St Cuthbert’s Notes – Pentecost 8 – 14 July 2024
Music:
Introit Hymn 57 – Awake, my soul, and with the sun
Gradual Hymn 65 – Be thou my guardian and my guide
Offertory Hymn 33 – Alleluia, sing to Jesus
Communion Hymn 82 – Bread is blessed and broken
Post-Communion Hymn 40 – Angel-voices, ever singing
Collect
Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you. May we find peace in your service, and in the world to come, see you face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First Reading: Amos 7.7-15
This is what he showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb-line, with a plumb-line in his hand. And the Lord said to me, ‘Amos, what do you see?’ And I said, ‘A plumb-line.’ Then the Lord said, ‘See, I am setting a plumb-line in the midst of my people Israel;
I will never again pass them by; the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste, and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.’ Then Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent to King Jeroboam of Israel, saying, ‘Amos has conspired against you in the very centre of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos has said, “Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel must go into exile away from his land.” ’ And Amaziah said to Amos, ‘O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there, and prophesy there; but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.’ Then Amos answered Amaziah, ‘I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycomore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, “Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”
Second Reading: Ephesians 1.3-14
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.
Gospel: Mark 6.14-29
King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, ‘John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.’ But others said, ‘It is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.’ But when Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.’ For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.’ And he solemnly swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the baptizer.’ Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, ‘I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’ The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
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Thank you:
Thank you to everyone, (especially the events team, Megan and Philip), who helped in different ways at the Welcome Weekend. Thank you also to all who participated and supported the various activities.
Exploring the archives from 1880’s to 2023:
This book by John Peacock is now available and can be purchased for £10 per copy. There is a limited number of copies available – please speak to Nicki or Hilary Pritchard if you would like to purchase a copy today. Thank you.
St Cuthbert’s Prayer Books:
Red Prayer books are at the back of church – these are being offered to the members of our congregation for a donation to St Cuthbert’s. Thank you.
Sale of Preserves for Charity:
Ross will be selling his preserves, raising funds for charity, on Sunday 28th July, in the hall, following the 10.30am service.
Fresh Start Collection:
The date for our collection for the charity Fresh Start is Saturday 20th July from 2pm – 4pm in the church hall. For further information, please check the list of items accepted (on the hall noticeboard), or speak to Lesley Gourley or Hilary Pritchard. PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANYTHING IN BEFORE THE 20TH JULY. Thank you!
Thursday Service:
The next Thursday service will be on 1st August at 2.30pm in church, followed by refreshments. The theme for this service is ‘Family’. Please join us for this informal service.
Membership Update 2024:
As you are aware, we are updating our membership this year, with a new ‘membership booklet’ to be available at the AGM in November. This is in accordance with the GDPR Legislation (Data Protection), and we must update the data we currently hold. This means that all members must complete new membership forms, and these have now been printed and are available to collect from the back of church. If you are new to St Cuthbert’s, and would like to become a member, please speak to one of our Welcome Team. Please complete the form (one form per person), and return it to church for the attention of Marie, Church Administrator by Sunday 1 September please. If you have any queries whatsoever, email Marie: stcuthbertscolinton@gmail.com Thank you!
Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, we acknowledge your son Jesus Christ as our Lord, Master and Friend. Forgive us for forgetting that we are your people and for going our own thoughtless ways, as we often do. Help us to be mindful of you and Christ’s commandments every day, not just when we attend church.
Be thou our guardian and our guide. Amen.
www.stcuthbertscolinton.org.uk
Scottish Charity Number: SC007578