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30 t h Apr il 2 017
CLOUDS Rev’d John Monaghan, Curate
The lingo for the front of the news sheet, to those who might not be familiar, is a ‘word cloud’. It’s a visual depiction of a group of words. The more times a word is used, the bigger the font of the word. The data for this particular word cloud was formed by members of the 4pm congregation during our Palm Sunday all-age service. We were given pens and post-it notes and asked if we could write an answer to the statement, ‘I worship Jesus because…’ Reading through the ministry reports for 201617, I couldn’t help but think that there are gazillions of reasons we could give in answer to that question, and there is so much to thank to God for. As Justin Welby writes: ‘We are the Church of Jesus Christ, called together by him, made for his glory and empowered by his Spirit. We exist for
God’s sake and for the sake of others. And in Jesus’ name and in his power we witness to the one who was dead and is alive again.’ Come, Holy Spirit, renew our lives as we continue to worship and serve as one body, and as one great cloud of witnesses together (Hebrews 12:1).
‘As surely as the sun rises, he will come to us…like the spring rains that water the earth’ (Hosea 6:3). Time for the umbrella? I hope so!
ABBEY DIARY THIS SUNDAY: April 30th 10.30am Coffee 11am Festival Holy Communion 12.30p Picnic Lunch (BYO) 1.30p AGM 2.30p Closing Prayer THIS WEEK EACH DAY WED THUR SAT
9am Morning Prayer 10.30am Communion 8pm Prayers for Primary School in Eilmer House 10.30am Time for Chat 7pm Choir Practice 7.30pm Bath Male Choir
NEXT SUNDAY: May 7th 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm Informal worship & Junior Church
ADVANCE DIARY 8th May 7.30pm Diocesan Visitation th 9 May 7.30pm Glory! 16th May 10.30am Christian Aid Coffee Morning 7.30pm Refresh! th 25 May 7.30pm Ascension Evensong 27th May 1pm The White Doves Peace Choir
LU K E 2 4 : 1 3 - 3 5 13
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognising him. 17 He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’ They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, ‘Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’ 19 ‘What things?’ he asked. ‘About Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.’ 25 He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going further. 29 But they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’ 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, ‘It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognised by them when he broke the bread.
Additional Reading: Acts 2:14a, 36-41
DISCIPLESHIP Read the Luke 24:13-35 passage together.
D A I LY R E A D I N G S
1. Jesus enabled the disciples to tell their story. How did he do this and what might we learn from him? (vs 12- 24)
Monday Psalm 119:1-8 Ephesians 1:3-10 John 14:1-14
2. Jesus explained the scriptures to them, which we learn affected them profoundly (v 32). What particularly enables you to study the Bible?
Tuesday Psalm 98 Deuteronomy 5:22-end Ephesians 1:15-end
3. Read v.20. Reflect on why Jesus did this and what difference did it make?
Wednesday Psalm 105 Deuteronomy 6 Ephesians 2:1-10
4. How might we welcome the presence of Jesus as individuals and as a church community? 5. Reflect on how Jesus refocused the two disciples. Now take time to pray for each other and the Abbey community, that we might grow in our discipleship of him.
Thursday Psalm 136 Deuteronomy 7:1-11 Ephesians 2:11-end Friday Psalm 107 Deuteronomy 7:12-end Ephesians 3:1-13
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 on Tuesday 2nd May at 4 Mill Lane at 2.30pm. This month we will focus on China, where the level of harassment and ill treatment of Christians is increasing again. See Mike Langtree for more details
SMALL GROUPS If you would like to explore being a part of a small group at the Abbey, please contact Brian Whitehead through the Parish Office. We have a network of groups meeting on most days of the week that offer an opportunity for friendship, prayer and Bible study that compliments our Sunday services.
F O U N D AT I O N G O V E R N O R S The PCC is currently looking for somebody to serve as Foundation Governor at Malmesbury CE Primary School, to join the governing body and focus on helping to develop and maintain the distinctive Christian character of the school. This is a wonderful opportunity to work with other members of the Abbey who are Foundation Governors and to serve our community. There are six evening meetings a year with the full governing body, and planning meetings with the Foundation Governors. You do not have to be a parent in the school, and young or old we would love you to pray about joining us. Please speak to John Jenkins (Foundation Governor Chair) johnjenkins@malmesburypri.wilts.sch.uk
12th CEN TU RY BE AU T Y 21st CEN TU RY CHU R CH
OUR CAFÉ NEEDS US! Did you know that our Abbey café needs each one of us? As a church family how can we help? Please can we all: 1. Pray for our café and its ministry of hospitality. 2. Pray for the staff and volunteers who help us to fulfil this core principle of the Abbey’s mission. 3. Consider volunteering to support Holly and Stella as we enter a busy time of year. 4. Use our café on a regular basis, also encouraging friends, to ensure our café’s continued success.
Hebrews 13:2 “Don’t forget to entertain strangers for by so doing people have entertained angels without knowing it”
Every one of us can contribute in some way. email: Holly or Stella on café@malmesburyabbey.com
CONTAC TS
ABBEY OFFICE Tuesday-Friday 9.30am-3pm 01666 826666 office@malmesburyabbey.com www.malmesburyabbey.com
ABBEY CAFÉ MondayFriday day (normal) 9.30am-4pm Happy hour (drinks £1) from 9.30am-10.30am. 10.30am. café@malmesburyabbey.com Monday-Friday Friday (normal) 9.30am – 4pm Happy Hour (drinks £1) from 9.30-10.30am 10.30am café@malmesburyabbey.com
Staff members can be contacted by name@malmesburyabbey.com
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