Dear friends,
On 25th May 1961, President John F Kennedy announced to Congress that the United States “should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth.”
This reflected the United States’ desire to catch up with the Soviet Union in the space race. Although an extremely challenging goal, it was finally achieved on 20th July 1969, when Apollo 11 commander Neil Armstrong stepped on to the Moon’s surface.
Such a challenging mission required commitment and sacrifice from many people. What is our mandate, as the people of God in today’s world? What challenge have we been entrusted with by God that requires our absolute commitment and sacrifice in these difficult days? When Jesus ascended into heaven, His last words to His disciples were significant: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8).
Our mission is to be witnesses for Jesus, making Him known in our workplaces, to our families and friends, as well as the wider community. A credible witness speaks of what they know personally. What is your story of how Jesus has changed your life?
However, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower our witness: “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” (1:8). The Spirit enables us to display the fruit of Jesus’ character and gifts us to be effective witnesses.
“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard” (JFK, 12th September, 1962 at Rice University).
Yours with much love in Him,
Jonathan.
Rev Jonathan Widdess.
vicar@cumnor.org / 01865 863702
Here is this weeks news….
This Sunday @ St Michael’s
10:30am
Join us at 10:30am on Sunday morning in St Michael’s for Morning Worship. Jonathan will be leading and Reverend Roger Green from Tearfund will be preaching.
This service will also be live-streamed at https://cumnor.org/sunday-service-online-30th-may-2021/
Reading and Collect
Luke 10: 25-37
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ ; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ ” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?” 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Collect for Trinity Sunday
Holy God,
faithful and unchanging:
enlarge our minds with the knowledge of your truth,
and draw us more deeply into the mystery of your love,
that we may truly worship you,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Celebrating Creation
St Andrew’s are holding a special service for World Environment Day on 6th June @10am. It’s being led by Jessica Turner and Neil Clark. All very welcome.
Worship for Seniors
The May edition of our online series of Worship for Seniors is now available at https://cumnor.org/worship-for-seniors-may-2021/. William Cutting is speaking about “Basic Beliefs that keep you going”.
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.
Free book
On Easter Day, Jonathan mentioned “Amazed by Jesus”, the brilliant new book by Simon Ponsonby. We now have 10 free copies to give away to anyone who will read them and pass them on to friends if you find them helpful. Please email vicar@cumnor.org or ring 01865 863702 if interested and we will arrange delivery.
PCC Update
We had a good PCC Meeting on Wednesday this week, held once more over Zoom. Jane Myers was with us to help us to work further on a renewed vision for the Parish as we look to rebuild after the pandemic.
We allocated funds to repair the churchyard wall, and received the minutes from the Standing Committee.
Chris Evans confirmed he would be standing down as Churchwarden at the APCM in July, and that Malcolm Taylor will not be able to continue as Churchwarden unless someone else is appointed as Treasurer.
I am enormously grateful to both Malcolm and Chris for the leadership they have provided for the Parish over many year, and particularly during the storms of the past year and will miss them, although I know they remain supportive of me and deeply committed to our parish.
Please will you pray about these very important roles and whether God is calling you to serve the Parish in this way?
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.
Zoom Weekly Prayer Meeting
Our weekly prayer meeting is taking a break this Monday (31st) and will resume on Monday 7th May at 10am.
Upcoming Worship Services
St Andrew’s @ 10am
6/6 Morning Worship
13/6 Holy Communion
20/6 Morning Worship
27/6 Morning Worship
St Michael’s @ 8am
20/6 BCP Communion
St Michael’s @ 10.30am
6/6 Holy Communion
13/6 Morning Worship
20/6 Church Outdoors
27/6 Big Story Sunday
St Michael’s is open for private prayer on Monday’s and Friday’s, 9am-5pm.
Taizé Service
The May Taizé service 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-may-2021/
Church Electoral Roll
In accordance with the Church Representation Rules, the Church Electoral Roll must be revised each year. If you are not already on the roll and would like to, apply now. Please complete a form (to be found at the back of the Church or downloaded from https://cumnor.org/electoral-roll-forms/) and return to me or put the form in the box (marked Electoral Roll Forms) before Friday 25th June.
If you are unable to come to church, then please contact Sarah in the Parish Office, who will have forms. You can return your form there as well. Similarly, if you have changed your address, in the past year please complete a new form as well.
Jan Harris. (01865 864169)
Can you help Jean get mobile?
Jean Pryce-Williams is looking for a second-hand automatic car (she can not afford a new one) to keep her ministry mobile. Her beloved 20 year old car has said ‘enough is enough’! If you know of anyone who is about to part with a reliable automatic (for up to £5,000), please contact Jean on 07927 236961. Thank you.
Please Pray For…
- Staff, and pupils at Cumnor C.E. School and Matthew Arnold as the Summer Term continues.
- For David Henderson Slater and his family as he continues to undergo radiotherapy for prostrate cancer.
- For the family and friends of Francis Gavaghan who’s funeral is next Tuesday.
- 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.
- All those who are continuing to struggle with the effects of lockdown.
- 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.