Saint David’s Uniting Church
& Castle Square URC
Minister: Rev. Dr Phil Wall
Tel: 01443 300345 Mob: 07855090360
Website: www.stdavidsuniting.org.uk
Admin email: office1.sduc@gmail.com
16th August 2020
We give a big welcome back to Phil from his holiday! Although today’s on-line reflection was not recorded in Pontypridd, as Phil was not due back until late on Saturday, transport permitting! He will be back ‘in the office’ later today!
We look forward to his plans for September and beyond as mentioned in the Mid-week Reflection.
With the variable weather we have had last week we think of those who have been able to take a break from Pontypridd and travel further afield, we hope they have had a good time in different surroundings. For those who have been confined to their homes we trust that you are coping – remember there is always someone to talk to, we are only a phone call away!
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Church Family and Pastoral News
We include this in the news sheet to inform our prayers.
- We pray for those who have been advised to continuing shielding as they are struggling to cope with the restrictions that lock down rules impose.
- We continue to pray for the people of Lebanon as they struggle to rebuild their lives following the catastrophic explosion.
- We think of those for who life is a challenge! We especially remember David & Doreen and John & Valerie.
- There are some who are concerned about the health of older family members.
- With the reports of floods is some areas we remember those who are still waiting for work to be done on their homes following the floods in Pontypridd February.
- We remember those for who this time of year has sad memories and pray that they may find comfort.
Birthdays this week ….
People celebrating birthdays this week are: Anne Hill on Monday17th, Chris Fennell and Theo Davies (who will be 7) on Wednesday 19th, and on Saturday 22nd Roger Bright. We hope you are all able to enjoy your celebrations.
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Sharing Good News
CONGRATULATIONS ! Isobel will be going to York! Her hard work over the last two years has given the result she wanted – a place to study Maths at York University! She achieved excellent grades in Maths, Further Maths and Physics. Liz and Iestyn are delighted and looking forward to visiting the beautiful city of York for the occasional weekend!
Rosie has also received her results – she thought she had her mind made up but she has now received other offers so is trying to decide what to do. Whatever you chose Rosie we wish you well. Mike and Helen are delighted with the results!
We are delighted to report that Gwyneth James has had a good report from the hospital. She will be visiting Guy’s periodically as they continue to study the condition.
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Christian Aid Coping with Covid Cookbook
As at August 16th this is the final figure according to our records!
We dispatched 67 Paper copies and received payment for 31 digital copies.
Several people did not want the book but wanted to support Christian Aid through us!
Our Just giving page recorded £1928 with gift aid of £262.75 We received £524.00 Cheques/Cash with gift aid of £119.25
Making a Final Grand Total of £2834
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Midweek Challenge
Last week Jan Harris spoke about friendship and how they kept her going during lockdown. How many have embraced social media in an attempt to keep in touch with family and friends, because with the physical / social distancing and lockdown we cannot meet face to face.
Last week’s Wednesday reflection was recorded on a deserted beach with Blackpool Tower in the background! It was apparent that Phil had planned in advance as parts were also filmed in North Wales and he was supposed to be on holiday! You can’t keep a good guy down!
He had been keeping up with life in Treforest and Pontypridd through the St David’s website – reference was made to Sue’s challenge to share holiday memories and photo’s and Jan’s challenge of Pen Pal tales and favourite hymns which people without internet were encouraged to phone through to Jan or Marcia.
Phil added the suggestion that some might like to record themselves introducing their favourite hymn saying in one or two lines why they like it!
There are plans to use these introductions in new, revamped services in September. With this in mind Phil has invited us to share your favourite Bible passage, or couple of verses or even just appropriate verses. They can be shared by phone, in writing, on Facebook, the Church Chat group or by email to office1.sduc@gmail.com . If you can record yourself reading that would be great!
SO, if you have a favourite hymn, or a Bible passage that means a lot to you, pass it on and it they will be used in future services…..this is something EVERYONE can be involved in.
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Do you know your bible? ANSWERS
1.There were two men who never died in the Bible. Elijah was one who was the other?
Moses Isaiah Enoch (Hebrews 11:5)
2. The oldest man on record, Methuselah lived to be how old?
900yrs 969yrs 826yrs (Genesis 5)
3. Samson used a donkey’s jaw bone to kill how many men?
1000 100 500 (Judges 15)
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Something to make you laugh!
A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales.
The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal, its throat was very small.
The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.
Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.
The little girl said, ‘When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah’.
The teacher asked, ‘What if Jonah went to hell?’
The little girl replied, ‘Then you ask him’.
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Thought for the Week
“Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does the work.” Mark Twain