Bowland Benefice
Pews News 13 August 2023
Collect for 10th Sunday after Trinity
Let your merciful ears, O Lord,
be open to the prayers of your humble servants;
and that they may obtain their petitions
make them to ask such things as shall please you;
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. Amen

This week in the Benefice
Sunday
13 August 10.30am Benefice Holy Communion in Upton Snodsbury
Monday
14 August 12.00noon Meet and Eat in The Parish Room, White Ladies Aston £5.
Tuesday
15 August 12.00noon Wedding of Olivia Wiles and Robert Mitchell in Upton Snodsbury
Sunday
20 August
11th after Trinity 10.30am Benefice Holy Communion in White Ladies Aston

We send best wishes to Olivia and Robert, back in the UK from Australia, getting married on Tuesday in St Kenelm’s church, Upton Snodsbury.
May they, their families and friends have a happy day of celebration and may Olivia and Robert have joy, good health and happiness in their life together during the years to come.

A thought about marriage….
Friendship by Judy Bielicki
It is often said that it is love that makes the world go round. However, without doubt, it is friendship which keeps our spinning existence on an even keel.

True friendship provides so many of the essentials for a happy life—it is the foundation on which to build an enduring relationship, it is the mortar which bonds us together in harmony, and it is the calm, warm protection we sometimes need when the world outside seems cold and chaotic.

True friendship holds a mirror to our foibles and failings, without destroying our sense of worthiness. True friendship nurtures our hopes, supports us in our disappointments, and encourages us to grow to our best potential.

Bride and Groom came together as friends. Today, they pledge to each other not only their love, but also the strength, warmth and, most importantly, the fun of true friendship.

A little Summer Meditation……
A quote from a book written in the mid 1970’s called Something More by an American author Katherine Marshall who I found helpful, well over forty years ago! It is comfort but also a challenge – to be all the time what you want to be for God and your community.

The Light of God surrounds me,
The Love of God enfolds me,
The Power of God protects me,
The Presence of God watches over me,
Wherever I am –
GOD IS.

A Prayer…….
Lord God,
we put ourselves into Your hands,
and pray that You will bless us and our families
during these wonderful weeks of summer.
May we all help make our home places of relaxation, joy, love, peace and safety.
May we be generous and considerate,
not thinking only about ourselves,
but helping others
enjoy the blessings of summertime.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

…….and a thought for the coming week
We are all unique.
God invites each one of us to offer our gifts – and our weakness –in his service.
We come into his church building to be blessed; we leave it in order to be a blessing for others, wherever we travel and whatever we are doing.

This week sees the publication of A Level results and the following week, GCSE results. We send love and best wishes to all young people who are expecting results and who are now contemplating and maybe stressing, over the next stage in life.

It’s the Summer holidays!
Children are at home all day and parents can find the 6 weeks without free school meals and school breakfast clubs so difficult. It is a struggle for many parents to provide food for their children. A scenario that is almost too dreadful to contemplate.

Both the Worcester and Pershore Food Banks are in urgent need of tinned foods, sanitary goods, UHT milk and fruit juices – in fact almost anything. Their websites have detailed lists of what is required. If in doubt, money and supermarket gift tokens are always especially welcome.

Donations can be left in Peopleton Church and at The Pantry, Peopleton and in Supermarkets too.