Author: Cranmer Group

Dear Friends, 

I hope that this finds you well – it’s very good to be back with you after something of a break, with some of my time spent having lots of fun with Esther, as Clare has been finishing her dissertation. 

Thank you so much to those of you who very kindly took the time to complete both the survey on re-opening our church buildings, and also the personal contact details form. Your very helpful feedback in the survey is being used to inform how we will open up for services once again, which will be within early September at latest, across a number, but at least initially not all, of our six churches.

I’d also mentioned the Diocesan Real Life discipleship course, which we will be hosting on Thursday evenings, starting September 17th, in St. Thomas’s Aslockton (or possibly online – we’re planning for the former, but it may have to be the latter). This is a great opportunity to strengthen your faith through excellent teaching and discussion – do find more details, and sign up for it, at https://southwell.anglican.org/real-life-questions/, or contact me if you’re unsure how to do so/don’t have internet access.

Do watch our Online Service video here at 9.30AM on Sunday 16th, 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 the service in that format – they are here.

Our worship today has been led by Deborah Davies – thank you so much as always, Deborah:

Blest Are the Pure in Heart 
Played by Deborah Davies

Blest are the pure in heart,
For they shall see our God;
The secret of the Lord is theirs,
Their soul is Christ’s abode.

The Lord who left the heavens
Our life and peace to bring,
To dwell in lowliness with men,
Their pattern and their King.

Still to the lowly soul
He doth himself impart
And for his dwelling and his throne
Chooseth the pure in heart.

Lord, we thy presence seek;
May ours this blessing be:
Give us a pure and lowly heart,
A temple meet for thee.

John Keble

Let All the World 
Played by Deborah Davies

Let all the world in every corner sing,
My God and King! 
The heavens are not too high,
His praise may thither fly; 
The earth is not too low,
His praises there may grow. 
Let all the world in every corner sing,
My God and King!

Let all the world in every corner sing,
My God and King! 
The church with psalms must shout,
No door can keep them out; 
But, above all, the heart
Must bear the longest part. 
Let all the world in every corner sing,
My God and King!

George Herbert

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,

Best wishes, God bless, and hope to see you soon,

Rev. Tim Chambers
Vicar
The Cranmer Group
E-mail: curate@stgilesparish.com 
Mobile: 07946 526569

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.8^th 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

Hi Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well.

I’ve been struck this weekend by the announcement of the death of American Civil Rights activist, Congressman John Lewis.

As we’ve been looking at St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, we have been thinking about the freedom which we enjoy in Christ Jesus, echoing Paul’s words to the Galatians: “It is for freedom that Christ set us free.” Lewis participated in the ‘Freedom Rides’ of 1961, in which he and other protestors put their lives on the line, travelling across the segregated bus networks of the southern USA, in order that they be forced to open up to people of colour as well as whites.

He continued to stand up publicly for social and racial justice right to the end, secure in his faith and in the rightness of his cause. John Lewis famously said – in words that could almost have come straight from St. Paul – “Hold only love, only peace in your heart, knowing that the battle of good to overcome evil is already won.” Heavenly Father, we thank you for those men and women of courage and faith, who stand up for God’s justice, and seek to build your Kingdom here on earth.  

  

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.

Our worship today has been led by Deb Hubbard and Deborah Davies – thank you both so much as usual:

There Is a Hope that Burns within My Heart
Played by Deb Hubbard

There is a hope that burns within my heart,
That gives me strength for every passing day;
A glimpse of glory now revealed in meagre part,
Yet drives all doubt away:
I stand in Christ, with sins forgiven;
And Christ in me, the hope of heaven!
My highest calling and my deepest joy,
To make His will my home.

There is a hope that lifts my weary head,
A consolation strong against despair,
That when the world has plunged me in its deepest pit,
I find the Saviour there!
Through present sufferings, future’s fear,
He whispers ‘courage’ in my ear.
For I am safe in everlasting arms,
And they will lead me home.

There is a hope that stands the test of time,
That lifts my eyes beyond the beckoning grave,
To see the matchless beauty of a day divine
When I behold His face!
When sufferings cease and sorrows die,
And every longing satisfied.
Then joy unspeakable will flood my soul,
For I am truly home. 

Stuart Townend & Mark Edwards Copyright © 2007 Thankyou Music

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling 
Played by Deborah Davies

Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of Heaven to Earth come down;
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling,
All Thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesu, Thou art all compassion,
Pure, unbounded love Thou art,
Visit us with Thy salvation,
Enter every trembling heart. 

Come almighty to deliver,
Let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return and never,
Never more Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray, and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love. 

Finish then Thy new creation,
Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see Thy great salvation,
Perfectly restored in Thee.
Changed from glory into glory,
‘Til in Heaven we take our place,
‘Til we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love and praise.

Charles Wesley

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:

To join Morning Prayer on Zoom, Wednesdays & Fridays 9.00-9.30AM, click here (meeting ID: 873 3636 1158; Password: 629570).

To join Evening Prayer on Zoom, Thursdays 8.00-8.30PM, click here (meeting ID: 873 3636 1158; Password: 629570).

Go well this week, and God bless,

Rev. Tim Chambers
Vicar
The Cranmer Group
E-mail: curate@stgilesparish.com 
Mobile: 07946 526569

Hi Everyone! 

I hope that this finds you well – it’s good to have some sun again!

In today’s sermon, I mention the diocesan ‘Real Life’ course which we will be helping to host in the Benefice from this autumn. Keep an eye out for more details, but at this stage, I’ll just encourage you to join us for great teaching and discussion about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, living your life for him and the Kingdom.

I also said last week that our Benefice Council and I are working on how and when to re-open our church buildings for public worship, as now permitted by Government and Church of England guidance. We’ve agreed to move cautiously, with some services resuming by the beginning of September at latest. But, to inform our decisions, we’ll send out to you soon a brief questionnaire about both how we’ve been able to minister to you to date during lockdown, and what your hopes and concerns might be about having services in church again. It would be great if, in due course, you could please complete this, and return it to us. Thank you so much in advance.

Do watch our Online Service video here at 9.30AM on Sunday 12th, 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.

Our worship today has been led by Deb Hubbard and Deborah Davies – thank you both so much as usual:

Breathe on me, Breath of God 
Played by Deb Hubbard

Breathe on me, Breath of God
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what thou dost love,
And do what thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Until my heart is pure;
Until with thee I will one will,
To do and to endure.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Till I am wholly thine;
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, Breath of God:
So shall I never die,
But live with thee the perfect life
Of thine eternity.

Edwin Hatch

Come Down, O Love Divine
Played by Deborah Davies

Come down, O Love divine!
Seek thou this soul of mine
And visit it with thine own ardour glowing;
O Comforter, draw near,
Within my heart appear,
And kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing.

O let it freely burn
Till earthly passions turn
To dust and ashes in its heat consuming;
And let your glorious light
Shine ever on my sight,
And clothe me round, the while my path illuming.

Let holy charity
Mine outward vesture be,
And lowliness become mine inner clothing;
True lowliness of heart,
Which takes the humbler part,
And o’er its own shortcomings weeps with loathing.

And so the yearning strong,
With which the soul will long,
Shall far outpass the power of human telling;
For none can guess its grace,
Till we become the place
Wherein the Holy Spirit makes his dwelling.

Bianco da Siena, trans. R.F. Littledale

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:

To join Morning Prayer on Zoom, Wednesdays & Fridays 9.00-9.30AM, click here (meeting ID: 873 3636 1158; Password: 629570).

To join Evening Prayer on Zoom, Thursdays 8.00-8.30PM, click here (meeting ID: 873 3636 1158; Password: 629570).

Best wishes, and God bless,

Rev. Tim Chambers
Vicar
The Cranmer Group
E-mail: curate@stgilesparish.com 
Mobile: 07946 526569

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to the second of our Café Church online services! I hope you are doing well.

This week, we’re exploring who is our neighbour, and what it looks like to love our neighbour, with the help of Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).

It’s extremely pertinent, firstly as we’re starting to make the first significant steps out of the Coronavirus lockdown, with all the questions that raises about how we maintain and build on the connections and relationships we’ve built during these times of restrictions and physical isolation, especially with the most vulnerable in our communities. And, secondly, as we seek to engage well with the Black Lives Matter movement, with its imperatives for repentance across our society and indeed within the Church of England, whilst acting to build a more racially just society.

I’d like to thank all those who came to the Time of Prayer in Orston this last Wednesday, as we lowered the Black Lives Matter banner that members of St. Mary’s and of the wider Orston community had been instrumental in putting up as a statement of our Christian solidarity with those who’ve been victims of racial injustice. We are planning to continue this dialogue in the coming weeks and months, and will give you details of an Open Evening on a Christian perspective on racial justice and social justice, with speakers from the BAME community, when these are finalised – God willing, in the autumn.

We’re also continuing to work on when, how and where best to open our churches again for services, albeit under hygiene and social distancing restrictions – our Archdeacons will be sharing with us their advice on how to go about this, this coming week. Our first concern is for the safety of all of you in our church family, so we will be prudent in starting up services again, whilst acknowledging the desire that many of us have to be back in our sacred spaces as soon a realistically possible, and perhaps especially to share Communion once again. I will let you know as soon as we have any particular developments.

Do watch our Café Church Online video here at 9.30AM on Sunday 5th, 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.

Our more contemporary worship today has been led by Amy Taylor and Clare Chambers – thank you both so much:

Jesus, Lover of My Soul 
Played and sung by Amy Taylor

Jesus, lover of my soul
All consuming fire is in Your gaze
Jesus, I want you to know
I will follow you all my days
For no one else in history is like you
And history itself belongs to you
Alpha and Omega, You have loved me
And I will share eternity with You

It’s all about You, Jesus
And all this is for You
For Your glory and your fame
It’s not about me
As if You should do things my way
You alone are God
And I surrender to your ways

Paul Oakey

Good, Good Father
Played and sung by Clare Chambers

I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think you’re like
But I’ve heard the tender whispers of love in the dead of night
And you tell me that you’re pleased
And that I’m never alone

You’re a good good father
It’s who you are, it’s who you are, it’s who you are
And I’m loved by you
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am

I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we’re all searching
For answers only you provide
‘Cause you know just what we need
Before we say a word

You’re a good good father
It’s who you are, it’s who you are, it’s who you are
And I’m loved by you
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am

Because you are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways to us

Chris Tomlin

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:

To join Morning Prayer on Zoom, Wednesdays & Fridays 9.00-9.30AM, click here (meeting ID: 873 3636 1158; Password: 629570).

To join Evening Prayer on Zoom, Thursdays 8.00-8.30PM, click here (meeting ID: 873 3636 1158; Password: 629570).

Best wishes, and God bless,

Rev. Tim Chambers
Vicar
The Cranmer Group
E-mail: curate@stgilesparish.com 
Mobile: 07946 526569

Hi everyone!

We hope you’re all doing well, and that many of you will join us for Café Church this morning – details are on the homepage.

This week’s Cranmer Kids is all about loving your neighbour, from the Parable of the Good Samaritan (St. Luke’s Gospel, Chapter 10, verses 25-37).

There’s lots of great stuff for you to watch, listen to, and do, as usual – enjoy!

God bless,

Tim, Clare, Esther and Ella

Hi everyone!

I hope you’re all doing well, and that you survived both our mini-heatwave this week, and avoided getting washed away in Saturday’s torrents! 

You may have seen in the press that the Prime Minister gave permission last Tuesday for places of worship to open for services from July 4^th, albeit under social distancing and Covid-prevention hygiene measures. The Government has not yet issued any guidance about what these measures will need to be, and the restrictions under which we will have to hold any services. Once they have done this, the Church of England will in turn issue its guidance, which is what we must follow, applying it to our context.

Although we are very much looking forward to being able to meet once more in our church buildings, I think it’s fair to say that starting services in church again is going to be complex. We must do so with sensitivity, recognising that some will still not be able to access them, and also that many have valued our online Sunday services and social gatherings after. However, we must also acknowledge what we’ve lived through during these last months, and the grief and loss that have impacted so many. I will be in contact with you all, once our Wardens and I have agreed our plans.

We’re again exploring Paul’s Letter to the Romans this week, looking at chapter 6, verses 12-23: “The ‘Presents’ of God”. 

Do watch the video here at 9.30AM on Sunday 28th, 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.

Our worship this morning is, as usual, led by Deb and Deborah, but with an added twist. Deborah Davies has recruited a couple of her promising young singers to lead us in one of our hymns – Jake Broughton from Whatton and Rose Tomlinson from Orston, singing in Deborah’s garden, with her accompanying them from inside the house! It’s great – thank you all so much. 

Our hymns today are:

Take My Life
Sung by Jake Broughton (Whatton) & Rose Tomlinson (Orston), accompanied by Deborah Davies

Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,

Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,

Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,

Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,

Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,

Frances Havergal

Ye Servants of God 
Played by Deb Hubbard

Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim, 
And publish abroad his wonderful name; 
The name all-victorious of Jesus extol; 
His kingdom is glorious and rules over all.

God ruleth on high, almighty to save; 
And still he is nigh, his presence we have; 
The great congregation his triumph shall sing, 
Ascribing salvation to Jesus our King.

Salvation to God, who sits on the throne! 
Let all cry aloud, and honour the Son; 
The praises of Jesus the angels proclaim, 
Fall down on their faces and worship the Lamb.

Then let us adore, and give him his right: 
All glory and power, all wisdom and might, 
All honour and blessing with angels above 
And thanks never-ceasing, and infinite love.

Charles Wesley

As usual, if you’d prefer to read rather than listen to the podcast, the sermon transcript, reading and prayers 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:

To join Morning Prayer on Zoom, Wednesdays & Fridays 9.00-9.30AM, click here (meeting ID: 873 3636 1158; Password: 629570).

To join Evening Prayer on Zoom, Thursdays 8.00-8.30PM, click here (meeting ID: 873 3636 1158; Password: 629570).

Best wishes, and God bless,

Rev. Tim Chambers
Vicar
The Cranmer Group
E-mail: curate@stgilesparish.com 
Mobile: 07946 526569

Hi All!

It’s great to be with you this morning, having been – in my case, not just for the first time in a long time, but actually for the first time full stop, in most cases – in many of our beautiful churches this week, as we’ve been able to open them for times of private prayer. I have really valued these quiet times in God’s presence, praying to Him and waiting on Him. I hope that those of you who have, like me, gone to pray, have found it a real pleasure to be back in our buildings, even if still under very restricted circumstances.

It’s been a real pleasure to bump into some of you there (still socially distanced, of course!), as you have been into the churches to pray too. We’ll continue to open each church at the same times each week until further notice – see the blog post of June 14th for details of which church is open when. Thank you so much to all of our Wardens for making this possible – it is hugely appreciated by me and by our Cranmer Group church family.

We continue our preaching following the Lectionary, in Paul’s Letter to the Romans, chapter 6, verses 1-11: “Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ!”
Do watch the video here at 9.30AM on Sunday 21st, 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.

Our worship this morning is, as usual, led by Deb and Deborah – thank you both. Our hymns today are:

O For a Heart to Praise My God

O for a heart to praise my God,
A heart from sin set free;
A heart that always feels thy blood
So freely shed for me.

A heart resigned, submissive, meek,
My dear Redeemer’s throne;
Where only Christ is heard to speak,
Where Jesus reigns alone.

A humble, lowly, contrite heart,
Believing, true, and clean,
Which neither life nor death can part
From him that dwells within.

A heart in every thought renewed,
And full of love divine;
Perfect and right and pure and good –
A copy, Lord, of thine.

Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart,
Come quickly from above;
Write thy new name upon my heart,
Thy new best name of Love.

Charles Wesley

Lord, for the Years

Lord, for the years
Your love has kept and guided,
Urged and inspired us,
Cheered us on our way,
Sought us and saved us,
Pardoned and provided:
Lord of the years,
We bring our thanks today.

Lord, for that word,
The word of life which fires us,
Speaks to our hearts
And sets our souls ablaze,
Teaches and trains,
Rebukes us and inspires us:
Lord of the word,
Receive your people’s praise.

Lord, for our land
In this our generation,
Spirits oppressed by
Pleasure, wealth and care:
For young and old,
For commonwealth and nation,
Lord of our land,
Be pleased to hear our prayer.

Lord, of our world
Where men disown and doubt you,
Loveless in strength,
And comfortless in pain,
Hungry and helpless,
Lost indeed without you;
Lord of the world,
We pray that Christ may reign.

Lord, of ourselves,
In living power remake us
Self on the cross
And Christ upon the throne,
Past put behind us,
For the future take us;
Lord of our lives,
To live for Christ alone.

Timothy Dudley-Smith

As usual, if you’d prefer to read rather than listen to the podcast, the sermon transcript, reading and prayers can be downloaded here:

To join Morning Prayer on Zoom, Wednesdays & Fridays 9.00-9.30AM, click here (meeting ID: 873 3636 1158; Password: 629570).

And if you cannot make it to our churches for private prayer, do keep joining us for our online prayer gatherings:

To join Evening Prayer on Zoom, Thursdays 8.00-8.30PM, click here (meeting ID: 873 3636 1158; Password: 629570).

Best wishes, and God bless,

Rev. Tim Chambers
Vicar
The Cranmer Group
E-mail: curate@stgilesparish.com 
Mobile: 07946 526569

Hi Everyone!

After last week’s Café Church Online Service by video, we’ve decided that we’ll take advantage of all the new filming and editing skills that we’ve learned, and we’ve put our regular service in video as opposed to podcast this week too. I hope you enjoy it, even if Esther doesn’t make an appearance this time around!

We’re continuing with the Church of England’s Lectionary, so we’ll be following readings over the next few weeks from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Watch the video here at 9.30AM on Sunday 14th, 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. We could even discuss the sermon one of these weeks!

We also have some good news to share with you – we’re now able to open our church buildings, for private prayer only, in line with new Government guidance. 

Thanks to the efforts of our Wardens and others to ensure that we have all the necessary social distancing and hygiene arrangements in place, we’re very pleased to be opening up our churches again. Do come and spend some quiet time with God in our beautiful churches – they will be open from Monday 15th June according to the following timetable, which will apply to every week until further notice – 

In our service, our worship is, as usual, led by Deb and Deborah – thank you both. Our hymns today are:

Holy, Holy, Holy 

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
Who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Reginald Heber

     

All My Hope on God Is Founded

All my hope on God is founded;
He doth still my trust renew.
Me through change and chance he guideth,
Only good and only true.
God unknown,
He alone
Calls my heart to be his own.

Human pride and earthly glory,
Sword and crown betray his trust;
What with care and toil he buildeth,
Tower and temple, fall to dust.
But God’s power,
Hour by hour,
Is my temple and my tower.

God’s great goodness aye endureth,
Deep his wisdom, passing thought:
Splendour, light, and life attend him,
Beauty springeth out of naught.
Evermore
From his store
New-born worlds rise and adore.

Daily doth the Almighty giver
Bounteous gifts on us bestow;
His desire our soul delighteth,
Pleasure leads us where we go.
Love doth stand
At his hand;
Joy doth wait on his command.

Still from earth to God eternal
Sacrifice of praise be done,
High above all praises praising
For the gift of Christ his Son.
Christ doth call
One and all:
Ye who follow shall not fall.

Joachim Neander (trans. Robert Bridges)

     

As usual, if you’d prefer to read rather than listen to the podcast, the sermon transcript, reading and prayers can be downloaded here:

And if you cannot make it to our churches for private prayer, do keep joining us for our Morning and Evening Prayer gatherings on Zoom – Wednesdays and Fridays at 9AM, and Thursdays at 8PM.

Best wishes, and God bless,

Rev. Tim Chambers
Vicar
The Cranmer Group
E-mail: curate@stgilesparish.com 
Mobile: 07946 526569

Hi Everyone! 

This Sunday’s something of an adventure for us, since we have both our first, informal Café Church Online service and also, God – and all the complex technology – willing, our first video service as opposed to a podcast. Lots of prayer (as well as lots of effort) has gone into, we hope, its successful launch!

Clare shares some children’s activities related to our Bible passage, The Wise and Foolish Builders, both in the video (to watch at 9.30AM on Sunday 7th, and then on Youtube thereafter) and also in the activities that are on the Cranmer Kids Pinterest Page.

As is usual now, join us here on Zoom (Meeting ID: 864 0083 1074; Password: 549794)  from 10.15AM for a catch-up with all your friends. 
This week, after the service has finished, grab yourself a coffee and make yourself a traditional Café Church bacon sandwich, and bring them to Zoom with you!

   

I spoke in my talk about the importance of Scripture, Worship, Prayer and Fellowship in helping us to build our lives on the sure foundation of a relationship with Jesus Christ. I mentioned that there would be some top recommendations from me of brilliant contemporary worship songs, and great traditional hymns, to help you to worship the Lord. Here goes…

Tim’s Top 5 Worship Songs:

King of Kings
Hope and Glory
My Lighthouse
Goodness of God
Raise a Hallelujah

Tim’s Top 5 Hymns:

Tell Out My Soul!
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
And Can It Be that I Should Gain?
When I survey the Wondrous Cross
Thou Whose Almighty Word (Let There Be Light!)

I hope you enjoy my choices; do let me know what yours would be too!

As usual, if you’d prefer to read rather than listen to the podcast, the sermon transcript, reading and prayers can be downloaded here:

You are all in Clare’s and my prayers. Go well, have a good week, and be blessed,

Rev. Tim Chambers
Vicar
The Cranmer Group
E-mail: curate@stgilesparish.com 
Mobile: 07946 526569