NEWS & VIEWS

Today is Bible Sunday, a Sunday each year given over to giving thanks for the divinely inspired Word of God and to appreciating the inexhaustible riches contained in the constant dialogue between the Lord and his people. The Word of God is scripture - unique in literature. The Word of God, which was incarnate - unique in history -  is Jesus: All divine scripture speaks of Christ and is fulfilled in him.

A PRAYER FOR PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND

O God of all
Of Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Isaac, Jacob and Ishmael:
Our hearts are broken in pieces at the
suffering and murder of your people.
Our voices cry for peace and for justice.

Comfort those who grieve;
repose those who have died
console and heal the injured,
be close to those in fear,
restrain with your mighty hand
those who perpetrate violence.

Father, send us your wisdom in all that we say and do,
that our voice may always seek justice,
peace and security for all. 

We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

NEXT SUNDAY transferred from this Wednesday, we celebrate ‘the saints who before us have found their reward’ - the Church Triumphant. Many saints are commemorated by name throughout the year, but the Solemnity of All Saints includes all the great cloud of witnesses.

THE HOLY LAND We are collecting to support the work of Christian Aid who are providing humanitarian aid to those affected by the terrible conflict in the land of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. You can use this link: give.christianaid.org.uk/donate/CAM-005943, or the card machine, or give by cash/cheque by placing it in the specially marked box at the back of church. Please be as generous as you can. In addition to this please pray each day for a peaceful resolution to this conflict.

FR GARETH is on leave, returning for the All Souls' Mass on Thursday. Any urgent matters should be referred to a Churchwarden.

 ALL SOULS’ DAY On Thursday we commemorate our departed loved ones with a Solemn Requiem Mass at 12 noon. There is a list at the back of the church for you to add the names of those you would like prayed for by name at the Mass and our normal chantry book - the list of those departed for whom we pray week-by-week - will be placed on the altar for the service.

QUIZ NIGHT our Fish and Chip quiz night on Saturday 18 November will soon be upon us. This is always a popular and fun evening so please mark it in your calendars. Tickets will be on sale from next week.

LITTER PICKING You may be aware that we have been having significant issues with the churchyard over the past months. This has been largely due to mismanagement and neglect by the council's contractor, and Fr Gareth and the churchwardens are trying to manage it. Could you help by doing some litter picking in the area immediately around the church from time to time, please? In the porch near the green bin you will find litter pickers and gloves to borrow and bags. Please do what you can, when you can. If you come across needles (syringes), do not touch them, but just let us know about them.

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
John & Joan Cassidy, Richard Holland, Lucy Ball, Amberly Crediton, Kathy Valentine, Margaret Harding, Mel Taylor, Bernard Street, Muriel Masters, Keith Holland, Sally Cox, Matthew, Jacqui & Leslie Haigh, Bibi Bacchus, Fr Michael, Fr Elwin Cockett, Lissy Sunny, David Cook, the Noory family; Malcolm Avery

for the recently departed 

for those whose anniversaries of death fall this week

Sunday

Ron Richardson, Bert Cornish, Alan Arnold, Eileen Boyes

Monday

Noel Jackson, Edwin Henery

Tuesday

Frederick Joy, Victoria Colgate, Florence Dipper

Wednesday

Matilda Droesse, Ellen Lacey

Thursday

Reginald Thompson, Mary Davies, Michael Carney, Florence Knightly

Friday

Alec Cook, Sidney Taylor priest, Elizabeth Bates

Saturday

Robert Sippet, Sydney Cook, José Nunez-Martinez, Connie Newman

please pray especially for

those affected by floods in Kerala

ORDER OF SERVICE