Pray
Lord, quieten
me, as I place in your hands those
for whom I want to pray. I know that you love
them with a love greater than I could ever
imagine.
In the
stillness I am here, with you, for them. Use me, Lord.
Introduction
You could get quite depressed
when you look around at the world and see such a pitiful state of affairs and
the inability of good people to bring about change and stop violence and wrong.
Yet we Christians should not be surprised at our inability to make everything
lovely. Jesus never promised to us that we would establish his rule on earth.
Indeed it is made quite plain that God's kingdom is not a kingdom established
upon this earth, with power and authority. Christians are not supposed to set
up an earthly country.That does not mean that God is not at work in this world.
There is change and growth going on all the time, but the growth of the kingdom
is imperceptible. You have to look for it very carefully and to those who lack
the eyes of faith, it will be impossible to see. However those who follow the
master will never underestimate the power of God. They belong not to this world
but to a world to come, their country is not an earthly state but the kingdom
which is growing soul by soul and silently.
And there's another country, I've heard of long
ago,
most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;
we may not count her armies, we may not see her King;
her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;
and soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
and her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace.
most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;
we may not count her armies, we may not see her King;
her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;
and soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
and her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace.
Services this Sunday June 14th
Trinity 2 - Magna Carta
8.00 Holy Communion Long Crendon JW
10.00 Morning Celebration Chearsley Lay Led + Tearfund
10.00 Matins Nether W RS
10.30 Sung Eucharist Long Crendon JW + John Hooper
6.00 Evensong Chearsley JW
Saturday July 4th
Concert in Chearsley. Meadowsong
at Long Meadow.
Following
the success of this great Chearsley family event in 2013, Paul and Laura are
returning this Summer to perform for us on the 4th of July – with a great “ye
Hah flavour!
American
burgers, hot-dogs, chocolate brownies (just like Mom used to make) and ice
cream will all be on sale, and “the Six Bells Saloon Bar” will be well-stocked
with Uncle Sam’s finest beers.
Tickets
available from Joy and Alicia. £15 per adult. Children Free.
All proceeds
will go to the church bells fund.
There are several hundred books in St. Marys from my bookshelves. You are welcome to any - for free! JW
Meditation
Joyce Ann Zimmerman writes, ‘Much of what we
do successfully every day depends upon our cooperation with others. Making
visible God's kingdom is first of all the work of God, but isn't it wonderful
that God chooses to invite us to cooperate in this great work!’
Today’s reading demonstrates that as
ambiguous as God’s Kingdom may seem, we have a responsibility to work alongside
God to bring about it’s coming on earth. Sometimes how we do this may seem
insignificant, as small as a mustard seed, but God can take our lowly and
seemingly small efforts, a brief word spoken, a small act of kindness, a hand
of friendship, and from these, do what on our own would have been unimaginable.
With God, all things are possible, even if from minuscule and small beginnings.
The Kingdom of God is living and growing, and we are an integral part of its
evolution and revelation.
A Summer thought
"The mind that comes to rest is tended / In ways that it cannot intend."
poet-farmer Wendell Berry. 'Sabbath',
"The mind that comes to rest is tended / In ways that it cannot intend."
poet-farmer Wendell Berry. 'Sabbath',
‘May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not
forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those
gifts you have received and pass on the love that has been give to you. May you
be content knowing that you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into
your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.’
For the full pew sheet follow this link
