The church is OPEN for private prayer during daylight hours.

Every Thursday evening at 5.30 there is a short Service of Evening Prayer in St Mary’s Linton

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Pew Sheets

28^th July

9^th Sunday after Trinity

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.

Readings

Old Testament 2 Samuel 11. ^1-15^.

New Testament Ephesians 3. ^14-end.

Gospel John 6. ^1-21.

WHY DOESN’T GOD …. ?

Recent events have thrown up some intriguing theology. A candidate for the presidency of the USA, Donald Trump, was the target of a would-be assassin. Mr Trump turned his head at the precise moment the attacker pulled the trigger. The result was that the bullet penetrated Mr Trump’s ear rather than his skull. Mr Trump has since attributed this deliverance to God’s protection and has further interpreted it as an endorsement of the Trump candidacy. Hmmm. If God behaves in such a way, why did he not deliver Franz Ferdinand from the assassin’s bullet in 1914, thus saving humanity from the first World War, therefore also the Second World War, followed by the development and deployment of nuclear weaponry under the shadow of which we continue to live? Well, the answer is that God does not intervene in such a way because to do so would jeopardise our freedom of action. It wouldn’t matter how we behave, God would always intervene to avert the potentially catastrophic outcomes. In reality we live in a world where it matters what we decide and how we behave because the outcomes are reality not fantasy. That is what freedom means, freedom to generate real consequences, freedom and, of course, responsibility. There is more to God’s management of the Creation than the chance twist of the head by a human.

So, how do we avoid bad consequences?

We can live by the guidance God has provided for us by the prophets and law-givers of old, by the commandments and other guidance he has provided, most notably by becoming one of us, living a model life and suffering an unjust death to clarify things, wipe the slate clean and bid us find forgiveness and fresh purpose. So I remain sceptical about Mr Trump’s theology. God does not operate in that manner. Robin Noble

Services next Sunday – 04^th August – 10^th Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	Morning Worship	11.15 a.m.
The Lea	Family Communion	9.30 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Evensong	4.30 p.m.
Linton	Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Mattins	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Eleanor Bennett (WuP)

Please pray for all who have died,

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

21^st July

8^th Sunday after Trinity

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.

Readings

Old Testament 2 Samuel 7. ^1-14a^.

New Testament Ephesians 2. ^11-end.

Gospel Mark 6. ^{30-34, 53-end.}

We have survived an Election, as voters. A choice has been made and people have been chosen. This introduces the very difficult issue which comes to us from the Old Testament. Why is it believed that God chose the people and tribes of Israel, rather than the much more sophisticated Greeks, or the Babylonians before them? The story is summed up in a way in the Book of the prophet Amos in chapter 3, verse 2 where we find God declaring ‘Ye only have I known of all the families of the earth’ and this seems to Amos to be at least a clue as to such a strange relationship. But it is not a picture even people in his day would willingly recognise, trapped as they were between the Empire-builders of Egypt and Assyria. Amos, a Southener, speaks to members of the Northern kingdom. This kingdom came into being when ten of the tribes rebelled after Solomon died and Rehoboam his son, declared himself king, in 933 B.C. That was the end of a united Israel. There was division within the ruling Party! Worse still, when the Assyrians conquered the North in 729 B.C. they deported most of the inhabitants. But Amos spoke while the North was still a viable kingdom. He was clearly out of touch with the politics of the day when he declares that the sovereignty of God in history is universal and God alone has a vote. But he has no Electorate to convince! In Ch.9 v7 God asks “Did I not bring Israel up from Egypt, the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir?”. God is the Lord of nations past and present. But after centuries of division, loss and subjection, the old nationalist assumption that God had chosen to protect a Special Race, led to a renewed religious form of nationalism in response to the Greek conquest of the South in 165B.C. The theory was that God’s enemies were attacking him through their attacks on the Nation and the Pharisees and the Sadducees believed this. Interestingly, Mr. Trump uses a similar argument in his election campaign, that his supporters and therefore the Nation is being attacked when he himself is so unjustly (?) attacked. But he will courageously take the blows for the Team. He is, after all, a Southerner! Brian

Services next Sunday – 28^th July – 9^th Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
The Lea	Children’s Church	10.00 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Mattins	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	All Age Communion	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

HOPE MANSELL: St Michael’s Church Fete Saturday 20th July from 2pm to 4pm, All the usual Stalls, Teas, Games and Raffle. All Welcome.

UPTON BISHOP: Summer Fete 20^th July, 2pm in the Millenium Hall, Cakes, Refreshments, Games and Stalls. Can you face the Lego Walking Challenge? Or bake a cake that looks like your pet? More information from Olivia 07496 685960

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Eleanor Bennett (WuP)

Please pray for all who have died,

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

14^th July

7^th Sunday after Trinity

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.

Readings

Old Testament 2 Samuel 6. ^1-5,^12b-19.

New Testament Ephesians 1. ^3-14.

Gospel Mark 6. ^14-29.

John the Baptist is unique in the Gospels, because everyone else is mentioned in connection with Jesus. John has a story all to himself. The somewhat gory account of his demise in today’s reading, is as a result of his speaking up against the irregular (and illegal?) marriage of Herod the Tetrarch to Herodias.

The Jewish historian Josephus – who was born in the early part of the 1st Century in Palestine – describes John as “a good man who commanded (note the strength of that word – it was not simply a suggestion) the Jews to exercise virtue, both as righteousness towards one another and piety towards God, and so come to baptism.

He and Mark in today’s reading emphasise that John was a ‘good man’. His God-given authority was not questioned by the people – neither had they questioned the prophets from earlier times. However, in practice, many had chosen to ignore them all.

Speaking up for truth and pointing out what is wrong, takes immense courage and divine inspiration. It will always make the speaker unpopular with those who perceive that he is referring to them.

Jesus had spoken out against those who had a holier-than-thou attitude, because he knew that they found it easier to criticise others rather than owning up to their own shortcomings.

In every generation there has been corruption in Church and State; in commerce, education and all the rest – as well as in personal morality.

The call of John the Baptist to repentance is as essential today, as it ever was -perhaps even more so!

The teaching of Jesus is ignored at our peril because HE alone has the words of eternal life. Martin

Services next Sunday – 21^st July – 8^th Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	Family Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
The Lea	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Village Praise	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Morning Worship	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

HOPE MANSELL: St Michael’s Church Fete Saturday 20th July from 2pm to 4pm, All the usual Stalls, Teas, Games and Raffle. All Welcome.

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Eleanor Bennett (WuP)

Please pray for all who have died,

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

07^th July

6^th Sunday after Trinity

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.

Readings

Old Testament 2 Samuel 5. ^1-5,^9-10.

New Testament 2 Corinthians 12. ^2-10.

Gospel Mark 6. ^1-13.

Today’s Gospel describes the difficulty Jesus had when he visited his own town. The crowd was most certainly against him. They knew who this person was. They knew his family. They’d known him as a child. Nobody could believe that he could be capable of healing or even of having the kind of wisdom he seemed to be displaying. They were suspicious and it turned to hostility. Who is this to tell us what to do, and who is this to bring healing to us? It must be fake. Jesus was human, and in the face of this open hostility he could do nothing. In the place where he should have had everything going for him, in safety among his own people, it turned out not to be so.

The second story we hear today is almost the polar opposite. Jesus sends out the twelve among the villages. He deliberately encourages them to be vulnerable. Take no bread or money. Don’t take an extra tunic. They are to rely on people in the villages they visit to provide food and accommodation for them. It’s easy to imagine that these new miracle workers would find it very hard to concentrate on the job in hand when they are so vulnerable. We can only assume that the positive attitude they had built up over the time they’d spent with Jesus helped them to be effective. In sharp contrast with Jesus’ own experience in his home town, they are able to heal those who are sick and to cast out demons.

God is the best psychologist and spending time with God will enable us to achieve all kinds of things we might never imagine possible. It has inspired people down the ages to go out and do things they would never have considered if they’d stayed at home. If we are prepared to leave the security of our own place, whatever that might mean for us, and step out into unknown territory, with God at our side we can achieve great things. Jesus knew that his disciples had been with him long enough to be successful in their mission. They had listened to his teaching and watched as he healed those who were sick. They were ready. David

Services next Sunday – 14^th July – 7^th Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
The Lea	Holy Communion	8.00 a.m.
Hope Mansell
Aston Ingham	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Bible Brunch @ Village Hall	10.30 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Communion Service	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

UPTON BISHOP. Following on from the Lent course we are now starting our Pilgrim Course. Starts Wednesday 1^st May @ 2pm in the Millenium Hall, and will run every other week for the 6 week course duration.

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Eleanor Bennett (WuP)

Please pray for all who have died, Alice Mary Hodges (WuP), Geoffrey Gilbert Dixon (HM)

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

30^th June

5^th Sunday after Trinity

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.

Readings

Old Testament 1 Samuel 1. ^{1, 17-end}^.

New Testament 2 Corinthians 8. ^7-end.

Gospel Mark 5. ^21-end.

In today’s Gospel reading we meet two people who are desperate. They both have to push on through social barriers that would stop them reaching Jesus. Jairus has his social standing to worry about. People like him simply do not go seeking out itinerant Galilean preachers. But Jairus falls on his knees and begs Jesus repeatedly, “Come and lay your hands on her.” His love for his daughter triumphs over his social standing.

Next, we meet a woman who has to deal with the fact that her issue of blood makes her ritually unclean, and anyone she touches will become ritually unclean, too. She should not touch Jesus, but her faith and desperation work together and she breaks through this social constraint. Many people are brushing against Jesus, but she really touches him, somehow connecting with him through her faith. She is scared that she will be told off for her breach of the purity rules. Instead of rebuke, she is told to, “go in peace, and be healed of your disease”.

Both Jairus and the woman exemplify an active faith which overcomes social disapproval, breaking through to the heart of God. For Jairus, things take a severe turn for the worse when people come to tell him that his daughter is dead. He has crossed the social barrier; he now has the barrier of believing in the face of all the evidence to the contrary. Jesus inspires him with the powerful words, “Do not fear, only believe.”

At Jairus’ house, Jairus’ faith is mocked, but the master takes charge of the situation; people are ushered out, and a miracle occurs. Jesus demonstrates his remarkable, caring love still further when he tells her parents to give her something to eat. Jesus has faith, he is in charge and he is a person of compassion.

Finally, we can note that these two people came to Jesus with their pressing personal needs. We are so often told not to think of ourselves, that it is joyfully refreshing to see how Jesus receives these two individuals warmly and meets their needs. David

Services next Sunday – 07^th July – 6^th Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	Mattins	11.15 a.m.
The Lea	Family Communion	9.30 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Evensong	4.30 p.m.
Linton	Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Mattins	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Eleanor Bennett (WuP)

Please pray for all who have died, Alice Mary Hodges (WuP), Geoffrey Gilbert Dixon (HM)

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

23^rd June

4^th Sunday after Trinity

Collect

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that with you as our ruler and guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not our hold on things eternal; grant this, heavenly Father, for our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

Old Testament 1 Samuel 17. ^32-49^.

New Testament 2 Corinthians 6. ^1-13.

Gospel Mark 4. ^35-end.

DIVISION

It is often said that religion causes division and violence. This is used as an excuse by some for avoiding it altogether. But this is extreme and unfair. There are those who use religion to support their own prejudices and identities, and extreme rivalry can result. Such behaviour constitutes abuse. Religion requires tolerance, brotherhood and understanding whichever team we support.

We seldom hear calls to eschew football entirely because it encourages rivalry, indeed sometimes results in violence. Yet all football teams would tell us that they prize health, discipline, teamwork, fair play, and obedience to the rules. Indeed, the parallels between religion and football are many. It is a fact that many of the teams resulted from religious encouragement. The urban working class expanded rapidly as industrialisation shaped the 19th Century. The authorities were at a loss as to how the energies of the “working class” could be absorbed on the non-working Sundays. The churches stepped in with the suggestion that football held the answers. Football was a health-promoting absorber for spare energy, constructive, devoted to teamwork and fair play. It was harmless and healthy. Teams were formed on a local basis, fixtures were fixed, healthy rivalry promoted. A competitive league was formed. With the passage of time teams came to be formed outside the church’s orbit, but in most cases the devotion to health, teamwork, fair play and playing by the rules, and definition by locale bound the teams into shared ideals. Now we have competitions that reach overseas and involve other nations, such as the UEFA Euro tournament currently occupying our attentions.

Just about anything worthwhile can be exploited and abused by those who are insecure enough to grasp extremism and violence to reinforce their uncertain identities. Worthwhile pursuits such as religion and football are sometimes the victims. But that should not blind us to the fact that in both cases adherence to the ideals they embody should be kept in sight and adhered to for the enrichment they offer. ROBIN NOBLE

Services next Sunday – 30^th June – 5^th Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	ARICONIUM BENEFICE WELL BLESSING SERVICE @ ASTON INGHAM	10.30 a.m.
The Lea
Hope Mansell
Aston Ingham
Linton
Upton Bishop

Forthcoming Services & Events

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Eleanor Bennett (WuP)

Please pray for all who have died, Alice Mary Hodges (WuP), Geoffrey Gilbert Dixon (HM)

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

16^th June

3^rd Sunday after Trinity

Collect

Almighty God, you have broken the tyranny of Sin and have sent the Spirit of your Son into our hearts whereby we call you Father: give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service, that we and all creation may be brought to the glorious liberty of the children of God; 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.

Readings

Old Testament 1 Samuel 15. ^{34 thru}16.¹³^.

New Testament 2 Corinthians 5. ^{6-10, 14-17.}

Gospel Mark 4. ^26-34.

There are quite a number of plants which reproduce by ejecting seed onto the ground. I remember standing in a rubber plantation in Malaysia and hearing the sound of the hard nuts clattering against the surrounding branches and then falling to the ground. As a way of propagating the species it might be said to be hit and miss. But it has worked over millions of years. In this reading from Mark we catch a glimpse of the Galilean method of sowing the wheat for harvest. It also illuminates Mark’s earlier story in this chapter of the Sower and the random way he scatters the seed. As a farmer’s boy, this parable made no sense to me because our method was precise and we expected the seed to germinate in the place prepared for it. Both parables come down to much the same thing. The Christian task of sowing the Faith has with it that element of simply not knowing the effect it has upon those who hear. After all, the Sower throws the seed into the air and moves on. His success is measured by the harvest gathered months later. Again, the seed is the product of the previous year’s work. In the history of the Christian Church there is the record of those who, like Martin Luther and the Wesley brothers, sowed seeds which became the new harvest to bring growth even to a tired and unfruitful Church. But the season of harvest has passed by these many years and the soil is now almost worked out again. How often have we been told of whole families attending church to hear the sermons of all those wonderful preachers in days gone by? So, where are their descendants now? Perhaps it is because our spring-time story expects the seed we sow to fall where we want it within carefully- prepared structures, whereas the vision offered by Mark is of seed freely distributed and wherever it lands coming to life in both good and barren soil. Not all we meet will find God but we must offer them the opportunity of encountering that enduring love which is the life and joy of the Church, wherever they are. Even the mustard seed is last year’s harvest and however magnificent it may become, unless it scatters seed free-handedly today, it will simply fade away. Brian.

Services next Sunday – 23^rd June – 4^th Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
The Lea	Children’s Church	10.00 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	All Age Communion	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

HOPE MANSELL. St. Michael’s Church, Flower Festival – Desert Island Discs. 14th, 15th & 16th June, 10.00am to 4pm daily.Refreshments served and free entry.

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Eleanor Bennett (WuP)

Please pray for all who have died, Alice Mary Hodges (WuP), Geoffrey Gilbert Dixon (HM)

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

09^th June

2^nd Sunday after Trinity

Collect

Lord, you have taught us that all our doings without love are nothing worth: send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the true bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whoever lives is counted dead before you, Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

Old Testament 1 Samuel 8. ^4-11,^16-20.

New Testament 2 Corinthians 4. ^{13 thru}5. ^1.

Gospel Mark 3. ^20-end.

In the time of Jesus, the leaders of the people produced huge numbers

of rules that everyone was expected to follow. Rulers were feared and

gained no respect from those under them.

Jesus broke many of these rules – not to draw attention to himself, but

out of love, concern and compassion for those who had plenty else to

do in their daily lives. As a result, he gained respect from the common

people, but the authorities wanted to do away with him.

As Mark’s Gospel progresses, he is accused of being deranged and

in league with Beelzebul, the Prince of Demons. This was a knee-jerk

reaction, because if they had thought it through, they would have

registered that Jesus was highly successful in casting out demons.

Evil is still a reality in the world in our own day. How often do our

supposed spiritual leaders speak out against it, leave it alone, or even

mention it? – for fear of being accused as Jesus was. In one sense, not

speaking out, is actually colluding with the forces of evil.

The Devil’s disciples are in the world and within the Church – some of them are our temporal and spiritual leaders today!

Our Lord was single-minded and not devious. He did not seek his

own glory. He prayed for those who abused him and did nothing but

good to those in need. Nonetheless, the leaders tried to accuse him of

madness!

When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, today we should perhaps focus on

that petition which asks that we may be delivered from evil. We know

who we should follow in our daily lives, but there is always the

temptation to do otherwise. We have been warned! Martin

Services next Sunday – 16^th June – 3^rd Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	Family Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
The Lea	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Mattins	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Village Praise	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Morning Worship	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

HOPE MANSELL. St. Michael’s Church, Flower Festival – Desert Island Discs. 14th, 15th & 16th June, 10.00am to 4pm daily.Refreshments served and free entry.

LEA. June 9th at 3pm Forest Baroque will be in concert in St John the Baptist’s Church, Lea, with Telemann (and friends). Tickets are £10 to include afternoon tea and are available from Alice on 07753 771214

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Eleanor Bennett (WuP)

Please pray for all who have died, Alice Mary Hodges (WuP), Geoffrey Gilbert Dixon (HM)

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

02^nd June

1^st Sunday after Trinity

Collect

O God, the strength of all those who put their trust in you, mercifully accept our prayers and, because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing without you, grant us the help of your grace, that in the keeping of your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; 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.

Readings

Old Testament 1 Samuel 3. ^1-10^.

New Testament 2 Corinthians 4. ^5-12.

Gospel Mark 2. ^{23 thru}3. ^6.

At the beginning of what is called “ordinary time” (because the days that follow Trinity Sunday are “ordered”) our readings focus on the sabbath. We are reminded that God rested after creating, hallowing rest for all creatures; the sabbath is God’s gift and not a constraint. “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” Mark 2:27-28 When Jesus and his disciples walk through the cornfields, the disciples pluck the heads of grain. It’s an absent-minded action and we’ve all probably done something similar: pulled at long stalks of grass as we’ve walked, or snaffled blackberries from roadside hedges. What the disciples are doing is, probably, rubbing the heads in their fingers to release the grain and then snacking on nature’s bounty. But the action is threshing – in miniature – and therefore constitutes work. The religious leaders, keen to spot wrongdoing, point out that by engaging in such work, the disciples are breaking the rules of the sabbath. They then wait as Jesus enters a synagogue to see whether he will heal a man. Again, this will constitute work. The tenth commandment is God’s generous gift to the created order. All creatures, high and low in society and even the working animals, are to rest for one day per week. This is not about constraining people and confining them to their homes or to doing nothing. Instead, God gives people, animals, and even the earth, an opportunity to rest, recover, and renew. Sabbath time is supposed to be nurturing and healing time for everyone, and Jesus reminds his accusers that, “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath.” It is a gift from God, and not a rule-bound constraint. Feeding and healing are entirely in keeping with divine operation. Rest should not be a luxury, yet it can often feel that way. Or else, it is the reward we allow ourselves for working hard. And yet, most of us recognise that we work better, make wiser decisions and have fewer arguments with our friends and loved ones, when we are rested. Land is more productive if it isn’t over-farmed; seas teem with life when they are not over fished. Everyone and every created thing needs rest. Sabbath time, or a significant amount of resting time, is not our reward; it is vital to existence. As the writer Anne Lamott neatly puts it, “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” God is even more generous – offering a whole day. Rest is not simply inactivity (although doing nothing is good); it is creative in the most meaningful way. When we tune out of the endless noise of life, we are more likely to hear the voice of God or the whispers of our heart. We give our attention to something other than the chatter and we delight in life a little more. We are healed and restored to life. The religious authorities needed Jesus to remind them of the purpose of the sabbath. Many of us need reminding of much the same. David

Services next Sunday – 09^th June – 2^nd Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
The Lea	Mattins	8.00 a.m.
Hope Mansell
Aston Ingham	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Bible Brunch @ Village Hall	10.30 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Communion Service	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

HOPE MANSELL. St. Michael’s Church, Flower Festival – Desert Island Discs. 14th, 15th & 16th June, 10.00am to 4pm daily.Refreshments served and free entry.

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Eleanor Bennett (WuP)

Please pray for all who have died, Enid Chapman (Lin)

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

26^th May

Trinity Sunday

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, you have given us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity and in the power of the divine majesty to worship Unity: keep us steadfast in this faith, that we may evermore be defended from all adversities; 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.

Readings

Old Testament Isaiah 6. ^1-8^.

New Testament Romans 8. ^12-17.

Gospel John 3. ^1-17.

Today the Church celebrates the Doctrine of The Holy Trinity. It is a strange doctrine because it is difficult to understand. It does not appear in the Bible, but it is fervently asserted by all mainstream Christians. It has been described as a conundrum wrapped in an enigma.

The doctrine states that God exists as three persons united in one substance. We do not have three gods. God remains one. But we experience God in three roles: creator, redeemer and ongoing force. See John 14 v 16 and 26, 1 Peter 1 v 2, 2 Corinthians 13 v 14, 1 Corinthians 12 v 4 to 6. The first statement using the expression “Trinity” comes from Theophilus of Alexandria in the year 180AD. The formula expressed in Matthew 28 v 19 has been employed as standard up to the present day. It has defined Christian orthodoxy in the challenges from the heresies and so continues. It gives form to the three ways we experience God – as creator and sustainer of all that is, as an expression of that creator in human terms, or as much as we can handle, and the ongoing experience of God as a source of power in everyday life. Each of these “persons” is “God”. The doctrine is not intended to bamboozle us but to help us. There is certainly plenty to think about but in the end, whatever help it might be it remains a mystery.

The college where I studied and trained for the ministry was called Trinity College in Dublin, so I get caught up in happy recollections of my younger days when I hear the Trinity mentioned. Not so much mystery there then ….

Robin Noble

Services next Sunday – 02^nd June – 1^st Sunday after Trinity

Weston-under-Penyard	Morning Worship	11.15 a.m.
The Lea	Family Communion	9.30 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Evensong	4.30 p.m.
Linton	Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Mattins	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Eleanor Bennett (WuP)

Please pray for all who have died, Enid Chapman (Lin)

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

19^th May

Pentecost

Collect

God, who as at this time taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgement in all things and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

Old Testament Acts 2. ^1-21^.

New Testament Romans 8. ^22-27.

Gospel John 15. ^26-17.16. ^4b-15

“When I began…” is how the great personalities of our time, as they come and go, launch their autobiographies on the strength of being at the beginning of an artistic movement, or the latest fashion in clothes or music. The approaching public marking of an event which happened long before most people were born, on June 6th, is an example of public awareness which owes much to this inbuilt desire to have something from the past to treasure. Presently, the Church of England is having to face the issue of church buildings which sadly, no longer matter to the community and what is often offered in their defence is their link with past history. In much the same way, antiques are collected, even though in general they no longer fulfil their original purpose. The Feast of Pentecost (a Greek word meaning ‘Fifty days’) for the Jewish people was a festival originating from a pagan agricultural ritual yet fondly remembered as what we would recognize as a Harvest Thanksgiving. On the third day after Passover the first sheaves of corn from the harvest were presented to God in the Temple. On the fiftieth day, at the end of harvest, newly baked unleavened loaves made from the corn were also presented. For the scattered communities of Jewish people who lived amongst Gentiles throughout the Middle East, whose first language was no longer Hebrew, Pentecost was a time for a nostalgic trip to Jerusalem. By contrast, in his ‘Acts of the Apostles’, as he describes the beginnings of the Church, Luke also marks the ending of a past which belonged to the never- doubted yet pure assumption that God favoured Israel over all others. It served once upon a time, but it no longer registered amongst the often-prosperous Jewish families dispersed throughout what was a world run by Gentiles. It had become an antique itself, a steam engine to be admired in an agricultural show. Luke’s story tells that the Aramaic-speaking Peter suddenly had the courage to address a hostile crowd in Greek, the commercial language of his world and the language of the New Testament. What was once a harvest festival now marked the sowing of new seed by the Holy Spirit and so at Pentecost we celebrate the beginning, not the end of a harvest Brian

Services next Sunday – 26^th May – Trinity Sunday

Weston-under-Penyard	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
The Lea	Children’s Church	10.00 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Mattins	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	All Age Communion	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

LEA. Church are having a churchyard tidy -up this weekend 18th May from 10-12 noon. If you’re a glutton for punishment, why not join us? Coffee and cake are the bribes! Just turn up with your garden gloves and basic tools!

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Eleanor Bennett (WuP)

Please pray for all who have died, Enid Chapman (Lin)

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

12^th May

7^th Sunday of Easter

Collect

O God the King of Glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: we beseech you, leave us not comfortless, but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

Old Testament Acts 1. ^{15-17, 21-end}^.

New Testament 1 John 5. ^9-13.

Gospel John 17. ^6-19.

Frequently, the term ‘Hypocrite’ is used about leaders or senior persons in both Church and State. The word in Greek simply means ‘Actor’ – a person who, in public view, pretends to be something or someone else, whilst remaining exactly the same on the inside.

Many politicians work for the good of those they represent and their motivation comes from a genuine desire from within to achieve this. Others, pretend to have our best interests at heart, but are only really concerned about their own advancement. It is the same within the Church. The real saint respond from a deep love in their heart – a love of our Lord and of their fellow humans. There is a certain transparency and attractiveness about them – as there must have indeed been about Jesus when he was on earth among us. Having said that, some saints can be difficult, because although their heart may be in the right place, they don’t relate well to others!

Some people pretend, in order to fit in with the expectations of others. They might quote the Bible to back up their own agenda or say what is expected of them. They might do the right things according to the traditions of that Church – perhaps making the sign of the Cross at appropriate places; or raising hands skywards, if the worship has a charismatic flavour; perhaps even be babbling away in tongues. Mercifully, it is not going to be for us to judge how genuine these things are.

Today’s Gospel reading is what is often known as the ‘High Priestly Prayer’ of Jesus, where in the Garden he pays for the protection of those who genuinely belong to him, against the forces of evil in the world.

One day, there will be the Judgement and Jesus tells us that ‘Not every one who says to me Lord, Lord, will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father. Ultimately, God is not fooled by hypocrisy. We have been warned! Martin

Services next Sunday – 19^th May – Pentecost

Weston-under-Penyard	Family Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
The Lea	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Village Praise	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Morning Worship	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Eleanor Bennett (WuP)

Please pray for all who have died, Enid Chapman (Lin)

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

05^th May

6^th Sunday of Easter

Collect

God our redeemer, you have delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your Son: grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his continual presence in us he may raise us to eternal joy; 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.

Readings

Old Testament Acts 10. ^44-end^.

New Testament 1 John 5. ^1-6.

Gospel John 15. ^9-17.

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Jesus tells us that he has loved us just as the Father has loved him and he asks us to abide in his love. How do we do that? The answer is by keeping his commandments. He goes on to link this love with joy. You might wonder how keeping a list of commandments can possibly bring joy. You might imagine writing them down in a notebook or displaying a list on the wall. But there’s no need. There is only one: “love one another as I have loved you”.

No longer servants, but friends, we are to do exactly as Jesus himself has done. His whole life has been an illustration of what it is to love, to the extent that he was prepared to lay down his life. There is no greater love than this, and this is the quality of love that Jesus asks of us – the love that brings joy, to ourselves and others.

The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary defines the noun “love” as “a strong feeling of affection; a great interest or pleasure in something; or a person or thing you love”. Jesus encourages us to see love as a verb, and he tells us to love one another, pure and simple – everything else follows from that.

People around us know who we are. They see us come to church and they expect us to follow this demonstration of faith with actions of love. They know that if we don’t follow Jesus’ commandment to love, we really let him down. It’s a huge responsibility – one that should inform all our thoughts and actions.

If Jesus loved, but did nothing, what good would that have done? It would have changed nothing. Instead, he came, and he did, and the world was changed. His love led him to say that his disciples were not servants, but friends. This is the example he’s calling us to follow, as his friends who are prepared to join him on the way of love.

We all have different opportunities to love. Some of us may be called to make large sacrifices for others, but we can all notice the small needs of others, and we can choose to demonstrate Christ’s love in those small things which often cost us little but make a big difference. David

Services next Sunday – 12^th May – 7^th Sunday of Easter

Weston-under-Penyard	Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
The Lea	Holy Communion	8.00 a.m.
Hope Mansell
Aston Ingham	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Bible Brunch @ Village Hall	10.30 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Communion Service	10.30 a.m.
Linton 09^th May	Ascension Day	7.00 p.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Eleanor Bennett (WuP)

Please pray for all who have died,

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

28^th April

5^th Sunday of Easter

Collect

Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ have overcome death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: grant that, as by your grace going before us you put into our minds good desires, so by your continual help we may bring them to good effect; through Jesus Christ our risen Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

Old Testament Acts 8. ^26-end^.

New Testament 1 John 4. ^7-end.

Gospel John 15. ^1-8.

PRAYER

Every now and then one is surprised to find prayer being answered. I had such an experience recently when two of my prayers were answered after a period of being included in my daily devotions. One was for peace in the Middle East especially between Israel and Iran. The recent stand-off was the focus. The world held its breath after the Iranian aerial assault following the Israeli raid on Iran’s embassy in Damascus. In the end the Israeli response was muted, symbolic, saying yes, we have that capability too. No-one was killed in this exchange. I had prayed for sense to prevail and I felt strongly that this prayer had been heard. The other prayer was for my five-year-old grandson who had become unsettled at school. A change of school and the diagnosis of an ear condition have resulted in a breathtaking bettering of the situation and a happy, responsive child has emerged. Of course, there is so much in both public and private life to pray for. We should not be deterred; we must continue to pray. Naturally, God knows what our concerns are without us bombarding Him daily with our prayers, but the discipline means that we do not ourselves lose sight of the things that matter to us. I am helped by having my daily prayers laid out in, yes, my mobile phone! There is an “App” called, aptly, Daily Prayer. It is a C of E product, and it is free. It includes planned reading of Old and New Testaments, psalms and collects, and notes saints’ days. There are options for Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Night Prayer, thus making the habit easier. There is provision for one’s personal prayers to be included. It can be as private as you want, and if you miss, well, that happens. I commend it to you. The more you pray, the more answers will come. Robin Noble

Services next Sunday – 05^th May – 6^th Sunday of Easter

Weston-under-Penyard	Morning Worship	11.15 a.m.
The Lea	Family Communion	9.30 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Evensong	4.30 p.m.
Linton	Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Mattins	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Eleanor Bennett (WuP)

Please pray for all who have died,

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

21^st April

4^th Sunday of Easter

Collect

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life: raise us, who trust in him, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness, that we may seek those things which are above, where he reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

Old Testament Acts 4. ^5-12.

New Testament 1 John 3. ^16-end.

Gospel John 10. ^11-18.

To get a picture of life in the days of Jesus and his friends, we have to rely on three sources at best. The most useful is the history of his people written by Josephus. He is treated with some caution, but probably he was no less accurate than any other historian of any period. He wrote as a captive in Rome after he was captured during the last Jewish revolt against the Romans in A.D. 135. He writes extensively about his Nation and its history. He does occasionally write about people we meet in the Gospels. One such is John the Baptist and Josephus expresses some admiration for a man who he describes as a courageous figure willing to take on those in authority and being executed as a result. He has little to say about Jesus, however, in the most trusted version of his works. Roman historians, when they do mention Jerusalem at the time of Josephus, regard it as essentially troublesome and after it was captured the Roman Governor changed its name from Jerusalem to Aelia Capitolina. We meet two of the important political groups in the Gospels, the Pharisees and the Sadducees. A third group, the Zealots had nationalistic ideals shared by both, though much more violently. But when the Jerusalem Temple was destroyed after the first Jewish revolt against Roman occupation in A.D. 70, the Sadducees, whose sole occupation was the conduct of worship in the Temple, had no further role and we lose sight of them. There was, however, another significant social group about whom we hear very little. These were the Essenes. Being essentially a monastic organisation, the members lived in communes remote from contact with other Jewish people. They had strict rules and those wishing to join had to give up worldly wealth and other trappings of ordinary life. They were essentially pacifists. Initially, members were celibate, but we have archaeological evidence of skeletal remains of women and children in one-time sites they later occupied. The hints of their existence may be detected in the actions and life-style of John the Baptist and certainly when Jesus says “Take no thought for tomorrow…” this would fit in with the Essene philosophy. Early chapters of the Acts suggest that the Apostles were also aware of Essene principles as they established the rules of church membership. Brian

Services next Sunday – 28^th April – 5^th Sunday of Easter

Weston-under-Penyard	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
The Lea	Children’s Church	10.00 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Mattins	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	All Age Communion	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

HOPE MANSELL. St Michael’s Church 20th April, Coffee Morning 10.30am to noon. Coffee, Cake, books draw and jigsaws. Free entry proceeds in aid of Church funds.

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Eleanor Bennett (WuP)

Please pray for all who have died,

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

14^th April

3^rd Sunday of Easter

Collect

Almighty Father, who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord: give us such knowledge of his presence with us, that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life and serve you continually in righteousness and truth; 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.

Readings

Old Testament Acts 3. ^12-19.

New Testament 1 John 3. ^1-7.

Gospel Luke 24. ^36b-48.

The BBC seem to have reverted to one of their old traditions – putting a light-hearted and amusing story at the end of their main news bulletins.

Something that helps slightly to redress the balance of the tragedy and chaos that they are reporting on, in the rest of the programme.

So many are yearning for an end to the conflicts between Russia and the Ukraine, between Israel and Palestine; as well as industrial disputes of junior doctors, rail workers and others. Why can there not be peace – even from something more personal, like a house full of noisy kids?

In today’s Gospel, we hear of Jesus after the horrors of his crucifixion, rising from the dead and offering those close to him the message of peace.

In the midst of our own troubles and the immense problems of the world, we can be at peace when we turn to God who is near – nearer than any spouse or friend can be.

There is never a time when he does not want to hear us.

Our prayers can give us a moment of peace in the midst of all the troubles. We can lay these at the foot of the cross and look up to our Lord who took, as it were, the repentant thief by the hand and led him to heaven.

Through our prayers we can be close to God, as he wills to be near to us.

It is in his peace that we can find our own.

Martin.

Services next Sunday – 21^st April – 4^th Sunday of Easter

Weston-under-Penyard	Family Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
The Lea	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Village Praise	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Morning Worship	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

HOPE MANSELL. St Michael’s Church 20th April, Coffee Morning 10.30am to noon. Coffee, Cake, books draw and jigsaws. Free entry, proceeds in aid of Church funds.

LEA. Quiz Night. 12th April at Lea Village Hall, doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Licensed Bar, £5 per person entry. Free Nibbles. Tables of up to 6. To book please call Rose on 01989 750267. Proceeds to Lea Church

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick,

Please pray for all who have died, Jim Washington (HM) Dinah Lane (Lea)

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

07^th April

2^nd Sunday of Easter

Collect

Risen Christ, for whom no door is locked, no entrance barred: open the doors of our hearts, that we may seek the good of others and walk the joyful road of sacrifice and peace, to the praise of God the Father.

Readings

Old Testament Acts 4. ^32-35.

New Testament 1 John 1. ^{1 thru}2. ^2.

Gospel John 20. ^19-end.

Today’s Gospel reading certainly describes momentous events. Following hard on the heels of Mary Magdalene’s earth-shattering account of her encounter with the risen Christ, the disciples gather. We can only imagine their state of mind – fearful of persecution by those who had killed their leader, but full of incredulous hope at Mary’s news. And then they too see Jesus, hear him as he speaks peace to them, as he anoints them with the Holy Spirit to carry on his ministry of forgiveness and liberation. But there is one who is absent, and who, when he hears their story, dismisses it as fake news, a hoax. “I’ll believe it when I see it,” he says in effect. I will only trust my own physical senses. Unless I can touch him, I won’t believe it. I’m not going to believe it just because you say it’s true. Thomas is an advocate for exercising critical faculties and fact-checking. If it seems too good to be true, he implies, it probably is. A week later, it is Thomas himself who encounters the risen Jesus, who is understanding of his scepticism. He gives Thomas the tangible evidence he needs, and Thomas is convinced, proclaiming, “My Lord and my God!” But it would have been better, says Jesus, if Thomas had believed the account of credible eyewitnesses. Providing that account is what John’s Gospel is about. For the last two millennia, we have had only these eyewitness accounts to go on. People have had to decide for themselves whether those accounts are reliable, or if they are fake news. Many of those who struggle to believe stumble over the seeming impossibility of the resurrection – how can this be factually accurate? Perhaps it is better to think of the resurrection as a truth with a profound message about the triumph of love over hate, life over death, light over darkness – all of which are alluded to in today’s readings. But in the end, Thomas – that sceptical challenger of fake news – is convinced by his own experience, and even the most sceptical would-be believer can take confidence from that. He who refused to be convinced on second hand evidence is utterly convinced by the reality of the risen person of Jesus. The Church has given Thomas rather a bad press, but in these times of “alternative” facts, perhaps he teaches us some valuable lessons. He uses his God-given critical faculties to evaluate the accounts he is presented with, and to test the reliability of his sources. He requires empirical evidence – the evidence of his own senses – to change his world view. And he judges the truth against the yardstick of his own experience. And in the end, he believes. The risen Christ he believes in is life-changing, not only for Thomas, but also for us. David

Services next Sunday – 14^th April – 3^rd Sunday of Easter

Weston-under-Penyard	Communion Service	11.00 a.m.
The Lea	Mattins	8.00 a.m.
Hope Mansell
Aston Ingham	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Bible Brunch @ Village Hall	10.30 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Communion Service	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick,

Please pray for all who have died, Jim Washington (HM) Dinah Lane (Lea)

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

31^st March

Easter Day

Collect

Lord of all life and power, who through the mighty resurrection of your Son overcame the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him: grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, may reign with him in glory; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and honour, glory and might, now and in all eternity.

Readings

Old Testament Acts 10. ^34-43.

New Testament 1 Corinthians 15. ^1-11.

Gospel John 20. ^1-18.

Many of the essential elements of a good whodunnit find echoes in the Easter story. There was certainly a murder, a judicial murder – Jesus had been executed by the authorities, not for any capital crime but because he was dangerous to them. His body had seemingly disappeared. And Mary Magdalene at first failed to identify not the killer, but the victim. Only when he called her by name did she recognise him. But various biblical accounts show that she, as principal witness to the resurrection, was not believed at first. Even in today’s Gospel, Peter and the other disciple came to see the empty tomb for themselves and then went home, missing out on the final clue. Today’s Gospel is a very special one, not least because it speaks to all of us who may have failed to recognise Jesus in our lives. Mary remained at the tomb alone until someone else arrived. At first, she assumed this newcomer was the gardener. We may all have theories about this case of mistaken identity. Was Mary blinded by her tears? Her grief at his death would have been intensified by the disappearance of his body – she could not even say her last farewells. Or did she turn away from looking into the dark tomb only to be blinded by the rising sun behind Jesus – and thus fail to recognise the risen Son of God? Whatever the reason, her assumption that this person was the gardener was understandable. Yet the sound of his voice, speaking her name, turned her grief into joy. How often must she have heard his voice as she followed him during his earthly ministry, listening to his teaching or hearing him heal those who were sick. Even then, however, it was not until he used her name that the penny finally dropped. How often must he have spoken her name as his closest followers gathered together after a busy day, to hear him explain some of his parables to them or simply make plans for the following day. And now she knew that this was indeed the living, breathing Jesus, risen from the dead. The miracle of Easter accomplished, the mystery solved, he entrusted her with spreading the good news that death was defeated. Later, the other disciples would also be able to testify to the risen Christ as the foundations of the early Church were laid.

How do we bear witness to Jesus today? Perhaps we can begin by following the example of Jesus himself in today’s Gospel. How do we greet a newcomer to church who seems in distress? There’s something special about using someone’s name. Saying, “Are you all right, love?” is probably the equivalent of those angels and Jesus saying, “Woman, why are you weeping?” But how long does it take us to ask a stranger their name? And then make an effort to remember it for the next time we meet? Meet again we will, if we make them feel welcome. We can help people to recognise Jesus simply by using their name as we reach out the hand of friendship – in his name. And then they too may solve the greatest whodunnit of them all. Not a murder, but an invitation to eternal life. And, in Jesus, the one who knows us all by name.

Services next Sunday – 07^th April – 2^nd Sunday of Easter

Weston-under-Penyard	Morning Worship	11.15 a.m.
The Lea	Family Communion	9.30 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Evensong	4.30 p.m.
Linton	Holy Communion	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Mattins	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

LEA. Coffee Morning Saturday 13^th April 10am-12Noon Lea Village Hall, produce stall, Artisan gift stall, raffle. Free Entry. Proceeds to Lea Church.

ROMANS COURSE AT LINTON. Join us on Sunday 14th April as we begin to unpack Paul’s letter to the Christians in Roman using material from the Bible Society.

LINTON. Waites Concert at Linton Church: Saturday13th April 7pm Come and enjoy extraordinary sounds from shawms, crumhorns, curtals and pipes! Linton church is lucky enough to be hosting a concert from The Waites of Gloucester. The present-day Waites have taken their ancient instruments to the Bristol Early Music Festival and to numerous local groups, as well as making an appearance on television. Admission free: interval refreshments and retiring collection.

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick,

Please pray for all who have died, Jim Washington (HM) Dinah Lane (Lea)

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@outlook.com

24^th March

Palm Sunday

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent you Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; 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.

Readings

Old Testament Isaiah 50. ^4-9a.

New Testament Philippians 2. ^5-11.

Gospel Mark 14. ^{1 thru end}15^.

SUFFERING One of the most mysterious and intractable topics in the religious agenda is suffering. It is a subject that continues to bamboozle thinkers and commentators the world over, irrespective of other beliefs. “What have I done to deserve this?” or “I don’t deserve this”. These are the cries that rise from tragic and painful circumstances. Christians, who teach a benevolent God, have a particularly tricky task on their hands. I will not exhaust the topic but I hope I can add some pertinent ideas. All pain is disorder except the limited and constructive pain of healing. All unmerited pain is evil. You cannot ask evil to be fair. By its very nature it is not, so the innocent suffer and often the guilty get away with it. Where does evil come from? The answer is that we, human beings, generate it. We disobey God. We indulge selfishness and manipulate things to our own supposed advantage. Things go wrong, and because evil is perverse the consequences land unjustly. Why does God allow it? Because if He “corrected” it then it would no longer matter; wicked or evil actions would not generate pain, it would not matter which way we jumped, nobody would suffer hurt. The universe would in fact be dishonest and honesty itself would be valueless. God has us living in a morally honest universe. If we behave dishonestly then evil consequences will ensue. It matters what we do. Of course the ultimate figure of suffering is Jesus himself, and it’s no use saying “oh but he knew he would rise again”. What he went through really hurt. His death was real. He took the rap for us all. What we can do is to try to avoid adding to the pool of evil that leads to the unjust boiling pot of suffering that spoils our lives. Don’t settle for a shrug, or regard the situation as hopeless. Do something about it. Clearly there is room for more discussion about the finer details of suffering. There is nothing easy about it, but what we can do is to exercise loving care and compassion when the opportunity arises. Robin Noble

Services next Sunday – 31^st March – Easter Sunday

Weston-under-Penyard

Easter Vigil

Communion Service6.00 a.m.

11.00 a.m.The LeaParish Communion9.30 a.m.Hope MansellParish Communion9.30 a.m.Aston InghamParish Communion10.30 a.m.LintonCommunion Service11.00 a.m.Upton BishopCommunion Service10.30 a.m.Weston29^th Good Friday Liturgy2.00 p.m.Lea Childrens Church29^th Good Friday Worshop10.00 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

LEA. Coffee Morning Saturday 13^th April 10am-12Noon Lea Village Hall, produce stall, Artisan gift stall, raffle. Free Entry. Proceeds to Lea Church.

ROMANS COURSE AT LINTON. Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome contains some passages which have comforted Christians down the ages.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him

But other passages can be more confusing Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,and in this way all Israel will be saved. Join us on the second Sunday of the month at Linton Village Hall 10.30am, to unpack this letter which has been described as the most important letter in history. It had a profound influence on greats such as St Augustine, Martin Luther, John Wesley and even David Suchet. The mornings start with brunch before a combination of videos and discussion questions, produced by The Bible Society, take us through the letter in 10 episodes.

LINTON: Sacred Space. Often our worship is full of words and noise. This Lent why not spend time with God in quietness? St Mary’s, Linton will be hosting a Sacred Space – a place to spend unstructured time in reflection. There’ll be images & colouring to help you be still & meet God in the silence.

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Jim Washington (HM)

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@btinternet.com

17^th March

5^th Sunday of Lent

Collect

Most merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ delivered and saved the world: grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross we may triumph in the power of his victory; 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.

Readings

Old Testament Jeremiah 31. ^31-34.

New Testament Hebrews 5. ^5-10.

Gospel John 12. ^20-33.

Because they have been put in the Bible, it is easy to imagine there is a connection between them. So, what is the connection between today’s New Testament book, Hebrews and the rest? It is probably, the work of some writer whose identity has been lost. We guess he was Jewish but a fluent writer in Greek, quoting the Scriptures from the Greek translation of the Text. He was writing to second-generation Jewish Christians who lived somewhere in the Middle East. But the pressure of being both Jewish and Christian was becoming a problem of discipline. The optimistic hopes of their predecessors that Jesus would return and set up the new Kingdom of Israel had been disappointed and they were growing alarmed by the hostility which had grown up between Jews and Christians. There were many such groups whose ancestors had chosen to live among gentiles, as did St. Paul’s family in Tarsus. So the writer of Hebrews sets about the task of reassurance and restoration of Christian hope, while colouring his writing with familiar texts from Scripture. Today’s reading also quotes from Psalm 110 and he takes the quotation from its original setting and applies it to a quite different situation. David, because he was not from the Tribe of Levi did not come within the orbit of traditional Jewish priesthood, as laid down by God himself, any more than Jesus did. By the time Jesus was born, the essentially hereditary role of High Priest had failed when the last hereditary High Priest, Onias III, was murdered in B.C. 68. When ‘Hebrews’ was written, the Temple had long gone, together with its priestly function. While we can understand why this quotation from Psalm 110 might be of use to the writer, it ignores the severe limitations placed upon that office in the Book of Leviticus. But Paul is certain that Jesus had no such limitations and his ministry lay outside the formal laws of Israelite priesthood. The writer of Hebrews rightly emphasises the spiritual gifts which had been shared by Jew and Gentile alike. His task is to convince those who had that familiar desire to return to the ‘Good Old Days’ that there was but the shell of ancient tradition still preserved by Pharisees far away from Israel and there was nothing to be found there. Brian

Services next Sunday – 24^th March – Palm Sunday

Weston-under-Penyard	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
The Lea	Children’s Church	10.00 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Mattins	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Morning Worship	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	All Age Communion	10.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Start of Holy Week Walks	4.30 p.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

HOPE MANSEL. Lent Lunch on Sat 16th March, 12 noon for 12.30 pm.

LENT COURSE. A 6 week course based on the Pilgrim material: A Course for the Christian Journey. Upton Bishop Village Hall 2-4 pm every Wed’s, except for the final week, March 20th which will be 12-2 and include a simple lunch.

ROMANS COURSE AT LINTON. Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome contains some passages which have comforted Christians down the ages.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him

But other passages can be more confusing

Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,and in this way all Israel will be saved.

Join us on the second Sunday of the month at Linton Village Hall 10.30am, to unpack this letter which has been described as the most important letter in history. It had a profound influence on greats such as St Augustine, Martin Luther, John Wesley and even David Suchet. The mornings start with brunch before a combination of videos and discussion questions, produced by The Bible Society, take us through the letter in 10 episodes.

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick, Jim Washington (HM)

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@btinternet.com

10^th March

Mothering Sunday

Collect

God of compassion, whose Son Jesus Christ, the child of Mary, shared the life of a home in Nazareth, and on the cross drew the whole human family to himself: strengthen us in our daily living that in joy and in sorrow we may know the power of your presence to bind together and to heal; 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.

Readings

Old Testament Exodus 2. ^1-10.

New Testament 2 Corinthians 1. ^3-7.

Gospel John 19. ^25b-27.

The import from America that insists on calling this day ‘Mothers’ Day’ has changed the original intention of this Sunday.

People can rightly ask about those women who have never had children; about those families where the mother has died; or about those families whose mothers have run off and abandoned them. ‘It’s not fair!’ they might say and some will feel left out on this day. Fairness must include everyone and the list is endless. It is surprising that the card companies have

not cashed in by inventing ‘Grannie’s Day’ or ‘Great Uncle’s Day’ and more besides.

The Church’s term for the day is Mothering Sunday – implying looking after, caring, being there for us all and not only giving birth. It has, in time past, been an opportunity to visit the Mother Church of the Diocese on this day – a long walk from here to Hereford Cathedral!

For those of us who have had happy childhoods, it is a time for grateful reflection. In particular we honour Mary the Mother of our Lord Jesus, with the example set by that holy Family for our own homes – as well as for our spiritual home, the Church, that continues to care for us throughout our earthly life.

Martin.

Services next Sunday – 17^th March – 5^th Sunday of Lent

Weston-under-Penyard	Family Communion	11.00 a.m.
The Lea	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Village Praise	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Bible Brunch @ Village Hall	10.30 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

LENT COURSE. A 6 week course based on the Pilgrim material: A Course for the Christian Journey. Upton Bishop Village Hall 2-4 pm every Wednesday starting 14th Feb except for the final week, March 20th which will be 12-2 and include a simple lunch.

FOOD LARDER. Please remember the Ross Food Bank. After the generosity of Harvest and Christmas January and February are often quite lean months for donations. Items which are always needed include biscuits; small jars of pasta sauce; tins of fruit, meat, custard and rice pudding. If you could add one item to your shopping that would be very kind.

LINTON: Sacred Space. Often our worship is full of words and noise. This Lent why not spend time with God in quietness? St Mary’s, Linton will be hosting a Sacred Space – a place to spend unstructured time in reflection. There will be images and colouring to help you be still and meet God in the silence.

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick,

Please pray for all who have died, Janet Jenkins (Lea), Elisabeth Hilary Westmacott (Lin)

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@btinternet.com

03^rd March

3^rd Sunday of Lent

Collect

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life 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.

Readings

Old Testament Exodus 20. ^1-17.

New Testament 1 Corinthians 1. ^18-25.

Gospel John 2. ^13-22.

In the cleansing of the Temple, Jesus was protesting against the commercialisation of religion and the desecration of the Temple. His action was the kind that had been predicted for the messianic age. ‘There will be no more traders in the temple of Yahweh when that day comes,’ (Zechariah.14:21) but it went deeper.

Jesus was passing judgement on the Jewish system of worship. He was declaring that the whole temple worship with its ritual and animal sacrifices, were irrelevant and could do nothing to bring the people to God. He was replacing the sacrificial worship with spiritual worship.

He was also protesting at the way religion had become narrow, nationalistic, and exclusive. Israel had failed to fulfil her universal mission to humankind. It was God’s intention that the Temple should be a house of prayer ‘for all nations,’ but the Temple remained the jealousy, guarded preserve of Israel.

It was only after the resurrection that the full meaning of what Jesus did, and said, became clear to his followers, Jesus, the risen Messiah had taken the place of the Temple and all it stood for. The centre of God‘s presence among his people is no longer a place; it is a person.

At the end of the episode, we are told that many believed in him ‘when they saw the signs that he did’. The presumption is that they only believed because of the signs he gave. Jesus wasn’t taken in by these. They didn’t really understand the way he had chosen the way of service and sacrifice.

David

Services next Sunday – 10^th March – Mothering Sunday

Weston-under-Penyard	Communion Service	10.00 a.m.
The Lea	Holy Communion	8.00 a.m.
Hope Mansell
Aston Ingham	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.
Linton	All Ages Service	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Communion Service	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

LINTON: Sacred Space. Often our worship is full of words and noise. This Lent why not spend time with God in quietness? St Mary’s, Linton will be hosting a Sacred Space – a place to spend unstructured time in reflection. There will be images and colouring to help you be still and meet God in the silence.

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick,

Please pray for all who have died, Janet Jenkins (Lea), Elisabeth Hilary Westmacott (Lin)

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@btinternet.com

25^th February

2^nd Sunday of Lent

Collect

Almighty God, you show to those who are in error the light of your truth, that they may return to the way of righteousness: grant to all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s religion, that they may reject those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

Old Testament Genesis 17. ^{1-7, 15-16.}

New Testament Romans 4. ^13-end.

Gospel Mark 8. ^31-end.

Several weeks ago a man, originally a migrant from Afghanistan, brutally assaulted a woman and her two young daughters in Clapham, using a powerful corrosive substance. As the background story unfolded it appeared that after having been prosecuted for sexual assault in 2017 and having been denied asylum, twice, he was finally granted it on stating that he had converted to the Christian faith. Naturally there was a spate of indignation about the evils of religion and how it caused so much trouble in the world. The truth of the matter is that the relevant government department was slack in examining properly the claim to conversion.

Conversion is of course sought by all Christian denominations, but it has to be done properly. The historic denominations, such as ours, have a procedure. The candidate is encouraged and welcomed. He or she is invited to attend a course of instruction, the length of which will depend on the amount of knowledge already in place. After this course there will be a brief question-and-answer session and depending on the outcome of this a service of Holy Baptism will be arranged. Thereafter a Certificate of Baptism will be issued, signed by the relevant priest. This Certificate (which is dated) can serve as indication of the conversion. Without it the candidate could be bluffing in order to gain asylum.

Some denominations do not issue paperwork and settle instead for a verbal statement, but this is clearly more prone to abuse. We employ a system which could be criticised for being bureaucratic but at least it is as thorough as it can be. We are not slack in our procedures and we take our civic duties very seriously. I would urge the relevant government departments to be thorough in examining claims of conversion including calling in the assistance of a properly accredited chaplain who could, tactfully, examine the applicant and his credentials properly. Religion is no more free of human weakness than anything else, but above all we prize our sincerity. Robin Noble

Services next Sunday – 03^rd March – 3^rd Sunday of Lent

Weston-under-Penyard	Morning Worship	11.15 a.m.
The Lea	Family Communion	9.30 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Evensong	4.30 p.m.
Linton	Holy Communion	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	Mattins	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

LINTON: Sacred Space. Often our worship is full of words and noise. This Lent why not spend time with God in quietness? St Mary’s, Linton will be hosting a Sacred Space – a place to spend unstructured time in reflection. There will be images and colouring to help you be still and meet God in the silence.

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick,

Please pray for all who have died, Janet Jenkins (Lea), Elisabeth Hilary Westmacott (Lin)

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@btinternet.com

18^th February

1^st Sunday of Lent

Collect

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness, and was tempted as we are, yet without sin: give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your spirit; and, as you know our weakness, so may we know your power to save; 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.

Readings

Old Testament Genesis 9. ^8-17.

New Testament 1 Peter 3. ^18-end.

Gospel Mark 1. ^9-15.

Is the Flood the best-known story in the Bible, I wonder? Generations of children have been given a toy Ark, with all sorts of figures to keep the story alive from an early age. But, like many nursery stories, there are fascinating clues to social history in the account. So to take it on its face value is to miss important ideas lying beyond the story.Its origins are much more ancient than the account in the Bible and variations of its themes are widespread throughout the ancient world long before the Hebrew version was recorded. The Babylonian historian, Berosus, writing during the early third century B.C., tells us that king Xisuthrus, the tenth king of Babylon, about 2900B.C. was the last king listed before the Flood. He was warned in a dream by the god Cronus that a great flood would destroy mankind. He ordered the king to write a history of the world from the beginning and bury it in the city of the Sun. Some stories have an angry god who causes the Flood, but in others it is beyond his control and he can do no more than warn a chosen human to build a life-boat. In our text, God caused the Flood but Noah and his family were chosen to be saved. This theme of God choosing a human as his agent runs throughout the Bible. The animal kingdom also had to be saved and we find seven of every ‘clean’ animal (a species which could be offered as a sacrifice) but only two of the ‘unclean’ animal species were taken aboard. When God regrets his hasty decision, he establishes a new Covenant, as a legally-binding document on both parties. We also have a primitive explanation of the rainbow as a token of God’s willingness to start again. For St. Paul the promise made to Noah long before the exclusive Covenant with Moses, concerning the Tribes of Israel alone, was very significant. In the Covenant made with Noah, God brings ALL humanity into partnership with him. For St. Paul, on that basis, the Gentiles are part of the new humanity under the Covenant made with God in Christ and the hope for the future which is also part of the Covenant, is as much for them as for Israel. Brian

Services next Sunday –25^th February – 1^st Sunday of Lent

Weston-under-Penyard	Parish Communion	9.30 a.m.
The Lea	Childrens Church	10.00 a.m.
Hope Mansell	Mattins	9.30 a.m.
Aston Ingham	Parish Communion	10.30 a.m.
Linton	Morning Worship	11.00 a.m.
Upton Bishop	All Age Communion	10.30 a.m.

Forthcoming Services & Events

LINTON: Sacred Space. Often our worship is full of words and noise. This Lent why not spend time with God in quietness? St Mary’s, Linton will be hosting a Sacred Space – a place to spend unstructured time in reflection. There will be images and colouring to help you be still and meet God in the silence.

WESTON: Bible study at Tony & Mary Pitt’s, 2^nd &4^th Thursday of each month, Penyard Rise Weston under Penyard HR9 7PH Phone: 768181

UPTON BISHOP have a BCP communion Service at 9.30 am on the first Wednesday of each month. A quiet midweek service. All welcome”

Please be aware that if you have any events you would like to advertise here, do please contact Debs

directly (details below) and she will be pleased to include them.

Please pray for all who are sick,

Please pray for all who have died, Janet Jenkins (Lea), Elisabeth Hilary Westmacott (Lin)

Rev David Howell 01989 568736 email: revdavidhowell@btinternet.com

If you would like to receive this pew sheet via email¸ please email Debs debsparishsecretary@btinternet.com