Dear Friends,
Great news! We’ve been able to be back in our church buildings today – we shared in a service of Holy Communion at St. Thomas’s Aslockton, which went, I hope, very well. Many thanks indeed to Graham & Pam Harper, and Eddie & Cynthia Molloy for all that they did to get the church shipshape, and then stewarding the service for us. Similarly, many thanks to Deborah Davies for playing the organ for us – humming the hymns behind our face masks!
We’ll be in St. John’s Whatton on Sunday 6th Sept. (BCP) and St. Mary’s Orston on 13thSept. (Common Worship), for services of Holy Communion.
Given the length of time since we’ve had any services, we’re unsure of how many people may wish to join us and – since we have to observe social distancing measures to combat any Coronavirus risk – we’re continuing to ask you, if you plan to attend, please would you book your place for the service, in advance. Please contact Jade Blaylock, our Administrator, at thecranmergroup@gmail.com or 07526 603766, to reserve your place. Once again, this will help us to fit more people into the service; help us look after you better; and hopefully avoid us having to turn anyone away.
And of course you can also catch up later with the Sunday 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:
The Church’s One Foundation
Played by Deborah Davies
The church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is his new creation
By water and the word:
From heaven he came and sought her
To be his holy Bride;
With his own blood he bought her,
And for her life he died.
Called out from every nation,
Yet one o’er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation
One Lord, one faith, one birth:
One holy name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food;
And to one hope she presses
With every grace endued.
Yet she on earth has union
With God the Three in One;
And mystic, sweet communion
With those whose rest is won:
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we,
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with Thee.
Brother, Sister, Let Me Serve You
Played by Deborah Davies
Brother, sister let me serve you.
Let me be as Christ to you;
Pray that I may have the grace to
Let you be my servant too.
We are pilgrims on a journey,
And companions on the road;
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.
I will hold the Christ-light for you
In the night-time of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you,
Speak the peace you long to hear.
I will weep when you are weeping;
When you laugh I’ll laugh with you;
I will share your joy and sorrow till
We’ve seen this journey through.
Show Me How to Stand for Justice
Played by Deborah Davies
Show me how to stand for justice
How to work for what is right,
How to challenge false assumptions,
How to walk within the light.
May I learn to share more freely
In a world so full of greed,
Showing your immense compassion
By the life I choose to lead.
Teach my heart to treasure mercy,
Whether given or received –
For my need has not diminished
Since the day I first believed;
Let me seek no satisfaction
Boasting of what I have done,
But rejoice that I am pardoned
And accepted in your Son.
Gladly I embrace a lifestyle
Modelled on your living word,
In humility submitting
To the truth which I have heard.
Make me conscious of your presence
Ev’ry day in all I do:
By your Spirit’s gracious prompting
May I learn to walk with you.
As usual, if you’d prefer to read rather than watch the video, the sermon transcript, readings, 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.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers at this challenging but exciting time. You all continue to be in mine.
Best wishes, and God bless,
Rev. Tim Chambers
Vicar
The Cranmer Group
NEW E-mail: vicar@cranmergroup.org.uk
NEW Tel: 01949 850523
Mobile: 07946 526569