| We are privileged to have in St Mary’s, just by the side door, one of the most important historical artefacts in the area. It is the shaft of a pre-Saxon Standing Cross. The first Church built on the site of St Mary’s would have been a small wooden building, used mainly by the monks for their daily prayers. Larger gatherings would have been outside the building - the people would gather at the Cross. Every time I enter St Mary’s and see the shaft of the cross it reminds me that Christian prayer and worship have been offered on this site for over a thousand years. It reminds me of those who have come here to pray and worship, to be baptised or married, or to be remembered after their deaths. It also reminds me that the Gospel is not simply for one time or one people, but that the Gospel of Christ is universal. It is God’s good news for every person whoever they are, wherever they come from, whatever their history. Paul emphasised this universal application of the Gospel when he wrote: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female; for all of you are one in Christ” (Galatians 3:28). When I see the Cross it also reminds me that so much has changed over the course of the centuries. The way in which the Church has organised its life and worship has changed many many times over the centuries as the circumstances in which it is called to witness and worship have changed. As we know we are living in a time of change. We are challenged about how we organise our life and ministry to meet new situations. We are challenged about how we reach our nation with the Gospel of Christ; how we organise worship in a way that speaks to the lives of our neighbours. What does not change is the Gospel that the Church’s life and worship point to, that in Jesus God is reaching out to the world with love and mercy, with healing and grace. Church is not a hobby for a small group of people. It is God’s good news for all. We, as the Church are entrusted with this treasure. Paul, writing to the Corinthians speaks of the Good News of Christ as God’s treasure which is entrusted to the Church. “We keep this treasure,” he writes “in clay jars” (2 Corinthians 4:7). The jars - our style of worship, the way we organise ourselves as the Church, are not important. What matter is the treasure that we carry, God’s good news for all people. In our generation we have been handed on the baton of faith, the same faith that St Mary’s Church has witnessed to over many centuries. Who will we pass it on to? How will we ensure that the Gospel is heard? What will we have to do to ensure that the same Gospel speaks to God’s people today, that it meets them and speaks into their lives? In Christ we are given hope, a sure and certain hope, not for ourselves, but for those who have no hope in this life. Our calling and our responsibility is to make sure that this Gospel of God’s love and salvation in Christ is heard afresh in our generation. This is our calling and our challenge. we live in times of change, but God has not changed; God’s love and grace have not changed. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. God bless, Tim |
| Following Jesus; Celebrating Life; Welcoming All We are here to help people love and worship God. We aim to be, and encourage others to become, committed and active disciples of Jesus, who love God and worship him, who know the power of the Holy Spirit and who show God’s love in every part of their lives. |
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| Prayer for the month |
| Thought for the month |
| Below you will find extracts from this month's Parish Magazine First Words..., A Prayer for the Month & A Thought for the Month |
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| The Twenty Third Psalm is one of the most loved and prayed prayers in history. It is the subject of hymns and worship songs as well as countless sermons. It was written by or for David, the Shepherd who became a king and who recognised in his own experience of caring for the family flock something of God’s care for the people. The idea that the king should be the shepherd of his people, modelled on both David and on God distinguished the people of Judea from the surrounding nations. The king does not simply have authority and power. He also has responsibility. the king has obligations to the people that he rules. He is held to account by God. The idea is that the king leads and guides the people on behalf of God; that God is the true ruler of the people, and the king reigns for and on behalf of God. After a series of disastrous kings who cared nothing for the nation, but rather exploited God’s people. God said through the prophet Ezekiel, “I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep” (Ezekiel 34:15). This promise was fulfilled in Jesus the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). Psalm 23 is a prayer that I return to time and time again. It reminds me that God is always with me and always has been. I have faced nothing alone. As I look back on my life it is often only in the looking back that I can see God at work, leading, guiding, caring, pursuing me through the days of my life. As I look back and see God with me, so I can look to the future with confidence that even when I am brought to a place of desolation and despair God will be with me. Psalm 23 is a prayer for the pilgrimage of our lives. It is for this reason that it is so often prayed - or sung at funeral services. It is a prayer of trust and hope in God at all times and seasons of our lives. God bless, Tim |
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| I cannot believe that it is almost July! After the wettest June that I, or anyone else can remember, let’s pray for a warm and sunny July and August. The schools will soon break up for the long summer holidays and many of us will find time to get away for rest and refreshment and hopefully sunshine. There are rotas in the Church porch for those who are able to sign up to Church-sit so that we can have the Church open during the summer months. Please have a look and see if you are able to help with this. On Monday 1st July at 7.30pm the PCC meets. If you have any matter that you wish to have raised, please let Tim or one of the wardens know. On Sunday 7th July from 12 noon until 3pm the Outreach Team will be putting on ‘Lunch with Fun’ after the morning service. Tickets are still available. The Healing & Prayer Ministry team are meeting on Monday 8th July 7.30pm in Church for a time of prayer, worship and reflection. Prayer Breakfast will be on Saturday 13th July from 9am - all welcome. Also, at that time the Diocesan Synod will be meeting at All Saints Woodlands. Please pray for our Church and our Diocese, for our mission and our ability to reach out with the hope of the Gospel of Christ. On Monday 22nd July at 7.30pm the Mission & Discipleship Team will meet in Church. On Sunday 28th July The Mother’s Union will be hosting an Afternoon Tea in Church followed by a ‘Songs of Praise’ service at 6.30pm. Finally, during July the Discipleship Explored course continues at 7.30pm on Wednesday evenings in Church. God Bless Tim |
| Twitter - keep in touch with Tim Gill @RevTimGill |
| The Knave and South Aisle roof works are now complete Our Thanks to all those involved in the works and particularly to the Heritage Lottery Fund and its supporters for their generous contribution. Thanks also to Ecclesfield Feoffees for their contribution to the work done on the North Aisle roof |
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A prayer for St Mary's for 2019
Heavenly Father,
Your son Jesus Christ has called us into His Church here at St Mary's.
Pour out upon us your Holy Spirit:
that we may worship you with all our hearts and minds;
that we may love one another as Christ has loved us;
and that we may be fruitful in your service.
Help us to grow as a Church in faith, in hope and in love;
and add to our number those whom you are calling,
that as a bigger Church we may do bigger work for your glory.
Amen
Heavenly Father,
Your son Jesus Christ has called us into His Church here at St Mary's.
Pour out upon us your Holy Spirit:
that we may worship you with all our hearts and minds;
that we may love one another as Christ has loved us;
and that we may be fruitful in your service.
Help us to grow as a Church in faith, in hope and in love;
and add to our number those whom you are calling,
that as a bigger Church we may do bigger work for your glory.
Amen
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| The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters. He shall refresh my soul and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; you have anointed my head with oil and my cup shall be full. Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. |
| Safeguarding at St. Mary's |
| The Parish of St Mary’s Church Ecclesfield is committed to high standards in the safeguarding care of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Our Safeguarding Officer is Andrea Whittaker , who can be contacted by email: andreajane.aw@gmail.com Our Parish Safeguarding Policy with further information can be read in full by following this link Safeguarding at St. Mary’s - Ecclesfield |