Dear all

Tomorrow (Thursday 18 May) is Ascension Day. It marks 40 days from Easter Day and is celebrated by many Christians as the day that Jesus ascended into heaven.

The story of the Ascension is found in three places in the Bible; The Gospel of Luke, The Acts of the Apostles, and the Gospel of Mark. It is clearly an important event, and one of very few, if any, that occur in both a Gospel and a subsequent New Testament book. As such it is really a pivot point - it is the point in the story of the beginnings of the Christian faith that Christians had to fly 'solo', so to speak.

The Acts of the Apostles takes the story of the Ascension and continues it into 'what happens next'. Jesus has told them to wait in Jerusalem for the arrival of the Holy Spirit, which he tells them will arrive 'not many days from now' (Acts 1:5).

This they do, waiting and praying, and preparing, for something that they have no idea about. All they know is that the Holy Spirit is coming.

Standing from this side of history we know that that period turned out to be 10 days. The day of Pentecost coming 10 days after The Ascension. Jesus' followers, gathered as requested in an upper room in Jerusalem, were suddenly surrounded and filled with the Spirit and from that point, and not before, began their new ministry.

As we echo those days over the coming 1 1/2 weeks spend some time in prayer discerning where God may be working in your life. Don't look for the expected, but rather be prepared for the unexpected. Spend time with the difficult things, and in the difficult places, and open your hearts and minds to God's wonderful works.

You may like to access these resources for this period:

Thy Kingdom Come 2023 | Thy Kingdom Come

SERVICES

Ascension Day

Ascension Day is on Thursday 18th May. We will have a special evening service of Holy Communion at 7pm in St Mary Magdalene to celebrate The Ascension. All Welcome. The APCM for Cricket Malherbie will be held from 6pm before the service.

Sunday 21st May

10am - Morning Worship with APCM - St Stephen's, Winsham; Rev'd Philip

10am - Holy Communion - St John's, Tatworth; Rev'd Judith

6:30pm - Service of Light - St Mary's, Thorncombe

BIBLE STUDY EVENINGS - Easter to Pentecost

The next bible study evening is tonight at 7:30pm here in the Vicarage.

This week we are looking at Acts 1:13-26

The Vicarage is at 3 Home Farm, Tatworth, TA20 2SH. To find us it is by far the easiest to park at St John's church, cross the road and walk down School Lane (road opposite the church) about 50metres - Home Farm is the driveway on the left.

Next week the bible study is on Thursday 25th May at 7:30 and will be looking at Pentecost.

IN BLOOM!

The 27th - 29th May sees the return of the Bienniel Chaffcombe Flower Festival. There is a full programme of events across the 3 days at various venues in the village.

PRAYERS

Please hold in your prayers all you know who are struggling in any way, in body, mind or spirit. We are asked to pray by name for:

Dave Boyland; Terri Boyland; Sheila Clement; Wendy Cotton; Jan Knott; Mary Marsh; Tony Taylor; Margaret Bandy; Dorothy White, Di Nicholls, Hester Down, Stella Hutchison; Oskar Lee; Margaret Shields; Andrew de Pury; Frank Long; Cyril Larcombe; Valerie Palmer, Ron Bone; Bob Stacey, Lynn Ranson, Keith Legge, Margaret Golesworthy, Sonyia Garland.

We remember all those whom we love but see no longer; particularly at this time: Ken Johnson (funeral held in St John's on 9 May); Tony Meech (funeral held in St Stephen's on 11 May); Joan England (funeral held in St John's on 5 May), Jackie Scott (funeral held today in St John's); Nan Austin (funeral in St John's on 8th June); Michael Jeanes (funeral in St Mary Magdalene's on 31st May); Bob Stacey (funeral arrangements to be confirmed); Norman Loveridge (funeral at Taunton Crematorium on 6th June); Fred Strawbridge.

A Prayer for Ascension:

Risen Christ,
you have raised our human nature to the throne of heaven:
help us to seek and serve you,
that we may join you at the Father’s side,
where you reign with the Spirit in glory,
now and for ever.

Amen.

Blessings

Philip

The Reverend Philip Butcher

Rector - Two Shires Benefice (Tatworth, Thorncombe, Winsham, Chaffcombe & Cricket Malherbie)

The Vicarage

3 Home Farm

Tatworth

Chard

TA20 2SH

01460 221286

PASTORAL EMAILS - please to: [email protected]

HOME PRAYER & WORSHIP: https://twoshires.wordpress.com

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