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
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.

With our love and prayers

Peter and Sue

Some prayers

Loving God
Bless us all, particularly now.
Particularly when we are comforting others
Particularly when we are offering hope
particularly when people are isolated
Particularly when we feel overwhelmed ourselves
Particularly when we are afraid.
Help us to remember that you are right here, now in the midst of us
Calling us by name.
Amen.

Prayers about the outbreak

Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ,
you taught us to love our neighbour,
and to care for those in need
as if we were caring for you.
In this time of anxiety, give us strength
to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick,
and to assure the isolated
of our love, and your love,
for your name’s sake.
Amen.

God of compassion,
be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation.
In their loneliness, be their consolation;
in their anxiety, be their hope;
in their darkness, be their light;
through him who suffered alone on the cross,
but reigns with you in glory,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

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
I think Jesus must have felt like this on the cross when suddenly the society that had felt His love

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
So whatever our experience God loves us through others around us and in these times of isolation Jesus has not forgotten us. Jesus rose again after His death and brought the most amazing gift of life love and joy into the presence of His disciples. His words were simply Shalom – peace love and wholeness and a fulfilling life be with you. Enjoy your day we know each other’s presence as a church and community even though we can’t be present together we still celebrate the worship of our loving, sacrificial Saviour living in our hearts, drawing us together in love.

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