Sunday 25th July Feast of St James the Apostle Trinity 8

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If this is your first newsletter, welcome … if you have any questions about the church family, the Christian faith or about our children’s work, please do not hesitate to call Matthew the Rector on 01787 310 845. This newsletter combines:

 Notices for this week (p1 – p3)  The church diary (including livestream & Zoom joining instructions) (p4)  Prayers and readings for Sunday’s morning service (p5)

‘Freedom Day’ – ish! (Important - please read) On Monday, the government lifted the legal restrictions and replaced them with guidance which encourages us to cautiously permit changes in behaviour; this is reflected in the guidance given by the Church of . Evidently many are still apprehensive about relaxing restrictions; others are enthusiastic for greater freedoms. Following a meeting this week with our Wardens, with representatives of & and our clergy team, we have agreed the following practices for churches in our Benefice. These will of course be reviewed regularly and we will be listening to how people feel with these arrangements. Therefore to start we ask that people continue to wear face coverings when moving around the church, but those who wish to remove them may do so once they are seated. We very much look forward to singing together on Sunday, however we ask that as we stand to sing, those who have removed masks put them back on again. To be clear we are asking that face coverings are worn on entry, when singing, when going up to communion, and when leaving church. Communion arrangements will remain the same as they have been in recent months. We will keep the doors open for ventilation, and encourage peope to sanitise on entry etc. We will not get close for the Peace. At Holy Trinity the ropes will remain in place to encourage spacing between people. We thank you for your understanding. It will be a joy to sing together once more. I was recently reminded by a local church leader about a quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “It is the voice of the Church that is heard in singing together. It is not you that sings, it is the Church that is singing, and you, as a member of the Church, may share in its song. … Thus all singing together that is right must serve to widen our spiritual horizon, make us see our little company as a member of the great Christian Church on earth, and help us willingly and gladly to join our singing, be it feeble or good, to the song of the Church.” Our singing may be a bit feeble as we are out of practice, but let us make a joyful song to the Lord (Psalm 95:1-2). Rev Lawson

Church office: 07804 558 160 www.longmelfordchurch.com www.alphetonandshimplingchurches.org.uk Page 1 Sunday 25th July Feast of St James the Apostle Trinity 8 Launchpad - Camping Weekend 10th – 12th September Normally in summer there are a variety of Christian Festivals e.g. Spring Harvest, Greenbelt, New Wine, Soul Survivor, and so on; these are particularly helpful for families due to the children’s groups, however all are very welcome. Living, praying (and camping!) together deepens relationships between all involved. Though not quite the same scale, Lightwave , headed by Archdeacon Sally Gaze, will be hosting ‘Launchpad’ - a weekend away to encounter God afresh. This will take place at the Vauxhall Christian Trust, CO7 6QQ (between Ipswich and Colchester). The weekend will include the commissioning (or recommissioning) of our Lightwave leaders by Bishop Mike on Saturday evening.

You can come for one day (no camping); under 5’s are free. Food is provided. Some basic chalets are also available. There is a swimming pool.

Please visit: here to book and/or email queries to [email protected]. We are hoping to take a group from the Chadbrook Benefice – please contact Vicky if you are planning to attend so we can camp together ([email protected]). July to November 2021 Rota The provisional rota is now on the website, I would be grateful if you could please let me know if you are on the rota for anything and would like it changing. Many Thanks, Vicky ([email protected]). Please note that the service pattern for Alpheton and Shimpling is in light of the possible union with and will be reviewed regularly.

Message from Melford Good Neighbours We have had an extremely generous offer from someone who has an Electric Buggy which is no longer needed and was wondering if we know of anybody who could make use of it. The only problem is that it needs a new battery which will cost £215. The purchase price of the buggy was £1500! Please do contact Vicky now if you are interested ([email protected]). Confirmation / Enquirers In autumn we will be holding a course for all wanting to learn more about the Christian Faith, or indeed any who want to get baptised or confirmed. It will be on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm starting on the 6th October. If you would like to find out more please contact the Rector Matthew Lawson on 01787 310 845 or [email protected]. The Book Group will be meeting at Mansel Hall, Little St Mary’s, at 6pm on: Thursday 29th July to consider The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex, Thursday 19th August to consider The Choice by Edith Eger, Thursday 16th September to consider The End of the World is Flat by Simon Edge. All are welcome; the meeting is a good opportunity to meet people, have a glass and enjoy the books. Get in touch with Cheryl (07943 811030) or Sally (07808 338751) with any queries.

Church office: 07804 558 160 www.longmelfordchurch.com www.alphetonandshimplingchurches.org.uk Page 2 Sunday 25th July Feast of St James the Apostle Trinity 8 Suffolk Art Society exhibition Saturday 24th July to Sunday 8th August In the Lady Chapel at Holy Trinity . Monday to Sunday 10.00am – 5.30pm. Free Admission. Covid Precautions in place. See www.suffolkartsociety.co.uk

Alpheton Village Hall Open Day (24th July) & Coffee Pot (27th July) There is some fresh energy in Alpheton Village, with a new Village Hall Committee, many new residents, and Coffee Pot restarting. Please visit the Village Hall between 11am and 3pm on Saturday 24th for refreshments and to meet some of the Team. Coffee Pot restarts on Tues 27th at 10.00am.

Macmillan Charity Walk On Sat 31st July, Richard Blyth will be taking part in the 26 mile Macmillan Cancer Charity Walk from , Long Melford to Mill, Dedham Vale. Anybody who wishes to help him raise money please visit his donation page via the just giving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/richard-blyth12 or call him on 01284 828544. Many thanks Music in my ears Please note that if you happen to visit Holy Trinity Church after 3.00pm on Thurday 29th there is a chance you will hear a visiting choir from All Saint’s Fulham who are on tour. This is not a concert but just a chance for them to both have a tour of the church and to enjoy singing in a beautiful setting. Also please be aware that Choral Evensong starts next week (Sunday 1st August at 6.30pm at Holy Trinity Church). We are very much looking forward to this service, which will include two hymns dedicated to the memory of the late Roy Fox, may he rest in peace and rise in glory. Marianne Sansbury Some sad news is to let you know that Marianne died last week - peacefully at her home in with their daughter and a carer at her side. She was 85 and approaching her 86th birthday. Many of you will remember Marianne as the wife of former Rector Rev Christopher Sansbury. Marianne was well known for the beautiful rectory garden she maintained.

Church office: 07804 558 160 www.longmelfordchurch.com www.alphetonandshimplingchurches.org.uk Page 3 Sunday 25th July Feast of St James the Apostle Trinity 8 Diary Sun 25th 10.30am Holy Communion at Holy Trinity with Live Stream * 11.45am Zoom Coffee after the Service ** Mon 26th 11.00am Connect Picnic at Melford Country Park (Rodbridge) 4.00pm Burial of Ashes at Holy Trinity Tues 27th 9.00am Morning Prayer # 10.00am Coffee Pot Alpheton Village Hall 1.00pm Funeral at Holy Trinity - Peter Gavin Eidsgard Wed 28th 7.30pm Bell Ringing Practice at Holy Trinity Thurs 29th 3.00pm Visiting Choir at Holy Trinity – All Saints, Fulham Fri 29rd 4.00pm Wedding Rehearsal at Alpheton – Tom & Catherine Sat 31st 1.00pm Wedding at Alpheton – Tom & Catherine Sun 1st Aug 9.00am Holy Communion at Alpheton 10.30am Holy Communion at Holy Trinity with Live Stream * 11.45am Zoom Coffee after the Service ** 12.30pm Christening at Holy Trinity – Charlotte 6.30pm Choral Evensong at Holy Trinity

* Livestream Joining Instructions  Google the five words “Holy Trinity Long Melford Facebook”.  Click on the top link (or simply click here) to open the church’s Facebook page and scroll down a bit.  Please note that you do not need a Facebook account yourself in order to watch the livestream. ** Zoom Coffee after the Service Zoom Meeting ID: 833 5925 6347, Passcode: 682003, or click this link # Morning Prayer Zoom Meeting ID: 810 2345 2032, Password: 283350, or click this link

Dates for your Diary  Fri 23rd July – Sat 7th August – Suffolk Art Society Exhibition in the Lady Chapel  Wed August 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th – Melford Music Lunchtime Recitals  Sun 8th August, 4.00pm, Glebe Land by Rectory – Messy Church  Fri 10th – Sun 12th Sept – Camping Weekend, Launchpad.  Sun Oct 10th – Elders Commissioning, 10.30am, HT, with Bishop Mike

Church office: 07804 558 160 www.longmelfordchurch.com www.alphetonandshimplingchurches.org.uk Page 4 Sunday 25th July Feast of St James the Apostle Trinity 8

Collect (prayer for the day) Merciful God, whose holy apostle Saint James, left his father and all that he had and was obedient to the the calling of your Son Jesus Christ and followed him even to death: help us to forsake the false attractions of the world and be ready to answer your call without delay; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen

First Reading Acts 11:27-12.2 During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29 The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. 12 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Gospel Reading Matthew 20:20-28 Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew Glory to you, O Lord Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favour of him. 21 ‘What is it you want?’ he asked. She said, ‘Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.’22 ‘You don’t know what you are asking,’ Jesus said to them. ‘Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?’‘We can,’ they answered. 23 Jesus said to them, ‘You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.’ 24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to You O Christ Post Communion Prayer Strengthen for service, Lord, the hands that have taken holy things; may the ears which have heard your word be deaf to clamour and dispute; may the tongues which have sung your praise be free from deceit; may the eyes which have seen the tokens of your love shine with the light of hope; and may the bodies which have been fed with your body be refreshed with the fullness of your life; glory to you for ever. Amen Suggestions for Prayer  We remember before God those who have recently died and those who mourn, including the friends and family of Peter Gavin Brown-Eidsgard, Rita Rice, and Marianne Sansbury.  For Lawshall Parish as we continue to reflect on the possible union.  For those who are ill and for those who care for them. In particular we pray for Ian Spear.

Church office: 07804 558 160 www.longmelfordchurch.com www.alphetonandshimplingchurches.org.uk Page 5