NEWS & VIEWS

In the Book of Common Prayer, Epiphany is subtitled ‘the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles’ and in our Gospel we hear of the visit of ‘wise men from the east’ - gentiles - to the infant Jesus - a glimpse into the idea that St Paul expounds in today’s epistle. Jesus was a Jew, but “we [all] have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.” We are all “fellow-heirs”, but not in the manner of a worldly inheritance - the shares do not get smaller with more heirs to share it. No - this is “the boundless riches of Christ”.

CHRISTMAS AT ST MARY’S Our Christmas celebration continues: today we keep the Epiphany (transferred from 6 January) marking the coming of the Magi (Wise Men) to the infant Jesus, bringing their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh and the liturgical season of Christmas ends on Candlemas, which we shall keep on Sunday 28 January (transferred from 2 February).

THANK YOU to all who sent good wishes, cards and gifts to the Vicarage. The generosity and love of our church family here never ceases to touch me. Fr Gareth

MAILING LIST Anyone wishing to receive a weekly e-mail from us with notice of our services and other events/news, should subscribe via stmarysilford.org.uk, or by completing a blue ‘HELLO’ card.

THE ONE WHO SINGS PRAYS TWICE said St Augustine. Singing is an important part of Christian prayer and worship. We use our voices to proclaim the praises of God. Singing is also good for us - it is said to improve mental well-being. We are fortunate to have a choir - albeit small - and cantors to lead us in our worship, but they are not there to sing for us, but rather to sing with us.  I encourage you to lift your voices and join in with the hymns and sung parts of the Mass with confidence.

Father Gareth

REGULAR GIVING Giving to fund the ministry of the Church is an essential part of our Christian faith. Please, if you don’t already, would you consider giving a regular amount? No amount is too small. Using our parish giving scheme is easy and you are in full control (and Margaret Quinney will be pleased to help you if needed). One-off donations can be made using the Parish Giving Scheme, or with the card machine at the back of church, or by putting cash/cheques in the offering plate. Cheques should be made payable to St Mary’s Ilford PCC.

INTERCESSION

OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY

for the sick, distressed and bereaved
Joan Cassidy, Richard Holland, Lucy Ball, Amberly Crediton, Kathy Valentine, Margaret Harding, Mel Taylor, Bernard Street, Keith Holland, Sally Cox,Matthew, Leslie Haigh, Bibi Bacchus, Fr Michael, Fr Elwin Cockett, the Noory family, Jeanmarie Morton, Alastair Ogilvie, Paul Zak, Tamara McFarlane; Fr Christopher, Barbara Hope

for the recently departed 

John Dyke, Terry Martin, Adrian Southern

for those whose anniversaries of death fall this week

Sunday

Audrey Williams, Arthur Sharpe, Lilian Seabrook, Gladys Henery, Louise Frazer, Florence Mason, Kenneth Hinds priest

Monday

Joan Fitzsimmons

Wednesday

Dorothy Moore, Brian Cull, William Slater, Carl Dash

Thursday

Roy Fairweather, Pat Hedley

Friday

Arthur Horne, Margaret Judd, Joyce Hinds

Saturday

Maurice Harper priest

please pray especially for

peace in the Holy Land and Ukraine

ORDERS OF SERVICE