Weekly Notices - 2nd February 2025
As we continue our walk in faith together, let us encourage ourselves to open our Bibles and be surprised by Scripture! This week, we encounter Simeon and Anna in the temple – imagine the absolute joy they both experienced in realizing that the infant they were holding was Jesus!!
In trying to create my yearly ‘plan of action’ for our parish, I have been totally surprised (and a little bewildered!) by the path which God is challenging me to take. I have prayed and pondered over our direction for the last few years, and just about given up hope of any word from God....then BAM!
Just after Christmas 2024, I felt God whisper, “Kofe, allow me to lead!” As the weeks of this non-existent summer went on, I became aware that the whisper was getting louder – and yet I hesitated.
In the last couple of weeks, that whisper has started to become a shout! I have been forced to sit quietly God’s Presence and accept that I could never do this on my own!
I now feel that I can free myself of the burden of trying to manage decisions that will hugely impact us all, and to give them to God to manage. After all, I tell myself, isn’t that why I am here???? To lead, yes; but to lead with God’s guidance; to rid myself of my pride and of holding on to what I (as a mere human) wants, and to lay before God my weaknesses and idiosyncrasies.
With God’s Presence and Guidance, let us all be surprised together with where He takes us this year, and what He will have us do...... watch this space!
May God always bless St Aug’s
~ Your Friend and Vicar, Kofe
Vicar Kofe
This Sunday’s service (2nd February)
Theme: “The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple”
Sentence: ‘Be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in righteousness and true holiness.’
Ephesians 4:23–24
Collect:
Ever living God,
your Son Jesus Christ was presented as a child in the temple
to be the hope of your people;
grant us pure hearts and minds
that we may be transformed into his likeness,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever. Amen.
Readings: Malachi 3:1-4 and Luke 2:22-40
Parish News
· Mid-week Communion will start up for the year this Wed 5th Feb – at the later time of 1pm. Please note this new time is a one-off and we will revert to our regular 10am slot next week.
· I have now ordered and collected the 2025 Diocesan Lent Study books. If your Home Group would like copies, please let me know. They are going at $8 a copy. (Lent this year begins with Ash Wednesday on the 5th March.)
· The Vicar is preparing a proposal to take to Vestry for the (part-time) employment of a Childrens’ Ministry Worker. Please hold this in your hearts and prayers, together with the changes we are looking to make to other facets of our parish life.
· Your ongoing prayers are sought for Ciru as she continues to recover from her broken ankle. Remember if you can provide a meal for her, we are happy to deliver!
· Update: Paula is thoroughly enjoying her time away in Canada! She sends you all her love from the ski slopes and invites you to follow her on facebook for photos and more.
Please note that while Paula is away and Ciru recuperating, the parish office will NOT BE manned as normal! So if you have any urgent requirements, please feel free to contact your Vicar on 020 4132 6302.
Our People, Our Place
The new Morning Tea Roster for the 9.30am Service is now up on the inside of the cupboard in the Hannan Centre. Due to unavoidable situations, it includes VOLUNTEERS PLEASE on some Sundays.
If you are NOT on the regular roster, I would appreciate you checking it out to see if you are able to help on those occasions.
Many Thanks, Yvonne Radford.
Diocesan Prayer Community - Reminder
The Diocesan Prayer Community has been operating since March this year. This Community identifies the issues which challenge our Diocese (and parish!) and join each other in praying for those issues.
Do consider signing up to pray with others from other parishes. You will receive regular updates and forms of encouragement from our Archdeacon of Regeneration & Mission, and it only takes a few minutes of our time each day or week.
Please let the Vicar know if you’re interested.
Helpful info
Giving
Groups
It’s easy to connect and get involved with some great social and faith-focused groups that meet regularly across the parish. You can find out about all our regular groups on our Groups page. If you have any questions, just click the contact button to connect with the group’s organiser.
Need prayer?
We’d love to pray for you. See the ‘Prayer Support’ section on the Help & Support page for more information on how we can help with your prayer needs. There are confidential and anonymous options available.