Dear all,
*Have mercy on me, O God,*
*according to your unfailing love;*
*Psalm 51:1*
This Sunday we continue our sermon series on the psalms with a look at Psalm 51 – often used during Ash Wednesday Services as we face a season of Lenten repentance - but today I just wanted to look at the opening to this psalm. In a refreshingly honest psalm of confession, with the hyperbole of contrition, it is important to note that the psalmist begins by acknowledging God’s never-ending love. It is in the context of knowing that they are loved and that mercy is available to them, that they can be this self-accusing and soul bearingly honest.
I have heard it often said that “people don’t say sorry anymore” and I was reminding myself of the process of dealing with a car accident and discovered that “do not apologise or admit responsibility” is part of insurers guidelines in the event of an incident. Admitting guilt – rather than being praised as honesty, revealing integrity and showing strength of character – is now seen as weakness and an opportunity to exploit for monetary gain or status or standing in society.
But aside from the issue of the rise of legal compensation (which sadly influences all societal interactions now) admitting guilt and saying sorry has always been a problem for humans. You just need to work with small children to see this! Teaching a child about saying sorry can be a huge challenge, some find it so difficult to say the word. Not because of any fear of legal reprisal but because admitting guilt damages our self esteem and our own sense of self-worth. It acknowledges to the world that we got something wrong.
For many people that simple admission is enough to crush them. So of course we avoid it and resist it!
Unless.
Unless they have a stronger sense that their worth is not so easily removed or lost. Unless they know that love and value remains, and is not lost because of a mistake. So much of our human psychology is driven by an inbuilt need to be valued and loved. And so many in our society do not experience being valued, even less, loved. It is no wonder people cannot say sorry or admit guilt any more. It is a dangerous thing to do if it risks further losing that sense of being accepted and worthy. It is why our gospel is so important to share with the world. Because we know a God who is unfailing love. A God who loves us enough to come to earth as a vulnerable human in order to fix our mistakes for us. A God who counts us so precious that they know every hair on our head, every thought on our heart. A God who will never leave us or forsake us. Even when we get things wrong. Only when we know the solid, stable, constant rock of this love are we free and confident enough to own our mistakes and face the consequences.
*News and Upcoming Events*
*Saturday 13th July - morning *Ruth will be running Safeguarding training covering (at least) Basic and Foundation modules. If you know that your training needs a refresher and you struggle to do the online courses on your own then this is the opportunity to fulfil those training obligations. All those on PCC and working with our children and vulnerable adults *must* complete these courses but they are actually very helpful for all of us to understand our group responsibility to maintain church as a safe place for all. Let Ruth know if you would like to join her and we will confirm timings with you.
*Sunday 14th July - St Philip’s will be providing a welcome tea for the first Cambridge International Summer Outreach team* If you are able to help by providing a little something towards the tea your generosity would be greatly appreciated! Perhaps some sausage rolls or finger sandwiches, a punnet of cherry tomatoes, a bag of crisps or some cupcakes or fruit for example. Michael and Barbara Priestley will be co-ordinating the gathering and transporting of the food to the venue please let them know in church next Sunday if you are able to help, even in a very small way, to providing a lovely welcome for the CIO volunteers.
*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.)
*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: *
Do you have a bird bath in your garden? Why not make your own this summer to provide birds with a place to drink and bathe. The RSPB has great advice https://www.rspb.org.uk/helping-nature/what-you-can-do/activities/make-the-perfect-bird-bath for making your own but remember the perfect bird bath will have very shallow sloping sides, a maximum depth of only 10cm or so and be as wide as possible – ideally more than 30cm across.
*Last Week’s sermon*
Last week’s sermon: sermon 23.6.24.mp3 http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/2024-06-23%20-%20Ruth%20-%20c.mp3
The link to our sermon archive: St Philip's sermon archive http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/
*This Sunday 30th June – 5th Sunday of the month*
*10.30am – All Age Holy Communion *This 5th week of the month we have a slightly different look service and we will be exploring Psalm 51 together. With Matthew 9:9-13 to contribute to our learning.
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.
*Rebecca Mathen, Robyn Russell-Jones, Natalie Davies & Jonathan Chatfield *as they prepare for their ordinations over this weekend. Please pray for all those being ordained that God’s Spirit may fill them and equip them to serve in all the places they have been called.
*The family of Cynthia Constable who sadly died last week. *Please pray in particular for her daughter Sue – for peace and the reassurance of God’s constant presence with them in their sadness.
*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*. Please join us on zoom on Wednesday night as we come together to pray for the Election (see below for more details) and we continue to pray daily for all those standing for election, for integrity and the motivation to seek the common good. And for us as the voting public that we may use our votes and use them with discernment and wisdom.
*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 *special General Election prayer time**: -
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*