29T H J A NUA RY 2017
MUSIC FOR AUTISM Vicar s Blog Over a coffee recently I was discussing with a friend the Five Anglican Marks of Mission, as you do. In case they have slipped your memory, they are: 1. To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom 2. To teach, baptise and nurture new believers 3. To respond to human need by loving service 4. To transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation 5. To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth. 165 countries have national churches in the Anglican Communion signed up to these five marks, which obviously flow from the New Testament and the teaching of Jesus; and our immediate thoughts, after a second Americano, were that the Abbey is not bad at numbers 1-3, but less good, even having blind spots, with numbers 4&5. (Actually, I think asking hard questions about numbers 4&5 and popping a new roof on the Abbey are probably a good way forward for us as a church.) However we did note that there are some encouraging steps that we have taken in these areas, and one of these is our Music of Autism days, which twice a year seek to include young people living with autism and older people living with dementia in the life of our community. The Abbey Café also pulls the stops out to bless the teachers and carers that join us across the day and serves sparkling wine for the evening concert. So I am delighted to announce that John Lubbock and Music for Autism are coming back on Friday March 3 rd.
ABBEY DIARY And even more delighted to say that the Derek Paravicini Quartet is going to be with us all day. At 11am Derek will perform for young autistic people from schools across Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, and the microphone will get passed around for one hour of very special music making. Postman Pat and his black and white cat will make his regular appearance. At 2pm there will be a concert for older people, but particularly for those living with dementia, their families and their carers. Hopefully I will be on the front row with my mum, and at some point Molly Malone usually turns up. Then in the evening at 7.30pm bring 10 and spend the evening with the Derek Paravicini Quartet raising money for Music for Autism. Tickets available very shortly. anglicancommunion.org derekparavicini.net musicforautism.org.uk THIS SUNDAY: January 29 th 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm Informal Worship & Baptism, with Junior Church 6.30pm Choral Evensong THIS WEEK EACH DAY 9am Morning Prayer MON 30 th 10am Little Stars WED 1 st 10.30am Communion THUR 2 nd 10.30am Time for Chat 7pm Choir Practice SAT 4 th 7.30pm MAMS Concert NEXT SUNDAY: February 5 th 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm All-age Service & Thanksgiving ADVANCE DIARY 7 th Feb 7.30pm Glory! 12 th Feb 10.30am Joint Service 13 th & 14 th Little Stars Soft Play 15 th -17 th MAS 2017 29 th Feb 6.30pm Choral Evensong 1 st March Ash Wednesday
LUKE 2:22-40 22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord ), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: a pair of doves or two young pigeons. 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. 33 The child s father and mother marvelled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too. 36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. Additional Reading: Malachi 3:1-5
DISCIPLESHIP 1. From the Vicar s Blog, discuss together how you feel we as a church are doing with the Anglican Communion s Five Marks of Mission. 2. Verses 22-24 happen when Jesus was 8 days old. Then from verse 25 he is 40 days old. Why does God want Simeon s words spoken over the infant Christ? What s the point? Or who is the point? 3. How would the spiritual life and devotion of Simeon & Anna have seemed to others? How do we as a community react to spiritual fervour? Do we actually think God prefers decency and moderation? 4. Verses 29-32 are known as the Nunc Dimittis, ( now you dismiss. ) What are the three most significant points of Simon s song or words and why? And why would we want to include these particular words in our Evening Prayer or Evensong every day? 5. Simeon and Anna are far too extraordinary to be models for us today. Discuss. DAILY READINGS Monday Psalm 1 Hosea 9 1 Corinthians 12:12-end Tuesday Psalm 5 Hosea 10 1 Corinthians 13 Wednesday Psalm 119:1-32 Hosea 11:1-11 1 Corinthians 14:1-19 Thursday Psalm 15 Hosea 11:12-12.end 1 Corinthians 14:20-end Friday Psalm 19 Hosea 13:1-14 1 Corinthians 16:1-9 REGULAR GIVING If you would like to give regularly to the mission and ministry of the Abbey as part of your discipleship, please e-mail alan@malmesburyabbey.com.
THE MONAGHANS After much 'asking, seeking and knocking', John and Alice Monaghan did not feel that moving to Brecon, Wales was the right next step for their whole family and so Alice has withdrawn her acceptance of the post of full time school chaplain there. Do continue to pray for John, Alice and the children as they seek God's guidance on the right next step. VICAR OF DIBLEY The Malmesbury Fringe Theatre are raising money for the Abbey Roof appeal through their production of a Vicar of Dibley. The performances will take place in the Town Hall on the evenings of 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th of March at 7pm and there is also a matinee at 2.30pm on Saturday the 4 th. Tickets are available from the Summer Café and also via malmesburyfringetheatre.com. Please note, the show is not recommended for children under 14. SCHOOL PRAYER There is a prayer meeting for Malmesbury Church of England Primary School on Tuesday 31 st January from 9am to 9.15am. Please meet at the school for prayers focusing on the staff, new staff and head Steve Heal as he begins his second year, for year 6 children preparing for SAT tests, and for the school RE Curriculum. BAPTISM On Easter Day at the 4pm Service there will be an opportunity for children, young people and adults to be baptized at the Abbey. This is in anticipation of the PCCs wish that baptised children over 6 years of age, be offered the opportunity to receive Holy Communion starting on Sunday 25 th June 2017. Please speak to Andrew Beebee to register an interest and find out more. 12th CENTURY BEAUTY 21st CENTURY CHURCH
NOTICEBOARD RAFFLE PRIZES NEEDED FOR ABBEY SKATE For the first year we are piloting a raffle at Abbey Skate (Wed 15th-17th Feb) in order to help cover costs and add a bit of extra fun and involvement for spectators at the event! Tickets can be purchased throughout the three days, and the draw will happen on Friday night during the competition. If you have anything that you might be able to offer as a raffle prize then please get in touch with Holly at holly_bird@live.com Sunday 12th February 10.30am-5pm This is Festival Communion at 10.30am, and then an opportunity for all three Abbey congregations to worship together, stay for a bring and share lunch, and help setting up for Abbey Skate with the floor, the straw bales and the staging if you are able. Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th Feb, 10am-12noon Little Stars half-term special. Come and join the fun! Volunteers needed for set up on Sunday 12th (above), take down on Friday 17th, the welcome team, the cafe, the sound desk, first aid and the prayer team. Please sign up with Matt after the 4pm service any week, or by emailing john@malmesburyabbey.com T-shirt / Hoodie order deadline Sunday 29th Jan Please speak to Holly if you want us to order you a fantastic Abbey Skate T- shirt or Hoodie Book your tickets on-line before they sell out: www.malmesburyabbey.com/skate
! CONTACT Join us, each month, for our 6.30pm Choral Evensong at Malmesbury Abbey, which brings together some of the most beautiful choral music ever written, the timeless liturgy of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer and the Shakespearean English of the King James Version of the Bible. Below are ABBEY the dates for OFFICE 2017, the liturgical themes and a few A BBEY other significant CAFÉ choral services: January 29 th The Presentation of Christ (from Feb 2 nd ) February 26 th The Sunday before Lent March 26 th The Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary (from 25 th ) April 13 th April 14 th April 16 th May 25 th Maundy Thursday Sung Eucharist at 7.30pm Good Friday devotional concert at 6.30pm Easter Day Ascension Day Sung Eucharist at 7.30pm May 28 th St Aldhelm (from 25 th ) June 25 th St Peter (from 29 th ) July 23 rd Mary Magdalene (from 22 nd ) September 24 th Harvest Evensong September 28 th St Michael & All Angels Sung Eucharist at 7.30pm October 22 nd Wessex Evensong (Alfred the Great, 26 th ) November 26 th Dec 2 nd & 3 rd Dec 16 th & 17 th CHORAL EVENSONG IN 2017! Christ the King Advent Carols by Candlelight Nine Lessons & Carols by Candlelight! 12th CENTURY BEAUTY 21st CENTURY CHURCH