Eleventh Sunday after Trinity

Welcome

Please stay for refreshments after the 10.30am service. At this service there are activities and learning for primary school aged children in the Den. The President will call them forward when it is time to join the group

Notices

We’re very grateful to Daryl, for preaching at our service today.

Numbers Board

The Numbers Board has now been drawn and there will be an announcement on Sunday.

Wednesday Eucharist this Wednesday 19 August

All welcome at 10.30am.

North Farnborough Food Bank

Items needed by the Food Bank: UHT Milk - semi skimmed or whole, Baked Beans, Tinned Soup. They also currently need: Chocolate Bars, Rice Pudding, Tinned Fruit, Long life Fruit Juice 1 litre and small cartons, Small Pasta Sauce (440 g or less), Tinned Tomatoes, Shampoo. For more information, please speak to Tash.

Crafty Coffee Dates to the end of the year

August 28; September 11 and 25 (Macmillan Coffee Morning);
October 9 and 30; November 13 and 27; December 11.

Readings for next Sunday 23 August Bartholomew, Apostle

Isaiah 43.8-13; Acts 5.12-16; Luke 22.24-30

Today's Collects and Readings

Collect

O God, you declare your almighty power
most chiefly in showing mercy and pity:
mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace,
that we, running the way of your commandments,
may receive your gracious promises,
and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure;
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.

Old Testament Reading Isaiah 56.1, 6-8

Thus says the Lord :
Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed. And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it, and hold fast my covenant-these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Thus says the Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them, besides those already gathered.

New Testament Reading Romans 11.1-2a, 29-32

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.

Gospel Matthew 15.21-28

Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon. But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us. He answered, I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. But she came and knelt before him, saying, Lord, help me. He answered, It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs. She said, Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table. Then Jesus answered her, Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish. And her daughter was healed instantly.

Post Communion Collect

Lord of all mercy,
we your faithful people have celebrated that one true sacrifice
which takes away our sins and brings pardon and peace:
by our communion
keep us firm on the foundation of the gospel
and preserve us from all sin;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Tenth Sunday after Trinity

Welcome

Please stay for refreshments after the 10.30am service. At this service there are activities and learning for primary school aged children in the Den. The President will call them forward when it is time to join the group

Notices

We’re very grateful to The Reverend Stephen Mourant for presiding and preaching at our service today.

Wednesday Eucharist

Please note that there will be no Eucharist this Wednesday 12 August. We will restart on Wednesday 19 August at 10.30am. All welcome.

Open Church

The church will be open on Friday 14 August for Crafty Coffee. Bring your handiwork, or just come for a cuppa and a chat from 10.30 to 12noon. All welcome.

North Farnborough Food Bank

Items needed by the Food Bank. Washing up liquid and tinned tomatoes. They also currently need tinned fruit, tinned corned beef/pork, chocolate bars, ready to eat rice pudding, ready to eat porridge pots, small jars or tins of pasta sauce (440g or less), tinned spaghetti, biscuits, savoury biscuits/crackers (185g). For more information please speak to Tash.

Crafty Coffee Dates to the end of the year

August 14 and 28; September 11 and 25 (Macmillan Coffee Morning);
October 9 and 30; November 13 and 27; December 11.

Readings for next Sunday 16 August Eleventh Sunday after Trinity

Isaiah 56.1, 6-8; Romans 11.1-2a, 29-32; Matthew 15.21-28

Today's Collects and Readings

Collect

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.

Old Testament Reading 1 Kings 19.1-18

Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘So may the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.’ Then he was afraid; he got up and fled for his life, and came to Beer sheba, which belongs to Judah; he left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: ‘It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.’ Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep.

Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched him, and said, ‘Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.’ He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food for forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God. At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there.

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have for saken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’ He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.’

New Testament Reading Romans 10.5-15

Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that ‘the person who does these things will live by them.’ But the righteousness that comes from faith says, ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?” ’ (that is, to bring Christ down) ‘or “Who will descend into the abyss?” ’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say?

‘The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in him will be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’

Gospel Matthew 14.22-33

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’

Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’

Post Communion Collect

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.

Ninth Sunday after Trinity

Welcome

Please stay for refreshments after the 10.30am service. At this service there are activities and learning for primary school aged children in the Den. The President will call them forward when it is time to join the group

Notices

We’re very grateful to The Reverend Mark Rudall for preaching and presiding at our service today. The president and preacher next week 9 August will be The Reverend Stephen Mourant

Your unwanted bottle bags and autumnal coloured jumpers needed

Judith would like any unwanted, ‘dead’ jumpers or t-shirts for cutting up, please. Also, any unwanted bottle bags will be very welcome.

Wednesday Eucharist

Please note that there will be no Eucharist on Wednesdays 5 and 12 August. We will restart on Wednesday 19 August at 10.30am. All welcome.

Open Church

The church will be open on Friday 7 August from 10.30 to 12noon. All welcome to come along for a cuppa and a chat in the cool.

North Farnborough Food Bank

We are pleased to support the Foodbank and want to develop this further by having regular collections for what the Food Bank needs. The two Top Items needed are washing up liquid and tinned tomatoes. They also currently need tinned fruit, tinned corned beef /pork, chocolate bars, ready to eat rice pudding, ready to eat porridge pots, small jars or tins of pasta sauce (440g or less), tinned spaghetti, biscuits, savoury biscuits/crackers (185g). If you can add one or more of these to your shopping this week and add them to our collecting box this would be very welcome. For more information please speak to Tash.

Crafty Coffee Dates to the end of the year

August 14 and 28; September 11 and 25 (Macmillan Coffee Morning);
October 9 and 30; November 13 and 27; December 11.

Readings for next Sunday 9 August Tenth Sunday after Trinity

1 Kings 19.1-18; Romans 10.5-15; Matthew 14.22-33

Today's Collects and Readings

Collect

Almighty God,
who sent your Holy Spirit
to be the life and light of your Church:
open our hearts to the riches of your grace,
that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit
in love and joy and peace;
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.

Old Testament Reading Isaiah 55.1-5

Ho, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and you that have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labour for that which does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
Incline your ear, and come to me;
listen, so that you may live.
I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.
See, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.
See, you shall call nations that you do not know,
and nations that do not know you shall run to you,
because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you.

New Testament Reading Romans 9.1-5

I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed for ever.
Amen.

Gospel Matthew 14.13-21

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ They replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’ And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Post Communion Collect

Holy Father,
who gathered us here around the table of your Son
to share this meal with the whole household of God:
in that new world where you reveal the fullness of your peace,
gather people of every race and language
to share in the eternal banquet of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Eighth Sunday after Trinity

Welcome

Please stay for refreshments after the 10.30am service. At this service there are activities and learning for primary school aged children in the Den. The President will call them forward when it is time to join the group

Notices

Your unwanted bottle bags and autumnal coloured jumpers needed

Judith would like any unwanted, ‘dead’ jumpers or t-shirts for cutting up, please. Also, any unwanted bottle bags will be very welcome.

Wednesday Eucharist 29 July

All welcome at 10.30am.

North Farnborough Food Bank

We are pleased to support the Foodbank and want to develop this further by having regular collections for what the Food Bank needs. There is a box at the back of the church for you to place any donations. For more information please speak to Tash.

Open Church

Please note that there will not be Open Church next Friday 31 July due to a wedding taking place.

Crafty Coffee Dates to the end of the year

August 14 and 28; September 11 and 25 (Macmillan Coffee Morning); October 9 and 30; November 13 and 27; December 11.

Next Sunday 2 August

The team is taking a break in August and there will be no 8am Holy Communion and no Parish Breakfast that day.

Readings for next Sunday 2 August Ninth Sunday after Trinity

Isaiah 55.1-5; Romans 9.1-5; Matthew 14.13-21

Today's Collects and Readings

Collect

Almighty Lord and everlasting God,
we beseech you to direct, sanctify and govern both our hearts and bodies in the ways of your laws
and the works of your commandments;
that through your most mighty protection, both here and ever,
we may be preserved in body and soul;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Old Testament Reading 1 Kings 3.5-12

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, ‘Ask what I should give you.’ And Solomon said, ‘You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart towards you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today.

And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?’ It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.

God said to him, ‘Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you.

New Testament Reading Romans 8.26-39

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Gospel Matthew 13.31-33, 44-52

Jesus put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.’

He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’ ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

‘Have you understood all this?’ They answered, ‘Yes.’ And he said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.’

Post Communion Collect

Strengthen for service, Lord, the hands that have taken holy things;
may the ears which have heard your word be deaf to clamour and dispute;
may the tongues which have sung your praise be free from deceit;
may the eyes which have seen the tokens of your love shine with the light of hope;
and may the bodies which have been fed with your body be refreshed with the fullness of your life;
glory to you for ever.

Seventh Sunday after Trinity

Welcome

Please stay for refreshments after the 10.30am service. At this service there are activities and learning for primary school aged children in the Den. The President will call them forward when it is time to join the group

Notices

Your unwanted bottle bags and autumnal coloured jumpers needed

Judith would like any unwanted, ‘dead’ jumpers or t-shirts for cutting up, please. Also, any unwanted bottle bags will be very welcome.

Wednesday Eucharist 22 July

All welcome at 10.30am.

Open Church with Crafty Coffee Friday 24 July

The church will be open on Friday from 10.30am to 12noon. Come along for a cuppa and a chat., and if you do handiwork please bring that along also. All are welcome. Please note that there will not be Open Church next Friday 31 July due to a wedding taking place.

Crafty Coffee Dates to the end of the year

August 14 and 28; September 11 and 25 (Macmillan Coffee Morning);
October 9 and 30; November 13 and 27; December 11.

Sunday 2 August

The team is taking a break in August and there will be no 8am Holy Communion and no Parish Breakfast that day.

Readings for next Sunday 26 July Eighth Sunday after Trinity

1 Kings 3.5-12; Romans 8.26-39; Matthew 13.31-33, 44-52,

Today's Collects and Readings

Collect

Lord of all power and might,
the author and giver of all good things:
graft in our hearts the love of your name,
increase in us true religion,
nourish us with all goodness,
and of your great mercy keep us in the same;
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.

Old Testament Reading Isaiah 44.6-8

Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let them proclaim it, let them declare and set it forth before me. Who has announced from of old the things to come? Let them tell us what is yet to be. Do not fear, or be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? You are my witnesses! Is there any god besides me? There is no other rock; I know not one.

New Testament Reading Romans 8.12-25

So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh - for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption.

When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ-if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Gospel Matthew 13.24-30, 36-43

Jesus put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, “Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?” He answered, “An enemy has done this.” The slaves said to him, “Then do you want us to go and gather them?”

But he replied, “No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, ‘Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.’

He answered, ‘The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers and they will throw them into the furnace of fire. where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!

Post Communion Collect

Lord God,
whose Son is the true vine and the source of life,
ever giving himself that the world may live:
may we so receive within ourselves the
power of his death and passion
that, in his saving cup, we may share his glory
and be made perfect in his love;
for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

Sixth Sunday after Trinity

Welcome

Please stay for refreshments after the 10.30am service. At this service there are activities and learning for primary school aged children in the Den. The President will call them forward when it is time to join the group.

Notices

We have a new painting!

A huge thank you to Christina who has painted a portrait of St Mark as a gift for our church. This is a lovely addition to our beautiful building and a source of blessing to all who will see it. Have a closer look over coffee.

Your unwanted bottle bags and autumnal coloured jumpers needed

Judith would like any unwanted, ‘dead’ jumpers or t-shirts for cutting up, please. Also, any unwanted bottle bags will be very welcome.

No Wednesday Eucharist 15 July

Please note that there will be no Eucharist this Wednesday.

Open Church this Friday 17 July

The church will be open on Friday from 10.30am to 12noon. Come along for a warm cuppa and a chat. All are welcome.

Readings for next Sunday 19 July Seventh Sunday after Trinity

Isaiah 44.6-8; Romans 8.12-25; Matthew 13.24-30, 36-43,

Today's Collects and Readings

Collect

Merciful God,
you have prepared for those who love you
such good things as pass our understanding:
pour into our hearts such love toward you
that we, loving you in all things and above all things,
may obtain your promises,
which exceed all that we can desire;
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.

Old Testament Reading Isaiah 55.10-13

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

New Testament Reading Romans 8.1-11

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law-indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.

Gospel Matthew 13.1-9, 18.23

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the lake. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up.

Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.

Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!’ ‘Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path.

As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing.

But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.

Post Communion Collect

God of our pilgrimage,
you have led us to the living water:
refresh and sustain us
as we go forward on our journey,
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Fifth Sunday after Trinity

Welcome

Please stay for refreshments after the 10.30am service. At this service, there are activities and learning for primary school-aged children in the Den. The President will call them forward when it is time to join the group

Notices

Armed Forces Weekend

A big Thank You to Colin and all who welcomed visitors last weekend and prepared for our participation in Armed Forces Weekend.

Did you know that we have a church library?

We have a variety of books of interest to everyone, from fiction, prayer, and theology, to bereavement and divorce. Please take a moment to look at our library at the back of the church. We are always updating it, so visit regularly. Please feel free to borrow a book and perhaps leave a comment on what you have read. Many thanks, Jacqui Nicol and Sally Turner

We have a new painting!

A huge thank you to Christina who has painted a portrait of St Mark as a gift for our church. This is a lovely addition to our beautiful building and a source of blessing to all who will see it. Have a closer look over coffee.

Your unwanted bottle bags and autumnal coloured jumpers needed

Judith would like any unwanted ‘dead’ jumpers or t-shirts for cutting up, please. Also, any unwanted bottle bags will be very welcome.

Wednesday Eucharist

Please note that there will be no Eucharist this Wednesday 8 July. All welcome at 10.30am.

Open Church with Crafty Coffee this Friday 10 July

The church will be open on Friday from 10.30am to 12noon. Come along for a warm cuppa and a chat. All are welcome.

Readings for next Sunday 12 July Sixth Sunday after Trinity

Isaiah 55.10-13; Romans 8.1-11; Matthew 13.1-9, 18-23

Today's Collects and Readings

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God,
by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified:
hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people,
that in their vocation and ministry
they may serve you in holiness and truth
to the glory of your name;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Old Testament Reading Zechariah 9.9-12

Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the warhorse from Jerusalem; and the battle-bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. 

As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.

New Testament reading Romans 7.15-25a

I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand.

For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh I am a slave to the law of sin.

Gospel Matthew 11.16-19, 25-30

Jesus said, ‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another, “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.” For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon”; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.’

At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, 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.’

Post Communion Collect (10.30 only)

Grant, O Lord,
we beseech you,
that the course of this world
may be so peaceably ordered by your governance,
that your Church may joyfully serve you
in all godly quietness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.