Dear Friends
Welcome to you all, and particularly those who are receiving this weekly communique for the first time.
The third verse from ‘Veni Creator Spiritus’ (16thC hymn) reads:
Anoint and cheer our soilèd face
with the abundance of thy grace:
keep far our foes, give peace at home;
where thou art guide no ill can come.
We are reminded in those words, and indeed the whole hymn, that through the grace of God – the unconditional and never waning love of God – we are always held and loved, regardless of who we are and how we might feel in and of ourselves and the world around us. It is a message we need to hear in these times.
It is the feast day for St Luke this Sunday (18th October). In previous years we have offered a Service of Healing on this special day, with anointing with oil for those who would like to receive it. The reason for this is that Luke is the patron saint of physicians and is strongly associated with the ministry of healing.
Sadly, this year, we are unable to provide this service, physically at least, due to the ongoing restrictions – which ironically are also there to maintain our health and wellbeing.
For our Thursday evening online Zoom worship today we will be doing a short service of healing, which this week I will also record so that those who are unable to join us on a Thursday night can access the service through YouTube when able. Details on access to the service are set out below.
The Post Communion Prayer for St Luke:
Lord God, the source of truth and love,
keep us faithful to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship,
united in prayer and the breaking of bread,
and one in joy and simplicity of heart,
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
OUR COMMUNITY WORSHIP THIS WEEK
ONLINE CHURCH:
Thursday Evening Zoom – 7:30pm – 15th October
Join us on the link below for the regular Thursday evening prayer. This week we will be sharing a quiet service of healing. I invite you to bring a long a pebble / stone or something similarly weighty and inert to use during a time of prayer in the service.
Join Zoom Service at 7:30pm:
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71745192963?pwd=WmgvSCt2K1grcEVCZit3RFp5WXZrZz09
Meeting ID: 717 4519 2963
Passcode: twoshires
I will also be recording the service and providing the video on YouTube / website as soon as possible afterwards.
https://twoshires.wordpress.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkgAPth84w8vMfDgFeO6DIA
NEXT THURSDAY ZOOM SERVICE:
Please note that after tomorrow the next Thursday evening Zoom will be on 5th November. Next week it is Michelle’s Birthday and the week after is half term!
Sunday 18th October
I will be audio recording my sermon from Tatworth on Sunday and will publish that online later on Sunday morning.
https://twoshires.wordpress.com/sunday-service
NEXT LIVE ONLINE SUNDAY SERVICE:
The next live online Sunday service will be on 25th October at 11:30am. Joining instructions for Zoom will be in next week’s bulletin.
IN CHURCH BUILDINGS:
Worship Sunday 18th October:
8am Holy Communion – St Stephen’s, Winsham (Rev Philip)
10am Holy Communion – St John’s, Tatworth (Rev Philip)
6:30pm Holy Communion – St Mary Magdalene, Cricket Malherbie (Rev Terri)
Midweek Holy Communion:
Wednesday 21st October 11am – Thorncombe
Thursday 22nd October 11am – Winsham
WITH THANKS:
I would like to say thank you to everyone for making it a really special Harvest season across the Benefice. It was different, but we still managed to have fun and I know that despite restrictions there has been some good fundraising for those in need. It was also a first to celebrate Harvest online as well as in all the churches. The online harvest service is available on YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eja7t61gzkY
Also, we have now completed the annual round of APCM’s across the Benefice. Again, thank you to all who have joined PCC’s, taken on new roles, continued in current roles, said goodbyes for well earned breaks – whatever it is and whoever you are in the structural life of the church, administratively and spiritually, thank you and God Bless you all.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY (8th November):
We will not be holding services inside church buildings on Remembrance Sunday. Instead, we will hold our Acts of Remembrance entirely outside at the relevant memorials. These will be:
1045am – Chaffcombe, Tatworth and Thorncombe
3pm – Winsham
PRIVATE PRAYER
All churches will continue to be open during the week for an hour for private individual prayer.
Wednesdays – Tatworth, Cricket Malherbie & Thorncombe at 11am
Thursdays – Chaffcombe & Winsham at 11am
FOR YOUR PRAYERS:
I invite you to hold the following in your prayers this week. As always, please do let me know of any additions or changes needed:
In Thanksgiving:
· All those taking on new responsibilities, continuing with current responsibilities, or laying down roles, on our PCC’s and church committees.
· Those that help look after our churchyards and open spaces.
· Our neighbours.
In Supplication:
· The people, church, homes, school and businesses in Tatworth; particularly the Pre-School at this time coping with a recent COVID outbreak.
· Those with COVID, those in isolation, and those shielding.
· GP’s as they work in challenging circumstances to look after our health.
· We pray for those we know who are sick, and those we don’t know, including those we are asked to pray by name for:
Bishop Peter Hancock; Hannah Knott; Rob Allen; Lynne Applegarth; Phyllis Baker; Margaret Bandy; Sue Bennett; Sue Cheese; Terry Conway; Nick Frankau; Paul Glazier; David Goodwill; Mike Heywood; Joy Howard; Ann Jarvis; Frank Long; Peter McHugh; Diana Rowlands; Ann Ricketts; Jim Tucker; Rosemary Walley; Rosemary Walton; Vivien Wheaton; Alan Wills, Anna Woodward; Pamala Young; Milly granddaughter of Jane & Alan Rudkin; Gillian Muggeridge; Chris Gould; Brian Griffiths; Peter Hathway.
· For the Bereaved – The family & friends of: Rachel Lambert; Mark Lindsey; Meg Terrett; Len Woodman
SCRIPTURE FOR THIS WEEK:
Wednesday 14th October – Gal 5:18-end; Luke 11:42-46
Thursday 15th October – Eph 1:1-10; Luke 11:47-end
Friday 16th October – Eph 1:11-14; Luke 12:1-7
Saturday 17th October – Eph 1:15-end; Luke 12:8-12
Sunday 18th October – Isa 35:3-6; Luke 10:1-9 (St Luke)
Monday 19th October – Eph 2:1-10; Luke 12:13-21
Tuesday 20th October – Eph 2:12-end; Luke 12:35-38
Wednesday 21st October – Eph 3:2-12; Luke 12:39-48
A PRAYER FOR THE WEEK:
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.
Amen.
Teresa D’Avila (16thC)
Blessings to you all,
Philip
The Reverend Philip Butcher