Hazelwell Weekly Contact 14th July 2024
8 Jul 2024 • Weekly Notices
Hazelwell Communion 14th July 2024 10.00am
led by Andy Harris, celebrated byRev’d. Matt Churchouse
Please Pray For
- Residents of Partons Road & Chirton Grove
- All those who have taken up new posts in parliament or government, both in Britain and elsewhere. Pray that they may govern with wisdom and integrity guided by the principles of what is in the best interests of all.
Parish Update
Summer Fair the latest total is a very commendable £965.00 many thanks to all involved.
Book Launch
On Friday the 12th July, 7.30pm, Matt Churchouse is going to be launching his new book 'The Spiritual Soul', at Christ Church, Selly Park (B29 7PS). It's a 'bring-a-bottle' event; snacks and cakes will be provided. The evening will consist of an interactive introduction to the book - why he wrote it, some of its content, how best to read it - followed by a chance to buy it at an author-discounted rate. For a trailer of what the book's about, see Matt Churchouse, 'The Spiritual Soul' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4cZJ5boBSs, and if you'd like to come, Matt's asked if you could drop him an e-mail (on mattchurchouse2@yahoo.com) to give him an idea of numbers for catering purposes.
Our Church Warden
On Sunday afternoon (30th June), David and Matt attended the annual, official 'Admission of Wardens' on Sunday afternoon, at St. Francis Bournville.
Thanks are due to David for many years faithful service, as he continues in the role of Church Warden at Hazelwell Church.
The Thursday morning meet-up is going to take a break for the summer period
as folk have various holidays and other commitments booked during the summer
but meetings will start again in September.
Reflecting on Ephesians1 vs3-4
‘3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love’.
While in prison, Lutheran pastor, theologian and martyr, Dietrich Bonhoffer had the opportunity to write numerous letters and even compose some poems.
The poem of his which follows is surprising in its honesty. It is also a good example of how important it can be to know that we have been chosen by God in Christ.
Who Am I by Dietrich Bonhoffer
Who am I? They often tell me
I step out from my cell
calm and cheerful and poised,
like a squire from his manor.
Who am I? They often tell me
I speak with my guards
freely, friendly and clear,
as though I were the one in charge.
Who am I? They also tell me
I bear days of calamity
serenely, smiling and proud,
like one accustomed to victory.
Am I really what others say of me?
Or am I only what I know of myself?
Restless, yearning, sick, like a caged bird,
struggling for life breath, as if I were being strangled,
starving for colours, for flowers, for birdsong,
thirsting for kind words, human closeness,
shaking with rage at power lust and pettiest insult,
tossed about, waiting for great things to happen,
helplessly fearing for friends so far away,
too tired and empty to pray, to think, to work,
weary and ready to take my leave of it all?
Who am I? This one or the other?
Am I this one today and tomorrow another?
Am I both at once? Before others a hypocrite
and in my own eyes a pitiful, whimpering weakling?
Or is what remains in me like a defeated army,
Fleeing in disarray from victory already won?
Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine.
Whoever I am, thou knowest me; O God, I am thine!
In the reading from Ephesians 1 vs3-4 Paul wants to make sure that we really understand and believe that God has chosen us in Christ, He knows us better than we know ourselves