Those who sow in tears shall reap with songs of joy! Psalm 126.5
During this past week of mourning for our late Queen Elizabeth II we have been reminded again and again of the good seeds she sowed across our nations and the whole world. The seeds of healing, forgiveness and reconciliation she planted were particularly remembered and emphasised during the visit of King Charles III to Northern Ireland last Tuesday. At a service of commemoration and thanksgiving for the Queen’s life at Belfast Cathedral the lines of the final blessing were poignantly shared among church leaders across a spectrum of denominations, and leaders of different faiths were introduced to His Majesty.
This Sunday’s Harvest Thanksgiving at St.Mary’s at 10am will be led in part by the Guides, Brownies and Rainbows. How fitting, since Queen Elizabeth II was Patron of Girlguiding from 1953 until her death on 8 September 2022 and she herself had been a Guide, Ranger and she loved guiding which involved adventures out of doors.
Do come along and give thanks for both our late Queen, to support the guides and to give thanks for the fruits of creation at harvest-time. You are most welcome to bring donations of packaged and tinned food for the Loaves and Fishes Project run by the Community of the Sisters of the Church in Ashley Road St.Paul’s. The sisters help people in times of need with food, friendship and support and they give out a food parcel weekly to anyone who calls asking for one. https://bristol.sistersofthechurch.org/loaves-fishes-ministry
the Queen visiting a market in Hong Kong in 1975
All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above!
Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord for all his love!
Services of Worship
Sunday 18th September
10.00am Harvest Festival at St. Marys with Revd Diane & Guiding Unit
Donations of tinned and packaged food welcome for the Loaves and Fishes food parcel ministry of the Community of the Sisters of the Church in Ashley Road, St.Paul’s.
Reading: Leviticus 23:33-43
10.30am Holy Communion at All Saints with Revd Paul Denyer.
Readings: Amos 8.4-7; Psalm 113; 1 Timothy 2.1-7; Luke 16.1-13.
You are still welcome to write a message or memory of the Queen in the books of condolence at St.Mary’s or All Saints this Sunday.
The Week Ahead
Services
Monday 19th 11.00 The State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey, broadcast on TV and radio
Wednesday 21st 09.00 Celtic Morning Prayer at All Saints Church
Thursday 22nd 10.00 Holy Communion at St Mary’s Church
Thursday 22nd 10.15 Funeral of Kay Powell at All Saints Church
Sunday 18th 10.00 Holy Communion at St. Mary’s Church
10.30 Café Church at All Saints – on the theme of justice
Other events and activities
Monday 19th 10.30 Tiny Tots at All Saints – cancelled due to Queen’s funeral
Tuesday 20th 10.30 Music for Toddlers at St.Mary’s Church
Next Sunday
Sunday 25th 10.00 Holy Communion at St. Mary’s Church
10.30 Café Church at All Saints – on the theme of justice
St Mary's, Fishponds 