27 January The conversion of Paul

Transcription

1 27 January 2018 The conversion of Paul Welcome A warm welcome to everyone, and especially if you are new or visiting. Do please stay on for drinks and to meet people after the 9.30 and services and keep this welcome sheet for your prayers this week. Prayer with the Anglican Communion we pray for the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil; for Archbishop Justin; for Bishops Tim, Jonathan and David the Sisters of St Andrew in Brussels, among them Sister Katie Seal our mission giving: 250 for the Leprosy Mission and its work of defeating the disease and transforming lives; for curative work and rehabilitation; for raising of funds and awareness as churches observe World Leprosy Day today solutions to the economic problems and unrest in Zimbabwe that are causing despair, anger and anxiety that a new spirit of co-operation may emerge in the Brexit process to reduce uncertainty and fear, freeing our country to focus on other urgent challenges give thanks for St Paul and his conversion; pray that we may be courageous to make changes in our lives and be passionate about our faith give thanks for our patronal celebrations and shared lunch today our musical workshop Bugsy Malone this Saturday; Bronwen Dixie leading it; those from the wider community taking part the unwell: Caroline Behan, Silvia Brown, Christopher and Clifford Browne, Judy Golding, Andrew James, Julia Jones, Laura Liepins, Anna McKenzie (age 11), Emma and Mark Miller, Kate Morgan, Hugh Peskett, Les Scott, Nicki Smith and Jane Seal (Peter s mother); all awaiting appointments or treatments those who have died recently, including Andrew Parsons and Daphne Smith; all who live with the pain of untimely death; God s comfort for their families and friends and all who remember loved ones Please feel free to put prayer requests on the board at the back of church or them to admin@stmatthewstpaul.org. Lady Chapel is set up for prayer, either alone or with one of the prayer ministry team, after the 9.30 parish communion service.

2 Services today, 27 January 8 am 9.30 am Collect Readings [BCP] Holy Communion Readings: p. 203 Parish Communion with DIY crèche, Scramblers, Climbers, Explorers, Destination and Transition Order of service in yellow Saints days booklet Almighty God, who caused the light of the gospel to shine throughout the world through the preaching of your servant Saint Paul: grant that we who celebrate his wonderful conversion may follow him in bearing witness to your truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen. Acts 9: 1 22 [p. 1104] Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? He asked, Who are you, Lord? The reply came, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do. The men who were travelling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. He answered, Here I am, Lord. The Lord said to him, Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight. But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name. But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will

3 Post Communion am Readings 6 pm Cathedral show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name. So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptised, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, He is the Son of God. All who heard him were amazed and said, Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem among those who invoked this name? And has he not come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests? Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah. Matthew 19: [p. 1107] Then Peter said in reply, Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have? Jesus said to them, Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. Almighty God, who on the day of Pentecost sent your Holy Spirit to the apostles with the wind from heaven and in tongues of flame, filling them with joy and boldness to preach the gospel: by the power of the same Spirit strengthen us to witness to your truth and to draw everyone to the fire of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [BCP] Mattins Acts 9: 1 22; Matthew 19: [p. 1104] See above Taizé service

4 Services next Sunday, 3 February The Presentation of Christ in the Temple; Candlemas 8 am 9.30 am am [BCP] Holy Communion Readings: p. 205 Family Communion Reading: Luke 2: [p. 789] [BCP] Holy Communion Readings: Hebrews 2: 14 18; Luke 2: [p. 789] Bring and share patronal festival lunch today It s not too late to decide to come along to the lunch at today, for 1 pm. Do sign up at the back of church. Bugsy Malone musical workshop this Saturday Last chance to enrol your children for Saturday 2 February! Bugsy Malone will be staged from scratch by the wonderful Bronwen Dixie of Florian School of Dance/Chichester Stage School, complete with costumes, choreography and plenty of action. All 6 12-year-olds welcome, but booking essential via youth@stmatthewstpaul.org, Workshop 9 am 4.30 pm at St Paul s; singing and drama will be interspersed with activities and games. Performance 5 pm (free, no tickets required) everyone s welcome.

5 Mon 28, 4.30 pm Tues 29, 4.30 pm 7.30 pm Wed 30, 11 am pm 4.30 pm Thurs 31, am Sat 2, 9 am 4.30 pm 5 pm The week ahead Evening Prayer Evening Prayer Christian meditation [BCP] Holy Communion Space in the City, speaker Mark Byford Evening Prayer Toddler group Musical workshop, Bugsy Malone Performance of Bugsy Malone United Church Vestry February Mon 4, 8.30 am 2.30 pm Tues 5, 6.30 pm Wed 6, pm Thurs 7, 7 pm 7.30 pm Fri 8, 9.30 am noon Sun 10 Mon 11, 7.30 pm Tues 12, 7 pm Wed 13, pm 8.30 pm Sun 17, 4 pm Wed 20, 7.15 pm Fri 22, 7.30 pm Sat 23, 7.30 pm Tues 26, 2.30 pm 7.30 pm Wed 27, 7.30 pm Thurs 28, pm March Wed 6 Wed 13, am 7.30 pm Sun 31 April Sun 21 Diary dates Building for Life steering group Book group Film screening: Tomorrow Space in the City, speaker Mark Byford Western Church School governors English Project lecture about the Bible s influence on the English language, in aid of Building for Life Coffee Pot pop-up café Stewardship and Legacy Sunday Building for Life fund-raising group Women s group Christian responses to domestic abuse Men s 4 Finance committee Winchester Connection wine tasting An Evening with Christopher Seaman Friends event planning group Music committee Deanery Synod WaterHarvest Indian buffet Ash Wednesday Lent study group starts Lent talks start Mothering Sunday Easter Sunday Hillside Road The Stripe United Church Western Vestry Roebuck Inn University Roebuck Inn Orchard End Sarum Road Vestry All Saints St Peter s Hall

6 Coming up Space in the City Mark Byford s New Year series of talks, The Annunciation: A Pilgrim s Quest, continues this Wednesday with The Meaning of the Meaning. United Church, pm (no entrance charge). Screening of Tomorrow This documentary film by Cyril Dion and Melanie Laurent, showcasing positive stories and highlighting practical solutions to the ecological, economic and social crises around the world, will be screened at The Stripe, University of Winchester, on Tues 5 February, 6.30 pm (free, no booking required, open to all). Without question, this is absolutely the best and most creative film on the future of humanity and the environment Paul Hawken, environmentalist and author. The Bible in England and the Bible in English You are invited to a public lecture at on Thurs 7 February, 7 pm, by Professor Christopher Mulvey, about the powerful influence the Bible has exerted on the English language. This is an exciting collaboration between the English Project and the parish, held specifically to raise funds for Building for Life. Purchase your ticket ( including a glass of wine) at the Eventbrite website, or pay on the door and add Gift Aid. For more information, contact Bill Lucas, bill@bill-lucas.com. Christian responses to domestic abuse The Institute for Theological Partnerships is hosting a presentation by Dr Kristin Aune of the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations at Coventry University, exploring how and why domestic abuse has become so pervasive and what factors contribute to violence against women, including the role of religion in gender violence. Wed 13 February, pm, Room 9, Winchester University Business School; register via the Eventbrite website (free). Return to the Forbidden Planet Please support Jonathan and Oli Eadie and Edmund Bissett, who will be performing in Encore Youth Theatre s latest production at the Theatre Royal, February rock n pop meets Shakespeare in outer space! Tickets can be booked on or via the theatre box office or website. First Friends event for 2019 The Friends of St Matthew with St Paul cordially invite you to An evening with Christopher Seaman, conductor and churchwarden, on Sat 23 February, 7.30 pm at. Tickets 10 (Friends), 12, from the Parish Office. WaterHarvest Indian buffet You are invited to a Spring sammelan Hindi for joyful gathering to hear from WaterHarvest s India Director about the issues facing people without water and sanitation in rural India. He will launch the book Wise Water Solutions in Rajasthan and there will be a delicious buffet provided by a local Indian restaurant. Thurs 28 February, pm at St Peter s Pastoral Centre; reserve tickets ( 25 including one drink) via office@water-harvest.org,

7 Notices Car park This Tuesday, 29 January, as part of our long-term Building for Life plans, felling of the three trees at the driveway end of the car park will continue. In due course this will enable appropriate re-planting and safe, designated pedestrian access to the meadow and parish rooms. The part of the car park nearest the trees will be fenced off during the day, reducing parking spaces available. Please don t try to park unless it s essential. Spare blankets, please! Mary Copping occasionally goes on a street run with a team on Saturday evenings, taking soup and sandwiches to homeless people sleeping rough. One of the main needs at the moment is for blankets (duvets and sleeping bags are awkward to carry so often get left behind). If you have any spare blankets, please contact Mary, , youth@stmatthewstpaul.org. Many thanks. Trinity Centre Donations of men s and women s casual clothes, shoes and warm items appreciated; contact lucy@trinitywinchester.org.uk. Winchester women s refuge A safe haven for women and children fleeing domestic abuse. Please help by leaving towels and toiletries in the box at the back of church. Interested in meeting people/getting involved? Toddler group (0 3 years) runs on Thursdays, am in the parish rooms: play, craft, singing, stories and snacks (coffee, etc. for grown-ups!) Women s group next meets Tues 12 February, 7 pm, at the Roebuck for supper; contact Julia Seal, , julia.seal@ntlworld.com Men s group next meets Wed 13 February, 8.30 pm, at the Roebuck for a drink and a chat; please contact Chris Sharp, chrisesharp@gmail.com Tea with Friends runs on the second Monday of the month, pm; please contact Linda Russell-Smith, , or Heather Riley, Coffee Pot pop-up café next meets Fri 8 February, 9.30 am noon in St Paul s, for real coffee, homemade cakes and a chat (donations to Building for Life); children welcome Daytime book group next meets Mon 4 February, 2.30 pm at Hillside Road; please contact Talia Hedstrom, , or Christine Bennett, Meditation group meets on Tuesdays, 7.30 pm in the parish rooms come as you are and rest in God s presence Tuesday homegroup meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, pm; please contact James Clay, Wednesday homegroup meets weekly, 7.45 pm; please contact Susie Richardson, Thursday homegroup meets fortnightly, 7.30 for 7.45 pm; please contact Peter and Irene Casey,

8 Contact us Canon Peter Seal, Rector (h) (office) M, Tu, W, Th, Revd Mary Copping, Children/Youth Co-ordinator & Assistant Priest M, Tu, W, F, Katy Palacio, Parish Administrator M, W, F, Ursula Payne, Rector s Assistant & Building for Life Administrator M, Tu, Th, ursula@stmatthewstpaul.org Parish Office (generally open M, W, F, ), Church, Hill, Winchester SO22 5AB Please make cheques payable to PCC all gifts gratefully received Please send in any notices for the welcome sheet to ursula@stmatthewstpaul.org by Wednesday evening for inclusion the following Sunday Printed on recycled paper