Pew Sheet
United Benefice of St Bartholomew Lower Cam with Coaley
Please find below messages from Revd Sue and Revd Peter with love and support during this difficult time. You are all very much in our prayers There will no Church services until further notice – if you have an email address please contact us so we can keep you fully updated. Dear good folk These words may be comforting to you at this time. The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms” Deuteronomy 33:27 As we move into uncertain times. We wanted to let you know that although there are no church services we are available by phone, email and even face to face so long we keep six feet apart!!! Our churches are shut now. It must have seemed strange not to have gone to Church on Sunday or perhaps you have been self isolated in your own home. Unfortunately we can no longer keep the church open for prayer. So we will make up for that in sending you material by post, such as these services and a planned resource for Palm Sunday and Easter. All other Easter services are cancelled. We hope the enclosed worship booklet will help you to continue with a pattern of prayer and worship. We will be posting something to you every couple of weeks to keep in touch. If you have occasional access to internet you could try the ‘Love life love lent’ or the Tear Fund ‘Alive’ apps. They can be emailed. We have posted several things on the face book site for you. These postings are for members only, but if you know of church members who are not on face book or email or both please can you keep them appropriately informed. An example of this is a video reflection by Peter and some poems by Sue. If you can get occasional internet access please take a look on www.stbartholomewcoaley.org.uk website or on https://www.facebook.com/stbartslowercam/videos/199766651471792/ Our main concern is that you are all managing with your particular circumstances and we hope that you keep well. If you need pastoral support do not hesitate to contact Sue on 01453 542547 or Peter on the number below or 01453 546703. Sarah is still available for her usual roles. We can also refer you if you have other practical needs through the GL11 community support scheme, the GL11 number which will activate a community volunteer is 01453 548530. In Coaley support is available through the Community Shop. The Lord bless you With our love and prayers Peter and Sue
Some prayers Loving God Prayers about the outbreak Keep us, good Lord, Lord Jesus Christ, God of compassion,
Reflections on Jn 19v25-27 Hello, greetings to you all in these unprecedented times! We miss you. Corona virus is pictured on our screens as a spikey, slightly menacing but colourful molecule spinning round in the background, but in essence it is invisible to the naked eye and has become our unseen enemy. We can prove if it has infected us, but we don’t know where, or in whom it is lurking and it has spread its influence of fear and destruction and worry across our communities so that we are social distancing away from each other, endangering the social structures of love, family, identity, purpose, dignity and equality that keep us together. In social isolation we feel rejected. The love of Jesus and compassion in acts of healing and teaching had turned on Him stripping Him of His dignity and forcing a cruel injury and death upon Him. He was not afraid or bitter, but He suffered terribly and eventually died. BUT on that cross Jesus spotted two people who had been hurt in the recent events. One was Mary His Mum and the other described as the disciple Jesus loved- John. Looking up they felt helpless at Jesus suffering and their personal loss and sorrow at events which had got out of their control, they felt helpless and grief stricken. But Jesus knew the power of sacrificial love and uttered these simple words of encouragement and deep compassion to Mary, ”Women here is your Son” God’s presence Revd. Sue can be contacted on 01453 542547 or susangreatorex@btinternet.com Revd. Peter Fewings 07795206590 ptfewings@gmail .com Please contact Sarah for admin etc at sarah.st.barts.cam.coaley@gmail.com or call 0787 296 8097
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