Church notices and Pew Sheets

St Osyth Parish Church and Coronavirus

Services

There will be an 11am Sunday Service this Sunday

The church will remain open daily for private prayer & for the receipt of Food Bank donations

Contact Information:

Vicar: Revd. Sharon Miles Tel: 01255 822055 – e mail revdsmiles@hotmail.com

Please note Sharon’s day off is on Wednesday

For Admin & Weddings/PCC Secretary only Tel: 01255 821362 (ansaphone)

or email stosythparishchurch@hotmail.com (Admin only)

weddings.stosythchurch@hotmail.com pcc.stosythchurch@hotmail.com

For more up to date information use www. stosythparishchurch.co.uk

or on Facebook.com/stosythparishchurch

Pew Sheet 11.7.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

11^th July 2021

6^th Sunday after Trinity

There will be 8am and 11am Sunday

Services today 11^th July and

10am Communion Service on Thursday, 15^th July

Today’s Gospel

Mark 6. 14-29

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’^[a] name had become known. Some were^[b] 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^[c] 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^[e] 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^[f] 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.

For our prayers at home this week

Please pray at this time for all the people who have COVID 19 and those suffering from long COVID in our country. Keep them safe at this worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Tiny Harding, Graham and Dawn, Anne De’Ath, Lynda, John, David, Seany, Helen, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember Mary Sparks, Vera Edgcumbe and all those who have recently died and those who have lost loved ones.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Seaview Road, Parade and Terrace, Seawick Road, Second Avenue, South Close, Spring Hill and Spring Road.
Pray for those who are key workers who continue to be so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

This Week’s Church Diary

Sunday

July

11^th

8am

11am

The 11^th Sunday after Trinity

KJV Communion

Holy Communion

Thursday

15^th

10am

Holy Communion

~~NOTICES~~

The Pew Sheet

Should you have any Notices that you would like put on the Pew Sheet, please ensure that they are with Monica (monmarharv@gmail.com) by 8.30am on a Friday morning ready for the Pew Sheet to be sent out later in the day. Thank-you.

Although the Pew Sheet is now being sent out electronically, to save on both paper and time, there will be 10 copies in Church on the table for those who are not able to receive it via iPad/Computer.

Do take one.

Please bring all Books and Bric a brac to Church on Friday 16^th July in the afternoon between 2pm and 4pm ready to be put on the stalls on Saturday.

Please bring all Cakes to the Church before 9.30am on Saturday 17^th.

If you feel able to help move tables between 8am – 9am, or help carry Books outside before the Fayre please can you let me know. Many Thanks.

Anne Witton 01255 821661.

See Summer Fayre Poster on page 4

Parish Magazine seeks a volunteer

Parish Magazine seeks a volunteer to deliver 64 magazines in Clacton Road each month, starting at the end of July. It is a gentle walk and will take about half an hour to complete, from Nassau Road all the way along that side of the road up to the bus stop and then from the Chip Shop to Rochford Road. If interested, please contact Janine as soon as possible on 07946 043821.

Pop-In and after Church Refreshments on Sundays
We hope to be able to resume Pop-In and Sunday after church refreshments at the beginning of August.

Saturday, 17^th July

10am to 1pm

We hope to hold the Summer Fayre outside the Church

There will be refreshments and we are planning to have many stalls including:

Cakes, Bria-a-brac, Tombola, Games

If you have any item that can be sold on any of the stalls, please bring them to the Church on Friday 16^th or tell Sue Baker, Jenny Woodrow, Sue White or Anne Witton

If you have a Gazebo and would be able to put it up between 8.30am and 9am on Saturday 17^ththen remove it after 1pm please also let us know.

There is a list at the back of the Church to put your name on if you would like to make a cake/cakes for the cake stall or towards the refreshments.

It is a long time since we had a Summer Fayre and hope the weather stays kind for us.

If you have any questions please contact me:

Anne Witton 01255 821661.

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army.

Thought for the Weekend!
We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pew Sheet 4.7.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

4^th July 2021

5^th Sunday after Trinity

There will be 8am and 11am Sunday

Services today 4^th July and

10am Communion Service on Thurs 8^th July

Today’s Gospel

Mark 6 1-13

He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

For our prayers at home this week

Please pray at this time for all the people who have COVID 19 in our country. Keep them safe at this worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Tiny Harding, Graham and Dawn, Anne De’Ath, Lynda, John, David, Seany, Helen, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember Mary Sparks, Vera Edgcumbe and all those who have recently died and those who have lost loved ones.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in The Quay, Priory Park, Pump Hill, Rectory Road, Rochford Road, Roman Way, Rose Gardens, Rouses Lane, Row Heath and Saxon Way.
Pray for those who are key workers who continue to be so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

This Week’s Church Diary

Sunday

July

4^th

8am

11am

The 5^th Sunday after Trinity

KJV Communion

Holy Communion

Wednesday

7^th

2.30pm

Summer Fayre Planning Meeting

In the Church Room

Thursday

8^th

10am

Holy Communion

~~NOTICES~~

The Pew Sheet

Although the Pew Sheet is now being sent out electronically, to save on both paper and time, there will be 10 copies in Church on the table for those who are not able to receive it via iPad/Computer.

Do take one.

Parish Magazine seeks a volunteer

Parish Magazine seeks a volunteerto deliver 64 magazines in Clacton Road each month, starting at the end of July. It is a gentle walk and will take about half an hour to complete, from Nassau Road all the way along that side of the road up to the bus stop and then from the Chip Shop to Rochford Road. If interested, please contact Janine as soon as possible on 07946 043821.

Completed – Thank-you

Our thanks to Dawn and her team who have finished cleaning the chairs and they have also applied Scotch Guard. Such a good job has been done by them all and it has been much appreciated.

Pop-In and after Church Refreshments on Sundays
We hope to be able to resume Pop-In and Sunday after church refreshments at the beginning of August.

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army.

Saturday, 17^th July

10am to 1pm

We hope to hold the Summer Fayre outside the Church

There will be refreshments and we are planning to have many stalls including Cakes, Bria-a-brac, Tombola, Games

If you have any item that can be sold on any of the stalls, please bring them to the Church on Friday 16^th or tell Sue Baker, Jenny Woodrow, Sue White or Anne Witton

If you have a Gazebo and would be able to put it up between 8.30am and 9am on Saturday 17^ththen remove it after 1pm please also let us know.

There is a list at the back of the Church to put your name on if you would like to make a cake/cakes for the cake stall or towards the refreshments.

It is a long time since we had a Summer Fayre and hope the weather stays kind for us.

If you have any questions please contact me:

Anne Witton 01255 821661.

Thought for the Weekend!
Your life becomes a masterpiece when you learn to master the peace.

Pew Sheet 27.6.21

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

27^th June 2021

4^th Sunday after Trinity

There will be 8am and 11am Sunday

Services today 13^th June and

10am Communion Service on Thursday, 1^st July

Today’s Gospel

Luke 17 11 -19

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they?

For our prayers at home this week

Please pray at this time for all the people who have COVID 19 in our country. Keep them safe at this worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Mary Sparks, Tiny Harding, Graham and Dawn, Anne De’Ath, Lynda, John, David, Seany, Helen, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all of those who recently died and those who have lost loved ones.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Norman Way, North Wall, Oakmead Road, Old School Close, Park Chase, Park Road, Point Clear Road and Priory Close
Pray for those who are key workers who continue to be so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

Congratulations to Sasha and Sam who were married here on Saturday – please do pray for them as they begin married life.

Please do remember Jasper in your prayers who is to be baptised today (Sunday 27^th).

On Monday we will be welcoming some of the children from school who are learning about their local church.

Every Blessing

Sharon

This Week’s Church Diary, 26^th June – 3^rd July 2021

Saturday	June 26^th	10am – 12 noon 2pm	Litter Pick-up in our Parish. Meeting at the Village Hall at 10am Wedding
Sunday	27^th	8am 11am 1.30pm	The 4^th Sunday after Trinity Holy Communion Holy Communion Christening
Monday	28^th	12.30-3pm 7pm	School children visiting the Church PCC Meeting
Thursday	July 1^st	10am	Holy Communion

~~NOTICES~~

The Pew Sheet

Although the Pew Sheet is now being sent out electronically, to save on both paper and time, there will be 10 copies in Church on the table for those who are not able to receive it via iPad/Computer.

Do take one.

Summer Fayre, 17^th July outside the Church

Please if you have a gazebo and would be willing to help put it up at 9am on the 17^th for the Fayre or you have a garden table with an umbrella please would you phone Anne 821661 or tell Sue White or Jenny at church on a Sunday. Many thanks.

Wanted Bric-a-brac and Books to sell at the Summer Fayre

Please start putting anything you might have aside ready to bring into church a few days before 17^th July. More details nearer the time. Thank you.

Cake Stall

There will be a list on the table next Sunday for you to write down if you would make a cake for the Summer Fayre.

Pop-In and after Church Refreshments on Sundays
We hope to be able to resume Pop-In and Sunday after church refreshments at the beginning of August.

Another Thank-you

Our grateful thanks this week to to Dawn Syrett and her team of helpers – Lois, Graham, Derek, Sue (Baker), Mary and Anne who last week steamed cleaned two thirds of the chairs we sit on. They cleaned both the fabric and the wood and golly has it made a difference!

The remaining third will be cleaned next Wednesday and they will then all be treated with Scotch Gard to prevent staining.

These chairs have been in our Church since the Milleninium, when as can be seen by the plaques, each one was sponsored and given to mark a special event or memory. A few have been cleaned in the intervening years, but certainly not all of them so special thanks to the team and Dawn who organised it all.

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army.

Thought for the Weekend!
Life and time are the
world’s two teachers.

Life teaches us to make
good use of time,
while time teaches
us to value life.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pew Sheet 20.6.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

20^th June 2021

3^rd Sunday after Trinity

There will be 8am and 11am Sunday

Services today 13^th June and

10am Communion Service on Thursday, 24^th June

Today’s Gospel

Mark 4. 35 – end

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

For our prayers at home this week

Please pray at this time for all the people who have COVID 19 in our country. Keep them safe at this worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Mary Sparks, Tiny Harding, Graham and Dawn, Anne De’Ath, Lynda, John, David, Seany, Helen, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all of those who recently died and those who have lost loved ones.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Meadow View, Mersea View, Mill Street, Nassau Road, New Way, Newton Gardens, Newton Way and Norman Close.
Pray for those who are key workers who continue to be so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

Summer Fayre

THE SUMMER FAYRE WILL STILL BE ON 17^th JULY OUTSIDE THE CHURCH
Please if you have a gazebo and would be willing to help put it up at 9am on the 17th, for the Fayre or you have a garden table with umbrella please would you phone Anne 821661 or tell Sue White or Jenny at church on a Sunday. Many thanks.

Wanted Bric-a-brac and Books to sell at the Summer Fayre

Please start putting any you might have aside ready to bring into church a few days before July 17th
Also home made cakes . More details nearer the time. Thank you.

Pop-In and after Church Refreshments on Sundays
We hope to be able to resume Pop-In and Sunday after church refreshments at the beginning of August.

Thank-you to Dollar and Meena

For the past three months the sale of plastic bags to their customers in both their Point Clear and St Osyth Stores has amounted to £781.00. Dollar and Meena have donated this amount to the Church and we really are indebted to them for their generosity and kindness. The amount they have donated from the sale of bags has amounted to a considerable sum over the past few years and I will ask the Treasurer for this figure ready for next week’s Pew Sheet.

Peter Tidy – A Clever Man

We had four Gopak tables in the Tower cupboard that we had stored there because one of leg retainers was broken on each table rendering them useless. We were loathe to throw them away but……….? The skip was there – should we put them in? However I turned to Peter and asked if there was anyway that they could be repaired, as they cost such a lot of money to buy.

He, Jim Bligh and Robert Morton took them to Peter’s garage. He rang the Gopak table manufacturer and enquired if he could purchase the relevant leg retainers. Yes he could! So for £46.20 and £14.40 for replacement screws, making a grand total of £60.60 plus Peter’s expertise, we have four additional Gopak tables. Replacing the tables would have cost the Church £668.00. What a great result!

Peter has put instructions on each of the tables on how to fold the legs, as the way it is sometimes done and the pressure applied, is what causes them to break!

Many thanks to Peter, we are very grateful to him.

Another Thank-you

The remaining third will be cleaned next Wednesday and they will then all be treated with Scotch Gard to prevent staining.

Revised Date for PCC Meeting

A PCC Meeting will be held on Monday, 21^st June at 7pm.

Apologies to PCC Secretary shouldyou not be able to attend.

Thank-you.

Great Parish Clean-up on page 4

Great Parish Clean-up next Saturday, 26^th June

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army.

Thought for the Weekend!
Prayer is a state of mind where an amazing exchange happens! We hand over our worries to God, and He hands over His blessings to us.

Pew Sheet 13.6.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

13^th June 2021

2^nd Sunday after Trinity

There will be 8am and 11am Sunday

Services today 13^th June and

10am Communion Service on Thursday, 17^th June

Today’s Gospel

Mark 4. 26-34

He also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”

He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

For our prayers at home this week

Please pray at this time for all the people who have COVID 19 in our country. Keep them safe at this worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Mary Sparks, Tiny Harding, Graham and Dawn, Anne De’Ath, Lynda, John, David, Seany, Helen, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all of those who recently died and those who have lost loved ones.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in King’s Close, Lee Wick Lane, Lilac Avenue, Links Road, Lodge Farm Lane, Longfields, Lydia Drive, Manfield Gardens and Maypole Drive.
Pray for those who are key workers who continue to be so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Summer Fayre

We are holding a Summer Fayre on 17^th July inside and outside the church.

Wanted bric-a-brac and books to sell at the Summer Fayre.
Please start putting any you might have aside ready to bring into church a few days before July 17th
Also home made cakes . More details nearer the time. Many thanks

If you feel you could help in any way with these please get in touch with Anne Witton 821661.

More Volunteers Needed

From July we hope to resume the Sunday Church Coffee and Saturday Pop In, but we can’t do this, if we don’t have more volunteers .to help run these events .

If you feel you could help with either of these please get in touch with Sue White or Anne Witton 821661.

(More details on the table in church near the North door).

Thank-you to Dollar and Meena

Peter Tidy – A Clever Man

He, Jim Blyth and Robert Morton took them to Peter’s garage. He rang the Gopak table manufacturer and enquired if he could purchase the relevant leg retainers. Yes he could! So for £46.20 and £14.40 for replacement screws, making a grand total of £60.60 plus Peter’s expertise, we have four additional Gopak tables. Replacing the tables would have cost the Church £668.00. What a great result!

Peter has put instructions on each of the tables on how to fold the legs, as the way it is sometimes done and the pressure applied, is what causes them to break!

Many thanks to Peter, we are very grateful to him.

Great Parish Clean-up – see below

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army.

Thought for the Weekend!
The art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong things at a tempting moment!

Pew Sheet 30.5.21.

.St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

30^th May 2021

Trinity Sunday

There will be 8am and 11am Sunday

Services today 30^th May and

10am Communion Service on Thursday, 3rd June

Today’s Gospel

John 3. 1-17

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You^[d] must be born from above.’ The wind^[f] blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you^[g] do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.^[i]

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

For our prayers at home this week

Please pray at this time for all the people who have Clovid 19 in our country. Keep them safe at this worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Graham and Dawn, Anne De’Ath, Lynda, John, David, Seany, Helen, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have died recently and we hold their families in our prayers – Brenda Henson, Monica Ralph, Stephen Gresham, Stella Houghton, Ruby Chirgwin, Tim Baker, Eric Tuley and Barry Thompson.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Deeping Walk, Dumont Avenue, Earls Hall Drive, Eastern Promenade, Fanny’s Lane, Forst Avenue, Flag Hill and Fourth Avenue.
Pray for those who are key workers who continue to be so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

With the weather hopefully remaining dry, I do hope you all have a lovely Bank Holiday weekend.

Take care & Every Blessing

Sharon

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We are holding a Summer Fayre on 17^th July inside and outside the church.

Also from July we hope to resume the Sunday Church Coffee and Saturday Pop In, but we can’t do this, if we don’t have more volunteers to help run these events .

If you feel you could help in any way with these please get in touch with Sue White or Anne Witton 821661. ( More details on the tables in church near the each door).

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army.

Thought for the Weekend!
If you want happiness

for an hour, take a nap.

If you want happiness

for a day, go fishing.

If you want happiness

for a year inherit a fortune.

If you want happiness

for a lifetime, help somebody.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pew Sheet 23.5.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

23^rd May 2021

Day of Pentecost

(Whit Sunday)

There will be 8am and 11am Sunday

Services today 23^rd May and

10am Communion Service on Thursday, 27^th May

Today’s Gospel

John 15. 26-27 16. 4b-15

“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.

But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them.

“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate^[a] will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about^[b] sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

For our prayers at home this week

Please pray at this time for all the people who have Clovid 19 in our country. Keep them safe at this worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Graham and Dawn, Anne De’Ath, Lynda, John, David, Seany, Helen, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have died recently and we hold their families in our prayers – Brenda Henson, Monica Ralph, Stephen Gresham, Stella Houghton, Ruby Chirgwin, Tim Baker, Eric Tuley and Barry Thompson.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Colchester Road, Colne View, Colne Way, Cow Lane, Dairy Farm Meadow, Daltes Lane, D’Arcy Road and Dead Lane.
Pray for those who are key workers who continue to be so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

Update from the Standing Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee met on the 14th May and discussed church life and how we follow the government road map towards getting back to normal.

It was agreed that, in line with our Risk Assessment, the church can safely accommodate 50 people for services, including Christenings. Weddings are still restricted by the government to 30 guests.

We are now having regular 8am and 11am services every Sunday and a 10am service on Thursdays.

From the 21^st June it is hoped that as we move back to being normal that the choir will be able to sing, refreshments will be able to be served and Pop-in will be able to resume.

Sunday Club will resume from September on the 2^nd and 4^th Sunday. It is hoped that the 3 days summer holiday club will be able to take place this year, if you would like to volunteer to help please speak to Sharon.

APCM

The church AVM and APCM will be held TODAY Sunday 23rd May after the 11am service.

Nomination forms for churchwardens and PCC members will be available on the table at the back of the church from Sunday 9^th .

This year the report will be sent by email in a move towards using less paper and as a safety measure with Covid. Everyone on our email list will receive a copy, if you know of anyone not on that list who would like to receive a copy of the report please let the PCC secretary know as soon as possible.

Stay safe and keep well.

Every Blessing

Sharon

Bell Ringing

The Bell Ringers are very happy to announce they will commence ringing the bells again this Sunday at the 11 am Service.

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army.

Thought for the Weekend!
Good people are like candles, they burn brightly to give others light.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pew Sheet 16.5.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

16^th May 2021

7^th Sunday of Easter

There will be 8am and 11am Sunday

Services today 16^th May and

10am Communion Service on Thursday, 20^th May

Today’s Gospel

John 17. 6-19

“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.

For our prayers at home this week

Please pray at this time for all the people who have Clovid 19 in our country. Keep them safe at this worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Graham and Dawn, Anne De’Ath, Lynda, John, David, Seany, Helen, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have died recently and we hold their families in our prayers – Brenda Henson, Monica Ralph, Stephen Gresham, Stella Houghton, Ruby Chirgwin, Tim Baker, Eric Tuley and Barry Thompson.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Castle Way, Chapel lane, Chisbon Heath, Church Square, Clacton Road, Clay Lane, Clinton Close, Club Parade and Cockett Wick Lane.
Pray for those who are key workers who continue to be so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

Church Summer Fayre

Saturday, 17^th July

10am to 1pm

There will be a Book Stall, Cake Stall, Tombola, and other activities.
Also tea/coffee and cakes will be served .
If you would like to help in any way please see Jenny Woodrow

or phone Anne on 821661. We would love to hear from you.

APCM

The church AVM and APCM will be held next Sunday 23rd May after the 11am service.

Nomination forms for churchwardens and PCC members will be available on the table at the back of the church from Sunday 9^th .

Communion Service, 10am this Thursday 20th

There will be a 10am Communion Service this Thursday 20th, do join us if you can.

Stay safe & keep well.

Every Blessing

Sharon

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army, if the Church is shut please do leave your gifts in the porch.

Thought for the Weekend!
Life’s short – take time to celebrate and appreciate the amazing people in your life.

Pew Sheet 9.5.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

9^th May 2021

6^th Sunday of Easter

There will be 8am and 11am Sunday

Services today 9^th May

The Bible Readings

Acts 10.44-end

John 15. 9-17

Today’s Gospel

John 15. 9-17

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

For our prayers at home this week

Please pray at this time for all the people who have Clovid 19 in our country. Keep them safe at this worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Graham and Dawn, Anne De’Ath, Lynda, John, David, Seany, Helen, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have died recently and we hold their families in our prayers – Brenda Henson, Monica Ralph, Stephen Gresham, Stella Houghton, Ruby Chirgwin, Tim Baker, Eric Tuley and Barry Thompson.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Beacon Way, Belair Estate, Bentley Road, Bishops Drive, Botanical Way, Botany Lane, Broadstrood, Brook Vale and Bypass Road.
Pray for those who are key workers who continue to be so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

Well the days are getting brighter and so is the news about Coronavirus – hopefully it won’t be too long before we can spend some quality time together.

Thursday is the Feast of the Ascension and there will be a 10am Communion Service, do join us if you can.

Stay safe & keep well.

Every Blessing

Sharon

APCM

The church AVM and APCM will be held on Sunday 23rd May after the 11am service.

Nomination forms for churchwardens and PCC members will be available on the table at the back of the church from Sunday 9^th .

Electoral Roll

The revisions have been made to the Electoral Roll. It will not be displayed in church due to covid. If you would like to check anything on it please speak to Rev’d Sharon.

UPDATE on Infection Rates

We are still moving ahead well – Covid cases again less than 3 up to week ending 30^th April.

As this is the 4^th week that I have given this update, I will not give any more unless there is a worrying spike.

We do indeed in our prayers need to say thank-you for there is indeed

‘light at the end of this dark tunnel!’

Sonia

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army, if the Church is shut please do leave your gifts in the porch.

Thought for the Weekend!
When you realise how

beautiful life is and how

privileged you are to witness

the miracles around you,

you will tilt your head back

and smile gratefully at

the sky and say

‘Thank You God’.

Pew Sheet 2.5.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

2^nd May 2021

5^th Sunday of Easter

There will be 8am and 11am Sunday

Services today 2^nd May

The Bible Readings

Acts 8. 26-end

John 15. 1-8

Today’s Gospel

John 15. 1-8

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

For our prayers at home this week

Please pray at this time for all the people who have Clovid 19 in our country. Keep them safe at this worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Graham and Dawn, Anne De’Ath, Lynda, John, David, Seany, Helen, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have died recently and we hold their families in our prayers – Stephen Gresham, Stella Houghton, Ruby Chirgwin, Tim Baker, Eric Tuley and Barry Thompson.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Abbotts Gardens, Allen Way, Alpha Road, Barrack Lane, Beach Road, Beach Road (Lee over Sands) and Beacon Heights.
Pray for those who are key workers who continue to be so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

8am Communion Service

A gentle reminder – good news for all those who enjoy the 8am Communion Service, it will be starting again this Sunday, 2^nd May. Do join us.

Revision of the Electoral Roll

The revision for the Electoral Roll is due to take place before the APCM (23^rd May). The revision will take place between 2^nd and 7^th May. If your contact details have changed in the last year please let the PCC secretary know by 2^nd May.

If you wish to be added to the Electoral Roll, and meet the criteria, please complete a blue form on the table in church. The criteria are detailed on that form. If you have any questions or are unsure if you are able to be on the Electoral Roll please contact the PCC Secretary who will be happy to help you. All applications must be received by Sunday 2nd May.

Pcc.stosythchurch@hotmail.com

UPDATE on Infection Rates

The good news continues to continue! The number of confirmed cases up until 24^th April was less than three!

We continue to hope and pray that even with the influx of summer visitors to our village continues so that there will indeed be

‘light at the end of this dark tunnel!’

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army, if the Church is shut please do leave your gifts in the porch.

Thought for the Weekend!
It’s not what you do,

it’s how you do it.

It’s not what you see,

it’s how you look at it.

It’s not how your life is,

it’s how you live it.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pew Sheet 25.4.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

25^th April 2021

4^th Sunday of Easter

There will be an 11am Sunday service today, 25th April

The Bible Readings

Acts 4. 5-12

John 10. 11-18

Today’s Gospel

John 10. 11-18

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

For our prayers at home this week

Please pray at this time for all the people who have Clovid 19 in our country. Keep them safe at this worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Graham and Dawn, Anne De’Ath, Lynda, Sunny, John, David, Seany, Helen, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have died recently and we hold their families in our prayers – Stephen Gresham, Stella Houghton, Ruby Chirgwin, Tim Baker, Eric Tuley and Barry Thompson.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Western Promenade, Wick Lane, Wick Road, Wigboro Lane, Wigboro Wick Lane, Willow Avenue and Withrick Walk.
Pray for those who are key workers who continue to be so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

Good news for all of those who enjoy the 8am Communion Service, it will be restarting on 2^nd May so do please put it in your diary.

It is also wonderful to hear that so many people are now having or have had their second part of the vaccine. It is certainly helping to make a difference to our community as I see so many more people venturing out – it is great to see you!

Please do continue to follow the rules and stay safe.

Every Blessing

Sharon

Revision of the Electoral Roll

Pcc.stosythchurch@hotmail.com

National Pipe Organ Day 2021

The National Pipe Organ Day Recital, planned for 24^th April, has been postponed to a later date due to COVID 19 restrictions.

UPDATE on Infection Rates

Good news continues! The number of confirmed cases of COVID 19 for the week ending 15^th April was less than three!

We continue to hope and pray that even with the influx of summer visitors to our village this trend continues so that there will be

‘light at the end of this dark tunnel!’

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army, if the Church is shut please do leave your gifts in the porch.

Thought for the Weekend!
A mountain is not higher than your confidence, because it will be under your feet if you reach the top.

Prayers for Sunday 25^th April 2021

Lord God, as we continue to celebrate the joys of the risen Christ, help us to face honestly the demands of our faith, we thank you for his life and work and the effect this has on our daily living.

Thank you, Father, that your eternal Son came to earth as a perfect man and voluntarily gave his life to pay the price for our sins and that he took up his life once again so that we may have newness of life in him forever and we praise Your holy name.

Lord, remember Christ your Son who is peace itself and who has washed away our hatred with his blood. Because you love all people look with mercy upon us. Banish the violence and evil within us, and in answer to our prayers restore tranquillity and peace.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Today, we continue to pray for the peace of the world and the various conflicts currently occurring around out troubled world. We pray for government leaders who control our world affairs, help them Lord, to make the right decisions that will enable us all to live in peace, without fear of violence or reprisals.

We pray for the candidates standing in the various local and county elections that take place at the start of next month, May they all be guided by you in carrying out their duties and promises if elected for the people they serve.

We pray for those persecuted for their faith and for those who do not have enough food and water and shelter, particularly those countries in the world where famine poverty and death are a regular event. Father in heaven, may they all know the joy of your everlasting love and peace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the renewal of the Church in faith, love and service. We pray for Guli, our new Diocesan Bishop and Roger, Bishop of Colchester and for the life of this parish. Within our own Church family, we pray for this Benefice and Sharon and for all they do both seen and unseen. We pray for all who worship and visit here. We pray for our local community and think of all the organisations, clubs, societies and businesses within this parish. We particularly bring before you our local farming community and holiday centres as another season gets under way after a very difficult period. We pray for our local schools and particularly those children and students who will shortly be assessed by their Teachers on the various exam programmes.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

We pray for who are sick and suffer in mind, body or spirit and especially those who have or have had had the Corona Virus. Within our own parish, we pray for (use service sheet). We pray for the poor and destitute and for those who are, or have been abused in anyway. We also pray for those whose work brings relief or pain and suffering to others.

We also bring before you Lord, those known to us who are having difficulties in their lives and families and who especially need our prayers and support at this time. Father in heaven, please continue to pour out your love, care and support to them.

We pray for those recently departed, especially for (use service sheet) and those who have died because of the Corona Virus. We bring before you for their loved ones who are coming to terms with someone special. We also remember those whose years mind falls at this time. Lord in your eternal presence, grant them everlasting rest.

Risen Christ, when darkness overwhelms us, may your dawn beckon. When fear may your peace enfold us? When memories haunt us, may your presence heal us? When justice fails us, may your anger ignite us? When apathy stagnates us, may your challenge renew us? When courage leaves us, may your spirit inspire us? When despair grips us, may your hope restore us? And when death threatens us may your resurrection light lead us.

So rejoicing in the fellowship of St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Osyth and of all the Saints and Martyrs, we commend all Christian People and ourselves to your undying love. Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your son, oose who our Saviour, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pew Sheet 18.4.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

18^th April 2021

3^rd Sunday of Easter

There will be an 11am Sunday

Service today 18^th April

Today’s Gospel

Luke 24. 36b-48

While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

For our prayers at home this week

Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Graham and Dawn, Anne De’Ath, Lynda, Sunny, John, David, Seany, Helen, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have died recently and we hold their families in our prayers – Stephen Gresham, Stella Houghton, Ruby Chirgwin, Tim Baker, Eric Tuley and Barry Thompson.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in The Priory, Third Avenue, Three Acres, Tunstall Close, Tower Estate, Tyler Avenue (Clacton), Wall Street and Warren Lane
Pray for those who are key workers who continue to be so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

It is great news that the Lockdown rules are starting to ease. The opportunity of meeting up with friends outside is certainly good and has put smiles on so many peoples faces. Please do still be aware of the need to keep yourself and those people you are meeting with safe.

Have a great week.

Every Blessing

Sharon

Bell Toll on Saturday 17^th April

The 3rd bell will be tolled, half-muffled, on Saturday prior to the 1 minute silence and funeral service of HRH Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh. Our grateful thanks to Joy Locke and Helen, our new Bell Captain, for doing this.

National Pipe Organ Day 2021

The 24^th April is National pipe organ day, a day to celebrate the pipe organ in all its different forms. We are fortunate to have a working organ in our church and I hope you will join me in the celebration. Have you ever wondered how they work, do you enjoy listening to organ music in church?

On the 24^th April I will be playing a recital at 11am in Great Bentley church and another in St Osyth church at 2pm. I will be grateful for donations towards the upkeep of the organs and there will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions. Do join me!

Fiona

UPDATE on Infection Rates and Keeping Safe

Good news continues! The number of confirmed cases of COVID 19 for the week ending 10^th April was less than three!

Let us continue to hope and pray that this trend continues as there then might be

‘light at the end of this dark tunnel!’

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army, if the Church is shut please do leave your gifts in the porch.

Thought for the Weekend!
Your life becomes a masterpiece when you learn to master the peace.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pew Sheet for 11.4.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

11^th April 2021

2^nd Sunday of Easter

There will be an 11am Sunday

Service today 11^th April

The Bible Readings

Acts 4. 32-35

John 20. 19-end

Today’s Gospel

John 20. 19-end

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe^[b] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

For our prayers at home this week

Please at this time pray for the people in our village who have Covid 19, some of whom are members of our Church family. Please Lord keep them safe at this very worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Graham and Dawn, Anne De’Ath, Lynda, Sunny, John, David, Seany, Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have died recently and we hold their families in our prayers – Stephen Gresham, Stella Houghton, Ruby Chirgwin, Tim Baker, Eric Tuley and Barry Thompson.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in St Clair’s Drive, St Clair’s Road, St Clere’s Hall Lane, St John’s Road, Stanmore Way and The Bury.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

It was great to see so many people in Church last week as we celebrated Easter – it really made my heart swell!

The Church looked beautiful and so many people mentioned the flowers. Thanks again to our amazing flower arrangers!

It is also good getting back into the routine of worshipping together so hopefully see you again this Sunday.

Every Blessing

Sharon

National pipe organ day 2021

Fiona

UPDATE on Infection Rates and Keeping Safe

Good News! The number of confirmed cases of Covid 19 for the week ending 2^nd April was less than three!

Let us hope and pray that this trend continues so that there will be

‘light at the end of this dark tunnel!’

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army, if the Church is shut please do leave your gifts in the porch.

Thought for the Weekend!
Life and time are the world’s two teachers. Life teaches us to make good use of time, while time teaches us to value life.

For those who are unable to attend Church we thought you might well enjoy reading the prayers we say and reflect on them.

Intercessions for Sunday 11th April 2021

Lord we give thanks for today’s readings, from Acts and John and the message that they impart to us. The first about personal generosity and compassion and the latter about faith.

It is difficult for us today to grasp the enormity of the acts of the early Christians in response to their newfound faith. We ask Lord that we too can respond equally generously and compassionately to the needs of others whether that be in monetary terms, the use of our abilities and skills or just in our time and support.

With respect to faith, we have not experienced what some of the very early Christians have in that they were personably able to have heard your teaching, seen your miracles and regrettably witnessed your death and then struggled, understandably, to accept your glorious resurrection. We have, however, come to faith through their testimony and witness. We ask that we continue to grow in the faith that you have shared with us and as a result of our relationship with you, our Father, we become more comfortable in being able to share Gods love for us with others.

We give thanks for the diversity of your Church, its leadership, our vicar Sharon and all those carrying out all the roles and tasks within it that enable it to exist and function. Help us to play our part in growing the faith not just by our attendance at church but our actions and interaction with others in our daily lives. Evangelism is not just about speaking about our faith, although that greatly helps, but demonstrating it in how we conduct ourselves and react in our relationships with others as the early Christians in Acts demonstrated.

Lord in thy mercy

Hear our prayer.

We give thanks for our local communities, our benefice and all those individuals and organisations that sustain them and the fellowship which we share by being part of them.

Lord you have taught us that we are all brothers and sisters please let us remember you are the Father of All and that a persons’ race, colour and/or faith is no obstruction to demonstrating love, compassion and fraternity for them. The recent report on Race and Ethnic Disparity has caused a great deal of concern on how it has interpreted data from which it has drawn certain interpretations and conclusions that those who have first-hand experience of racism and disparity have justifiably challenged. We ask therefore Lord that we remain vigilant and do not unintentionally endorse unfair and unjust treatment of others especially from organisations and parties that are expected and entrusted to act equitably to all

Father we are aware of a lot of injustices and ill treatment of others taking place throughout this world of ours. If we do not acknowledge such issue’s and speak up about them then our very silence makes us as guilty as the perpetrators. A good example is the recent action being taken to address the issue of the Uighur Muslims in China, to events taking place in Myanmar and genocide and abuse taking place in Tigray (Ethopia). Therefore, we ask Lord that you shine your light on all such actions and thereby enable us to speak up and pray for, and on behalf of, those subject to such acts. We ask that the principles and the reason that the United Nations came into being can be upheld and that individual nations that fail to act in compliance to its charter reassess their position and act in accordance with those principles and that mandate.

Lord in thy mercy

Hear our prayer.

The Monarchy has recently gone through some bad press in respect of a family matter that has questioned the integrity of certain members of Team Monarchy. This is a private family matter that may, because of its very nature, be of public interest. We ask Lord that you enable the matter to be dealt with appropriately and in such a manner that the integrity of the Monarchy and what the Monarchy should stand for is clearly demonstrated so that its head, The Queen, can continue to act with the confidence of her subjects in both the UK and Commonwealth.

Lord we remain aware of calls for greater independence within the UK, both regionally and with regards to the Nation States, and ask that these calls can be met in ways that do not diminish the status, integrity and unity of the Union. Please grant those who have the authority to act with regards to these demands the ability and will to be able to resolve these tensions whilst maintaining a working union of equals that truly represents the best interests of those living and working in those areas whilst remaining a cohesive unit.

We pray especially for Northern Ireland where sectarian violence has broken out threatening the peace agreement known as the Good Friday Agreement. This appears to be a reaction on one side to the Brexit Agreement resulting in a border in the Irish Sea and a counter reaction from those seeking a closer unity and tie with Eire. We ask Lord that all those striving to maintain the peace can bring about a calming of tensions, prevent the escalation to further violence and a return to those dreaded earlier times of death and destruction and achieve an accord which will reinstate a lasting peace to the Emerald Isle.

Father we ask that the UK and the EU can begin to work in partnership where our interests and values coexist. We ask that leaders on all sides act responsibly and seek harmonious relationships in order that we can both achieve an equitable trading relationship and mutual protection in a world where there is a breakdown in what used to be regarded as international values and standards.

We are equally aware Lord that both internationally and within and across nations themselves tensions are present and we ask that all leaders act in the way that you require of them so that both internationally and internally that they show due respect

to the laws and conventions that govern their behaviour not only to other nations but also to their own nationals many of whom are suffering greatly as a result of conflict.

Lord in thy mercy

Hear our prayer.

Lord as the full extent of the consequences of Covid 19 and the resulting disturbance through lockdown to the economic climate of our country become more obvious we ask your help in finding an equitable way in which we can emerge from this situation which meets the needs of individuals, society, business and that of politicians. Inequality has grown as has deprivation especially with regards to children. Families are facing uncertainty with regards to employment, mortgage and rent debt, insufficient income to sustain life and wellbeing at a time when support services will not be in a position to meet need. Please therefore Lord guide the decisions of those empowered to lead us so that the actions that they take and the policies that they enact will make an immediate improvement to the situation and not further penalise or impair these indivduals.

As the dates for easing restrictions relating to Covid 19 are fast approaching we ask you Lord to be with those involved in the process so that the guidance provided to the government is of the highest quality, that the government and the various ministers act wisely and responsibly as they plan and carry out these relaxations and that we the people, act in a way that supports the freedom we are being slowly granted whilst still supporting others who may still have reason to be protected from this disease.

Father we give thanks to all those who are still playing a major part in in the continuing research, distribution and administration of the vaccinations. May this continue to take place smoothly and be readily taken up as the opportunity becomes available. We also give thanks to all those essential workers and volunteers that are still working tirelessly on our behalf.

Lord in thy mercy

Hear our prayer.

We pray for all those struggling with the effects of this disease, especially those in intensive care and dealing with Long Term Covid conditions.

We pray for the healing of all Lord as we acknowledge not only our own frailties, but especially those for whom we pray and those whose names are contained on our Pew Sheets. Please sustain them and grant them your healing presence.

There are those who are unknown to us but whose needs you are aware of Lord. Please be with them and provide them with the support that they too need at this time.

Lord in thy mercy

Hear our prayer.

Finally, we pray for the dying and all those who have recently sadly departed this earthly life some of whom are recorded on our Pew Sheet. May they rest in Eternal Peace.

We also remember those whose anniversaries of death occur around this time.

Please be with their families, friends and colleagues and provide the comfort and support that they need.

Lord in thy mercy

Hear our prayer.

Rejoicing in the fellowship of Saints Peter and Paul, St. Osyth and St. Mary, and all your saints, we commend ourselves and all people to your unfailing love.

Merciful Father,

Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Danny Wright

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pew Sheet for 4.4.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

4^th April 2021

Easter Day

There will be an 11am Sunday Service

on Easter Sunday, 4^th April

The Bible Readings: 1 Cor. 15. 1-11 & John 20. 1-18

Today’s Gospel

Mark 11. 1-11

Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there,and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself.Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb;and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet.They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher).Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

For our prayers at home this week

Please at this time pray for the people in our village who have Covid 19, some of whom are members of our Church family. Please Lord keep them safe at this very worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Graham and Dawn, Anne De’Ath, Lynda, Sunny, John, David, Seany, Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have died recently and we hold their families in our prayers – Stephen Gresham, Stella Houghton, Ruby Chirgwin, Tim Baker, Eric Tuley and Barry Thompson.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Seaview Road, Parade and Terrace, Seawick Road, Second Avenue, South Close, Spring Hill and Spring Road.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

Happy Easter to you all!

It is wonderful that we are back in Church to celebrate Easter together.

There are a number of people that I need to thank who have prepared the Church so that this can happen.

Thanks to the cleaning team who were in last Saturday, thanks to the flower arrangers who have done an amazing job in decorating our beautiful building and thanks to Helen who has added the Easter Service so that it can be viewed on our screens.

I do wish you all the love, joy and peace of the risen Lord.

Every Blessing

Sharon

UPDATE on Infection Rates and Keeping Safe

This week, we are down to seven confirmed cases of Covid for the week ending 26^th March. Last week, if you remember, we had nine confirmed cases so we are moving in the right direction again. After this Easter Weekend let us hope that the trend downwards continues so there will be ‘light at the end of this dark tunnel!’

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army, if the Church is shut please do leave your gifts in the porch.

Thought for the Weekend!
Prayer is a state of mind where an amazing exchange happens! We hand over our worries to God, and He hands over His blessings to us.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pew Sheet for 28.3.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

28^th March 2021

Palm Sunday

There will be NO 11 am service this Sunday,

28^th March. We have recorded the Sermon.

The 11am Sunday Service will resume on

Easter Sunday, 4^th April

The Bible Readings

Psalm 118. 1-2, 19-end

Mark 11. 1-11

Today’s Gospel

Mark 11. 1-11

When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,

“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

For our prayers at home this week

Please at this time pray for the people in our village who have Covid 19, some of whom are members of our Church family. Please Lord keep them safe at this very worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Graham and Dawn, Anne De’Ath, Lynda, Sunny, John, David, Seany, Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have died recently and we hold their families in our prayers – Stephen Gresham, Ruby Chirgwin, Tim Baker, Gillian Bennett, James De’Ath, Eric Tuley and Barry Thompson.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in The Quay, Priory Park, Pump Hill, Rectory Road, Rochford Road, Roman Way, Rose Gardens, Rouses Lane, Row Heath and Saxon Way.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

Intercessions for Palm Sunday

Let us pray on this, Palm Sunday, that we too spread out our cloaks, or the branches that we have cut, and call for blessings on Him who comes in the name of the Lord. Let us give thanks, dear Jesus that You have entered our lives, and have come to be our salvation. Let us rejoice today and be glad that the Lord is God and has made his light shine on us. Let us heed the word of Jesus to his disciples to get up and pray, so that we do not fall into temptation.

Save us, we pray, Oh Lord

Oh Lord, we pray, give us success

As we approach the end of Lent, let us pray that the efforts we have made during this period, assist us in finding some spiritual purpose in our lives, help us reflect on others and make our faith all the stronger. Dear Lord, give us the strength to lead Christian lives throughout the year, and to seek the humility, compassion and generosity that allows us to lead fulfilled lives confident in the love and saving grace that you provide for us.

Save us, we pray, Oh Lord

Oh Lord, we pray, give us success

Let us pray for our world, that we share its resources equitably, that we respect the individual freedoms of every single human being, that we have the courage to fight the injustice of tyrannical regimes, and that we reflect on how lucky we are to live in a society that is free to criticise its leaders. Pray for the inspiration to act for the improvement of our world, and for the God-given confidence that allows us to make the right choices in life. Let us be thankful to God for the scientific advances that are allowing the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, shine all the brighter.

Save us, we pray, Oh Lord

Oh Lord, we pray, give us success

Let us pray for our church, that it stands up for what is right, that it has the wisdom to evolve with the times without abandoning its core tenets, that it is run with the ambition of spreading the Christian word and enlightening communities. Let us be thankful for all those who work in this parish to make the church such a beacon of hope and guidance, especially our vicar, Sharon, but also all the others who make our local fellowship thrive.

Save us, we pray, Oh Lord

Oh Lord, we pray, give us success

Let us pray for the community here in St Osyth, in Point Clear and in the wider benefice, in Great Bentley. Let us thank God for the sense of cohesion that has been so marked over the last year, for all the efforts made by people to provide assistance locally. Let us pray with gracious thanks for all those working in the health services and other keyworkers, who have all endured a long period of sacrifice. As we prepare to once again worship in our church on Easter Sunday, let us pray for our congregation at large.

Save us, we pray, Oh Lord

Oh Lord, we pray, give us success

Let us pray for those in our community who are not well, either in body, mind or spirit, also considering those whose treatments have been delayed or diagnoses made late because of the pandemic, or whose poor mental health is aggravated by isolation. Give to all courage, patience and hope, praying at the same time for all who care for the sick. Finally, let us pray for the dead, and particularly for those known to us and specifically for those on our pew sheet.

Merciful Father …

David Harrington

~~NOTICES~~

Palm Sunday

There will be Palm crosses spread out on the table as you enter Church. I only have 40 for each church, so please do take one per household.

Thank You.

Easter Day

A reminder that next week we will be back in Church and what a great way to celebrate Easter.

Please remember that we will be maintaining the social distancing rules of sanitising our hands, wearing our face masks and leaving empty seats between those in bubbles and those worshipping on their own.

I look forward to us being able to worship together

Every Blessing

Sharon

Here is the link for the sermon this coming Sunday:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DSlQ7XequR4B6t64eN9eAjc4yNW4vHDa/view?usp=sharing

UPDATE on Infection Rates and Keeping Safe

This week, very disappointingly we are up to nine cases in the week ending 19^th March. Let us hope that for the next update we are back down again. Then there will be

‘light at the end of this dark tunnel!’

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army, if the Church is shut please do leave your gifts in the porch.

CLOCKS GO FORWARD ON SATURDAY 27^th March

Please remember to put your Clocks forward on Saturday night, one hour less in bed!

Thought for the Weekend!
The art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong things at a tempting moment!

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pew Sheet for 21.3.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

21^st March 2021

The 5^th Sunday of Lent

There will be NO 11 am service this Sunday,

21^st March or next Sunday, 28^th March

The Bible Readings: Herb. 5. 5-18 and today’s Gospel

John 12. 20-33

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.

“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.

For our prayers at home this week

Please at this time pray for the people in our village who have Covid 19, some of whom are members of our Church family. Please Lord keep them safe at this very worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Graham and Dawn, Anne De’Ath, Lynda, Sunny, John, David, Seany, Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have died recently and we hold their families in our prayers – Stephen Gresham, Ruby Chirgwin, Tim Baker, Gillian Bennett, James De’Ath, Eric Tuley and Barry Thompson.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Norman Way, North Wall, Oakmead Road, Old School Close, Park Chase, Park Road, Point Clear Road and Priory Close.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

Prayers for Sunday 21^st March 2021

Lord, as we start the fifth week of Lent, help us to be mindful of all those around us and seek to be a blessing to them.

Father help us to be like Christ your Son, who loved the world and died for our salvation. Inspire us by his love and guide us by his example.

Holy God, thank you for making us all in your image, each of us a precious child in your sight. Help us to recognise your dignity in all people and work for the inclusion and empowerment of us all.

Lord, we confess that we love our lives as they are. We struggle with even the idea of change. We wrestle with the thought of doing things differently. But we know that the life we cling to is only a half-life. Only you, O Lord can give us true life in full. Forgive us for holding onto the wrong things.

Teach us by your Spirit to let go of our agendas and assumptions. Help us to let go of our self-righteousness and false notions of power. Give us the strength and courage to try new things. Encourage us – and even push us – to let go of ourselves so we can fully embrace you, Holy God.

Lord in your mercy – hear our prayer.

We pray for Bishops Guli and Roger, Archdeacon Ruth and Sharon our Vicar and for all they do for this parish and us, both seen and unseen. For all others who serve in this benefice in positions of authority and for those who offer their services in various ways in the service of Christ. We thank you for giving us different abilities and different possessions. We offer them back to you and ask that we may never lose the opportunities we have of using them in your service.

We pray for people throughout our troubled world and for those who are suffering and being killed because of civil war and acts of terrorism. We also pray for the politicians around the world who trying to resolve these crisis and difficulties. May peace, reconciliation and common sense eventually prevail in these places?

Lord in your mercy – hear our prayer.

We pray for our own local community, confessing our own failings and lack of compassion and love. Help us see the good in each other, without bearing grudges, forgiving all grievances. help us not to define ourselves by what we do for you, but by what you have done for us. Show us how we can show your love to others.

We pray for our local businesses, especially the local Holiday Centres, as they prepare for another season to begin once the Covid 19 pandemic lockdown has ended We also pray for our local school and nurseries as they educate, care and support our children and young people.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Great Physician stretch your hand to bring comfort, wholeness and peace to those known to us and listed on today’s pew sheet, all who suffer in mind, body, or spirit and especially all those who have been affected by the Corona 19 pandemic and lock downs. Fill us with compassion, that we may be channels of your healing love.

We pray for the recently departed, especially for those known to us and listed on our pew sheet and those whose years mind falls at this time.

Conqueror of death remember for good those whom we love but see no longer. Help us to live this day in the sure and certain hope of your eternal victory.

Faithful God as we go out into the world, we pray that we may reflect your love in our families, our Church, and our community; so that the world can witness that we are followers of Christ and draw others into his loving care.

So, rejoicing in the fellowship of St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Osyth, St. Mary and of all your Saints and martyrs, we commend all Christian people and ourselves to your unfailing love.

Merciful Father accept these prayers for the sake pf your son, our saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Tony Page

~~NOTICES~~

There will be a Service in Church on Easter Day

I am sure you will agree that this is great news. However, we must make sure that we continue to follow the Corona Virus Guidelines.

We do need to wear a face mask; we must sit with those in our bubble or with a space of 3 empty seats between us. We must sanitise our hands as we come into church and before we receive communion, after we have received communion, we must follow the one-way directions back to our seat.

The guidelines also say that we are not yet able to have singing from the Congregation or from a Choir.

It would be great to see you on Easter Day but there is no pressure and hopefully this information will help you to decide.

Every Blessing

Sharon

Lent Course, Tuesday, 23^rd March , 2021 at 7.30pm

Everything you need is here – the reading and the Link.

Please read the Parable in preparation for the meeting.

Mark 12.1-12

Then he began to speak to them in parables. ‘A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the wine press, and built a watch-tower; then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce of the vineyard. But they seized him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. And again he sent another slave to them; this one they beat over the head and insulted. Then he sent another, and that one they killed. And so it was with many others; some they beat, and others they killed. He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” But those tenants said to one another, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this scripture:
“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes”?’

When they realized that he had told this parable against them, they wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowd. So they left him and went away.

Sharon Miles is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Lent Course 5

Time: Mar 23, 2021 07:30 PM London

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87949933980?pwd=dys0enRUejZTWHpQY3lYWTZlY2FqQT09

Meeting ID: 879 4993 3980

Passcode: 406457

Here is the link for the sermon this coming Sunday:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CrPH7SfRoiGvHYW10M24z4IQPJmAGBSO/view?usp=sharing

UPDATE on Infection Rates and Keeping Safe

This week, in the seven days up to 17^th March, there were fewer than 3 cases, this is such very good news. Long may it continue and then there will certainly be

‘light at the end of this dark tunnel!’

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army, if the Church is shut please do leave your gifts in the porch.

Thought for the Weekend!

Enjoy the

little things in

life, for one day

you may look back

and realise they

were the big

things.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pew Sheet 14.3.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

14^th March 2021

The 3^rd Sunday of Lent

Mothering Sunday

There will be NO 11 am service this Sunday,

14^th March or for the next 2 weeks.

The Bible Readings

Cor. 3. 12-17

Luke 2. 33-35

Today’s Gospel

Luke 2. 33-35

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

For our prayers at home this week

A wonderful piece of news to share. John who we have been praying for, for many months is officially in remission. The family ‘pass on their thanks to everyone for their prayers and good wishes’.
Please at this time pray for the people in our village who have Covid 19, some of whom are members of our Church family. Please Lord keep them safe at this very worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Graham and Dawn, Anne De’Ath, Lynda, Sunny, John, David, Seany, Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have died recently and we hold their families in our prayers – Stephen Gresham, Ruby Chirgwin, Tim Baker, Gillian Bennett, James De’Ath, Eric Tuley and Barry Thompson.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Meadow View, Mersea View, Mill Street, Nassau Road, New Way, Newton Gardens, Newton Way and Norman Close.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

Intercessions for Sunday 14^th March 2021

4^th Sunday of Lent

God of new beginnings, walk with us as we begin this new week. As we anticipate the usual mixture of the familiar and the unfamiliar, the welcome and the unwanted – help us to trust in your promises of old and to discover you in new and unexpected places. In this time of Lent we think of Jesus being led by the spirit into the wilderness, a place of struggle, of questioning, of temptation. How often we share such experiences, living God – when our tasks just won’t go right, when the things we need to do just don’t fall into place, when our prayers are formal and empty and without feeling. Lord God, in the wilderness Jesus stands with us, He shares our humanity, understands our frailties. Take and bless the things that we bring to offer in this our sacrifice of worship and praise. Grant your spirit to us as we worship you and clothe our imperfections with your grace. Only then can we offer all that is good and right and holy to you, living God in Jesus.

Lord, at this specific time of the year when we wait Easter and all that it means to us as Christians – when you raised your Son, Our Saviour Jesus Christ from the dead and through Him have called your church into being – Grant to your faithful people a new vision of your Glory, a new experience of your resurrection power, a new consecration to your service that through the witness of a renewal and dedicated people your work may be continued and your will be done on earth for the honour of your name and the building up of your church.

Lord, we pray for the world and its leaders. Give wisdom to those in power, authority or influence. We pray for those in need and lift to you those suffering with the Corona virus. Bless the Doctors, nurses and all who are working to alleviate their fears and isolation. And bless our Queen and Royal family who have their own troubles at this time.

Lord Jesus Christ, you were born into a human family and knew the joys of human love and nurturing. Today we celebrate Mothering Sunday and thank you that we are ALL your children, heirs to your Kingdom.

Amen.

Joy Clinton

~~NOTICES~~

Easter Service

I am very please to let you know that we will be back in Church on Easter Day at 11am.

We do still need to make sure we follow the rules with social distancing, wearing a face mask and sanitising our hands but it will be truly wonderful to celebrate Easter together.

I do hope you are all keeping well, take care.

Lent Course, Tuesday, 16^th March , 2021 at 7.30pm

Everything you need is here – the reading and the Link.

Please read the Parable in preparation for the meeting.

Mark 4.30-34

He also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’

With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

Sharon Miles is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Lent Course Week 4

Time: Mar 16, 2021 07:30 PM London

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84493601780?pwd=MVF3bkdGL1h5MkwzVTEvR0NYMDEvdz09

Meeting ID: 844 9360 1780

Passcode: 368759

Here is the link for the sermon this coming Sunday:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fMeHABq4PhLx1S1T–IKVhYUqtbY3rj5/view?usp=sharing

Every blessing

Sharon

An Inspirational Read

I have decided this year that I will not be joining an online Lent Course, owing to the fact that my laptop has ‘died’ on me and is now in the “laptop hospital” awaiting a repair. Instead, I have been reading Andy Brown’s book entitled, “A Journey with Jesus – 40 Day Devotional”.

Apart from its clarity, easy reading and application of God’s Word for each one of us, I have been truly inspired by this book; as well as this I have been challenged and encouraged by Andy’s words during this season of Lent.

Each of the 40 days include a verse from the Bible, a short reading, a prayer, a few questions to consider or maybe to discuss with another person and last but by no means least, a word of encouragement to finish.

Andy’s book is available on Amazon, as well as his Facebook page. You can also find out more on his website at: andy-brown.org.

I really want to encourage you to consider buying this and be inspired and helped to draw closer to God. The book can be read over any 40 day period; it is not just for Lent.

Every blessing to you all.

Shirley Wells

An Act of Kindness – thank-you
Many will have noticed that the fence in front of the Church has had a distinct lean towards the Vape Store opposite! David Northcott, who is our volunteer gardener, tackled it last week and it is now upright! ALL this was done using David’s ‘know how’ and he says ‘bits’ from his garage, so at no cost to the Church.

Our grateful thanks to him for doing this, it was very kind.

Sonia

UPDATE on Infection Rates and Keeping Safe

This week, in the seven days up to 6^th March, we were back up to 10 confirmed cases in St Osyth and Jaywick, an increase of 3 on last week’s figures.

We still have to remember there is ‘light at the end of this dark tunnel!’

Bell tolled to mark the funeral of Captain Sir Tom Moore

The tenor bells in both St Osyth and Great Bentley churches were both tolled, singly, 100 times on Saturday 27^th February to mark the funeral of Captain Sir Tom Moore. This was a national initiative requested by the Central Council for Church Bell Ringers and in discussion with the Church of England Recovery Group. In order to toll a single bell on this occasion the procedure had to be risk assessed, the ringer had to be accompanied by a member of their household and agreement sought from the vicar.

Bellboard link below:
https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1421789

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army, if the Church is shut please do leave your gifts in the porch.

A Smile for the Weekend!

A minister, on visiting his local hospital, would glance at the list of patients on display in the sister’s office. He noticed that the letters RC appeared frequently after the names of patients and remarked one day to the sister on the high percentage of Catholics. “Oh, that’s not their denomination,” replied the sister, “RC stands for their breakfast preference – Rice Crispies!

Pew Sheet 7.3.21.

There will be NO 11 am service this Sunday,

7^th March or in the coming weeks.

We have recorded the Sermon.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

7^th March 2021

The 3^rd Sunday of Lent

Today’s Gospel

John 2. 13-22

The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

For our prayers at home this week

A wonderful piece of news to share. John who we have been praying for, for many months is officially in remission. The family ‘pass on their thanks to everyone for their prayers and good wishes’.
Please at this time pray for the people in our village who have Covid 19, some of whom are members of our Church family. Please Lord keep them safe at this very worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Graham and Dawn, Anne De’Ath, Lynda, Sunny, John, David, Seany, Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have died recently and we hold their families in our prayers – Stephen Gresham, Ruby Chirgwin, Tim Baker, Gillian Bennett, James De’Ath, Eric Tuley and Barry Thompson.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in King’s Close Lee Wick Lane, Lilac Avenue, Links Road, Lodge Farm Lane, Longfields, Lydia Drive, Manfield Gardens and Maypole Drive.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

Intercessions for Sunday 7^th March 2021

3^rd Sunday of Lent

Lord we draw strength from today’s readings. We accept that your foolishness is wiser and your weakness is stronger than that of human beings so please bless us in our foolishness and grant us thy strength and wisdom. Let us in our daily lives bear true witness of your love for us through the Cross and act accordingly in our behaviour to, and in our treatment of, others. Let us be that shining light that is a beacon to those we interact with so that they may see you in us and feel encouraged to seek you from that experience.

We thank you for our Church, its Leaders and all those that are carrying out various duties and tasks that not only sustain it but also grow the faith that we hold so dear. Help us to get the balance right when we act in your name or as representatives of our faith.

Lord in thy mercy

Hear our prayer.

Lord we pray for all those who are exploring our faith, those who are being persecuted for their faith, those who are struggling with their faith and, equally, for those who are displaced and/or being denied their human and civil rights. Please be with them and provide them with the protection, support and encouragement that they need to sustain them in order that they can overcome their trials and tribulations and reach the promised land.

Please let us remember you are the Father of all and that a persons’ race, colour and/or faith is no obstruction to demonstrating love, compassion and fraternity for them. All too frequently in this world of ours we forget our commonality and concentrate on a superficial difference that divides us and causes injustice and oppression to take place. Help us to confront such hostility especially at this time of Lent when we are reflecting on your journey towards the Cross and the sacrifice you made for us.

We also give thanks for our local communities, our benefice and all those individuals and organisations that sustain them and the fellowship which we share by being part of them.

Lord in thy mercy

Hear our prayer.

We pray for our Queen and the Royal Family. May the members of the Royal Family draw strength, encouragement and wisdom from the Queen in the way that she continues to represent the Monarchy and strives to act in the best interests of our country and its people and those of the Commonwealth. We also, at this tjme, include Prince Philip in our prayers

With tensions existing within the United Kingdom not only regionally but with the Nation States of the UK, with our new arrangement with the European Union and internationally within and across nations themselves, we ask that all our leaders not only take their roles and responsibilities seriously but with due respect to the laws and conventions that govern their behaviour so that they may act with courtesy, equality, fairness, honour, justice and accountability at all times.

As we start to consider relaxing Covid 19 restrictions be with those involved in the process of gathering data and supplying up-to-date guidance to the government, let the government and the various ministers act wisely and responsibly as they plan and carry out relaxations and above all let us, the people, act in a way that supports the freedom we are being slowly granted whilst still supporting others who may still have reason to be protected from this disease.

Lord in thy mercy

Hear our prayer.

Lord whilst Covid 19 Is still playing a major part in our lives we give thanks for all those involved in the continuing research, distribution and administration of the vaccinations. May this continue to take place smoothly and be readily taken up as the opportunity becomes available especially by those who may have concerns or reservations resulting from misinformation, ethnicity or religious belief.

We thank all those essential workers and volunteers that are working tirelessly on our behalf.

We pray for all those struggling with the effects of this disease, especially those in intensive care and dealing with Long Term Covid conditions.

There are those who are unknown to us but whose needs you are aware of Lord. Please be with them and provide them with the support that they too need at this time.

Lord in thy mercy

Hear our prayer.

Finally, we pray for the dying and all those who have recently sadly departed this earthly life some of whom are recorded on our Pew Sheet. May they rest in Eternal Peace.

We also remember those whose anniversaries of death occur around this time.

Please be with their families, friends and colleagues and provide the comfort and support that they need.

Lord in thy mercy

Hear our prayer.

Rejoicing in the fellowship of Saints Peter and Paul, St. Osyth and St. Mary, and all your saints, we commend ourselves and all people to your unfailing love.

Merciful Father,

Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

~~NOTICES~~

Lent Course, Tuesday, 9th March , 2021 at 7.30pm
Everything you need is here – the reading and the Link.

Please read the Parable in preparation for the meeting.

Mark 4.1-20

Again Jesus began to teach beside the lake. Such a very large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the lake and sat there, while the whole crowd was beside the lake on the land. He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.’ And he said, ‘Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’

When he was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, ‘To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables; in order that
“they may indeed look, but not perceive,
and may indeed listen, but not understand;
so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.” ’

And he said to them, ‘Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. These are the ones on the path where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: when they hear the word, they immediately receive it with joy. But they have no root, and endure only for a while; then, when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And others are those sown among the thorns: these are the ones who hear the word, but the cares of the world, and the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it yields nothing. And these are the ones sown on the good soil: they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.’

Sharon Miles is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Lent Course 3

Time: Mar 9, 2021 07:30 PM London

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83533098573?pwd=Yk53ck9yTUtRdjRQeUdBWTBKWVJudz09

Meeting ID: 835 3309 8573

Passcode: 172494

Here is the link for the sermon this coming Sunday:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15YckclgksknKOiZmG7tpbEFWAgTf8Mri/view?usp=sharing

Every blessing

Sharon

Reading Recommendation by Danny Wright

I have just finished reading ‘How God Became King’ by Tom Wright (SPCK ISBN 978-0-281-06146-4). A book I found challenging and to use an expression I once heard ‘It did my head in’.

It is a thought provoking book which I am still contemplating what effect it has had on deepening my understanding of the Gospels and the Kingdom of God in the here and now through the role of the Messiah Jesus Christ. His birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension. Well worth the read and perhaps something others would appreciate considering especially during this season when reflection is something we are called upon to undertake.

Are there any other person/s who has reading recommendations for Lent? If so do please share them. Contributions should be with Monica (monmarharv@gmail.com) by 8.30am on a Friday morning.

An Inspirational Read

Andy’s book is available on Amazon, as well as his Facebook page. You can also find out more on his website at: andy-brown.org.

I really want to encourage you to consider buying this and be inspired and helped to draw closer to God. The book can be read over any 40 day period; it is not just for Lent.

Every blessing to you all

Shirley Wells

Our grateful thanks to him for doing this, it was very kind.

Sonia

UPDATE on Infection Rates and Keeping Safe

This week, in the seven days ending on the 26^th February there were 7 confirmed cases of Covid 19 in Jaywick and St Osyth, a decrease of 3 from last week, which is excellent.

We can begin to believe that there is ‘light at the end of this dark tunnel!’

Bell tolled to mark the funeral of Captain Sir Tom Moore

Bellboard link below:

https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1421789

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army, if the Church is shut please do leave your gifts in the porch.

Thought for the Weekend!
Some flowers blossom best in the sun, others do well in the shade. Remember….God puts us where we grow best.

Pew Sheet 28.2.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

28^th February 2021

The 2^nd Sunday of Lent

There will be NO 11 am service this Sunday,

28^th February or in the coming weeks.

We have recorded the Sermon.

Today’s Gospel

Mark 8. 31-end

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel,^[i] will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

For our prayers at home this week

A wonderful piece of news to share. John who we have been praying for, for many months is officially in remission. The family ‘pass on their thanks to everyone for their prayers and good wishes’.
Please at this time pray for the people in our village who have Covid 19, some of whom are members of our Church family. Please Lord keep them safe at this very worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Graham and Dawn, Anne De’Ath, Lynda, Sunny, John, David, Seany, Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have died recently and we hold their families in our prayers – Stephen Gresham, Ruby Chirgwin, Tim Baker, Gillian Bennett, James De’Ath, Eric Tuley, Barry Thompson, Peter ‘Johnny’ Austin and Sarah Williams.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Frowick Lane, Golding Way, Greenland Grove, Heath Road, Highbirch Road, Honeypot Lane, James Gardens, Johnson Road and Kincaid Road.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

Intercessions

A Prayer for our Time and Intercessions.

28th February The 2nd Sunday of Lent

This week’s prayers have come from Living Light, a weekly prayer guide by the National Christian Trust, The Good News Bible and Hymns suitable for this second week of Lent.

Dear God,

Let us give thanks that the Living Light prayer guide’s theme that focussed on prayers that are close to everyone’s heart in these uncertain times: The Future – What lies ahead.

What lies ahead and how we deal with it is partly down to us and our faith – this links to today’s Bible readings.

Let us remember the reason for Paul’s letter to the Romans: He was providing them with a guide to his understanding of the Christian faith and what it meant to lead a Christian Life.

In this present time of Lent, when we are all challenged about what lies ahead.

Let us give thanks to God.

We give thanks we can read Paul’s letters to the Romans and know its message is as important today.

Paul reveals that God puts people right with himself through faith from beginning to end. Sometimes we wrestle with how we fit in with God’s plan for humanity.

Give us faith to keep strong.

Paul reminds us of the example of Abraham

Abraham believed in God and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous.

David spoke of this when he spoke of the happiness of the person is when God accepts them righteous.

Let us remember we can all be happy.

As Abrahams’ descendants we have access to this free gift of God’s and to access it.

Let us live the same life of faith so we too can find hope and true happiness.

Abraham did not doubt, let us not doubt but keep strong in faith.

Let us be filled with God’s grace and power.

Let us remember to sing God’s praises.

Keep reminding us that all to access these gifts all we need to do is to carry on believing.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our Prayer

Dear Lord, as we hear the words from today’s Gospel we are reminded by Mark of the Good News that Jesus is a man of action and authority.

Jesus’s authority is in his teaching, his power over demons and his forgiveness of people’s sins. Mark’s emphasis is on his ministry of healing and teaching.

Mark shows that then, people become more polarised, with Jesus’s followers understanding him better but opponents becoming more hostile.

In this time of Lent we ask that you remind of the words of today’s reading from Mark’s Gospel and today’s reading about Jesus Christ and our faith in God through the Son of Man. Let us remember that to be close to God we have to forget ourselves and follow the teachings of God, in this way we will regain our true life.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our Prayer

In this year, when life has not been normal, we have not been able to sing your praises.

Let us remember the hymns that might have sung today.

We give thanks and praise that we have access to YouTube and the internet to access messages that we would normally receive in church.

Give us time to look up the words and sing in our hearts the praises of these hymns:

The God of Abraham praise (No. 642)

Abba Father (1)

Take up thy cross, the Savious Said (No. 626)

At the name of Jesus (No. 54) T

Lord in your mercy

Hear our Prayer

We pray for better times ahead and hope that at the year of suffering and death draws to a close.

Let your peace be with us all and especially with those who have suffered in mind, body and spirit.

We ask you to pour your healing spirit on friends, families and those unknown to us who need your love as they deal with the loss and suffering that has been ever present this year.

Lord in your mercy

Hear our Prayer

We finish this week’s prayer with those from the Living Light together and its daily themes from:

The Resurrection Body

Working for good

The Amazing future

Winning the battle

The Power of Prayer

Never living alone!

More than conquerors

Utterly certain

Thank you Lord Jesus for giving me such hope for the future. Help us to live today for your glory, knowing what to come will be even more Glorious.

Gracious Lord, help me to love you more and live faithfully according to your will.

Help us Lord to fulfil your eternal plans for our eternal life more faithfully day by day.

Lord, you have won the ultimate victory: please help us win the victory in our lives day by day.

Lord, you pray for us – help us to pray more faithfully to you for the world today.

Loving Lord, please fill us with your love that we may know your presence day by day.

Lord you know the problems we face; please show us how to win the victory.

Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven come to earth come down; fix in us they humble dwelling, all thy faithful mercies crown

Praise and thank the Lord for all you have done for us through the power of the The Father the Son and the Holy Spirit

We offer our prayer to you for all those known to us who are facing doubt and testing times that they will be assured of your love and victory.

In the name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Nicky Underwood

~~NOTICES~~

Lent Course, Tuesday, 2^nd March , 2021 at 7.30pm

Everything you need is here – the reading and the Link.

Please read the Parable in preparation for the meeting.

Mark 3.23-35

And Jesus called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.
And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered.

‘Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin’— for they had said, ‘He has an unclean spirit.’

Sharon Miles is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Lent Course Week 2

Time: Mar 2, 2021 07:30 PM London

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82205151746?pwd=OHloN1Y1QTI1RmZHNHBqK0F4ZGQyZz09

Meeting ID: 822 0515 1746

Passcode: 111528

Here is the link for the sermon this coming Sunday:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zkA-qKhwWv_7Qw9vBZJ0i1igCxolQCAW/view?usp=sharing

Every blessing

Sharon

Reading Recommendation by Danny Wright

I have just finished reading ‘How God Became King’ by Tom Wright (SPCK ISBN 978-0-281-06146-4). A book I found challenging and to use an expression I once heard ‘It did my head in’.

Are there any other person/s who has reading recommendations for Lent? If so do please share them. Contributions should be with Monica (monmarharv@gmail.com) by 8.30am on a Friday morning.

An Inspirational Read

Andy’s book is available on Amazon, as well as his Facebook page. You can also find out more on his website at: andy-brown.org.

I really want to encourage you to consider buying this and be inspired and helped to draw closer to God. The book can be read over any 40 day period; it is not just for Lent.

Every blessing to you all

Shirley Wells

Tolling the Bell for Capt Tom Moore

Roger Carey Smith will be tolling a bell for Capt Tom Moore on Saturday, It is a lovely way for us to remember Capt Tom.

UPDATE on Infection Rates and Keeping Safe

This week, in the seven days ending on the 19^th February there were 10 confirmed cases of Covid 19, a decrease of 4 from last week which is excellent.

Some normality is on its way – let us continue to pray for it, there is

‘light at the end of this dark tunnel!’

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army, if the Church is shut please do leave your gifts in the porch.

Thought for the Weekend!
If you want happiness
for an hour, take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day, go fishing.
If you want happiness
for a year, inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness
for a lifetime, help somebody.

Pew Sheet 21.2.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

21^st February 2021

The 1^st Sunday of Lent

There will be NO 11 am service this Sunday,

21^st February or in the coming weeks.

We have recorded the Sermon.

The Bible Readings

1 Pet. 3. 18-end

Mark 1. 9-15

Today’s Gospel

Mark 1. 9-15

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved;^[a] with you I am well pleased.”

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news^[b] of God,and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

For our prayers at home this week

Both Graham and Dawn are well on the way to recovering from Coronavirus, which is such good news. Graham awaits more tests for his other conditions, but in the meantime, they do thank-you for your prayers and are happy to move to the main prayer list.
Please at this time pray for the people in our village who have Covid 19, some of whom are members of our Church family. Please Lord keep them safe at this very worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Anne De’Ath, Lynda, Sunny, John, David, Seany, Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have died recently and we hold their families in our prayers – Stephen Gresham, Ruby Chirgwin, Tim Baker, Gillian Bennett, James De’Ath, Eric Tuley, Barry Thompson, Peter ‘Johnny’ Austin and Sarah Williams.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Deeping Walk, Dumont Avenue, Earls Hall Drive, Eastern Promenade, Fanny’s Lane, First Avenue, Flag Hill and Fourth Avenue.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

Intercessions for Sunday 21^st February

Let us pray that we all recognise that it is our baptism that saves us, that brings destruction and death to the sins of the flesh, that raises us to a new life in the spirit. Let us pray that we, so purified by the spirit, as was Jesus in the wilderness, are armoured against the temptations of the devil.

Lord, in Your mercy … hear our prayer

Let us, we pray, embrace the offer of our salvation, surrounded with Your cries of deliverance and Your protection from trouble. Keep, dear Lord, providing us with a place where all who want to come in, can come in. We beseech You to remain a constant at our sides, as we too fight the good fight.

Lord, in Your mercy … hear our prayer

As we start this period of Lent, let us be mindful of the healing powers of abstinence, and how this time can bring us closer to Christ. Let us pray that we can be so fashioned by God’s grace that everything we do is for the glory of God, and be reminded by the stark emptiness of a self-serving life.

Lord, in Your mercy … hear our prayer

Let us pray for our world, and pray that we can dare to dream of a better future for all, that we see the coronavirus crisis as an opportunity for change, a time to reflect on what we have (and what so many don’t), a time to create a world without prejudice, a time for inclusion and not exclusion, a time to give and not to take.

Lord, in Your mercy … hear our prayer

Pray that we are thankful for all the progress that has been achieved in fighting the pandemic, for the scientists who have been inspired to find successful vaccines, to those who have enabled so many people to be vaccinated, and, above all, for those on the front line caring for the suffering.

Lord, in Your mercy … hear our prayer

Let us pray for our Christian church, that it seeks proactively to fill the spiritual emptiness in people’s lives, that its denominations work together to brighten the lives of communities, that its administrations manage the current challenges judiciously, in the knowledge of how much congregations are missing worshipping in church.

Lord, in Your mercy … hear our prayer

We pray for those who are ill in body, mind or spirit, particularly in our local community. We continue to pray for those who are suffering from coronavirus, as well as those whose treatments for other illnesses have had to have been postponed, or whose diagnoses are delayed, as well as for those with mental health issues brought about by isolation.

Lord, in Your mercy … hear our prayer

Finally, let us pray for the dead, and particularly for those known to us and specifically for those on our pew sheet. May they now know the salvation reserved for them and a new eternal life with Our Lord. We pray that those who are left behind are comforted that those who have died are now out of pain and embraced with divine love.

Lord, in Your mercy … hear our prayer

Merciful Father …

David Harrington

~~NOTICES~~

Lent Course, Tuesday, 23^rd February, 2021 at 7.30pm

We begin our Lent Course on Tuesday at 7.30pm please do join us.

Everything you need is here – the reading and the Link.

Please read the Parable in preparation for the meeting.

Mark 4.21-25

Jesus said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’ And he said to them, ‘Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.’

Sharon Miles is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Lent Course Week 1

Time: Feb 23, 2021 07:30 PM London

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85017838711?pwd=QTA1Nlc3c1B3a0FrZ3pwTzA1WmVaUT09

Meeting ID: 850 1783 8711

Passcode: 749456

All of the information you need to join us, the reading and the Zoom Link, will be sent out to you each week on the same email as the Service for Sunday. I am hoping this will give us all a boost because we will be able to talk together and see each other. I do hope you can make it.

Here is the link for the sermon this coming Sunday:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17mHRt6-jx9jQo7Vs5wSla1BHCjfpSJR3/view?usp=sharing

Every blessing

Sharon

UPDATE on Infection Rates and Keeping Safe

This week, in the seven days ending on the 12^th February there were 14 confirmed cases of Covid 19, a decrease of 8 from last week which is excellent.

We must continue to take care, follow rules and then there will be

‘light at the end of this dark tunnel!’

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army, if the Church is shut please do leave your gifts in the porch.

Phonebox Foodbank in the Village asks for donations

The Phonebox Food Bank is based in the Red Phonebox opposite St Osyth Priory.

It was started by Tracy Bartle at the beginning of the first lockdown.

Everything from tinned items to cereal can be dropped off at the location or Tracy can be contacted on 07486 956619 if you would like anything collected.

Tracy is now appealing for more food produce to be donated and says the future of the project depends on it.

Thank you.

Thought for the Weekend!

Good people are like candles, they burn brightly to give others light.

Pew Sheet 14.2.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

14^th February 2021

2^nd The Sunday next before Lent

The Bible Readings

2 Cor. 4. 3-6

Mark 9. 2-9

There will be NO 11 am service this Sunday,

14^th February or in the coming weeks.

We have recorded a short service – consisting of the
Collect, Readings, Intercessions, Sermon and Prayers

Today’s Gospel

Mark 9. 2-9

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them,and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one^[on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings,^[one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved;^[c] listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

For our prayers at home this week

Although Graham is now fine, having recovered from Corona Virus. Dawn is still not good, so please keep her in your prayers.
Lynda is making slow progress, she is so grateful for our prayers and is happy to go onto the general list for prayers.
Please at this time pray for the people in our village who have Covid 19, some of whom are members of our Church family. Please Lord keep them safe at this very worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Sunny, John, David, Seany, Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have died recently and we hold their families in our prayers – Tim Baker, Gillian Bennett, James De’Ath, Eric Tuley, Barry Thompson, Peter ‘Johnny’ Austin and Sarah Williams.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Colchester Road, Colne View, Colne Way, Cow Lane, Dairy Farm Meadow, Daltes Lane, D’Arcy Road and Dead Lane.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

Wednesday 17^th February – Ash Wednesday

We have recorded a service for Ash Wednesday that will be emailed out in the usual way.

I wish you all a productive Lent and strength for you to complete whatever Lenten challenge/promise that you are taking on.

Lent Course

The Lent Course begins on Tuesday 24^th February, we will be looking at some of the Parables in Marks Gospel.

The Zoom link will come out to you on next week’s pew sheet together with the reading so that you can read it through in advance of the meeting.

Do pass the link on to anyone who wants to join us.

Here is the link for the sermon this coming Sunday:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X70e8f1SvIksl6oZcxwjRqW2fSb9t3jl/view?usp=sharing

Every blessing

Sharon

UPDATE on Infection Rates and Keeping Safe

This week up to the 5^th February has shown an increase in the number of confirmed cases, up 2 from last week to 22. This does show us how very careful we still have to be if there is to be

‘light at the end of this dark tunnel!’

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army, if the Church is shut please do leave your gifts in the porch.

Thought for the Weekend!
Life’s short – take time to celebrate and appreciate the amazing people in your life.

Pew Sheet 7.2.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

7^th February 2021

2^nd Sunday of Lent

The Bible Readings:

Col. 1. 15-20

John 1. 1-14

Today’s Gospel

John 1. 1-14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.^[b]

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

Our Intercession Prayers

In faith let us pray to God our Father in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

We come to you today during this world-wide pandemic and pray for all in sorrow, need, anxiety or sickness at this time whether at home or in hospital. We pray for those whose lives are filled with fear and despair. Draw near with your saving love and bring healing and hope.

Loving God, we come before you on this day reminded that you are the Creator of all life. You have been with us from our birth, guiding, nurturing and sustaining us, you have called us to be your family.

Lord Jesus, we thank you for your Church. For giving us a place where we are welcome and where we belong. For giving us all kinds of people to learn from and with whom to share. We thank you especially at this time for all those we have shared fellowship – by telephone or when visiting was permitted – all who have reached out to us, all they have meant to us – all they have done in so many ways. It has truly been an outpouring of love.

Holy God, as we worship on this day, show us more of yourself from your living word. Give us love, joy, faith and hope and the praise and glory will be given to you.

Almighty God, who has taught us to make prayers and intercessions for all men. We pray for ministers of religion and all who guide the thoughts of the people, for artists, authors, musicians and journalists, that our common life may be once again crowned with truth and beauty.

We pray for the nations of the world to be united in their efforts to subdue the coronavirus and search for global peace and pray that they will find help and compassion in their need.

And may we all recall the words to Joshua from Our Lord, “Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage, be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord Thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Amen.

Joy Clinton

For our prayers at home this week

Graham and Dawn are on the road to recovery from COVID 19 and are feeling considerably better. Thank-you for your prayers.
Lynda – Please keep Lynda in your prayers as she begins to use her new medication.
Please at this time pray for the people in our village who have Covid 19, some of whom are members of our Church family. Please Lord keep them safe at this very worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Sunny, John, David, Seany, Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have died recently and we hold their families in our prayers – Eric Tuley, Barry Thompson, Peter ‘Johnny’ Austin, Sarah Williams, Jan Kramer, Gillian Bennett and James D’eath.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Castle Way, Chapel Lane, Chisbon Heath, Church Square, Clacton Road, Clay Lane, Clinton Close, Club Parade and Cockett Wick Lane.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

Ash Wednesday 17^th February

Ash Wednesday is just 10 days away, there will be an Ash Wednesday Service held at Great Bentley Church. We will receive the connection details so we participate in the usual way.

Lent Course
Wednesday 17^th February to Saturday 3^rd April, 2021

Our Lent Course this year will be held on Zoom and we will be looking at some of the Parables of Jesus in Mark’s Gospel.

Connection information to follow next week.

Here is the link for the sermon this coming Sunday.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eI_dWqSgEWCASnfV95-sks3ZcMDK3ZZk/view?usp=sharing

Take care everyone, look after yourself and those you care about, every blessing.

Sharon

Chelmsford Diocesan Lent Course Information

You will by now have received from Helen information on the Lent Modules 2021, which are to be delivered via Zoom, by the Chelmsford Diocese. You do have to book. It will be interesting to hear from people who listen in and participate. Please let us know if you do.

Please note that modules 1,5 and 11 are already fully booked.

Lent 2021 – Thoughts from Danny Wright

With Lent approaching I have been giving some thought as to how I should be preparing my observance of this special time during a Lockdown which is likely to still be in effect. Whilst doing this I thought that it might be appropriate to share options that are available to us at this time.

First and foremost it is possible to go on line and register with the Church of England to take part in this year’s theme for Lent which is #Live Lent 2021: God’s Story, Our Story. This is based on the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book for 2021 Living His Story by Hannah Steele (Published by SPCK) and can be found on the Church of England website using the highlighted text. Once registration confirmed you will be sent an email to enable you to participate on a daily basis. Last year was based on the Lord’s Prayer and I found it a very stimulating exercise and am looking forward to this year’s input.

I would also recommend a book called ‘Who Moved the Stone’ by Frank Morrison (Albert Henry Ross) who as an atheist and an avid sceptic of the claims of the resurrection of Christ initially wrote this book to disclaim the Resurrection of Christ but in writing it had a ‘Damascus’ moment and became a convert. By chance I discovered this publication first released in 1930 through ‘The Living Light’ published by The Nationwide Christian Trust. One of the daily readings related to 1 Corinthians 15:20 ‘But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead’ and in her commentary about this text Anne Coles related to this book. Intrigued by this, and feeling motivated to find out more, I acquired a copy and do not regret the purchase as I found it very thought provoking as it really opens up the texts of the Gospels relating to the last days of Christ’s journey to the Cross and his Resurrection. Maybe it is only for me but I would strongly recommend reading this book even as a confirmed Christian. (Authentic ISBN 978-1-85078-674-0).

Other excellent books that are suitable for reading at this time are as follows:-

The Journey John Pritchard SPCK
ISBN 978-0-281-07153-1

The Life J. John & Chris Walley Authentic

ISBN 978-1-86024-609-8

The Things He Said Stephen Cottrell SPCK
ISBN 978-0-281-06197-6

The Things He Did Stephen Cottrell SPCK

ISBN 978-0-281-07623-9

The Things He Carried Stephen Cottrell SCPK
ISBN 978-0-281-06080-1

The Nail Stephen Cottrell SCPK
ISBN 978-0-281-06635-3

I trust this will give you some options to consider going through Lent. I cannot now recall the order in which I read these books but know that for me I personally found these very compelling reads and I trust that you will find them the same.

Happy reading.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

There may be other readers of our Pew Sheet who have found and read books at this time of Lent, that they, like Danny have found helpful in their journey of understanding and observance. If you have please do let Sharon or Monica know so they can be shared with others.

UPDATE on Infection Rates and Keeping Safe

There were 20 confirmed cases of COVID 19 in St Osyth and Jaywick week ending 29^th January. That is down from 58 the previous week, it is really encouraging that the downward trend is gaining monmentum.
As we said last week

‘there is light at the end of this dark tunnel!’

Update on Journeys for the Vaccine

Should you have to go to Harwich for your vaccine, if you have a Bus Pass, there is a free taxi service.

Please ring 01255 552010 – have your appointment time ready when booking.

………………………………………………..

If you are to have your Vaccine in Clacton and again if you have a Bus Pass, there is a free taxi service.

Please ring 01255 436962 – have your appointment time ready when booking.

………………………………………………..

If you do not have a Bus Pass the taxi fare to Harwich to have your vaccine is £5.00. Ring 01255 552010.

………………………………………………..

I am not sure of the cost of a taxi to take you to Clacton for your vaccine if you do not have a Bus Pass, ring 01255 436962.

Please have your appointment time ready.

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army, if the Church is shut please do leave your gifts in the porch.

Prescription Deliveries
Just to inform you:

“In what are again difficult times for many, Boots have very kindly agreed to deliver prescriptions at no cost to any resident of the Parish, over the age of 70 and those who are shielding, who cannot collect their own prescription”. Boots telephone number is 01255 820396.

Thank you to Boots – it saves a great deal of anxiety for many – we are very grateful.

Thought for the Weekend!
When you realise how
beautiful life is and how
privileged you are to witness
the miracles around you,
you will tilt your head back
and smile gratefully at
the sky and say

‘Thank You God’.

Pew Sheet 31.1.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

31^st January 2021

4^th Sunday of Epiphany

There will be NO 11 am service this Sunday,

31^st January or in the coming weeks.

We have recorded a short service – consisting of the Collect, Readings, Intercessions, Sermon and Prayers

The Bible Readings: Rev. 12. 1-5a & Luke 2. 22-40

Today’s Gospel: Luke 2. 22-40

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
   according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
   which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
   and for glory to your people Israel.’

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

Collect – the Presentation of Christ in the Temple

Almighty and ever-living God, clothed in majesty, whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple, in substance of our flesh: grant that we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts, by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A Prayer from our Archbishops

A few days ago we heard the Prime Minister say that 100,000 lives had been lost to coronavirus

Our Archbishops have sent out a prayer for us all to use.

We remember before God those who have died and we pray that God’s love will surround
all who mourn them, now and always

Gracious God,
as we remember before you the thousands who have died,
surround us and all who mourn with your strong compassion.
Be gentle with us in our grief, protect us from despair,
and give us grace to persevere
and face the future with hope
in Jesus Christ our risen Lord.
Amen.

For our prayers at home this week

Really unfortunately, but not unexpected, both Dawn and Graham now have COVID 19. Dawn says it is affecting them differently, but they are both ‘feeling delicate’. Please do keep them in your prayers at this worrying time.
Lynda has had a ‘quite good’ conversation with her Consultant Nurse, her blood markers are good, but the side effects remain which are very painful. Please keep her in your prayers as she moves to using medication that hopefully will ease these side effects.
Please at this time pray for the people in our village who have Covid 19, some of whom are members of our Church family. Please Lord keep them safe at this very worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Sunny, John, David, Seany, Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have died recently and we hold their families in our prayers – Eric Tuley, Barry Thompson, Peter ‘Johnny’ Austin, Sarah Williams and Jan Kramer.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Beacon Way, Belair Estate, Bentley Road, Bishops Drive, Botanical Way, Botany Lane, Broadstrood, Brook Vale and Bypass Road.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~NOTICES~~

Lent
Wednesday 17^th February to Saturday 3^rd April, 2021

It will be the beginning of Lent before we know it. We will be recording a short service for Ash Wednesday (17^th February) and a Lent Course which will be held on Zoom – more information to follow!

Here is the link for the sermon this coming Sunday.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KRPzHLs-Sg9MHb_d7pHQOrQl9y5R0PJT/view?usp=sharing

Take care everyone and stay safe.

Every Blessing

Sharon

Lent Courses

Please note that modules 1,5 and 11 are already fully booked.

Lent 2021 – Thoughts from Danny Wright

With Lent approaching I have been giving some thought as to how I should be preparing my observance of this special time during a Lockdown which is likely to still be in effect. Whilst doing this I thought that it might be appropriate to share options that are available to us at this time.

Other excellent books that are suitable for reading at this time are as follows:-

The Journey John Pritchard SPCK
ISBN 978-0-281-07153-1

The Life J. John & Chris Walley Authentic

ISBN 978-1-86024-609-8

The Things He Said Stephen Cottrell SPCK
ISBN 978-0-281-06197-6

The Things He Did Stephen Cottrell SPCK

ISBN 978-0-281-07623-9

The Things He Carried Stephen Cottrell SCPK
ISBN 978-0-281-06080-1

The Nail Stephen Cottrell SCPK
ISBN 978-0-281-06635-3

Happy reading

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

UPDATE on Infection Rates and Keeping Safe

There were 58 confirmed cases of COVID 19 in St Osyth and Jaywick week ending 22^nd January. The numbers are thankfully moving down, but we cannot and should not be complacent and continue to stick to the rules.

As we said last week

‘there is light at the end of this dark tunnel’

Update on Journeys for the Vaccine

Should you have to go to Harwich for your vaccine, if you have a Bus Pass, there is a free taxi service.

Please ring 01255 552010 – have your appointment time ready when booking.

………………………………………………..

If you are to have your Vaccine in Clacton and again if you have a Bus Pass, there is a free taxi service.

Please ring 01255 436962 – have your appointment time ready when booking.

………………………………………………..

If you do not have a Bus Pass the taxi fare to Harwich to have your vaccine is £5.00. Ring 01255 552010.

………………………………………………..

I am not sure of the cost of a taxi to take you to Clacton for your vaccine if you do not have a Bus Pass, ring 01255 436962.

Please have your appointment time ready.

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army, if the Church is shut please do leave your gifts in the porch.

Prescription Deliveries
Just to inform you:

Thank you to Boots – it saves a great deal of anxiety for many – we are very grateful.

Thought for the Weekend!
It’s not what you do,
it’s how you do it.
It’s not what you see,
it’s how you look at it.
It’s not how your life is,
it’s how you live it.

Pew Sheet 24.1.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

24^th January 2021

3^rd Sunday of Epiphany

There will be NO 11 am service this Sunday,

24^th January or in the coming weeks.

Instead we have recorded a short service – consisting of the Collect, Readings, Intercessions, Sermon and Prayers

The Bible Readings

Rev. 19. 6-10

John 2. 1-11

Today’s Gospel

John 2. 1-11

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

For our prayers at home this week

Sunny has said that the Surgical Team is very pleased with her progress which is such great news and there may be no need to have her other hip done. She particularly said to say how very grateful she is for your prayers and that people have thought of her.
Continue please to keep Lynda in your prayers, life is not easy at this time.
Please do keep Graham in your prayers as although the pain has eased and he is off antibiotics, he is by no means out of the wood yet and may still need a kidney removed, and most unfortunately he caught COVID 19 while he was in hospital. Both he and Dawn are self isolating for ten days. Do pray for them both.
Please at this time pray for the people in our village who have Covid 19, some of whom are members of our Church family. Please Lord keep them safe at this very worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Sunny, John, David, Seany, Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have died recently and we hold their families in our prayers – Peter ‘Johnny’ Austin, Sarah Williams and Jan Kramer.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Abbotts Gardens, Allen Way, Alpha Road, Barrack Lane, Beach Road, Beach Road (Lee over Sands) and Beacon Heights.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

Intercessions for Sunday 24^th January 2021

Today’s readings have a common theme – weddings. In the Gospel reading from John (John 2. 1 -11) we have Jesus attending a wedding with his family and his disciples and performing his first miracle –water to wine. In the other reading from Revelations (Rev 19. 6 – 10) we have ‘the triumph of God over the beast being celebrated in the wedding of the Lamb. His bride being the Church in all her purity and beauty’. So today let us remember all those couples who have had to put their wedding plans on hold or who have had to make and accept significant changes to plans in order to get married. Please be with them Lord, sustain their relationships and let them find happiness and great joy in and through their married life to be.

Thy Kingdom Come

Thy Will Be Done.

We thank you for our Church, its Leaders, its Servants and all those that take on roles and responsibilities to sustain it and grow our faith. The fact that there are so many different ways that this is being done during these difficult times demonstrates that commitment and the wonder of your Church.

We remember all those who are being persecuted for their faith, those who are struggling with their faith and those who are exploring our faith. Please be with them all Lord and provide them with the protection, support and encouragement that they need to sustain them.

We give our thanks for the fellowship that we share and the community to which we belong. Help us to sustain that fellowship and to reach out to all in need of such fellowship within our community.

We also give thanks for our local communities and benefice and all those individuals and organisations that sustain them.

Thank you for the appointment of our New Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Reverend, Dr. Guli Francis-Dehqani. Please be with her and grant that she be supported by all in the carrying out of this role and its incumbent responsibilities. Bless her at all times as she serves your Church and your People.

Thy Kingdom Come

Thy Will Be Done.

We pray our Queen and the other members of the Royal Family. May they continue to act as constructive figure heads of our nation and be that non-partisan representation between government and the people.

We continue to pray for our nation lord at this time when there are so many pressures currently being exerted on it. Please grant that we act in union and sustain the historical unity that we have established and that has previously bound us together for our common good.

We ask that our local, national and international leaders take their roles and responsibilities seriously and act in accordance to thy will

Thy Kingdom Come

Thy Will Be Done.

Lord we give thanks for all those involved in distributing and administration of the Covid 19 vaccination. May this take place smoothly and be readily taken up as the opportunity becomes available.

We pray for all those struggling with the effects of this disease, especially those in intensive care, and all those Health Care Workers and essential workers involved in their care.

There are those who are unknown to us but whose needs you are aware of Lord. Please be with them and provide them with the support that they too need.

Thy Kingdom Come

Thy Will Be Done.

Finally, we pray for the dying and all those who have recently sadly departed this earthly life some of whom are recorded on our Pew Sheet. May they rest in Eternal Peace.

Please be with their families, friends and colleagues and provide the comfort and support that they need in these times which make it difficult for loved ones to comfort one another in the normal manner.

We also remember those whose anniversaries of death occur around this time and our thoughts are similarly with their families, friends and colleagues.

Thy Kingdom Come

Thy Will Be Done.

Rejoicing in the fellowship of Saints Peter and Paul, St. Osyth and St. Mary, and all your saints, we commend ourselves and all people to your unfailing love.

Merciful Father,

Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Danny Ward

~~NOTICES~~

A Message from Rev’d. Sharon

Many thanks to Helen and Andy Brown who have stepped in and recorded the Worship this week. I was informed by NHS app on my mobile that I needed to isolate for 3 days, I am not ill but had apparently been close to someone with coronavirus.

Helen and Andy volunteered to step in so that Worship could still be sent out. I am incredibly grateful. The link for the service is https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JBQcxLZMnhz7knoUpVw7vvLR6T4Q4Wir/view?usp=sharing

Take care everyone and stay safe.

Every blessing

Sharon

Update on Journeys for the Vaccine

Should you have to go to Harwich for your vaccine, if you have a Bus Pass, there is a free taxi service.

Please ring 01255 552010 – have your appointment time ready when booking.

………………………………………………..

If you are to have your Vaccine in Clacton and again if you have a Bus Pass, there is a free taxi service.

Please ring 01255 436962 – have your appointment time ready when booking.

………………………………………………..

If you do not have a Bus Pass the taxi fare to Harwich to have your vaccine is £5.00. Ring 01255 552010.

………………………………………………..

I am not sure of the cost of a taxi to take you to Clacton for your vaccine if you do not have a Bus Pass, ring 01255 436962.

Please have your appointment time ready.

Lent Courses

Lent is not far away and shortly we will send you the courses that are available for you to book from the Chelmsford Diocese. They are called Lent Modules 2021, all courses are delivered by Zoom and most will include interactive discussion, breakouts and practical exercises. So watch this space as they say!

Lucky Dip Draw

During the months of November and December our Parish Church asked for Donations to make up the short fall in their income owing to not being able to hold the usual Christmas Fayre.

Many thanks to everyone who donated an amazing total of £1735.00.

On the morning of Saturday, 19^th December all the prizes were shown in our Church for the Lucky Dip Draw. Also in Church on that morning was a Cake Stall which raised £203 and a Jarbola stall, which raised £59.00 bringing the total to an amazing £1997.00.

Many thanks to all those who donated prizes for the Lucky Dip Draw, including: Angela Shepherd, Amy Littlewood, Denise Newman, Duke’s Tea Room, Helen Burke, Jenny Woodrow, Kelly Coe, Lauren Cheasely, Leanne Carr, Lisa Lloyd, Nicole Stafford, Nisa Stores, Premier Stores, Sarah Dunn, St Osyth Butchers and Yuree (Thai Massage).

The Draw took place after the Morning Church Service on 20^th December. All those who won a prize have been informed.

A Big Thank You to everyone who helped in any way including running a stall, organizing the advertising of the event and setting up the new “Just Giving ” site on our Church Web site.

Anne Witton

The above item was intended for the February St Osyth News

UPDATE on Infection Rates and Keeping Safe

There were 77 confirmed cases of COVID 19 in St Osyth and Jaywick week ending 15^th January, very fortunately numbers are beginning to reduce.

So please keep safe. This virus is spread by close contact, keeping 2 metres apart when you are outside, and staying at home will protect ourselves, protect others and the NHS.

There is light we do know at the end of this dark tunnel.

Prescription Deliveries
Just to inform you:

Thank you to Boots – it saves a great deal of anxiety for many – we are very grateful.

Winner of the best decorated Shop Window

The Parish Council invited all the shops and businesses in the village to decorate their windows over the Christmas Period. It was felt that having a competition would bring some festive cheer to the village, following what was such a difficult year. And indeed it did, it was really lovely to see the windows and frontages festooned with Christmas decorations.

Alan Goggin, our Essex County Councillor, did the judging for us on one rather cold and dark evening just before Lockdown.

His decisions were:

First prize – Naglotec

Highly Commended – L & K Funeral Directors

Highly Commended – The Crossroads Sandwich Bar

Highly Commended – NACO

St Osyth Church had a Commended and we didn’t actually enter! However it was indeed richly deserved and thank-you to Robert Simion and Philip Smith who put up all the lights – a big job and we are very grateful.

Thank you to Alan Goggin for doing the judging, Martin Walsh, Church Treasurer and Finance Officer of the Parish Council, for having the idea and to all our shops and businesses for participating – it was a lovely start to the Christmas Season.

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army, if the Church is shut please do leave your gifts in the porch.

Thought for the Weekend!
A mountain is not higher than your confidence it will be under your feet if you reach the top.

Pew Sheet 17.1.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

17^th January 2021

2^nd Sunday of Epiphany

There will be NO 11 am service this Sunday,

17^th January or in the coming weeks.

We have recorded a short service – consisting of the
Collect, Readings, Intercessions, Sermon and Prayers click here to view

The Bible Readings

Rev. 5. 1-10

John 1. 43-end

Today’s Gospel

John 1. 43-end

The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”

Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” He then added, “Very truly I tell you you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”

For our prayers at home this week

Lynda continues with her second course of treatment, the unpleasant side effects are still there, so please pray for her.
Graham is in much need of our prayers as unfortunately he is back in hospital with a blood clot on his kidneys, which is still bleeding. Dawn says he is being very well looked after and awaits a further scan today.
Please at this time pray for the people in our village who have Covid 19, some of whom are members of our Church family. Please Lord keep them safe at this very worrying time and bring them through.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayer support – Sunny, John, David, Seany, Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominee and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have died recently and we hold their families in our prayers – Peter, Johnny Austin, Sarah Williams and Jan Kramer.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Western Promenade, Wick Lane, Wick Road, Wigboro Wick Lane, Willow Avenue and Withrick Walk.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

A Prayer for our Time and Intercessions.

A Prayer for our Time – 17th January 2021

Dear God,

We give thanks that there has been a world wide endeavour to develop vaccines and vaccination programmes to counteract the effects of Covid-19. Vaccines, which usually take many years to produce have been developed. We praise the co-operation and collaboration of many people to enable this to happen. It is with a grateful heart that we give thanks that some of the most vulnerable in our society have received the two doses and this will enable them to live with less anxiety.

Intercessions

We give thanks that Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip have been vaccinated and happy to share this information with us.

We pray that leaders will listen and be guided in the correct path to take.

We give thanks to all those workers who are continuing to work in challenging and unpredictable and ever changing conditions. We ask you to bless them and enable them to continue.

We pray that you will pour out your spirit on us all and especially those who are struggling with the imposition of further Lockdown conditions, whether it be loss of social interaction, lack of the ability to meet and care for loved ones or those who have lost their jobs and do not know the way forward. We ask that you inspire them with faith and hope and that a new path will be clear for them.

We are thankful that despite the low light and cool temperatures we know that the shortest day has passed and soon there will be signs of spring which will lighten our hearts. We will be able to see new growth and new beginnings.

We ask that you fill us with your holy spirit to keep us strong in faith which will encourage us to continue with hope in our hearts.

Let the light put an end to the darkness, in the name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Nicky Underwood

~~NOTICES~~

Thank You!

We all know how a phone call can lift our spirits.

You will remember that during the previous lockdown’s, regular phone calls were made to those people on our Electoral Roll. Fortunately, those who made the calls are happy to do so again.

Do let me know if there is anything I can help with or if for some reason you are not receiving calls. Many thanks to all the callers.

Sharon

To The Church Family

I know it is a challenge being in another Lockdown and with no Church Services allowed at this time we can feel a little distanced from each other. We have recorded a short service – consisting of the Collect, Readings, Intercessions, Sermon and Prayers (please see link below) and will continue to do so over the coming weeks. It will, hopefully, help us to keep that sense of being a worshipping community.

This week’s link to the worship video. It will be on the website and facebook too.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h1Mce1Tnp7a2xCn22wt1j10Pk3KZYdbj/view?usp=sharing

Do take care and every blessing.

Sharon

Prescription Deliveries

Just to inform you:

Thank you to Boots – it saves a great deal of anxiety for many – we are very grateful.

Infection Rates and Keeping Safe

It is worryinjg to know that in the week ending on the 8^th January there were a further 111 confirmed cases of COVID 19 in St Osyth and Jaywick.

So please keep safe. This virus is spread by close contact, keeping 2 metres apart when you are outside, and staying at home will protect ourselves, protect others and the NHS.

There is light we do know at the end of this dark tunnel.

Winner of the best decorated Shop Window

Alan Goggin, our Essex County Councillor, did the judging for us on one rather cold and dark evening just before Lockdown.

His decisions were:

First prize – Naglotec

Highly Commended – L & K Funeral Directors

Highly Commended – The Crossroads Sandwich Bar

Highly Commended – NACO

Christmas Angels

The Angels have now been removed from the fir tree. Again we say thank-you that the many kind donations raised £737.33 for Church funds. Our Treasurer, Martin Walsh, tells us in the five years that Peter and Jennifer have been doing this they have raised a grand total of £2,387.10 for the Church. A grateful thank-you to them both and to Jim and Jill, Robert and Heather who always lend their support.

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army, if the Church is shut please do leave your gifts in the porch.

A Fantastic Total

Many of you will know that when Dollar and Meena of the Nisa Stores charge customers 5p for plastic bags, that money goes into a special column on their spread sheet to be given to the Church. Each quarter we are given a bank transfer for the amount charged.

For the year 2020, the charging for plastic bags has meant that the Church has received £2628.90! As it is a personal gift from Dollar and Meena as they actually buy the bags, it attracts Gift Aid, this means that in all the Church will have received £3285.90! In a year when opportunities for fund raising and Church attendance have been few, this wonderful financial gift is truly appreciated.

Thank-you Dollar and Meena from us all.

Thought for the Weekend!
Your life becomes a masterpiece when you learn to master the peace.

Pew Sheet 10.1.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

10^th January 2021

The Baptism of Christ

1^st Sunday of Epiphany

The Bible Readings

Acts 19. 1-7

Mark 1. 4-11

There will be NO 11 am service this Sunday,

10^th January or in the coming weeks.

We have recorded a short service – consisting of the
Collect, Readings, Sermon and Prayers (please see page 2 for link)

Today’s Gospel

Mark 1. 4-11

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

For our prayers at home this week

Graham and Sunny are now well on their road to recovery – we give thanks that our prayers have supported them during and after their operations.
Lynda begins her second course of treatment, please remember her in your prayers as the side effects are not pleasant.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in The Priory, Third Avenue, Three Acres, Tunstall Close, Tower Estate, Tyler Avenue (Clacton), Wall Street and Warren Lane.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: John, David Seany, Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie and Jane Eade.
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

To The Church Family

Please do make sure that you look after yourselves during this exceptionally cold spell.

I know it is a challenge being in another lockdown and with no Church Services allowed at this time we can feel a little distanced from each other. We have recorded a short service – consisting of the Collect, Readings, Sermon and Prayers (please see link below) and will continue to do so over the coming weeks. It will, hopefully, help us to keep that sense of being a worshipping community.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13ffj4iIkHvozYCbB-n0Lcoi6mRYj0INw/view?usp=sharing

Do take care and every blessing.

Sharon

KEEPING SAFE

During this lockdown the Church is open every day for private prayer from 8.30am to 4pm. Please do come in and light a candle if you would like to. To keep you safe from this highly transmissible virus please put on the disposable gloves which are in the porch before you enter the Church. When leaving please place in the bin provided.

Christmas Angels

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army, if the Church is shut please do leave your gifts in the porch.

A Fantastic Total

Thank-you Dollar and Meena from us all.

Thought for the Weekend!
Life and time are the world’s two teachers. Life teaches us to make
good use of time while time teaches us to value life.

Pew Sheet 3.1.21.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

3^rd January 2021

2^nd Sunday of Christmas

There will be NO 11 am service this Sunday,

3^rd January or in the coming weeks.

The Bible Readings

Eph. 1. 3-14

John 1. (1-9)

Today’s Gospel

John 1. (1-9)

For our prayers at home this week

Good news, Kelly and baby Logan are reunited and all is well.
Please continue to keep Lynda, Graham and Sunny in your prayers as they mean a great deal.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in St Clair’s Drive, St Clair’s Road, St Clere’s Hall Lane, St John’s Road, Stanmore Way and The Bury.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: John, David Seany, Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have recently died and we hold their families in our prayers – Violet Hewitt, Jim Barnett, Marjorie Talbot and Terry O’Dell (Junior).
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

To All the Church Family

I am sure that this is not going to be a surprise to any of you, but I must let you know that because of the steep rise in Coronavirus infections there will not be any services in St Osyth Church in the coming weeks.

The Church will still be open for private prayer. However, if you go to the Church during the day and find the door locked it is because there are people cleaning inside.

If you do visit the Church, please do be sure to sanitise your hands and only touch the items you need to.

I do wish you all a Healthy and a Happy New Year, I also pray that it is a good year for those we care about but have not been able to see over this Christmas Season.

Do take extra care and look after yourselves and those you care about.

Every blessing

Revd Sharon

Carol Singing in Cowley Park
Carol Singing on Sunday, 20^th December in Cowley Park with the Salvation Army Band was a great event. The weather was kind to us – cold but dry, there were just under 200 people present, we sang carols to the music provided by The Salvation Army Band and raised an amazing £783. That total was rounded up to £800 and a cheque is winging its way to The Salvation Army, to help with the amazing work they do. Thanks to everyone who supported this event.

What an amazing result!

On Saturday, 19^th December we held a Lucky Dip/Gift Donation Morning in the Church.
There was a Cake Stall that raised £203
The Jarbola raised £59
The Donations raised £1,735
Coming to an amazing Total of £1,997
Many thanks to all those who made the morning happen and the amazing
generosity of all who made donations.

You will see an amazing number of Christmas Angels on the tree in front of the Church, this year, not only have they allowed so many people to remember those important family members and friends who will always have a place in our hearts, but they have also raised the amazing sum of £737.33.Christmas Angels

Thought for the Weekend!

Prayer is a state of mind where an amazing exchange happens!
We hand over our worries to God, and He hands over His blessing to us.

Pew Sheet 27.12.20.

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

27^th December 2020

John, Apostle and Evangelist

The 1^st Sunday of Christmas

We have decided NOT to hold services over the Christmas period

(Midnight Mass, Christmas Morning and Sunday 27^th December).

The Bible Readings

Gal. 4. 4-7

Luke 2. 15-21

Today’s Gospel

Luke 2. 15-21

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

For our prayers at home this week

Positive news from Sunny, saying each day brings improve ement, so a warm thank-you for our prayers.
Graham continues to improve following his operation although he tires easily so please keep him in your prayers.
Our prayers are with Kelly who gave birth to baby Logan on Monday, Logan is poorly in hospital and Kelly can’t be with him as she has tested positive for Covid.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Seaview Road, Parade and Terrace, Seawick Road, Second Avenue, South Close, Spring Hill and Spring Road.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: John, David Seany, Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have recently died and we hold their families in our prayers – Violet Hewitt, Jim Barnett, Marjorie Talbot and Terry O’Dell (Junior).
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizensat this time.

Thank you for our prayers from Lynda

I would sincerely like to thank everyone for their prayers, care and support since starting chemotherapy treatment in August.

I now await further results and planning the next phase of treatment.

My Husband and I send best wishes to you and hope that 2021 will be a much kinder year for everyone,

Thank you,

Lynda, Parish Council Office.

~~NOTICES~~

Carol Singing in Cowley Park
Carol Singing last Sunday afternoon in Cowley Park with the Salvation Army Band was a great event. The weather was kind to us – cold but dry, there were just under 200 people present, we sang carols to the music provided by The Salvation Army Band and raised an amazing £783. That total was rounded up to £800 and a cheque is winging its way to The Salvation Army, to help with the amazing work they do. Thanks to everyone who supported this event.

Christmas Services

It is with a very heavy heart, that I must tell you that following the emergence of the new variant of Corona Virus which has a much higher risk of transmission (71%) and discussions with Sonia, the Standing Committee and Helen & Andy Brown – who were going to take the Christmas Morning Service.

We have decided not to hold services over the Christmas period

(Midnight Mass, Christmas Morning and Sunday 27^th December).

I know this is a real blow to everyone, but our decision has not been made lightly but based on the information provided by the Government, the Church of England, and the need to keep our village and church family safe.

What an amazing result!

Last Saturday we held Lucky Dip/Gift Donation Morning in the Church.

There was a cake stall that raised £203

The Jarbola raised £59

The Donations raised £1,735

Coming to an amazing total of £1997

Many thanks to all those who made the morning happen and the amazing

generosity of all who made donations.

Christmas Angels

You will see an amazing number of Christmas Angels on the tree in front of the Church this year, not only have they allowed so many people to remember those important family members and friends who will always have a place in our hearts, but they have also raised the amazing sum of £737.33

I do wish you all a happy Christmas and a healthy New Year!

Every Blessing

Rev’d. Sharon

Decorating the Church

Thanks to all those who helped to decorate the church morning. Together with the Christmas Tree it really is ‘beginning to look a lot like Christmas!’ Many thanks.

If anyone would like anything included in the Pew Sheet please send to Monica monmarharv@gmail.com by 8.30am on the Friday morning. Thank you!

Thought for the Weekend!

The art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time,
but also to leave unsaid the wrong things at a tempting moment!

Pew Sheet 19.12.20.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

20^th December 2020

The 4^th Sunday of Advent

Holy Communion Service at 11am

The Bible Readings

Rom 16. 25-end

Luke 1. 26-38

Christmas Services

Midnight Mass, Christmas Eve at 11.30pm.

Christmas Day Family Service 10am – led by Helen and Andy Brown.

Today’s Gospel

Luke 1. 26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David.He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

For our prayers at home this week

Positive news from Sunny, saying each day brings improve ement, so a warm thank-you for our prayers.
Graham continues to improve following his operation although he tires easily so please keep him in your prayers.
Our prayers are with Kelly who gave birth to baby Logan on Monday, Logan is poorly in hospital and Kelly can’t be with him as she has tested positive for Covid.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in The Quay, Priory Park, Pump Hill, Rectory Road, Rochford Road, Roman Way, Rose Gardens, Rouses Lane, Row Heath and Saxon Way.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: John, David Seany, Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have recently died and we hold their families in our prayers – Violet Hewitt, Jim Barnett, Marjorie Talbot and Terry O’Dell (Junior).
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

Thank you for our prayers from Lynda

I would sincerely like to thank everyone for their prayers, care and support since starting chemotherapy treatment in August.

I now await further results and planning the next phase of treatment.

My Husband and I send best wishes to you and hope that 2021 will be a much kinder year for everyone,

Thank you,

Lynda, Parish Council Office.

~~NOTICES~~

Carol Singing in Cowley Park

This year we cannot have our Carol Singing in the Church, so we are moving to Cowley Park and the Salvation Army Band will be joining us!

It will start at 3.15pm on Sunday, 20^th December. We are expecting it to last about 45 mins.

We do hope that you will join us, and the collection will of course go to the Salvation Army. It will be great to be able to sing together, the first time since March, especially as it will be Christmas Carols with the Salvation Army Band!

We look forward to seeing you there. Please do maintain social distancing and stay within your bubbles. It’s been a very long time since we sang outside so do wrap up warm!

Church Christmas Gift Shopping List

As with recent years we are asking if you would like to buy a gift towards the running of the Church. There is a list of items that regularly get used over the year. Please select what you would like to gift, put your money in the envelope provided and write on the front of the envelope the item you are giving. Place it in the collection box as you leave church. Next week you will see a tag on our ‘Christmas Gift’ Tree with your gift on it.

Decorating the Church

Thanks to all those who helped to decorate the church on Friday morning. Together with the Christmas Tree it really is ‘beginning to look a lot like Christmas!’ Many thanks.

New Lighting

If you have been in Church recently you will have noticed just how bright it is. It was essential, because of safety reasons, that we replaced the Church lighting at a cost of £2850 – coming from our Church’s Trust Fund. I think it looks amazing!

Stop Press – Our New Lighting!

Really good news, Dollar nominated the Church to be the very fortunate recipients of £1,150.00 which comes from Nisa’s charity called ‘Making a Difference Locally’. They donate 1p into a fund each time customers purchase a Co-op product in the Nisa Stores. We are indeed fortunate that the amount spent by customers can now be used to help towards the £2,850.00 which it has cost the Church to pay for the new lighting.

Christmas Services

There will not be a Thursday Morning Communion on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve – it will begin again on 7^th January 2021 at 10am.

Midnight Mass, Christmas Eve at 11.30pm.

Christmas Day Family Service 10am – led by Helen and Andy Brown.

Revd Sharon will be at Great Bentley.

Christmas Cards
You are more than welcome to hand out your Christmas Cards at Church but those you cannot hand deliver must go home with you. We have been advised that minimum paperwork should be left out because of Corona Virus.

Cake Stall and Christmas Angels THIS Saturday,

19^th December inside the Church 10am – 12 noon

THIS SATURDAY, 19^th DECEMBER
between 10am and 12 noon
CAKES , ANGELS and LUCKY DIP PRIZES
Come and walk round the inside of the Church.
Buy a lovely homemade cake.
See the wonderful prizes for the LUCKY DIP DRAW
and if you haven’t been able to make a donation towards

our beautiful Church upkeep you will be able to make one.
The draw is on Sunday 20^th after the morning service.
Choose an Angel that you can write your own message on
to remember a loved one. It will then decorate the tree in front of the Church.
Please wear a mask, keep 2 metres away from anybody who isn’t in your

household or bubble and exit the Church through the door in the Church room.

More details of the Lucky Dip and how to make a donation can be found on www.stosythparishchurch.co.uk

I do wish you all a happy Christmas and a healthy New Year!

Every Blessing
Rev’d. Sharon

If anyone would like anything included in the Pew Sheet please send to Monica monmarharv@gmail.com by 8.30am on the Friday morning. Thank you!

Thought for the Weekend!

The beauty of Christma

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

13^th December 2020

The 3^rd Sunday of Advent

Holy Communion Service at 11am

The Bible Readings

1 Thess 5. 6-24

John 1. 6-8, 19-28

Today’s Gospel

John 1. 6-8, 19-28

This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said,

“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’”
as the prophet Isaiah said.

Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

For our prayers at home this week

It was so very good to see Graham in Church on Sunday looking his usual cheerful self. Please pray that his recovery continues to move forward.
Please continue too to keep Lynda in your prayers as she waits for the result of her scan; always a difficult time.
Sunny, having had her operation, came out of hospital on Tuesday, she reports ‘the pain is SO much less’ and is very thankful and relieved. Please pray that her good recovery continues to move forward positively.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Norman Way, North Wall, Oakmead Road, Old School Close, Park Chase, Park Road, Point Clear Road and Priory Close.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: John, David Seany, Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have recently died and we hold their families in our prayers – Violet Hewitt, Jim Barnett, Marjorie Talbot and Terry O’Dell (Junior).
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

The Lord is Coming

All Creation Sings it

A reflection by Rt Rev Peter Hill

Sadly, though understandably, we will not be singing Christmas Carols in any of our services over Christmas, at least not inside our church buildings anyway.

It is very hard for a Welshman not to sing in worship or anywhere else! I have to admit that very occasionally I have caught myself beginning to sing a hymn or worship song in church recently, even though it is prohibited! Singing hymns is of course not everybody’s cup of tea. The story goes that C.S Lewis hated singing hymns and always used to leave services at his parish church in Oxford as the last hymn began. An old acquaintance of mine is tone deaf. I have been tempted to tell him he is not called to sing, but he loves to.

All this takes me back to an occasion in the first year of my curacy in Nottingham, when after a morning service at which I preached, a parishioner came up to me and gently said, ‘Peter, don’t go to your grave with the music still in you,’ and then simply walked off. The penny suddenly dropped, and I realised he could tell that I was holding back in my sermon.

The deeper truth here of course is not just about preaching sermons or singing hymns. Rather it is finding those vocations that are buried deep within us and we have not recognised, fulfilled, or cherished before God. I’m not just talking about the possibility of a total change in direction, your life‘s work or calling here, though that could be! Rather it may simply be some gift or talent that God has given you but yet lies buried deep within. You know it’s there, but you have never had the guts or time to acknowledge it or let it out.

Maybe the time is now. Don’t delay writing those poems, penning that story, painting those landscapes, making that pilgrimage, declaring that love or whatever….

The book of Psalms is full of encouragement to sing God’s praises e.g. Psalm 92:1-4, Ps 96: 1-2. In Isaiah 42:10-17 we are encouraged to sing the Advent song, for the Lord is coming – all creation sings it, the sea, the people along the coast, in the desert and from the mountain top, whatever the circumstances. Even in this time of coronavirus we are called to sing God’s praises, to express ourselves through God’s gifting.

The Lord wants you to flourish with his abundant life, to fulfil the potential he has put within you, whatever it is. Please don’t go to your grave with that music still in you, however you feel today!

Even though the day be laden
and my task dreary
and my strength small,
a song keeps singing
in my heart.
For I know that I am thine.
I am part of thee.
Thou art kin to me,
and all my times
are in thy hand.

+ Peter

~~NOTICES~~

An Early Christmas Tree

This is such a different year which is why we are having the tree decorated this early in December. It will also have the lights turned on every day when the Church opens at 8.30am and they will remain on until the Church is locked. We are hoping that when people come into Church during the day and see the tree alight and ready for Christmas they will feel supported and hopeful about the time ahead.

Thank-you to the Christmas Tree Team

On Monday afternoon Stuart Byers very kindly, as indeed he has done for many years, put the Christmas tree into the stand. This was followed on Tuesday morning by Peter Harvey, Derek Woodrow, Tom Grantham and Jennifer Ford arriving to put on all the decorations. They have done a fantastic job and the tree looks great. Special thanks to Jennifer who went up and down the ladder remarkably nimbly as Tom said she was ‘great’. Thank-you to them all, we are really grateful.

Carol Singing in Cowley Park

This year we cannot have our Carol Singing in the Church, so we are moving to Cowley Park and the Salvation Army Band will be joining us!

It will be at 3.15 on Sunday, 20th December.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Church Christmas Gift Shopping List

As with recent years we are asking if you would like to buy a gift towards the running of the church. There is a list of items that regularly get used over the year. Please select what you would like to gift, put your money in the envelope provided and write on the front of the envelope the item you are giving. Place it in the collection box as you leave church. Next week you will see a tag on our ‘Christmas Gift’ Tree with your gift on it.

Decorating the Church

The church will be decorated, with greenery and candles, in the morning Friday 18^th December. Volunteers welcome.

New Lighting

If you have been in church recently you will have noticed just how bright it is. It was essential, because of safety reasons, that we replaced the church lighting at a cost of £2850 – coming from a Trust Fund. I think it looks amazing!

Christmas Services

Midnight Mass, Christmas Eve at 11.30pm.

Christmas Day Family Service 10am – led by Helen and Andy Brown.

Revd Sharon is at Great Bentley.

Cake Stall and Christmas Angels on Saturday,

19^th December inside the Church 10am – 12 noon

NEXT SATURDAY, 19^th DECEMBER
between 10am and noon
CAKES , ANGELS and LUCKY DIP PRIZES
Come and walk round the inside of the Church.
Buy a lovely homemade cake.
See the wonderful prizes for the LUCKY DIP DRAW
and if you haven’t been able to make a donation towards

household or bubble and exit the Church through the door in the Church room.

More details of the Lucky Dip and how to make a donation can be found on www.stosythparishchurch.co.uk

If anyone would like anything included in the Pew Sheet please send to Monica monmarharv@gmail.com by 8.30am on the Friday morning. Thank you!

Thought for the Weekend!

Some flowers blossom best in the sun,
others do well in the shade.
Remember.

.… God puts us where we grow best.

Pew Sheet 6.12.20.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

6^th December 2020

The 2^nd Sunday of Advent

The Bible Readings

2 Pet 3. 8-15a

Mark 1 1-8

Today’s Gospel

Mark 1 1-8

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.^[b]

As it is written in the prophet Isaiah

“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

    who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
    ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight,’”

For our prayers at home this week

Lynda is awaiting the results of her scan and to hear about future treatment; please keep her in your prayers.
Sunny today, (the 4^th December), will be undergoing her operation, please pray for her during her recovery time.
We do hope that Graham had his operation and is now beginning his recovery. Please remember him in your prayers.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Meadow View, Mersea View, Mill Street, Nassau Road, New Way, Newton Gardens, Newton Way and Norman Close.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: John, David Seany, Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have recently died and we hold their families in our prayers – Violet Hewitt, Jim Barnett, Marjorie Talbot and Terry O’Dell (Junior).
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time

~~NOTICES~~

In Church on Sunday 6^th December

We look forward to welcoming you all into Church on Sunday at 11am. It will be very good to see you.

A Letter from Rev’d. Sharon

Dear All

I think we can all say that this year has been like no other! The effect of Corona Virus on families and communities has been enormous.

As a worshipping community our Church has unfortunately been closed for 23 weeks this year, we have not been able to hold weddings or baptisms and like many other charities this year, we have had to cancel all of our usual fund raising activities that are essential to keep our church running.

We love the fact that the Church in St Osyth is very much part of the community and plays a real part in village life, not just for the key Christian Festivals of Christmas and Easter but for school and village activities like Saturday morning ‘Pop in’, School visits and worship, Concerts, Fayres, Quizzes and being that quiet space that welcomes daily visitors.

We also have a duty to protect the fabric of this historic and architecturally important building and ensure it is in good safe order for current use and for future generations.

With no Christmas Fayre we are appealing for donations. As a thank you for your donation we will put your name in a ‘lucky dip’ draw. There are several great prizes, and your generosity will help us bridge the shortfall created by Covid cancellations.

To donate please choose from the following:

Cash – please put in an envelope and put through the letterbox in the Vicarage, The Bury. Please include your name and address for the draw.

Cheques – please make payable to ‘St Osyth PCC’ and place in the letterbox in the Church Porch or post to the church. Please include your name and address for the draw.

Bank Transfer – to St Osyth PCC, sort code 20-21-73, account number 60777250, please put your name and ‘lucky dip’ after it on the bank form.

St Osyth Parish Church Just Giving page which you can access through the Church Website (see below).

To make life easy here are easy links to the front page of the Church website where you can find a link through to the page giving full details of the Lucky Dip and all payment details. Press control and click.

ST.OSYTH CHURCH – Parish Church of St. Peter & St. Paul (stosythparishchurch.co.uk)

This includes a link through to the Just Giving pages but if you want a quick link here they are!!

St Osyth Parish Church – JustGiving

Or Facebook if you click on here you will get a picture of the church – click on that and the full just giving page will come up!!

Many thanks, we really do appreciate your help and generosity.

Every Blessing

Rev’d. Sharon

An Early Christmas Tree

Thank-you to the Christmas Tree Team

Carol Singing in Cowley Park

This year we cannot have our Carol Singing in the cCurch, so we are moving to Cowley Park and the Salvation Army Band will be joining us!

It will be at 3.15 on Sunday, 20th December.

We do hope that you will join us and the collection will of course go to the Salvation Army. It will be really lovely to be able to join together to finally sing and for it to be Christmas Carols.

Postage stamps

Used stamps continue to be collected for EDS. Please trim the stamps leaving a ½ inch border. There is a labelled collection box for the stamps on the table inside the Church. Thank you.

Cake Stall and Christmas Angels on Saturday,

19^th December outside church 10am – 12 noon

On Saturday December 19^th there will be a cake stall in front of the Church between 10am and12 noon. Do come and visit us. Besides the lovely cakes and produce, you will be able to buy your Christmas Angel to write your fond memories on. The Angels look lovely decorating the tree in front of the Church. The prizes for the Lucky Dip draw will be on show and you will be able to make your donation to church funds.

If you would like to make a cake to sell on the stall please see Sue White or Lesley Grimwood.

More details of the Lucky Dip and how to make a donation can be found on www.stosythparishchurch.co.uk

A Suggestion from Danny Wright

With Advent fast approaching and the situation as it is I would recommend a good Advent read. It is a book by Stephen Cottrell titled ‘Walking Backwards to Christmas’. It is available from SPCK Publishing ISBN 978-0-0281-07147-0. Perhaps it will help approach Christmas in these trying times.

Thank you very much Danny for sending this in.

If anyone would like anything included in the Pew Sheet please send to Monica monmarharv@gmail.com by 8.30am on the Friday morning. Thank you!

Thought for the Weekend!
If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day, go fishing.
If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone!

Pew Sheet 29.12.20.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

29^th November 2020

The 1st Sunday of Advent

The Bible Readings

1 Cor 1.3-9

Matt 13. 24-end

Today’s Gospel

Matt 13. 24 – end

“He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”

For our prayers at home this week

Lynda now awaits a scan on Thursday and is building up her strength having completed all six cycles of chemotherapy; please pray for her each day.
Sunny will be undergoing the long awaited operation on her hip on 4^th December – please keep her in your prayers, both for the operation and for her recovery.
Graham arrived at hospital for his operation only to discover that he was not booked in! We can only imagine the mental anguish that he went through. The operation is now set for Tuesday, 1^st December – please do pray for him that all goes well this time.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in King’s Close, Lee Wick Lane, Lilac Avenue, Links Road, Lodge Farm Lane, Longfields, Lydia Drive, Manfield Gardens and Maypole Drive.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: John, David Seany, Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have recently died and we hold their families in our prayers – Violet Hewitt, Jim Barnett, Marjorie Talbot and Terry O’Dell (Junior).
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

The Season of Advent and Our Advent Wreath

The Advent season begins in church this week, the 4^th Sunday before Christmas. Each Sunday is represented by a coloured candle on the outside of our wreath which signifies a different person or group of people and there is a white candle in the middle.

The wreath is decorated with evergreens – a symbol of everlasting life and the circle represents God’s eternity and unity.

As we light a candle each week, we will be remembering the relationship between God and his people. The first candle is for the Patriarchs of old who followed God into the Promised Land, the second candle is for the Prophets who foretold the coming of the Saviour, the third candle is for John the Baptist who prepared the way and announced the coming of Jesus and finally the forth candle is for Mary the Mother of Jesus. The final candle, the white candle in the middle of the wreath is to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Obviously because of restrictions, this Sunday I will be lighting the candle and saying the prayer for Advent 1 on my own. I am however very much looking forward to seeing many of you in Church on 6^th December at 11am for Advent 2.

Do take care and see you next week.

Every Blessing Sharon

~~NOTICES~~

There will be a Communion Service on Thursday at 10am and Sunday Service of Holy Communion at 11am

The change in Government restrictions means that we can be back in Church from Thursday 3^rd December, so I am pleased to say there will be a Communion Service on Thursday at 10am and our Sunday Service of Holy Communion will be at 11am.

I am very much looking forward to seeing you back in Church – don’t forget your face coverings.

See you soon.

Every Blessing

Sharon

A Project Successfully Completed!

Many of us have now seen the new Weathervane proudly in place at the top of the Church Tower. It has been much admired and can be seen from a good distance away which is great.

If you haven’t managed to see it do look at the Church website stosythparishchurch.co.uk as you will see the Weathervane high above the ground as filmed by a drone! Darren, a resident of Point Clear, rang last week to ask permission to fly his drone over the Churchyard. After a number of searching questions, it was agreed that he could do it.

Those of us who have seen the views of the Weathervane, taken by the drone, are really impressed. Darren also used his drone to film inside the church and it shows, to great advantage, how beautiful it is.

Very many thanks to Darren, it was lovely to watch.

The Weathervane put in position on Monday, 9^th November 2020

For more pictures and a piece written by Ivy Jacobs please look below at last week’s pew sheet.

The Church will be closed on Tuesday, 1^st December
and Friday, 4^th December

The Church will be closed on Tuesday, 1^st December and
Friday, 4^th December to enable the floor to be cleaned and polished.

A Suggestion from Danny Wright

With Advent fast approaching and the situation as it is I would recommend a good Lent read. It is a book by Stephen Cottrell titled ‘Walking Backwards to Christmas’. It is available from SPCK Publishing ISBN 978-0-0281-07147-0. Perhaps it will help approach Christmas in these trying times.

Thank you very much Danny for sending this in.

If anyone would like anything included in the Pew Sheet please send to Monica monmarharv@gmail.com by 8.30am on the Friday morning. Thank you!

Thought for the Weekend!
Life is not a race, but a journey to be savoured each step of the way. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.

Pew Sheet 22.11.20.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

22^nd November 2020

Christ the King

The Sunday next before Advent

The Bible Readings

Eph. 1. 15-end

Matt 25. 31-end

Today’s Gospel

Matt 25. 31 – end

^“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

For our prayers at home this week

Lynda has now completed her 6^th and final cycle of chemotherapy – she will have some weeks of recovery, so please pray for her as she recovers her strength.
Graham has his next operation this Friday, 20^th November, so please pray for him and his swift recovery.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Frowick Lane, Golding Way, Greenland Grove, Heath Road, Highbirch Road, Honeypot lane, James Gardens, Johnson Road and Kincaid Road.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: John, David Seany, Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have recently died and we hold their families in our prayers – Jim Barnett, Marjorie Talbot and Terry O’Dell (Junior).
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

The Diocese of Chelmsford send ‘Reflections’ every week written by senior members of the Church. We share this one with you as we are not able to have a service this week

Whoever wants to become great among you, must be your servant. A reflection by Rt Rev Peter Hill

Well, it’s been a momentous week internationally. We have the real possibility of an effective vaccination against coronavirus, President Trump continues to refuse to concede the US presidential election to Joe Biden and our own 10 Downing Street has seen an internal upheaval.

The week ahead looks equally momentous internationally and locally. Apparently we have 6 days for our political negotiators to resolve the gridlock on an acceptable deal for us and the EU to part company in an ordered manner; and this Wednesday and Thursday sees the final stages of national discernment for our next diocesan bishop for this Diocese of Chelmsford.

All of this needs our committed prayer support, and especially for our six diocesan representatives on the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) who are directly part of that episcopal discernment process (see below). But it also reminds us that leadership in any sphere of life is a complex and demanding business.

Holy Scripture is quite clear that we should honour and pray for our leaders, however they have been chosen and appointed: ‘I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.’ 1 Timothy 2:1-2. (See also 1 Peter 2:17 and Romans 13:1). I have to honestly admit that I have not been diligent in this. It seems to me that now is the time for all of us to commit to pray fervently for those in authority over us in any shape of form. The current challenge from our C of E bishops to pray for the nation at 6pm every evening through this November lockdown includes Friday prayers for national and local leaders (https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/call-prayer-nation). Please join in.

In our church leader appointments, we who are Christian must continually be open to surprise as we pray for the Holy Spirit to call and anoint our overseers, teachers, priests, and pastors. ‘Leader’ is not a word that the scripture favours for the church. Jesus’ preferred word was ‘servant’. His challenging and searching words to his disciples when they were jockeying for the best places at the table in his coming kingdom were these: ‘Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.’ Mark 10:43-44. In Christ’s kingdom, every step up is also a step down in the service of God and others. We are not about status, but service. Bishops and priests in the church of God always remain deacons!

So as we pray for the crucial discernment of our next diocesan bishop this week, let us pray for someone who, in the words of Pope Gregory the Great in the 6^th century, will be a ‘servant of the servants of God’. And in so doing let’s pray that the Holy Spirit will indeed give insight and wisdom to the CNC, which includes our own:

Ms Michelle Tackie (General Synod)

Mr Evans Ofoajoku (Churchwarden Church of the Good Shepherd Collier Row)

Canon Christine Horton (Lay Chair Chelmsford South Deanery)

The Revd Canon Paul Harcourt (Vicar All Saints Woodford Wells)

Canon Robert Hammond (Lay Chair of Diocesan Synod and General Synod)

The Ven Elwin Cockett (Archdeacon of West Ham)

Do pray for them in particular. +Peter

~~NOTICES~~

A Project Successfully Completed!

Many of us have now seen the new Weathervane proudly in place at the top of the Church Tower. It has been much admired and can be seen from a good distance away which is great.

Very many thanks to Darren, it was lovely to watch.

The Weathervane put in position on Monday, 9^th November 2020

The Weathervane about to be put in place!
Taken from a nearby bedroom window!

In place at last! What an achievement, mission accomplished!

The Ground Crew – watching and waiting to receive all the equipment down from the Tower!’

The Tower Crew with their supporters. Great relief and pride that the weather vane is safely in place.

Weathervane in Memory of Richard Jacobs, written by his wife Ivy

As many of you will have seen the Weathervane is now on the Tower of our Church. Born in St Osyth, Richard lived in the village and was a local fisherman. Many people attended his funeral in 2016 and the donations in his memory were given to the Church. A Quiz Night was also held in the village to add to this, as extensive structural work was needed in the Tower to support a Weathervane. Our local Blacksmith Tiny was asked to make the Weathervane and with photographs and interpreting the image I envisaged, he has so expertly produced the Weathervane you now see and of which I am so proud. Peter Tidy and his Team who had put in an enormous amount of time planning and working on the supporting structure within and on the Tower then ensured its safe installation where we see it now. There are so many people who contributed to this project in many different ways and I thank them all. I will write in St Osyth News in due course to thank them more specifically and tell more of Richard and the Mariner and how the Weathervane came about.

Ivy Jacobs

Thought for the Weekend!
The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause!

Pew Sheet 15.11.20.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

15^th November 2020

2^nd Sunday before Advent

The Bible Readings

1 Thess 5. 1-11

Matt 25. 14 – 30

Today’s Gospel

Matt 25. 14 – 30

“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

For our prayers at home this week

Lynda begins her 6^th and final cycle of chemotherapy on Monday, so please keep her in your prayers.
John too continues to need of our prayers.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Deeping Walk, Dumont Avenue, Earls Hall Drive, Eastern Promenade, Fanny’s Lane, First Avenue, Flag Hill and Fourth Avenue.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: David Seany, Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have recently died and we hold their families in our prayers – Marjorie Talbot, Terry O’Dell (Junior) and Carole Silcock.
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

The Diocese of Chelmsford send ‘Reflections’ every week written by senior members of the Church. We share this one with you as we are not able to have a service this week

In the year of drought… A reflection by the Very Rev Nicholas Henshall

Today’s reflection is written by the Dean of Chelmsford, the Very Rev Nicholas Henshall.

Armenian Holocaust Day, Addis Ababa 1985: in the shabby church the lights round the Madonna were broken and the deacon had forgotten his robes. The tiny community, left behind by shifting patterns of global trade, gathered to mark the catastrophe of their nation 70 years before. We had been invited simply because we could provide a musician for the party afterwards. But the signs were not propitious.

And then they began to sing – into the darkness of the evening, into the darkness of their experience, into the darkness of their history. They sang praise and praise transformed them. Praise made them look and feel different. Praise claimed the ground for a different future. Lament and hope walked hand in hand and pointed the way.

The Christian temptation is sometimes to speak nice but ineffective words of false consolation into the depths of people’s human experience. People come to Jesus bleeding. And we do too. The words we say and the liturgies we shape need to be accessible enough to welcome people across complex thresholds and deep enough to address their real needs.

In the context of the current pandemic, I would suggest that lament and hope are at the heart of the contribution we have to offer as we seek to be present as interpreters of people’s experience. This is territory we know and gifts we have to share. Good Friday and Easter Day are, after all, not too separate events but a single, saving event. That is why the early Christians knew nothing of our “Holy Week” but brought the whole narrative together in a single celebration.

Through lockdown and beyond two Old Testament texts have spoken to me more than any others. The first is simply the title of the Book of Numbers, which we found ourselves reading here at the Chelmsford Cathedral back in April. In Hebrew, the titles of the books are simply the opening words, so Numbers is “In the Wilderness”. As we journeyed with the people of Israel on a series of borderlands, fighting battles, trying to see the shape of the future, even encountering Balaam’s talking donkey, “in the wilderness” helped – and continues to help – to form the narrative of our experience in the deepest sense.

And the second text is these extraordinary words from Jeremiah. These are written in the context of the overwhelming catastrophe of the Exile, the event that re-shaped the Jewish people and the shape of the Hebrew Bible for ever. They are precisely words of lament and hope for this second lockdown:

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,

whose trust is the Lord.

They shall be like a tree planted by water,

sending out its roots by the stream.

It shall not fear when heat comes,

and its leaves shall stay green;

in the year of drought it is not anxious,

and it does not cease to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17.5-8

Back in Ethiopia in 1985, in that terrible year of drought, the Bishop of Gondar led a great pilgrimage of hope. He said to the gathered pilgrims on their journey “there is no place so dark that we cannot sing praise”. That is why Maximilian Kolbe sang praise in Auschwitz. That is why the Armenians sing praise on their holocaust day. That is why – as Luke and John tell us explicitly – the risen Christ is still wounded. In the year of drought, the tree is not anxious.

With my thanks and best wishes to all of you.

Nicholas

~~NOTICES~~

We are now in Lockdown, so the Church is only open for funerals, private prayers, or to leave food for the Salvation Army Food Bank.

There will NOT be a weekly virtual service during this time, but hopefully we will be back in Church in December counting the days down to Christmas.

Every Blessing

Rev’d. Sharon

The Virtual Remembrance Service

On last week’s Pew Sheet I explained how the planning and filming of the Service was made possible by so many people willingly giving their time to ensure it could happen.

We are aware that it was watched by many people, including the Bishop of Colchester and the Archdeacon of Colchester, both of whom thought it was ‘great’ and were particularly impressed with the ‘poppy decorations, inside and out’.

Thank-you to those who have said how much they enjoyed it, their comments certainly makes it all worthwhile. On Wednesday Helen put the ‘two minute silence’ from the Virtual Service on Face book and quite unbelievably 1.4k people have viewed it! As she said it is ‘so good for the profile of the Church, as it shows it’s still active in the community’.

Once again thank-you to everyone who made it all possible including Dianne Pile. When she knew that we were filming it on the Wednesday she emailed to ask at what time. Dianne takes the rubbish out ready for the bin collection on Thursday and she wanted to avoid being in Church during filming! How kind is that?

Sonia

A Project Successfully Completed!

The new Weathervane is now proudly in place at the top of the Church Tower! It finally was put there last Monday – the weather conditions were perfect and the team took full advantage of it.

There will be photographs and more information on next week’s Pew Sheet. Meanwhile as you walk through Church Square look up and admire a unique Weathervane, made with consummate skill by Tiny, our Blacksmith, and supported by a team of people, headed by Peter Tidy, who did so much to ensure that it could be put in place on the Church Tower in the centre of our village. Thank-you to them all.

Sonia

Thought for the Weekend!
Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.

PCC Meeting
The PCC Meeting scheduled Thursday, 26^th November at 7pm in the
Church has now been cancelled until further notice.

Pew Sheet 8.11.20.

St Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

8^th November 2020

3^rd Sunday before Advent

The Bible Readings

1 Thess 4. 13 – end

Matt 25. 1 – 13

Today’s Gospel

Matt 25. 1-13

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour^.

For our prayers at home this week

Marjorie sadly died on Tuesday, 3^rd She died very peaceably at home surrounded by her family. Our thanks and prayers are very much with them at this time.
Lynda has not been having an easy time with her fifth cycle of chemotherapy, so please pray for her.
John too continues to need of our prayers.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those who have not been able to join us in Church but are worshipping at home, all those living and working in Colchester Road, Colne View, Colne Way, Cow Lane, Dairy Farm Meadow, Daltes Lane, D’Arcy Road and Dead Lane.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have recently died and we hold their families in our prayers – Marjorie Talbot, Terry O’Dell (Junior) and Carole Silcock.
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

As we have now begun this month of lockdown, I thought I should remind you that the church is now only open for funerals, for private prayer or to leave food for the Salvation Army Food Bank.

There will not be a weekly virtual service during this time, apart from a virtual Remembrance Day Service this Sunday, (details of front page of this website) but hopefully we will be back in church in December counting down the Sundays to Christmas.

Please do take care of yourselves and stay safe.

Every Blessing

Rev’d. Sharon

Remembrance Sunday

8^th November 2020

A Virtual Remembrance Service was filmed in St Osyth Church on Wednesday, 4^th November. The service is available on St Osyth Church website: stosythparishchurch.co.uk and the Church Facebook Page: St Osyth Parish Church.

The service was timed so that if you view it on Sunday at 10.50am, the 2 minutes silence will be at 11 o’clock.

‘Where there is a will, there is a way’

This saying was very much proved after Saturday’s announcement of a lockdown beginning on Thursday, 5^th November. As many of you know an Outdoor Remembrance Service was planned to be held in the Churchyard. However in view of the impending lockdown, the decision was taken by the St Osyth Branch of the Royal British Legion and the Church that we should not now be planning for our outdoor service.

A Virtual Remembrance Service was then discussed and actioned and many people willingly helped and supported us to enable it to happen. The plan was to film it on Wednesday having it ready for Sunday, 8^th November. We knew it had to be done before lockdown. Our thanks go to so many people who supported us in filming the Service.

Colin of Entrac Printers who produced the Service Order for Wednesday instead of Friday.
Brenda Lord who ensured that the flowers/poppy arrangements were ready in the church for filming on Wednesday.
The War Memorial being cleaned by Richard Barlow days ahead of when it had been planned.
Peter Tidy and Heather Morton rehearsing carrying their Standards with Rev’d. Sharon, as did Neil who spoke the words of The Exhortation and the Kohima Epitaph at the rehearsal on Tuesday morning.
Hilary Worn playing the alto recorder and she and Allison Bond rehearsing singing the National Anthem in the Chancel. As they said they hadn’t played an instrument or sung in months!
Robert Morton who joined us for the rehearsal and read the lesson and Jim Bligh who ensured all the wreaths were delivered ahead of time and then stood by during the filming to assist those who were laying wreaths.
Helen Brown watching the rehearsal and positioning the cameras ready for the filming on Wednesday. She was joined by sister Laura on the second camera.

It did all come together on Wednesday morning with those who were laying wreaths very prepared to attend the filming instead of what had been planned for Sunday – we really could ask no more.

The Church and the Royal British Legion wanted to have a Remembrance Service and to be able to share it with the many, many people for whom such a service matters a very great deal.

It was filmed with care, dignity and respect in Remembrance of those ‘who lost their lives on active service in all conflicts, from the beginning of the First World War to the present day’ Please share in the Act of Remembrance on Sunday 8^th November which was held in St Osyth Church.

We are very grateful to all those who made this Service

possible. A special thanks to Helen for not only filming

the service but compiling and editing it too. She has done

a fantastic job.

A big thank you to you all. Rev’d. Sharon and Sonia

Help I’m Leading a Service!

A few days ago I received the following email from Michelle Wood who is P.A. to the Bishop of Colcherster. It is self explatory. Sharon and I would be very pleased if some members of our congregation signed up to join any or all of the sessions. It would be a good way of seeing if this is a form of ministry which you might enjoy exploring further. If you do decide to participate do please let us know.

Thank you. Sonia

Dear Churchwarden,

As you know, the Diocese of Chelmsford has no central authorisation scheme for those who lead (non-Eucharistic) worship; churchwardens may lead morning worship, morning prayer or a Service of the Word, and churchwardens or incumbents can authorise any other member of the congregation to do so, whether online or offline. However, we have not always been as good as we should be at training and equipping those who lead worship, and we are determined to make this an area of strength for the Diocese.

With this in mind, I am delighted that Helen Bent, Head of Ministerial Training at the Royal School of Church Music, has agreed to lead a day entitled “Help, I’m Leading a Service!” on Saturday November 14, by Zoom. I attach a timetable; the day is on a “come when you can, leave when you like” basis, and no one need feel guilty if they join for only one or two sessions, though I hope many people will stay for the whole day. The Zoom link is below – if anyone needs assistance in advance with using Zoom, either via the internet or a landline, they can contact Caroline Harding, our Lay Ministry Adviser on charding@chelmsford.anglican.org, or Andy Griffiths, our interim Director of Mission and Ministry on agriffiths@chelmsford.anglican.org.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/95948784736?pwd=NExld1BsT0h6T1BvMlZ0Z0JiVVp4UT09

Meeting ID: 959 4878 4736

Passcode: M&M

Could I ask you to forward this e-mail to anyone in your parish (other than clergy and LLMs/Readers) who either leads worship now, or is likely to do so in future? There is no need to respond to me about this, no cost, and no obligation for anyone to register in advance, but it would help with planning if anyone planning to attend contacts charding@chelmsford.anglican.org or agriffiths@chelmsford.anglican.org to let them know.

Many thanks.

With warmest wishes,

The Colchester Office

Tel: 01206 576648

Email: MichelleWood@chelmsford.anglican.org

Web: www.chelmsford.anglican.org

Worship Online Training Day – Chelmsford Diocese, via Zoom
Sat 14 November 2020 10.30 – 4.00

Worship in exile to worship in the Promised Land

Led by The Revd Helen Bent, RSCM Head of Ministerial Training in partnership with Praxis

Provisional Programme

Session	Content	Tools
10.30 – 10.45 am	Log in time and chat
10.45 -11.00 am	Welcome and Opening Worship	Virtual choir hymn + PPT liturgy on shared screen
11 am – 11.45 am	Session 1 ‘The church has left the building’ What happens when normal patterns are disrupted? Lessons from the Bible Re-imagining the church as the people of God	PPT Handout
12 noon – 12.45 pm	Session 2 ‘Worshipping from a place of vulnerability’ The importance of lament Lessons from Lockdown Worship with restrictions and limitations	PPT Handout
12.45 – 13.00 pm	Reflective Worship	YouTube link
13.00 – 13.45 pm	Lunch Break (remain logged in)
13.45 -14.00 pm	Alternative Worship
14.00 – 14.45 pm	Session 3 ‘Upside down Christmas’ Expectancy violation Lessons in time and space Discovering treasures old and new	PPT Handout
15:00 – 15.45 pm	Session 4 The shape of the ‘new normal’ Preparing for the now and not yet Lessons in generosity and grace Moving forward together	PPT Handout
15.45 – 16.00 pm	Closing Worship	Music track + PPT liturgy

PCC Meeting
There will be a PCC Meeting for all PCC Members on Thursday, 26^th November at 7pm in the Church.

Thought for the Weekend!
Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today Iam wise, so I am changing myself.

Pew Sheet 1.11.20.

Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

1^st November 2020

All Saints Day

Holy Communion Service 11am

The Bible Readings

1 John 3. 1-3, Matt 5. 1-12

Today’s Gospel

Matt 5. 1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

For our prayers at home this week

Marjorie is enjoying being home, but is still not well, so please think of her and keep her in your prayers.
Lynda has begun her 5^th cycle of chemotherapy, it is going to be a difficult time, so please pray for her.
John too is doing as well as can be expected but the chemotherapy is difficult to get through, he too is in need of our prayers.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those who have not been able to join us in Church but are worshipping at home, all those living and working in Castle Way, Chapel Lane, Chisbon Heath, Church Square, Clacton Road, Clay Lane, Clinton Close, Club Parade and Cockett Wick Lane.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have recently died and we hold their families in our prayers. Terry O’Dell (Junior) and Carole Silcock.
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

Help I’m Leading a Service!

Thank you. Sonia

Dear Churchwarden,

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/95948784736?pwd=NExld1BsT0h6T1BvMlZ0Z0JiVVp4UT09

Meeting ID: 959 4878 4736

Passcode: M&M

Many thanks.

With warmest wishes,

The Colchester Office

Tel: 01206 576648

Email: MichelleWood@chelmsford.anglican.org

Web: www.chelmsford.anglican.org

Worship Online Training Day – Chelmsford Diocese, via Zoom
Sat 14 November 2020 10.30 – 4.00

Worship in exile to worship in the Promised Land

Led by The Revd Helen Bent, RSCM Head of Ministerial Training in partnership with Praxis

Provisional Programme

Session	Content	Tools
10.30 – 10.45 am	Log in time and chat
10.45 -11.00 am	Welcome and Opening Worship	Virtual choir hymn + PPT liturgy on shared screen
11 am – 11.45 am	Session 1 ‘The church has left the building’ What happens when normal patterns are disrupted? Lessons from the Bible Re-imagining the church as the people of God	PPT Handout
12 noon – 12.45 pm	Session 2 ‘Worshipping from a place of vulnerability’ The importance of lament Lessons from Lockdown Worship with restrictions and limitations	PPT Handout
12.45 – 13.00 pm	Reflective Worship	YouTube link
13.00 – 13.45 pm	Lunch Break (remain logged in)
13.45 -14.00 pm	Alternative Worship
14.00 – 14.45 pm	Session 3 ‘Upside down Christmas’ Expectancy violation Lessons in time and space Discovering treasures old and new	PPT Handout
15:00 – 15.45 pm	Session 4 The shape of the ‘new normal’ Preparing for the now and not yet Lessons in generosity and grace Moving forward together	PPT Handout
15.45 – 16.00 pm	Closing Worship	Music track + PPT liturgy

Service Times

Please don’t forget that we will be going back to our original service time of 11am from this

Sunday 1^st November.

All Souls

You are invited to come into Church on Saturday 31^st October to light a candle for your ‘loved one’ and add their names to the list – I will give thanks for all those on the list and remember them in my special All Souls Day Prayers. The Church will be open from 8.30am till 4.30pm.

Sharon

Remembrance Sunday, 8^th November 2020

St Osyth Parish Church and St Osyth Royal British Legion

On Sunday 8th November 2020 there will be a

Remembrance Service held outside in

the Church Grounds at 10.50am

For the safety of those attending there will be no

vehicle access to Church Square, there will be

parking in front of The Priory.

Please make sure you wear a face covering and

comply with

social distancing rules.

There will be a retiring collection for the Royal British Legion.

A Big Thank-You

We really do owe a very grateful vote of thanks to John Wright, who used to work in St Osyth Post Office, as he completely cleared and took to the tip all the mess and clutter left by Wesley, who as many of you know, was resident in a tent in the churchyard for about a month.

It was certainly not the pleasantest of jobs and his kindness in doing it has been much appreciated.

Shoeboxes
If you would like to take part in the Shoebox appeal you can collect a box to fill, or drop individual items, at the butcher’s. They’re being collected week of the 9th November.

PCC Meeting
There will be a PCC Meeting for all PCC Members on Thursday, 26^th November at 7pm in the Church.

Thought for the Weekend!
Many ot life’s failures are people who did not realise how close they were to success when they gave up.

Pew Sheet 25.10.20.

Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

25^th October 2020

The Last Sunday after Trinity

Holy Communion Service 10am

The Bible Readings

1 Thess. 2. 1-8

Matt 22. 34-end

Today’s Gospel

Matt 22. 34-end

When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: “What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” He said to them, “How is it then that David by the Spiritcalls him Lord, saying,

‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet”’?

If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?” No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

For our prayers at home this week

Marjorie is now home, after 21 days in hospital! Please keep her in your prayers as she is still not well.
For Lynda the 5^th cycle of chemotherapy is close, so please pray for her at this difficult time.
John too is doing as well as can be expected but the chemotherapy is difficult to get through, he too is in need of our prayers.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those who have not been able to join us in Church but are worshipping at home, all those living and working in Beacon Way, Belair Estate, Bentley Road, Bishops Drive, Botanical Way, Botany Lane, Broadstrood, Brook Vale and Bypass Road.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie and Jane Eade.
We remember all who have recently died including Carole Silcock.
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

All Souls

If you are at Church this Sunday, the lists will be ready to add names to. It would be really helpful if you could add your names on Sunday, as it will with help with social distancing on Saturday. Thank you.

Sharon

Service Times

Please don’t forget that we will be going back to our original service time of 11am from Sunday 1^st November.

A Big Thank-You

It was certainly not the pleasantest of jobs and his kindness in doing it has been much appreciated.

Harvest

The Collection for the Salvation Army on 11^th October raised £240 – many thanks to everyone!

Shoeboxes
If you would like to take part in the Shoebox appeal you can collect a box to fill, or drop individual items, at the butcher’s. They’re being collected week of the 9th November.

Thought for the Weekend!
Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase – just the first step.

Pew Sheet 11.10.12.

Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

11^th October 2020

The 18^th Sunday after Trinity

Harvest Festival

The Bible Readings

2 Corinthians 9. 6-end

Luke 17. 11-19

Today’s Gospel

Luke 17. 11-19

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ When he saw them, he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’

For our prayers at home this week

Lynda’s fourth cycle of chemotherapy has begun and life is difficult, please remember her in your prayers.
Marjorie is comfortable in Colchester Hospital and is awaiting the results of tests, please pray for her at this anxious time.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those who have not been able to join us in Church but are worshipping at home, all those living and working in Western Promenade, Wick Lane, Wick Road, Wigboro Lane, Wigboro Wick Lane, Willow Avenue and Withrick Walk.
We remember those who have died recently and their families.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie and Jane Eade.
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

Celebrating Harvest

We will be Celebrating Harvest TODAY 11th October (Corona Virus Style).

The Salvation Army have been in touch and explained that they have ‘a stock holding in our warehouse of 3 times what we would normally have at this time of year.’

They have asked if we could make a cash donation this year to support their work. We will therefore give the collection that day to the Salvation Army.

I am letting you know now so that those of you who use the giving scheme might remember to bring some money with you.

Thank you.

Sharon

Holy Communion Service every Sunday at 10am

Although Rev’d. Sharon is only able to lead our Communion Service every fortnight at the moment, we are really fortunate that the Rev’d. Guy Thorburn will lead the Service on the weeks Sharon is not with us during October.

This means there will be a Communion Service in St Osyth Church every Sunday at 10 am – please do join us.

Any queries please contact Sonia, 820648.

APCM
The APCM will be held after the morning service on Sunday 11^th October. We hope many of you will be able to stay to take part in this meeting, information packs including the Parish Report will be available in church from this Sunday, please take one per household.

If you have any questions please email me on: pcc.stosythchurch@hotmail.com

Thank you

Helen

Electoral Roll

Due to the cancellation of the APCM in April, the Electoral Roll needs to be revised again ahead of the APCM on 11^th October.

If you are already on the Electoral Roll and wish to remain you do not need to do anything. New people are invited to apply to be added to the roll. To do so you need to be over 16 years, baptised and a regular worshipper at the Church. To apply, please complete a form; they will be at the front of the Church and in the Church Room so you can get one as you come into church or as you leave. A box will be displayed in the Church Room for completed forms.

If you wish to be removed from the Electoral Roll please contact the

PCC Secretary: pcc.stosythchurch@hotmail.com

Thought for the Weekend!
Treat your friends as you do your pictures and place them in their best light.

Pew Sheet 4.10.20.

Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

4^th October 2020

The 17^th Sunday after Trinity

The Bible Readings

Phil. 3. 4b-14

Matt 21. 33-end

Today’s Gospel

Matt 21. 33-end

“Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.’ So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.”

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures:

‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord’s doing,
and it is amazing in our eyes’?

Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.

For our prayers at home this week

Graham and Dawn thank you for your prayers for Graham during his long period of illness. He had his operation last week and is now beginning to resume a ‘normal’ life. There is so much to say thank-you for.
Lynda begins her fourth cycle of chemotherapy – please continue to pray for her at this difficult stage of her treatment.
Please pray for Marjorie Talbot, until recently a regular attendee at our services. She is very ill in Colchester Hospital and is in need of our prayers and to be in our thoughts.
Continue to pray for John that all continueds to move forward positively.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those who have not been able to join us in Church but are worshipping at home, all those living and working in The Priory, Third Avenue, Three Acres, Tunstall Close, Tower Estate, Tyler Avenue (Clacton), Wall Street and Warren Lane.
We remember those who have died recently and their families.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie and Jane Eade.
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

Celebrating Harvest

We will be Celebrating Harvest on 11th October (Corona Virus Style).

The Salvation Army have been in touch and explained that they have ‘a stock holding in our warehouse of 3 times what we would normally have at this time of year.’

They have asked if we could make a cash donation this year to support their work. We will therefore give the collection that day to the Salvation Army.

I am letting you know now so that those of you who use the giving scheme might remember to bring some money with you.

Thank you.

Sharon

Holy Communion Service every Sunday at 10am

This means there will be a Communion Service in St Osyth Church every Sunday at 10 am – please do join us.

Any queries please contact Sonia, 820648.

There will be NO St Osyth Day Service this year

Due to the present Covid 19 restrictions being in place, we are unfortunately not able to hold our traditional St Osyth Day Service in St Osyth Priory on 6^th October this year.

If you have any questions please email me on: pcc.stosythchurch@hotmail.com

Thank you

Helen

Electoral Roll

Due to the cancellation of the APCM in April, the Electoral Roll needs to be revised again ahead of the APCM on 11^th October.

If you wish to be removed from the Electoral Roll please contact the

PCC Secretary: pcc.stosythchurch@hotmail.com

St. Osyth Parish Church

Synopsis of PCC meeting held on 14^th September 2020

Under guidance from the Archdeacon and following Covid-19 safety measures, the PCC were able to meet for the first time since February.

It has been a difficult year for the church financially without being able to hold our usual fundraising events. However we have been able to continue to meet our Parish Share and the deficit should be cushioned by the surplus we raised last year.

Since we last met the Sound System has been installed, this have proven to be very timely due to the current restrictions on handling paper. It will provide lots of opportunities for the church in terms of audio and visual capabilities.

The PCC agreed to change the lighting in the church to LED bulbs which will be much more environmentally friendly and cost effective for the church.

As you are aware, safety measures have been put in place to make the church a covid-secure meeting place. Services have had to be limited to meet the requirements and we have been fortunate that a priest has been found for the Sunday’s that Rev’d Sharon is at Great Bentley so we are able to worship together every week. This will impact on some of our usual services and celebrations and notice of changes will be published in the Magazine.

The immense project of restoring the weathervane is approaching completion, the PCC is keen to see the finished piece and thanks everyone involved for their efforts.

If you would like to join the PCC for the coming year please complete a nomination form found at the back of the church, we’d love to welcome new faces to support Rev’d Sharon and the churchwarden in the running of the church. There are 6 meetings a year, held at the church at 7pm. If you would like more information please email the PCC secretary. pcc.stosythchurch@hotmail.com

Thank you from Jane
Thank you so very much to everyone who sent me a birthday card for my 60^th birthday last weekend. For the Harry Potter fans amongst you Tiny said it was like living at ‘Privet Drive’ with the cascade of envelopes that came through the door over one particular hour!! I had a total of 40 cards which absolutely blew me away and made my day into the spectacular memory it is rather than the sad and isolated one I had feared. I can’t thank my ‘Church Family’ enough and can’t wait to see you all again once it is safe for me to do so.

My fondest wishes to you all – Jane Eade

Thought for the Weekend!
The first and most important step towards success is the feeling that we can succeed.

Pew Sheet 27.9.20.

Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

27^th September 2020

The 16^th Sunday after Trinity

Today’s Gospel

Matt 21. 23-32

When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

“What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.

For our prayers at home this week

Graham’s operation was scheduled for 25th September – we remember him in our prayers at this time.
The third cycle of chemotherapy has been really tough for Lynda. We continue to hold her in our prayers at this difficult time.
John’s family say a big thank-you for our prayers as he continues with his course of chemotherapy.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those who have not been able to join us in Church but are worshipping at home, all those living and working in St Clair’s Drive, St Clair’s Road, St Clere’s Hall Lane, St John’s Road, Stanmore Way and The Bury.
We remember those who have died recently and their families.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie and Jane Eade.
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

Celebrating Harvest

We will be Celebrating Harvest on 11th October (Corona Virus Style).

The Salvation Army have been in touch and explained that they have ‘a stock holding in our warehouse of 3 times what we would normally have at this time of year.’

They have asked if we could make a cash donation this year to support their work. We will therefore give the collection that day to the Salvation Army.

I am letting you know now so that those of you who use the giving scheme might remember to bring some money with you.

Thank you.

Sharon

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the present Covid 19 restrictions being in place, we are unfortunately not able to hold our traditional St Osyth Day Service in St Osyth Priory on October6th this year.

My fondest wishes to you all – Jane Eade

Holy Communion Service every Sunday at 10am

Although Rev’d. Sharon is only able to lead our Communion Service every fortnight, we are really fortunate that the Rev’d. Guy Thorburn will lead the Service on the weeks Sharon is not with us.

This means there will be a Communion Service in St Osyth Church every Sunday at 10 am – please do join us.

Any queries please contact Sonia, 820648.

St. Osyth Parish Church

Synopsis of PCC meeting held on 14^th September 2020

Under guidance from the Archdeacon and following Covid-19 safety measures, the PCC were able to meet for the first time since February.

The PCC agreed to change the lighting in the church to LED bulbs which will be much more environmentally friendly and cost effective for the church.

The immense project of restoring the weathervane is approaching completion, the PCC is keen to see the finished piece and thanks everyone involved for their efforts.

APCM

The APCM will be held after the morning service on Sunday 11^th October. We hope many of you will be able to stay to take part in this meeting, information packs including the Parish Report will be available in church from this Sunday, please take one per household.

If you have any questions please email me on: pcc.stosythchurch@hotmail.com

Thank you

Helen

Electoral Roll

Due to the cancellation of the APCM in April, the Electoral Roll needs to be revised again ahead of the APCM on 11^th October.

If you wish to be removed from the Electoral Roll please contact the

PCC Secretary: pcc.stosythchurch@hotmail.com

Pew Sheet 20.9.20.

Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

20^th September 2020

The 15^th Sunday after Trinity

The Bible Readings

Phil 1. 21 – end

Matt 20. 1-16

The Collect

Lord God, defend your Church from all false teaching and give to your people knowledge of your truth, that we may enjoy eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Today’s Gospel

Matt 20. 1-16

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

For our prayers at home this week

Graham waits for his operation on the 25^th September, please pray for him during this time.
Lynda has begun her third cycle of chemotherapy, so far the results are promising, we do give thanks in our prayers for this.
Please continue to pray for John that all continues to move forward positively.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those who have not been able to join us in Church but are worshipping at home, all those living and working in Seaview Road, Parade and Terrace, Seawick Road, Second Avenue, South Close, Spring Hill and Spring Road.
We remember those who have died recently and their families.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie and Jane Eade.
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

Although Rev’d. Sharon is only able to lead our Communion Service every fortnight, we are really fortunate that the Rev’d. Guy Thorburn will lead the Service on the weeks Sharon is not with us.

This means there will be a Communion Service in St Osyth Church every Sunday at 10 am – please do join us.

Any queries please contact Sonia, 820648.

Electoral Roll

Due to the cancellation of the APCM in April, the Electoral Roll needs to be revised again ahead of the APCM on 11^th October.

If you wish to be removed from the Electoral Roll please contact the

PCC Secretary: pcc.stosythchurch@hotmail.com

Thursday Morning Communion Service

Thursday Morning Communion Service will be held every Thursday at 10am. Please join us if you can.

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army, if the Church is shut please do leave your gifts in the porch.

Pew Sheet 13.9.20.

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

13^th September 2020

The 14^th Sunday after Trinity

The Bible Readings

Rom. 14. 1-12

Matt 18. 21-35

The Collect

Merciful God, your Son came to save us and bore our sins on the cross: may we trust in your mercy and know your love, rejoicing in the righteousness that if ours through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Today’s Gospel

Matt 18. 21-35

Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

For our prayers at home this week

Lynda begins her third cycle of chemotherapy on Monday, please hold her in your prayers.
Graham’s operation has been moved to the 25^th September, please pray for him as he continues to wait.
Please pray for John that all moves forward positively.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff and pupils of St Osyth School as the new term gets under way, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those who have not been able to join us in Church but are worshipping at home, all those living and working in The Quay, Priory Park, Pump Hill, Rectory Road, Rochford Road, Roman Way, Rose Gardens, Rouses Lane, Row Heath and SaxonWay.
We remember those who have died recently and their families – especially at this time Nick Lee.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie and Jane Eade.
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

PCC on Monday 14^th September

There is a Meeting of the PCC on Monday 14^th September at 7pm in the Church.

Thursday Morning Communion

It was good to restart the Thursday Morning Communion last week. If you might feel safer with a smaller congregation then please do join us on a Thursday at 10am.

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army, if the Church is shut please do leave your gifts in the porch.

A 60^th Birthday

It is Jane Eade’s 60^th birthday on Saturday, 19^th September, she would be so thrilled to receive cards marking this special birthday, particularly so as she has not been outside since before Lockdown and is finding life difficult. If you are able to help her celebrate, please pop a card through her door at 15 Longfields. Thank you.

The above item won’t be on the Pew Sheet Jane receives!

Pew Sheet 6.9.20.

Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

6^th September 2020

The 13^th Sunday after Trinity

The Bible Readings

Rom. 13.8 – end

Matt 18. 15-20

The Collect

Almighty God, you search us and know us: may we rely on you in strength and rest on you in weakness, now and in all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Today’s Gospel

Matt 18. 15-20

Reproving Another Who Sins

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

For our prayers at home this week

Please continue to hold Lynda in your prayers.
John, saw his Consultant this week, who said ‘we are not there yet, but we are getting there’. A comforting update as he is having his second course of chemotherapy.
It was so good to welcome Dawn and Graham in Church last Sunday, please pray for him as he waits for his operation on Friday, 11^th
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Norman Way, North Wall, Oakmead Road, Old School Close, Park Chase, Park Road, Point Clear Road and Priory Close.
We remember those who have died recently and their families – especially at this time Nick Lee.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie, Sienna, and Jane Eade.
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

On the 6^th SEPTEMBER, the Archdeacon of Colchester, The Venerable Ruth Patten, will be taking the Communion Service in our Church at 10am.

Thursday Morning Communion

It was good to restart the Thursday Morning Communion this week. If you might feel safer with a smaller congregation then please do join us on Thursday the 10^th at 10am.

PCC on Monday 14^th September

There is a Meeting of the PCC on Monday 14^th September at 7pm in the Church.

Salvation Army

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to support the Salvation Army, if the Church is shut please do leave your gifts in the porch.

A 60^th Birthday

It is Jane Eade’s 60^th birthday on the 19^th September, she would be so thrilled to receive cards marking this special birthday, particularly so as she has not been outside since before Lockdown. If you are able to help her celebrate, please pop a card through her door at 15 Longfields. Thank you.

The above item won’t be on the Pew Sheet Jane receives!

Produce Stall in aid of Hope @Trinity, the Methodist run Centre

Produce stall, 10am on 12^th September at Caldew Cottage, The Green, Great Bentley (Southside, turn down the green after the Plough). All edible produce welcome. In aid of Hope @Trinity, the Methodist run centre which helps the homeless and those in need in Clacton. They are reopening shortly.

We hope you can support this worthy charity.

Mary Maskell

Pew Sheet 30.8.20.

Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

30^th August 2020

The 12^th Sunday after Trinity

The Bible Readings

Rom. 12.9 – end

Matt 16. 21 – end

The Collect

God of constant mercy, who sent your Son to save us: remind us of your goodness, increase your grace within us, that our thankfulness may grow, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Today’s Gospel

Matt 16. 21 – end

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

The Cross and Self-Denial

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

“For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

For our prayers at home this week

Please hold Lynda in your prayers as she begins her second cycle of chemotherapy.
John, who is having his second course of chemotherapy, is seeing his consultant this week, please pray for him and the outcome.
Please pray for Graham as he waits for his operation on Friday, 11^th
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Meadow View, Mersea View, Mill Street, Nassau Road, New Way, Newton Gardens, Newton Way and Norman Close.
We remember those who have died recently and their families – especially at this time Nick Lee.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie, Sienna, and Jane Eade.
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

There WILL BE a service in our Church on the 30^th August at 10am.

On the 6^th SEPTEMBER, the Archdeacon of Colchester, The Venerable Ruth Patten, will be taking the Communion Service in our Church at 10am.

Holy Communion in Church

There are a number of things we need to do to make it a safe experience for everyone attending.

Special arrangements during the Corona Pandemic

Everyone must wear a facemask or covering
As you enter church please sanitise your hands
Please follow social distancing rules at all times
At this time, we cannot sing in church
The Peace will be shared verbally
There will be a collection box in the Church Room for a retiring collection as you leave
We cannot spend time together socially after the service
You must fill in a Track and Trace form

Receiving Communion

Please remain in your seat until you are invited to move
There will be only 2 worshippers receiving communion at a time – when invited please stand just behind the markers
We are only allowed Communion in one kind, please extend your hands to receive the wafer
Please return to your seat using the one-way system indicated

Leaving the Church

Please make sure that you have filled in a Track and Trace form and leave it in the Church room as you leave
Please leave the Church through the Church room

Thank You and Keep Safe and Well.

Rev’d. Sharon

Pew Sheet 23.8.20.

Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

23^rd August 2020

The 11^th Sunday after Trinity

The Bible Readings

Rom. 12. 1-8

Matt 16. 13-20

The Collect

God of glory, the end of our searching, help us to lay aside all that prevents us from seeking your kingdom, and to give all that we have to gain the pearl beyond all price, through our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Today’s Gospel

Matt 16. 13-20

Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

For our prayers at home this week

Please pray for Nick’s family, particularly Sarah and Simon, as they like us, continue to mourn his loss. A Memorial Service will be held for Nick when times are ‘normal’ again.
Please continue to hold Lynda in your prayers as her rigorous course of chemotherapy begins again on Monday; it has been a difficult time.
Graham had a successful pre-op check and his operation is now scheduled for Friday, 11^th Please hold him in your prayers.
John continues to react well to his chemotherapy – his family thank you for your prayers.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in King’s Close, Lee Wick Lane, Lilac Avenue, Links Road, Lodge Farm Lane, Longfields, Lydia Drive, Manfield Gardens and Maypole Drive.
We pray for all those who have died recently and their families who mourn their loss.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie, Sienna, and Jane Eade.
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

There will be NO SERVICE in Church on the 23^rd August; it will be a Spiritual Communion.

There WILL BE a service in our Church on the 30^th August at 10am.

On the 6^th SEPTEMBER, the Archdeacon of Colchester, The Venerable Ruth Patten, will be taking the Communion Service in our Church at 10am.

Holy Communion in Church

There are a number of things we need to do to make it a safe experience for everyone attending.

Special arrangements during the Corona Pandemic

Everyone must wear a facemask or covering
As you enter church please sanitise your hands
Please follow social distancing rules at all times
At this time, we cannot sing in church
The Peace will be shared verbally
There will be a collection box in the Church Room for a retiring collection as you leave
We cannot spend time together socially after the service
You must fill in a Track and Trace form

Receiving Communion

Please remain in your seat until you are invited to move
There will be only 2 worshippers receiving communion at a time – when invited please stand just behind the markers
We are only allowed Communion in one kind, please extend your hands to receive the wafer
Please return to your seat using the one-way system indicated

Leaving the Church

Please make sure that you have filled in a Track and Trace form and leave it in the Church room as you leave
Please leave the Church through the Church room

Thank You and Keep Safe and Well.

Rev’d. Sharon

Foundation Course in Pastoral Care

We have received the following information from the Chelmsford Diocese and are circulating
it on the Pew Sheet for anyone who is interested:

Many people offer Christian pastoral care in parishes

We aim to give confidence to those carers, to help them to feel valued and to provide some
training to keep everyone safe – both carers and those they care for. We believe there are
people who would like to develop their skills and perhaps become part of a Christian pastoral
care team in their parish or parishes. If you know who these people are please let them know
about the foundation courses in pastoral care that we are planning for September 2020.

ALL courses on zoom, accessible via laptop, smartphone or I pad.

We are running a short course which is appropriate for anyone who provides care informally
or more formally.

Either: 10 Tuesday evenings from September 8^th to November 10^th, 7pm to 9.30pm

or: 10 Thursday evenings from September 10^th to November 12^th, 7pm to 9.30pm.

Below is a link to the relevant page on the website where more details and the application
form can be found.

https://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/lay-ministry/pastoral-assistant

We ask you to provide a letter of support from your church leader.

More information from Di Hardy: dhardy@chelmsford.anglican.org 01245 294449

or Judy Cecil: jcecil@chelmsford.anglican.org

Pew Sheet and Notices 16.8.20.

Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

16^th August 2020

The 10^th Sunday after Trinity

The Bible Readings

Rom. 11. 1-2a, 29-32

Matt 15. 21-28

The Collect

Lord of heaven and earth, as Jesus taught his disciples to be persistent in prayer, give us patience and courage never to lose hope, but always to bring our prayers before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Today’s Gospel

Matt 15. 10-20

Things That Defile

Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.” But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”

Matt 15. 21-28

The Canaanite Woman’s Faith

Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

For our prayers at home this week

Nick died in the St Helena Hospice on his birthday, Friday 14^th Pray for him and for Sarah and Simon who were with him when he died. They have lost both their parents in the last three years. Wendy and Nick served our Church and the village faithfully for many years. We have missed Wendy, now Nick, it is a very sad time for the Church Family and the community.
Please say special prayers this week for Lynda as she begins a rigorous course of chemotherapy. She does not live in our Village but has been a kind and compassionate friend to many of our residents over the years.
Rev’d. Sharon is waiting for an appointment with her doctor to hear the result of her scans, please add her to your prayers.
Please continue to pray for John as he continues to react well to his chemotherapy.
On Tuesday Graham goes for a pre-op check, please pray for a successful outcome.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Frowick Lane, Golding Way, Greenland Grove, Heath Road, Highbirch Road, Honeypot Lane, James Gardens, Johnson Road and Kincaid Road.
We pray for all those who have died recently and their families who mourn their loss.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie, Sienna, and Jane Eade.
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

There will be NO SERVICE in Church on the 23^rd August; it will be a Spiritual Communion.

There WILL BE a service in our Church on the 30^th August at 10am.

On the 6^th SEPTEMBER, the Archdeacon of Colchester, The Venerable Ruth Patten, will be taking the Communion Service in our Church at 10am.

Holy Communion in Church

I am incredibly pleased to tell you that this Sunday, 16^th August there will be a 10am Holy Communion Service in St Osyth Parish Church.

There are a number of things we need to do to make it a safe experience for everyone attending.

Special arrangements during the Corona Pandemic

Everyone must wear a facemask or covering
As you enter church please sanitise your hands
Please follow social distancing rules at all times
At this time, we cannot sing in church
The Peace will be shared verbally
There will be a collection box in the Church Room for a retiring collection as you leave
We cannot spend time together socially after the service
You must fill in a Track and Trace form

Receiving Communion

Please remain in your seat until you are invited to move
There will be only 2 worshippers receiving communion at a time – when invited please stand just behind the markers
We are only allowed Communion in one kind, please extend your hands to receive the wafer
Please return to your seat using the one-way system indicated

Leaving the Church

Please make sure that you have filled in a Track and Trace form and leave it in the Church room as you leave
Please leave the Church through the Church room

Thank You and Keep Safe and Well.

Rev’d. Sharon

Foundation Course in Pastoral Care

We have received the following information from the Chelmsford Diocese and are circulating
it on the Pew Sheet for anyone who is interested:

Many people offer Christian pastoral care in parishes

We aim to give confidence to those carers, to help them to feel valued and to provide some
training to keep everyone safe – both carers and those they care for. We believe there are
people who would like to develop their skills and perhaps become part of a Christian pastoral
care team in their parish or parishes. If you know who these people are please let them know
about the foundation courses in pastoral care that we are planning for September 2020.

ALL courses on zoom, accessible via laptop, smartphone or I pad.

We are running a short course which is appropriate for anyone who provides care informally
or more formally.

Either: 10 Tuesday evenings from September 8^th to November 10^th, 7pm to 9.30pm

or: 10 Thursday evenings from September 10^th to November 12^th, 7pm to 9.30pm.

Below is a link to the relevant page on the website where more details and the application
form can be found.

https://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/lay-ministry/pastoral-assistant

We ask you to provide a letter of support from your church leader.

More information from Di Hardy: dhardy@chelmsford.anglican.org 01245 294449

or Judy Cecil: jcecil@chelmsford.anglican.org

Special Thanks

Our thanks to Tony O’Reilly who volunteered to come in and clear the cobwebs high up over the Nave Altar. While doing this he cleaned the windows next to the cobwebs. The colour of the stained glass, now that it has been cleaned, is quite beautiful. Do look up at the windows when you are next in Church; I hope it gives you as much pleasure as it did me.

Tony’s gesture in doing this is very kind and much appreciated. Sonia

A Volunteer Please

We are still looking for a person to take over the writing of the Notices from August onwards. If you are interested in doing this please talk to Sharon. Thank-you.

Pew Sheet and notices 9.8.20.

Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

9^th August 2020

The 9^th Sunday after Trinity

The Bible Readings

Rom. 10. 5-15

Matt 14. 22-33

The Collect

Gracious Father, revive your Church in our day, and make her hold, strong and faithful, for your glory’s sake in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Today’s Gospel

Matt 14. 22-33

Jesus Walks on the Water

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind,^] he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

For our prayers at home this week

Rev’d. Sharon is waiting for the results of her two scans, please pray for her as she waits to hear.
Nick has, as he says, ‘good days and bad days’, so please keep him in your prayers.
John is reacting well to his chemotherapy so please pray that this continues.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Deeping Walk, Dumont Avenue, Earls Hall Drive, Eastern Promenade, Fanny’s Lane, First Avenue, Flag Hill and Fourth Avenue.
We pray for all those who have died recently and their families who mourn their loss.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie, Sienna, and Jane Eade.
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

Holy Communion in Church

I am incredibly pleased to tell you that on Sunday 16^th August there will be a 10am Holy Communion Service in St Osyth Parish Church.

There are a number of things we need to do to make it a safe experience for everyone attending.

Special arrangements during the Corona Pandemic

Everyone must wear a facemask or covering
As you enter church please sanitise your hands
Please follow social distancing rules at all times
At this time, we cannot sing in church
The Peace will be shared verbally
There will be a collection box in the Church Room for a retiring collection as you leave
We cannot spend time together socially after the service
You must fill in a Track and Trace form

Receiving Communion

Please remain in your seat until you are invited to move
There will be only 2 worshippers receiving communion at a time – when invited please stand just behind the markers
We are only allowed Communion in one kind, please extend your hands to receive the wafer
Please return to your seat using the one-way system indicated

Leaving the Church

Please make sure that you have filled in a Track and Trace form and leave it in the Church room as you leave
Please leave the Church through the Church room

Thank You and Keep Safe and Well.

Rev’d. Sharon

Special Thanks

Our thanks to Tony O’Reilly who volunteered to come in and clear the cobwebs high up over the Nave Altar. While doing this the cleaned he windows next to the cobwebs. The colour of the stained glass, now that it has been cleaned, is quite beautiful. Do look up at the windows when you are next in Church; I hope it gives you as much pleasure as it did me.

Tony’s gesture in doing this is very kind and much appreciated.

Sonia

Continuing the Story of the Weathervane

Once again the intrepid team have been up on the top of the Tower, now preparing the structure for the installation of the Weathervane. The installation is some weeks away as much work has to be done.

The photograph on the front of the Pew Sheet shows Peter Tidy preparing to work on the remaining piece of the original steel mast which has to be refurbished. The flaking rust was removed and the remaining rust has been neutralised with chemicals and treated with a galvanic paint. It is now ready to form the “location anchor point” for the new structure which is currently being manufactured by our village Blacksmith, Tiny.

These photographs, taken on the top of the Tower, show the team hard at work renovating the wooden support structure.

The remaining member of the team, Robert Morton is the ground crew.

Les Jones and Andy Harper

Les Jones, Peter Harvey, Jm Bligh and Andy Harper

(Sorry Jim and Andy for mistakes in your names last week!)

Jim Bligh and Peter Harvey

A Volunteer Please

We are still looking for a person to take over the writing of the Notices from August onwards. If you are interested in doing this please talk to Sharon. Thank-you.

Pew Sheet 2.8.20.

Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of St Osyth

of the Benefice of St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

2^nd August 2020

The Eighth Sunday after Trinity

The Bible Readings

Rom. 8. 12-17

Matt 14. 13-21

The Collect

Lord God, your Son left the riches of Heaven and became poor for our sake: when we prosper save us from pride, when we are needy save us from despair, that we may trust in you alone; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Today’s Gospel

Matt 14. 13-21

A Feeding the Five Thousand

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

For our prayers at home this week

Rev’d. Sharon has had her two scans and now awaits the results, please pray for her during this waiting time.
Please pray for Nick too, he is suffering from fatigue and is now in his hospital bed at home.
Please continue to hold Graham in your prayers as he continues to improve, but possibly not as quickly as he would like!
Please continue to pray for John, who is not a member of our Church, but is in need of our prayers as he undergoes chemotherapy again.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Colchester Road, Colne View, Colne Way, Cow Lane, Dairy Farm Meadow, Daltes Lane, D’Arcy Road and Dead Lane.
We pray for all those who have died recently and their families who mourn their loss.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie, Sienna, and Jane Eade.
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

Planning for Services in Church

We are moving forward with our planning for the first communion service on the 16^th August at 10am. Rev’d. Sharon will shortly be sending guidelines as to the procedures which we will have to follow when we attend the services.

Initially they will be held in our Church every fortnight, with Sharon on alternate Sundays at Great Bentley. On the Sundays when we do not have a communion service there will be a Virtual Morning Prayer Service. These will be recorded on the previous Monday as now. By having a service in Church on alternate Sundays, it will mean that Sharon will be able to hold the Christening services which were booked, but of course have had to be cancelled because of Lockdown.

Church of England guidelines inform us that after a service has been held, the Church either has to undergo a deep clean or must be kept locked for 48 house. Hence why on alternate Sundays, when there is no Communion Service, there will be a Christening.

It was agreed by the two Churchwardens, Wendy King, Lay Reader for Great Bentley and Sharon that we will hold a meeting on the 15^th September to keep the organisation under review.

Continuing the Story of the Weathervane

The photographs above include one of Peter Tidy preparing to work on the remaining piece of the original steel mast which has to be refurbished. The flaking rust was removed and the remaining rust has been neutralised with chemicals and treated with a galvanic paint. It is now ready to form the “location anchor point” for the new structure which is currently being manufactured by our village Blacksmith, Tiny.

The other photographs, taken on the top of the Tower, show the team hard at work renovating the wooden support structure.

Les Jones, Andy Harman,, Jim Blyth , Peter Harvey, Peter Tidy

The Sanitising Table

The sanitising table is now an important adjunct on the entry into our Church. Many thanks to Brenda who continues to put fresh flowers on it regularly as a welcome to all those visiting the Church. A small gesture but much appreciated.

Saying Goodbye

The Year 6 pupils at our Church of England School said goodbye to each other and to the staff on Wednesday as they prepared to move to secondary school in September.

It was the first time that they had been together for many months. At a very much unrehearsed service because of the circumstances, they read to us the happy and funny memories of their time at St Osyth School. It was so good to listen to them.

Rev’d. Sharon said a prayer and gave a blessing. The Head teacher Mark Carter Tufnell then talked to the children about ‘moving on’. He gave them six very important ‘life messages’ to take with them, which hopefully will support them in the years to come.

Afterwards the parents, carers, visitors and children had a barbecue. It really was lovely to watch the young playing together afterwards.

All in all it was such a happy occasion, made possible by the staff who ensured that it was a unique occasion for the Year 6 pupils at a very unusual time in their lives. Our thanks to the staff and our good wishes to the young people as they move forward to the next stage of their education.

The Special Lockdown Edition of St Osyth Magazine

We do hope that you have enjoyed the special edition of the magazine – so many of our residents contributed to it. It was particularly good to have the wonderful rainbow cover and the photographs in the centre – many thanks to the sponsors who made it possible.

The August magazine is very much a social history of our village during Lockdown.

Special Thanks

Our thanks to Tony O’Reilly who volunteered and has come in to clear the cobwebs, which annoy so many of us, on the windows above the Nave Altar. His gesture is very kind and much appreciated.

A Volunteer Please

We are still looking for a person to take over the writing of the Notices from August onwards. If you are interested in doing this please talk to Sharon. Thank-you

Pew Sheet 26.7.20.

Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

26^th July 2020

The Seventh Sunday after Trinity

The Bible Readings

Rom. 8. 26-39

Matt 13. 31-33, 44-52

The Collect

Generous God, you give us gifts and make them grow: though our faith is small as mustard seed, make it grow to your glory and the flourishing of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Today’s Gospel

Matt 13. 31-33, 44-52

The Parable of the Mustard Seed
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

The Parable of the Yeast
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”

Three Parables
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Treasures New and Old
“Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

For our prayers at home this week

Please pray this week for Rev’d. Sharon as she has to have two scans. The recovery from illness her been slow and the scans will hopefully pin point any causes for concern.
Please pray for Nick who has just had a hospital bed delivered to his home. He is enjoying the many things that it is able to do!
Pray too for Graham who is recovering slowly and continues to say that ‘it is all going in the right direction’. Pray too for Dawn who has been a stalwart support for Graham throughout the past months.
Please continue to pray for John, who is not a member of our Church, but is in need of our prayers as he undergoes chemotherapy again.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Castle Way, Chapel Lane, Chisbon Heath, Church Square, Clacton Road, Clay Lane, Clinton Close, Club Parade and Cockett Wick Lane.
We pray for all those who have died recently and their families who mourn their loss.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie, Sienna, and Jane Eade.
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

Our Sanitising Table

On the front of the Pew Sheet is a photograph of our sanitising table as you enter the Church. Many thanks to Brenda, who puts fresh flowers on it regularly as a welcome to all those visiting the Church. A small gesture but much appreciated.

Saying Goodbye

The Year 6 pupils at our Church of England School said goodbye to each other and to the staff on Wednesday as they prepared to move to secondary school in September.

Afterwards the parents, carers, visitors and children had a barbecue. It really was lovely to watch the young playing together afterwards.

Planning for Services in Church

Planning is moving ahead. Should you go into Church you will see that many of the chairs are in unusual positions, please do not move them! We are working out how many people we can safely accommodate in our building.

We are hoping that on Sunday, 16^th August we will have our service together. Guidance will be given and shared by us all. The Church is being cleaned on Saturday as an early preparation.

Let us hope that shortly there will be a joining together for our first service in many months. It is such a very good thought.

Such Good News

Many of us will remember praying for Helen, daughter of Jenny and Derek, as she underwent first a major operation and then radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It was such a very difficult time for all of the family and Helen was on our prayer list for many weeks.

She received a phone call and a letter this week informing her that a recent MRI scan shows no sign of the residual or recurrent disease. This is such good news. However she still has need of our prayers as she recovers from both her treatment, which was very invasive, and the side effects.

We give thanks that Helen is moving forward and now has some Peace of mind.

Taking Down the Weathervane

The Weathervane which has been up on our tower for many years has finally been taken down. Looking at the rusting metal support it was not a moment too soon!

A fantastic team led by Peter Tidy, of Jim Blyth, Robert Morton, Andy Harper, Les Jones and Peter Harvey took just over 1½ hours to do this. Originally the thought was that we would have to hire cranes, access platforms etc. etc. at eye watering prices. Peter’s very practical manual plan was a fantastic achievement.

Very many thanks to them. Everything taken down was taken to Tiny the Blacksmith and a new weathervane designed by him will be crafted. It has been given by many people in memory of Richard Jacobs, as the Weathervane will be a facsimile of the fishing trawler he used for many years.

We very much look forward to seeing it up on our tower.

Once again many thanks to the team – they certainly can feel proud of what they achieved.

A Volunteer Please

I have been writing the Notices for the Pew Sheet for a number of years and would now like to relinquish this task. I plan to finish at the end of July.

Therefore there is a need for a volunteer to take this on. Please do consider it as the communication of information is so important to us all.

Please ring me on 01255 820648 if you would like to discuss it further.

Sonia

The Salvation Army Foodbank

The Salvation Army continues to need many items. For those who would like guidance we understand that tinned fish and meats, in fact most tinned foods would be gratefully received.

Thank-you to everyone who delivers food into the Church.

Pew Sheet 19.7.20.

Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

19^th July 2020

The Sixth Sunday after Trinity

The Bible Readings

Rom. 8. 12-25

Matt 13. 24-30, 36-43

The Collect

Creator God, you made us all in your image: may we discern you in all that we see, and serve you in all that we do: through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Today’s Gospel

Matt 13. 24-30, 36-43

The Parable of Weeds among the Wheat

He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!

For our prayers at home this week

Graham is back home and recovering well from his major operation. He says that ‘it is all going in the right direction’ which is excellent. Please continue to hold him in your prayers.
Nick looks well and is working on the Church Gift Aid forms; we do owe him so much for the work he has done for the Church over many years. Please do pray for him as he lives with his illness.
Please continue to pray for John, who is not a member of our Church, but is in need of our prayers as he has to undergo chemotherapy again.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Beacon Way, Belair Estate, Bentley Road, Bishops Drive, Botanical Way, Botany Lane, Broadstrood, Brook Vale and Bypass Road.
We pray for all those who have died recently and their families who mourn their loss.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie, Sienna, and Jane Eade.
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

Planning for Services in Church

The Standing Committee met in Church on Friday and much was discussed about ensuring that we keep everyone safe during an actual service. We are very much hoping that we will meet again in mid August. Very fortunately we have a large Church and we are able to come in through one door and exit through another! Receiving the ‘Host’ should not cause us any problems from an organisational point of view either. There will be lots of guidance both written and verbal to help prepare ourselves for coming together again as a Church Family. A really lovely thought.

Such Good News

We give thanks that Helen is moving forward and now has some Peace of mind.

Taking Down the Weathervane

The Weathervane which has been up on our tower for many years has finally been taken down. Looking at the rusting metal support it was not a moment too soon!

We very much look forward to seeing it up on our tower.

Once again many thanks to the team – they certainly can feel proud of what they achieved.

A Volunteer Please

I have been writing the Notices for the Pew Sheet for a number of years and would now like to relinquish this task. I plan to finish at the end of July.

Therefore there is a need for a volunteer to take this on. Please do consider it as the communication of information is so important to us all.

Please ring me on 01255 820648 if you would like to discuss it further.

Sonia

The Salvation Army Foodbank

Thank-you to those who continue to give generously. Please do remember that the need is there when you are shopping, and put a few extra items in your shopping basket. It will be much appreciated.

Thank-you.

Pew Sheet 12.7.20.

Peter and Paul

The Parish Church of

St Osyth

of the Benefice of

St. Osyth and Great Bentley

“SERVING GOD THROUGH

LOVE, WORSHIP AND WITNESS”

12^th July 2020

The Fifth Sunday after Trinity

Welcome to our Spiritual Communion

Sunday, 5^th July

The Bible Readings

Rom. 8. 1-11

Matt 13. 1-9, 18-23

The Collect

Almighty God, send down upon your Church the riches of your Spirit, and kindle in all who minister the Gospel your countless gifts of grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Today’s Gospel

Matthew 13:1-9
The Parable of the Sower

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with earslisten!”

Matthew 13:18-23
The Parable of the Sower Explained

“Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

For our prayers at home this week

We pray again for Graham Syrett, who having made good progress, has this week had to undergo a major operation and has been in critical care. He is still very ill, and has need of all our prayers.
Nick is in good spirits, but please continue to remember him in your prayers.
This week a special prayer for John who is having to undergo chemotherapy again.
Pray for our village and our residents, the staff, residents and visitors of Five Stacks and Vyntoner House; all those living and working in Abbots Gardens, Allen Way, Alpha Road, Barrack Lane, Beach Road, Beach Road (Lee over Sands) and Beacon Heights.
We pray for all those who have died recently and their families who mourn their loss.
Pray for those in need of healing and long term prayerful support: Helen, Chisato Takaya, Peggy, Nina Hatchett, Dominie, Sienna, and Jane Eade.
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus.
Pray for those who are key workers who are so important to the welfare of our country and its citizens at this time.

~~NOTICES~~

Celebrating Our First Spiritual Communion on Sunday, 5^th July

This was such a very special occasion for all of us. No, we were not actually in Church, but we were listening to the words of the Communion Service and seeing Sharon say them. We heard and saw the Bible being read and the Intercessions spoken.

It was tremendously reassuring and comforting, and hopefully is providing the bridge between the Church being locked and all of us being able to attend a service in Church.

Many people have said how much they enjoyed the service and Helen has reported that there were 108 hits – amazing.

We owe her a great deal of gratitude as she records it in separate parts and then puts the whole service together with the words for us to read and join in. It is then sent to Gary at Great Bentley, who is an IT Consultant, to put on a restricted channel on YouTube.

There are times when technology is wonderful, especially when we are blessed with people who can use it for our benefit.

Many thanks to them both, Helen and Gary.

This week the service will come from Great Bentley.

Planning for Services in Church

The Standing Committee is meeting in Church on Friday, 17^th July. We will be discussing the arrangements which will have to be put in place so that we can begin to have services in Church, hopefully in the middle of August.

The Church is Open for Private Prayer and Reflection

Again the Church has been well visited, I have had to replenish the sanitiser. Please when you come in, take sensible precautions to prevent cross infection.

A Volunteer Please

I have been writing the Notices for the Pew Sheet for a number of years and would now like to relinquish this task. I plan to finish at the end of July.

Therefore there is a need for a volunteer to take this on. Please do consider it as the communication of information is so important to us all.

Please ring me on 01255 820648 if you would like to discuss it further.

Sonia

The Salvation Army Foodbank

Thank-you to those who continue to give generously. Please do remember that the need is there when you are shopping, and put a few extra items in your shopping basket. It will be much appreciated.

Thank-you.

St Osyth Parish Church and Coronavirus

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Pew Sheet 22.11.20.

Pew Sheet 15.11.20.

Pew Sheet 8.11.20.

Worship Online Training Day – Chelmsford Diocese, via ZoomSat 14 November 2020 10.30 – 4.00

Led by The Revd Helen Bent, RSCM Head of Ministerial Training in partnership with Praxis

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Worship Online Training Day – Chelmsford Diocese, via ZoomSat 14 November 2020 10.30 – 4.00

Led by The Revd Helen Bent, RSCM Head of Ministerial Training in partnership with Praxis

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A Feeding the Five Thousand

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Pew Sheet 19.7.20.

Pew Sheet 12.7.20.

Worship Online Training Day – Chelmsford Diocese, via Zoom
Sat 14 November 2020 10.30 – 4.00

Worship Online Training Day – Chelmsford Diocese, via Zoom
Sat 14 November 2020 10.30 – 4.00