| In the weeks after Trinity Sunday we have been working our way through the Gospel of John in our Sunday Morning worship. We will come to an end of this series on the last Sunday of September. John’s Gospel was written by one of Jesus closest friends. He was there when many of the events that he reports happened. In the Gospel he simply refers to himself as ‘The disciple that Jesus loved.’ The Gospel is written in a very simple style that anyone can follow, but there is a depth to John’s Gospel that has always challenged saints and scholars. John builds his Gospel narrative on two structures: the seven miraculous signs that Jesus performed and a series of encounters that Jesus had with a wide variety of men and women. The purpose of the Gospel is laid out for us in chapter twenty: Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name (John 20:30-31). John wants his readers to meet Jesus through the words that he writes and the stories that he tells. As we read about the signs that Jesus did, John wants us to ask with the disciples: “Who is this man?” Who is the man who can turn water into wine and feed the crowds with someone’s packed lunch? Who is the man who can heal with a word and who death flees from in fear that it has met its match? He wants us to bring our questions and our fears, our hopes and our disappointments to Jesus and find in Him the answer to our longing for eternity. John does not give us answers nor does he tell us what to think or believe. Rather through his Gospel he brings us to Jesus. Every time I read through John’s Gospel I meet Jesus. I find healing and answers; more than this I find that the Jesus I meet in John’s Gospel is present with me. I believe that the reason that John calls himself, “the disciple that Jesus loved’ is because he wants us to see ourselves in his place. He wants us to know that we too are Jesus’ disciple - we are called and chosen by Jesus; and he wants us to know that we too are loved by Jesus. John’s Gospel is one of the most remarkable and life changing books ever written. It is an invitation to its readers to come to know Jesus, and in finding Hi to find life in all its fulness and eternity. God bless you and all those you love. 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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| “Lord teach us to pray as John taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1). I have a friend called Francis; he is a retired Anglican minister. He is gifted in mission and ministry, a bit chaotic in his admin, but what most impresses me is his prayer or rather his relationship with God. Now there are many things that I could learn from Francis, but what I most want to learn from his is the secret of that relationship. When he speaks to or about God it is not only very natural, not in any way forced or ‘religious’. He speaks to God as to a close friend; and he simply calls God, “Dad.” I guess that there was something of this happening with the disciples when they asked Jesus to teach them to pray. Jesus called God His “Abba”, His Dad. He spoke to god as to one who was always present and always available. He spoke with trust in God’s love and power whatever the circumstances. It wasn’t just Jesus’ words that impressed the disciples it was His life; specifically it was where God was in His life. They saw something unique and they wanted something like that for themselves. They too wanted to live closely with God; they wanted a deep relationship with the Father that touched every aspect of their lives every day of their lives. They wanted a faith and trust in the Father’s loving presence that no misfortune or opposition or adversity could ever break. In short they wanted the relationship with the Father here and now that they were promised was waiting for them in the eternal kingdom. They saw that it was possible because they saw that this was how Jesus lived. My prayer this summer, in preparation for the Prayer Course that we will be starting on Wednesday 11th September at 7.30pm, is the prayer of the disciples: “Lord, teach me to pray.” I want to know how to pray because I want a deeper, more real and closer relationship with God. I want something of what I saw in Francis. I want something of what the disciples saw in Jesus. The course follows the shape of the Lord’s Prayer and is for everyone. If you want to know how to pray. If you want to grow into a deeper and more trusting relationship with God, if you want to know God as your Father, your Dad who will never forsake you, and who can always be trusted, then this course is for you. If you have questions about what prayer really is or if you have known the silence of heaven when you prayed desperately, then this course is for you. If you simply want to know what to do when you are supposed to be praying, then this course is for you. I would encourage everyone who is able to come along to this course to do so. It could be the best decision that you make this year! God bless, Tim. |
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| For anyone connected to the world of education September is the start of a new year, with children getting ready for school and college after the long summer holiday. Even for those whose children or grandchildren are no involved in full time education September does feel like a new start after the summer. There are lots of weddings at St Mary’s this September. Please pray for those getting married here and for me as I conduct the wedding services, that the couples may experience more than just a beautiful venue but may be touched by the Holy Spirit at the beginning of their married lives. The PCC will meet at 7.30pm on Monday 1st September. If you have any items for the attention of the PCC please speak to one of the wardens. On Saturday 14th at 9am we will have our monthly Prayer Breakfast - all are welcome. If you have never been to a Prayer Breakfast, or if you have not managed to get along for a while you are warmly invited. The Prayer Course starts on Wednesday 11th September at 7.30pm. I would encourage everyone who is able to come along to do so. Prayer is the key to the Christina life and the mission of the Church. there are no experts in prayer, every one of us can learn more; and as we grow in prayer so we will grow in our relationship with the God who loves us. From Saturday 14th September to Friday 20th we will be welcoming visitors for the annual Heritage Open Days. On the Saturday there will be guided tours of Church at 12noon and 2pm, and the bell tower will be open for visitor. There will also be craft events for adults and young people. On Sunday 22nd September the Youth Fellowship will meet at 5pm for the first time after the summer, and at 6.30pm we will have our monthly Prayer and Praise. On Monday 23rd September we welcome our Mission Partners from High Green, Chapeltown and Grenoside for an S35 Partnership Meeting. Finally, two events on Saturday 28th September. At 4pm the Diocese will gather in Doncaster Minster to say our formal farewell to Bishop Peter. There will be an opportunity to contribute to a farewell gift - see the weekly notice sheet. In the evening at 7pm we will have a concert in Church celebrating the 50th anniversary of the moon landing by the Emley Band. It looks like a very full month at St Mary’s! Tim |
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| 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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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
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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| Safeguarding 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 |
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