Eighth Sunday after Trinity

Welcome

Please stay for refreshments after the 10.30am service. At this service there are activities and learning for primary school aged children in the Den. The President will call them forward when it is time to join the group

Notices

Your unwanted bottle bags and autumnal coloured jumpers needed

Judith would like any unwanted, ‘dead’ jumpers or t-shirts for cutting up, please. Also, any unwanted bottle bags will be very welcome.

Wednesday Eucharist 29 July

All welcome at 10.30am.

North Farnborough Food Bank

We are pleased to support the Foodbank and want to develop this further by having regular collections for what the Food Bank needs. There is a box at the back of the church for you to place any donations. For more information please speak to Tash.

Open Church

Please note that there will not be Open Church next Friday 31 July due to a wedding taking place.

Crafty Coffee Dates to the end of the year

August 14 and 28; September 11 and 25 (Macmillan Coffee Morning); October 9 and 30; November 13 and 27; December 11.

Next Sunday 2 August

The team is taking a break in August and there will be no 8am Holy Communion and no Parish Breakfast that day.

Readings for next Sunday 2 August Ninth Sunday after Trinity

Isaiah 55.1-5; Romans 9.1-5; Matthew 14.13-21

Today's Collects and Readings

Collect

Almighty Lord and everlasting God,
we beseech you to direct, sanctify and govern both our hearts and bodies in the ways of your laws
and the works of your commandments;
that through your most mighty protection, both here and ever,
we may be preserved in body and soul;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Old Testament Reading 1 Kings 3.5-12

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, ‘Ask what I should give you.’ And Solomon said, ‘You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart towards you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today.

And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?’ It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.

God said to him, ‘Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you.

New Testament Reading Romans 8.26-39

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Gospel Matthew 13.31-33, 44-52

Jesus put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.’

He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’ ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

‘Have you understood all this?’ They answered, ‘Yes.’ And he said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.’

Post Communion Collect

Strengthen for service, Lord, the hands that have taken holy things;
may the ears which have heard your word be deaf to clamour and dispute;
may the tongues which have sung your praise be free from deceit;
may the eyes which have seen the tokens of your love shine with the light of hope;
and may the bodies which have been fed with your body be refreshed with the fullness of your life;
glory to you for ever.

Seventh Sunday after Trinity

Welcome

Please stay for refreshments after the 10.30am service. At this service there are activities and learning for primary school aged children in the Den. The President will call them forward when it is time to join the group

Notices

Your unwanted bottle bags and autumnal coloured jumpers needed

Judith would like any unwanted, ‘dead’ jumpers or t-shirts for cutting up, please. Also, any unwanted bottle bags will be very welcome.

Wednesday Eucharist 22 July

All welcome at 10.30am.

Open Church with Crafty Coffee Friday 24 July

The church will be open on Friday from 10.30am to 12noon. Come along for a cuppa and a chat., and if you do handiwork please bring that along also. All are welcome. Please note that there will not be Open Church next Friday 31 July due to a wedding taking place.

Crafty Coffee Dates to the end of the year

August 14 and 28; September 11 and 25 (Macmillan Coffee Morning);
October 9 and 30; November 13 and 27; December 11.

Sunday 2 August

The team is taking a break in August and there will be no 8am Holy Communion and no Parish Breakfast that day.

Readings for next Sunday 26 July Eighth Sunday after Trinity

1 Kings 3.5-12; Romans 8.26-39; Matthew 13.31-33, 44-52,

Today's Collects and Readings

Collect

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.

Old Testament Reading Isaiah 44.6-8

Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let them proclaim it, let them declare and set it forth before me. Who has announced from of old the things to come? Let them tell us what is yet to be. Do not fear, or be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? You are my witnesses! Is there any god besides me? There is no other rock; I know not one.

New Testament Reading Romans 8.12-25

So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh - for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption.

When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ-if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Gospel Matthew 13.24-30, 36-43

Jesus put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, “Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?” He answered, “An enemy has done this.” The slaves said to him, “Then do you want us to go and gather them?”

But he replied, “No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, ‘Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.’

He answered, ‘The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers and they will throw them into the furnace of fire. where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!

Post Communion Collect

Lord God,
whose Son is the true vine and the source of life,
ever giving himself that the world may live:
may we so receive within ourselves the
power of his death and passion
that, in his saving cup, we may share his glory
and be made perfect in his love;
for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

Sixth Sunday after Trinity

Welcome

Please stay for refreshments after the 10.30am service. At this service there are activities and learning for primary school aged children in the Den. The President will call them forward when it is time to join the group.

Notices

We have a new painting!

A huge thank you to Christina who has painted a portrait of St Mark as a gift for our church. This is a lovely addition to our beautiful building and a source of blessing to all who will see it. Have a closer look over coffee.

Your unwanted bottle bags and autumnal coloured jumpers needed

Judith would like any unwanted, ‘dead’ jumpers or t-shirts for cutting up, please. Also, any unwanted bottle bags will be very welcome.

No Wednesday Eucharist 15 July

Please note that there will be no Eucharist this Wednesday.

Open Church this Friday 17 July

The church will be open on Friday from 10.30am to 12noon. Come along for a warm cuppa and a chat. All are welcome.

Readings for next Sunday 19 July Seventh Sunday after Trinity

Isaiah 44.6-8; Romans 8.12-25; Matthew 13.24-30, 36-43,

Today's Collects and Readings

Collect

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.

Old Testament Reading Isaiah 55.10-13

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

New Testament Reading Romans 8.1-11

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law-indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.

Gospel Matthew 13.1-9, 18.23

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the lake. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up.

Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.

Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!’ ‘Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path.

As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing.

But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.

Post Communion Collect

God of our pilgrimage,
you have led us to the living water:
refresh and sustain us
as we go forward on our journey,
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Fifth Sunday after Trinity

Welcome

Please stay for refreshments after the 10.30am service. At this service, there are activities and learning for primary school-aged children in the Den. The President will call them forward when it is time to join the group

Notices

Armed Forces Weekend

A big Thank You to Colin and all who welcomed visitors last weekend and prepared for our participation in Armed Forces Weekend.

Did you know that we have a church library?

We have a variety of books of interest to everyone, from fiction, prayer, and theology, to bereavement and divorce. Please take a moment to look at our library at the back of the church. We are always updating it, so visit regularly. Please feel free to borrow a book and perhaps leave a comment on what you have read. Many thanks, Jacqui Nicol and Sally Turner

We have a new painting!

A huge thank you to Christina who has painted a portrait of St Mark as a gift for our church. This is a lovely addition to our beautiful building and a source of blessing to all who will see it. Have a closer look over coffee.

Your unwanted bottle bags and autumnal coloured jumpers needed

Judith would like any unwanted ‘dead’ jumpers or t-shirts for cutting up, please. Also, any unwanted bottle bags will be very welcome.

Wednesday Eucharist

Please note that there will be no Eucharist this Wednesday 8 July. All welcome at 10.30am.

Open Church with Crafty Coffee this Friday 10 July

The church will be open on Friday from 10.30am to 12noon. Come along for a warm cuppa and a chat. All are welcome.

Readings for next Sunday 12 July Sixth Sunday after Trinity

Isaiah 55.10-13; Romans 8.1-11; Matthew 13.1-9, 18-23

Today's Collects and Readings

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God,
by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified:
hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people,
that in their vocation and ministry
they may serve you in holiness and truth
to the glory of your name;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Old Testament Reading Zechariah 9.9-12

Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the warhorse from Jerusalem; and the battle-bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. 

As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.

New Testament reading Romans 7.15-25a

I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand.

For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh I am a slave to the law of sin.

Gospel Matthew 11.16-19, 25-30

Jesus said, ‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another, “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.” For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon”; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.’

At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

Post Communion Collect (10.30 only)

Grant, O Lord,
we beseech you,
that the course of this world
may be so peaceably ordered by your governance,
that your Church may joyfully serve you
in all godly quietness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Peter and Paul, Apostles

Welcome

Please stay for refreshments after the 10.30am service. At this service there are activities and learning for primary school aged children in the Den. The President will call them forward when it is time to join the group

Notices

A warm welcome

To everyone, and especially this morning to the families and friends of Madison Wheeler and her parents, Lucy and Jamie Wheeler, and to Ellis Mullard and his parents, Ellen and Sam Mullard. Madison and Ellis are being baptised today.

We have a new painting!

A huge thank you to Christina who has painted a portrait of St Mark as a gift for our church. This is a lovely addition to our beautiful building and a source of blessing to all who will see it. Have a closer look over coffee.

Did you know that we have a church library?

We have a variety of books of interest to everyone from fiction, prayer, and theology, to bereavement and divorce. Please take a moment to look at our library at the back of the church. We are always updating it, so visit regularly. Please feel free to borrow a book and perhaps leave a comment on what you have read. Many thanks, Jacqui Nicol and Sally Turner

Your unwanted bottle bags and autumnal coloured jumpers needed

Judith would like any unwanted, ‘dead’ jumpers or t-shirts for cutting up, please. Also, any unwanted bottle bags will be very welcome.

Armed Forces Weekend

If you haven’t had the opportunity to have a closer look the Memorial Chapel, do visit with your coffee The chapel is an official War Memorial and very beautiful. For more information please see Colin.

Wednesday Eucharist this Wednesday 1 July

All welcome at 10.30am.

Open Church this Friday 3 July

The church will be open on Friday from 10.30am to 12noon. Come along for a warm cuppa and a chat. All are welcome.

Readings for next Sunday 5 July Fifth Sunday after Trinity

Zechariah 9.9-12; Romans 7.15-25a; Matthew 11.16-19,25-30

Today's Collects and Readings

Collect

Almighty God,
whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul
glorified you in their death as in their life:
grant that your Church,
inspired by their teaching and example,
and made one by your Spirit,
may ever stand firm upon the one foundation,
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.

New Testament Reading Acts 12.1-11

About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the festival of Unleavened Bread.) When he had seized him, he put him in prison and handed him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him.

The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, ‘Get up quickly.’ And the chains fell off his wrists. The angel said to him, ‘Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.’ He did so. Then he said to him, ‘Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.’ Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel’s help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, ‘Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.’

Gospel Matthew 16.13-19

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’

Post Communion Collect

Lord God, the source of truth and love,
keep us faithful to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship,
united in prayer and the breaking of bread,
and one in joy and simplicity of heart,
in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Second Sunday after Trinity

Welcome

Please stay for refreshments after the 10.30am service. At this service there are activities and learning for primary school aged children in the Den. The President will call them forward when it is time to join the group

Notices

Bishop Paul’s Gathering for Aldershot Deanery tomorrow 7pm

A reminder that we have all been warmly invited to meet, pray and worship with Bishop Paul, Bishop of Dorking at the Bishop's Gathering for Aldershot Deanery hosted by Christ Church Cove. There will be a reception with Bishop Paul at 7pm, followed by the Bishop's Gathering which will begin at 7.30pm and conclude by 9pm. All, including young people, are welcome. We will be celebrating all that God is doing across our Deanery and discussing our next steps with Bishop Paul in his new role, so it should be an inspirational evening. Do come if you can. Anyone needing a lift to this event, please speak to Hilary.

Did you know that we have a church library?

We have a variety of books of interest to everyone from fiction, prayer, and theology, to bereavement and divorce. Please take a moment to look at our library at the back of the church. We are always updating it, so visit regularly. Please feel free to borrow a book and perhaps leave a comment on what you have read. Many thanks, Jacqui Nicol and Sally Turner

Wednesday Eucharist this Wednesday 17 June

All welcome at 10.30am.

Your unwanted bottle bags and autumnal coloured jumpers needed

Judith would like any unwanted, ‘dead’ jumpers or t-shirts for cutting up, please. Also, any unwanted bottle bags will be very welcome.

Open Church this Friday 19 June

The church will be open on Friday from 10.30am to 12noon. Come along for a warm cuppa and a chat. All are welcome.

Readings for next Sunday 21 June Third Sunday after Trinity

Jeremiah 20.7-13; Romans 6.1b-11; Matthew 10.24-39

Today's Collects and Readings

Collect

Lord, you have taught us
that all our doings without love are nothing worth:
send your Holy Spirit
and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love,
the true bond of peace and of all virtues,
without which whoever lives is counted dead before you.
Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Old Testament reading Exodus 19.2-8a

They had journeyed from Rephidim, entered the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; Israel camped there in front of the mountain. Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, ‘Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.

Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites.’ So Moses came, summoned the elders of the people, and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. The people all answered as one: ‘Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do.’ Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.

New Testament reading Romans 5.1-8

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.

Gospel Matthew 9.35-10.8

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.’ Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax-collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.

Post Communion Collect

Loving Father,
we thank you for feeding us at the supper of your Son:
sustain us with your Spirit,
that we may serve you here on earth
until our joy is complete in heaven,
and we share in the eternal banquet
with Jesus Christ our Lord.

First Sunday after Trinity

Welcome

Please stay for refreshments after the 10.30am service. At this service there are activities and learning for primary school aged children in the Den. The President will call them forward when it is time to join the group.

Notices

The Reverend Mark Rudall and The Reverend Mark Chester

Many thanks to Reverend Mark Rudall and Reverend Mark Chester for presiding and preaching at the 8 am and 10.30 am services this morning.

Wednesday Eucharist this Wednesday 10 June

All welcome at 10.30am.

Thank you from Dianna

Thank you so much to everyone for the lovely Get Well Soon card you all signed. It was personally delivered by my wonderful granddaughters. I am on the mend and look forward to seeing you all very soon.

Bishop Paul’s Gathering Monday 15 June 7pm

Bishop Paul has organised Gatherings in each deanery so that he can meet as many people as possible for an evening of prayer, worship, celebration of what God is doing in each parish and reflection on next steps. The Gathering for Aldershot Deanery will be at Christ Church, Cove. Refreshments available from 7pm for a 7.30pm start concluding by 9pm. All welcome. Anyone needing a lift to this event, please speak to Deglan, or Hilary.

Open Church this Friday 13 June

The church will be open on Friday from 10.30am to 12noon. Come along for a warm cuppa and a chat. All are welcome.

Readings for next Sunday 14 June Second Sunday after Trinity

Exodus 19.2-8a; Romans 5.1-8; Matthew 9.35-10.8

Today’s Collects and Readings

Collect

O God,
the strength of all those who put their trust in you,
mercifully accept our prayers
and, because through the weakness of our mortal nature
we can do no good thing without you,
grant us the help of your grace,
that in the keeping of your commandments
we may please you both in will and deed;
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.

Old Testament reading Hosea 5.15-6.6

I will return again to my place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face. In their distress they will beg my favour:

‘Come, let us return to the Lord; for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth.’

What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes away early. Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have killed them by the words of my mouth, and my judgement goes forth as the light. For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt-offerings.

New Testament reading Romans 4.13-25

For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, ‘I have made you the father of many nations’)—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become ‘the father of many nations’, according to what was said, ‘So numerous shall your descendants be.’ He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Therefore his faith ‘was reckoned to him as righteousness.’

Now the words, ‘it was reckoned to him’, were written not for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.

Gospel Matthew 9.9-13, 18-26

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’

But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’ While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, ‘My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.’

And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.’ Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, ‘Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And instantly the woman was made well. When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute-players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, ‘Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report of this spread throughout that district.

Post Communion Collect (10.30am only)

Eternal Father,
we thank you for nourishing us
with these heavenly gifts:
may our communion strengthen us in faith,
build us up in hope,
and make us grow in love;
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.