NEWSLETTER, 02,01,22: EPIPHANY
New Year marks a significant moment in the civil rather than religious calendar, but it does afford the use the “searching Covenant Renewal service of the Methodist tradition” which has been adopted by many mainstream denominations. We’ll be using a version of it tomorrow, and I hope you will find it both moving and challenging as we step forward together into 2022.
Another borrowed tradition, from our Roman Catholic friends, is that of “chalking,” which we will be encouraging tomorrow. The ritual is simple: take some chalk and write the following at the door of your home:
20 + C + M + B + 22.
The letters have two meanings.
First, they represent the initials that legend has given the Magi: Caspar, Malchior, and Balthazar, who came to visit Jesus in his first home.
They also abbreviate the Latin phrase,
Christus mansionem benedicat:
“May Christ bless the house.”
The “+” signs represent the cross, and the “20” and the “22” mark the year from start to finish. You can use this prayer, and even tape it to the inside of the door as a reminder when you open it:
May all who come to our home this year rejoice to find Christ living among us; and may we seek and serve, in everyone we meet, that same Jesus who is your incarnate Word, now and forever. Amen.
THIS SUNDAY: 2ND JANUARY
9.15 am: Breakfast in the Hall (full English!)
10.00am Joint Holy Communion Service celebrating Epiphany and including Covenant Renewal
followed by dismantling of the wreaths - do please stop on to help.
CHANGE TO SERVICE PATTERNS AT HOLY TRINITY WITH EFFECT FROM 9TH OF JANUARY
Following a period of reflection we have agreed a change to the service pattern in 2022 with effect from the 9th of January.
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8.30am will continue to be a conventional communion service following common worship with two hymns.
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10.00am contemporary worship for all the family lasting half an hour.
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11.15am a conventional service of morning worship with two hymns, with communion once a month, hosted by John Paton.
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Wednesday communion will continue at 11.00am.
If attending services and events please ensure that you:
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use the hand sanitiser provided,
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follow instructions for social distancing,
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wear a face covering, this is a mandatory legal requirement in places of worship, unless you are exempt.
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please do not come if you are suffering any symptoms or have been instructed by your doctor to self-isolate.
ONLINE WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Sunday: 10.45am Family Worship
Prayer on Zoom: 746 3807 2408
Monday to Thursday: Morning Prayer 9.00 – 9.30am
PRAYER HARMONY
Arise shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the lord rises upon you. Isaiah 60:1
As we start a New Year, with all the fears that have beset us from the past year, pray for renewed hope and trust in God’s promises. We pray for God’s blessing on Formby and surrounding districts for protection and guidance, that we may show God’s presence in everything we do and say. We pray that each one of us, will hear what God wants us to help Him with, and be willing to step out for Him, bringing His light with us.
We pray for the children going back to school, college and university, that they will have minimal disruption to their education this year and that they will fulfil their potential. We pray for their safety and health, and that they will have the courage to admit to their faith, in the face of disbelief. We give thanks for the children of the church, especially for the depth of their faith. We pray for all families in Formby, especially those who are suffering because of poverty, loneliness or mental illness, all of which can be hidden problems, with a brave face covering great sadness.
RESOURCES FOR PRAYER AND BIBLE READING:
Mark recommends Lectio 365, you can find details of their free app here:
https://www.24-7prayer.com/dailydevotional
Want to dig deeper, but don’t know where to start. Bible Project have some great videos and pod casts:
Want to read the bible on your phone, download the free YouVersion app:
Lastly the Church of England’s Daily Office app, you’ll find details here:
https://www.chpublishing.co.uk/apps/time-to-pray
And sign up to the Liverpool Diocesan rule of life here www.ruleoflife.org.uk and receive weekly emails.
SUPPORTING THE MISSION AND MINISTRY OF OUR CHURCH WITH OUR MONEY
If you've been used to giving to Church through the plate or the envelope scheme you can now join the Parish Giving Scheme online. The Parish Giving Scheme is our preferred way of giving and is a great way to continue your support whilst the building is closed. Click to www.parishgiving.org.uk/home ,then click 'Find Your Parish' and type “Formby Holy Trinity” to set up a new account in a couple of minutes. Then follow the easy steps to set up your Direct Debit and Gift Aid if you are able - and bless your church through the PGS. Giving now rather than saving up for when the building is open will enable us to honour God by meeting our commitments. Alternatively, here is the link to our JustGiving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/holy-trinity-church-formby
Holy Trinity is now a charity you can select on smile.amazon.co.uk. AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of the net purchase price of eligible purchases to:
“The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of Holy Trinity Formby”
KEEPING IN TOUCH
We have endeavoured to phone everyone on the electoral roll and our aim is to phone everyone on a rolling cycle, if we’ve missed you, we’re really sorry! Please let us know, there are some numbers that we’re missing and some that are wrong.
Do please forward this letter to anyone you know who hasn’t received it, and email Mark to unsubscribe if you don’t want to receive further issues.