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Scripture readings for Sunday
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Why not? God is, and if it's good enough for him ... We are always being exhorted to grow up and to face the world as it is, and, of course, there is some point in this: it is no use trying to live with a fantasy. Adults know more than children, and children much more than babies, but what they do with that knowledge is another matter.
In setting the example of being content to be born like any of us and in teaching that it is those like children who belong to the Kingdom of God, our Lord is clearly trying to tell us something. The place of the baby is humble: when we are babies we can only receive service and never give it. It is pride that makes us say, "I can stand on my own two feet; I've never taken anything from anyone". Not always, you haven't, for you were a baby once and if it was good enough for God ... By all means give what you can, for it is more blessed to give than to receive, but receive as well and bless those who give to you!
The way of the child is also, at best, simple and trusting. While as adults we must discover the way the world is, we do not have to be conformed to it. Yes, our understanding of the world will change as we grow up, but we are not to let the ways of the world dictate the way we live. As Christians we have to live for Kingdom values which require us to remain like little children, so to grow up in Christ may mean something rather different from growing up in the world, but it is no less tough when the image of the cross is ever before us.
During November we rang as usual with half muffled bells in memory of all who perished in the wars. The bells were also half muffled after the tragedy in the United States in September. We are now coming to the close of another year and the Tower Poet, Daphne, has put pen to paper for Christmas time. The ringers hope you will enjoy reading it. We wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. CHRISTMAS BELLS
On Christmas Eve, the Christmas bells
Ring out both loud and clear,
Calling people to their prayers
As Christmas Day draws near.
Outside the church the stars are bright;
The moon shines on the steeple.
Inside the church the candles light
The faces of the people.
The organ plays, the choir all sing,
Joined by the congregation.
The vicar prays that peace on earth
Will come to every nation.
But as we go out from the church
To start our celebrations,
Let's not forget that there are those
Who need our ministrations.
So gather in the desolate,
The hungry and the poor,
And show to the less fortunate
An ever-open door.
That way the message from the bells
That ring out from the steeple
Will once again on Christmas Eve
Bring Christ among the people.
Daphne Willson
Do you have an hour or so to spare each month? Would you like to spend the time in good company? Would you like to feel that you are doing a worthwhile job for the community? Then we have the job for you!................Our magazine compiling team are looking for volunteers to assist with making up the Priory News towards the end of each month. The pay is terrible - none!.......but the reward in Heaven is infinite. Interested? - Please contact Sonia or Doris Bellairs
A way to while away the long, cold evenings, maybe? The Churchwardens have asked for members of the parish to help in making up new kneelers for the choir stalls to replace the ones that have seen better days. Some years ago this was done for the body of the Church and proved to be a great success with some marvellous designs being incorporated in the kneelers. No great skill is needed, so please get in touch with Bernard or Bet who will be pleased to give further details.
If you do not wish to make the kneelers but are eager to help in a financial way, your contribution will be gratefully accepted.
The organ in the Priory Church will reach its hundredth birthday next year (2002). The organ was given a partial rebuild when it was moved to the Priory Church in 1970. This work included an early solid-state transmission system to connect the console to the rest of the organ. The rest of the instrument was installed in the Church using all of the original parts as built by Abbot & Smith in 1902. The action consists of hundreds of small and large inflatable leather purses working in sequence as well as large heavy-duty pneumatic motors. All of these motors and purses are now coming to the end of their lives. The solid-state action was a very early system and has also come to the end of its life (would you expect your television or computer to last for 31 years?).
The organ will not cease to function, the problem is that because the pneumatic action is worn-out notes will sound by themselves as wind escapes through the perished leather. The solid-state action has been problematic for some time as it also causes notes to sound unbidden.
When the church undertakes any work on the organ we are hoping to make the instrument more versatile. At the moment the organ has several stops which are identical. These will be replaced with other stops that will give a greater scope particularly in quieter music and hymn playing. The new electrical system will enable the console to be made moveable, this will allow for the console to be placed in position so that the organist to hear the choir during services as well moving the console out for concerts. All the leather action parts will be remade/re-covered to give another hundred years service.
This work is a great undertaking but the organ has now arrived at a stage where the faults and breakdowns cannot be ignored. The Parochial Church Council has resolved to rebuild the instrument. The work was put out to tender and an order has now been placed for work to commence in October 2002 with the organ-builders Henry Groves & Son of Nottingham. The PCC will need to find £24,000 to go with the £8,000 already in the organ-fund in order to meet the final cost of £32,000. Here comes the painful bit. The PCC do not have £24,000 going spare. With prayer and practical help in the form of gifts, or money raising events, they will find the money in time for work to commence next year.
If you belong to an organisation that affiliated to the Priory Church would you consider helping to raise funds for this project which is central to our worship and outreach. Can you imagine a wedding or a funeral without an organ? As you read this it is worth noting that we will have to cope without the organ during Christmas 2002. The organ will be back in service for the following Easter (2003) and for the weddings during the following summer. When this work is finished we will know that we have provided the future generations of worshipers in the Priory Church with an instrument that will surely inspire their singing and aid their worship.
Yours,
David Green
for and on behalf of the PCC
are holding their Advent Coffee Morning
in the Church Hall 10-00am to 11-30am
Coffee & Mince Pies, usual stalls
Tickets from committee members £1-00.
ALL WELCOME
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We congratulate:
The spire was floodlit to the Glory of God and for the following special reasons in recent weeks:
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Copyright © 2001 Deeping St James PCC
Created by WebEdit, 5 December 2001