The Weekly Catch
Eleventh Sunday After Trinity
23rd August 2020
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Dear Friends,
Welcome to this week's Catch. Make sure to check the notices section of this email so that you don't miss anything.
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The phrase “Kingdom of Heaven” or “Kingdom of God” does not appear anywhere in the Old Testament. Israel’s scholars used the concept to describe the ruling, saving, liberating and redemptive acts of God.
According to Israel’s teachers the first time the concept of the Kingdom of God was found in the Hebrew Scriptures was in the book of Exodus, in “The Song of Moses” where Israel is celebrating one of the definitive events of their history, the rescue of the Israelites from the harsh bondage of Egypt. The song declares that in the case of the exodus, their King, the Lord, had broken in and corrected a situation and set right something that He found to be against His will. Therefore for the elders of Israel the “Kingdom of Heaven” became a way of saying that god had broken into the world with a redemptive, restorative, saving act.
In the New Testament, John the Baptist was the first one to use the term “Kingdom of Heaven” when he quoted Isaiah and said, “Prepare the way” for Jesus’ public ministry proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”. (Matthew 3:2)
Jesus took this well-known term and made it His own. The very first words Jesus’ public ministry contained the exact same message as John, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17
“At hand” was just a way of saying, it’s here, right now. With this declaration Jesus means that the King – Messiah – had arrived in the person of Himself. Since the King was here, the Kingdom was here.
Next Week: Jesus Demonstrates the Kingdom of Heaven
Blessings,
Canon Garth Nathaniel
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Our live Sunday service
starts at 10:30am!
Watch here:
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Make sure you're subscribed to the St. Peter's channel for all of the Sunday services.
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Daily Prayer is also streamed live from 10am - keep an eye on the YouTube channels and on the Facebook pages to join in!
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Click on the links below to find out more!
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We're excited to announce that we've reopened for private prayer!
This is for one day a week on a Wednesday between the hours of 11am and 1pm.
Please see the announcement for further details.
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The Diocese of Worcester have launched a consultation on a proposal to reduce the number of deaneries from 13 to 6.
More information on this and how to contribute to this consultation are available on the Diocese of Worcester website.
There are also a series of open conversations planned by the Diocese focusing on the future of the Church.
These will be held via Zoom or telephone conference calls and look at the strategy for mission and ministry across the Diocese. More details, as well as information on how to join in, are available on the Diocese of Worcester website.
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To everyone who currently give to the work of the church through either weekly cash donations and weekly giving envelopes please prayerfully consider one of the following options to enable you to continue your giving.
The Parish Giving Scheme is open to everyone who gives regularly and if you currently give by standing order and would like to join the Parish Giving Scheme please see the details below. Your standing order can be cancelled once you have received confirmation of the start date of your Direct Debit.
By joining the Parish Giving Scheme
The following information will be required when contacting the PGS
PGS Parish Code: 420642159
Parish Ref: Ipsley, St Peter
Diocese: Worcester
By Phone:
You can now register your interest by phone
Please call: 0333 002 1271
Online:
https://www.parishgivingscheme.org.uk
By post:
If you decide to send the gift form you have already received please note that the address has changed from the one given on the bottom of the form.
The new address is:
Parish Giving Scheme
76 Kingsholm Road
Gloucester
GL1 3BD
By BACS Transfer:
Lloyds Bank
Account Name: St Peter’s Church, Ipsley
Sort Code: 30-96-97
Account No: 30971660
By sending a cheque:
Made payable to St Peter’s Church, Ipsley
Please post it to:
St Peter’s Church
c/o 53 Edgmond Close
Winyates West
Redditch
B98 0JQ
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Please consider giving to the Diocese of Worcester Ministry Fund:
As many churches see a reduction in regular giving due to the ongoing pandemic, the Diocese are asking for donations to help fund clergy stipends. Please see the Ministry Fund page on the Diocese website for more details.
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Cash Donations:
The Diocesan Board of Finance have asked that when we return we use non-cash giving wherever possible. As they stated ‘Money is God’s provision and we are grateful for it but at the present time cash is considered dirty.’
We have been advised not to use an offertory plate/box to try to limit the cash we receive in this way. However, as weekly giving envelopes are still being used, the offertory box will still be in place.
Anything placed in the offertory box will have to be stored safely for 72 hours before being handled. During this time the contents will not be counted and the box containing the envelopes and any loose cash will be locked away. The box will be wiped with cleansing wipes before and after being handled.
When we return we hope to have use of a SumUp terminal that will enable offerings to be made by card.
Alternatively the Parish Giving Scheme is a good way of giving on a regular basis and I encourage everyone to prayerfully consider joining it.
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O God,
you declare your almighty power
most chiefly in showing mercy and pity:
mercifully grant us such a measure of your grace,
that we, running the way of your commandments,
may receive your gracious promises,
and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen
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This week's CPAS Today prayer video
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Please pray for those who are ill:
Pastor Robin Baker, Pat Hale, Jenny Latham, Graham Twist, Betty Wood, Tia, Kate Bainbridge, Chris Tilley, Andrew Johnson, Alex Street, Peter Barcham, Erica Dilger, Michael Hawkins, Mark Brunner, Glynis Horton, Linda Grummet, Steve Thomas, Jane Gray, Iyra Dutton, Karen Lumley, Malcolm Gilks, June Gillett, Elsie, Delia Davies, Laraine Ellis, David Spencer, Irene Spencer, Eleanor East, John Knight (particularly for his hand), Steve (a friend of Pat Hale), Jatinder, John Stain.
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