Newsletter for July 11th 2021

This Sunday @ St Michael’s

10:30am

Join us at 10:30am on Sunday morning in St Michael’s for Morning Worship. Eve Lockett will be leading and Chris Scruby will be preaching on Galatians 3: 1-14. This service will also be live-streamed at https://cumnor.org/sunday-service-11th-July-2021/

This Sunday @ St Andrew’s

10am

Join us at 10am in St Andrew’s for Holy Communion. Jonathan will be leading and preaching on Galatians 2:11-21.

Reading and Collect

Galatians 3:1-14

You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Collect for Sixth Sunday after Trinity

Merciful God,
you have prepared for those who love you
such good things as pass our understanding:
pour into our hearts such love toward you
that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises,
which exceed all that we can desire;
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.
Amen.

Taizé Service

The online Taizé service for July is still available. With readings, prayers and meditative sung worship, it’s the perfect way to find some peace and space in the stresses and strains of life.

https://cumnor.org/taize-service-july-2021/

Worship for Seniors

The June edition of our online series of Worship for Seniors is now available at https://cumnor.org/worship-for-seniors-june-2021/. William Cutting’s theme this month is “Keep moving!”.

Worship for Seniors is a new, monthly series of devotional videos for seniors and those in care homes. Each episode lasts about 15 minutes.

Worship for Seniors is also available by phone on 01865 920993, and then choosing option 2 from the menu.

Zoom Weekly Prayer Meeting

Our weekly prayer meeting continues every Monday at 10am.

Join us as we gather together online to pray for one another, our families, friends and neighbours, our parish, our nation and the world.

For more details on how to connect, see this web page.

Upcoming Worship Services

St Andrew’s @ 10am

18/7 No Service, united Church Outdoors at St Michael’s

25/7 Morning Worship (Galatians 3:1-14)

1/8 Morning Worship (John 6:1-21)

St Michael’s @ 8am

18/7 Holy Communion (1662) (Galatians 3:15-25)

St Michael’s @ 10.30am

18/7 Church Outdoors followed by APCM and Churchyard Picnic (Galatians 3: 15-25)

25/7 Big Story Sunday (John 6:1-21)

1/8 Holy Communion (Galatians 3:26-4:7)

During the pandemic St Michael’s remains open for private prayer every Monday and Friday, 9am-5pm.

Church Electoral Roll

The revised Electoral Roll is now available for review from Monday 28th June until Sunday 11th July. if you note any errors, please let me know no later than 17th July.

Jan Harris. (01865 864169)

Future uses of St Andrew’s Church building – ideas please!

With plans for the rebuilding of St Andrew’s Church progressing slowly we are increasingly focusing beyond the building project itself and talking about ways we might use the building to serve the local community, to reach out to those around with the good news of Jesus Christ, and to further his kingdom. A lot to think and pray about!

Please would you let the St Andrew’s Rebuilding Group know of any ideas you have? At the moment we are collecting all ideas, precise or vague, without worrying about things like who would run a suggested activity, for instance – the time for practicalities like that will come in due course but first we would value all your ideas. (In particular if you suggest an activity we will NOT be expecting you necessarily to run it! – so please, be as creative as you would like to be.)

Also, we had earlier thought we might arrange meetings to share ideas but with restrictions as they are we are aiming to talk individually with St Andrew’s people, and everyone else who would like to be included. So if you are able to help with the individual chats and encourage people to bring their ideas forward we would love to hear from you in that case too – do please get in touch. Thank you.

Sue Allwright (01865 864991, 07731 858714, [email protected])

APCM Vacancies

At the APCM on July 18th, we will have vacancies for Treasurer, Churchwarden, Deanery Synod, and the PCC. Please will you pray about these very important roles and whether God is calling you or someone you know to serve the Parish in these ministries?

The diocese have produced an information leaflet detailing these roles and giving some sense of what they involve. The leaflet can be downloaded from the website here. You might also want to look at the longer leaflet written for churchwardens.

APCM

This years APCM will be held in St Michael’s Church, after Church Outdoors on Sunday 18th July at 10:30am. The meeting itself will start at about 11:15am. We hope to also allow people to join the meeting via Zoom. More details next week, along with the papers and the presentation videos.
Afterwards we will have a Parish Picnic in the churchyard. Bring your own food, picnic blankets and chairs.

Please Pray For…

A new Parish treasurer and Churchwarden.
Our CMS mission partner Bia.
The St Andrew’s Rebuilding Project.
All those who remain anxious for their jobs or their future.
Those who are homeless or struggling with food poverty.
People to find a living faith in Jesus.
Everyone who leads worship, preaches or teaches in our parish.

Contacts

Sarah Evans
Parish Administrator

St Michael’s Parish Office
1, Abingdon Road,
Cumnor
OX29QN

01865 861541
[email protected]

Parish Office Hours: Mon-Thurs, 9am-1pm

Jonathan Widdess
Vicar

The Vicarage,
1, Abingdon Road
Cumnor
OX29QN