From the Rector…

Clergy, Pewsheets

Today’s gospel reading speaks of an encounter with Jesus that leaves a life transformed, enabling a sharing of faith.  As churches up and down this land come together this week to celebrate the 90th birthday of our (temporal) Sovereign it is fitting to spend a moment reflecting on the example she has given, particularly in recent years, of sharing the faith that has enabled her remarkable service, touching the lives of so many.  The response to the Everybody Welcome sessions, both the sheer numbers attending and the valuable feedback that is emerging, encourages me to think that we – as a parish family – are showing signs of that maturity.  A willingness not only to serve the community in which we are set but also to want to share something of what motivates us.  Frances Reed – born before the Queen, so our oldest regular worshipper – whose own life of service and faith has touched (transformed?) many lives moves to Sidcup in the next week and we wish her every blessing as she does.  Alongside that ‘fare well’ comes a joyful welcome to Erin, Peter and Kirsty Murgatroyd’s daughter, born on Thursday.  Congratulations! So, with the Queen, Frances and Erin reminding us that we are never too young or old to encounter Jesus or share his love, let us pray:

Heavenly Father,

as we celebrate the ninetieth birthday of Her Majesty the Queen, receive our heartfelt thanks for all that you have given her in these ninety years and for all that she has given to her people.

Continue, we pray, your loving purposes in her,

and as you gather us together in celebration, unite us also in love and service to one another;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Anthony

Pewsheet for Week Beginning 26th April 2016

Easter, Pewsheets

Click here for the pewsheet for the week beginning Sunday 26th April 2016 – sorry for the delay.

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Pewsheet for Week Beginning 17th April 2016

Easter, Pewsheets

Click here for the pewsheet for the week beginning Sunday 17th April 2016.

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From the Curate…

Clergy

So we have begun our Everybody Welcome Course – with 50 of us turning up either to a session on a Tuesday night at St Barnabas’ or one on a Thursday morning at St Nicholas’.

I really enjoyed leading both sessions, because the best part was listening and watching the various tables discuss and express their views on the Churches in our Parish and the way that we were visible or invisible to the community around us and how we might move forward in expressing the gospel of Jesus Christ to those we come into contact with.

In today’s reading we see Peter, who last week we read had gone back to being a fisherman, realise his need to make Jesus Christ the centre of his life and in doing so was able to perform miracles.  The Gospel, that we are saved because Jesus died for us and from that act of amazing love we should love others – is central to Peter and should be central to us – as we invite and interact with new people who are seeking or visiting.

From the sessions 3 things really struck me; your honesty in that we had lots of people we could invite to Church but lack the skills or the attractive services to invite them to, the challenges we face, such as 7000 non-church visitors to baptisms at St Nicholas’ in a year – yet they meet only 10 of the normal congregation; and finally, the great ideas you have of what to change.  May the other sessions be as productive.

Steve

Calling Ex-Choristers ! Get Back Into Singing !

Choirs and Music

Our choir, based at St Nicholas’, Worth is looking to expand.  We currently have a small (but merry!) band of singers most Sunday mornings and call upon others for our twice-yearly Evensongs.

We are particularly interested in recruiting people with previous choral experience.  Did you or someone you know sing in church when younger? Do you fancy getting back into it? Does your voice blend well ? Perhaps you miss psalm-singing?

Or perhaps you simply want to join a choir for the first time since reading the recent research that shows it improves your psychological well-being!

We work hard but it’s rewarding and fun with a professional Director of Music who inspires us.  Rehearsals are Fridays 7.30-9pm and again for 30 minutes before the 9.45 Sunday morning service.  You do not have to commit to every single Sunday.

We would be overjoyed to hear from you, so:

  • Drop us an email at musicdirector@worthparish.org.uk
  • Call the parish office on 0300 111 8150
  • Come and say hello one Sunday morning after the service

Pewsheet for week beginning 10th April 2016

Pewsheets

Click here for the pewsheet for the week beginning Sunday 10th April 2016, Palm Sunday.

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The Rector Writes…

Clergy

Do you believe in the transforming power Jesus can have for people’s lives?  Paul’s life changed in the moment we read about in our Acts reading.  So has Peter’s – a fortnight ago he was denying Jesus three times before the cock crowed, today he has answered “yes” three times to the question we are each asked by Jesus – “Do you love me?”  John’s Gospel records Jesus’ final words to Peter: “Follow me” – Matthew tells us Jesus’ first words to Peter: “Follow me”.

As the new edition of the Parish Magazine (thank you Elizabeth!) makes clear the next month or so of our common life will have a significant focus on discerning what it will mean for us to follow Jesus as individuals and as a parish.  This week the first sessions of the “Everybody Welcome” course will be held.   If you want to come along, please do so – details here.

Whether or not you are able to take part in the sessions, it would be wonderful (and potentially transforming!) if the whole church community could be praying daily:

Heavenly Father, you have welcomed us into your kingdom and your heart’s desire is to draw every human being to yourself.  Grant us clear eyes to see people as you see them, sensitive feet to stand in their shoes, and warm smiles to welcome them in your name.  Give us such generous hearts that our church becomes a foretaste of heaven where every soul you send us finds a loving home in the community of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.  Amen.

The Curate Writes…

Easter

Doubting Thomas who appears in our readings today gives all of us hope.  In his doubts the writer of the Gospel is telling us that doubts are OK.  For sometimes doubt can do good in us.  It can motivate us to study and learn.  It can purify false beliefs that have crept into our faith.  It can humble our arrogance.  It can give us patience and compassion with other doubters.  It can remind us of how much truth matters.

Martin Luther, who was a champion of the importance of faith but wrestled with doubt himself, insisted that pride—not doubt—is the opposite of faith.  Faith without a shade of any doubt quickly becomes fundamentalism. Fundamentalism in Christianity as well as Islam has led to the Crusades, sectarian violence or the atrocities of ISIS.  So to have questions is natural and it is the role of the Church to create safe spaces such as home groups and services where these doubts can be expressed and explored without judgement or fear.  There is a phrase in the Alpha Course Leaders booklet that states: there is no question that is silly, stupid or that has probably never been asked before. Questions are good for they test our faith and make us humble.  Let us at times be doubting Thomas and at others as sure in faith as St Paul.

Blessings Steve

 

Pewsheet for Week Beginning 3rd April 2016

Easter, Pewsheets

Click here for the pewsheet for the week beginning Sunday 3rd April 2016.

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