What is the significance of Pentecost ? Well, is quite literally the moment that the church was born. Originally it was a Jewish celebration called the Feast of the Harvest that celebrated the early wheat harvest. Before Jesus ascended to heaven and left his disciples he told them to go to Jerusalem and wait for the helper or the Holy Spirit that he promised he would send. You can read in the New Testament in Acts Chapter 2 what happened when the Holy Spirit came in a very dramatic way and filled the disciples. It is Peter who then adresses a crowd of thousands gathered for the Festival and empowered by the Holy Spirit he proclaims the gospel. The result of his message was that three thousand people were baptised. Pretty powerful stuff for an uneducated fisherman from Galilee!This is why Christians still celebrate Pentecost. In St. Mary's on Sunday we will be celebrating this very special day with a service of Holy Communion at 10 am led by our Rural Dean the Rev. Ian Cardnal.
Read the latest news from the Church of England over concerns about memorials in our churches which have links to slavery and of the first planned meeting of the General Synod, ' in person' since the lockdown. Plus news of their new booklet published to help those who are struggling with their mental health. Church family news and look whose been celebrating their birthdays recently !!This weeks bible passage from John's gospel are words from the High Priestly prayer. They are said by Jesus as he prays for his diciples as the culmination of his earthly ministry reaches a climax and soon he will no longer be with them . Nicky Beasley writes , as Jesus prays for his Father to care and protect them as believers they are prayers for us too. As Jesus is now ascended to heaven and as our great High Priest we can be assured that Jesus now intecedes for us on our behalf. What reassurance.This weeks prayers have been written by Julie Leweney
Read about the new pilgrimage route St. Sigfrids way named after the 11 th Century pilgrim, which passes through the diocese starting in York and finishing in Vaxjo, Sweden .Join Bishop Michael as he walks with the pilgrims later this month . The service sheet for this Sunday includes prayers written by Denise Snowball.
In this weeks edition there are details about the latest book written by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell entitled," Prayer : Where to start and how to keep going ". Read about what the Jesus prayer is and what Stephen says about it and how using it can bring calmness when we might be feeling anxious or worried. ' Getting Ready ,' the title of our new bible study which begins this Tuesday evening 7pm via zoom . Come along and join us as we start to prepare for our new incumbent that we hope will be in post soon!This weeks prayers have been written by Frank Mugglestone.
