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Scripture readings for Sunday
When someone complains of worship being "boring" (that ubiquitous teenage word for something not chosen by the speaker), my first reaction - which I do not always voice - is that worship in not entertainment but sacrifice. Treat it as a sacrifice and your opinion of the content becomes irrelevant, but having said that I do find that there is nothing in this world more exhilarating than being part of a congregation praising God enthusiastically, and little that is more tedious than being part of one that really does not care. It does not matter what type of service, in what style or what part one plays, it is the attitude of the worshipper that makes it work, and it is the attitude of gratitude to God for giving us Life in all its fullness which must lie behind the willingness to give our all to his glory, in worship as in every part of our lives. (I am pleased to say that here our worship is generally well on the enthusiastic side.)
In just two months' time we begin using the new Common Worship liturgies at many of our services, and for many of us this is an exciting time, although others are understandably wary. May I make two points, please?
First, please be patient with one another (which is part of this sacrificial attitude) as we work out what is best for us as a whole church - and especially be patient with those who lead the worship as we accustom ourselves to new patterns of words.
Second, let us make use of this unique time (well, unique in about 350 years, anyway!) to make a personal commitment to improve the worship we each offer. Approach each Sunday prepared in heart and soul to meet our Lord in word and sacrament, and to thank him for all he has done for us in his own sacrifice.
The Lord be with you!
1st October, 15th after Trinity:
8th October, 16th after Trinity:
15th October, 17th after Trinity:
22nd October, 18th after Trinity:
29th October, Last after Trinity:
5th November, All Saints Sunday:
We have gradually changed the way we celebrate the Family Service and perhaps it is more than time to look at what has changed and why. There has been the change to the Common Worship form of baptism rite, which is closely tied into the eucharistic rite, and there has been a widening of musical styles and the use of a band from time to time. Other differences from the rest of the month's celebrations are those which we have had for some time.
The Common Worship order for baptism is not a separate order pushed into the main service as it has been in both the Prayer Book and the Alternative Service Book, but rather it is a eucharistic service in itself with its own emphasis, and the baptismal theme runs all through it. While we have been using it with Rite A of the ASB (and while it has been new to all of us, too!) there has been the difficulty of following it in separate publications, but it was felt that this problem would be outweighed by the benefits of our having become used to this part of the Common Worship services before we encounter them in full this Advent.
The PCC has decided to produce a service booklet especially for the monthly Family Eucharist with Baptism, and the entire service (apart from readings and hymns, of course) will be contained in it, with the options carefully chosen and rarely varied: the others Sundays of the months will ring the seasonal changes, as will the readings and music in this service. After the upheavals of the last forty years we shall have a booklet wherein we start at the beginning and work through to the end. The first draft is now being considered by the PCC and will be finalised by the Worship Committee in October, all being well.
The baptismal theme is not a bad thing for us to encounter once a month, reminding us of our incorporation into Christ at our Baptism, and enabling us each to commit ourselves to him in a way slightly different from the commitment we make at Holy Communion.
Musically, the Worship Committee felt that the musical style of the "Fifth Sunday" informal services which were tried last year could be successfully grafted onto our monthly Family Service. A number of people had commented after the Fifth Sunday services that "this is what the Family Service should be like" and when the choir put together a band for such a service in the summer it was extremely well received. How often a band will be able to be formed I do not know, but the music is chosen in the hope that it will played by a band, and I hope it will be a frequent feature of our Family Service.
Not every service is to everyone's taste, of course, but I hope that we offer a variety here so that most of us can feel that at least some of the time we are making our sincere offering to God of our own selves in the services we attend. It is especially important to encourage the children in worship, and with modern British culture that is an uphill task for which all our effort is required: this service is part of that effort as well as something which appeals to quite a lot of adults, too!
Mark Warrick
Vicar
The Dean and Chapter of Lincoln invite churches and parishes to bring pilgrimage groups to Lincoln Cathedral. individual Christians are equally welcome.
St Hugh of Lincoln died on 17 November 1200. He is honoured by all the churches, and all the churches are invited to participate in this pilgrimage.
If you are seeking a peaceful few days, with time to recharge your spiritual batteries, yet do not want the framework of a full retreat, then Belmont Abbey in Herefordshire could well be for you. Earlier this year, my daughter, Liz, took me there for a long weekend, and we found it a potent source of inspiration and renewal.
Situated in verdant Welsh countryside near the Brecon Beacons, Belmont Abbey is home to a small, but outreaching group of Benedictine monks. Whilst full retreats and day courses are available, open visits such as ours are offered.
The gentle welcome we received from one of the brothers set the tone for our visits; we felt at ease and un-pressured. Hedley Lodge, a guesthouse attached to the Abbey, provided excellent accommodation and food.
On first looking around the abbey itself, it appeared a little gloomy and forbidding. However, when we attended vespers later in the evening, it was transformed. The combination of the gently flickering candles, fragrant incense and the beautiful cadences of the monks' plainsong moved us deeply. It is an experience that will stay with me for a long time.
During our visit we also explored some of the surrounding countryside, which was in itself a source of refreshment. A particular delight was a tiny chapel perched high in the mountains. Inscribed on a clear window behind the altar were the words 'I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills'. We also visited Hay-on-Wye, a bookworm's delight with its myriad second hand bookshops. In conclusion, it was a very rewarding visit, which we hope to enjoy again next year.
If you are interested in finding out more about Belmont Abbey, I will be happy to furnish you with details. Alternatively, you can visit their web-site [they are thoroughly modern monks!]: www.belmontabbey.org.uk
The bell ringers had great pleasure in ringing 2000 changes to celebrate the Queen Mother's birthday on 4 August. At the same time an additional 60 changes were rung to commemorate the courageous work of the RAF during the Battle of Britain 60 years ago. Donations of £118 were received for the RAF Association branch of the Deepings.
The Bell Ringers Annual Barbecue held on the 19 August was blessed with fine weather and a warm evening. There were 21 ringers and guests who had a lively evening. Various foods and delicious sweets were produced by everyone. Many thanks once again to Brenda who hosted the evening.
The evenings are drawing in and we turn again to the comfort of our firesides. Why not make this month's Spiced Fruit Bread to share with family and friends for afternoon tea?
Preheat oven to 2000C, 4000F, Gas mark 6.
Sift flour and salt into a large bowl and crumble in the fresh yeast. Add the mixed spice and margarine, cut in small pieces, and rub it and the yeast in, as you would for crumble add dried fruit. Work in the water until you have stiffish dough. Leave to prove for about an hour somewhere warm, until it doubles in size, then knock it back with vigour. Grease a baking sheet lightly, divide the dough into two and place each round ball on to the baking sheet. Allow to double in size again, before putting it in the oven for about 30 minutes. They will be quite dense with a lightly coloured top. Cool on a wire rack.
We welcome to the Lord's family:
3rd:
27th
We congratulate:
26th:
We commend to God's keeping:
At Peterborough Crematorium:
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Copyright © 2000 Deeping St James PCC
Created by WebEdit, 9 October 2000