Weekly news for 23.7.23

Dear Friends

It will be great to see you at the grounds clear-up on Saturday morning.

A little word

And who knows but that you have come to your position for such a time as this?                 Esther 4.14 (NIV)

The story of Esther has been the subject of our recent Morning Prayer readings. It is told almost pantomime style with an arch villain, a quiet hero, and a beautiful queen. (Interestingly God is never mentioned once, the only other bible book where that happens being Song of Songs)

The verse above comes in the middle of the story. Esther by good fortune (?) has risen to a position of huge influence. Will she have the courage to use it to do the right thing? It is a question of calling.

Sometimes God calls us to go somewhere else. More often he calls us to be faithful where we are. I wonder what your ‘such a time as this’ moment will be this week. Where our calling as a follower of Jesus, and our unique set of circumstances in our job, family or neighbourhood will give us the chance to make a difference.

Things to pray for

  • Give thanks for the place or position you hold and the opportunities it brings.
  • At the start of school summer holidays, for rest, recuperation, fun and safety.
  • For our PCC meeting on Monday.

Services

Sunday Gathering at 9.15am.  

Holy Communion at 10.30am. Wheat & weeds

This week’s readings are: Matthew 13.24-30, 36-43 

Refreshments to follow.   

Note that the following Sunday, 30 July, is a joint service at St. Peter’s at 10.30am.

Sunday evening at 7pm

Reflective service.

10am on Thursday  

Holy Communion, followed by Coffee. Last lunch club before a break for August.

Services in school holiday time

Now the schools have broken up the CoGs leaders are taking a well-earned break until September. Families are, of course, welcome to join in the service at 10.30 every week. There are some toys and the new Sensory bags at the back if that is appropriate for you.

If you are busy in the mornings, the Reflective evening service follows the same theme most weeks and is a lovely peaceful end to the day.

Morning Prayer

Will and Pip say Morning Prayer together in Church on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 9am. It lasts about 1/2hour. Anyone is welcome to join us.

Church Yard & grounds clear-up

Come and join us on Saturday morning 22 July, 10am-1pm. Bring tools if you have them. A session of litter picking, pruning, weeding, tidying, gutter clearing etc… Jobs for all abilities.

Free to a good home

Following a clear out of the vestry and other hidey-holes there is a collection of lost property and books at the back of church. Help yourself to anything you want. Donations (optional) can go in the collection box. It will be there for a couple of weeks before recycling/throwing.

Keeping up

Reminders of contact details:

Maureen (for admin queries).    office@pitsmoor.church, 07765 232789.

Pip (for everything else!).             vicar@pitsmoor.church, 07799944436.

Will                                                         will@pitsmoor.church, 07354887660

Earlier news

Previous editions of this news update are on the website if you can’t find it in your in-box.