8 October 2017 Trinity 17

Transcription

1 PARTNERS weekly newsletter 8 October 2017 Trinity 17 I am the Vine and you are the branches There are three references to the Vine in today s readings. It seems that God has been trying to tell or show us something for many hundreds of years! The story in Isaiah is how a friend carefully cherished a Vine but all the grapes were sour so he trashed it. The second story is in Psalm 80 here the fences protecting the Vine are casually broken down. The last of course is today s Gospel the Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen. In the first story the grapes turned sour because people were doing their own thing not listening to God. The second tells us that the people were not bothered one way or the other. In the Gospel parable it seems that the servants were attempting to own God and be in charge. Something that resonates with us today We want our own country back, we want to make our own rules, we want to be in charge, - how many times in a day do we hear this? Yet the whole world is being forced to be on the move with millions of refugees, people displaced by wars, natural disasters, genocide and famine. Some of us might remember a hymn we sang in childhood, - Jesus bids us shine with a pure clear light, which ends with you in your small corner and I in mine. Let us not be huddled up in our own small corner but look out to shine the light of love and compassion on our wounded world. Daphne Himmel. St Mary s Fordingbridge SP6 1BB St Mary s Breamore SP6 2DF Holy Ascension Hyde SP6 2QJ St Giles Godshill SP6 2JJ St Boniface Woodgreen SP6 2AJ St Mary s Hale SP6 2RF Sandleheath Uniting Church SP6 1PT We welcome all, especially visitors and those attending for the first time. If you need gluten free wafers at Communion, please speak to someone at the door before the service. Please take this newsletter home with you for the week ahead. Please stay after the morning service for tea and coffee, to meet folk and ask any questions. God Bless

2 COLLECT: Gracious God, READINGS - for you to use today and during the week you call us to fullness of life: deliver us from unbelief and banish our anxieties with the liberating love of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN. PSALM 19:7-14 (For Morning Prayer) 8 October 2017 Trinity The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to the simple. 8. The statutes of the Lord are right and rejoice the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure and gives light to the eyes. 9. The fear of the Lord is clean and endures for ever; the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10. More to be desired are they than gold, more than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey, dripping from the honeycomb. 11. By them also is your servant taught and in keeping them there is great reward. 12. Who can tell how often they offend? O cleanse me from my secret faults! 13. Keep your servant also from presumptuous sins lest they get dominion over me; so shall I be undefiled, and innocent of great offence.

3 14. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Philippians Philippians 3:4b-14 The only thing that matters for Christians is to know Christ as their Lord. If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. At the end, the Reader says: For the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. THE GOSPEL READING Please stand and turn to face the Gospel Reader When the Gospel is announced, the Reader says: Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord. (Glory be to thee, O Lord.)

4 Matthew 21:33-46 Another story following on from the one we heard last week, for the Pharisees to think about. Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: 33 'Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watch-tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. 34 When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. 35 But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, "They will respect my son." 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, "This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance." 39 So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?' 41 They said to him, 'He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.' 42 Jesus said to them, 'Have you never read in the scriptures: "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is amazing in our eyes"? 43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. 44 The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.' 45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realised that he was speaking about them. 46 They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet. At the end, the Reader says: This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. (At the end, the Reader says: This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to thee, O Christ.) (c) New Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bible. POST COMMUNION PRAYER: Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

5 GARY OUT AND ABOUT : Still no baby news at the time of writing - it will have to come this week! Today, Gary is baptising his cousin's son in Bristol. Monday, assembly at Hale School in the afternoon, Evensong in Winchester Cathedral, followed by PCG in the evening. Tuesday, meeting with Clive and Tim to discuss choir issues at Fordingbridge, followed by Benefice of the Future Meeting in Winchester, and Cathedral Meeting in the evening. Wednesday, 'Story and Song' at Fordingbridge Nursery, followed by speaking at the Mothers' Union in Fordingbridge. Thursday, the Head's Performance Management at Breamore School, followed by assembly there and chairing Churches Together Meeting in the evening. Saturday, attending Bishop's Commission and LLM Licensing Service in the Cathedral, supporting those from Hyde and across the Deanery who are being Commissioned and Licensed. BREAMORE HARVEST SERVICE : The Breamore Harvest service will be on Sunday 15th October at 11am, and the School Service will take place on Monday 16th October at 9.15am. ST LUKE S DAY, SALISBURY CATHEDRAL : Wednesday, October 18th, the Choir of St Mary's Fordingbridge is leading the singing at a Eucharist for St Luke's Day in Salisbury Cathedral at All welcome to commemorate St Luke, and join the choir in worship. GRAVETALK AT WOODGREEN COFFEE MORNING : Friday, October 27th, at the Fairtrade Coffee Morning at St Boniface, Woodgreen, we will be holding another Gravetalk session. An opportunity, in an informal and supportive setting, to reflect on all matters around death and dying. Much more fun that it sounds! Come along at 10.30a.m. and find out more. REV RAMON BEESLEY : for those of you who remember him, Ramon, who served the parishes of Ellingham, Hyde and Harbridge during his retirement, died earlier this week. His funeral is expected to be at Burley during the coming week. Please contact the Julian Sims for details TRUSSELL TRUST SHOE BOX APPEAL : This is an annual appeal to support people in Bulgaria. Over the next week or two leaflets will be placed with Partners if you might be able to contribute a box, or join with someone else to give one. Completed boxes can be left in churches. More than ever are needed this year. Any queries, Mark Ward, mark@fordingbridge.com or SALISBURY PLAYHOUSE TRIP : Tuesday, 10th October. For those travelling on the minibus the cost will be 6.50 each. Pick up points will be The Augustus John 6.30pm. The Ship Inn 6.35pm. Alexandra Road 6.40pm. and Waverley Road just after. Any queries contact Helen Tague CHURCH OFFICE : will be closed Friday 13th October

6 ALL SOULS: Each year the Church remembers those we love who have died in two special services. This year the services will be on Sunday 5th November at 4.00pm at St Boniface, Woodgreen and 6.00pm at St Mary s, Fordingbridge. We would like to extend a warm invitation to you to attend one of these services. Any members of your family who would like to come to the service, including children, will be very welcome. The service will last about an hour, and will be followed by refreshments in Church. Forms are now in the back of each church if you would like someone to be mentioned by name, or simply or telephone the office, but please remember to specify which service you would like the name of your loved one to be read out at. CHURCHES TOGETHER IN FORDINGBRIDGE AND DISTRICT AGM : All are welcome to attend the AGM at Fordingbridge Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, October 12 th, at 7.30p.m. (with refreshments). The Agenda includes We SP6 - a programme of events and other activities for 2018, to help the Churches in this area to engage with our wider communities. Do come if you can. Gary CHURCHES TOGETHER IN FORDINGBRIDGE AND DISTRICT request for help : A new Treasurer of CTFD and Christian Aid coordinator are required. Please call Jan Pope on ALSO Would anyone be willing to help with the distribution of the CTFD monthly Prayer Link. Please call David Winter on SP6 FRIENDSHIP GROUP : We have changed our name to SP6 Friendship Group to ensure we do not get confused with the Friendship Group in Hyde. The SP6 Friendship Group is for anyone who has been bereaved. We meet for coffee or lunch monthly. Sometimes, as we are doing next week, we go on a theatre outing. If anyone would like to come along (you do not have to be bereaved) I have 2 spare tickets. We are going to see A Murder has been announced at the Playhouse Theatre. Phone and let me know. The November meeting is a coffee morning at 16 Waverley Road, Fordingbridge SP6 1EX on the 14 th November from 10.00am md. Scrummy cakes promised!! If you would like to attend and need transport or directions please phone Our December meeting is our Bring and Share Christmas Party at Burgate Acres on the 12 th December in the evening. Every Blessing, Kate AUTUMN FAIR ST MARY S FORDINGBRIDGE: your help is needed to provide lots of lovely goodies to sell at the Autumn Fair on Saturday 4 th November, 10am 12.30pm. Homemade cakes (to sell and for refreshments), preserves, toiletries and perfumes, gifts, books, puzzles and games, pre-loved (really good stuff please, must be in excellent condition), bottles ( we will need loads of these!) raffle prizes. Please look at the list of stall contacts at the back of church, or contact Judith Dowsett or j.dowsett7@btinternet.com Thank you all very much.

7 TOILET TWINNING : - Help to pack bags! This term, Fordingbridge Infants and Fordingbridge Junior Schools will be supporting Toilet Twinning. We will be giving each child a pack including a letter about Toilet Twinning, and a box of raisins for them to enjoy (and then return to school with some coins in the box). If you are able to help us put together these packs (no previous experience necessary!) please come along to the church hall from 1-2pm on Wednesday 11th October (before the Mothers Union AGM), and help us pack bags. Many thanks, Rachel BREAMORE QUIZ NIGHT! Saturday 14 th October in the Hulse Hall at 6.30 for 7pm. Tickets 10 including hot supper and a bar, from Viv or Andy Finch Come by yourself or bring some friends - a guaranteed fun evening! HYDE PARISH BIBLE STUDY : Wednesday 11th October at 9.45am at Heather Cottage, Rockford. FORDINGBRIDGE MOTHERS UNION : The Annual General Meeting is Wednesday October 11th at 2.30pm, with Rev Canon Gary Philbrick. Corporate Communion is on Wednesday October 18th at 10.00am, with coffee. HYDE MOTHERS UNION : Tuesday 10th October, 7.30 pm, Hyde Church Centre, Speaker Pat Crocker Pilgrimages with the BBC All welcome BIBLE READING NOTES 2018 : If you would like to consider ordering any of the daily Bible reading notes produced by Scripture Union and the Bible Reading Fellowship, please look at the samples at the back of St. Mary's church between 8th and 29th October. The final date for ordering will be 31st October. Details of how to order will be at the back of the church. Thank you. Gillian Benfield REFLECTION : Autumn Day Lord it is time./ The summer is so immense/ lay your shadow on the sundial,/ and let loose the wind in the fields. Bid the last fruits to be full,/ Give them another two more southerly days,/press them to ripeness, and chase the last sweetness into the heavy wine. Whoever has no house now will not build one anymore./ whoever is alone will remain so for a long time./ will stay up, read and write long letters,/ and wonder the avenues, up and down,/ restlessly, while the leaves are blowing A beautiful poem by Rilke gives us a vivid reminder that autumn is upon us when it feels like the earth is shutting down and we shall soon be enveloped in long dark nights. The poem also describes all our differing moods excitement, happiness, the sense of loss, loneliness, dread, and more moods we often fail to recognise because we fill our lives with such busyness that we have no time to stop and stare to just - Be. The Divine is giving you a kiss. The kiss will set your heart on fire. Daphne Himmel

8 This Week 8 October 2017 Trinity 17 Sunday 8th Oct 8.00am Holy Communion Fordingbridge 9.30am Sung Eucharist Fordingbridge 9.30am Holy Communion Hyde 10.00am Café Church Pets Service Woodgreen 10.45am Methodist Morning Service Sandleheath 11.00am Morning Service Breamore 11.30am Baptism Fordingbridge Monday 9th Oct 9.00am Morning Prayer Fordingbridge 7.30pm PCG Meeting, Rectory Fordingbridge Wednesday 11th 9.00am Morning Prayer Fordingbridge 10.00am Holy Communion Fordingbridge 7.45pm Meditation Group Church Fordingbridge Thursday 12th 7.30pm Bell ringing Fordingbridge Friday 13th Church Office closed Fordingbridge 10.30am Fairtrade Coffee Morning Woodgreen 6.45pm Choir Practice Fordingbridge Sunday 15th Oct 8.00am Holy Communion Fordingbridge 8.30am Holy Communion Hyde 9.00am Holy Communion Godshill 9.30am Sung Eucharist Fordingbridge 10.00am Morning Service Hale 10.00am Worship for all + baptism Hyde 10.45am C of E Holy Communion Sandleheath 11.00am Holy Communion & Harvest Breamore 4.00pm Baptism Meeting Fordingbridge 6.30pm Evensong Fordingbridge Contact: Fiona Gover or Gail Newell Church Office, The Rainbow Centre, 39 Salisbury Street, Fordingbridge SP6 1AB Tel church.office@fordingbridge.com CHURCH OFFICE OPEN TO CALLERS MONDAY TO FRIDAY 10.30am to 12 noon