Church News for
Sunday 31st January 2021 Epiphany 4
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Following the success of PhoneChurch during the first lockdown and with Covid-19 rates rising once again in our area, a discussion was held at an emergency meeting of the 6 Parishes. After reviewing the options, the PCC’s opted to revert to PhoneChurch during the current National Lockdown, this has been approved by Bishop Nick. This will be reviewed at our meeting on the 24th February.
To join in simply call 03300 945 940
then at the prompt Room number: 55017514 #
and use Guest PIN: 3885 #
please see below for more detailed information.
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Sunday 31st January Epiphany 4
10:00 Holy Communion
Readings
Deuteronomy 18.15-20, Revelation 12.1-5a, & Mark 1.21-28
Collect
God our creator, who in the beginning commanded the light to shine out of darkness: we pray that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ may dispel the darkness of ignorance and unbelief, shine into the hearts of all your people, and reveal the knowledge of your glory in the face of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Post Communion
Generous Lord, in word and eucharist we have proclaimed the mystery of your love: help us so to live out our days that we may be signs of your wonders in the world; through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
During the week - PhoneChurch
09:00 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday - Morning Prayer
18:00 Tuesday - The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas)
09:00 Wednesday - Holy Communion
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Sunday 7th February 2 before Lent
09:00 Holy Communion
10:00 Morning Prayer
16:00 BCP Evensong
Readings
Proverbs 8.1,22-31, Psalm 104.26-37, Colossians 1.15-20, & John 1.1-14
Evening Readings
Psalm 65, Genesis 2.4b-25, Luke 8.22-35
Collect
Almighty God, you have created the heavens and the earth and made us in your own image: teach us to discern your hand in all your works and your likeness in all your children; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns supreme over all things, now and for ever.
Post Communion
God our creator, by your gift the tree of life was set at the heart of the earthly paradise, and the bread of life at the heart of your Church: may we who have been nourished at your table on earth be transformed by the glory of the Saviour’s cross and enjoy the delights of eternity; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
BCP Collect
O Lord God, who seest that we put not our trust in any thing that we do; Mercifully grant that by thy power we may be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
During the week
09:00 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday - Morning Prayer
09:00 Wednesday -Holy Communion - Scholastica, c.543
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Sunday 14th February Sunday before Lent
09:00 Morning Prayer
10:00 BCP Holy Communion
16:00 Evening Prayer – Zoom (Taizé Music)
Readings
2 Kings 2.1-12, Psalm 50.1-6, 2 Corinthians 4.3-6, & Mark 9.2-9
Evening Readings
Psalms 99, 1 Kings 19.1-16, 2 Peter 1.16-21
Collect
Almighty Father, whose Son was revealed in majesty before he suffered death upon the cross: give us grace to perceive his glory, that we may be strengthened to suffer with him and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Post Communion
Holy God, we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ: may we who are partakers at his table reflect his life in word and deed, that all the world may know his power to change and save. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.
During the week
09:00 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday - Morning Prayer
18:00 Tuesday - Clypping Service - a service of blessing on our Churches, Homes, & Communities
09:00 & 18:00 Wednesday - Ash Wednesday Holy Communion
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Sunday 21st February Lent 1
09:00 Prayer & Praise
10:00 Holy Communion
16:00 BCP Evensong
Readings
Genesis 9.8-17, Psalm 25.1-9, 1 Peter 3.18-22, & Mark 1.9-15
Evening Readings
Psalm 119.17-32, Genesis 2.15-17; 3.1-7, Romans 5.12-19
Collect
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness, and was tempted as we are, yet without sin: give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit; and, as you know our weakness,
so may we know your power to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Post Communion
Lord God, you have renewed us with the living bread from heaven; by it you nourish our faith, increase our hope, and strengthen our love: teach us always to hunger for him who is the true and living bread, and enable us to live by every word that proceeds from out of your mouth; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
BCP Collect
O Lord, who for our sake didst fast forty days and forty nights; Give us grace to use such abstinence, that, our flesh being subdued to the Spirit, we may ever obey thy godly motions in righteousness and true holiness, to thy honour and glory; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.
During the week - Phone Church
09:00 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday - Morning Prayer
09:00 Wednesday - Holy Communion
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Sunday 28th February Lent 2
09:00 Holy Communion
10:00 BCP Morning Prayer
16:00 Revive - Zoom
Readings
Genesis 17.1-7,15,16, Psalm 22.23-31, Romans 4.13-25, & Mark 8.31-38
Evening Readings
Hebrews 11.1–3,8–16
Collect
Almighty God, you show to those who are in error the light of your truth, that they may return to the way of righteousness: grant to all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s religion, that they may reject those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same;
through our Lord Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Post Communion
Almighty God, you see that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves: keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
BCP Collect
Almighty God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves; Keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
During the week - PhoneChurch
09:00 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday - Morning Prayer
09:00 Wednesday - Holy Communion
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PhoneChurch is working well, but please remember it is live and unless you mute the microphone on your phone everyone can hear anything that is happening at your end of the line. We are still learning how to best use this system and whilst responses during the service are working well, communal singing is causing problems - so for the moment please just listen to the music as it plays rather than singing along.
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For the liturgy/service booklet please follow the link for the relevant service.
As above to join in simply call 03300 945 940
then at the prompt Room number: 55017514 #
and use Guest PIN: 3885 #
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Lent
 With what must feel like the longest January in all of history it might come as a surprise that Lent is only a few weeks away! Whilst we hope that by the end of Lent we may be able to gather again Ash Wednesday and much of Lent will be spent in lockdown. Rev'd Chris and the ministry team are preparing material for you to keep Lent at Home. As well as printed material and service sheets this will include a small quantity of blessed ash ready for our Ash Wednesday service. These Lent packs will be sent out to all who normally receive an envelope - however they are available to anyone who wishes to receive them, simply contact Rev'd Chris, Sue, or Pauline and we will get a special pack to you.
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Weddings Baptisms & Funerals
Please see link above as this is likely to change
Weddings can only take place in very special circumstances and with 6 people present.
Funerals 30 people present.
There continue to be complex restrictions and procedures in place and these services will look and feel very different to what you might be used to so please do talk with Rev'd Chris at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment.
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Meetings
We continue to hold phone discussions for Churchwardens, PCC Secretaries, & worship leaders every other Wednesday. Our next meetings are on 10/02/21 and 24/02/21 at 16:15 on the PhoneChurch number. St Michael's Spennithorn PCC will be meeting on at 18:00 on Thursday 11/02/21 on the PhoneChurch number
Rev'd Chris will be taking Friday 5th and Friday 12th as his rest days.
Wensley Deanery Synod is meeting via Zoom at 19:15 on Thursday 18/02/21
Our monthly Wensley Deanery Prayer meeting is on Wednesday 24th at 11:00 via Zoom
The latest newsletter from the Diocese is now available here
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Come and join us on Zoom for a time of Lectio Divina
Friday afternoons at 16:00
Lectio Divina is a contemplative way of reading the Bible. It dates back to the early centuries of the Christian Church and is a way of praying the scriptures that leads us further into God's word. It is listening with the 'ear' of the heart that allows scripture to speak to us in new ways while also deepening our relationship with the Living God.
For further information and the Zoom link please contact:
Penny Johnson: 01677 450082 pennyj.johnson5@gmail.com or
Sue Bianco: 01677 450009 susanbianco54@gmail.com
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Rev'd Bill Prudom
1926 - 2021
 On Thursday we gathered at St Michael's Spennithorn to thank God for Bill's life and Ministry.
Rev'd Bill was Rector of St Andrew's, St Oswald's, and St Michael's from 1981 until his retirement in 1991.
In retirement, Bill worshipped at St Gregory's where he had sung in the choir as a child.
Bill's daughter Jenifer sends her thanks to all who have been in contact and to those who came to the service or joined us online.
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Lisle's Limericks
Rev'd Lisle has offered us the following reflections on the Gospel readings for the next two Sundays
Jesus was brought to be purified
in the holy Temple where did reside
Anna and Simeon
who each had a vision
of Jesus to be shared and magnified.
Mary heard their child would be a sign
for the fall and rise of many in time,
revealed as the light
for gentiles delight
bringing salvation by God's design.
Luke 2.22-38
The Word was with God from the beginning
without whom nothing came into being.
With creation of life
from God came the Light
the dread of the dark overcoming.
John 1.1-5
One of Lile's Limericks has now been set to sound and is very much worth listening to - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JppbkElKhJ4&feature=youtu.be
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And Finally
From Fr Philip
Our visit to the Yankee Candle Headquarters in South Deerfield, Massachusetts did not go as well as anticipated. Maybe, that I was wearing a Cotton Traders T-shirt made the tour guide think that I came from the cotton-picking Southern US States (remember “Yankee” is a pejorative term for the Northern US States used during their civil war) rather than in deference to Fran Cotton the former England and Lions rugby player, might have had something to do with it? However, we bought our expected supply of sampler candles and left!
I love candles. We have had one burning all over Christmas, Epiphany and of course in anticipation of 2 nd February – Candlemas.
For me candles signify each of the facets of the Holy Trinity.
God the Father – signified by the substance of the candle itself – the source from which all good things flow. God the Son – the Light of the World signified by even the weakest flame which brings light and hope even in the darkest places. God the Holy Spirit – signified (and don’t try feeling this at home) by the warmth which rises from the body and the flame as prayers rise to heaven. Three facets from one candle!
In lighting the darkest places candles also purify. Candlemas is a dual Feast – the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary – as if she needed it – and the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. Mary gives thanks for the birth of her child and in doing so is herself blessed. By presenting her child to the world she enables us to be blessed too.
As 2021 slowly unfolds we still seem to be under the dark shadow of the pandemic. By lighting a candle on 2 nd February maybe we can dispel some of that darkness and by giving thanks to God for his coming into the world might ourselves receive His Blessing.
May the Blessing of Candlemas be with us all throughout 2021.
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