Dear all,

Switch to a new e-mail newsletter format We will be making the move to a new system for sending out the newsletter each week and as part of the process – if you would like to continue receiving the newsletter – we will need you to fill out a simple paper form giving us your email address and permission to send the newsletter to you. We will have copies of this form at church on Sunday for the next few Sundays and I will have copies of the form at Warm Spaces through the week. If you are unable to come to church over the next month, for whatever reason, but you would still like to receive the newsletter please get in touch with me and we will see how we can help.

How do you feel about the Bible? For you, is it - Sacred? Historic? Daunting? Delightful? Incomprehensible? Indispensable? Interesting? Boring? This week is Bible Sunday and a moment to celebrate this wonderful library of books that is now so freely available for us to read for ourselves. But how we read the Bible ie genre, context, author, motive is just as important as what we read in the Bible – indeed it will influence how we understand what we read. If you have been reading the Bible for years or if you’ve only just started I would highly recommend the Bible Project as a helpful companion to all you read and perhaps before Sunday you might find 5 minutes to watch one of their videos introducing the Bible and how to read it: https://bibleproject.com/explore/category/how-to-read-bible-introduction/ Who knows you may find yourself drawn in to spending even more time exploring further.

I confess it took me years to love the Bible. All those feelings above? I’ve felt them about this great book. But in our current climate and particularly with all the conversations (and arguments!) underway in our global Church it is more important than ever that every individual engages with and understands what we base our faith upon. Yes Jesus is alive and through the Holy Spirit we are able to encounter God in a real way but let’s not be naïve about the influence the written words of scripture have to shape the way we worship and even function as a Church. Indeed so much of our liturgy, and nearly all our theology, comes directly from the Bible and if we don’t fully understand these words and where they come from we risk being wrongly manipulated by them.

So I invite you this week to look at your Bible afresh – find a new way to engage with it whether that is through videos such as the Bible Project produce or reading a book related to the Bible (there are some great fiction books out there that base themselves on scripture and as such bring new insight to books or events of the Bible). Perhaps you’d like to join a group to talk about the Bible? Or commit to setting aside time each week – each day – to read a bit of a book of the Bible you’ve not read before? If you’re not sure where to start or how to start, come talk to me, I’d love to help set you off on a journey of discovery and delight with God’s word!

The law of the Lord is perfect,

reviving the soul;

the decrees of the Lord are sure,

making wise the simple;

More to be desired are they than gold,

even much fine gold;

sweeter also than honey,

and drippings of the honeycomb.

Psalm 19:7, 10

News and Upcoming Events

Free Pasta Give-away – if any of you read this newsletter before 4pm today there is a lady outside church giving away free pasta meals from Pasta Evangelists – I just advertise it as a gift for Friday dinner if you have no plans – other pasta restaurants are available and there is nothing in it for me as someone gluten intolerant!

Sunday 27^th November – 6pm – Fitzwilliam College Evensong I have been invited to preach – if anyone fancies an excuse to experience a very different style of worship for a change I’m sure you’d be most welcome to come along.

Sunday 17^th November – 6.30pm – Ely Cathedral - Saying Goodbye, Baby loss remembrance service Saying Goodbye, (part of the Mariposa Trust) are returning to Ely in November with a very special Baby loss remembrance and support service for anyone who has either personally lost a baby at any stage of pregnancy, at birth, or in early years, or who has been affected by family members' or friends' loss. Whether the loss was recent or 80 years ago, everyone is welcome to attend. The services also gladly welcome anyone who is grieving the fact that they haven't had children. This may be due to circumstance, infertility, or for other reasons - but all are welcome. Babies and children are also invited to come with their families, as the Saying Goodbye service is truly a family event for all. www.sayinggoodbye.org

Eco-Bite – our new green “nugget” each week:

For those who don’t like to think so far ahead, forgive me, but for those of you who have begun to think about Christmas presents already might I invite you this year to explore whether you could make presents for others. Jams/chutneys or cakes and biscuits, sewn gifts or a piece of artwork, vouchers for your time and expertise in a certain area… you might surprise yourself with what you could actually offer someone else that isn’t bought!

Last Week’s sermon

Last week’s sermon: sermons 20.10.24.mp3

If you missed any previous sermons, or would like a second listen you can find them here:

The link to our sermon archive: St Philip's sermon archive

Prayers

If any of you have specific prayers you would like us to include in this newsletter do please get in touch.

Jenny Eustace - Jenny is back home but still needing a lot of care and help, please pray for her healing and peace.

Please pray for our Mission Partner this month:

GenR8 – GenR8 is a Cambridge-based Christian charity working with primary schools and churches in the Cambridgeshire and North Hertfordshire region. They support learning about the Christian faith in schools through a variety of different programmes including presenting assemblies and prayer spaces. And also support churches in their work with children and work in partnership with them and their local schools.

Services this week 27^thOct – 2^nd November ****Don’t forget the clock change this Sunday!****

Sunday:

10.30am – All Age Worship – this week we will be celebrating Bible Sunday and looking at Psalm 19:7-end and 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

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

Wednesday:

12noon - Reflective Holy Communion A quiet time to help find space and peace in the middle of the week.

Regular Weekly Prayers to join:

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: - (Monthly in person – next in person prayer 20^th November)