Living by FaithDear All Saints and St MarysThe word "faith" appears 7 times in the reading from the letter to the Hebrews. "Have a little faith!" is a common pronouncement when trying to encourage ourselves and others to take on something that might on paper look a little daunting but still holds hope and possibility. It is a word that is not just based on "no knowledge" but of some knowledge of the world matched with the humility that we perhaps don't have as yet the full picture. It is to live in a way that is both hopeful and humble. The world can often feel daunting, unpredictable and strange and yet faith holds firm to the good that is desired and still to come. It is the hope of the world that God made looking ever more closely like the kingdom. One of the loveliest images of the gospel this week is that God, as creator and maker, will welcome us all to sit at table, to join the party, and that God will be both host and server at that kingdom banquet. May we continue to be parishes that live in that same faith, hope and humility.This week our muddy, messy church at All Saints continues with the yearly theme of Animals and will be looking at Wild Animals of the bible - a great opportunity for all the church family to be together in prayer, worship and creativity. We also have an 8am and 10am communion across the parishes.Services this Sunday - 10th August.8am - Holy Communion - All Saints10am - Sung Holy Communion - St Marys10.30am - Muddy/Messy Church - "Wild Animal" themeThe week ahead Weds 13th Aug 9:00am Celtic Morning Prayer - All Saints Thurs 14th Aug 10:00am Holy Communion - St. Marys Friday 15th Aug 11.00am Living After Loss - St MarysSaturday 16th Aug 12.00noon to 1.30pm Saturday Lunches - St Mary’s Sunday 17th Aug 10:00am Sung Holy Communion Service - St Marys 10:30 Holy Communion - All SaintsBlessings and prayersLizzie
Dear All Saints and St Mary's,This week's Gospel encourages us to pause and reflect through the parable of the rich man - a reminder from Jesus about the true treasures in life. In a world that can often pull us towards material possessions, this story gently reminds us to focus on the things that truly matter: our relationships, our faith, and our community.There are many opportunities this week to come together in both Worship and Fellowship, and I encourage you to join us for whatever you can. Worship This Sunday10:00am Creative Church at St Mary's10.30 am - Holy Communion with Hymns at All Saints6.30 pm - Evensong at St Mary'sThe week AheadWed 6th Aug 9:00 - Celtic Morning Prayer – All SaintsThurs 7th Aug 10:00 Holy Communion - St. MarysSaturday 9th Aug 12.00 – 2:00pm - Saturday Lunches - St Mary’sNext Sunday 10th Aug 8:00 - Holy Communion, All Saints10:00 - Holy Communion at St Marys10:30 - Messy Muddy Church at All SaintsAlmighty God,Thank you for the love that brings us together. Help us to see and to listen to the needs around us. Be with us as we reflect your love in all that we do and all that we are.AmenBlessings, Charlie BlackettOrdinand- All Saints and St Mary's - Bristol Diocese
Teach us to PrayDear All Saints and St MarysThis week at All Saints, with children and families from both parishes, we have celebrated the joy of God's world and creation and the gift of science with over 50 children and 25 adult volunteers at Holiday Bible Club "Whizz, Bang Wow!" We have danced, sung, played, made things, talked about God, prayed and been together in a really special way. If you fancy having a sing along to what we have been doing then click the links below and enjoy!What underpins all of this, as it does with all Christian life and Church is lots of prayer. Prayers for places to be filled, for people to come and be part of something special, for everyone to be safe and blessed by others.This week's gospel reading sees Jesus respond to the disciples ask - "Teach us to pray". As we look towards the services of worship this weekend then we have the chance not just to understand that more deeply in our own lives, but to experience it with others. That is possible in communion services, but also our cafe church service which offers an informal service style looking at the theme of Devotion.May we continue to be a ceaselessly praying parishes. Worship this Sunday 27th July 20258.00am - Holy Communion - All Saints10.00am - Sung Holy Communion - St Marys10.30am - Cafe Church - Book of Romans - All SaintsEveryone is welcome. The week ahead Tuesday 29th 2pm – 5.30pm All Saints Family Cafe Weds 30th July 9:00am Celtic Morning Prayer – All Saints Thurs 31st July 10:00am Holy Communion - St. Marys Thurs 31st July 2.00pm - 5.30pm All Saints Family Cafe Thurs 31st July 7.30pm St Marys PCC Friday 1st Aug 11:00am Living After Loss - St. Mary’sSaturday 2nd Aug 10.00am - 12noon Coffee Morning & Repair Cafe - All Saints Saturday 2nd Aug 12.00noon - 2:00pm - Saturday Lunches - St Mary’s Sunday 3rd August 10:00am Creative Church - St Marys 10:30am Holy Communion - All Saints 6:30pm Choral Evensong – St. Mary’s With blessing and thanksgiving and prayersLizzieVicar of All Saints and St Marys Churches, FishpondsInterim Co Area Dean Bristol City Deanery
Dear All Saints and St Mary'sThis Sunday’s New Testament reading, from Paul's letter to the Christians at Colossae (Colossians 1.15-end), opens with a poem that stands out from Paul's usual prose. It is thought by many scholars to be a hymn that was already in use in the church before Paul wrote the letter and might have been familiar to the its first readers. It places Christ above all of creation as the image and fullness of God, through whom all things were created and through whom God is reconciling all creation to himself.This is the fundamental claim of the Christian faith. It is through Christ that we can truly know God. It is through Christ that we can be fully reconciled to God. It is only when we see creation in the light of Christ, that we can see it as the work of an almighty and loving creator. It is when we see acts of loving kindness in the light of Christ, that we see them as reflecting the love of God that Christ reveals.In the remainder of the letter, Paul goes on to describe the practical implications of who Christ is. It makes all people equal, whatever their race, religious background, or social status, for all are loved by God (chapter 2). It encourages compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience (3:12). It puts the love of God, which we see in Christ, at the centre of all we do (3.14-17). While some of the detailed instructions Paul gives are specific to the culture of the time (3.18-4.6), his Christ centred approach is still a guide for living today.This Sunday, we have Holy Communion at St Mary's at 10.00 am and at All Saint's at 10.30am.This week the Holiday Bible Club will be taking place at All Saints, so there will be no Celtic Morning Prayer this Wednesday. There will, however, still be Holy Communion at St Mary's on Thursday at 10.00 am. Next Sunday, we have our normal fourth Sunday pattern, with Holy Communion at 8.00 am at All Saints and 10.00 at St Mary's. The 10.30 am service at All Saints will be Café Church, where we will be continuing our look at Paul's letter to the Christians in Rome.This gives the following services for the coming week:Sunday 20th July 10.00 am St Mary's Holy Communion10.30 am All Saints Holy CommunionThursday 24th July 10.00 am St Mary's Holy CommunionSunday 27th July 8.00 am All Saints Holy Communion (said)10.00 am St Mary's Holy Communion10.30 am All Saints Café ChurchPlease note that, because of the Holiday Bible Club, there will be no access to All Saints grounds from 8.30 am to 1.00 pm on Wednesday 23rd, Thursday 24th and Friday 25th July.As we look ahead to the coming week, and particularly thinking about the Holiday Bible Club, let us pray for the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit in all we do.Yours in Christ Mark