Hi Everyone!
I hope that you’re all doing well.
This week sees us arrive at the climax of St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, the final verses of Chapter 8: a glorious affirmation of the love of God, in Christ Jesus, for us all – and the fact that there is nothing in all creation that separate us from that love. I was struck by the way in which the epistle builds and builds to this theological crescendo, so there’s a bit of Beethoven to which to listen in the online service, in musical echo of the scriptural climax!
Please note that there will be no Cranmer Group Online Services on Sundays 2nd and 9th August, since I will be on leave (supporting Clare as she looks to complete her dissertation; spending time with Esther; and doing at least some of the jobs I haven’t yet managed to do since moving into Aslockton!). If you are managing to have some time off over the rest of the summer, I hope that you have a very blessed break.
I recommend that you may wish to visit the Southwell Minster website, where they have a Sunday service at 10AM, or indeed in the Minster in person, also at 10AM (Eucharist) and 3pm (Evening Prayer). Alternatively, other local churches such as St. Nic’s in the centre of Nottingham also have good online Sunday service provision, or you could try out something completely different!
We will be back with our online Sunday service on 16th August!
Do watch our Online Service video here at 9.30AM on Sunday 19th, and then, as usual, join us here on Zoom (Meeting ID: 864 0083 1074; Password: 549794) from 10.15AM for a catch-up with all your Cranmer Group friends.
And of course you can also catch up later with the Online Service, on our YouTube channel here, and we’ve re-instigated our podcasts as well, for those who may prefer to listen to them – they are here.
Our worship today has been led by Deb Hubbard and Deborah Davies – thank you both so much as usual:
Be Thou My Vision
Played by Deb Hubbard
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my wisdom, be Thou my true word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;
Be Thou my whole armour, be Thou my true might;
Be Thou my soul’s shelter, be Thou my high tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, the first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.
High King of heaven, Thou heaven’s bright sun,
O grant me the joys after vict’ry is won!
Great heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be Thou my Vision, O Ruler of all.
Irish c.8th Century; Eleanor Hull
Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer
Played by Deborah Davies
Guide me, O thou great Redeemer,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
Hold me with thy powerful hand:
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven
Feed me till I want no more.
Feed me till I want no more.
Open thou the crystal fountain
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through:
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer
Be thou still my strength and shield.
Be thou still my strength and shield.
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death, and hell’s destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side:
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to thee.
I will ever give to thee.
William Williams
As usual, if you’d prefer to read rather than watch the video, the sermon transcript, reading, prayers for today, and worship lyrics can be downloaded here:
And if you cannot make it to our churches for private prayer (see the homepage for the times when each church is open every week), do keep joining us for our online prayer gatherings.
Wishing you all every blessing,
Rev. Tim Chambers
Vicar
The Cranmer Group
E-mail: curate@stgilesparish.com
Mobile: 07946 526569