News from our Churches

13th After Trinity - Sunday 30th August

11.00am Thaxted Sung Mass (DS)

4.00pm Little Sampford Jubilate! (DS)

Monday 31st August

7.30pm Thaxted Praying the Rosary

Wednesday 2nd September

10.00am Thaxted Low Mass (DS)

Thursday 3rd September

11.00am Thaxted Funeral of Stefan Shambrook (SL)

14th After Trinity - Sunday 6th September

8.00am Thaxted Low Mass (DS)

9.30am Radwinter Praise Service (GC)

10.00am Thaxted Open Doors (DS)

6.00pm Thaxted Evensong (DS)

Monday 7th September

7.30pm Thaxted Praying the Rosary

Wednesday 9th September

10.00am Thaxted Low Mass (DS)

Dear sisters and brothers,

This week's gospel is directional and instructional. Jesus understands he must go on a journey: 'From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised'. Immediately after the wonderful confession of faith in Jesus as the Messiah (last Sunday's gospel), Peter replies to Jesus' pronouncement about the suffering to come, “this must never happen to you”. He is immediately rebuked with those extraordinary words "Get behind me, Satan!"

Peter, who had for once said just the right thing, gets it so wrong; Jesus needed his disciples to know what was coming. As disciples today, we need to reflect on the same. Jesus shows us that life is a journey, sacrificial for his sake and the glory of God. It isn't about living and reliving one special moment or time, but keeping in the moment. Taking up our cross as Jesus calls us to is a journey towards the kingdom of God.

The church can get fixed in her mindset (sometimes through us, her congregations and members, being rigidly fixed in ours), but the fixed point, like the Pole star, should only be the eternal and unchanging truth of the Gospel; the peace of God which surpasses our understanding, not our own understanding of right and wrong. God is our only judge (it is worth keeping in mind!)

And, of course, in him we live, and move, and have our being (cf Acts 17:28).

Surely, the gospel is best shared and loved when we allow God to give us direction on the journey.

Jesus says: If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

What we will find is the kingdom, and that is true glory.

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,

David.

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

Today’s Gospel is a reminder that following Jesus is not always going to be a “bed of roses” and we must be prepared for all that comes to us, good and bad.

For all who are persecuted for their Christian faith, especially in Asia and Africa.

For the families of all who were killed in the horrific car crash in Middlesborough, especially those of the two police officers who were killed.

Those who strive to stop the rising tide of lawlessness in our nation.

The Collect prayer for the 13th Sunday after Trinity:

Almighty God,

who called your Church to bear witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the cross, and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Saturday 29th - Monday 31st August 10am - 4pm Radwinter Quilters are celebrating 25 years of craftmanship and friendship with a show of quilts and much more at Radwinter Parish Church. Entry by donation to the church and to Motor Neurone Disease.

Sunday 30th August 4pm Jubilate! Our whole benefice service, this time in St Mary the Virgin, Little Sampford. 3pm for a come and sing/scratch choir run through prior to the service. Do join us. 

Monday 31st August The World Renowned Thaxted Morris Men will be dancing in Thaxted Churchyard from 11.00am - 12.00noon.

Saturday 5th September 10.00am - 12.00noon Radwinter Church First Saturday Coffee Morning.  All welcome!

Saturday 5th September 2.00pm Teddy Bear Parachute Jump from the roof of Thaxted Parish Church!  Bring along your Brave Bears and other cuddly toys for the adventure of a life time!

Tuesday 8th September 4.00pm - 5.30pm Messy Church returns to Thaxted URC.  As usual, we will be having fun with crafts, games and songs, followed by a shared tea.  Please book by phoning 01799 524944 or emailing thaxtedmessychurch@outlook.com.

Friday 11th September 1.00pm - 1.50pm Thaxted Parish Church Lunchtime Concert Free Entry with donations going to support the music ministry.  Tea and coffee will be provided.

Saturday 12th September 10.00am - 12.30pm Coffee Morning and Lego Club at Thaxted URC.  Join us for coffee, tea, cake and chat.   Everybody welcome!

Friday 18th & Saturday 19th September - Great Sampford Primary School 150 Celebrations  Gt Sampford Primary school will take its 150th intake this September and everyone is invited to come and celebrate.  Past, present and future children and their parents, together with any villagers, are welcome to the events.  The afternoon tea and BBQ are free and open to all.  The BBQ will be after the procession at 15.30.  Please register to assist us with catering.  Call Peter Wolstenhome 07506 594849 with any questions.

Thursday 24th September 7pm Online talk from Braintree Museum and the Warner Textile Archive: Symbolism in Ecclesiastical Textiles with Marianna Garthwaite Klaiman

11th September will see our first concert. The concert will be given by myself and two internationally acclaimed colleagues - violinist, Julia Bishop and harpsichordist, David Wright.  We will offer music from baroque opera and the greats of Purcell and JS Bach.

Bring all your friends and neighbours.

Watch out for more information on this and put the first Friday in your diary.

Let's kick off the opening of this series in style!

Charles Humphries

music@ttsrh.org