St John's News - 18 July 2023

Dear friends,

People were overwhelmed with amazement. "Jesus has done everything well," they said.
"He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."
Mark 7:37

On Sunday, Tom Hart preached a brilliant sermon on our third Woman of Faith, the Greek from Syria Phoenicia. If you missed it, catch up on our YouTube channel

This coming Sunday is a service of Holy Communion and we will be looking at our next Woman of Faith, Ruth. You may wish to read this short Old Testament book before coming.

Sunday School is taking a break for the summer, but there will be a Bible bit and simple craft activity for the children in the service.

On 22nd October 2023 at 3:00pm, there is a Confirmation Service for our deanery at Lavenham. If you would like to know more about getting confirmed, then please have a word with the Rector.

The weekly church prayer meeting is on Zoom on Saturday at 9:00am for 40 minutes. You are welcome to join us by clicking here or, load Zoom and use Meeting ID: 685 295 1296 and Password: 816262.

Ride and Stride - 9th September 2023

Every second Saturday in September for 40 years the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust has been running its famous bike ride fundraiser (known as Ride & Stride as some choose to walk). People of all ages and every walk of life join in. You might bike as a family, with friends or as a solo, finding companions along the way. Some cyclists do 20 or 30 churches but most settle for a relaxed ride between 4 or 5. You will get a warm welcome in the churches and you might be surprised by the fascinating social history you find in the churches that you visit.

All you need to do ahead of the day is plan a route and get friends and family to sponsor you either with a fixed sum or on a per church basis. Your local organiser (Tricia McNeeney) can give you a Sponsorship form or visit https://shct.org.uk/ride-and-stride/

Half of the money you raise will go straight to the church you nominate and half to the grants chest of the Trust to enable it to help churches when the roof leaks or the masonry crumbles. It is the SHCT 50th anniversary in 2023, so they are looking to mark that anniversary with 500 new cyclists. Please be one!

Tricia will also be organising a rota of helpers on the day to be present at St John's to welcome participants - please watch this space for more details.

In Christ

Peter
Tue 18 Jul 2023