Dear Friends,Puzzled by Halloween? Why not make contact with the day that started it all-All Saints’Day, 1st November? All Saints’ , often called All Hallows in days gone by, is the origin ofHalloween as the Eve of All Hallows. There will be a Eucharist in Church on Wednesday1st November at the usual time of 10.30am to observe a major day in the ChristianCalendar. It’s a feast of not of darkness and fear, but a day to celebrate all the good peoplewho have lived who have been burning and shining lights reflecting the light of the RisenChrist in their lives. Why not bring a pumpkin with a cross cut into it, or a smiling, kindlyface, to witness to the real meaning of this time?Most of us are simply saints in the making. There’s a long way to go before we get there.That’s why the following day is so comforting-All Souls’. That day we pray, knowing thatour journey and the journey taken by those we have loved and lost, continues beyond thislife, as Christ’s power to save is not thwarted by death, his own human death, or ours. Hisnew life of Easter can bring us all to the mansions of the Father’s House. Eucharist onThursday 2nd November at 10.30am.Remembrance Sunday is 12th. November. This annual event is well attended and includesa two- minutes silence and a special anthem by the choir. We welcome the First ShipleyScout Group each year as they observe one of their biggest events in the year, and we arevery pleased to have the youngsters, their leaders and parents with us. It remainsimportant to acknowledge the contribution of those who fought and died in two WorldWars, and in wars since then, and to acknowledge the ongoing grief of so many who overthe years continue to feel the loss of someone close. As the names are read out, weremember the losses sustained by so many local families, and also pray for peace, whichseems as elusive as ever.The following Sunday, 19th November, is a Family Service Sunday. The Family Servicewas revived after Covid in January. One of the aims is that it is a service to which familiescan be invited, and in particular, families with no existing Church connection can beinvited, as a way of beginning to grow the Church. So have a think about which familiesyou could invite to come on 19th November, usual time, 10am. Later that day, at 6pm, wewill have Sung Evensong to round off the day of worship, and indeed to round off thewhole series of Ordinary Sundays, before Christ the King on Sunday 26th November,followed by Advent which begins a new Church Year.Your friend and parish priestChris
Shipley Church Self-ServiceThird Sunday of Easter 18th April 2021Thought for the Week – Jesus appears to the disciplesJesus appears again to the disciples, after encountering some of his followers travelling on a road to the village of Emmaus a few kilometres from Jerusalem. At first they’re terrified at the sight of him, and need convincing that Jesus isn’t a ghost. But they have a meal together – an understandably civilised thing to do, often alluded to during Jesus’ life – and are persuaded that he is who he is. In his presence, they begin to grasp the deep truths about his fulfillment of scripture, and with joy and enthusiasm begin preparing themselves to become witnesses to their Messiah, and to focus on their new calling. (Luke 24: 36-48) It’s still quite hard to believe, isn’t it, that the only man in the world ever to rise from the dead invites us to come to him just as we are, and in the simplest of ways, to gather in Communion with him at his table. We take bread, and eat, and give thanks for everything we can’t quite comprehend about Easter. We share in it, and follow in the footsteps of those first disciples in making Jesus known to the world. Hymn for the Day Be still, for the presence of the Lord, The Holy One is here; Come, bow before him now, With reverence and fear. In him no sin is found, we stand on holy ground. Be still, for the presence of the Lord, The Holy One is here. Prayer for TodayGive unto us, O Lord, that quietness of mind in which we can hear you speaking to us, for your own name’s sake, that we may glorify you both in speech and in silence through Jesus Christ our Lord. Note: The Gospel and Readings set for today can be downloaded from the top right of this page.
Shipley Church Self-ServiceSecond Sunday of Easter 11th April 2021Thought for the Week – You may believe that Jesus is the ChristThe Apostle Thomas, refused to believe that the resurrected Jesus had appeared to ten of the other apostles without witnessing the event for himself. Thomas’ doubt had a purpose. He wanted to know the truth. His doubt was not due to a lack of faith, but demonstrated a desire to have his faith founded in fact, not fancy. Doubt and uncertainty have been unmistakeable characteristics of the Corona Virus Pandemic. Such human struggle with doubt, never goes unrecognised by Jesus who invites us to believe in him as our Saviour, even if we’ve not necessarily seen him with our own eyes. (John 20: 19-31) Our hymn today “Amazing Grace” has been a firm favourite with Christians everywhere for many years. It was written by a former 18th century slave trader, John Newton, whose gradual and difficult journey of conversion led him to become a deeply committed hymn writer. He found his own “route map out of lockdown” and taught about the infallibility of Jesus’s promises however tired or anxious we become, or with whatever misgivings or distrust we are afflicted.Hymn for the Day Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found; Was blind, but now I see.Special Prayer for the DayWe remember in particular this day the life and death of HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, gather all those unto you who die in faith and may light perpetual shine upon them. We also pray for the Her Majesty the Queen. comfort her of Lord in her time of mourning and bless her this day and always. Amen.Prayer for the DayLord, we’re not able to see you face to face, but as we trust, as we yield, as we wait, and as we wonder – help us to remember the sadness and anger of those who unknowingly cast aside your gifts of faith, hope and love. Note: The Gospel and Readings set for today can be downloaded from the top right of this page.
