26th July 2020
Weekly notices, Church at Home & watch live
(Scroll down for this week's service)
Francisco de Zurbarán, St Margaret of Antioch, 1631, Oil on canvas; National Gallery, London
Sunday, 10.30am at St James'
We meet for Holy Communion as the Benwell & Scotswood Team. Let us know you're coming if you can!
Join us in Church >
Still at home? Watch the service live on Facebook! (don't worry - you do not need a facebook account to watch it)
Watch live on Sunday >
Weekly resources from 'Roots' for families to use to reflect on the Bible readings each week.
Kids' Resources >
NOTICES
Online worship - let us know what you think!
We want to know what's been working for you with online services over the last few months and how to keep them going post-lockdown. We have a very short (anonymous) survey, so please fill it out.
Face coverings - update!
It is now recommended that we wear face masks in church and other enclosed public spaces. We encourage you to wear one as it will help limit the spread of the virus. But if you cannot wear one we won't be asking you why and you should not let it stop you coming to church.
You do not have to wear one if you cannot because of a health condition or it will cause you severe distress, and children under 11 do not have to wear one either.
The clergy will wear a mask during the distribution of communion. Please remember the most effective way to stay safe is to remain 2 metres apart, wash or sanitise your hands regularly, and stay at home if you feel unwell.
Cranes for Peace
Help us make 75 origami cranes to mark 75 years
since the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and to support CND's campaign for peace.
You can make them at home, we have some simple instructions to follow and we hope to make a display at St James' when they are all finished.
St James' & St Margaret's Day
Two of our churches patron saints had their festivals this last week - St James' the Apostle and St Margaret of Antioch. So this Sunday we are celebrating both.
We haven't forgotten our other churches though! We intend to celebrate St John's 200th birthday once we return to the building. And we missed Venerable Bede's day because of lockdown, so we will make sure to celebrate with extra style when it comes round again!
Congratulations to Abi!
Our Pastoral Assistant Abigail has been recommended to train for ordination from September! She has spent the last couple of years discerning her vocation with us and intends to train at Westcott House in Cambridge over the next 3 years. This Sunday will be her last official service working for us, and we're sad she'll be leaving us but we are very proud of her.
Phyllis Pullar
We are very sorry to announce that our dear friend and sister, Phyllis, died this last week. She had been a faithful member of St James' for many years. She died peacefully at home surrounded by her family. She will be greatly missed.
You can now submit prayer requests online. This can be done anonymously or by name and the clergy and congregation will pray for you each week.
Submit prayer requests >
Help keep our work going and our buildings open.
If you can, please give by standing order - regular donations help us to have a better estimate of our income and ensure we can keep our activities running.
Giving >
WORSHIP
St James' & St Margaret's Day
Reflection by Abigail Harris
Online service and president at Communion: The Revd Chris Minchin
Watch here at 10.30am >
or listen and read along here:
The service starts with some quiet music; please use this to clear your mind and acknowledge the presence of God.
Intro music
Ivan Sings by Aram Khatchaturian
Opening prayer
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Confession
We run the race set before us,
surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.
Therefore let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which clings so closely,
bringing them to Jesus in penitence and faith.
You were sent to preach the good news of light
in the darkness of the world:
Lord, have mercy. (Lord, have mercy.)
You were sent to plant in our hearts the seed of eternal life:
Christ, have mercy. (Christ, have mercy.)
You were sent to reconcile us to yourself
by the shedding of your blood:
Lord, have mercy. (Lord, have mercy.)
May the Father forgive us
by the death of his Son
and strengthen us
to live in the power of the Spirit
all our days. Amen.
Collect
Almighty God,
who built your Church upon the foundation
of the apostles and prophets,
with Jesus Christ himself as the chief cornerstone:
so join us together in unity of spirit by their doctrine,
that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Reading
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
At that time prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine over all the world; and this took place during the reign of Claudius. The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea; this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword.
(Acts 11.27 – 12.2)
This is the word of the Lord.