this (on Sunday morning) I shall be close to the very spot (although the exact location is disputed between two sites near Jericho) meeting with rural Palestinian communities in what is called “Area C” (about 60% of the West Bank where Israel carefully controls any Palestinian construction).  Tomorrow I go to Gaza, sometimes called the largest prison in the world – so don’t be too jealous at the thought of me on a Mediterranean beach!

Please pray for me and this fact-finding visit with Christian Aid.

Anthony

From the Rector…

Pewsheets

The reading from Genesis this morning gives us an example of the honest and direct conversations that Abram (and Abraham, as he is to become) has with God.  He is able to express his deepest hope and desire (and have a little moan at the same time!).  Abram’s trust in God’s response is “reckoned … as righteousness”.

Notice that Abram doesn’t do or try to prove anything to God, nor promise anything in return.  He simply believes and trusts and that is enough to secure his citizenship in heaven (to use St Paul’s phrase) – notwithstanding the very earthly focus of his desires.

This week we have been urged to think deeply about what it means to be a citizen (“subject”, actually) in this nation and how (or whether) that is compatible with membership of a wider European family – and the varied answers to such deliberations will feature heavily in the press between now and June.  As the debate rages, perhaps we could challenge ourselves to think what our own reaction to it says about our deepest desires and hopes?

What is it we really want for ourselves, our community … our parish?  Does that reveal us as citizens of heaven, or are we still in need of Jesus’ transforming power?  Do we have the confidence to speak honestly to God about it?  And, will we trust in God’s response?

Anthony

Pewsheet for 21st February 2016

Pewsheets

Click here for the pewsheet for the week beginning Sunday 21st February 2016.

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