Greetings! Friends of St.Mary’s and All Saints!
Well, folks, it’s been a rather wet week, hasn’t it? My vocabulary for rain is being stretched to the limit – it’s been drizzling, mizzling, bucketing, tipping down, raining cats and dogs – it’s been nice weather for ducks! Never have I been so glad to be clad in my Paramo waterproofs – though water did run down them into my shoes!
By contrast, this time last year we enjoyed a short break in a cottage by the sea at Cushendun in County Antrim. We got up at dawn for a beach walk and saw this view. I hope you’ll feel cheered by the rays of the rising sun- because it also reminded me of these words of hope from the prophet Isaiah which we repeat at morning prayer during Epiphany.
The light of Epiphany shines as the hours of sunlight begin to increase and the dark winter days release us into the promise of spring’s new life. God’s work of transformation is all around us and yet Isaiah doesn’t pretend everything’s already fine. He doesn’t gloss over the reality of suffering but injects fresh hope into the darkness. Isaiah speaks the words we need as we pray for the people of Ukraine.
Though night still covers the earth and darkness the peoples, above you the Holy One arises and above you God’s glory appears!
Isaiah 60:2
The sound of violence shall be heard no longer in your land, or ruin and devastation within your borders!
Isaiah 60:18
Yes, Lord, Amen, may it be so.
We look forward to welcoming you at one of our services this Sunday, as we gather to worship God and pray for individuals and nations in need.
Sunday Worship January 15th
Second Sunday of Epiphany
Readings: Isaiah 49: 1 – 7; 1 Corinthians 1: 1 – 9; John 1: 29 – 42.
10.00am Sung Service with Baptism at St. Marys with Revd Diane
10.30am Holy Communion at All Saints with Archdeacon Neil Warwick
6.30pm Epiphany Carols at St. Marys With Mark Simms LLM
Worship in the coming week and next Sunday…
Wednesday 18th. 9.00am – Celtic Morning Prayer at All Saints Church
Thursday 19th10.00am – Holy Communion at St Mary’s Church
Sunday 22nd 8.00am – Holy Communion All Saints
10.00am – Sung Holy Communion St Marys
10.30am – Café Church – Book of Jonah Session 1
This Sunday we will welcome two new children into the church family at St.Mary’s. The service of Holy Baptism is full of the language of light. The liturgy closes with this wonderful prayer.
God has delivered us from the dominion of darkness
And has given us a place with the saints in light.
You have received the light of Christ; Walk in this light all the days of your life.
At everyone replies:
Shine as a light in the world, to the glory of God the Father! In these days may you all catch glimpses of the glorious hope of the risen Christ.
Revd Diane
St Mary's, Fishponds 