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Gospel
John 15: 1-8
Jesus The True Vine
Christian Love in Action
3rd MAY 2015
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every
branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do
bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned
and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine,
and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I
in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
6
Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch
and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you
remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you
want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true
disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
5th Sunday of Easter
Welcome to Worship
Welcome to Revd Stuart Wilson
9.30am
11.00am
Morning Prayer, St Peter’s, Thornbury
Family Holy Communion, St Mary’s,
Black Torrington joined by All Saints, Bradford
NLT
To Think About
The resurrection was not a sentimental Easter card, but a profound
revolution and revelation, an awe-filled one. The incredible love of God
in the risen Jesus assumes its deepest significance as it springs out of
our fear and amazement. Those of us who have met this risen Jesus in
deep despair and are raised out of it have already been terrified and
yet such love still amazes us.
Many people turn away from the resurrection because of its frightening
aspect. They would prefer to have life knowable and tame and ordered,
at least partially within their control. If the resurrection is true, then
this world is not what it seems and i may be called upon to follow the
way of love revealed in this event. Love may demand all of me, and
this will require courage, the kind of courage the first disciples of Jesus
exhibited as they went out with their good news into a hostile and
persecuting world.
Morton Kelsey, Resurrection, Release from Oppression, 1985:85-86
Weds May 5th 9.00am 12noon
Thornbury Church Coffee Morning, Holsworthy Memorial Hall
Cake stall, tombola, plants, jewellery, books, bric a brac, please come along
and support us. Any donations of cakes, tombola prizes very welcome
More information from Liz 01409 261312 or Sara 01409 261760.
Please take this pewsheet home with you as a reminder
of events and topics for prayer
Readings
Acts 8: 26-40
1 John 4: 7-21
John 15: 1-8
Collect
Risen Christ,
your wounds declare your love for the world
and the wonder of your risen life:
give us compassion and courage
to risk ourselves for those we serve,
to the glory of God the Father.
Amen
At Holy Communion we invite communicant members of other Christian churches to
come forward to receive the sacraments.
If you would prefer to receive a blessing, please kneel at the rail
with your hands at your sides.
If you require gluten free wafers, please inform the person on duty at the door.
Priest-in-Charge: Revd Prebendary Kathy Roberts
Tel: 01409 231 279 Mob: 0771 757 5554
email: [email protected]
www.black-torrington-benefice.org.uk
e-mail: [email protected]
INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS
ACTS 8:26-40. This passage tells how the gospel became a missionary
faith outside of Judaism. A eunuch whether Jewish or Gentile believer in
Israel’s God would have been excluded from every Jewish congregation
because he could not have any male heirs, “sons of the covenant.” The story
is told as part of the main theme of Acts: To trace the expansion of the early
church under the leadership of the apostles from Jerusalem to the Gentile
nations of the world, especially to Rome, the capital city of the empire.
1 JOHN 4:7-21. Perhaps the finest definition of God is given here: “God is
love.” Like partners in a dance, we are invited to love each other as God loves
us. No one has seen God, but as we love one another we allow the world to
catch a glimpse of God’s true nature. In fact, God’s love is somehow
incomplete until we feature that love in our lives.
JOHN 15:1-8. The allegory of the vine and the branches offers insight into
the way the early Christian community saw the redemptive relationship
between God, Jesus and the faithful. John stretches the image most
picturesquely. The solid trunk of the vine emerging from the ground grows
long, tender branches on which the fruit is produced. Without those branches,
newly grown each year, the vine cannot produce. Cut off from the root, the
branches are useful only as kindling for a fire. This was a common source of
firewood in ancient times. God is described as the vine grower who cares for
both the vine and the branches. Part of that caring requires rigorous pruning
so that the vine continues to produce good fruit. This is exactly what has
happened to Israel and to the church through the ages.
© John Shearman
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
Benjie Inniss
RIP John Baker
The Churches within the Mission Community: Revd Christopher Penn and the
Holsworthy Benefice of churches
Those on the Electoral Roll at All Saints:
Celia Taylor,
Karl Taylor,
Margaret Taylor,
Martin Taylor,
Michael Welch,
Marion Westaway,
Barbara Worth.
Andrew Townsend and Margaret Cawthra whose banns are currently
being called. Andrew lives in Thornbury and the couple will be married at All
Saints, Fleet.
Benefice Diary for May
Mon 4th
8.00am
No Morning Prayer, Bank Holiday
Tues 5th
8.00am
Morning Prayer, St Mary’s, Black Torrington
Weds 6th
8.00am
9-12
Thurs 7th
8.00am
Sat 9th
10.00am
Sunday 10th
11.00am
7.00pm
Morning Prayer, St Mary’s, Black Torrington
Thornbury Church Coffee Morning, Holsworthy Memorial
Hall
Morning Prayer, St Mary’s, Black Torrington
Benefice Saturday Church, Bradford Village Hall,
followed by Holy Communion
Benefice Rogation Service, Higher Odham Farm,
Highampton, followed by a Bring and Share Lunch
Woodacott Chapel, Thornbury, Concert the Arscott Singers
Everyone Welcome, followed by refreshments
Looking ahead
Fri 15th May 7.00pm
Barn dance in aid of St Mary's plastering fund.
Barn Dance
15th May 7.00pm Barn dance in aid of St Mary's plastering fund. Tickets now
available from Sue White, Janet Portman, Sheila Grabham and Val Letheren.
We are putting together a hamper for a raffle prize. If anyone would like to
contribute, there is a list of items we would like to include at the back of the
church and a box for donations. Thank you
A Prayer at Election Time
Heavenly Father,
source of all truth and wisdom,
who knows and loves the whole creation,
watch over our nation at election time:
that truth may prevail over distortion,
wisdom triumph over recklessness,
and the concerns of every person be heard;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Contact Kate Inniss if you would like a notice included in the pew sheet by
Wednesday latest, please. Phone 01409 231 234
or email [email protected] or [email protected]