Thoughts from The Vicarage with rest, a call for help & flowers
Greetings to you and yours on a cooler morning than last week! Refreshments are on the table in St Katherine’s chapel – simply make yourself at home.
Opening hours are on the new FB page St Michael & All Angels – do like and share as far as possible please! All are welcome at any time – all, and I mean all are welcome this Sunday 10.30 in Lambourn or 9.00 in Eastbury as we think about finding rest. And as I prepare for Sunday I pray that God will bless each Church, that each may be a beacon of light, a refuge for the weary, and a voice for the voiceless.
The Gospel this Sunday Jesus offers an invitation to “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” It’s easy for us hear those words as an invitation to slow down after a busy week. They certainly offer that comfort! But Jesus is speaking not only to each one of us but also into a world weighed down by oppression, uncertainty, injustice and the crushing demands of busy lives. His promise is not that every burden disappears. It is that we do not carry it alone.
A wonderful weekend is in store for St Michael’s as Francesca and Vincenzo’s marriage is blessed on Saturday afternoon and Robert is Christened on Sunday! We wish you and yours a blessed time and pray that God will strengthen us to live out our faith with courage and kindness.
St Michael & All Angels’ Community Flower Festival is coming up – please share with family, friends and neighbours. It’s going to be a Community Celebration with everyone welcome. Have a think if you would like to offer a little something. Perhaps a painting, a piece of 3d art, a floral offering – all in aid of the ‘Restore our Roof Appeal’ with a raffle to round everything off! Please contact Jo Higgs 07842 954904 for further info – she’d love to hear from you.
We are needing helpers. Why not come along and join in the fun! Please sign up on the list in church or let Amanda know on 07986 896588.
And finally a prayer:
Loving God, we gather our hearts before you.
We thank You for the gift of life,
for the beauty of creation,
and for the hope that rises with each new dawn.
We pray for peace where there is conflict,
for comfort where there is grief,
and for justice where there is oppression.
Guide leaders with wisdom,
and inspire communities to walk in compassion and truth.
Amen
Every blessing
Julie
Dates for your diary
- July 17th – 19th Flower Festival St Michel & All Angels
- July 20th 1.30 – School leavers’ service St Michael & All Angels
- August 8th – Summer lunch at Meridian the home of Ruth & John Honey. All welcome!
- September 12th 7.15 – Last Night of The Proms screened in St Michael’s doors open 6pm
- November tbc – Film Night with David Attenborough
- December 4th – St Michael & All Angels Christmas Fair
- December – 19th Family film event with screening of the ‘Muppet Christmas Carol’
Revd Julie Mintern Vicar Lambourn Valley Benefice