This Week’s Special Prayer
Lord God, your Son left the riches of heaven and became poor for our sake: when we prosper save us from pride, when we are needy save us from despair, that we may trust in you alone; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Luke 6:46–49
What good is it to mouth the words, “Lord! Lord!” if you don’t live by My teachings? What matters is that you come to Me, hear My words, and actually live by them. If you do that, you’ll be like the man who wanted to build a sturdy house. He dug down deep and anchored his foundation to solid rock. During a violent storm, the floodwaters slammed against the house, but they couldn’t shake it because of solid craftsmanship. It was built upon rock. On the other hand, if you hear My teachings but don’t put them into practice, you’ll be like the careless builder who didn’t bother to build a foundation under his house. The floodwaters barely touched that pathetic house, and it crashed in ruins in the mud.
Colossians 1:24-2:7
I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me.
For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me face to face. I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I am saying this so that no one may deceive you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, and I rejoice to see your morale and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
August Calendar
Mondays to Fridays: 8am to 6pm Sunflowers Holiday Club
7 August — Sunday
11.15am Together for Communion where Chris W continues our summer theme with the mystery of Jesus our Rock
8 August — Monday
Sarah has a variety of meetings today across the Cluster, including supporting Rev Rosie at St Nicholas at 5.30pm for the wedding of Olivia and Adrian
10 August — Wednesday
10am Together for Summer midweek communion at St Barnabas
11.45am Garden Church: midweek fellowship over a cuppa in the Vicarage garden, using the Forty Days of Summer reflections
5-8pm Pastoral Surgery: Sarah is at St Barnabas this week meeting with wedding and baptism families
11 August — Thursday
2.30pm Funeral of Margaret Willmott at the crematorium
14 August — Sunday
10am Sarah is at St Barnabas first
11.15am Together for Communion, as Cary brings reflections from Colossians
1.30pm Sarah is baptising babies Ollie and Kylon at St Barnabas
15 August — Monday
10am Sarah is meeting local agencies to discuss ideas for how St Wulstans might play its part in addressing the cost-of-living crisis from September onwards
17 August — Wednesday
PROVISIONAL ARRANGEMENTS: Sarah’s licensing as Priest-in-Charge at St Barnabas is planned for today, waiting for a confirmed time from the Bishop
5-8pm Pastoral Surgery: Sarah is at St Wulstans this week meeting with wedding and baptism families
20 August — Saturday
11am Baptism of baby Olivia
21 August — Sunday
10am Family baptism (provisional)
11.15am Together for Communion
22 August — Monday
12.30pm Sarah has a meeting about possible partnerships for children’s ministry across this part of the city
24 August — Wednesday
10am Together for Summer midweek communion at St Barnabas
11.45am Garden Church: midweek fellowship over a cuppa in the Vicarage garden, using the Forty Days of Summer reflections
5-8pm Pastoral Surgery: Sarah is at St Barnabas this week meeting with wedding and baptism families, including a wedding rehearsal for Friday’s couple
26 August — Friday
3.30pm Wedding of James and Laura at St Barnabas
27 August — Saturday
7pm The Big Quiz Night: Another of our light-hearted quiz nights, where you bring the refreshments and the only prizes are the glory! £5 per team
28 August — Sunday
11.15am Together for Communion, as Chris B brings reflections from Colossians