Pew Sheet - 17th May 2015

For the full pew sheet follow this link

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. 
Psalm 16:11

Meditation

Jesus told his disciples that they must not leave Jerusalem. They must wait for the transforming gift of the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit the church must stay at home and wait, because it is just not worthwhile bothering. With the Holy Spirit things will be

remarkable, a total change. 

          Our Church today is called to proclaim the good news of forgiveness and reconciliation, and the hope of newness that is given voice in the resurrection itself. It is a grand vision of being God's people, God's agents of transformation in the world. The mission of the church here is nothing less than to go into the world as God's people, and proclaim a subversive, transforming message about a suffering God who calls anyone without discrimination to respond.

There is a clear realisation from the very beginning that we simply cannot do what God has called us to do on any level without God's help. That enabling power for which the disciples are told to wait is not something they can generate or make happen by their own efforts. It is a gift of God, in his own time and in his own way. Perhaps on this Sunday after Ascension, we can remember that the church cannot be the church without the power of the Holy Spirit enabling Jesus' followers to carry out their task as witnesses. Jesus makes it clear that the church is the church only when it has waited until it has been clothed with power from on high. 

Services May 17th

8.00      Holy Communion   Long Crendon            JW

9.00      Holy Communion   Chearsley                   JW

10.00    Family Service       Nether Winchendon   JW

10.30    Family Service       Long Crendon            RC

12.00    Holy Baptism         Chearsley                   JW

3.00      Holy Baptism         Long Crendon            JW

Services May 24th

8.00      Holy Communion   Long Crendon            JW
10.00    Family Service       Chearsley                   JS
10.30    Sung Eucharist      Long Crendon            RC
6.00      Evensong              Nether Winchendon    TBC

Leading your Church into Growth - Friday 15th May

Please come to a meeting at Church House on Friday 15^th May at 7.45 for 8.00 pm for all people associated with St Mary’s to consider how we might all contribute to ‘Leading our Church into Growth’.

There will be presentations from the four who attended the recent Diocesan four day course, with a time for questions.

It would help to know how many are coming so please RSVP

to Robert (01844 20 20 60) or needlecottage@btinternet.com

Men's Breakfast - Sat 16th May

"Transforming Lives - from the world's toughest places to our own hearts and minds"

Justin Byworth

Justin has worked in international development for over 25 years with the Christian humanitarian organisation World Vision, in a wide range of roles in Asia, Africa and the UK. World Vision is one of  the world's largest humanitarian organisations, bringing hope to millions of the world's most vulnerable children in nearly 100 countries. Justin will be sharing stories from his experiences across the world and how these have shaped his own life, faith and family.

Justin is married to Mischka, an Oxford University counsellor; they have four adult and teenage children, and live near Oxford. He is an active member of his local church, keen mountain walker, runner, writer and football supporter.

 

Saturday 16th May 2015
The Barns Centre, Thame OX9 3AJ

  Cooked breakfast and talk starting 7.45am

To book your place:

e-mail: chris@theracklyefts.co.uk
  or call: 01844 698498

by Wednesday 13th  May 

£6 payable on the door

Pew Sheet - 10th May 2015

For the full pew sheet, follow this link

You are not too bad to come in nor too good to stay out (Notice on church door)

An atheist is a person with no invisible means of support.

Introduction

At the start of a wedding we often use the words from 1 John 4:16

'God is love and those who live in love live in God, and God lives in them'

These are beautiful words and they are important not just at weddings. They express the conviction that love and God come close to being interchangeable terms. When we experience real love, then we experience God. Giving and receiving love are divine acts. When we share love with others we experience God, love makes God present. This is something which Jesus showed in his life as he loved people and encouraged us to love. It is Love which lies at the heart of the universe, the power which holds all things together. It is a Love that will not let us go and will not let us down. It is a Love in which we are all enfolded.

Don’t forget! It happens every Thursday in Church House, Long Crendon.

10.30 – 12.00. Lovely ground coffee and delicious home made cakes. ALL welcome.

Services this week

8.00     Holy Communion        Long Crendon    (JW)

10.00   Matins                         Nether Winchendon       (RSB)

10.00   Morning Celebration   Chearsley

10.30   Sung Eucharist           Long  Crendon   (JW)

6.00     Evensong                   Chearsley           (JW)

Rock Solid Camp

The Rock Solid youth group had a fun night camping on bank holiday Sunday.  The thunderstorm departed just in time and we pitched our tents.  Everyone helped to collect firewood and start a blazing fire over which we cooked our banquet of corn on the cobs, baked beans in their tins, jacket potatoes, burnt pasties and loads of sausages. Marshmallows, strawberries and bananas and chocolate finished the feast off nicely.  A bed time story from Giles and a quick game of hide and seek in the dark ended the evening. 
In the morning we were all treated to the site of an elegant deer running across our paddock, a beautiful blue sky and warm sunshine.