Services/Events next Week

• St Anne’s Church Dropmore: is open for private prayer by appointment. Next Sunday (9th), there will be a said Holy Communion service at 9:15am (and again on 23rd August)

• St Nicolas Church is open for private prayer on Wednesdays from 12 noon until 2 pm [Holy Communion at 12:30 from 12th August].

• You can join in Wednesday Compline on Zoom: 8:45 for 9:00pm; it lasts about 20 minutes. If you would like to come, just drop Jim a line on oliverjim1@sky.com and he will send you the link; it’s a lovely way to end the day.

• St Nicolas Church will be open for a further said Parish Eucharist at 10:45am next Sunday (9th August) subject to restrictions.

• Our online Sunday worship offering continues on our website (the Diocesan ‘Church at Home’ team are taking a break during August so there isn’t a Diocesan online service but lots of others!)

Further information on St Nicolas Church Website: http://st-nicolas-taplow.org

If you need to contact the Vicar, you can ring her on 01628 661182 or email her: janecresswell523@gmail.com

Notices in the Pew Leaflet: If you have a notice or news for the Pew Leaflet, please email it to Jim Oliver (oliverjim1@sky.com) by the end of the Wednesday preceding the Sunday

St Anne’s Church, Littleworth Common

St Nicolas’ Church, Taplow

8th Sunday after Trinity

Sunday, 2nd August, 2020

We are part of

Faithful to God Caring for each other Serving the Community

Welcome to our said Parish Holy Communion Service subject to the restrictions necessary to keep us safe.

Collect (or Prayer for Today)

Almighty Lord and everlasting God, we beseech you to direct, sanctify and govern both our hearts and bodies in the ways of your laws and the works of your commandments; that through your most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Reading: Romans 9: 1-5 God’s Election of Israel

I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit. I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

The Gospel: Matthew 14: 13-21 Feeding the Five Thousand

Jesus withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.”

And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave

them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Post Communion Prayer

Strengthen for service, Lord, the hands that have taken holy things; may the ears which have heard your word be deaf to clamour and dispute; may the tongues which have sung your praise be free from deceit; may the eyes which have seen the tokens of your love shine with the light of hope; and may the bodies which have been fed with your body be refreshed with the fullness of your life; glory to you for ever. Amen.

This Week’s News and Notices

Did You Know?: Our online Worship Offering contains the readings, sermon and intercessions we have enjoyed in church PLUS many lovely choral musical items and related images. Do find some quiet time to enjoy it all.

Open Wednesday: We are delighted to announce that the midweek Eucharist will start again on Wednesday 12th August at 12.30. The church will still be open from 12 until 2pm for those who wish to slip in for private prayer.

Holiday Opportunities for children and young people: The popular and much loved Burnham Lighthouse project cannot take place this year but this week there is a ‘Virtual Holiday Club’ Monday 3rd to Friday 7th August 9.00am & 5.00pm. Details: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMT2XubuOx

Cream Tea at St Anne's: St Anne's are offering a take away cream tea featuring Sue Blore's amazing scones on Sunday 9th August between 3pm and 5pm. The scones, jam and cream will be served in take away containers outside St Anne's church building so you can

enjoy them at home. If you know you want a cream tea, please let Sue or Jane know so we can ensure it is ready for you on the day! You may also turn up on the day but when the scones are gone, they’re gone! Price £5 per person.

Please queue to collect safely if necessary. PCC Meeting: The PCC will meet for the first time since January on

Sunday, 23rd August at 12 noon after morning worship. We need to deal with financial matters, set a date for the postponed Annual Parish Church Meeting, review our patterns of worship in the light of our current experience and particularly address how we support/engage our young families as current restrictions continue. Please do share your views with any PCC member about these or other issues.

Current Arrangements for Church Worship: Your safety and well-being must be and are our top priority in current restrictions. 1. Open Doors: Some people find it noisy and drafty with all four

doors open. We will experiment with how many doors need to be open to provide safe ventilation at both back and front of church. Please bear with us.

2. Masks: The Church of England strongly advises that we wear masks in church. However, where the wearing of your mask is causing significant distress, you may remove it whilst seated provided that you are at least 2 metres away from other people who are not in your household or bubble. If you do so please make any spoken responses quietly. Please make sure you wear a mask whilst moving around the church. Clergy will remove their masks to assist communication when they are leading worship in the chancel well away from others, but will wear a mask or visor at all times when moving about the main body of the church or distributing communion.

3. Coming and Going: Whilst church fellowship is very important, please remember to chat outside the church maintaining social distance, and leave the building quietly and promptly after the service at a safe distance from others.

4. Offerings: During this period when no collection is taken during the service, if you normally give in church on a Sunday please remember to make your offering as you enter or leave the building either in the collection plate at the back of the main aisle or using the contactless reader.