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Dear Friends,
As I contemplate the lectionary for this coming Sunday, I am struck by the theme of hospitality and welcome. This is a tradition that the followers of God have practised throughout time, you may recall the wonderful story of how Abraham and Sarah (Gen 18: 1-10a) made three visitors welcome by inviting them to stay to take some shade and enjoy some rest, to take some refreshment and to stay for a meal. Their hospitality was remarkable and documented in the bible because it was exceptional, as followers of God they sought to make the strangers in their midst welcome, they went over and beyond in their generosity. In this way both Abraham and Sarah were reflecting the image of God to these strangers, they understood their calling to faithful obedience as they sought to follow God.
I am mindful of the passage found in Romans 12:2 "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it." (NRSV). The Message version expands this understanding and says: "Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it! Regard prisoners as if you were in prison with them. Look on victims of abuse as if what happened to them had happened to you. Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex." The Message version seems to focus on interpersonal relations, which might be attributed to the church amongst its members, the NRSV (and the KJV) focuses on the stranger. It is good to make comparisons between different bible translations as this comparison helps us to come to a much fuller understanding of the Scriptures bearing in mind that they have been interpreted through translation into our own language (the way in which language is used changes with each generation, we will each be aware of various words that no longer have the same meaning as they did when we were children). and so it is important for us to read the Scriptures for ourselves and then, as Jacob did, wrestle with God as to their meaning so that we might reflect his image more fully as we attend to the business of our own lives and the life of the Church. Paul warns us in his first letter to the Cornithians "If I speak in the tongues of humans and of angels but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal." and nobody wants to experience that!
The implication is that Abraham and Sarah were generous in their hospitality out of love for their God, they did not do it for reward and yet, they received the blessing of new life. I wonder what new life might look like for us across the Upper Fal Parishes?
For us as the Upper Fal Parishes, I would like us to consider four things:
1. Abraham and Sarah demonstrated abundant generosity in opening their home to a small group of strangers, in what ways do we personally make room for the complete stranger be they our neighbour or family that's just moved in or been there for some time but we still do not know their name(s)?
2. How do we, in our own church (not ours but Christ's), make people welcome as they visit the church? Is this different on a weekday to a Sunday? Is there something we could do to help people (of all ages) feel more welcome that they would like to come and Praise and Worship our Father in Heaven, and celebrate all that Jesus has shared with us, and done for us?
3. How is the church spoken about in the community? Is the church blessing the local community?
4. How do we as a church family connect with the wider Church (Diocese), Deanery or more locally the Upper Fal Parishes, to show support and commitment to furthering the Gospel across these lands?
I would love to hear your thoughts on these aspects of ministry and mission and hope that you will share them with me,
grace and peace,
Caroline
This Week's Services
Sunday 20th July
Probus - 9:30am Connect with Sara
St Erme 9:30am - Holy Communion with Rev Caroline
St Nun's 11:00am - Parish Communion with Rev Caroline
Ladock 11:00am - Holy Communion with Rev Linda
Lamoran 3:00pm - Evening Prayer with Rev Linda
Readings for this week
Amos 8.1-12
Psalm 52
Colossians 1.15-28
Luke 10.38-42
Collect for this Sunday
Almighty God,
send down upon your Church
the riches of your Spirit,
and kindle in all who minister the gospel
your countless gifts of grace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Next Week's Services
Sunday 27th July
Probus - 9:30am Holy Communion with Rev Linda
St Erme 9:30am - Morning Prayer with Rev Caroline
St Crida 11:00am - Matins with Sherry
Ladock 11:00am - Holy Communion with Rev Caroline
Tresillian 11:15am - Holy Communion with Rev Caroline
Ladock - 6:00pm - Evensong with Fr Greg and Joyce
Readings for next week
Hosea 1.2-10
Psalm 85*
Colossians 2.6-15[16-19]
Luke 11.1-13
Upper Fal Prayer Ministry
We now have a small but dedicated group of people who are willing to pray for the needs of others as and when there is need. You are welcome to make requests for prayer, these will be said in private by those interceding and will be held confidentially -the idea being that no one will discover who any of the pray-ers are, so there will be no reference made back to you about your prayer request except by the person the request was made to! This proviso is made so that when prayer is answered that we might encourage the prayer team. You are also welcome to ask for prayer for family, friends or neighbours, please let them know that the Church will be praying for them in their time of need. This will be encouraging for the wider community as they already suspect that the Church prays but don’t necessarily know how or what! No request is too small or too large. If you or, someone you know, is concerned or anxious about something let us know and we will pray for you/them.
If you would like to find out more about or join this prayer group please get in touch with me, Revd Caroline (01726 337730).
Probus Community Hub
Monday 21st July - 10-12 - Digital Support Hub
Tuesday 22nd July - 10:30-12 - Coffee and Chat
Wednesday 23rd July- Move More class 10:30-11:30 - falls prevention for the over 65s
Community larder - supermarket surplus available for all to take away to save waste - open Monday 4-4:30, Wednesday 2:30-3:30, Friday 9-10, Saturday 9:30-10:30
Refreshments served each weekday morning except Thursday 10-12
Bulletin - please note all items for the following week's bulletin to be sent to bulletin@probus.church by 5pm on a Monday
Thanks - Eleanor
Generosity and Stewardship Matters
Financially Supporting your church
The Parish Giving Scheme is our preferred method of receiving regular giving within the churches of Probus, Ladock and Grampound. If you haven't already transferred from other forms of giving then do check out how it works through the link here or by contacting your treasurer.
Please do consider whether this is a good time to review your regular giving at the church, or perhaps you would like to plan for a future donation and leave a gift in your will. The Church of England has produced guidance on legacy giving which you can find here
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