Dear all,
*“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.” John 14:18-19*
Jesus said these words to his disciples at the Last Supper when he talks about his death, resurrection and ultimate departure from them. Yesterday was Ascension Day the day we mark that ultimate departure of Jesus from earth. It is a festival that often passes us by because it is one of those which happens mid-week - always fixed to 40 days after Easter Sunday and often overshadowed by the looming festival of Pentecost (50days after Easter Sunday). But these days in between Ascension and Pentecost can be a powerful moment in time. For the disciples it was a time of prayer, fellowship and probably a lot of wresting with not quite understanding what was going on – until the Spirit brought inspiration at Pentecost. And for nearly a decade now the Thy Kingdom Come movement have invited Christians around the world to make these 11 days – Ascension to Pentecost – powerful days of prayer for more people to come to know Jesus – indeed for God’s Kingdom to come! You can find all sorts of resources here https://www.thykingdomcome.global/about-us to help you pray at home or be inspired by seeing people from around the world joining in with prayer this year. But as a simple act for these next 10 days why not commit to praying the Lord’s Prayer every day? Maybe when you wake up, or while you have your lunch, perhaps before dinner or as you go to bed. Praying this prayer that Jesus taught us particularly noticing that second phrase – Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. *Your kingdom* *come…*
This prayer seeks Jesus’ return to establish God’s kingdom here on earth but it is also a prayer to see the life-giving power of God present in our world now – today. That life giving power of God which raised Jesus from the dead and which is available to all of us as we choose to invite God into our lives. “Because I live” Jesus says “you also will live”! I pray over these next 10 days you will experience more of the power of the life-giving Jesus in your own heart and also in the lives of all those for whom you are praying.
*News and Upcoming Events*
*Wednesday 15th May – 10.30-12noon - Drop-in NHS Hearing Aid Maintenance and Battery Collection Session *During our regular Wednesday Warm Spaces Cambridgeshire Deaf Association are organising a drop in session where you can get hearing aids cleaned and collect more batteries – and have a cup of tea while you’re there!
*Sunday 12th May - 4.30-6.00pm - Frida Violeta Band* This is a vibrant all-women ensemble that has been bringing Latin American folk music to the UK since 2018. They will be performing at St Philip’s Church and say “Join us with your family and friends to immerse yourselves in the depths and joys of Latin American rhythms!
https://fridavioletaband.weebly.com/ for tickets (£8/£13)
*Tuesday 21st May – 2.00-7.00pm - East West Rail Community Conversation taking place at St Philip’s Church *East West Rail is a new rail link connecting people and businesses in the communities between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge. They are hosting a series of community conversations explaining how and when individuals can get involved in the consultation process, so that communities are well informed before the launch of the first stage of statutory consultation in the summer. Find out more at https://eastwestrail.co.uk/news/latest-stories/community-conversation-events
*Mental Health First Aid Course - 1, 9, 13, 15th May - 9am-12.30pm on zoom* –MHFA England are running a course open to all who would like to become a Mental Health First Aider – to gain the knowledge and skills to spot signs of people experiencing poor mental health, be confident to start a conversation and signpost a person to appropriate support. There is a cost for this course and you will need to attend all sessions but if you are interested come and chat to me and I can let you have the details.
*Growing as a Disciple Course* – this is an online course regularly run by Ely Diocese it is a ten session course about deepening your personal faith, and raising your awareness of how God might be calling you to contribute your abilities and time to your churches and communities. Mondays at 7pm, via Zoom - 13 & 20 May, 3, 10, 17 & 24 June, 1, 8, 15 & 22 July. For more info: julie.norris@elydiocese.org or book online: https://elydatabase.org/events/mission_ministry
*Toilet Refurbishment* the PCC have commissioned a refurbishment of all the toilets in the church which will begin next week. They will be completed in stages so we wont lose all our facilities at once – do not worry! But please do be aware that there may be some disruption when you come into church and please bear with us while this much needed work is done.
*Thursday Small Group* – will now be meeting at 7.15pm-8.45pm
*Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week: *
Would you like to join a community of Christians who care about creation? Have a look at https://greenchristian.org.uk/ They describe themselves as “a community of ordinary Christians from all backgrounds and traditions. Inspired by our faith, we work to care for creation. We do this through prayer, living simply, public witness, campaigning and mutual encouragement. We walk alongside those of faith and no faith. Join us.”
*Last Week’s sermon*
Last week’s sermon if you want to catch up: sermon 5.5.24.mp3 http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/2024-05-05%20-%20Ruth%20-%20c.mp3
The link to our sermon archive: St Philip's sermon archive http://sermons.stphilipschurch.org.uk/
*This Sunday 12th May – Sunday after Ascension Day*
*10.30am – Holy Communion with Explorers *This Sunday Colin will be talking us through Jesus’ Ascension – what does this slightly bizarre event mean for us today? Our readings will be Ephesians 1:15-23 & Luke 24:44-53
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.
*Tracee & Lee* – Tracee is back home and now recovering well. Please pray this continues!
*Please also pray for our Mission Partner this month:*
*CPAS* – Making Mission Possible
CPAS is an Anglican evangelical mission agency, who believe that the message of the gospel is relevant to all people, and that effective local church ministry is the key to seeing men, women, young people and children come to faith in Christ.
*Regular Weekly events to join:*
*Friday 12noon Lunchtime Bible Club *A relaxed look at the bible passage/s for the upcoming Sunday. Bring along a packed lunch and explore scripture whilst eating lunch together.
*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
*Wednesday 10.30-12noon & Friday 1.30-3.00 –* Wednesday & Friday Friends
*Both are “Warm Spaces” with Tea/coffee, cake/biscuits and chat * Just turn up if you’d like to join us for a cuppa/read the paper/do some of the jigsaw/knit/colour/sit quietly watching the world go by.
*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*