News from our Churches

Sunday 11th October

Lt Sampford 8.00am Eucharist (DS)

Gt Sampford 9.30am Eucharist (DS)

Thaxted 11.00am Sung Mass (DS)

Monday 12th October

Thaxted 7.30pm Praying the Rosary

Wednesday 14th October

Thaxted 10.00am Low Mass (DS)

Sunday 18th October - Luke the Evangelist

Hempstead 8.00am Eucharist (DS)

Little Sampford 9.30am Eucharist (CB)

Thaxted 11.00am Sung Mass (DS)

Monday 19th October

Thaxted 7.30pm Praying the Rosary

Wednesday 21st October

Thaxted 10.00am Low Mass (DS)

Dear sisters and brothers,

We are vulnerable to being distracted, turning away from God and devoting ourselves to what we think is best. Moses, according to the people who saw him go up the mountain, had delayed up there too long. They were worried, and got distracted. They gave up their gold, 'formed it in a mould, and cast an image of a calf’ and then burnt offerings before it. God was persuaded from ending their days, for this, by Moses.

We are also distracted by so much, and there is so much in our lives that can lead us away from our faith and our God, just as they were. The distraction away from God is in Sunday’s gospel too, as well as the Old Testament reading. We hear, in a parable, of people invited to a wedding feast who did not attend because they had ‘better’ things to do. In the wedding banquet, all is provided, but those who are invited fail to show up. Those people are something like the issue with self-centred habits and distractions, which lead us to miss the richness of God’s invitation.

In the parable of the wedding feast, in the end, everyone was invited. One person was thrown out for not wearing the right clothes: the invitation is for everyone, but to accept and follow Christ is to accept that we are changed through him.

Spend time with the readings for Sunday, find the gospel in the gospel, and find the cause for joy and hope, and life in all its fullness.  

Thank you for who you are. Wherever you are, wherever you are going, may God bless you and the precious, holy ground you stand on.

I am ever yours, in the love of God,

Fr David - Rector of Thaxted, the Sampfords, Radwinter & Hempstead

The importance of proper preparation for our Christian journey through life and by putting Christ first and foremost.

Our responsibilities as Christians to our families and friends.

Community life and spirit in the places that make up our Benefice.

Those who are homeless, especially in Cambridge, Chelmsford and Harlow, and all who work with them.

Local branches of environmental societies.

The Collect Prayer - 19th after Trinity

Faithful Lord whose steadfast love never ceases and whose mercies never come to an end: grant us the grace to trust you and to receive the gifts of your love, new every morning, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Monday 12th October 2.30pm HIGNFY at St Mary’s, Little Sampford.  This week’s theme “A recent outing or a future outing”  Refreshments will be available and all are welcome!

Tuesday 13th October Messy Church returns to Thaxted URC from 4.00pm - 5.30pm. As usual, we will be having fund with crafts, games and songs, followed by a shared tea.  Please book by calling 01799 524944 or by emailing thaxtedmessychurch@outlook.com

Saturday 17th October Coffee Morning & Lego Club 10.00am - 12.30pm at Thaxted URC.  Join us for coffee, tea, cake and chat.  Toy & Lego club for families.  All welcome.

Saturday 17th October Arts & Crafts Fayre 10am - 4pm Over 60 carefully curated stalls from local artists and makers at Thaxted Parish Church.

Saturday 31st October Thaxted Parish Church Saffron Walden Symphony Orchestra James Bond Themes 7.30pm

Saturday 21st November Thaxted Parish Church Christmas Fayre 10am - 1pm