Weekly News

Benefice Office Opening Hours
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5th July 2026

The Fifth Sunday After Trinity

Welcome
If you are new to this church, it is lovely that you can join us today. We produce this information on a weekly basis which you can have emailed to you along with other information about the benefice.
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The Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: hear our prayers which we offer for all your faithful people, that in their vocation and ministry they may serve you in holiness and truth to the glory of your name: through the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Post Communion
Grant O Lord we beseech you, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by your governance, that your Church may joyfully serve you in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lectionary Readings for Sunday:

Old Testament Reading:  Zechariah 9: 9 – 12
Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.

New Testament Reading:  Romans 7: 15 – 25a
I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I who do it but sin that dwells within me. For I know that the good does not dwell within me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do the good lies close at hand, but not the ability. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that, when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched person that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind

Gospel:  Matthew 11: 16 – 19, 25 – end
But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn. “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Please click here (or on the image) for This Weeks Daily Readings
 

Benefice Prayers 

We pray for those who are sick at this time and remember those who have recently died and pray for their families:

Continuing Prayers for
Debbie Morris
Ellen Jones
John Lindsay

Sick
Ann Atkin
Daniel Lawrence
Carol McCormick
Caroline Hunt
Mary Minnie

Rest In Peace
Canon Lesley McCormack
Jean Buckland
Michael Williams
William Salmons
Kathy Giddings

Baptism  
Arthur Exton

Benefice Notices

Notice 
Please note that due to the installation of the new heating system, St Lawrence will be closed from the 6th to the 10th of July. There will be no access to the church without prior arrangement with Revd. Paula. Morning Prayer on these days will be via Zoom only.

Servers and Acolytes
We are looking for volunteers to train as Servers and Acolytes. These roles involve assisting during the service by carrying the cross, lighting candles, and helping at the altar. If you could spare one Sunday a month and are interested in helping, please speak to Chris Williams or contact her on 07718763900.

Pet Service
Join us for our first Pet Service at St Bartholomew’s on Sunday 12th July at 11:15 am. This relaxed service is a wonderful opportunity to come together and thank God for His creation and the companionship of our animals, and everyone is welcome – whether you own a pet or not. Please bring dogs on leads and other animals in secure carriers; if your pet would be happier at home or is no longer with us, you are most welcome to bring a photo instead. Please do invite friends and neighbours to join us for worship, and stay for a cup of tea in the churchyard afterwards

Communion
Please can we ask and remind people to refrain from dipping (intinction) their wafer into the wine when receiving communion. Those administering the chalice do not wish to cause upset at the communion rail. The reason for non-dipping policy is on the bishop’s advice and twofold: firstly one of hygiene and secondly because we have members who are gluten intolerant. If you feel unable to receive the wine from the chalice then receiving in one kind means you are making a valid communion. Thank you for your understanding.

Easton Neston Church and Churchyard visitors
If you have previously registered your number plate for access to visit St Mary's Easton Neston Church and Churchyard and it is not working the gate, please would you let Bev know on 01327 354385.

Please click here, or on the image, for This Months Services