The Vicar's "Two Penn'orth"
This is Rev Paul's report to the church's annual meeting
held on Sunday 23 May 2021
held on Sunday 23 May 2021
Rev Paul, Vicar of Hoylake writes ...
Prayer:
Over the last year many lives have been lost to covid and other illnesses, lets pray for all the bereaved and all affected by this terrible virus. Amen.
A Reading from Scripture: The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost:
2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
I am sure you will recognize this scripture from today’s service - it is of course the account of the coming of the Holy Spirit, the promised advocate.
It could not be more appropriate as we navigate what seems like an uncertain future, if we can take any comfort, it must be from these words of scripture. We all know what happened after Pentecost, these frightened men and women changed the world.
Take heart from this: We are supported and held by the Sprit of God, and no matter how hard it is, that is a fact.
This year we may have been closed physically as a building, but we have never stopped being the Church. Today, I want to thank everyone, without naming names, for the incredible effort in keeping going. I am amazed by the work not only our own parishioners have done, but also our community.
There are many examples of this: Offering lunches to the isolated; by the enormous effort of the community giving food for the food bank - every day it seemed more food would find its way on to my door step, thank you.
As a church we have facilitated a huge amount of Christmas gifts to, refugees and families struggling with low income. There have been opportunities to help asylum seekers by offering a place to meet and eat.
As a church we have adapted our services, and moved online, and again thank you to all who have helped with that. We have reached a lot of people over the weeks and our services have reached as far as Canada, America and Mexico!
I would also like to record my thanks to all who have contributed to the music of the church, and more recently it has been a joy to hear singing again.
If ever there was any doubt about God’s guiding hand I think we can honestly say He has been here in the midst of everything.
In every organization there are people who underpin and support the ministry, and I am very grateful for the work of the church office, and also for the countless phone calls that have been made to so many people. These calls have been much appreciated - the ability to break into the silence of a long and lonely day makes such a difference.
The future is both in God’s hands and ours. Prayer, listening and responding, will all form a new vision for us. We can already look forward to Rev Richard’s ordination, as he like, John, takes the step toward priesthood. Rev John has been a great support to me over the last year, and I continue to be thankful for his ministry among us.
Thankfully if all goes well following the Government’s guidelines, we will continue slowly and carefully to open up, and continue the work of the Gospel.
Over the last year many lives have been lost to covid and other illnesses, lets pray for all the bereaved and all affected by this terrible virus. Amen.
A Reading from Scripture: The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost:
2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
I am sure you will recognize this scripture from today’s service - it is of course the account of the coming of the Holy Spirit, the promised advocate.
It could not be more appropriate as we navigate what seems like an uncertain future, if we can take any comfort, it must be from these words of scripture. We all know what happened after Pentecost, these frightened men and women changed the world.
Take heart from this: We are supported and held by the Sprit of God, and no matter how hard it is, that is a fact.
This year we may have been closed physically as a building, but we have never stopped being the Church. Today, I want to thank everyone, without naming names, for the incredible effort in keeping going. I am amazed by the work not only our own parishioners have done, but also our community.
There are many examples of this: Offering lunches to the isolated; by the enormous effort of the community giving food for the food bank - every day it seemed more food would find its way on to my door step, thank you.
As a church we have facilitated a huge amount of Christmas gifts to, refugees and families struggling with low income. There have been opportunities to help asylum seekers by offering a place to meet and eat.
As a church we have adapted our services, and moved online, and again thank you to all who have helped with that. We have reached a lot of people over the weeks and our services have reached as far as Canada, America and Mexico!
I would also like to record my thanks to all who have contributed to the music of the church, and more recently it has been a joy to hear singing again.
If ever there was any doubt about God’s guiding hand I think we can honestly say He has been here in the midst of everything.
In every organization there are people who underpin and support the ministry, and I am very grateful for the work of the church office, and also for the countless phone calls that have been made to so many people. These calls have been much appreciated - the ability to break into the silence of a long and lonely day makes such a difference.
The future is both in God’s hands and ours. Prayer, listening and responding, will all form a new vision for us. We can already look forward to Rev Richard’s ordination, as he like, John, takes the step toward priesthood. Rev John has been a great support to me over the last year, and I continue to be thankful for his ministry among us.
Thankfully if all goes well following the Government’s guidelines, we will continue slowly and carefully to open up, and continue the work of the Gospel.
Rev Paul,
Vicar of Hoylake
Vicar of Hoylake
