JUNE 12TH 2016
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MAJEST Y Vicar’s Blog
Last month, for the third time, I had the honour of escorting His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, as he attended a concert at Malmesbury Abbey. It was my responsibility to introduce him to the churchwardens, and to speak with him as we made our way to our seats and then departed for interval drinks in the Cloister Gardens. I also needed to make sure that the future King of England didn’t slip on some lethally wet metal steps and paving slabs. I enjoyed talking to HRH, he was very good company, he didn’t fall, but as this all happened I was vaguely aware that on quite a number of occasions, when being licensed to various ecclesiastical positions, I have sworn my allegiance to him: ‘I, Neill John Archer, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law: So help me God.’ I have also sworn obedience to the Bishop of Bristol, probably a few more times than he would like. Two things: First. I like the mess. There are some who, from both sides of an argument, would disentangle the Church of England from England itself. (Perhaps missing the point that the Church of England is a part of what makes England itself.) Some would argue that the ministry of the Holy Spirit in God’s Kingdom has got no business getting mixed up in a constitutional kingdom, and others who would argue that it is an anachronism for a vibrant 21st century nation to remain shackled to a dying, archaic institution like the Church of England. I think there is substance in both points, but personally I like the complexity of where we’ve got to, that never allows our church to turn its back on our
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nation and communities, or our nation to completely ignore the prophetic voice of the church; if she speaks. Secondly, I am grateful that our monarch is sustained by her faith, and that Her Royal Highness seeks our prayers as we celebrate her 90th birthday as a nation. Her life began with the waters of baptism, and the holy name of the Trinity. Her reign began with the anointing of oil and the Holy Spirit, just as Zadok and Nathan anointed Solomon king. And her leadership of this nation, and many others, continues sustained by the prayers of her people. So we meet to honour the glorious majesty of God, Father, Son & Holy Spirit this weekend; a majesty we will one day see with unveiled faces. And this weekend especially, we meet to pray for a woman, a daughter of God, Elizabeth, who serves them, and us, as Queen.
A B B E Y D I A RY THIS SUNDAY: June 12th 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Holy Communion & Prayers for HMQEII 4pm Informal Worship, Junior Church & Prayers for HMQEII THIS WEEK EACH DAY 9am Morning Prayer MON 13th 10am Little Stars TUES 14th 7.30pm Glory! WED 15th 10.30am Communion 7pm Stewards Party THUR 16th 10.30am Time for Chat 6.45pm Choir Practice th SAT 18 2.30pm Wedding Blessing – Ruth & Geoff NEXT SUNDAY: June 19th 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm Informal Worship & Junior Church ADVANCE DIARY June 22nd Music for Autism June 23rd Vicar’s XI Cricket June 24th African Children’s Choir June 25th Concert – Oriel Singers June 27th Lifepath June 28th Lifepath
LU K E 7 : 3 6 - 5 0 36
When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is – that she is a sinner.’ 40 Jesus answered him, ‘Simon, I have something to tell you.’ ‘Tell me, teacher,’ he said. 41 ‘Two people owed money to a certain money-lender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?’ 43 Simon replied, ‘I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.’ ‘You have judged correctly,’ Jesus said. 44
Then he turned towards the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.’ 48 Then Jesus said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ 49 The other guests began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’ 50 Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’ MORNING READINGS: Ephesians 1:15-23, Mark 12:13-17
DISCIPLESHIP 1. Read Luke 7:36-50. 2. Honestly, who would be the most unexpected and awkward person to arrive uninvited at your small group or Bible study, particularly as you shared a meal? How would you feel if, shortly after they arrived, they simply started to weep and worship Jesus, in an uninhibited and passionate way? 3. The Pharisees sought to achieve purity through observing their interpretation of the law and modifying behaviour. How might we reduce Christianity to this, and what would our communities observe? 4. Jesus says the woman’s sins are forgiven (v47.) In this passage what does the woman do and what does Jesus do to make this happen? 5. ‘If the world actually saw Jesus in the midst of the life of the church it would simply turn up expecting love and forgiveness.’ Discuss.
D A I LY R E A D I N G S Monday Psalm 71 Judges 8:22-end Luke 15:1-10 Tuesday Psalm 73 Judges 9:1-21 Luke 15:11-end Wednesday Psalm 77 Judges 9:22-end Luke 16:1-18 Thursday Psalm78:1-39 Judges 11:1-11 Luke 16:19-end Friday Psalm 55 Judges 11:2292-end Luke 17:1-10
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
GLORY !
MUSIC FOR AUTISM
Our next Glory! prayer meeting will be this Tuesday, June 14th at 7.30pm. After a time of extended contemporary worship led by John Monaghan our focus in prayer will be Europe, the referendum, the migrant crisis, and other issues.
We are working again with the wonderful charity Music for Autism on Wednesday June 22nd. At 11am, songs and music for young people from local schools whose lives are affected by Autism. At 2pm a concert for the elderly and particularly those living with Dementia and their carers, followed by tea. And at 7.30pm a Gala of Song & Opera to raise money for the charity. All very welcome to drop in or attend all events. (Evening concert ÂŁ10.)
VICAR’S XI CRICKET
VISITING PREACHERS
As has happened a few times before, Neill will be leading an outstanding team of cricketers against The Whole Hog XI, on Thursday June 23rd from 6pm. If you have even the slightest skills at the game please get in touch with Neill who currently has 10 vacancies on his team. And if you want to watch, and escape an evening of TV Brexit, come to the Malmesbury Cricket Ground and enjoy the sport, beer, BBQ, maybe bring a picnic etc.
On Sunday 10th July at 4pm our visiting speaker will be Phil Williams, director of Christian Skaters & Surfers UK, who has co-led all of the Abbey Skates with the local team here. Also, on Sunday July 24th at 6.30pm the preacher at Choral Evensong will be The Venerable Christine Froude, Archdeacon of Malmesbury. All are very welcome to attend both services.
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NOTICEBOARD CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 2016 Many thanks to all who gave to a record Christian Aid Week in Malmesbury, during which we collected a terrific total of £7,835. This could n ot have been achieved without great generosity in our community, hard work from many volunteers and the commitment of Dick Gray and the organising committee. Our thanks, particularly, to them.
LIT TLE FISHES (AGES 2½-5) We are looking for a new team leader as Gill Shaw is stepping down at the end of this term. Gill has created a very happy group and we are looking for someone to continue this ministry. Gill and her team welcome 3 to 5 children each week. There are also a number of other opportunities to serve our children and young people during the 4pm service. Please contact Andrew Beebee to find out how you could make a difference to young lives. andrew@malmesburyabbey.com/07784333361
LUKE’S GO SPEL Our teaching series at the Abbey, after moving around a bit for the major Christian Festivals of Easter, Ascension, Pentecost & Trinity, now returns to the gospel of Luke for the summer: June 12th June 19th June 26th July 3rd July 10th July 17th July 24th July 31st
The Woman and the Alabaster Jar (Luke 7:36-50) Daughters of God (Luke 8:40-56) The Cost of Discipleship (Luke 9:51-end) The Seventy-two (Luke 10:1-11, 16-20) The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) Mary & Martha (Luke 10:38-end) The Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1-13) The Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21)
Friday 24th June 2016, 7.30pm Malmesbury Abbey Tickets available at the Abbey ÂŁ5 Adults, ÂŁ3 Students and under 18s