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ST. MARY'S MATTERS

Spring flowers at the church

Dear Friends

As the world gradually opens up again we see people re-evaluating their lives; how they want to live and work going forward, how priorities of family and community will fit, how to make the most of their time and even how they want their hair to be, now they can choose! Since the world's rules have changed, possibilities that never suggested themselves before unfold in a new way!

For Peter, on seeing the empty tomb and the abandoned grave clothes, a seismic shift must have taken place in his mind, and although he "went away wondering to himself" (Luke 24:12) the limits of what he even thought possible must have been blown wide open.

Since Jesus' ministry, death and resurrection, the seemingly impossible is made possible. Jesus introduces us to a new world where the most unlikely of companions can defy convention and sit together (John 4:9), where we're not bound by the need to accumulate things for ourselves, but can be abundantly generous (Luke 12:16), where no-one has to be in need (Acts 4:34), where a person can be truly free of their past (2 Corinthians 5:17), where there is no barrier between God and mankind (Matthew 27:51) and where even death loses its terror (1 Corinthians 15:55).

But the Bible doesn't set this new Kingdom out as possibility, but as a certainty! We live in the suspense of the "now and not yet", and we know that the Kingdom is coming and it will come. Now we see in part, but we will see fully. Amen! Come Lord Jesus!

"...your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven."

Matthew 6:10

Sundays

Regular in-person services resume on 25 April

On 11th and 18th April we'll be posting a Virtual Sunday video on our website and YouTube channel.

Thursday Services

Services resume on 22 April. Everyone over 18 is most welcome.

Prayer meetings

Setting a Watch

Over the Easter period there may be no-one officially "leading" the prayer sessions, but everyone is so welcome to continue to use the link to pray for half an hour each day at 6am and 6pm.

Building to Serve Prayer Meeting

Continues every Monday at 12.00, via Zoom

JOURNEYING TOGETHER AS A SMALL GROUP

The Bible urges us to "not give up meeting together" (Hebrews 10:25), and although this has looked a little different over the past months, it's perhaps now, more than ever, that we need relationship in order to share joys and sorrows and wrestle with difficult questions.

Here the Norton Park small group explains what this has looked like for them and shares some of the benefits of travelling together.

(If you're wondering about joining a small group, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Ursula: ursula.simpson@stmaryscnorton.com.)

Norton Park small group

SUNDAYS ARE BACK IN CHURCH (NEARLY)!

We're so delighted to be able to invite you back to regular services in the church building from Sunday 25th April.

Our services will start at 10.30am and everyone is invited. There will be groups for Ignite (age 3-5), One Way (age 6-11) and Ablaze (school years 7-8). Whether you're new, well-known, visiting, arriving on your own, or with energetic children in tow, we'd so love to see you!

(On 11th and 18th April we'll be posting a Virtual Sunday video on our website and YouTube channel. There will be separate Zooms for those up to school year 6 and for those in school years 7-13).

ALPHA

These times have raised some pretty big questions for us all. It may be that you, or someone you know, has got questions about life, death, the future, God and…well, everything.

We’re running Alpha Online; a chance to watch a video about some of the questions around the Christian faith, and then chat about it together online.

If you know someone who might be interested, perhaps you could point them in the direction of our website to find out more.

Then ask them to get in touch, so we can send the Zoom link: office@stmaryscnorton.com or 01608 646202.

Alpha starts Monday 26th April. Meet at 7:30pm to watch the 20ish minute video. Or watch the video beforehand and join at 8:00pm to discuss.

WE'RE RECRUITING!

Are you passionate about transforming the church to engage in a digital era?

St Mary’s Chipping Norton is looking for a creative and motivated Design and Communications Officer (Part-time, 10-14hrs/week).

to join our supportive team at an exciting time of new opportunity for the church;
to help us to use different media to further our mission to Live IN God’s Love and to Live OUT God’s love;
to develop both internal and external communications;
to help us to establish a more solid digital foundation for our ministries.

Please click on the links below to download a Role Description and Application Form

Applications to be returned to:

St Mary's Church Office, Church Street, Chipping Norton, OX7 5NT, Telephone: 01608 646202. Email: emily.oshea@stmaryscnorton.com

Click here for Role Description

Click here to download Application form

Shareable job advert

SETTING A WATCH

During the Easter period there may be no-one officially "leading" each session, but you're so welcome to use the link to keep meeting and praying each day.

We'll be continuing to meet to pray via Zoom at 6am and 6pm daily for Building to Serve, as well as our world, nation, community, church and each other.

Topic: 'Setting a Watch' prayer time

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98265036092?pwd=VEZqNEl5K0t2T1NYU1k0OXBkV0NIUT09

Meeting ID: 982 6503 6092
Passcode: SetAWatch

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/a1VRI10kA

RESOURCE OF THE WEEK

Album: The Burning Edge of Dawn by Andrew Petersen

Emily says: "I discovered this album about a year ago and these have become my lockdown anthems!"

The album has a folk/rock/country feel with fantastic story-telling lyrics, wrapping the listener up in the song-writer's world of observations and emotions. The songs cover relationship, friendship and faith. There are one or two real moments of lament to help you pour your heart out, some touching moments that can't help but raise gratitude, and lots and lots of Kingdom-fuelled hope.

Available in all the usual places!

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Connect Café	Tue 9th Dec	The Branch, Market Place	More info
Minis	Wed 10th Dec	The Branch, Market Place	More info
Thursday Worship	Thu 11th Dec	Parish Rooms	More info
View the full calendar