From the Collect for today:Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people, that in their vocation and ministry they may serve you in holiness and truth to the glory of your name.Daily ReflectionYesterday was a very special occasion for our parishes, when Ylva, our curate, was ordained priest. As a deacon she has already been a part of our church community for the last year, and we rejoice that she has found her very special ‘vocation and ministry’ among us as a fully fledged priest.But today’s Collect reminds us that is by no means only the ordained who are called to serve God in a special way, but ‘all God’s faithful people’We are all called, and however insignificant we may believe ourselves to be, God has a special ministry, tailor made to fit every single one of us. Open our eyes and our ears to you Lord, so that we may discern your will for us. Revd Rosemary
Please see attached for weekly news. Sunday4th July - The Fourth Sunday after TrinityThis Sunday's services:8 am HOLY COMMUNION AT ST NICHOLAS, SANDHURST led by Revd Ylva Blid-Mackenzie & Revd David Commander10 am HOLY COMMUNION AT ST GEORGE’S, BENENDEN led by Revd Ylva Blid-Mackenzie & Revd David Commander
Daily ScriptureSo the sisters sent a message to Jesus, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill. But when Jesus heard it, he said, ‘This illness does not lead to death, rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it. (John 11 v3-4) Daily ReflectionThis is the story of the death of Lazarus, the one whom Jesus loved and Jesus’ apparent dismissal of the sisters, Mary and Martha, who urge him to go to their brother who was so ill. Jesus had known about Lazarus’ illness but had delayed going to see him - and while it may appear harsh, the point here is that Jesus is here to do the will of God, not to answer to what people want or expect of him. God’s timing and purposes are not ours to control or even understand. So next time we present a ‘shopping list’ of wants and needs to God in our prayers, do not be discouraged if those prayers are not answered as we hope - they will, but in God’s good time. Lyn Hayes ALM
Daily ScriptureO come, let us sing to the Lord; let us heartily rejoice in the rock of our salvation. (Psalm 95:1)Daily ReflectionThe following prayer is ascribed to Lancelot Andrewes, an English Bishop and scholar during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I; a man who oversaw the translation of the King James Bible. We would do well to pray this prayer ourselves and try to live it:Blessed are you, creator of all, to you be praise and glory for ever. As your dawn renews the face of the earth bringing light and life to all creation, may we rejoice in this day you have made; as we wake refreshed from the depths of sleep, open our eyes to behold your presence and strengthen our hands to do your will, that the world may rejoice and give you praise.Amen. Revd David
