St Mark s Church Parish News Trinity 17 Ordinary …...Leadership - The Reverend Alan Kirk...

8
Thank you The flowers this week have been donated by the family in memory of the late Norma Taylor. The Reverend Dr. Sam Cappleman Assistant Rural Dean of Bedford 107 Dover Crescent, Bedford MK41 Tel: 266952 [email protected] The Reverend Canon Charles Royden The Vicarage, Calder Rise. MK41 7UY 309175 Mobile 07973 113861 [email protected] Reader: Mrs Wendy Waters Pastoral Support Team Co-Ordinator 342613 [email protected] St. Marks Church Centre www.stmarkschurch.com Open Monday - Friday 9am - 5.00pm Tel/fax: 342613 [email protected] Centre Manager: Miss Wendy Rider 342613 Church Wardens Mr Mike Cooper & Mr Jim Williams Treasurer: Mr Ian Farthing 210892 [email protected] Gift Aid Administrator: Mr Jim Williams 360605 Churchyard Administrator: Mrs Avril Williams 342613 [email protected] Music Copyright CCL1501 Charity No 1164416 St Marks Contact Information Church Services 13 October Trinity 17 Ordinary 28 8.30am Holy Communion 9.30am Morning Family Worship Preacher - Rev Dr Sam Cappleman Leadership - The Reverend Alan Kirk Intercessions - Mr Warwick Holden Organist - Mr Clive Simmonds Lectionary Readings 2 Kings 5:1-3, 6-15c 2 Tim 2:8-15 Luke 17:11-19 20 October Trinity 18 Ordinary 29 8.30am Holy Communion 9.30am Morning Family Worship Preacher - Rev Canon Charles Royden Leadership - Mr Mike Cooper Intercessions - Mrs Helen Wright Organist - Mr Clive Simmonds Lectionary Readings Genesis 32:22-31 2 Tim 3:14 - 4:5 Luke 18:1-8 Midweek Services Wednesday Communion 10.00am in the Chapel Please join us for a service followed by coffee First Monday of every month. Holy Communion at 10.00am at Sir William Harpur House St Marks Church Parish News Trinity 17 Ordinary 28 13 October 2019 Church Leadership Team Mr Mike Cooper, Mr Jim Williams, Mrs Laura Farthing, Mrs Liz Jackson, Mrs Janet Warren, The Reverend Alan Kirk Please inform us if you know of anyone who is ill, bereaved, housebound, requires a visit, home communion or counselling services. Please also ask us if you would like a home visit for any reason. Prayer for Sunday Lord, you know all that lies before us, both of duty and temptation. Keep us, we pray, from all things hurtful to the body and the soul. Strengthen within us all that is praiseworthy and true, and grant that nothing may come between us and your holy presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen John Hunter, 1849-1917 Parish News is available online at www.stmarkschurch.com You can also sign up online to receive each edition by email

Transcript of St Mark s Church Parish News Trinity 17 Ordinary …...Leadership - The Reverend Alan Kirk...

Page 1: St Mark s Church Parish News Trinity 17 Ordinary …...Leadership - The Reverend Alan Kirk Intercessions - Mr Warwick Holden Organist - Mr Clive Simmonds Lectionary Readings 2 Kings

Thank you

The flowers this week have been donated by the family in memory of the late Norma Taylor.

The Reverend Dr. Sam Cappleman Assistant Rural Dean of Bedford

107 Dover Crescent, Bedford MK41 Tel: 266952 [email protected]

The Reverend Canon Charles Royden The Vicarage, Calder Rise. MK41 7UY

309175 Mobile 07973 113861 [email protected]

Reader: Mrs Wendy Waters Pastoral Support Team Co-Ordinator 342613 [email protected]

St. Mark’s Church Centre www.stmarkschurch.com

Open Monday - Friday 9am - 5.00pm Tel/fax: 342613 [email protected] Centre Manager: Miss Wendy Rider 342613 Church Wardens Mr Mike Cooper & Mr Jim Williams Treasurer: Mr Ian Farthing 210892 [email protected] Gift Aid Administrator: Mr Jim Williams 360605 Churchyard Administrator: Mrs Avril Williams 342613 [email protected] Music Copyright CCL1501 Charity No 1164416

St Mark’s Contact Information

Church Services

13 October Trinity 17 Ordinary 28 8.30am Holy Communion 9.30am Morning Family Worship Preacher - Rev Dr Sam Cappleman Leadership - The Reverend Alan Kirk Intercessions - Mr Warwick Holden Organist - Mr Clive Simmonds Lectionary Readings 2 Kings 5:1-3, 6-15c 2 Tim 2:8-15 Luke 17:11-19

20 October Trinity 18 Ordinary 29 8.30am Holy Communion 9.30am Morning Family Worship Preacher - Rev Canon Charles Royden Leadership - Mr Mike Cooper Intercessions - Mrs Helen Wright Organist - Mr Clive Simmonds Lectionary Readings Genesis 32:22-31 2 Tim 3:14 - 4:5 Luke 18:1-8 Midweek Services Wednesday Communion 10.00am in the Chapel Please join us for a service followed by coffee First Monday of every month. Holy Communion at 10.00am at Sir William Harpur House

St Mark’s Church Parish News

Trinity 17 Ordinary 28 13 October 2019

Church Leadership Team Mr Mike Cooper, Mr Jim Williams, Mrs Laura Farthing,

Mrs Liz Jackson, Mrs Janet Warren, The Reverend Alan Kirk

Please inform us if you know of anyone who is ill, bereaved, housebound, requires a visit, home communion or counselling services. Please also ask us if you would like a home visit for any reason.

Prayer for Sunday

Lord, you know all that lies before us, both of duty and temptation. Keep us, we pray, from all things hurtful to the body and the soul. Strengthen within us all that is praiseworthy and true, and grant that nothing may come between us and your holy presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen John Hunter, 1849-1917

Parish News is available online at www.stmarkschurch.com You can also sign up online to receive each edition by email

Page 2: St Mark s Church Parish News Trinity 17 Ordinary …...Leadership - The Reverend Alan Kirk Intercessions - Mr Warwick Holden Organist - Mr Clive Simmonds Lectionary Readings 2 Kings

Monday 7.30am-6.00pm Pre-school Mon-Fri St Mark’s Manager Mrs. Helen Harpin 312634 (See website) for more details www.thisispreschool.com) 10.00am Bakers Barn Art Group. Mrs M. Berry 211955 10.00am U3A Play reading Rod Fewings 07718390188 9.45am - 10.45am &11.00am-12noon Pilates Liz Mason 07816522200 2-4pm U3A Meditation & Wellbeing Rod Fewings 07718390188 2-3.15pm U3A Recorder Group Rod Fewings 07718390188 6.00pm Brownies Mrs C Mathew 826190 7.00 to 10.00 p.m. Whist Drive third Monday each month or fifth if there are five. Judith Stanton 01234 823313. 7.30pm Sugarcraft Guild (1st week in month) Heather Buckley 824503 7.00-8.00pm Laughter Club on 2nd week each month Cheryl Green 07729187399 7-9pm Rangers. Nikki Lake 07584028653 Indoor Games. Rod Fewings 07718390188 7-8.5pm Happy Body Project Julie Holl 0780873965 7.30pm Whist Drive Third Monday in the month and fifth if there are five Contact Judith Stanton 823313

Tuesday 9.30am-11.15. Chat & Make A term time group for Parents, Carers and toddlers 0– 5. For more details ring Church Office 342613 or Janine 01234 297481 9.30am -12.30 & 4-9pm Slimming World 9.30, 11.30, 3.30, 5.30, 7.30. Lorrie Pearson 340473 1.15pm U3A Cinema Group. Rod Fewings 07718390188 1.30pm U3A Choir. Contact Rod Fewings 07718390188 2.00pm U3A Book Group 1 (3rd Week in month) Contact Rod Fewings 07718390188 2.00pm U3A Book Group 2 (2nd Week in month) Contact Rod Fewings 077183901882 2.00pm U3A Photography Group 3 (1st Week in month) Contact Rod Fewings 07718390188 2.30pm Knit & Natter Group (Fortnightly) Wool and knitting needles provided. Mrs Maureen Watling 262225 2.00-3.30pm Tuesday Afternoon Housegroup. Fortnightly Social and Bible Study Mrs Jean Bank 355698 6-7pm Supple Strength Yoga Amanda Alcock 07769747393 7.30-9pm Faith Community Church Audua Ogilvie 01234 308644 8.00pm Hearts in Beds Committee (4th week in month) Mrs N Aspey 309816 8.20-9.20pm Restoration Pilates Johanna Debnam 07753418170

Wednesday

10.00-2pm Open House For those with learning disabilities, friends, family, carers etc 342613 10.00am U3A Gardening Group 3 Rod Fewings 07718390188 10.00am Holy Communion. St.Mark’s Chapel. 10am U3A Card Making. Rod Fewings 07718390188 10-4pm Sewing Group 4th week of the month Contact Sue Sewell 07979797747 1.15 Social Bridge Club. Mr Barnes 261811 2 4pm. U3A Craft 1st week in the month Contact Rod Fewings 07718390188 3.45– 5.30pm Messy Church Bible stories, crafts, singing and a meal. For children primary school age and their carers. Meeting dates 24/4,15/5,19/6,18/9,16/10,20/11 &1/12. Wendy Waters 401834

6.00pm Brownies Mrs. C Warden 219731 7.00pm Bunyan Bridge Peter Cullum 07545508185 8.00pm Tudor Reeds Folk Dance Club (1st,3rd and 5th Wednesday of the month. Except August). Everyone welcome. All dances called. Call Rosemary 405594 or Graham 406359 for more details. £2 including refreshments. Next meeting Wednesday October 16 8.00pm Bedford Wine and Social Club (1st week in the month) Jill Cooper 357960

Thursday

9.30-11.25am Chat & Play. A term time group for Parents, Carers & toddlers 0-5. Church office or Janine 297481 12pm Storybox. For the under 5’s and their carers between 12 noon and 1pm. Sandwich lunch and a Bible based story and singing. Contact Jaana Swaaby 3422613. 2-4pm. U3A Indoor Games. Rod Fewings 07718390188 2.30 - 4.30pm Bedford Art Society Jean Patterson 307210 2.30pm - 4.30pm Putnoe Art Group (PAG) Contact Bob Wardale 406094 Mob:07914451198 6-7pm Supple Strength Yoga Amanda Alcock 07769747393 7-9pm Bedford Community Gospel Choir Weekly meeting . Contact 07554148540 7.00pm U3A Singing for Fun (1st & 3rd week in month) Rod Fewings 07718390188 7.00pm Bedford Embroiderers’ Guild (3rd week in month). Carol Plant 01832710504 7.30pm Magpies. Meet on 2nd & 4 Thursday Call Rosemary 405594 for details. Next meeting

Next meeting is Thursday 24 October at 7.30 p.m. - My Approach to Natural History Photography by Alan Goodger. 8.00pm Bedford Writers Circle. (1st week in month). John Broadhouse 01525 404014

Friday 10am -12.00 U3A Photography (4th week in month) Contact Rod Fewings 07718390188 10.45am - 12 U3A Poetry & Literature Contact Rod Fewings 07718390188 2.00-4.00 pm U3A Whist (2nd week in month) Contact Rod Fewings 07718390188 7.45 - 10.45pm Bedford Astrology Club. (2nd week in month )Carol Brown 01438 233385 6.30 –7.30pm Pakua Martial Arts John Waugh 07802755914 7-9pm Mindfulness Meditation Bhante Samitha 07983466105

Saturday

9.00am Faith Community Church (1st week in month) Audua Ogilvie 01234 308644 10.00am-1pm Theatretrain Dancing acting, singing. Kate Howard 01234 782414 10am-1pm Sugarcraft Guild Cygnets (2nd week in month) Margaret Baldry 07919404906

Sunday

9.30 - 10.30 Church and Sunday School at St Mark’s with crèche for under 3’s 10 - 11am Hatha Yoga Contact Tracy Langford 07473033750 10 - 5.30pm Bedford Stamp Fayre at St. Mark’s. P Harris 01623 621143 1st wk Dec/Feb/Apr/Jun/Aug/Oct. 7-8pm Yogabellies. Classes for women during the prenatal period. Contact Symmone Clark 07931094052.

Regular Weekly Activities - St Mark’s Church

Page 3: St Mark s Church Parish News Trinity 17 Ordinary …...Leadership - The Reverend Alan Kirk Intercessions - Mr Warwick Holden Organist - Mr Clive Simmonds Lectionary Readings 2 Kings

Trinity 17 Ordinary 28 Opening Sentence Ps 111 v 2, 3 Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. Full of honour and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures for ever. Collect Prayer for the Day Before we read we pray Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you: pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself, and so bring us at last to your heavenly city where we shall see you face to face; 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. CW First Reading 2 Kings 5: 1-3 and 7-15c Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. Now bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” So the king of Aram sent a letter to the king of Israel: “With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.” As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!”

When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: “Why have you torn your robes? Make the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.” So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage.

Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’?” So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy. Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel.” (This is the word of the Lord -- Thanks be to God) Second Reading 2 Timothy 2: 8-15 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David – that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful – for he cannot deny himself. Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. (This is the word of the Lord -- Thanks be to God)

Page 4: St Mark s Church Parish News Trinity 17 Ordinary …...Leadership - The Reverend Alan Kirk Intercessions - Mr Warwick Holden Organist - Mr Clive Simmonds Lectionary Readings 2 Kings

Gospel Reading 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 the Samaritan, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’ CW (This is the word of the Lord -- Thanks be to God) Post Communion Prayer Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord. CW Hymns 1. Love divine (Blaenwern) MP 449 HP 267 2. Take this moments, sign and space (as) SF 513 (with instruments) 3. We have a gospel to proclaim (Fulda) MP 728 HP 405 4. And can it be (Sagina) MP 33 HP 216 5. Go forth and tell (Go forth) MP 178 HP 770 Commentary Seeing past the obvious It’s easy to overlook the fact that the leper who came back to thank Jesus was a Samaritan. We can easily focus on the fact that although ten people were healed only one came back with any form of thanks. The others, we could assume, were God fearing Jews as they were all told to show themselves to the priests, there was no sense of gratitude or even acknowledgement of the enormity of what has just happened as far as we can tell. Luke is once again giving us a sign and symbol of the breaking down of traditional barriers that kept the Judeans in the south separate from their neighbours in the north and the Jews separate from the Samaritans. In this story, as in others where Samaritans are mentioned, perhaps Jesus is showing that the healing of the nations (and their divisions) is possible, as well as physical healing of individuals. There are parallels with the gospel passage in the story of Naaman. Naaman is a reasonable character, he seems to get on with most people and his family, even if he is a little full of himself and likes to be treated with the respect he thinks his position should bring. Which is why he expects something a little grander than a messenger from Elisha to meet him at the door and pass him the memo that reads, ‘Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed’. At first indignant, Naaman’s servant persuades him to do as instructed, and as he complies, Naaman realises that he is healed. At this point, possibly feeling a little humiliated, yet grateful he has been healed of what was a debilitating disease, both physically and socially, he could have journeyed off into history. But he doesn’t. Like the Samaritan leper, he returns to the person who, through God, is the source of his healing, and in humility and gratitude acknowledges the true source of his healing. Naaman has only done what he has been instructed but shows his gratitude, which seems to be somewhat rebuffed by Elisha. Why are we implicitly critical of the nine healed lepers who did not come back to Jesus, they too had done what they had been told and were presumably equally as healed as the one who returned to give thanks to Jesus. Perhaps what Naaman and the Samaritan leper had in common was that they realised that their healing, as important as it was to them, was not then end of the story but the beginning. There was more to their healing than just a physical restoration of their flesh. It had a spiritual dimension too, and because of this spiritual dimension, it led to a demonstration and outpouring of joy and gratitude. In both Naaman and the leper who returned we have a graphic reminder that thanksgiving is part of our wholeness, and our healing. Thanksgiving too, gets things in perspective. How often do things turn out as

Page 5: St Mark s Church Parish News Trinity 17 Ordinary …...Leadership - The Reverend Alan Kirk Intercessions - Mr Warwick Holden Organist - Mr Clive Simmonds Lectionary Readings 2 Kings

we wish but we fail to give any thanks or acknowledgement to God for His hand being upon our situation? Thanksgiving should be part of our daily lives as we lift situations before God in prayer and ask for His intervention. Sometimes, a bit like the religious authorities in the times of Jesus, we believe we have all the answers and therefore don’t even look for the clues as to who Jesus is and the gift of life in all its fullness and wholeness He offers. Like the nine lepers who did not return to give thanks, it can be hard for us to see past the immediate and apparently obvious to see the bigger picture of God at work in restoring His creation and to give thanks for the parts of it that already know that restoration. The stories of Naaman and the leper who returned are reminders that part of our walk with God is giving thanks for the things He has done for us, expressing our gratitude to Him for not just the significant events in our lives which seem to have positive outcomes, but the everyday things, the small things, where we see God revealed and at work in His creation. Sam Cappleman Meditation In the gospel reading it’s easy to think that Jesus was instructing the lepers to go to the priests so that when the priests saw the lepers they would be healed. But this is not quite what the text says. Luke is clear that it’s as the lepers go on their way it is then that they are healed. According to the Torah and Jewish law, anyone with leprosy was cast outside the community (…’put outside the camp…’, Num 5 v 23) which is why the lepers call to Jesus from a distance. Lepers were ‘unclean’ outsiders who would find life extremely challenging ‘outside the community’ with little means of making a living, providing for themselves and their families or of making a home. Unless and until they could be readmitted back into the wider community life would be hard with little hope or prospect of ever being able to live an ordinary life again. Leviticus tells us that it was the priest’s duty to examine sores and declare whether or not they were leprous, a process that would probably involve several visits to be sure of the outcome. However, once declared clean (healed) by the priests, the former lepers would be free to return to the community and regain their normal lives. Jesus is therefore asking the priests (Jewish leaders!) to confirm the healing which has taken place as God’s Kingdom breaks through. All are healed, and yet in echoes of the story of the Good Samaritan, it is the Samaritan, a man who may have had more reason than others to question the request Jesus makes to them to go and see the Priests in the temple, who goes back to offer thanks for Jesus for what has happened. But it is to this person alone Jesus says that his faith has made him well. Some would translate this as his faith had saved him. In addition to meeting his physical needs, Jesus had met his deeper spiritual needs too. This man, it would seem, is no longer a physical outsider nor a spiritual one either. He has truly found somewhere where he can make his home. As we seek to meet the physical needs of those around us, which is critically important, we too should not forget that many will also have spiritual needs. Our prayer is that they too will catch a glimpse of the spiritual hope and future open to everyone as they encounter the living Christ, who sometimes seems to ask the strangest things. As their physical needs are met so their spiritual eyes may be opened to the true fullness of life on offer. Sam Cappleman Prayers for Sunday and the Week Ahead Creator God, your world longs to live in peace. We pray for your healing peace; for countries at war with one another, for communities where there is conflict, for victims of past and present wars, for communities where there is no trust or integrity. Your world longs to live in justice and peace, but not justice peace at any price. We pray for those who stir up dissension, inequality and break down trust and we lift to you those who campaign for justice, champion the poor and oppressed, and challenge dishonesty and lack of integrity wherever they appear in our world. Amen Grant to me, O Lord, a humble, lowly and quiet heart. Give to my waking hours patience, kindness and tenderness of soul. Let all my words, my works and my thoughts be overshadowed by the gift of your most Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. Thomas More, 1478-1535 Holy and loving God, in Jesus you walked the hills of Galilee and the busy streets of Capernaum; you addressed multitudes and had time for individuals. Renew in us each morning the light of your presence, that whatever the day brings we may be channels of your renewing Spirit, and share in your good purposes for the world, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the eternal covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen

Page 6: St Mark s Church Parish News Trinity 17 Ordinary …...Leadership - The Reverend Alan Kirk Intercessions - Mr Warwick Holden Organist - Mr Clive Simmonds Lectionary Readings 2 Kings

Christmas Craft Fayre - 23 November 2019 If anyone has any hyacinth vases that they do not want please could they bring them to the Church office. Many thanks. Avril

Bedford Foodbank Jam, Cup-a-Soup, Squash, Tinned Fruit, Long-life Fruit, Juice, Jars of Pasta Sauce, Biscuits, Tin Openers, Washing Up Liquid, Cleaning Spray, Old Saucepans St Paul's Church November Fair, Saturday November 2nd. Doors open at 10.00am, free to enter. A wide range of gift and craft stalls to start your Christmas shopping. Refreshments available. Half Term Breaks There is no Chat and Make on Tuesday 22 October and Chat and Play on Thursday 24 as it is Half Term. Storybox is also on holiday on Thursday 24 October Date for your diary. We are delighted that Bishop Alan has agreed to come and be our speaker for the next special Harvest Weekend on 17 & 18 October. Please book the date now for Saturday afternoon and the Harvest Church Family Meal Footprints Walk Sunday 3 November 2019 A walk of about two and a half miles, one minor hill. Starts at 2.00pm Not 2.30pm (Winter start). Location of commencement of walk, car park off Wentworth Drive in Mowsbury Park near the café. Details Tel 01234 327219

A Picture Paints a Thousand Words Laurent de La Hyre is not a vary famous French painter although he became one of the foremost in Paris in his time. His father Etienne was a painter and he was also influenced by Poussin. One of the significant details of his life was that at the age of thirty-three, he married the daughter of the personal bodyguard of Louis XIII, king of France.

In this painting he shows a scene in which St Paul is on the Island of Malta after being shipwrecked. The events which lead to this episode are described in Chapter 27 of Acts and they make fascinating reading. Significant details are recorded of how the ship is managed over a period of two stormy weeks, from the nautical headings of the ship, landmarks and even the depths of the seafloor. The ship is lightened to stay clear of rocks by throwing overboard all of the cargo and eventually even the ship’s tackle was abandoned to the raging sea. We know that Paul was a natural leader and from the events described he plays a major part in managing the crisis. He prevents the 300 men crew from leaving the ship, telling them that if they stayed on the ship they would be safe. He also encouraged everybody to eat so that they would have strength for their inevitable ordeal in the sea. One of the important details told is that they put out four anchors from the boat to avoid running aground on rocks and headed for a sandy beach.

In Acts 28 we are given information which relates to this scene painted by La Hyre. It tells that as they were shipwrecked on Malta the local people looked after them and in the cold of a raining storm they lit a fire and welcomed the survivors. We are told that it was whilst they were gathered around this fire Paul gathered brushwood and a viper fearing the fire bit his hand. The locals seeing this unfortunate accident waited for the poison from the snake to kill Paul. When he survived they began to think he was a god. Publius was the leader of the Island and he provided hospitality. When his father became sick with fever and dysentery Paul prayed for him and he and other sick people on the Island were healed.

Look at the painting and you can see some of the details described in Acts 28. The remnants of the wrecked ship can be seen in the distance, the mast falling into the sea. The crew have come ashore on Malta by grabbing onto planks and bits of broken ship. The friendly local people gather around and one holds in his hand the viper which has bitten the Apostle as he is seated at the fire holding his red wounded hand to his head. This is the point at which they obviously expected him like previous victims to die.

This is a topical story because newspapers were alive last week with reports that an anchor from the broken ship which had carried St Paul had been found. Actually four were discovered in the 1960’s in St. Thomas Bay on Malta's southern coast and only one now survives. They were not considered significant at the time because the popular belief was that the shipwreck event happened in St. Paul's Bay located on the northern region where tourists still come to visit the Shipwreck Cathedral. However the discovered anchor is dated to the first-century when Paul's shipwreck occurred. and archaelogists from the Bible Archaeology Search and Exploration (BASE) Institute believe that St Thomas Bay is the more likely landing point. We will never know if these were the lost anchors, but what is not in doubt is that St Paul had a profound effect upon the people of Malta. As a consequence of the shipwreck he was able to bring the Gospel to Malta which is still arguably the most Christian nation in Europe with over 95% professing the Catholic faith.

Page 7: St Mark s Church Parish News Trinity 17 Ordinary …...Leadership - The Reverend Alan Kirk Intercessions - Mr Warwick Holden Organist - Mr Clive Simmonds Lectionary Readings 2 Kings

St

Pau

l S

hip

wre

cked

on

Malt

a

Laure

nt d

e L

a H

aye, 16

30, B

irm

ingham

Museum

of A

rt, A

labam

a

Page 8: St Mark s Church Parish News Trinity 17 Ordinary …...Leadership - The Reverend Alan Kirk Intercessions - Mr Warwick Holden Organist - Mr Clive Simmonds Lectionary Readings 2 Kings

St Mark’s 25th Annual Christmas Craft Fayre We are only 6 weeks away and as it is our 25th year of our Christmas Craft Fayre we wanted to make it a really bumper year. Therefore your help with the following will be very much appreciated. Raffle Tickets The Raffle tickets are on the table in the foyer this morning. Please take as many as you would like to sell to your friends and family. You don’t have to pay today take them home and sell them to family and friends and bring them back before or by 23 November. Posters We also have some posters and we would be grateful for any help in distributing them. There is a list of potential locations, and if you can think of other sites/places that are not included please add them to the list. As we are not doing leaflets this year we would like as many posters to go out as possible. Can you also post this on social media for us ? Donations We are having the usual Church stalls again and donated items will be greatly appreciated. New Tombola Please make sure that donated items are new and unused. Any queries please see Ian Farthing or John Day. Cake Stall Homemade cakes would be really welcome Second hand Bookstall Books in good condition plus any jigsaws (with all the pieces) please. Indoor/Outdoor Plant Stall Please see Wendy Waters Refreshments Tray bakes please to sell with teas and coffees. If you can help on the day in any way with these stalls we would be very grateful. Your help is vital in making the Craft Fayre a very enjoyable and successful day. Any queries that I can help you with, then please see me in the Foyer after this morning’s service. As always your help is very much appreciated as we could not run this large fundraising event without your help. Please contact Avril Williams on 360605

Forthcoming Funerals

The funeral of Norma Taylor will take place at Bedford Crematorium at

4.00pm on Friday 18 October

All funerals at Bedford Crematorium can be found @ www.bedford.gov.uk/obituaries

Rest In Peace

On the Sunday following a funeral service we remember in church those who have died.

We light a candle to symbolise the light of Christ which eternally shines and

brings hope. If you would like a person remembered in our service when the candle is

lit, perhaps on an anniversary or birthday, please inform the ministers, or telephone the

church office. Hilary Jane Ryan

Maryrose Winifred Cairns

May the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace

and rise in glory . Amen.

Support St Mark’s Church It couldn’t be easier to support St Mark’s. Go to www.easyfundraising.org.uk and in the middle where ity says ‘Search for a Cause’ type St Marks Church, Bedford. Enter your details and register. The best way is to download the app and it will remind you to donate.

We would be delighted to come and do this for you in your home and offer helpful advice on computer issues. Just call St Mark’s Church Office!