St Mary’s News Update – Aug/Sep 2016
The latest edition of Good News, St Mary’s Parish Magazine is reproduced below (together with additional material from most recent notices), use the links to the various stories & news items.
- Rest for the Weary,
- Wired Youth Club,
- Harvest Festival,
- Home Communion,
- Prayer for Healing,
- Notices,
- Dates for Your Diary (Including Services),
- Sunday Gospel Readings – August & September,
- Regular Events,
- Contacts.
Rest for the Weary
The summer has arrived at last (even if the weather hasn’t realised it yet) and some of us are looking forward to a rest from the routine of school and work, or a change of scene. Holiday companies tempt us with strap-lines such as ‘Give us your body for a week and we’ll give you back your mind!’
Physical rest is of course very important but Jesus offers us something deeper:
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28
These are well known words from the Gospel of Matthew, spoken by Jesus. But what does he mean?
A yoke is a heavy wooden harness that fits over the shoulders of two oxen enabling them to pull heavy loads. Most of us are carrying ‘heavy loads’ of some sort – family responsibilities, a demanding job, ill health. Or maybe our hearts are weighed down by the pain of loss, anger, guilt or disappointment.
The rest that Jesus promises is love, healing and peace with God, not the end of labour.
In our busy lives, it isn’t easy to carve out time to put down our burdens and rest for a while. But I hope this summer you will find an opportunity to take time out and perhaps in a quiet moment to invite Jesus to share those burdens and give you the strength to journey on.
Wired Youth Club
We can’t quite believe that Wired has passed its 5th Birthday this year. During the last 5 years more than 80 young people have passed through Wired, with more than 50 attending regularly at some point. We currently have a group of between 15 and 20 young people, with an equal mix of boys and girls, who get together once a month for games, activities and snacks. Some recent highlights have been our Talent Night (who knew they were so talented!) and Games Night. We rounded off the school year with a Pool Party before taking a break for the summer.
The new term begins on 2 September. New members are always welcome! Please contact [email protected] for more information.
Dates for the Autumn Term:
Fridays – 7.45 – 9.30pm in St Mary’s Church Hall
- 2 September
- 14 October
- 11 November
- 9 December
What is Wired?
Wired is a youth club for young people aged 11+ with an emphasis on organised, fun activities, aiming to encourage positive relationships and attitudes among our young people. There may be some light Christian messages given during these sessions with the aim of giving young people the Christian message in an environment where they are free to decide on their own views and voice their own opinions.
Harvest Festival – Sunday 2nd October 2016
This year our Harvest Festival Family Communion Service will take place on Sunday 2nd October at 9.30am at St Mary’s West Bergholt
We will be decorating the church for harvest on Saturday 1st October from 9.45 am. As we have done over the last few years we will have displays of produce on the small windows and volunteers are asked to choose a category they would like to display. For example: cereals, fruit, vegetables, dairy, fish, water etc. Any contributions from gardens and allotments will be very welcome.
As always we need many hands to help prepare the church. If you are able to help, please come along, even if you are new to this sort of thing. You will be most welcome. If you have any queries please contact Liz Dixon in the Parish Office:
01206 243683
[antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]
Usual office hours: 9am-1pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday.
Home Communion
We have a team of lovely people (I won’t embarrass them by naming them all!) who have recently been authorised by the Bishop of Colchester to assist with the distribution of the bread and wine during our Communion services. They are also able to take Communion to the sick and housebound.
If you, or someone you know, would like to receive Communion at home, please contact Liz Dixon in the parish office (contact details above).
Prayer for Healing
A few weeks ago, Rev. Dr. Mandy Elmes preached a sermon about prayer for healing and she has kindly allowed us to reproduce it in the magazine. The sermon will be reproduced in 2 parts, with the second part appearing in the October magazine.
In this church, and many others, there has been a tradition of offering prayer after services. This is often for healing, but it is not limited to this. Since I have been here it has happened occasionally but not on a regular basis, and I would like to make it a regular occurrence
There are many instances of Jesus healing the sick during his ministry. As he journeyed around the countryside he taught, preached the good news of the Kingdom of God and healed the sick. He ministered to the sick wherever he went, healing lepers, people who were paralysed or demon possessed, the blind and the lame, the mute and the deaf.
Healing in its broadest sense was an integral and essential part of Jesus’ ministry. When Jesus sent out the 12 disciples, followed by the 72, they too healed the sick. In the Book of Acts, after Jesus’ ascension and following Pentecost, we hear of how Peter and Paul healed the sick. In James’ letter, he gives instructions as to how the elders of the church, (i.e. members of the church, rather than Jesus or his disciples) prayed for the members of their congregations in various circumstances.
I believe that prayer for our fellow Christians is not only a good thing, but a Godly, Christ-like and Scriptural thing to do.
God wants the best for his people and that includes us asking for help when we are in times of need. In Matthew 7:7-11 it says, “Ask and it will be given unto you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” It goes on to explain that if an earthly father gives good things to his children, how much more will our heavenly Father give good gifts to those which love him.
Jesus also promised His disciples, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father” (John 14:13). When we pray for healing we are not being selfish or self-indulgent, but obedient to our Lord’s instructions.
So how did Jesus minister to people? It would be lovely if we could bottle the ‘magic’ ingredient that would guarantee healing. We can get very excited about some of the healing stories in particular and think something specific is the key to healing. But when we look at the next story we discover the ‘key’ ingredient isn’t there. Sometimes it was people’s faith which led to the healing, and sometimes the person had no faith at all. Sometimes people had an understanding of Jesus that seemed important, and others had no idea who he was. Sometimes it was with anointing and sometimes without.
The only thing which seems to link together all of the stories of healing in the gospels is that Jesus was there. When Jesus was anywhere, his Father’s love was also there, and whenever Jesus healed, the power of the Holy Spirit was also at work bringing change and transformation.
When healing occurs it bears witness to the proclaimed gospel (Acts 14:3). It is a visible manifestation that the kingdom of God is taking ground from the kingdom of Satan and it is a herald of God’s coming final triumph.
When we pray for healing, it is one way we pray, “Your kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10). And as we are told, “When two or three of you are gathered in my name, so I am with you.” And , “I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:19)
So when we pray for other members of the Body of Christ we need to pray in the faith of Christ, trusting in God, and in His power to heal, not our own.
I am suggesting therefore that the key ingredients in a time of prayer ministry are:
- A focus on the Father’s love
- A focus on the presence of Jesus
- A focus on the power of the Holy Spirit
Rev. Dr. Mandy Elmes
How we focus on these three key things will form the second part of Mandy’s sermon to be included in the October issue of the Good News.
Notices
Children’s Society Boxes – Thank You
This year we raised a total of £269.00!! Thank you all for your continuing support. If you would like a box yourself, please contact [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]. It’s a great way of getting rid of loose change from your pocket!
Senior Citizens’ Lunch – Thank You to All Who Helped
Murray Harlow & Kate Penrose would like to thank everyone who helped make the last Senior’s Lunch in June such a wonderful occasion, from those who provided food to those who helped serve and wash up. We couldn’t do it without you! The next one will be held on Saturday 29 October, and Murray and Kate would be very grateful for offers of food and help in due course.
Ride and Stride – Saturday 10 September
This year’s sponsored bike ride to raise money for the Friends of Essex Churches and St Mary’s will take place on 10 September. Sponsorship forms are available from Sue Hart, [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].
St Mary’s Churchyard – Thank You
Thank you to the people who have kindly tidied up some of the graves in the church yard. Your hard work is very much appreciated!
Christian Aid – Thank You
Thank you to everyone who helped with the door to door collections this year, and a special thanks to Paul Elmes who co-ordinated the operation. A total of over £1,200 was raised – a fantastic achievement!
Operation Christmas Child – Shoe Box Appeal
We hope to organise another shoe box appeal this autumn. Look out for more details in the October edition of Good News!
Dates for Your Diary
Please note: no BUGS Sunday school or Village Communion during August.
| Thursday 21 July | 9.00am | End of Term Open House |
| Sunday 24 July | 9:30am | Morning Worship led by Michael Foster |
| Sunday 31 July | 9:30am | 3 Parishes joint service @ St Peter’s, Boxted |
| Sunday 7 August | 9.30am | Holy Communion led by Mandy Elmes |
| Sunday 14 August | 9.30am
6.30pm |
Messy Church
Evening Prayer Service |
| Sunday 21 August | 11.15am | Holy Communion led by Mandy Elmes |
| Sunday 28 August | 9.30am | Morning Worship led by Richard Chadborn |
| Sunday 4 September | 9.30am | Holy Communion & Baptism led by Mandy Elmes, with BUGS |
| Sunday 11 September | 9.30am
6.30pm |
Messy Church (No BUGS)
Evening Prayer service |
| Tuesday 13 September | 11.00am | Village Communion at the Methodist Chapel |
| Sunday 18 September | 11.15am | Holy Communion led by Christine Shilliker, with BUGS |
| Sunday 25 September | 9.30am | Morning Worship led by Michael Foster, with BUGS |
| Thursday 29 September | Funeral Visiting Training Day at Great Notley | |
| Sunday 2 October | 9.30am | Harvest Festival Communion service, led by Mandy Elmes |
3 Parishes Service at Boxted
Taking place at 9:30am on Sunday 31 July, we hope that as many people as possible will be able to join us at Boxted church for the 3 parishes service. If you need directions to St Peter’s or would like a lift, please contact Liz in the church office on 01206 243683, email: [antibot mailto=”lwb.wb.gh.parishes@ gmail.com”].
Office hours: 9am – 1pm Mon, Tues, Thu, Fri
Coggeshall Flower Festival – 27th – 30th August
Taking place at St Peter ad Vincula the festival offers refreshments & stalls with FREE admission although donations are welcomed. The event is open 10am to 5pm each day apart from the Sunday when it opens from 11:45. Other highlights include:
- Saturday 27th August at 7.30pm: Concert ‘Once Upon a Musical’ by One Way Street Productions, tickets £12, concessions £10 and under 16’s £2
- Sunday 28th August, 10.30am Sung Eucharist and 5.15pm: ‘Songs of Praise’.
Visit their website for more information.
Home Groups
Our home groups will continue on the dates below. If you are interested in joining one of the groups, please contact Michael Foster on 241022.
- Tuesday 8pm (Michael Foster): 13/9, 27/9, 11/10, 25/10, 8/11, 22/11 & 6/12. The meetings alternate between The White’s & The Chadborn’s homes and the first meeting will be at Pat & Roy White’s. This coming term the group will be studying “The Shack” by William P Young.
- Thursday 10.00am (Rachel Hutchings): 15/9, 29/9, 13/10, 3/11, 17/11, 1/12 & 15/12 (pre-school children welcome).
Open House & 5T’s
Open House every Thursday morning at 9am in term times.
5T’s – 2.30pm every Thursday, including school holidays.
Wired
Our Youth Group for Secondary School Students.
Fridays @ 7.45pm in the church hall on 2/9, 14/10, 11/11 & 9/12.
Messy Church
Our Messy Church services will take place on the second Sunday of each month at 9.30am on the following dates:
14/8, 11/9, 9/10 & 11/12 (no Messy Church in November)
Harvest Festival – Sunday 2 October
Our Harvest Festival Family Communion Service this year will be at 9.30am on Sunday 2 October.
Senior Citizens Lunch
The next Senior Citizens lunch will take place on Saturday 29 October @ 12.45pm. Please contact Murray Harlow on 07989 720256 if you would like to come, or can help on the day.
Sunday Gospel Readings – August & September
Date |
Reading |
Theme |
| Sunday 24 July | Luke 11:1-13 | Jesus’ teaching on prayer |
| Sunday 31 July | Luke 12:13-21 | The parable of the rich fool |
| Sunday 7 August | Luke 12: 32-40 | Jesus warns about preparing for his coming |
| Sunday 14 August | Luke 12: 49-56 | Jesus warns about coming division |
| Sunday 21 August | Luke 13:10-17 | A crippled woman healed on the Sabbath |
| Sunday 28 August | Luke 14:1, 7-14 | Jesus teaches about seeking honour |
| Sunday 4 September | Luke 14:25-33 | The cost of being a Disciple |
| Sunday 11 September | Luke 15:1-10 | The parable of the lost sheep |
| Sunday 18 September | Luke 16:1-13 | The parable of the shrewd manager |
| Sunday 25 September | Luke 16:19-31 | The rich man and Lazarus |
Regular Events
Contacts
- Priest in charge: Rev Dr Mandy Elmes,
The Rectory, 1 Church Close,
West Bergholt CO6 3JZ
Tel 01206 240906
Mob 07872 649967
[antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]. - Parish Office & Good News Editor
Liz Dixon 01206 243683
[antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]. - Licensed Readers:
- Richard Chadborn – 01206 240541
- Michael Foster- 01206 241022
- Evangelist:
Ronnie Seymour – 01206 273579 - Church Wardens
Richard & Dorothy Chadborn – 01206 240541 - Home Groups: (Bible Study) Contact Michael Foster – 01206 241022
- Hall Hire and Church Bookings: Contact Murray on 07989 720256
- Website and email
www.sites.google.com/site/stmaryswbergholt/
[antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]
Follow us on Twitter @stmarysbergholt or Facebook - Rainbows, Brownies and Guides
Enquiries regarding Rainbows, Brownies & Guides to 07757 636446, [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”] or www.girlguidingessexne.org.uk. - Cubs & Beavers contact: 241666;
- Scouts contact: 240549