Sunday 4th July            

 

 

A joyful and warm welcome to everyone

this morning, as we come to celebrate the

glorious freedom of the Holy Spirit that

God pours into our hearts and lives.

It is appropriate that we observe this wonderful

Gift of God, on this special day, 4th July

“Independence Day” and the day after the Feast of St Thomas the Apostle, who had to make that leap of faith.

 

 

“ faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” Hebrews 10

 

 

Opening  Hymn:  413  Just As I Am

 

 

Epistle Reading: Hebrews 10: 35- 11:1

 

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while,

   "He who is coming will come and will not delay.

    But my righteous one will live by faith.

   And if he shrinks back,

      I will not be pleased with him. "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

 

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

 

 

Hymn: 395 Jesus name Above All Names

 

Gospel  Reading:   Luke 12: 35-40

 

 

"Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men

waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when

he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have

them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

 

 

Offertory Hymn:   170  Father I Place Into Your hands

 
 
Communion / Eucharistic Prayer:
 Sung responses can be found on page 8
  If you would like to receive blessing at the altar rail you
 are very welcome, and if you  would like a special  prayer or a prayer for healing    please indicate that to the priest   when he comes to you

      

  

Hymn During Communion:  355  In Heavenly Love Abiding

                                                          sung quietly and prayerfully

 

Prayer

 

Increase our faith and trust O Lord, that we may walk

with you in all our ways, confident  that you will direct,

guide, and uphold us. Amen

 

Recessional Hymn: 547  O God Our Help

 

 

 

Please take your pew sheet home with you and leave your hymn book  and service book in your seat. Please do stay for refreshments in the side aisle.

 

 

Sunday 11th July Summer Bring and Share Lunch in Anne and Ben’s garden, next Sunday. Bring a delicious main course, or a salad but not pasta, or a delectable dessert.  

Please do bring your chair.

 

Sunday 18th July we will welcome the choir from Gwyr School, Swansea, South Wales who will sing at the morning service. They sang for us in 2005 and were much appreciated by everyone.

 

Paella Party. Friday 3rd September.

Please note the new date for  Margery’s paella party that had to be cancelled in June because of the storms

 

Summer Concert Sunday 22nd August 18.00

Joan Leroy accompanied by Evabritt Grate on the violin, and Lucien Meynard on the clarinet will be giving another of their superb concerts here at St John’s. Please do plan to come.

 

Planned Giving. St John’s is totally self supporting because we receive no financial assistance from outside sources and are very grateful for your offering on a Sunday.

We would like you to consider joining the planned giving scheme so that the church can count on a regular income and budget more effectively This has considerable tax advantages. If you are a UK tax payer we are able to claim back 28p for every pound you give from the inland  revenue. If you are a French taxpayer you can claim back more than 50% of your giving on your tax declaration.

Peter Rowson will be happy to explain how all this works. Please do ask him.

 

 

St. John’s Church                      The Reverend Canon Ben Eaton

             Avenue Paul Doumer                 04 94  95 45 78

              www.sjevar.com                         beneaton@orange.fr