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THE DAY OF PENTECOST! Rev’d Linda Sullivan, Curate
Have you latched on to the Archbishops’ initiative - ‘Thy Kingdom Come’, and have you been praying fervently for friends or family who have yet to come to faith? Jesus had told his disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit, to come, and they did just that. We hear in Acts 1: 14 that they joined
constantly in prayer while they were waiting. This Sunday we hear of the result of Jesus asking his Father for another comforter for his disciples, and the result of the disciples’ prayers. Acts 2: 1-21While they were all
together there was a rushing wind and tongues of fire seemed to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. I’m never sure whether I would have been thrilled or scared at that point. However it soon became clear to the
disciples that any gifts the Holy Spirit gave them were for the benefit of others. The gift of being able to speak in ‘other tongues’ was not so that THEY could understand, but so that the onlookers could hear about the good news of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. The good news, that the Saviour had come and redemption was there for all who turned to follow Jesus. Even now, the gifts of the Holy Spirit can be misunderstood. We may want to speak in tongues, or have the gift of prophecy or healing. We may even like the idea of being able to perform miracles! If we have been given those gifts, they are to be used for the common good, (1 Cor 12: 7) building up God’s Kingdom in the body of Christ – His Church. The Holy Spirit gives these gifts according to his grace. Come Holy Spirit, by your grace fill your church with love in abundance.
Linda
S A F E G UA R D I N G In very simple terms “safeguarding” is something we do to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm. In the Church of England, safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and responding well to abuse is now a high priority. In developing our own policies and practices within the Abbey we comply with both Church of England and Diocese of Bristol guidelines for safeguarding. Our policies have recently been updated and are available at the stewards’ desk in the Abbey and in the Parish Office. All those who work directly with children or vulnerable adults in the Abbey undertake safeguarding training every 3 years. Additionally, if you serve in other roles within the Abbey you are likely to be asked to undertake some basic safeguarding awareness training in the future. This is likely to be online training or a course delivered in the Abbey. The next safeguarding courses in the Abbey are on 30 September 2017 and 21 April 2018; further details to follow. Our Parish Safeguarding Officers are Debs Poneskis (Children and Young People) and Sue Kirby (Vulnerable Adults). Their contact details are displayed outside the Abbey, in the Parish Office and in Eilmer House. If you have any safeguarding questions or concerns please contact them. Thank you for your support in this vital ministry.
ABBE Y DI AR Y THIS SUNDAY: June 4th 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm Informal Worship & Junior Church THIS WEEK EACH DAY 9am Morning Prayer MON 5th TUES 6th WEDS 7th Thurs 8th SAT 10th
10am Little Stars 2.30pm Prayer for Persecuted Christians 10.30am Communion 10.30am Time for Chat 7pm Choir Practice 9am Men’s Breakfast in The Abbey (tickets available from the stewards desk)
7.30pm The Stuart Singers NEXT SUNDAY: June 11th 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm Informal Worship & Junior Church 6pm Patronal Service at St John the Baptist, B’bro ADVANCE DIARY for JUNE TUES 13th 7.30pm Glory! SAT 17th 1pm “2in1” Piano Duet WED 21st 3pm Free Organ Recital SAT 25th 6.30pm Choral Evensong with Prayers for the new Mayor of Malmesbury FRI 30th 6.30pm Refresh! at Roberts Berry Farm (more details to follow soon)
ACTS 2:1-21 2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: ‘Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs – we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!’ 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, ‘What does this mean?’ 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, ‘They have had too much wine.’ 14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: ‘Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth belowm blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Additional Reading: John 20:19-23
DISCIPLESHIP 1. Acts 2:1-5 the disciples experience the power of the Holy Spirit. Do you think the Holy Spirit continues to work powerfully today? When have you seen the Spirit at work? 2. In verse 14-36, Peter is able to explain to the crowd the significance of what they have seen using references they will understand. What are the challenges that face us today when we are trying to explain the work of the Holy Spirit to other people? 3. What questions do we still have ourselves about the work of the Spirit? Are there aspects that we find problematic? Be honest! 4. "Thy Kingdom Come" has encouraged us to pray for our family and friends to come into a new relationship with God. Spend some time praying that the Holy Spirit will work powerfully in the lives of people we know and love.
D A I LY R E A D I N G S Monday Psalm 126 Job 1 Romans 1:1-17 Tuesday Psalm 132 Job 2 Romans 1:18-end Wednesday Psalm 119:153-end Job 3 Romans 2:1-16 Thursday Psalm 143 Job 4 Romans 2:17-end Friday Psalm 142 Job 5 Romans 3:1-20
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
P R AY F O R P E R S E C U T E D CHRISTIANS Pray for persecuted Christians. The month of Ramadan has started, so, at the meeting on Tuesday 6 June from 2.30pm at 4 Mill Lane, we will be praying for those (Christains and Muslims) across the Muslim world. Please speak to Mike Langtree for more details.
MEN’S B R E A K FA S T On June 10th, 8.30am-10.30am come and have breakfast in the Abbey with David Katende who is Pastor of the Life Changing Church, Ndejje, Kampala. Uganda and is involved in the National Leadership Transformation Campaign, which teaches and trains politicians, cultural leaders and religious leaders about servant leadership. Tickets available from the Abbey £5. More information from Simon Shaw or Bob Hyatt.
PA R I S H D I R E C T O R Y
O U T S I D E C A F É S PA C E
We are in the process of creating a brand new Parish Directory so, if you are newly arrived to our congregations or maybe you’re a life-long member and feel that the Abbey is your home, we would really like you to be included in the new Parish Directory. None of this is compulsory and is basically to help us all stay in touch and to have an efficiently running church. Please collect your GREEN FORM from the back of the Abbey and return to the Parish Office by 25th June at the latest.
We are delighted to announce that the Town Council have given us permission to have some tables and chairs outside the North door as outside café space, something our customers often ask about. The cost of placing 3 tables with 12 chairs is £600. We are hoping to fund this expenditure from individual donations from the congregation. If you feel able to contribute to this part of our Abbey mission please contact Chris Jager or the Parish Office.
12th CEN TU RY BE AU T Y 21st CEN TU RY CHU R CH
NOTICEBOARD “ T H A N K YO U ” F R O M J A N E T PA R K E “Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. As I am due to officially retire from my work with SIM (Serving in Mission) at the end of June 2017, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the PCC and to the members of Malmesbury Abbey for all your financial and prayer support during my years of serving the Lord in Zambia. I know that the PCC and many individuals have been very supportive in prayer, in financial gifts and in many other practical ways, and without this support my work in Zambia would not have been possible. Thank you very much and may God bless you all. Yours in Christ, Janet Parke.”
CHRISTIAN AID Below you will find the latest total and breakdown of funds raised during Christian Aid week in Malmesbury: Soup Lunch Car Wash Market Cross Coffee Morning Street Collection Big Brekkie House-to-House Total
£ 449 £ 319 £1,496 £ 295 £ 229 £ 130 £5,217 £8,135
A record total, and the first time we’ve raised more than £8,000. A big thank you to everyone who has donated or contributed in any way. If you would like to find out more about the work of Christian Aid please go to their website at www.christianaid.org.uk or speak with Dick Gray.
CONTAC T
ABBEY OFFICE Tuesday-Friday 9.30am-3pm 01666 826666 office@malmesburyabbey.com www.malmesburyabbey.com 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
MALMESBURY ABBEY At Malmesbury Abbey we love to welcome new people, so don’t be shy, please make yourself known to us today or contact the Parish Office during weekday office hours (details above). We also love to show care for our community, please lease help us by letting us know if you, or anyone you know, needs our help.
12th CEN TU RY BE AU T Y 21st CEN TU RY CHU R CH