2nd APRIL 2017
LET ’S FLY
Andrew Beebee – Children’s & Youth Minister
Last Sunday I planned what I thought would be an unforgettable demonstration of coming together as a church family and flying into the plans God has for us. I ordered the ‘Sky Touch 2 Rubber Powered Model Plane’ that promised 90 seconds of flight time. It arrived and after assembling it I went out for a test flight on Sunday morning. I was envisioning myself standing at the back of the Abbey and watching it fly spectacularly to the front. Its first flight was less than successful; within seconds it had nosed dived into the ground. I tried again and again to launch it into flight, modifying its design, but still no 90 second flight. By the time the 4pm Service had arrived I had resorted to paper aeroplanes! In the season ahead God wants us to come together like never before; each one of us using the unique gifts,
personality, resources that have been given to us to build His kingdom, in our families, our community, our workplaces, our church and the world. The words spoken in Isaiah 40:30-31 are a wonderful encouragement and promise: “Even youths grow tired and
weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” As we continue the great task of building God’s kingdom, let’s remember that God’s power and strength, unlike the ‘Sky Touch 2 Rubber Powered Model Plane’ never falters. That when we are feeling tired and confused we can step back and look to Him again. Discovering fresh strength and hope through His word,
ABBEY DIARY through prayer and through gathering together. Let’s put time aside over the coming days to be in God’s presence. An excellent way of doing this would be to visit the Garden Labyrinth starting on Monday. So together, let’s fly into the plans and future that God has for us remembering that when we are weary, He will help us run, and when we feel like giving up, he can give us the strength to take the next step.
THIS SUNDAY: April 2nd 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm Informal Worship & Junior Church THIS WEEK EACH DAY 9am Morning Prayer MON 3rd 9am-8pmLabyrinth TUES 4th 9am-8pm Labyrinth WED 5th 9am-8pm Labyrinth 10.30am Communion th THUR 6 9am-5pm Labyrinth 10.30am Time for Chat 7pm Choir Practice th SAT 8 10am Stations of the Cross Art Exhibition – come and meet the Artists NEXT SUNDAY: April 9th Palm Sunday 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm All-Age Service ADVANCE DIARY For a full listing of Holy Week/Easter services and events taking place in Malmesbury Abbey please see the Holy Week Festival 2017 brochure at the back of the Abbey
GOSPEL READING: JOHN 11:1-45
Additional Reading: Romans 8:6-11 6
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
DISCIPLESHIP 1. Read John 11:1-16. Vs 5 tells us that Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Why might he have delayed 2 days before he went to them? 2. How do you think Mary and Martha felt as they waited for Jesus to come and their brother got sicker? If you feel able, share a time when you have waited a long time without an apparent response from God. How did you feel? 3. Now read John 11:17-27. Like Martha and Mary, we all have times when we say "if only". Tom Wright suggests that Jesus is asking her to exchange "If only" for "If Jesus". Do we have any situations where we need to let go of the regrets of the past and allow Jesus to shape the future? 4. Finally, read vs 28-46. Vs 33,35 and 38 all speak to the depths of feeling which the death of Lazarus stirred in Jesus. Do we find it surprising that even though He knows that he is to raise his friend from the dead? What might this tell us about our own need to grieve in various circumstances, even though we believe, with St Paul, that "in all things God works for good with those who love him" (Romans 8:28)?
D A I LY R E A D I N G S Monday Psalm 73 Jeremiah 21:1-10 John 11:28-44 Tuesday Psalm 35 Jeremiah 22:1-5, 13-19 John 11:45-end Wednesday Psalm 55 Jeremiah 22:20-23:8 John 12:1-11 Thursday Psalm 40 Jeremiah 23:9-32 John 12:12-19 Friday Psalm 22 Jeremiah 24 John 12:20-36a
REGULAR GIVING If you would like to give regularly to the mission and ministry of the Abbey as part of your discipleship, please e-mail alan@malmesburyabbey.com. m
U LLUSI O N IST
ABBEY BOOKSHOP
Steve Price is one of the UK's most established magicians. He is a Gold Star Member of the Inner Magic Circle and has won The Magic Circle's Originality Prize. He is also a Christian and will be using his tricks and illusions to share the Gospel so this is a great event to bring friends along to. Wednesday 12th April, 7:30pm. Bar and Cafe from 7pm. Tickets ÂŁ5 (ÂŁ3 for U18s/Students). Purchase from Abbey Bookshop in advance.
The Abbey Bookshop is looking for two new directors . It's a great opportunity if you have an interest in Christian Books and have the time to attend two meetings a year. If you are interested please email Jo Lawrence -Mills at jolm@btinternet.com
PERSECUTED CHURCH
P R AY E R M I N I S T R Y
We will next meet to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters on Tuesday 4th April, 2.30pm at Mollies Home. We will be continuing to follow the World Watch List as we pray around the world. For more information please contact Mike Langtree.
There will be envisioning and training for Prayer Ministry and the Healing on the Streets Team on Tuesday 25th April 8-9.30pm. This is for everyone who has been involved in these ministries in the past or would like to test whether this is something God is asking them to do in the future. Please let alice@malmesburyabbey.com know if you would like to attend.
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NOTICEBOARD H O LY W E E K F E S T I VA L L E A F L E T S This year will be slightly different in that we are not asking you to do a massive postal drop of Holy Week Festival brochures around the town. However, leaflets designed by our own Events Co-Ordinator, Anne Cox are available at the back of the Abbey and can be used prayerfully to give to friends and neighbours inviting them to services and events in the Abbey during Holy Week and Easter. If you wish to deliver to your whole street then please ask Sandie in the office who will print you a bundle!
C HU RC H ELE C TORA L RO LL In preparation of the AGM on Sunday 30th April, the current Church Electoral Roll (our membership list) will be at the back of the Abbey so that you can check that your details are correct. If your details do not appear on the Electoral Roll and you consider Malmesbury Abbey to be your regular place of worship then please complete a cream Application for Enrolment form today and leave it in the folder or post to the Parish Office.
R E T R E AT : D A R K N E S S T O L I G H T The Community of St Aldhelm are organising a Retreat Day on Saturday 22 April, 10am-4pm at Harnhill Centre for Christian Healing. The Retreat, which will be run by members of the Community, is on the theme of “Darkness to Light” and will include guided sessions and space for personal reflection. It is open to any member of the Abbey congregations, not just Community members, at a cost of just £5.50 per person (to cover room hire). If you would like to come, please contact Catherine Price on catherine@malmesburyabbey.com or via the Parish Office.
CONTAC T
ABBEY OFFICE Tuesday-Friday 9.30am-3pm 01666 826666 office@malmesburyabbey.com www.malmesburyabbey.com issuu.com/malmesburyabbey Staff members can be contacted by name@malmesburyabbey.com
ABBEY CAFÉ Monday-Friday Friday (normal) 9.30am – 4pm Happy Hour (drinks £1) from 9.30-10.30am 10.30am café@malmesburyabbey.com MalmesburyAbbey MalmesburyAbbeyKitchen
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