#526 The many sparrows may disagree
Fr Sam writes
Last Sunday at St Paul’s, Louise Turner (our director of music) and I launched our plans for children singing in our choir. I was really encouraged by the reception this got from the congregation.
We are planning an offering of children’s singing scholarships, with free singing lessons and support for young people in developing as church musicians. More information can be found in the leaflet we gave out last Sunday.
I invited people to become “choir godparents”, committing to give £10 a month to support our choral foundation that will support children’s singing, their participation in the choir, and all the good things that come with singing. A good number of people told me they were keen to support but I can’t remember who you all were! If you told me that you were up for this commitment, please would you email me to let me know?
This Sunday: of more value than many sparrows
In our first reading this Sunday, the prophet Jeremiah laments that God has compelled him into a prophetic calling that brings him ridicule, denunciation, and danger whenever he speaks. Yet despite his anguish, he trusts in God’s power and redemption (Jeremiah 20.7-13).
Our Gospel reading shows Jesus speaking the difficulties and uncertainties of discipleship, reassuring his hearers of God’s continuing love and mercy (Matthew 10.24-39).
Image: The Calling of the Twelve, Domenico Ghirlandaio
Services this Sunday
| 8am | St Paul’s | BCP Mass | Fr Sam Tanna-Korn |
| 9.30am | St Paul’s | Parish Mass | Fr Sam Tanna-Korn |
| Organ preludes: Communion – Juliette Folville & Andante grazioso – Kate Boundy Anthem: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me – Edward Elgar Voluntary: Paean – Rebecca Groom te Velde | |||
| 10am | Woosehill Church | Morning Worship | Revd Cara Smart |
| 11am | St Nicholas’ | Community Eucharist | Fr Sam Tanna-Korn |
| 6.15pm | St Paul’s | Choral Evensong & sermon series | Fr Sam Tanna-Korn |
Bitter with envy?
This Sunday evening is choral evensong with the next in our sermon series on the Seven Deadly Sins. Sadly the Revd Laura Wheatley Downs, who was scheduled to be our preacher, has had to pull out and so it is Fr Sam who will be preaching. The theme this week is the sin of Envy.
Image: Cain and Abel by Titian
Jubilate Deo!
A date for your diary! On Saturday 11 July at 7pm, we will be hosting “Jubilate Deo!”, a concert in celebration of 500 years of sacred music.
St Paul’s Choir, Louise and Christopher would like to invite you to an evening of popular choral anthems and organ music spanning the last 500 years. This promises to be a fantastic evening of music followed by fellowship and refreshments in true St Paul’s fashion! Please bring your friends and family. Donations will go towards the St Paul’s choral foundation and organ funds.
Image: Saint Cecilia by Artemisia Gentileschi
This week’s calendar: our first martyr
Monday 22 June is the feast day of St Alban, the first martyr of the British Isles. Alban was a Roman citizen, probably during the reign of the emperor Diocletian during a persecution of Christians. Himself a pagan, he sheltered a Christian priest, became a Christian, and gave himself up for arrest in his place. He was executed on a hill outside the city of Verulamium: modern day St Albans grew around his shrine.
St Alban’s example is of compassion and courage, and he is a reminder of the many Christians throughout our world today who are persecuted for their faith.
I am called Alban, and I worship and adore the true and living God.
Image: The martyrdom of St Alban from an illuminated manuscript of his life by Matthew Paris
