Thoughts from The Vicarage with Eastbury only at 10.30 and an invitation
Greetings this afternoon when it’s good to see the temperatures above freezing!
This week is the 4th Sunday of Epiphany with a Benefice service in Eastbury St James at 10.30 on Sunday morning – all are welcome with sung Eucharist and my sermon on turning water into wine! Please don’t turn up at Lambourn as you will find no service. When it’s the 5th Sunday of the month there is always a Benefice service when all three churches get together in a single service, in a single church.
What are you looking for I wonder – come and see says Jesus! You may remember I used these words in a sermon recently and invited you to let me know if you’d like to come and see. Thank you for your replies. If you’d like to know more or are thinking about that answer … or if you’d like to find out more about the Christian faith, what goes on in church or are simply curious you’d be very welcome to Come and See on Saturday February 4th 3.30 pm at the Vicarage for tea, with coffee a possibility and cake! Simply come along and share a cuppa and cake as we chat through some of the questions and thoughts we may have. No query ever too small in my book!! Just drop me a quick line, call, text and if you forget just come along – all welcome.
If you’d like to explore a little more privately simply be in touch, or try this link https://oxford.anglican.org/come-and-see
Tomorrow is Holocaust Memorial Day and by its very nature the subject of the Holocaust may be extremely upsetting for some. But that should not allow the significance of this day to be forgotten.
Although we are not holding a special event in church you are welcome to go into church to offer a prayer, remember those who lost their lives and pray for man’s inhumanity to man to cease and difference no longer be a cause for hatred, contempt and bullying.
Next Sunday February 5th sees us celebrating Candelmas which is actually on February 2nd. It is a time when, traditionally, people bring their own candle (with a candle holder/stick) to church to be blessed and taken home. If you are planning to come on February 5th to Lambourn, please do bring your own candle – others will be available!!! The candles are then bought to the altar and blessed.
It is one of the most beautiful and meaningful services as we recall the story of Jesus being presented in the temple, full of amazing imagery from Simeon and Anna. In the Gospel reading we will hear Simeon giving thanks as he speaks the words of the Nunc Dimittis – spoken at every Evening Prayer and by me at every funeral I hold.
Enough Candlemas spoilers for now – more next week and put the date in your diary!!
Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday, meanwhile
God bless
Julie