This Sunday there is a rather beautiful coinciding of the season of Trinity with the celebration of Saint Barnabas. Saint Barnabas was a friend of Paul who was an early follower of Jesus and an Evangelist for the church. Barnabas introduced Paul to the leaders in the Church in Jerusalem, as well as spending time with the early church in Antioch. It was here that Paul and Barnabas departed ways, and Barnabus went back to Cyprus. He was martyred in AD61. The Prayer for St Barnabas begins “Bountiful God, giver of all gifts”. Bountiful is a wonderful word, and not one that is normally used in prayer. It has an energy and a buoyancy to it. It suggests an unending flow of God’s power and love, it is a well from which we can continually take rest and refreshment.

This week we celebrate St Barnabus at our Holy Communion services at All Saints (8am) and St Marys (10am) and then later at Muddy Messy Church (10.30am) at All Saints we will be looking at what binds us together as God’s Church by making some Bread! A great service for people of all ages.

Everyone is welcome to join us at our worship this week

SUNDAY 11^th JUNE 2023

8am – Holy Communion – All Saints

10am – Sung Holy Communion – St Marys

10.30am – Muddy Messy Church – All Saints

I leave you with the Collect Prayer for St Barnabas this week.

Collect for St Barnabas

Bountiful God, giver of all gifts, who poured your spirit upon your servant Barnabas and gave him grace to encourage others: help us by his example, to be generous in our judgements and unselfish in our service; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen

Blessings

Revd Lizzie