Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4 v 6-7
DECEMBER 2008
Healing
The gift of life is amazing. Our bodies and minds daily heal themselves of disease and hurts. We have a wonderful health service that performs amazingly. Yet none of us are perfect. We all need healing in mind, body and spirit. The Sacrament of Healing takes place, at St Thomas’, after the 10 am morning service on the first Sunday of the month. We pray for ourselves and each other and those who are in our hearts.
Jesus said - I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10.10
Weddings
We already have four weddings booked for St Thomas for next year. For such a long time there has been a great dearth of people willing to commit themselves in marriage in our area. Let us pray that this is the beginning of a trend to re-establish marriage at the heart of our community. 2009 sees the Church of England rules relaxed a little about where you can be married. St Thomas’ will do all in its power to ensure that the Sacrament of Marriage is available to all in this parish. More information is available from the Vicar.
Youth Groups
We are very lucky at St Thomas’ to have such a tremendously dedicated team of Youth Leaders. The Scouts, Cubs and Beavers; the Guides, Brownies and Rainbows are all flourishing; as is the Sunday School. Applications to join any of these groups should be made to the leaders listed on the back page. Unfortunately, there is often a waiting list of those hoping to join the groups. Early application is advised.
St Thomas’ Choir
The church choir is already practising hard for the Christmas services. Volunteers to join the choir are always welcome. Choir practices are on Fridays and applications to join should be made to the Choir Master: Dr Bowles Bevan.
All Saints and All Souls
Over All Saints tide we remembered many of the Romano British and Saxon Saints whose names are so deeply embedded in our nation. Some refer to those periods as ‘the dark ages’ but these saints form the very foundation of most of the important cities and towns of our country. This was followed as usual by the ‘Commemoration of the Faithful Departed’ or All Souls Day, when we remember with love and thanksgiving those of our family and community who have died. As the second book of Maccabees says of Judas (2 Macc. 12) It is an honourable thing to pray for the dead. For all of us it is a great blessing to remember with thanksgiving all those lives we have been privileged to share in.
Please pray for
Please pray for Gerry Lamb who is still waiting to receive treatment for his leg, Gladys Taylor who is now in hospital with a serious condition, Daphne Elliott who has had a pace-maker fitted and is still recovering from the after effects of the medication, Hilary Andrews and who is continuing her treatment, and Kit Shiel, who is still seriously ill.
Please pray for those who have died, especially Ken Pacey, Greta Martin, Jean Grant, Bob Thurgood and Norman Newlyn and for those who mourn.