#471: White smoke!
My friends, I know you will be as excited and disappointed as I am to learn that 1) We have a new Pope – hooray! 2) He has not chosen Bertie as his new name – boo! Pope Bertie has a rather nice ring to it, but who am I to say what should have been? Alas, the world is not ready for a papal mouse… Never fear, I shall construct my own Vatican out of cheese, Edam and Gouda for their natural arches, mozeralla for the taste.
A Prayer for the New Pope
Almighty God,
shepherd and guardian of all,
we pray for your servant Pope Leo.
Grant him grace to follow in the footsteps
of the Good Shepherd,
to preach the Gospel with boldness,
to build up your people in unity and peace,
and the serve them with humility and love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
This Sunday
We have services at 9.30am at St Paul’s, 10am at Woosehill, and 11am at St Nick’s. You are, as always, warmly invited to one or more of them, though it isn’t possible to attend all 3 in full…
It is of course, the 80th Anniversary of VE day today, on the 8th May, and so on Sunday we will be including a prayer for peace and singing the first verse of The National Anthem at the end of our service.
The music at St Paul’s will be:
Before (ca 6′)
Hakim – Noël nouvelet
Lindley – Dr Spedding’s Galliard
Anthem
Lindley (arr.) – Now the green blade riseth
After
Biddle – Toccata on Noël nouvelet’
Also this Sunday… Quench pop-up bookstall
We also have Ali from Quench bookshop joining us at St Paul’s this Sunday. If you haven’t been to Quench at Holme Grange, then it is well worth a visit and Ali is lovely and knowledgable. She says, “I am looking forward to joining you on Sunday, with an assortment of books, cards and gifts for all occasions, including baptisms and confirmations. If you have any specific requests please email me on admin@quenchshops.com by 2pm on Saturday. With thanks, Ali.”
Christian Aid Coffee Morning
Just a reminder that the coffee morning for Christian Aid on Saturday 10th May is fast approaching, so we would appreciate any contributions to the stalls as soon as possible – we particularly need items for the tombola. Plants may be brought on the day from 10.15am but, if you are unable to do so, please let me know and I will collect them beforehand.
The Social Committee would also welcome donations of cake for refreshments at the Coffee Morning. Please contact Trish Gatland for delivery or bring on the
morning of 10th May.
Our two hours of fun starts from 10.45am and we look forward to welcoming you on the day! Teri Austen
Soulscape Quiz
Soulscape will be holding it’s annual quiz at The FBC Centre in Finchampstead on Friday 16th May starting at 7.30pm.
Choral Evensong and Sermon Series
The next in our sermon series on the 5 Marks of Mission will be at 6.15pm on Sunday 18th May, when Hannah Mann will be preaching about ‘To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.’ Hannah is the Environment Programme Manager for the Diocese of Oxford.
Do pop this in your diaries, as Evensong itself is gorgeous, and Hannah is brilliant and this is an important topic for us to think about as a church and as Christians.
Musical date for your diary
A number of our choir members are singing in this, which looks to be a delightful concert and evening. And the best thing is that it’s only a month away!
