| Katy Hirst writes; How easy do you find it to read the bible? How often do you read it? Do you consider reading the bible as a potentially life-giving exercise? We probably all have mixed feelings about reading the bible. Sometimes its hard to understand. Sometimes it seems irrelevant. Sometimes we find it hard to be motivated to do. How is an ancient text like the Bible supposed to speak to us in our diverse lives and circumstances today? There are many ways to read the bible – some more academic, drawing on commentaries and the original language and so on. This is important work. However, for most of us most of the time, we want to pick up the bible in order to meet with the God who its all about. To experience the relationship with God that the bible repeatedly points to. One of the ways of reading the bible with this very purpose in mind is ‘Contemplative reading’. Reading a text slowly and prayerfully to see what God might have to say to us today in our lives. We don’t need biblical knowledge or training to do this – just an open heart and a desire to meet with God. Doing this in community is particularly wonderful as God also speaks to us through others and their insights. Therefore this week we are beginning a 6-week programme on Wednesday evenings of Contemplative bible reading. We hope this will be a great time of encounter with God through his word and through one another. Please consider coming along – who knows what treasures you might find! This Sunday 10.30am; Holy Communion with groups for children and young people- Leader Katy Hirst; Preacher: Katy Hirst: Creationtide Week 2: Seeing things differently. Available on zoom Also happening this week: Morning Prayer: Monday – Friday 8am on zoom Evening Prayer : 5.30pm, Monday,Tuesday at Emmanuel; Wednesday, Thurs at St. Luke’s (NB Thursday evening prayer at 5.10pm Night Prayer : posted daily via the whatsapp group and streamed on the youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkRbv1rSZ4x-uqW3TgyoqRg Tuesday – 10am Toddler drop in – Renew Café 2-4pm Wednesday – 10am – 12.00 Craft and Chat – 10.30 – 12.00 Gardening Club – 7.30 – 8.30 Bible Contemplation – in the church Thursday – 11am – 12.15pm : ‘Dominos and donuts’ – 3.30pm – 5pm : Messy Thursdays – 8pm : Music Group practice Friday – 6-7pm Youth Girls Hour – 7-9pm Youth Night Saturday – 10.30 Gardening Club Some dates coming up to put in your diaries: Community supper & bingo night – Saturday 26th September 6pm Verse of the Month for September: ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.’ Genesis 1:1 For prayer this week: Sunday – our Church service this morning Monday – Those going to challenging work places Tuesday – Toddler Drop In today Wednesday – Our Bible Contemplation group starting today. Thursday – Messy Thursdays starting again today Friday – Those struggling to make ends meet Saturday – Our Gardening group |
Welcome to St Luke's 