|
|
Bexley Team News
St Barnabas, Joydens Wood
St James, North Cray
St John the Evangelist, Bexley
St Mary the Virgin, Bexley
27th June 2021 Issue 67 Fourth Sunday after Trinity
|
The church buildings will have been thoroughly cleaned. As usual, facemasks MUST be worn (unless medically exempt) hand sanitiser will be used and social distancing must be observed at all times. Do not attend if you or a member of your household is shielding or vulnerable. The church doors will be open for ventilation, so dress accordingly.
|
St Mary’s 10.00 am Family Service
3.30 pm Holy Communion
St James 9.30 am Holy Communion
PLEASE NOTE, AS THIS WEEK CONTAINS A ‘FIFTH WEDNESDAY’,
OUR MIDWEEK COMMUNION WILL BE HELD
AT ST JAMES NORTH CRAY WEDNESDAY 30 JUNE 10AM
St Barnabas 10.45am Holy Communion
4.00 pm Sunday @ 4 Service for all ages
St John’s 8.00 am Holy Communion
10.00 am Holy Communion
Friday 10.00 am Livestreamed Holy Communion: www.facebook.com/stjohnsbexley
Team Zoom Services (see also box below regarding future changes)
Saturday 26th June at 5.30 pm Saturday Nightwatch Zoom Service
A reflective service at the end of the week
Sunday 27thJune NO Sunday Zoom Service today
A Message from Reverend Sue… After last week’s Saturday Nightwatch Service on loneliness I have been reminded that thesilverline.org.uk (Tel: 08004708090) set up by Esther Rantzen after the loss of her husband provides a confidential free helpline for older people 24/7, offering conversation, friendship information and advice.
Bexley Team Children’s Church
The next Bexley Team Children’s Church will be sent out for Sunday 4th July. For other great resources and ideas please visit Diocese of Rochester | Family Worship in the Home (anglican.org)
Bible Readings 2 Samuel 1, 1, 17-27 2 Corinthians 8 v7 – 15 Mark 5 v21-43
The Collect: O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that with you as our ruler and guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not our hold on things eternal; grant this, heavenly Father, for our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
The Additional Collect: Gracious Father, by the obedience of Jesus you brought salvation to your wayward world; draw us into the harmony of your will, that we may find all things restored in him, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Rev’d Sue writes-
A reflection taken from “Touching the Hem – Encounters with Jesus by those who knew him” written by Jeannine Davies
My Daughter was dying – dying, do you hear?
I had to find Jesus- I ran all the way and as I ran, I cried, “Jesus, where are you?” – must find Jesus.
I saw a crowd and knew he must be in it somewhere.
My eyes began searching…. My heart searched too… but… how would I know him? How could I find him?
Jesus … found me. His eyes…. his face, as he watched me frantically searching… I saw love and understanding in his expression. Such a sense of relief ran though me…. I had recognised him. I knew in that moment – that he’d been waiting for me!
I fell on my knees: “Dear Jesus, please – my daughter is dying. Please … come, save my child.”
Distraught, I could say no more.
A woman in the crowd stopped his progress – how could I be cross with her? She had need of him too. They told me my daughter had died. Too late now, for Jesus…. I felt his hand on my shoulder – a warm, comforting, strong hand – and his voice, soft…gentle…kind…assured: “She’s not dead, only sleeping. Come.”
We entered her room- so still, calm, deadly quiet. And in the hush, Jesus walked towards her….. took her hand in his. Surely, in that moment, she was as much his child as she is mine, for his love for her shone through…. His very gaze on her small, still body showed his authority over her as he told her to wake up and arise.
He kept hold of her hand… his look of tenderness as she opened her eyes…. It told of his deep, deep love for her – his pure delight at helping her to sit up. He laughed as he watched her reciprocate, smile at him with love.
Then he left us… went on his way. But he left us changed. Truly, I have seen a miracle – a miracle of life over death.
Every day, I thank God for the gift of my daughter. Every day I travel further along the road, telling people the good news of Jesus. He saved my daughter – but he came to save you too. Turn around, follow this new path – his path – you’ll not regret it.
A Prayer
Lord Jesus, I see miracles of life all around – and I take them for granted. Keep me more alert to your presence, so that I may follow your path and reach others with your good news. Amen
Changes to Zoom Services within the Bexley Team
Nightwatch- this service will continue to be at 5.30pm weekly. The service on Saturday 3rd July will not take place - Rochester Cathedral will be live streaming a farewell service for Bishop James at 3pm that afternoon, and we warmly encourage you to engage with that. www.rochestercathedral.org/worship-online . The service will also be available to watch afterwards.
Sunday Zoom service- no service on the 27th June (due to lack of availability of leaders.) From Sunday 4th July the Sunday Zoom service will be at 9.00 am. This will allow a regular pattern of Zoom worship for those that want it, whilst also allowing the clergy team to lead in-person services on a Sunday morning.
The live streamed Holy Communion services from St John's will continue to be available each week on Friday mornings (and still available on a Sunday too).
Barbara Rivers RIP: We were saddened to hear the unfortunate news of Barbara Rivers death last week. Her funeral will be held at St John’s at 2.15pm on Wednesday 14th July, and the family have said that any of Barbara’s friends who wish to attend are welcome to do so.
Holy Hush – we are a small group who meet together on the first Tuesday of the month in one of our homes for a short informal meeting based on (but not) a Julian Group meeting. The ‘leader’ opens with a reading/ poem/ thought; then we have half an hour of silence; and end with a short prayer followed by a cup of tea and chat. It is a pleasant/restful/inspiring break among friends, and we would love you to join us. Next meeting Tuesday 6th July at 2.00 pm, venue to be announced. Details from Liz Montague (07740099461) or lizmontague@hotmail.co.uk (Liz is a member of the St. Barnabas congregation)
Archdeaconry Representative on the council of Friends of Rochester Cathedral. The Cathedral is looking for someone to take on this voluntary role – for a term of three years (about five meetings a year). Speak to Ren if you would like to find out more.
Bexley Interfaith Forum: The next meeting of the Bexley Interfaith Forum will be held on Tuesday 27th July at 7.30pm on Zoom. The Speaker will be the Anglican Bishop of Tonbridge, the Rt Rev’d Simon Burton-Jones on the subject of Challenges facing Religious Communities following the lockdown and the Covid pandemic.
ZoomLogin: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83092088701?pwd=VitFNEkwaGowM3oyYW9qbkZ4MklyUT09
Meeting ID: 830 9208 8701 Passcode: 407069. A further meeting is being planned for 7.30pm on Wednesday October 20th on the topic of Mental Health.
Pilgrimage: Clive will be leading a holiday to Austria and Oberammergau including the Passion Play 22nd -29th June 2022. If you would like to consider joining the group printed and e-copies of the holiday/pilgrimage brochure are available - please let Clive know.
St Mary's 200 Club winners
1st May Mrs C Lee No 15 £35 2nd Mr J Bowerman No 145 £15 3rd Mrs M Chadwick No 147 £10
1st June Mr N Pearson No134 £35 2nd Mrs J Holman No. 63 £15 3rd Mrs C Rawlinson No 122 £10
Reverend David Knight’s memorial service
Due to the delay in lockdown easing it is now necessary to book places for Reverend David Knight’s memorial service at St Mary’s on 17th July at midday. Please book your place by emailing Mary Andrews maryrose.andrews@gmail.com also indicating if you wish to stay for light refreshments in church afterwards (or by signing the list in the cross aisle of St Mary's)
SAVE THE DATE! 🎉🦄⛪ï¸
We are very pleased to announce that the St Barnabas Fayre committee have had our first meeting and we are going ahead with plans for another Joydens Wood Community Fayre at St Barnabas Church on Saturday 7th August 11am-3pm. 🥳🎉ðŸ˜. Please save the date. Thank you in advance for your support. The focus is bringing the community together while raising funds to replace our rapidly deteriorating Harold Porter Hall with a building which will serve our community. Any government Covid restrictions will apply.
FINANCIAL GIVING TO THE TEAM CHURCHES
For St Barnabas Any contributions can be dropped off at the Treasurer’s house or at the Vicarage. Or you can give by BACS transfer. In all cases, if you are a taxpayer please “Gift Aid” your giving. If you have any questions regarding this please contact, David Peters on 01322 529796 or by email davidpeters45@hotmail.co.uk
For St James, North Cray Contributions can be dropped off at 91 The Grove, or made by BACS transfer, contact Suzy Higgs on 07799072548.Please make cheques payable to St James, North Cray PCC.
For St John's You can give to the continuing upkeep and ministry of St John's via our Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/stjohntheevangelist-bexley
For St Mary’s If you ordinarily make your financial contributions in church but, in the present circumstances, wish to contribute by cheque then please make your cheque payable to St Mary’s Bexley PCC and send it c/o C. Lee 11 Holmesdale Road, Bexleyheath, DA7 4TJ. Your continued support is very much appreciated.
Each week the musicians at St James North Cray offer links to a selection of songs and music for us to enjoy. These can be found on our website www.stjamesnorthcray.org.uk/welcome/music/
St John’s Sermons are posted each Sunday at fatheredwardbarlow.wordpress.comSocial Media - engage with us via Facebook (/stjohnsbexley), Twitter (@stjohnsbexley) and Instagram (@stjohnsbexley)
THE BEXLEY TEAM CLERGY
Team Rector: Rev’d Ren Harding renharding@hotmail.co.uk 01322 528923 07836644782
Associate Priest: Rev’d Sue Twynam susantwynam@btconnect.com 01322 559501 07952 468127
Team Vicar: Rev’d Edward Barlow fr.edwardbarlow@gmail.com 01322 521786
Team Vicar: Rev’d Clive Wood revclivewood@gmail.com 01322 270942 07982 392809
Team Curate: Rev’d Matt Hodder matthodder10@gmail.com 07889873125