‘The breath of life from God entered them’
29/06/2014 MALMESBURY ABBEY
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Revelation 11 Revelation 12 Revelation 15 Revelation 19 Revelation 21
The Last Word on Witness The Last Word on Politics The Last Word on Judgement The Last Word on Salvation The Last Word on Heaven
The Last Word Revelation at Malmesbury Abbey
Vicar’s blog: therapeuo There are three main Greek words for worship in the New Testament. The most common (PROSKUNEO) means to prostrate, or bow down as to kiss in homage; you’ll find it in John 4:23 as Jesus describes true worshippers. Another (LATREUO) means an act of religious service or worship; Paul uses it in Romans 12:1 and it’s related to our word ‘liturgy’. A third (SEBO) appears mainly in the book of Acts and means to reverence or hold in awe. You might ask which of these you are up to every Sunday. But there is a fourth, little used word, (THERAPEUO), which has two interesting dimensions that particularly intrigue a musician like me. In Acts 17:25 you’ll see it used in the sense of serving and worship; in Matthew 4:23&24 you’ll see it used to describe the healing ministry of Jesus. Look again at THERAPEUO and you can see the word ‘therapy’ struggling to get out. Enough of the Greek lesson, but you’ll probably get why Malmesbury Abbey’s partnership with Music for Autism over the last few years has been profoundly significant in the lives of young and old, and a deeply moving act of hospitality in the midst of which God has been at work.
This Wednesday, July 2nd, Music for Autism are back at the Abbey. Drop in during the day if you can. From 11am-12pm children and young people on the autistic spectrum from schools across Wiltshire & South Gloucestershire get the chance to dance, sing and conduct with professional musicians and an international conductor guiding the music making. Then at 2pm there is a concert for seniors. All are invited, but there is a special invitation extended to those living with dementia and their carers as music and songs from a few decades ago unlocks memories and emotions, and for many brings deep joy. Stay for a cuppa and a slice of cake after this. Then at 7.30pm the church needs to turn up for a fantastic concert of beautiful music (see back cover.) We really, really need your £10 for your ticket, and your donation for your glass of bubbly at the interval. All the proceeds fund the work of Music for Autism earlier in the day. So this is me being a bit pushy for once (!). Drop in during the day if you can, but turn up this Wednesday evening and facilitate something wonderfully life-giving in our community. God is at work.
Abbey Diary THIS SATURDAY: June 28th 10.30am Linda Sullivan’s ordination at Bristol Cathedral THIS SUNDAY: June 29th 10.30am Coffee 11am Festival Communion with Children’s provision 3.30pm John Monaghan’s ordination at Bristol Cathedral 8pm Celebration at Whole Hog EACH DAY TUES 1st WED 2nd
9am Morning Prayer 1pm Funeral 10.30am Holy Communion in Le Flambé ALL DAY: Music for Autism THURS 3rd 10.30am Time for Chat 4pm Evening Prayer 7pm Choir Practice SAT 5th 9am-11am Refresh Breakfast 10am Healing in the Streets 2pm Wedding NEXT SUNDAY: July 5th 8am BCP Holy Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm Informal Worship, Junior Church & The Grid July 15th July 28/29 Aug 3rd Sep 13th Oct 7th Oct 17/18 Oct 31st
WOMAD at the Abbey Holiday at Home New Wine Archbishop in Malmesbury Confirmation at the Abbey BBC History Weekend glo in the dark Junior Church
Revelation 11:1-12 I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, ‘Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshippers. 2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. 3 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.’ 4 They are ‘the two olive trees’ and the two lampstands, and ‘they stand before the Lord of the earth.’ 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6 They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want. 7
Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city – which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt – where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth. 11
But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, ‘Come up here.’ And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.
Gospel Reading: Luke 9:28-36 28
About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendour, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfilment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ (He did not know what he was saying.)
34
While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.’ 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.
small group resource + 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Read the passage from Revelation 11, then share what you learnt from the teaching on this passage last Sunday. The two witnesses of Rev 11 are considered to be Moses (the Law) and Elijah (the Prophets.) How do these two great figures witness to us today? ‘Law tells us how God is involved in our lives. Prophecy tells us how we are involved in God’s life...there can be no witness if either is omitted.’ Discuss. Other than Christ, which person from the Bible has spoken to you significantly and enriched your faith? Who has personally been a witness to you as you came to faith, or grew in your faith? Who might you be a witness to at the moment?
daily readings MONDAY Psalm 1 Exodus 9:8-12 Rev 16:1-11
TUESDAY Psalm 105 Isa 11:10-16 Rev 16:12-21
WEDNESDAY Psalm 20 Jer 51:1-14 Rev 17:1-6a
THURSDAY Psalm 148 Daniel 2:24-49 Rev 17:6b-14
FRIDAY Psalm 96 Ezekiel 16:23-34 Rev 17:15-18
Church Weekend Away Offering About 150 of us enjoyed a wonderful Church Weekend Away, Hope 2014, at Roberts Berry Farm in Grittleton last weekend; with excellent teaching from Bishop Lee and the Revd Paul Langham, a Ceilidh, Clay-pigeon shooting, lots of water fights, a Hog Roast and an inspiring outdoor Holy Communion. The Abbey is indebted to the generous hospitality of James & Ruth Cole, and to the hard work of many teams providing AV, stewarding, Youth and Junior Church, café, worship and transportation. The weekend was free of charge, but, for those who were present, there is the chance to give to help us break even on this event. Please put any gift in our normal collections in an envelope marked CWA, or drop it in at the Parish Office. Many thanks.
Ordination Celebration at Whole Hog On Saturday 28th June at 10.30am Linda Sullivan is being ordained Deacon in the Church of England. On Sunday 29th June at 3.30pm Revd John Monaghan is being ordained Priest in the Church of England (John is currently a Deacon.) Both these ordinations take place at Bristol Cathedral. All are very welcome to support Linda and John at these services. Then on Sunday 29th June at 8pm all are invited to the Whole Hog for a celebration with John & Linda.
Café hours changing From Monday 14th July there will be a change in our normal Café hours, as we try to get a good balance between serving our community and tourists and looking after the well-being of our staff and volunteers. From July 14th the Abbey Café will be closed on Sundays & Mondays, and then open from 9am4.30pm from Tuesday to Saturday. Obviously the café continues to close during services in the Abbey. Please contact clare@malmesburyabbey.com with any questions, or to join our excellent and hardworking café team.
Honorary Canon Neill has been invited by the Bishop of Bristol to become an Honorary Canon of Bristol Cathedral. His installation as canon will take place at Cathedral Evensong on Sunday 5th October at 3.30pm and you are very welcome to attend.
Noticeboard Concert for Seniors—July 2nd, 2pm The 2pm Concert on July 2nd at the Abbey (see back cover) is open to all seniors with free admission. This concert has a String Quartet, some lovely songs, community singing and a cuppa afterwards. All are welcome, and a particular welcome is extended to people with dementia and their carers.
Refresh Breakfast The Refresh Breakfast this year will take place this Saturday 5th July, 9-11am in the Abbey. Come and enjoy a wonderful breakfast (bacon roll & sweet pastries + veggie alternatives) and hear some amazing testimonies from some of the ladies in our church. Invitations are available at the back of the Abbey and via email. Spaces are limited so please make sure you book a place with Sandie on 01666 826666 or office@malmesburyabbey.com
Volunteers Needed Volunteers are needed to help remove a pile of brush wood from behind the East End arch of the Abbey. Please join us by the arch at 8am on Saturday 5 July. Bring gardening gloves, and clippers or secateurs if you can, and plenty of energy! Good exercise to start the day and "more hands make light work"! Contact for this: Diana Crowe (Churchwarden) 01666 825470
Tea & Coffee at 4pm If you like smiling, serving refreshments and getting to know all the new faces that are appearing at our 4pm services please contact Clare MacDonald on cjef.macdonald@btinternet.com and offer your services for our 4pm refreshment team. With the holiday season approaching we are getting very low on volunteers and would really value your help just to serve and clear away, preparation will be covered.
Weekend Away talks online The talks from our Church Weekend Away, Hope 2014, are available now at