Dear Friends
Here is the latest news, but do please also check in with the facebook page www.facebook.com/ccpitsmoor/ and website www.pitsmoor.church/ during the week.
A little word
In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit. Judges 21.25 (NIV)
The readings for this week have been in Judges. I love the story of Samson. It is beautifully, cleverly and funnily written. He is an utterly flawed character, and yet God’s Spirit was with him. He is not necessarily someone to look up to, but the O/T is honest in that it paints its ‘heroes’ warts and all. The quote above comes at the end of Judges; I sometimes think it would have been helpful to have it at the beginning! The lesson, I guess, is that although people had lost their way, God never completely abandoned them. He worked with flawed people and longed for a future that was different. I’m no fan of (human) monarchy but of course as we get to the new testament we see what a true king looks like. Reading Judges, as with so much of the O/T, and quite frankly the news and TV leaves me sighing and saying ‘Thank God for Jesus!’
New for this week
Services
If you’d like to join us on Sunday morning, here is a reminder of the link. The link is the same every week.
https://zoom.us/j/303159289?pwd=NXdpQkFJQWdLTlpIYTc2alZ6VUhqUT09
Meeting ID: 303 159 289 Password: 597076
Alternatively, for audio only, you can phone in to this number: 0131 460 1196, and follow the instructions.
We start to gather online from 10.00, our service starts properly at 10.30.
This week’s reading is Matthew 13. 1-9 & 18-23
Things to pray for
Give thanks for family and friends, near and far
All those working through changes to open up venues and businesses
Places in the world where violence and war is raging
Church Building reopening
It might be helpful to set out a few things here.
We have now been given permission to recommence worship in the building, but with quite restrictive rules. We are exercising some caution as we do a detailed risk assessment.
The PCC have yet to give the go-ahead, but where I suggest we are heading is that it is likely that in August we will be offering both an in-person and on-line option. For those who are happy with Zoom, that will continue. For those who want to meet in the building that will be available in a restricted and socially distanced form. Details will be given as soon as we have approved it.
For those who are desperate to experience worship in the physical company of others before then you can always go to the Cathedral.
Prayer Chain Reminder
We have a chain of several of our congregation who will pray for anything you are concerned about. However, please check before asking for prayer for someone else, that they are happy for the information you are giving about them to be shared. The number to ring is 0114 2730551. Please begin by saying ‘Please could you add something to the prayer chain.’
Creation Care Group
On Sunday at 7pm we are going to be looking at Chapter 4 of ‘Saying yes to Life’ by Ruth Valerio.. If you don’t have a book, you can down load one for free at https://spckpublishing.co.uk/free-ebooks
Do join us on zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82411277512?pwd=VDlaN0oxNks1cVNJaTk5VklUbUxYUT09
Meeting ID: 824 1127 7512 Password: 880861
Earlier week’s news
Previous editions of this news update are on the website if you can’t find it in your in-box.