Saint David’s Uniting Church
Minister: Vacancy
Church Office Tel: 01443 300345
Website: www.stdavidsuniting.org.uk
Admin email: [email protected]
Link for Live Stream – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1ftWuXHexnfFdo1FKwXBZA
26th February 2023
We welcome everyone to today’s service as we start our journey through lent. If you are a visitor, you are most welcome and we invite you to join us in the hall following the service for a time of informal fellowship.
We are very fortunate that Iestyn Henson has stepped in at short notice to take today’s service and to Rev Ray Vincent who will be leading Communion. We are indeed blessed that we have these people as part of our fellowship.
We have an ‘open table’ for communion and ALL are invited to partake of the bread and wine.
We have received a letter from Christian Aid asking us to help Turkey and Syria, so there will be a retiring collection today for those who wish to donate and haven’t done so in other ways. Details of other ways to donate are below.
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Church Family and Pastoral News
We include this in the news sheet to inform our prayers.
- As many people around the world reflect on the 1-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine we remember all who have been affected by the conflict and pray for peace. A prayer is attached.
- We continue to hold those who mourn for Edith in our prayers. Especially her friends from Porth as they wait for news of the funeral.
- Elsie’s treatment has been completed; she now has a 6-week wait for the results!
- Dorothy is suffering from a knee problem and is also concerned for her neighbour.
- There are many people who would benefit from our prayers but don’t wish to be named.
27 Feb–12 Mar Fairtrade Fortnight
3 March – World Day of Prayer
Birthdays
There are three birthdays that we are aware of this week – Two are on March 1st (St David’s Day) Pam Mahoney will no doubt be celebrating in style. The other St David’s Day babe prefers to avoid the limelight. The third birthday, on Friday 3rd, is Stephen Webber. We send our good wishes to them all.
Good News
We are pleased to hear that Phil will at last be moving to his new home in Milton Keynes this week. We wish him well in his new abode.
To comply with data protection, the full address is not being published, but it is available on request.
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The Earthquake ~ Emergency Appeal
Donations can be made by Post: PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA, cheques payable to DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal. Online: https://give.christianaid.org.uk/donate/CAM-004766
Diary for the Week
Monday 27th Language Class 10.00 am
Wednesday 1st St David’s Guild – 2.00 pm – 3.30 pm (see below) Guides – 6pm
Thursday 2nd Tenovus ‘Sing with Us’ Choir 7.00 pm
Sunday 5th Lewis Lewis-Head will lead our worship at 10.45 am
St David’s Guild
A very interesting talk was given last week on schools’ ministry in Caerphilly. Mrs. Margaret Medlow said Club 707 started operating in 2011 in primary schools in the Caerphilly basin. It expanded and they employed two people (1full time and 1 part-time). The team didn’t want to lose touch with the children, they have kept in touch with them in the comprehensive schools where they run weekly What’s Up clubs, and other projects. Volunteers, also help with reading in primary schools.
In her closing sentence, Margaret said that prayer was their catalyst and they regularly “Thank God” for His amazing provision in all that has been achieved to date.
As our meeting this week is on St David’s day, we will celebrate all things Welsh. Come along prepared to take part, we will sing, share knowledge and have an afternoon of fun!
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Lent Groups
Everyone is welcome to join one or more of the Lent Groups that have been organised over the coming weeks during which we will be reading and reflecting on the book, Women of Holy Week. They will take place on different days and times, including online so that hopefully you’ll be able to attend at least one. Times and hosts are:
Week 1 Wednesday 1st March at 7:30pm. online on Zoom You can use the usual link to join
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89461145366?pwd=S3ExNTVjdGVGdXlGVlNQc2k3eldudz09
Week 2 Monday 6th March at 2pm to be held at John Henson’s home
Thursday 9th March at 7:30 pm to be held at Mo Chester’s home
Week 3 Thursday 16th March at 2pm to be held at Claire Hughes’ home
Week 4 Tuesday 21st March at 2pm to be held at Sue Walkling’s home
Week 5 Wednesday 29th March at 7:30 pm to be held at Pam Mahoney’s home
Week 6 Holy Week Meditations times to be announced
There are sign-up sheets for each group on the table.
Future Services
March 12th ZOOM Rev Ray Vincent March 19th Aled Edwards
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Thought for the week
In a society that has you counting money, pounds. calories, and steps,
be a rebel and count your blessings instead.
Lisa Heckman
Thanks to Gwyneth for sharing.
Prayers for Ukraine
Join us as we offer prayers for our sisters and brothers in Ukraine.
Friday 24 February was the one year anniversary of the war in Ukraine.
We are inviting churches across Britain and Ireland to join together in an act of witness to pray for Ukraine on Sunday 26 February, for an end to the conflict and for all those affected by the terrible impact of war.
This act of witness will stand in solidarity with national services being organised with Churches Together in Britain & Ireland, Churches Together in England and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church on 24 February.
Below is a prayer written by the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church that we are sharing across our sponsoring churches that we would invite you to use with your church community.
A prayer for the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine
Almighty and Great God, accept our gratitude for your boundless mercy towards us. Hear the supplication of our afflicted hearts for the land and people of Ukraine, as they confront foreign aggression and invasion. Open the eyes of those who have been overtaken by a spirit of deception and violence, that they be horrified by their works. Grant victory over the powers of evil that have arisen and bless Ukraine with your gifts of liberty, peace, tranquility, and good fortune.
We implore you, O Merciful God, look with grace upon those who courageously defend their land. Remember the mothers and fathers, the innocent children, widows and orphans, the disabled and helpless, those seeking shelter and refuge, who reach out to you and to their fellow human beings looking for mercy and compassion. Bless the hearts of those who have already shown great generosity and solidarity, and those who prepare to receive their Ukrainian brothers and sisters in Ukraine’s greatest time of need. Bring us together as your children, your creation, and instill in us your strength, wisdom and understanding. May you be praised and glorified, now and forever, and to the ages of ages.
Amen