Dear all,
*“You have searched me, Lord,*
*and you know me.” (Psalm 138:1)*
This week our psalm is 139, a very familiar Psalm to many. And often a favourite. It contains such words of comfort – to know that we are fully known and never beyond the reach of God’s love. These are powerful truths which the world today needs to hear. But this psalm also contains another powerful truth the world needs to hear – and that is the importance of humility. Humility is not a quality prized by our current world. But I think that is partly because we have lost an understanding of what humility is. I think many would say that humility is thinking less of yourself, being self-effacing, not being boastful or proud. And yes, some of those things are evident in humble people. But I think people would also equate humble with lacking in confidence and here I find myself rising up in challenge because I would argue that humility can only come from absolute confidence. Confidence in knowing oneself to be loved, valued and worthy.
If an individual knows these three things to be true then there is no motivation to seek affirmation from others. There is no need for self-promotion in order to receive accolades and the concurrent sense of self-worth. There is no need to exert authority over others to find a sense of self-importance. There is no need to push for one’s own needs over those of another to achieve a sense of security. If we have an inner, totally secure and unshakable understanding of our value in the world we are then free to promote the value and flourishing of others.
For me this is what Psalm 139 is gloriously singing about. We are known, seen and lovingly embroidered into life (as one translation puts it) by an almighty entity who has the power to be present regardless of geography, circumstances or spiritual state. It is only when confident in the evidence of their worth in God’s eyes that the Psalmist can then open themselves up to be search, tested and guided by God. To submit themselves humbly to correction.
*“Search me, God, and know my heart;*
*test me and know my anxious thoughts.*
*See if there is any offensive way in me,*
*and lead me in the way everlasting.” (v23-24)*
It is a fact of human nature that only when we are confident in ourselves can we face up to critique and challenge, otherwise we respond in defensive ways, or go on the attack ourselves to protect our wounded egos and pride. So often in our world going on the attack, winning “victories” over others, proving our prowess or superiority are the ways we understand confidence and worth and yet they so often mask deep weakness and insecurity. And we see the resultant brokenness in cycles of violence and abuse as we scramble over each other in a desperate search for our own value and self-worth.
I pray that you may have time this weekend to sit with Psalm 139, to marvel in God knowing you fully – from atom to aspiration, from DNA to dreams. And that while you sit with that awe inspiring, confidence building thought, I pray that you may hear the words of Jesus speaking to you “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love” (John 15:9). May you know this to be true in every fibre of your being so that you are filled with such confidence that it enables you to take a step back and embrace the humility of the one who, knowing that the Father had put all things under his power, did not laud it over others but instead got down on his knees and washed his disciples feet… This is the different way we are called to live, the way of God’s kingdom.
*News and Upcoming Events*
*Saturday 15th June – 10am-1pm - Repair Café at St Martin’s Church *Organised by Coleridge Community Forum, visit www.coleridgecf.org/whats-happening to book in your repair or to book in for DIY advice. There will also be a cake sale, crafting and a bric-o-brac stall
*Sunday 16th June -3-5pm - ‘Music in the Parks’ * So begins a summer of free music in Cambridge’s parks. This first Sunday is at Romsey Rec. and Sing! Community Choir will be performing from 4 to 5 pm right after ARU Musical Theatre Choir. For more info about all the concerts through the summer visit MUSIC IN THE PARKS | Cambridge Live https://www.cambridgelive.org.uk/city-events/Music-in-the-Parks
*Sunday 23rd June - Rescheduled Ben & Dom Tour* – Ben & Dom are a singing duo from south London. Both experienced choir leaders and community musicians they love group singing and encouraging others to join their voices together in harmony. This is a Singing Workshop (2-4.30pm) followed by a performance (4.45-5.45pm) both taking place at St Philip’s Church. You can find out more and buy tickets for the event at benanddom.com
*28th-29th June Cambridge Apologetics Summer Conference *A two-day conference in Cambridge bringing together local Christians to support and equip one another in engaging the thinkers around us with the gospel. At St Andrew the Great, CB2 3AX. Find out more at 2024 Summer Conference – Cambridge Apologetics https://www.cambridgeapologetics.org/2024-summer-conference/
*Sunday 21st July – 2.30-6pm – A Family Pilgrimage Afternoon at Little Gidding *Described as an afternoon of fun, faith, fresh air and food this is an opportunity to explore God’s world as a family. There will be storytelling, worship, walking and prayer stations. Please bring some picnic food to share for tea. For more information contact Rev Fiona revfiona@norleigh.org.uk (children must be accompanied by a parent or carer.)
*Monday Small Group. *A new small group for Bible study, discussion and prayer will meet for 6 weeks, starting May 27th, on Mondays 11am-12.30. We’ll meet in the Prayer Room with tea/coffee and discuss passages from Mark’s gospel. Email lucy@stphilipschurch.org.uk if you would like to come or have questions!
*Warm Spaces (Young Adults’ Version). *From May 29th, Warm Spaces will be open on Wednesday evenings (7-9pm) to provide a relaxed social space, tea and snacks, friendship and maybe some board games for younger adults. The aim is to create a coffee-shop-type atmosphere, for people who may be at work while cafes are open, house-sharing or living with family, and short of opportunities to socialize and meet new people. Please do spread the word among 20s/30s you know!
*CIO Summer Outreach – Hosts needed *Each year Friends International run 6 weeks of summer teams (3 x 2 weeks) for outreach to (mostly) language students and equipping/Christian growth of the team members. Home (cambridgeinternationaloutreach.uk) https://cambridgeinternationaloutreach.uk/ Our team members stay with local Christians who kindly open their home for 2 weeks to offer bed and breakfast for free. If you have a spare room and would be willing to host a team member the team would love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Jenny.Hunter@friendsinternational.uk
*Toilet Refurbishment* these are progressing – thanks for bearing with us as various toilets have been out of action.
*Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week: *
Co-op has re-opened! This means you can once more recycle your soft plastics at their tills – particularly those crisp packets and pet food pouches that we can’t put in our blue bins in Cambridge.
*Last Week’s sermon*
Last week’s sermon: sermon 9.6.24.mp3 http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/2024-06-09%20-%20Michael%20-%20c.mp3
The link to our sermon archive: St Philip's sermon archive http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/
*This Sunday 16th June *
*8.30am – Reflective Holy Communion *
*10.30am – All Age Worship with Baptism *Colin will be taking us through Psalm 139 and Mark3:1-6 as we also welcome Joab, Petina, Ceasar and Albert to be baptised.
If you can't attend church in person you can always use this Zoom link:
meeting ID: 976 3739 9129 and Passcode: 330714
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/97637399129?pwd=TGhKWWxOcWF1S242aVhrWDlJdUkxZz09
*Prayers *
If any of you have specific prayers you would like us to include in this newsletter do please get in touch.
*Lucy Sixsmith *will be stepping down from her role as Parish Assistant at the end of July. We will be so sad to see her leave St Philip’s but please pray for her in this next season of life and please also pray for us as a church as we seek to reappoint someone to the role.
*The General Election*. And if you’d like guidance as to how on earth to do that, the Church of England have produced a resource for 21 days of prayer from 14th June to 4th July. You can either buy a little booklet or sign up to daily emails. Find out more at Pray Your Part https://www.churchofengland.org/about/topics/pray-your-part-general-election-2024 (let me know if you are interested in the booklet and I can investigate buying a bulk lot!)
*Please also pray for our Mission Partner this month:*
*Friends International Cambridge* – is a group of Christians who love to meet internationals from all over the world and to welcome them into community, no matter their faith background. Through regular meet-ups and activities, Friends International get to know internationals who come to Cambridge and talk about faith with those who are interested. Find out more at www.ficambs.uk
*Regular Weekly Services/Prayers to join:*
*Wednesday 12noon Reflective Holy Communion* A quiet time to help find space and peace in the middle of the week.
*Monday & Friday 8.30pm – Compline on zoom *
Meeting ID: 836 5965 9953 Passcode: 749968 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83659659953?pwd=btP5AjGMu1s-dE_2W9T0MMFqnnPKSS.1
*Wednesdays 7.00-7.30pm - Weekly Prayers on zoom*: -
Meeting ID: 852 1105 2733 Password: 397987
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85211052733?pwd=OE52bm9NS1RtQVQ0ZytTc0xBZnVsUT09
*Saturdays 8.15am - Morning Bible Discussion and Prayer on zoom*:
Meeting ID: 143 338 655 Password: 824271
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/143338655?pwd=L1JJTFZJNU9EaFZjaUFjQzVlalpMZz09
With love and prayers
Ruth
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Blessings Ruth
*Revd Ruth Barry* *Vicar, St Philip's Church, Cambridge*
185 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 3AN 01223 318315 vicar@stphilipschurch.org.uk *My day off is Tuesday*