"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..." Matthew 28: 19
For several years now I have heard the phrase - "we are called to make disciples, that make disciples, that make disciples". This is a good calling.
Discipleship is certainly a key issue in the life of the church in the Western World and it is also the very call of Jesus himself expressed here in Matthew's gospel.
Here at SMB, we are taking discipleship very seriously both now and for the long term. This is why such platforms as Word and Spirit and SMB Ask us Anything are important to us.
I think we all individually need to be asking ourselves - how are we engaging personally in the process of our own discipleship?
If the goal of spiritual formation is to see immature believers grow into mature disciple-makers, we must be mature ourselves. This is our own personal responsibility and church can certainly help but that won't be enough. We need to intentionally engage in deepening our faith through literature, courses, podcasts, small groups and in the deepening of our own spiritual disciplines.
For many years now I have felt the call to encourage Christians to become deeply disciplined disciples of Jesus Christ.
I am praying this will be true for all of us at SMB.
David
Rev David McDougall Rector of St Mary's Bletchley
Please be aware that we will be trying a new way to run our online service - including live content. Please bear with us if we experience any technical difficulties!
Palm crosses are now available to collect from the church porch.
We will be opening up Zoom, for about 30 minutes, after the online service to provide an opportunity for prayer and reflection.
The details of how to log in will be shown near the end of the service so don't switch off straight away! So make sure you have pen and paper handy, or pause or rewind the video.
We also now have the facility to listen to the service on the phone for those who are unable to join on Zoom. Just dial one of the numbers below, then enter the ID and Passcode above to be connected to the audio of the service:
As part of Word & Spirit (where we explore what being a follower of Jesus means in our lives today), we will be hosting a Zoom based panel conversation focusing on grief, death, suicide and miscarriage. Where is God in all of this, and how can we navigate these darkest of spaces?
The panel will be made up of those who have experienced loss, as well as carers and counsellors.
All are welcome.
To book your free place, click on the picture below.
SMB Ask Us Anything
We seem to have run out of questions!
Is there a question you have been eager to ask about God, faith, the world or anything else? Then send it to us and we will see if we can give an answer!
You may find that other people would like to know the answer too.
You can submit a question by emailing peter.landry@stmarysbletchley.org. We will not publicise who asked the question so you will be anonymous.
CHURCHYARD AT EASTER
Starting 27th March until 11th April there will also be activities and opportunities for prayer and reflection in the churchyard:
Easter Prayer Ribbons
Come and add your prayer and praises to a ribbon and tie it to the church gates. Ribbons and pens will be available in the church porch 24/7.
Please wipe the pens after use.
Bible Verses
St Mary's Home Groups have chosen some of their favourite or most meaningful Bible verses and these will be displayed around the churchyard.
Easter Garden
An Easter Garden will be created in the churchyard to visit. You will also be able to add your own Easter painted stones to the area.
Easter Sunday Trail
4th April, 12pm-2pm
An activity for families to celebrate Easter. There will be an Easter hunt with an online quiz sheet. For more information email maryann.brooks@stmarysbletchley.org No need to book. Social distancing rules must be kept and no groups
larger than 6 people please.
HOLY WEEK & EASTER PRAYER PRAYMKresources now available.
As a church, St Mary’s along with PRAYMK is passionate not only about creating resources for those of you who pray already but also for people who don't consider God as their first port of call.
Message from Spring Harvest:
Why not join us for Spring Harvest Home 4th-8th April as we explore our 2021 theme ‘Unrivalled: Why we worship’. With the help of brilliant Worship Leaders and Speakers, we’ll be looking at why we worship which starts with who we worship. Every new challenge we face brings a new opportunity to tune into God and join in with his mission. Whatever comes our way, our God is unchanged, our God is unshakeable, our God is Unrivalled and we will worship him.
Visit https://springharvest.org/springharvesthome21 to book your place to access all the brilliant content online, both live and on-demand.
Click on the picture above for more information.
St Joseph's, Newton Leys
St Joseph's, Newton Leys, is the pioneer church linked to St Mary's in our parish. It is headed by Rev Ben Thorpe and is currently continuing online. You can follow what they are doing on Facebook here.
A service provide by Oxford Diocese
Giving To St Mary's
In these times when we are unable to meet in the Church building together, your donations are just as important to us as they have always been. Your offerings mean we can continue to serve our community both practically and spiritually, worship, and connect with each other and maintain our buildings ready for when we can open again.
Virtual Church is a real blessing, but it does mean physically making your offering interesting if you make your offering via the collection plate. The Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) has responded to this need and it is now possible to sign up to the scheme over the phone. Please call them on 0333 002 1271, remembering to have to hand St Mary’s Bletchley Parish Code which is 270627709 and know that we are in the Diocese of Oxford. If you would like further information you can have a look on their website https://www.parishgivingscheme.org.uk/for-donors/
Or if you would prefer to make a one-off donation then please email me and I can tell you how to do this. nicky.whitmore@stmarysbletchley.org
Thank you.
