TowerPod: St Mary's Marston Moreteyne and Lidlington

Church of the Transfiguration at the Community of Jesus, MassachusettsDear Reader,May I wish you a blessed Shrove Tuesday - enjoy your pancakes as we prepare to journey with Jesus in spirit during Lent towards Easter.May I invite you to begin your Lenten journey tomorrow 7pm Ash Wednesday?Blessing of Lent to you.Andrew+Exodus 24:12–18 NRSVThe LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. To the elders he had said, “Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.”Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stmarysmarstonmoreteyne.substack.com

Dear Reader,I hope you enjoy listening to the sermon podcast above… Now Lent is almost upon us. Let’s make it a special ‘worry free’ time of turning away from the many distractions of life to the one true Source of peace, our Saviour Jesus Christ.May I invite you to begin a holy Lent - come to our Ash Wednesday Service with the Imposition of Ashes on 18th February at 7pm. * This Lent our Devotional is Draw Near: life giving habits for Lent 40 daily reflections. Download the Everyday Faith app to take part. You can also order a booklet if you prefer.* Alternatively why not try Wisdom in the Desert beginning on 16 February where you will meet the desert Mothers and Fathers of the church? They were early Christian pioneers, seeking God in the solitude of the Egyptian wilderness. Download Lectio 365 app There is also a Family version - download Lectio for Families.Blessing of Lent to you.Andrew+NewsWe’ve started our weekly Energize group for children at our new Service time of 10.00am (no more services at 9.30am). We have a ‘family corner’ with a sofa as well at the back of church and a rug for little ones to play on.Once a month we’ll have a ‘Together’ service where children and families will take part in the service together.15th March – Mother’s Day 5th April – Easter 24th May – Pentecost 21st June – Father’s Day 6th September – Back to school 11th October – Harvest 29th November – Advent 6th December – Christingle Social EventsSaturday 7th March Family Silent Disco 4:00pm – 6:00pmSoft drinks & snacks. Glitter galore & glow sticksAdults-Only Silent Disco (18+) 7.30pm – 11.00pmBar fully stocked, cocktails, beers and wine Proper street-food from outside caterers: burgers, hotdogs, sausage rolls, and grazing boxes to keep you fuelled!Advance tickets only: book bit.ly/stmarysticketsMatthew 6:25–34 NIV“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stmarysmarstonmoreteyne.substack.com

St Andrew and St. Peter, by Fernando Gallego, 1480-1488John 1:29–42 NIVThe next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”“Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stmarysmarstonmoreteyne.substack.com

Matthew 3:13–17 NIVThen Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.” Then John consented.As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. *And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stmarysmarstonmoreteyne.substack.com

Matthew 2:1–12 NIVAfter Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:“ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;for out of you will come a rulerwho will shepherd my people Israel.’”Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stmarysmarstonmoreteyne.substack.com

“Saint Joseph and the Infant Christ” by Giovanni Battista GaulliMatthew 2:13–18 NIVWhen they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:“A voice is heard in Ramah,weeping and great mourning,Rachel weeping for her childrenand refusing to be comforted,because they are no more.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stmarysmarstonmoreteyne.substack.com

Dear Reader,I hope the sermon inspires you… And may I invite you to come and celebrate the #realmeaningofchristmas at St Mary’s - Jesus’ birthday?* Christmas Eve 4pm Crib Service. All Shepherds and Angels in their outfits welcome!* Midnight Mass 11.15pm* Jesus’ Birthday Party Service 9.30am - adults and children bring a present to show and tellWishing you a happy and blessed Christmas!Andrew+Christmas CardsIf you wish to give a Christmas Card to the church family, then pin one on the Children’s Noticeboard at the back of church. You also have the opportunity to donate to Sonia’s Hurricane Melissa Appeal in aid of Lucea Parish in Jamaice.Roni and I have donated £50 for St Mary’s to Amigos WorldwideAmigos Worldwide works alongside people and communities in rural Uganda, through vocational training of 50 young people at Kira Farm, conservation farming, and supporting the most vulnerable…. Their aim: Supporting disadvantaged people to work their way out of poverty and thrive.To find out more or join us in donating, please go to amigos.org.ukNote from Christine GreenwayI wonder if you could make sure that members of the congregation at Marston and Lidlington (if that’s possible) know that there is a link on the undertaker’s website for messages, donations and funeral service details for Dad, Revd John Greenway (Vicar 1976):revjohngreenway.muchloved.comMatthew 1:18–25 NIVThis is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stmarysmarstonmoreteyne.substack.com

The George Orwell Statue outside BBC Broadcasting House: the text reads; “If Liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear”Dear Reader,I enjoyed writing this sermon - I hope you enjoy listening/reading. Did you know - you can read a transcript of the audio by clicking the transcript button above?Here’s an our Christmas poster for you below. I’m delighted to invite you to our Christmas services - enjoy the #realmeaningofchristmas - I hope to see you soon.Blessing of Advent to you.Andrew+Matthew 11:2–11 NIVWhen John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:“ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,who will prepare your way before you.’Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stmarysmarstonmoreteyne.substack.com

Listen and enjoy! Andrew+Matthew 3:1–12 NIVIn those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,‘Prepare the way for the Lord,make straight paths for him.’ ”John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”Thanks for reading St Marys Marston Moreteyne & Lidlington! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stmarysmarstonmoreteyne.substack.com

Dear Reader,Our Mission should we accept it:To be a Tower of living stones; chosen, mended and built by Jesus our Cornerstone - to make followers for Him, to be a sanctuary of prayer and a community of love.I was therefore very struck when Sonia shared on our Community Bible Study Whatsapp a sermon by Captain Rev. Astor Carlyle to the Garrison church family Jamaica. His words resonated strongly. And resonated too with the poignant line drawing by artist Jenny Cooper of a Tower above. After all, we do have our own dramatic Tower!Enjoy! Andrew+1 Peter 2:1–10 NIVTherefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:“See, I lay a stone in Zion,a chosen and precious cornerstone,and the one who trusts in himwill never be put to shame.”Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,“The stone the builders rejectedhas become the cornerstone,”and,“A stone that causes people to stumbleand a rock that makes them fall.”They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.Thanks for reading St Marys Marston Moreteyne & Lidlington! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stmarysmarstonmoreteyne.substack.com

Dear Reader,Be still, and know that I am God.From Psalm 46:10 - our psalm for Sunday last. May I invite you to our Taizé Prayer, with optional Anointing and Prayer for Healing? Next Sunday at 7pm, 30 November, the fifth Sunday of the month.In the beauty of candlelight we will chant contemplative Taizé songs, listen to a Gospel Reading and enjoy the presence of Jesus Christ, the High King…I look forward to seeing you.Andrew+Luke 23:33–43 NIVWhen they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stmarysmarstonmoreteyne.substack.com

Luke 21:5–19 NIVSome of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.“But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. And so you will bear testimony to me. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stmarysmarstonmoreteyne.substack.com

Photo: waymark on the John Bunyan Trail. John Bunyan author of the Pilgrims Progress is commemorated on the Church of England Calendar on 30 August.Dear Reader,A little note from Marti to go along with the All Saints Sermon Podcast (see the readings for that below):If you run a Marston or Lidlington based business or organisation, we invite you to decorate a Christmas Tree for our very first ever Christmas Tree Festival! Email: christmas.tree@stmarysmarston.org and Marti would be delighted to hear from you.Thank you.Andrew+Thanks for reading St Marys Marston Moreteyne & Lidlington! This post is public so feel free to share it.Ephesians 1:11–23 NIV In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.Luke 6:20–31 NIV Looking at his disciples, he said:“Blessed are you who are poor,for yours is the kingdom of God.Blessed are you who hunger now,for you will be satisfied.Blessed are you who weep now,for you will laugh.Blessed are you when people hate you,when they exclude you and insult youand reject your name as evil,because of the Son of Man.“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. “But woe to you who are rich,for you have already received your comfort.Woe to you who are well fed now,for you will go hungry.Woe to you who laugh now,for you will mourn and weep.Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stmarysmarstonmoreteyne.substack.com

Book of Common Prayer of a 94 year old: well-used, Bible Readings and prayers - photo taken last week.Dear Reader, I hope you like the photo above of a well-used Book of Common Prayer!From our Bible Sunday sermon, may I leave you with this thought:Thomas Cranmer in his Homily on Scripture ended it with an exhortation to read scriptures in this way:“Let us ruminate, and, as it were, chew the cud, that we may have the sweet juice, spiritual effect, marrow, honey, kernel, taste, comfort and consolation of them.”Sometimes less is more. Why not take a verse that touches you in some way and ‘chew the cud’ with it for a while…Be encouraged!Blessings, Andrew+Romans 15:4–6 NIV For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stmarysmarstonmoreteyne.substack.com

Dear Reader,This is an intriguing story Jesus tells and he wants us to ‘bump up’ against the idea that God is an unjust judge and to pray persistently. I mentioned a couple of ideas to help you with the spiritual discipline of regular daily prayer in the Notices: set up a ‘prayer corner’ in your room with a candle, Bible and Cross etc. Make time in the morning first thing (an orchestra doesn’t tune their instruments after the concert) but I forgot to mention keeping a Prayer Journal. Writing down your requests to God and then the answers to them is a great way of persisting in prayer as Jesus recommends. Over time you can look back and thank Him as you see answers unfold in beautiful ways…Coming up, may I invite you and your family to our All Souls Service? It’s a beautiful way of remembering those who’ve gone before us, with candlelight, naming and prayers. Why not invite a neighbour or a friend?Date: Sunday 2 NovemberTime: 7pmIf you’d like to have your loved one remembered by name, enter their name on the Sheet on the table by the church door, or email me: vicar@stmarysmarston.org God bless,Andrew+Luke 18:1–8 NIVThen Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’ ”And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stmarysmarstonmoreteyne.substack.com

Christ and the Lepers, Painting by Gebhard Fugel (1863-1939)Luke 17:11–19 NIVNow on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stmarysmarstonmoreteyne.substack.com

Dear Reader,I’m delighted to share a Guest Preacher with you: Revd Nina-Rae Barrett of St Lucea Cure, Hanover Jamaica. Enjoy!I’m on Retreat this week. In the words of St Thomas More:Pray for me, as I will for thee, (until we may merrily meet in heaven)…Andrew+Thanks for reading St Marys Marston Moreteyne & Lidlington! This post is public so feel free to share it.Numbers 21:4–9 NIV They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stmarysmarstonmoreteyne.substack.com

Dear Reader,On Sunday we celebrated the Feast of St Michael and All Angels. Here’s the Collect prayer for the day:Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted the ministries of angels and mortals in a wonderful order: grant that as your holy angels always serve you in heaven, so, at your command, they may help and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.I pray you are blessed by their keeping watch over you this week. Andrew+Please read the notices below about Harvest Festival next Sunday 5 October. There will be one joint Service at 10.30am for everyone, followed by Baked Potato Harvest Lunch now fully booked.Our Harvest Appeal is twofold: 1. the Bishop’s Appeal and 2. locally to Heart of Marston and NEED projectBishops Harvest Appeal: Rewrite Their FutureThis year’s appeal is called Rewrite Their Future, and we are once again partnering with Mission Direct. Their work in Uganda and Zambia is focused on building schools and improving access to education in some of the world’s most under-resourced communities. After one year, these schools supported by Mission Direct will serve over 2,945 children, of which 1,170 will be benefitting from new classrooms —and over the next 20 years, 23,400 children will gain access to education that would otherwise be out of reach. Cash donations or Card ReaderList of items to bring for Harvest:any fresh produce for Heart of Marston and canned & dry goods for NEED Project pleaseTea bags, Coffee, Drinking ChocolateSugarPasta, Long Grain RiceCerealsPasta Sauces or BakesSoups – packet or tinnedTinned Veg – e.g. Tomatoes, sweetcorn, peas, carrotsPotatoesBiscuitsTinned Fruit, CustardTinned spaghetti, raviolisTinned fish – e.g. Tuna, SalmonSquash, Fruit JuicePreserves – e.g. Jam, Honey, Chocolate SpreadTomato KetchupLong Life Milk – cartonsTinned Meat – e.g. Ham, corned beef, beef & onionsChicken in SauceCurriesChilliRice Pudding – tinnedBaked BeansToiletries such as toothpaste and soapJohn 1:47–51 NIV When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stmarysmarstonmoreteyne.substack.com

Dear Reader,Coming up:Our Community Bible Study begins a new Series - the Letter to the Philippians. Your Autumn Bible study sorted! Join on Wednesdays 12pm BYO packed Lunch for 12.30-1.30pm5 October: Harvest Festival we’ll be having a joint Family and Adults Service at 10.30am followed by Baked Potato Harvest Lunch £7 sign up in church or book online: stmarysmarston.org/events Yum!For items to bring in support of the NEED Project see list below.Tea bagsCoffeeDrinking ChocolateSugarPastaLong Grain RiceCerealsPasta Sauces or BakesSoups – packet or tinnedTinned Veg – e.g. Tomatoes, sweetcorn, peas, carrotsPotatoesBiscuitsTinned FruitCustardTinned spaghetti, raviolisTinned fish – e.g. Tuna, SalmonSquashFruit JuicePreserves – e.g. Jam, HoneyChocolate SpreadTomato KetchupLong Life Milk – cartonsTinned Meat – e.g. Ham, corned beef, beef & onionsChicken in SauceCurriesChilliRice Pudding – tinnedBaked BeansToiletries such as toothpaste and soapLuke 16:1–13 NIVJesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’“The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg—I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’“So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’“ ‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied.“The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’“Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’“ ‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied.“He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’“The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stmarysmarstonmoreteyne.substack.com

On Mount Nebo, in front of the church of Saint Moses, looking over the valley below is a monument of the bronze serpent which Moses erected in the Neghev desert.Numbers 21:4–9 NIV They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.John 19:25–27 NIVNear the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stmarysmarstonmoreteyne.substack.com