01989 562175 administrator@rawchurch.org.uk rawchurch.org.uk

SERVICES NEXT WEEK

Thursday 24th August

10.00am Holy Communion - Ross

Sunday 27th August

8.00am Holy Communion - Ross

9.30am All Age Eucharist - Ross

11.15am Baptism - Ross

11.15am Family Service and Baptism - Walford

Post Communion Prayer

God of our pilgrimage, you have willed that the gate of mercy should stand open for those who trust in you: look upon us with your favour that we who follow the path of your will may never wander from the way of life;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

SERVICES TODAY

8.00am Holy Communion - Ross The Revd Simon Tarlton

9.30am Sung Eucharist - Ross The Rev’d Sarah Jones and Canon Freda Davies Setting: A New English Mass - Appleford Introit: 232 The head that once was crowned with thorns Psalm : 67 see overleaf Gradual: 129 Lord teach us how to pray aright Offertory: 621 dear Lord and Father of mankind Post Communion: 763 Praise to the holiest in the height

9.30am Parish Communion - Walford The Rev’d Canon Chris Blanchard

Entry: 16 (verses 1-2, 5-6) All hail the power Gospel : 933 (chorus only) Laudate dominum Offertory : 359 Jesus shall reign Post-Communion: 684 Thou whose almighty word

11.15am Village Service Brampton Abbotts Village Hall The Rev’d Prebendary Caroline Pascoe and The Rev’d Canon Marvin Bamforth

Please join us for coffee in St Mary’s Hall after the 9.30 service in Ross.

The Gospel of Matthew was intended to

prompt the thinking of the Jewish people who

might have been drawn to Christianity. The

only problem was that they were so immersed

in their ‘old time religion’ that the idea of

offering a healing ministry to the Canaanite

woman, seen as a foreigner and as a gentile

was not acceptable to many. They were

seeking a form of Christianity that would

continue to ensure their exclusiveness as the

chosen people.

Two words occur in the story – demons and

faith. The demons are the things that get in

the way of a full life, whilst faith is offered as

the means of support in coping. These themes

occur throughout the narrative. From Peter

coping with his personal fear whilst Jesus

stilled the storm, to the prodigal son coping

with meeting the aftermath of his own demons

in returning home, the miracles and parables

stress the battle between demons and faith.

Whilst the Jewish hearers may have been

attracted to Jesus because of the immediacy of

his healing, few would have dug deeper to

recognise the importance of an inclusive

The Rev’d Sarah Jones | 01989 562175 | sarah.jones@rawchurch.org.uk (not Tuesdays)

The Rev’d Simon Tarlton |01600 890185 | simon.tarlton@gmail.com (Mon-tue-Thu-Sun )

The Rev’d Canon Chris Blanchard | 01989 762368 | frchris2@icloud.com (Sun - Wed)

The Rev’d Canon Marvin Bamforth | 01989 562305 | marvinandsue72@gmail.com (Th-Sun)

ministry to all people. Within years the

Jewish hostility to the Young Churches led

to the death of Stephen and subsequent

martyrs.

We cannot condemn their response

though, given the attitudes of our own

time. The current argument over Donald

Trump’s implied sympathy with the right

wing white Americans in Charlottesville;

the continuing dilemma over the admission

of migrants to Europe with the horrors of

false promises and exploitation, and the

increasing tension amongst knife-wielding

groups in some of our urban areas trying to

maintain their exclusiveness, all impact

adversely on our communities.

Inclusiveness in sharing and living the good

news requires facing collective demons and

strengthening our faith.

Derek

20th August 2017

Tenth Sunday After Trinity

We offer a warm welcome to everyone at our services today

Newsletter The Benefice of Ross with Walford

and

Brampton Abbotts

rawchurch.org.uk

We remember those who have died :

John Constance Tracey Elaine Minton

TODAY’S 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 READINGS

First Reading Isaiah 56.1, 6-8

Thus says the LORD: Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed. 6 And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it, and hold fast my covenant – 7 these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. 8 Thus says the Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them besides those already gathered.

Second Reading Romans 11.1-2a, 29-32

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. 32 For God has imprisoned

all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.

Gospel Reading Matthew 15.(10-20), 21-28

10 Then Jesus called the crowd to him and said to them, ‘Listen and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.’ 12 Then the disciples approached and said to him, ‘Do you know that the Pharisees took offence when they heard what you said?’ 13 He answered, ‘Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.’ 15 But Peter said to him, ‘Explain this parable to us.’ 16 Then he said, ‘Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. 19 For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.’ 21 Jesus went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 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.’ 23 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.’ 24 He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ 26 He answered, ‘It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs.’ 27 She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ 28 Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.‘ And her daughter was healed instantly.

Notices

Summer Teas on Sundays

Delicious homemade teas will be served on Sunday afternoons throughout August from 2.30-5pm in St Mary’s Church hall to raise funds for St Mary’s - Margaret Mason.

Reordering St Mary’s – You can find out more detail on the reordering work that will be starting in a month’s time at reordering.wordpress.com. There is a new page offering a series of questions and answers relating to the introduction of chairs and a link to donations pages for those wishing to donate a chair. You can also feedback thoughts and comments. Alternatively please talk to one of the Redevelopment group or see the display by the north door. Please direct people here from outside our immediate community to learn more of what will be taking place. Mark Sanderson

Hassocks When we replace the pews with chairs in St Mary’s we will not need as many hassocks as we have now; which means we will want to dispose of some. Those we are proposing to dispose of have been placed in the pews adjacent to the clergy vestry and will remain there for the rest of the month. Anyone who wishes to take any of them is very welcome to do so. Thanks and best wishes John Setchfield

Grab a pew Here’s your opportunity to grab a bit of Ross history. The pews that will be removed in September (back of St Mary’s and south aisle) are looking for new homes. We are hoping to sell them for £100. If you’d like one just write your contact details on the label on the pew of your choice or let the office know and we’ll get back to you. More information on the sheet available at the back of St Mary’s or at reordering.wordpress.com/grab-a-pew. Mark Sanderson.

Chair Donations for St Mary’s

Thank you again for your continued support. Donations have now been received for 43 of the 100 chairs we need to buy. This will make a big contribution to our re-ordering. If you would like to make donation (£160 or £128 with Gift Aid) please use the leaflet at the back of St Mary’s or contact the office. Sarah

Date for your diary - Harvest Supper Saturday 23rd September St Mary’s. Tickets available shortly. Margaret Mason

Psalm 67

1 God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, 2 That your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations. 3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. 4 O let the nations rejoice and be glad, for you will judge the peoples righteously and govern the nations upon earth. 5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. 6 Then shall the earth bring forth her increase, and God, our own God, will bless us. 7 God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen