This Sunday
8am
Jonathan is leading Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer.
Capacity 50.
10:30am Church Outdoors
Come and Sing together at 10:30am on Sunday morning in St Michael’s churchyard as we meet for Church Outdoors.
Jonathan will be leading and preaching from Galatians 3:15-25.
This service will be live-streamed at https://cumnor.org/sunday-service-18th-july-2021/ – this is more challenging from the churchyard so please forbear any technical issues. A recording of the service will be available on Sunday afternoon if streaming wasn’t possible.
The service will also be available via telephone on Sunday afternoon, on our parish worship line – 01865 920993
11:30am APCM in St Michael’s
The Annual Report, papers and presentations for the APCM are now available online at https://cumnor.org/apcm-2021/
We will live-stream the meeting and the link for this is available at https://cumnor.org/apcm-2021/
It will only be possible to vote or join in if you are physically present in church.
All nominating paperwork needs to be received by Jonathan before the meeting.
In light of the current COVID levels locally, it is important to keep the meeting indoors as short as possible. To this end, we’ve again made the presentations available online in advance. Please will you submit any questions you may have in writing in advance to vicar@cumnor.org.
Face coverings need to be worn and capacity in the building will be restricted to 50 people.
Picnic Cancelled
Owing to the high number of local COVID cases at the moment, and the caution being urged on us by the Government, Sunday’s picnic in the churchyard has sadly been cancelled.
Let’s look forward to sharing food together again in better days to come!
Reading and Collect
Galatians 3:15-25
The Law and the Promise
15 Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.
21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
Children of God
23 Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
Collect for Seventh Sunday after Trinity
Lord of all power and might,
the author and giver of all good things:
graft in our hearts the love of your name,
increase in us true religion,
nourish us with all goodness,
and of your great mercy keep us in the same;
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 July edition of our online series of Worship for Seniors is now available at https://cumnor.org/worship-for-seniors-july-2021/. William Cutting’s theme this month is “The Olympic Games”.
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 until the end of July. We will then take a break in August and resume in September.
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
25/7 Morning Worship (Galatians 3:1-14)
1/8 Morning Worship (John 6:1-21)
St Michael’s @ 8am
15/8 Holy Communion (1662) (Galatians 4:21-31)
St Michael’s @ 10.30am
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.
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, susan.allwright@btinternet.com)
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.
New Safeguarding Officer
I’d like to introduce myself! I’m Kate Elliott and I’ve recently become the Parish Safeguarding officer. It’s my responsibility to continue our work in ensuring all those involved in the life of the parish are kept safe. Hopefully you will have seen my contact details in your church and be aware of my presence as a first safe place of support should you have a safeguarding concern or allegation.
Most usually, I will be supporting our volunteers to maintain safety and safeguarding through the safe recruitment for Parish clubs and activities and safe practice. I’ll be confirming DBS (Disclosure and Barring service) and setting up the statutory training required to support each volunteer. I’ll sometimes drop in to check the premise to ensure that safeguarding standards are being met.
Should you suspect or witness abuse, or someone discloses information about a safeguarding concern or allegation, or should you require support and advice regarding your Parish approved club or activity, please contact me directly at kate@motivateaction.co.uk
Please Pray For…
- The APCM on Sunday
- Those affected by COVID locally.
- 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
office@cumnor.org
Parish Office Hours: Mon-Thurs, 9am-1pm
Jonathan Widdess
Vicar
The Vicarage,
1, Abingdon Road
Cumnor
OX29QN
01865 861541
vicar@cumnor.org
Usual day off: Tuesday.
Kate Elliott
Safeguarding Officer
07782 350491