Pew Notes

St Cuthbert’s Notes – Seventh Sunday of Easter – 1 June 2025

Music:

Introit Hymn                      33 –     Alleluia, sing to Jesus

Gradual Hymn                  711 –     The head that once was crowned with thorns

Offertory Hymn                150 –     Crown him with many crowns

Communion Hymn           774 –     Thy kingdom come, O God

Post-Communion Hymn  103 –     Christ triumphant

Collect

Almighty God, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven.  Mercifully give us faith to know that, as he promised, he abides with us on earth to the end of time; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Reading: Acts 16.16-34

One day, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave-girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling. While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, ‘These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation.’ She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And it came out that very hour.  But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market-place before the authorities. When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, ‘These men are disturbing our city; they are Jews and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or observe.’ The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.  About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted in a loud voice, ‘Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.’ The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them outside and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They answered, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’ They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.

Second Reading: Revelation 22.12-14, 16-17, 20-21

‘See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.’  Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.  ‘It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.’  The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’  And let everyone who hears say, ‘Come.’  And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.  The one who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’  Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!  The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.

Gospel: John 17.20-26

‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.  ‘Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.’

~

St Cuthbert’s needs your help…

If you would like to know more about our Sunday volunteering roles before committing, I plan to hold training in church on Tuesday 3rd June for Welcomers at 6pm and Ministers of the Word, Readers and Intercessors at 7pm.  Those currently in these roles are very welcome to come along too and re-train, or offer suggestions for things to work better.  Turning up on the night does not commit you to the rota, but it will hopefully give you the information you need to make the decision.  Many thanks, Nicki.

Forget-Me-Notes;

Tomorrow, Monday 2 June – 2pm – 4pm – an hour of music and memories, followed by refreshments. All welcome.

Thursday Afternoon Service: Thursday 5th June at 2.30pm

The theme is ‘World Environment Day – Let’s Start with the Bible’. Please join us for this informal service – everyone is welcome and we hope to see you there.  Refreshments will be served after the service. 

Summer Evensong:

Please note – there will be NO Evensong in June.  Our next Evensong Service will be on Sunday 6th July at 5pm.  All welcome.

Weekly Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, before your ascension into heaven, you told your apostles to be your witnesses, inspired by the Holy Spirit. May we be similarly inspired to spread your gospel message in word and deed, according to your will. May we do so with joy and in spite of our limitations. Help us to remember your glorious ascension, by reflecting as far as we are able, your kingdom in Heaven, where you are seated at the right hand of God, the Father. Amen.

St Cuthbert’s Notes – The Day of Pentecost – 8 June 2025

Music:

Introit Hymn                     120 – Come down, O Love divine

Gradual Hymn                  62 -Be still, for the presence of the Lord

Offertory Hymn                582 – O worship the King

Communion Hymn           580 – O thou who camest from above

Post-Communion Hymn  479 –   Lord, the light of your love is shining

Collect

Almighty and everliving God, who fulfilled the promises of Easter by sending us your Holy Spirit, and opening to every race and nation the way of life eternal: keep us in the unity of your Spirit, that every tongue may tell of your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Reading: Acts 2.1-21

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.  Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.  Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.’ All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ But others sneered and said, ‘They are filled with new wine.’  But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:  “In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.  Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.  And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist.  The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.  Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Second Reading: Romans 8.14-17

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

Gospel: John 14.8-17, 25-27

Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.  ‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. ‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

~

Summer Evensong:

There is no Evensong service this evening.  Our next Evensong service will be on Sunday 6th July at 5pm.  All welcome.

Weekly Prayer:

Dear Lord, You know every decision we need to make and every challenge we face. Thank you for sending your holy spirit to guide us and to give us strength, thoughtfulness and direction. May we try to do what we know to be right and good through its inspiration.  Amen.

St Cuthbert’s Notes – Trinity Sunday – 15 June 2025

Music:

Introit Hymn                     310 – Holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty!

Gradual Hymn                 506 – May the mind of Christ my Saviour

Offertory Hymn                320 – How shall I sing that majesty

Communion Hymn             83 – Bread of heaven, on thee we feed

Post-Communion Hymn  767 – Thou, whose almighty word

Collect

Almighty God, without you we are not able to please you.  Mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Reading: 2 Samuel 11.26 – 12.10, 13-15

When the wife of Uriah heard that her husband was dead, she made lamentation for him. When the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a son.  But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord, and the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, ‘There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had very many flocks and herds; but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. He brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children; it used to eat of his meagre fare, and drink from his cup, and lie in his bosom, and it was like a daughter to him. Now there came a traveller to the rich man, and he was loath to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb, and prepared that for the guest who had come to him.’ Then David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man. He said to Nathan, ‘As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.’  Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul; I gave you your master’s house, and your master’s wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added as much more. Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, for you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.  David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Nathan said to David, ‘Now the Lord has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child that is born to you shall die.’ Then Nathan went to his house.  The Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it became very ill.

Second Reading: Galatians 2.15-21

We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law. But if, in our effort to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have been found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again the very things that I once tore down, then I demonstrate that I am a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

Gospel: Luke 7.36-8.3

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.’ Jesus spoke up and said to him, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ ‘Teacher,’ he replied, ‘speak.’ ‘A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?’ Simon answered, ‘I suppose the one for whom he cancelled the greater debt.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You have judged rightly.’ Then turning towards the woman, he said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.’ Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’ And he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’  Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.

~

Forget Me Notes:

Join us tomorrow, Monday 16th June, at 2pm in the church hall, for an hour of music and memories, followed by refreshments.  All welcome.

Thursday Afternoon Service: 3rd July at 2.30pm‘Holy Days and Holidays’

Please join us for this informal service – everyone is welcome.

Church Picnic with our Ukrainian Friends: Sunday 6th July at 12 Noon in the Church garden. 

Please note – the 10.30am service on this day will begin at 11am, to avoid waiting for the start of the picnic.  Please write your name on the sheet at the back of church if you plan to attend and would like food.  We hope you can join us.

Evensong:

Join us on Sunday 6th July at 5pm for our next Summer Evensong service.  All welcome.

Weekly Prayer:

Lord God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we may not fully comprehend the concept of the Trinity, but we know all three represent love, mercy and justice. May we, despite our limitations in understanding, do our best to reflect these qualities in our daily lives. Help us in our quest to be and do good. Amen.

Scottish Charity Number: SC007578

www.stcuthbertscolinton.org.uk

Facebook: @stcuthbertscolinton

YouTube: St Cuthbert’s Scottish Episcopal Church