welcome to sunday 21st - stjamestaunton.org
TRANSCRIPT
Sunday Services - God’s Grace for the church pt 110:30am - Online Morning Service Talk: Fabian Wuyts
Readers: Chris Rickard & Susie PeelerPrayers: Adrian Prior-SankeyReadings: 1 Kings 19:1-18 & Romans 11: 1-12
7pm - Connect @ 7 (Evening Service)
Fabian
Welcome to Sunday 21st March
Adventures in Prayer: Prayer of contemplation
This week, we will be exploring the prayer of contemplation. In his podcast, Father Luigi Gioia sees contemplation as a way of welcoming the transforming power of God’s love into our lives.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines contemplation as the “action of looking thoughtfully at something [or someone] for a long time.” For Father Luigi, it is a way of stepping out of the normal course of time, beyond the rush and drive of our moment by moment existence, into the eternity that is God. We choose to turn aside from the rush of life and turn towards God the source of life and being.
Contemplation is a way of praying that is receptive, in one sense passive – though we come to this place by deliberate active choice. We put aside thinking, talking and asking and instead come to God with the simple desire to be present and to be open. Contemplation gives us the ability to see and believe. It kindles our desire and thirst for God.
Looking at the Gospel of John, Father Luigi shows how the author gazes at Jesus’ actions and words. In his opening chapter, John speaks of having seen the Glory of the Son who came from the Father, full of Grace and Truth (John 1.14). The Greek word translated “seen” in English expresses the idea of “gazing” or “beholding.” French translations have chosen to use the word “contemplé” (contemplate).
Throughout his Gospel, John concentrates his gaze on the actions and words of Jesus and recognises the radiant life and light of God himself. By contemplating on Jesus, he comes to a deeper knowledge and experience of God’s love and God’s purpose. He perceives the uniqueness of Jesus who is God in flesh, full of Grace and Truth.
I encourage you to listen to the podcast by clicking on the following link and to use the accompanying worksheet to experience the restorative power of contemplative prayer.
http://stjamestaunton.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Prayer-as-contemplation.-Lent-Meditation.mp3
Lord Jesus Christ, you have the words of eternal life. You are the vine and we are the branches. May your words remain in me, as I gaze upon your love.
Our online services will be continuing for the foreseeable future and we will be only online during lockdown.Our Facebook and YouTube details are on the back of the bulletin.Some events below take place at definite times, others will be available during the day.
Monday to Thursday9:15am Morning Prayerhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/89534048299?pwd=Wk1WUWxNbUhoN2xvemgwbXMzVDdOQT09Meeting ID: 895 3404 8299Passcode: 354218
Sunday10:30am Online Service on FB/YouTube 11.15am Church Zoom socialhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/83962309120?pwd=NnA0TkgraDZ4ZnlSVnE4MWlTSnlKZz09Meeting ID: 839 6230 9120Passcode: 137955
4:00pm Lego Churchh t t p s : / / u s 02web . zoom .u s / j / 8 7876107009 ?pwd=bk9yT3hUVWY1bEZCNzM3TUw3Vzhtdz09Meeting ID: 878 7610 7009Passcode: 135791
7:00pm Connect@7 on FB/YouTube7:00pm Youth Zoom for 14-17 year olds
* Services correct at time of print but may be subject to change
21st For our diocese, Bishop Peter, Ruth Worsley, our Bishop of Taunton, our archdeacon, Simon Hill and our cathedral
22nd St. James Court; St. James Street23rd Helen Dawe; Jane Dean24th Chris Denton; Jane Dickson25th Patrick and Alex Dickinson; Ruth Dunn26th Chris and Sue Doyle; Jenny Edmonds27th John and Vicky Dykes
Please Pray
After the sad news of Peter Jeanes passing, please continue to lift Sue and the family in your prayers during this difficult time.
We continue to pray for Bishop Peter, who has been diagnosed with leukaemia. He is on the mend but has announced his retirement as Bishop of Bath and Wells on medicial grounds. May we support him and all who love him, in regular individual and corporate prayer over the coming months.
2 weeks to go before Easter! Please let me know any seasonal goodies you would like me to order to avoid disappointment. Very many thanks for your custom to Traidcraft.Contact: [email protected] 01823 278347 (leave a message if no answer)
PrayerHe wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed (Isaiah 50. 4b). Heavenly Father, give me eyes to see you; give me ears to hear you; and give me a mouth to speak your praises. For the sake of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Please make sure you update us if your email address changes to ensure continuity in communications.
Mission Focus - MarchTaunton Street Pastors
Our mission focus for March is Taunton Street Pastors.
Like many organisations the Street Pastors have had to suspend some of their activities during the Covid period but are anticipating a return to street and community patrols as Lockdown “Road Map” comes into operation. This video link will show you what they do in normal times https://streetpastors.org/locations/taunton/
Please pray for
• The street pastors as they prepare to resume patrols, community contacts, assisting with community events when they restart, assisting with vaccination stewarding opportunities. At St. James we have at least 4 members who are actively involved at present.
Traidcraft
Parish RambleCovid restrictions mean that we won’t be able to hold the usual Easter Monday ramble again this year, but we should be able to meet in groups of up to 30 after 17 May. So pencil in the 31 May holiday, and watch the bulletin for further details.
Don’t forget - if you have some good news to share, please email Sara Bright at [email protected] so we can include it in the bulletin
Electoral RollIf you have been worshipping at St James Church for 6 months or more and have not been on the electoral roll, then please email [email protected] for a form. It must be completed and returned to us by Thursday 8th April to be included on the electoral roll.
March Church prayer meetingOur next prayer meeting is on Tuesday 23rd March 7pm – 8pm. As it is one year since the start of the pandemic, Marie Curie have called for a National Day of Reflection. We will include space for reflection, and remembrance during our time together. You may wish to bring something yellow to hold or have written on a yellow leaf the names of people you would like to remember.
Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/87296360890?pwd=VFpWRHVObThrQWdDdTk0ZDhlSGhmZz09 Meeting ID: 872 9636 0890Passcode: 430881
Concerned About Climate Change?
If you are concerned about climate change but not sure what you can personally do. Please read the CEE Bill information sheet attached to this week’s bulletin. The sheet explains what the Bill is and why a coalition of scientists and environmental groups have brought it before parliament. You can be involved by clicking on the links to support the Bill but also in asking our local MP Rebecca Pow and Somerset County Council to support it. If you have Twitter there are also instructions about how to take part in a Twitter storm to highlight the need for the bill. It’s
all happening on Friday the 26th March - see you in the Twittersphere!
• Schools Pastors and Prayer Partners
• Street Pastors in Bridgwater where the night scene is likely to develop when Covid restrictions ease
• Training programmes for the coming year
• More volunteers becoming involved
• Opportunities to serve the community during the lockdown period
If you would like to find out more about what is involved or are considering volunteering please contact Adrian Prior-Sankey 07773 038 622 or Chris Buckman [email protected]
Our March Mission Focus featuring Chris Buckman Street Pastor and Trustee, is available on our YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faePIAI-ckA
Do have a watch.
Our online services will be continuing for the foreseeable future and we will be only online during lockdown.Our Facebook and YouTube details are on the back of the bulletin.Some events below take place at definite times, others will be available during the day.
Monday to Thursday9:15am Morning Prayerhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/89534048299?pwd=Wk1WUWxNbUhoN2xvemgwbXMzVDdOQT09Meeting ID: 895 3404 8299Passcode: 354218
Sunday10:30am Online Service on FB/YouTube 11.15am Church Zoom socialhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/83962309120?pwd=NnA0TkgraDZ4ZnlSVnE4MWlTSnlKZz09Meeting ID: 839 6230 9120Passcode: 137955
4:00pm Lego Churchh t t p s : / / u s 02web . zoom .u s / j / 8 7876107009 ?pwd=bk9yT3hUVWY1bEZCNzM3TUw3Vzhtdz09Meeting ID: 878 7610 7009Passcode: 135791
7:00pm Connect@7 on FB/YouTube7:00pm Youth Zoom for 14-17 year olds
* Services correct at time of print but may be subject to change
21st For our diocese, Bishop Peter, Ruth Worsley, our Bishop of Taunton, our archdeacon, Simon Hill and our cathedral
22nd St. James Court; St. James Street23rd Helen Dawe; Jane Dean24th Chris Denton; Jane Dickson25th Patrick and Alex Dickinson; Ruth Dunn26th Chris and Sue Doyle; Jenny Edmonds27th John and Vicky Dykes
Please Pray
After the sad news of Peter Jeanes passing, please continue to lift Sue and the family in your prayers during this difficult time.
We continue to pray for Bishop Peter, who has been diagnosed with leukaemia. He is on the mend but has announced his retirement as Bishop of Bath and Wells on medicial grounds. May we support him and all who love him, in regular individual and corporate prayer over the coming months.
2 weeks to go before Easter! Please let me know any seasonal goodies you would like me to order to avoid disappointment. Very many thanks for your custom to Traidcraft.Contact: [email protected] 01823 278347 (leave a message if no answer)
PrayerHe wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed (Isaiah 50. 4b). Heavenly Father, give me eyes to see you; give me ears to hear you; and give me a mouth to speak your praises. For the sake of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Please make sure you update us if your email address changes to ensure continuity in communications.
Mission Focus - MarchTaunton Street Pastors
Our mission focus for March is Taunton Street Pastors.
Like many organisations the Street Pastors have had to suspend some of their activities during the Covid period but are anticipating a return to street and community patrols as Lockdown “Road Map” comes into operation. This video link will show you what they do in normal times https://streetpastors.org/locations/taunton/
Please pray for
• The street pastors as they prepare to resume patrols, community contacts, assisting with community events when they restart, assisting with vaccination stewarding opportunities. At St. James we have at least 4 members who are actively involved at present.
Traidcraft
Parish RambleCovid restrictions mean that we won’t be able to hold the usual Easter Monday ramble again this year, but we should be able to meet in groups of up to 30 after 17 May. So pencil in the 31 May holiday, and watch the bulletin for further details.
Don’t forget - if you have some good news to share, please email Sara Bright at [email protected] so we can include it in the bulletin
Electoral RollIf you have been worshipping at St James Church for 6 months or more and have not been on the electoral roll, then please email [email protected] for a form. It must be completed and returned to us by Thursday 8th April to be included on the electoral roll.
March Church prayer meetingOur next prayer meeting is on Tuesday 23rd March 7pm – 8pm. As it is one year since the start of the pandemic, Marie Curie have called for a National Day of Reflection. We will include space for reflection, and remembrance during our time together. You may wish to bring something yellow to hold or have written on a yellow leaf the names of people you would like to remember.
Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/87296360890?pwd=VFpWRHVObThrQWdDdTk0ZDhlSGhmZz09 Meeting ID: 872 9636 0890Passcode: 430881
Concerned About Climate Change?
If you are concerned about climate change but not sure what you can personally do. Please read the CEE Bill information sheet attached to this week’s bulletin. The sheet explains what the Bill is and why a coalition of scientists and environmental groups have brought it before parliament. You can be involved by clicking on the links to support the Bill but also in asking our local MP Rebecca Pow and Somerset County Council to support it. If you have Twitter there are also instructions about how to take part in a Twitter storm to highlight the need for the bill. It’s
all happening on Friday the 26th March - see you in the Twittersphere!
• Schools Pastors and Prayer Partners
• Street Pastors in Bridgwater where the night scene is likely to develop when Covid restrictions ease
• Training programmes for the coming year
• More volunteers becoming involved
• Opportunities to serve the community during the lockdown period
If you would like to find out more about what is involved or are considering volunteering please contact Adrian Prior-Sankey 07773 038 622 or Chris Buckman [email protected]
Our March Mission Focus featuring Chris Buckman Street Pastor and Trustee, is available on our YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faePIAI-ckA
Do have a watch.
HELPFUL RESOURCESThere are a range of Christian resources available for people to engage with at this difficult
and challenging time in the life of the nation and the world:
OUR CHURCH RESOURCES:Please visit our website www.stjamestaunton.org
ST JAMES FACEBOOK PAGEPlease also visit our Facebook page:www.facebook.com/stjamestauntonfor the latest updates, service recordings, etc. You do not need to have a Facebook account to access our page
Thanks to all who helped us go over 100 subscribers. If you haven’t subscribed yet, just click on the link below and follow the instructions.
https://www.youtube.com/c/StJamesChurchTaunton
Instagram @stjameschurchtaunton Twitter twitter.com/stjamestaunton
stjamestaunton.churchsuite.com
Weekly service broadcasts and moreon the CofE Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/thechurchofengland
Time to Pray app: everything you need for Prayer during the Day.
https://www.chpublishing.co.uk/apps/time-to-pray
Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer online.
https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily-prayer
CHURCH CONTACTSVicarRev Fabian Wuyts 01823 333194 email: [email protected]
CurateDavid Wilkie 01823 325496 Email: [email protected]
ChurchwardensJoycey Kirk 01823 971431Steve Bradford 07411 639404
Church OfficeBeccy Fox 01823 272931
Pastoral Care CoordinatorAnnie Reid 07812130619 email: [email protected]
Children & YoungPeople’s CoordinatorVashti Wuyts 01823 333194
Parish Safeguarding OfficerJenny Wakefield 07796248369
Discipleship CoordinatorRoger Fenton 01823412113 email: [email protected] For any information on our Home Groups, please contact Roger.
Donate to St James
We now have the facility, for those who wish to donate to St James, to take donations electronically. You can access our giving page by following this link: https://givealittle.co/campaigns/8565dd91-35b1-4bd2-8007-fe59febc9db3
Or you can use the giving QR code: To use the QR code, open the camera app on your phone and hold up to the code. The web link will appear automatically. Click on it to go to the page.
YouTube Channel
St James Church, St James St, Taunton, TA1 1JS