Dear all,

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if people claim to have faith but have no deeds?

Can such faith save them?” James 2:14

This Sunday we move to James chapter 2 and we delve into that world of faith vs works – well actually we don’t! Historically, this is how the argument has been set up, but it is not actually what James’ words mean in context. The majority of chapter 2 of James is all about not showing favouritism. It expands on and explores what it looks like, practically and in a church context, to “love your neighbour”. And James, with his use of the word “works” or “deeds” is actually telling the early church that their actions expose whether they are actually following God’s laws regardless of whatc their professions of faith might imply.

Showing favouritism – in this context for the rich over the poor as they enter the congregation – is not loving one’s neighbour as yourself. It is only loving a certain type of neighbour. Jesus’ whole parable about the Good Samaritan challenged this human tendency to judge/exclude/prefer and revealed that God’s way was different. God’s way is a way that moves beyond what divides us – be that race or money or status, political opinion, gender, sexuality, education, age, language, musical taste or favourite animal!

Human beings instinctively categorize each other as we strive to find where we “fit” and as we search for community with “people like us” and thus we ironically cause division. What is so disruptive and shocking, and frankly wonderful, about God’s way is that it is fundamentally against such division. We talk about Jesus breaking down barriers and undermining societal norms but what he simply did was treat every person as an individual known and loved by God.

This is the gospel we follow and should be proclaiming to all the world – the “good news” of Jesus. And if we each actually acted in this way – by golly – what a different world we would be living in, it would be paradise. Wait. It really would be paradise. It would be God’s kingdom – heaven – paradise – whatever word you want to use. But it would be the way God means for us to live and flourish as humanity. Now of course the challenge is that humanly speaking it can be really hard to treat everyone equally and with love. But, we are not doing it “humanly” – God’s Spirit (the very one that creates unity within the Godhead three-in-one) lives in us too. It is through God’s strength, God’s love and God’s compassion that we can begin to live out this faith that we have. And yes, we don’t get it right all the time, and yes we get tired and grumpy, hungry and hangry and might often say the wrong thing but we need to keep coming back to God and saying “Sorry. I need help again! Please fill my heart once more with your Spirit so that I can love as you love”.

News and Upcoming Events

Thursdays – 7.30pm – Small group bible study at church If you are interested in joining others to look at the bible and pray together, perhaps you’ve never done this before but are interested to see what it is all about, do chat with Polly, Alan or Ruth. You can still join this term to explore the Fruit of the Spirit.

Wednesday 18^th September Prayer Meeting, 7.30pm at church The first monthly in person prayer meeting led by Polly Macartney. Please do join us for a time of focussed prayer for the world and for our local community.

Tuesday 17^th September – Ely Cathedral Environment Memorial Lecture – 6.30pm Ely Cathedral Canon Dr Peter Brotherton, Director of Science, Natural England, will speak on 'Climate change and nature loss: twin crises, shared solutions’. Entry is free - for more information visit: Environment Memorial Lecture - Ely Cathedral

Tuesday 24^th September – 6pm – Interfaith gathering at Cambridge Gurdwara if you have a heart for interfaith and community connections you are warmly invited to attend this event where everyone will be invited to consider the theme of “spiritual guides”. More information can be found here https://app.donorfy.com/form/P2VFRGBDA0/NIPGE

Friday 27^th September – 10-4pm - Little Giddings Quiet Day “Here I am” Exploring the sense of life-long calling with Revd Fiona Brampton. To book a place contact Fiona via email revfiona@norleigh.org.uk

Saturday 28^th September – 10.30-4pm Harvest Workshop at St Martin's Church A day of workshops & worship for people with learning disabilities, their families or support staff.

Until Friday 13^th September – have your say on the proposed bus gate for Mill Road. Information can be found at: Permanent Traffic Regulation Orders | Cambridgeshire County Council and a statement about the current position of the proposal here: An update on the Mill Road Traffic Regulation Order and legal challenge | Cambridgeshire County Council

If you would like to object or make any comments to the proposed TRO, please submit your comments through the consultation portal or send your letter, email to the addresses below using reference number PR1058.

Online Portal - Consultation.appyway.com / Email - Policy.andregulation@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Address - Policy & Regulation Team, Cambridgeshire Highways, Stanton Way, Stukeley Meadows Industrial Estate, Huntingdon PE29 6PY

Thursday 3^rd October – 7.30pm – The Leprosy Mission 150 years on – A Bible Society event at Royston Evangelical Church, ask Ruth or Robin Nelson for more information.

Accommodation

We have several people in our community looking for accommodation some permanent and some temporary. If you have rooms or property you let out, or are willing to offer to host people in the short term, please get in touch with Ruth and she can then make connections between people.

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

Get “Water fit” – no, not by going swimming but by exploring how you can save water with simple, easy changes – such as reducing the length of your shower by just 30 seconds or making sure you bin your excess oil and grease rather than rinsing it down the sink. Have a look at the tips from Cambridge Water https://www.getwaterfit.co.uk

Last Week’s sermon

Last week’s sermon beginning our series on James: sermon 1.9.24.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.

Please pray for ...

The family of Tim Gaved our mission partner at Wycliffe Bible Translators there will be a thanksgiving service for Tim's life at St John the Baptist's Church, Cauldwell Hall Rd, Ipswich on Friday 13th September at 14:30. This will be followed by refreshments in the church hall. Dress-code: colourful rather than black. For any of you who would like to attend.

The congregation at St Marks Newnham & St Mary's Granchester as they welcomed Revd. Jim Robinson as their new vicar yesterday.

The congregation at St Benet's Church as they welcome their new vicar Revd. Devin McLachlan on 13th September.

The family of Mary Walker – please pray for God to hold them in peace as they come to terms with her death and plan for her funeral.

Please also pray for our Mission Partner this month:

Logo | Tearfund Tearfund – Tearfund is a Christian charity which partners with churches in more than 50 of the world’s poorest countries. They tackle poverty and injustice through sustainable development, by responding to disasters and challenging injustice. Tearfund believes that an end to extreme poverty is possible.

Services this week 8^th -14^th September

Sunday:

10.30am –Holy Communion with Explorers Our readings will be James 2:1-17 & Mark 7:31-37

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 (starting again in September)

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)