28T H F EB R UA RY 2016
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EASTER AT THE ABBEY Vicar’s Blog
December 25th is actually fairly easy. We vicars get the whole year to prepare. We’re not that stupid, we know that it’s waiting there for us in the twelfth month. And Christmas is at least fairly consistent. You never hear a vicar saying ‘What? Christmas Day is December 25th this year? You are kidding me? It’s come rather early. The day after the 24th? Really?’ Easter Day is a bit of a monkey though. 2008 had vicars collapsing with stress all over the nation; March 23rd. That horror will return again in 2160. I am so ready; bring it on. In 2285 Easter Day will be at its very earliest again, March 22nd; I’m not concerning myself too much as I may be a little past my best by then, and this year, March 27th, is coming fast enough to need all my attention. Do you remember the good years? 2011, April 24th. 1943, April 25th. Feet up for weeks after Christmas.
Anyway, we are very nearly there this year. Our Holy Week & Easter Festival kicks off on March 14th, two weeks on Monday. Why you might ask do we do a whole load of stuff before Good Friday and Easter Day? Answer, because God speaks in a myriad of ways, not just when the clergy open their mouths. His outrageous welcome to all will be felt in the laughter of our comedy night and the warmth of the hospitality as nachos and wine make their way around the Abbey. The dimensions of his divine love will be explored as song after song, jazz, blues and contemporary, consider our human, image-bearing, experience of love. The gentle rhythm of The Garden Labyrinth and the insights of The Stations of the Cross Art Exhibition are not just vehicles for spiritual entertainment, they are places of holy encounter. And expect
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A B B E Y D I A RY THIS SUNDAY: February 28th 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm All-age Communion 6.30pm Choral Evensong
the beauty and sacrifice of our Saviour to be vividly depicted in the music of Victoria and Handel, and in the contemporary drama from Riding Lights. Next Sunday you will be asked to deliver 3,750 brochures as we invite the entire community to come and meet with God. But this week it is time to make our own plan, to carve out time to meet with God and to meet with each other, and to prepare our hearts for that great Easter response: ‘He is Risen indeed. Alleluia.’ Brochure now online at issuu.com/malmesburyabbey
THIS WEEK EACH DAY 9am Morning Prayer MON 29th 10am Little Stars TUES 1st 2.30pm Prayer for the Persecuted Church WED 2nd 10.30am Communion THUR 3rd 10.30am Time for Chat 7pm Choir Practice th FRI 4 10.30am Creative Response 2.30pm Thanksgiving for Rosemary Hughes 7.30pm Women’s World Day of Prayer Service SAT 5th 10am The Meeting Place 7.30pm MAMS Concert NEXT SUNDAY: March 6th 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm Informal Worship & Junior Church
EASTER AT THE ABBEY Brochure now online at issuu.com/malmesburyabbey
LU K E 1 3 : 1 - 9 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, ‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4
Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them – do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.’ 6
Then he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig-tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, “For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig-tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?” 8 ‘“Sir,” the man replied, “leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig round it and fertilise it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.”’ Additional Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
DISCIPLESHIP 1. Over a meal if possible, discuss together your experiences of Lent so far, and what has remained with you from our worship and teaching. 2. Jesus is leading a group of Galileans to Jerusalem. What is the significance of Luke 13:1-3? In what way is Jesus’ response helpful given the fear of his followers? What does his response say about (Roman?) religious persecution? 3. In verses 4-5 is Jesus talking about a rickety building falling down, and everyday tragedies that do indeed happen, or is he speaking prophetically about the future Roman destruction of Jerusalem? Discuss. 4. Develop two arguments together: 1) The parable of the fig tree is about the unwillingness of Jerusalem to turn to God and follow the Kingdom purposes revealed in the Messiah. 2) The parable is about personal discipleship and bearing fruit. 5. Is Jesus the owner of the vineyard or the gardener in the parable?
D A I LY R E A D I N G S Monday Psalm 35 Genesis 47:1-27 Hebrews 4:14-5:10 Tuesday Psalm 9 Genesis 47:28-48:22 Hebrews 5:11-6:12 Wednesday Psalm 38 Genesis 49:1-32 Hebrews 6:13-end Thursday Psalm 56 Genesis 49:33-50:26 Hebrews 7:1-10 Friday Psalm 22 Exodus 1:1-14 Hebrews 7:11-end
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
SOUP LUNCH Please help support Christian Aid by joining us for a soup lunch at the United Reformed Church on Friday 11th March at 12.30pm. For more information please contact Dick Gray on 01666 823979.
PERSECUTED CHURCH Join us as we pray for our persecuted Christian family, at 2.30pm on Tuesday 1st March at Mollie's. This month we will focus on Pakistan where Christians, particularly women, experience more violence than almost anywhere else in the world.
BAPTISM
REFRESH
It is still not too late to be prepared for Baptism this Easter Day at 4pm. We are more than happy to fill the font with water, if you are happy to meet with Neill or Andrew for preparation and then to declare your faith publicly in what will be a joyous service. Please do speak to Neill next week if you are considering this and would like to have a further conversation.
Join us for Refresh on Tuesday March 8th at 7.30pm at the Abbey when Wendy Reakes, from Clevedon Baptist Church, will be speaking on ‘Is this what I believe, that God so loves me?’ and will also be sharing her testimony. Wendy suffered an accident in 1999, which led, to infection and then to a leg amputation. However, it was during her recovery she met with God. Please book a place with Sandie on office@malmesburyabbey.com or 01666 826666.
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NOTICEBOARD L I T T L E S TA R S N E E D S M U S C L E ! Little Stars had 96 little ones and adults last Monday in the Abbey (10:00am to 11:30am), they jumped on the bouncy castle, raced cars around the track, went fishing, drew their own meal and finished with songs, a bible story and prayer. It’s action packed and Spirit filled! However, to continue to serve such a large group we need space, which means moving chairs. We would like to have 3 teams who can help with this at different times. Team 1: Move chairs after the 4pm service at 5:30pm. Could you serve on a rota? Team 2: Re-set the chairs after Little Stars has finished at 11:30am on Monday (during school term time). Team 3: Set up on Monday from 8am once a month (when there has been Choral Evensong the night before). It should take about 20 minutes and will be a great blessing to the children and adults who come but also to the team running Little Stars. Please contact Andrew on andrew@malmesburyabbey.com or 07784333361 to join a team and support this exciting new ministry.
CHORAL EVENSONG: PSALM 13 1
How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord, for ever: how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? 2 How long shall I seek counsel in my soul, and be so vexed in my heart: how long shall mine enemies triumph over me? 3 Consider, and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, that I sleep not in death. 4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him: for if I be cast down, they that trouble me will rejoice at it. 5 But my trust is in thy mercy: and my heart is joyful in thy salvation. 6 I will sing of the Lord, because he hath dealt so lovingly with me: yea, I will praise the Name of the Lord most Highest. (The Gloria follows)
Refresh
CONTAC T
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR WOMEN TO GET TOGETHER AND ENCOUNTER GOD
ABBEY OFFICE
ABBEY KITCHEN
In 2016 we have a closer look at John 3.16 Is this what I believe... ...That God so loves me.
Tue 8 March 2016 at 7.30pm - Malmesbury Abbey Fun with flowers
...That Jesus died for me.
Fri 13 May 2016 at 6.30pm - Roberts Berry Farm - Grittleton Clay Pidgeon shoot / walk, food & drink
...That I am truly forgiven.
Wed 13 July 2016 at 7.30pm - Malmesbury Abbey Quiet reflective evening
...That I have eternal life.
Sat 1 Oct 2016 at 9am - Malmesbury Abbey Breakfast & Testimonies
...That Jesus is the light of the world.
Tue 22 Nov 2016 at 6.30pm - Malmesbury Abbey A 1d v2et nht Ce vEeNn T t UwRi tYh B c rEaAftU&T Ys u 2 p p1esrt
CENTURY CHURCH