<< Walking together with Christ: Companions on the Way >>SUNDAY SCRIPTURES - GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY Isaiah 51, vv1-6 - Look to the rock from which you were hewnPsalm 138 Romans 12, vv1-8 - We all have varying gifts and gracesMatthew (16, vv13-20) - Peter, the rock on which the church is builtThis Sunday (23rd Aug) is Trinity 12Hommeel Church Gratot: 11h00 Sung Eucharist with 'Cotswold Voices' - see belowFollowed by 'Picnic with the Parson'Service sheet will be provided in church today, but one is supplied below so you can see the hymns and readings in advanceAvranches: 16h00 Service of Word: Evening PrayerPlease download the service sheet and bring it with you - see belowThe week ahead Together on Tuesday Please see Friday Focus or contact us for the Zoom link to take part19h30 Evening Prayer - an act of prayer and worship on Zoom 20h00 Bible Study group continues to read the New Testament Letter of James.Next Sunday (30th Aug) is Trinity 13Hommeel Church Gratot: 11h00 Service of Word: Morning PrayerAvranches: 16h00 Summer Songs of Praise (replaces Eucharist originally scheduled)Other notices:Welcome! We are delighted to welcome 'Cotswold Voices' to enrich our service at Gratot this Sunday, and know church members will wish to be there support their hard work.'Picnic with the Parson' Sadly the choir members can't stay to join us, but please bring a picnic for after the service at Gratot on Sunday, and stay for what is always a lively conversation. No 'subject' is proposed this time - the best sessions are often the ones where a topic emerges on the spur of the moment!This Sunday at Gratot - a brief essay by Fr Chris! 'At home my taste in food is simple, but while I was away staying in a hotel I took the opportunity to sample the menu in their well regarded restaurant. I chose things I don't get the chance to eat at home: some things I liked, some less so. It was an experience, and I recognised the skill, passion and care of the chef who prepared it. I'm looking forward to our visiting choir 'Cotswold Voices' sharing their skill, passion and care so that our familiar worship can involve a richer menu on Sunday. The music for the service isn't concert music included in a service - it's worship music being used as the composer intended. The choir will lead us - sometimes we sing with them, sometimes we worship as we listen - after all, we don't have to join in vocally with everything! For those who treasure the choral tradition in Christian and Anglican worship this service will be a refreshing treat. For those whose preferred worship tradition is simpler, this service will be a chance to step out of our familiar comfort zone and sample familiar worship done in a less accustomed way. For all of us, Sunday's Eucharist with 'Cotswold Voices' will be a moment to make our visitors welcome, to be blessed by what they bring with them to share, and to celebrate the huge amount of work and effort that goes into preparing such a service. We hope to see you - bring your friends!'You can't be in two places at once.... Sadly Donna has to experience this profound reality(!) ...she so wanted to be at Gratot for the Sung Eucharist this Sunday, but she has responded to an ecumenical invitation meaning she is on her way to the Shrine of Our Lady at Lourdes as a helper in the Coutances Diocese Pilgrimage of the Sick. We hope she will be blessed, and that she will be a blessing to others: Donna has promised to write about the experience for the September Chaplaincy magazine.We remember in prayer and thanksgiving... Mgr Stanislas Lalanne, Bishop of Coutances 2007-2013 who died in Versailles this week, aged 78. He was a good friend to the Chaplaincy in our early years, and was instrumental in giving us the use of the Hommëel church in 2011. September magazine: Please offer your contributions to Margaret by the middle of this week: many thanks!Please continue to pray for our ChaplaincyLord Jesus Christ,thank you for calling us to be a Church under the banner of your Name:may we look to you today and find clear vision for tomorrow. May our life together bring you glory, as you make of us a living invitation to enter the joy of your Kingdom. Amen
