1

Notices from St Peter’s

Week beginning SUNDAY 9th MAY, 2021

THE SIXTH SUNDAY of EASTER

Worship at St Peter’s this week:

10am Morning Worship via Zoom (Sunday) 10am Holy Communion in Church (Sunday) 10am Morning Worship via Zoom (Wednesday)

Zoom services are recorded and available to watch through the website or our YouTube Channel – St Peter’s Chellaston

Vicar: Revd BJ Facey, Tel: 704835, bjfacey@btinternet.com

Church website: www.achurchnearyou.co.uk Email: stpetersoffice10@btinternet.com Church Hall: stpeterschurchhallchellaston@hotmail.co.uk

2

HOLYHABITS Whole-church discipleship approach

Serving Sharing Resources Fellowship Breaking Bread

Worship Prayer Gladness and Generosity Making more Disciples

The fellowship of the believers – Acts 2: 42 - 47 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

The Holy Habits Prayer

‘Endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us…’

Gracious and ever-loving God, we offer our lives to you. Help us always

to be open to your Spirit in our thoughts and feelings and actions. Support us as we seek to learn more about those habits of the

Christian life which, as we practise them, will form in us the character of Jesus by establishing us in the way of faith, hope and love.

Amen

Eating Together B

ible

Tea

chin

g

3

Food Bank Please do keep supporting local foodbanks if you can – so many people are struggling to feed their families at the moment. You can donate at the COOP and Tesco in Chellaston (not sure about Aldi and Lidl). If you, or someone you know, needs help do get in touch with Derby City Mission.

Booking a seat in Church

Spaces in church are still limited due to social distancing restrictions. If you would like to book a seat please contact Rachel on: 07732337717 or stpetersoffice10@btinternet.com Face masks must be worn and you will be asked to gel your hands and avoid gathering and chatting to people inside the building or around the church door. Thank you.

Thy Kingdom Come is a nine-day period during which the Archbishop of Canterbury calls us all to pray. As a church we pray for the ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ initiative that, through it, people be inspired, encouraged and enabled to find hope and come to a deeper faith in God. At St Peter’s, TKC will begin with an outdoor Ascension Day Service on Thursday 13th May at 6pm. (Please bring a chair if you’d like). The service will last about ½ an hour and we will be able to sing together outdoors!!!! During the week there will be five prayer stations in the church yard – praying the world (on the path up from the lytchgate), for five people (with wool and the Lenten Cross), the Lord’s Prayer (which will be wrapped around the church), ourselves (the Labyrinth) and Chellaston (in the Lytchgate). Praying for Chellaston will culminate in a prayer walk – going out in twos or threes from the church to different areas of Chellaston to

4

pray simply for the people that live and work there. The prayer walk will begin at 10am on Saturday 22nd May

No-Mow May

Join legions of gardeners and say “no” to the mow this May to help our bees, butterflies, wildlife and us! Plantlife’s No Mow May campaign doesn’t ask you to do much. In fact, it asks you to not do anything at all… Just lock up your lawnmower on May 1st and let the wild flowers in your lawn bloom, providing a feast of nectar for our hungry pollinators. At the end of the month, on the Bank Holiday Weekend, join in with our nationwide “Every Flower Counts” survey to discover how many bees the UK’s lawns can feed. Not only will you receive your very own “nectar score” (which will tell you have many bees your lawn can feed), you’ll help us learn more about the health of the nations’ wild flowers.

This week is Christian Aid Week – for more information or to make a donation please have a look at the website below: https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/key-appeals/christian-aid-week

5

Giving We have a number of different ways that can be used to contribute to the church, either regularly or as one-off donations. Please feel free to pass onto these details to anyone you know who would like to support the church with its mission and community work. If you have any questions please email me (carolabroome@gmail.com) or BJ. • Parish Giving Scheme – this is our preferred and most efficient

way of giving, which will enable you to donate regularly via Parish Giving; using this scheme ensures the donations are received by the church with the benefit of claiming Gift Aid on our behalf. If you sign up to donate via this scheme, you will need to cancel any current standing order donation to the Church. A background document and donation form can be provided by contacting Carol Broome or BJ.

• QR code – for those more tech savvy among us, please feel free to scan the below code and it will take you straight to our JustGiving page where you can donate directly; again this method will ensure any Gift Aid can be claimed on your donation directly. Please note you can donate any amount you choose and you do not have to pay a giving contribution charge – choose Other.

Just Giving can also be accessed via our A Church near you web page.

• Online Banking – direct payment. Use the following details to set

up a one off or regular donation; if you are eligible, this donation can be enhanced by enabling the Church to claim Gift Aid (form available – email Carol Broome) Chellaston St Peters PCC Account No 94430136 Sort Code 601419

• Cash/Cheque donations can be handed in to the Vicarage – please

place in a sealed envelope and note your name/contact details

6

Michael Pettit

St Athanasius 2nd May

Athanasius (approx. 293 - 373) led a tumultuous but dedicated life of service to the Church. He was the great defender of the orthodox faith against the widespread heresy of Arianism*, the teaching by Arius that Jesus was not truly divine. The vigour of Athanasius’ writings earning him the title of Doctor of the Church. Born of a Christian family in Alexandria, Egypt, and given a classical education, Athanasius became secretary to Alexander, the bishop of Alexandria, entered the priesthood and was eventually named as bishop himself. His predecessor, Alexander, had been an outspoken

critic of a new movement growing in the East: Arianism. When Athanasius assumed his role as bishop of Alexandria, he continued the fight against Arianism. At first, it seemed that the battle would be easily won and that Arianism would be condemned. This, however, did not prove to be the case: The Council of Tyre was called and for several reasons, some still unclear, the Emperor Constantine exiled Athanasius to northern Gaul: At a meeting with the emperor at Constantinople Athanasius was erroneously, out of the blue, accused of threatening to interfere with the grain supply from Egypt; and without further ado and no formal trial Constantine exiled him! It is, however, believed that Constantine, taking up Christianity, was baptised by an Arian sympathising bishop. This was to be the first in a series of travels and exiles - reminiscent of the life of Saint Paul. After Constantine died, his son, Constantine the 2nd, restored Athanasius as bishop. This lasted only a year, however, for he was deposed once again by a coalition of Arian bishops. Athanasius took his case to Rome, and Pope Julius I called a synod to review the case and other related matters. Five times Athanasius was exiled for his championing of the doctrine of Christ’s divinity and the teaching of the Trinity - which we now take for granted. During one of these periods of his life, he enjoyed 10 years of relative peace; reading, writing, and promoting the Christian life along the

7

lines of the monastic ideal to which he was greatly devoted. His dogmatic and historical writings are most aggressive when directed against Arianism.

Among his other writings, his Life of St. Anthony**, an Egyptian Monk, (approx. 251 - 356 yes, very old!) achieved astonishing popularity and contributed greatly to the establishment of monastic life throughout the Western Christian world. Athanasius is believed to have died on the 2nd of May, peacefully in his bed, surrounded by his fellow monks. His name is Greek and means immortal. Unlike most saints he is not associated with any patronages but is known as the “Father of Orthodoxy”. St. Anthony

** “Let no one who hath renounced the world think

that he hath given up some great thing... the whole earth set over against heavenʼs infinite is scant and poor”

From Athanasius’ “Life of St. Anthony” *We have visited this topic in several earlier lives of the saints. It is hard for us, today, to appreciate how this invasive cancer of Arianism invaded the day to day practice of Christianity and caused such upheaval for believers. The Creed which bears his name, the Athanasian Creed not much used today, was probably not written by Athanasius but by Ambrose. One of its main aims was to silence Arianism.

READINGS and COLLECT FOR SUNDAY AND WEDNESDAY

Sunday

Collect God our redeemer, you have delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your Son: grant, that as by his death he has called us to life, so by his continual presence in us he may raise

8

us to eternal joy; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Psalm 98 1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. 2 The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. 3 He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. 4 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; 5 make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, 6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn – shout for joy before the Lord, the King. 7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. 8 Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; 9 let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.

Acts 10: 44 - end 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[b] and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 ‘Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptised with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.’ 48 So he ordered that they be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

9

John 15: 9 - 17 9 ‘As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last – and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: love each other. Wednesday

Collect God our redeemer, you have delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your Son: grant, that as by his death he has called us to life, so by his continual presence in us he may raise us to eternal joy; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Psalm 148: 1 – 2, 11 - end 1 Praise the Lord.[a] Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above. 2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts. 11 kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, 12 young men and women, old men and children. 13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendour is above the earth and the heavens. 14 And he has raised up for his people a horn,[b]

10

the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the Lord.

Acts 17: 15, 22 – 18: 1 15 Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible. 22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: ‘People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship – and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. 24 ‘The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 “For in him we live and move and have our being.”[b] As some of your own poets have said, “We are his offspring.”[c] 29 ‘Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone – an image made by human design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.’ 32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, ‘We want to hear you again on this subject.’ 33 At that, Paul left the Council. 34 Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others. After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

John 16: 12 - 15 12 ‘I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me

11

that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.’

Sermon for Sunday from Rachel My command is this: love each other as I have loved you. Well, there is a wealth of challenge in that little phrase, isn’t there? This is the second time that Jesus refers to loving each other, as he has loved them. In John 13, Jesus refers to this as a ‘new commandment’. And he comes back to it again in John 15. But what is new about it? I love the comment in the reading we had from Acts this morning – ‘The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.’ ‘Even on the Gentiles’! This is the heart of what makes this commandment new. The Jewish nation had always been a little focused on the fact that they were God’s chosen people – his royal priesthood. The ones set apart from all the rest – those that weren’t chosen, weren’t circumcised. It used to be that they believed that God’s love was reserved for them but in today’s readings it is being made clear that God’s love is for all. The passage from John is still full of the notion of chosen – Jesus has chosen his disciples, he has loved them and now they must love each other and others too. They must reflect Jesus’ love and love as Jesus has loved them. The way they love, reflecting Jesus’ love will be a testimony, a witness to the world, of the power, the glory, the mercy and the love of God the Father. God wants us to experience the incredible, life-changing love, mercy and compassion that comes from him. He wants us and others to love like this

12

too, so that we can feel that sort of wonderful love from those around us and offer it to others. The call to love like this is often difficult, but it’s also a reminder of how God loves us: relentlessly, completely and without expectation of anything in return. Now, we might look at the passage from John and say, ‘well Jesus was talking to his disciples here. That looks rather exclusive to me!’ But here the phrase, ‘as I have loved you’, is telling. The disciples were a rather ramshackle bunch and not necessarily what you might have expected – yet Jesus chose them and loved them anyway. The gospels are littered with stories of Jesus reaching out to the unexpected, the outcast, the overlooked. Jesus welcomes all, from little children, to women with ‘suspect’ back stories, to lepers, to rich men and even Pharisees who come to see him in the dead of night! God has indeed chosen the Jewish nation, he does indeed love them, but it is quite clear that the Jews were chosen for a reason - to share the good news of God’s love with others. Despite all of the indications to the contrary from scripture, the Jews held firm to the belief that God was exclusively their God. We might be tempted to tut a bit at that attitude. But I’m not sure we can afford to do so – we are wont to be far more Pharisee than Jesus in our relationships as a church. Perhaps more scared or overwhelmed with the task, than reluctant to share the good news of Jesus love with others, but whatever the reasons, the end result is the same. We are wary of difference, of change, of being shaken up and stepping out of our comfort zones. One of the biggest worries of course is that what we talk about will be rejected, that we will be rejected. But that isn’t an excuse to stop trying, to stop loving. People have different experiences of love to fall back on – some good, some bad. Some people’s experience of love has scarred and marked them in seemingly unfixable ways. Human love can be damaging as well as wonderful. And we need to bear that in mind. It is why loving as Jesus loved is the stand-out phrase in the gospel passage and why loving even the ‘Gentiles’ – those that are not like us is so important. We are all

13

unique, everyone has had their own experiences that have shaped them. God’s love is so special because it just is. He created us, and loves us relentlessly, completely and without expectation of return. So, what does loving as Jesus loved look like? Jesus’ love is costly. It was shown ultimately on the cross – his arms wide, taking all of our wrong-doing to himself, and redeeming us all. Jesus’ love is caring. We see time and time again in the bible where Jesus shows his love by taking time to listen and to be with people rather than forcing his opinion on others. His love is kind, not rude. Jesus’ love is commanded love. Hang on a minute, I hear you think – you just said that Jesus’ love didn’t force its opinions on others and now you are saying it is commanded love? The command here though, is to love even when that is hard, when someone is prickly, difficult to love, different from you, disagrees with you. Even if you have to take a step back – you can still love regardless of how that love is received and that is why the commandment to love is there. Jesus’ love is conspicuous – it is a love that can be seen and felt. It is evident in the quiet, gentle yet challenging way he sees through crowds and speaks to just one individual, in the way he addresses whole crowds, in the way he makes time for others, even when there is no one around to report back on his actions. His love is shown in so many ways. In an unprecedented way on the cross of course but also in the way he is anxious that people are fed, physically and spiritually, in the way that he notices the little children, in the way he engages with the woman at the well, or takes the time to pray to his Father. Conspicuous, in this sense, doesn’t mean making a big show of things, simply not hiding his love. And finally, Jesus’ love is committed love. In spite of all our failures – the times when we let an opportunity to show his love go by, or we actively do something which is in direct contradiction with how he loves us – in spite of all this Jesus still loves us. So, how can we live and love without weighing up the costs? How can we be caring in our love – simply showing love for others without wanting anything in return, without a hidden agenda? How can we keep that

14

command to love, even when it is hard to do so? How can be conspicuous with our love – letting it shine out of us, towards God and towards others? And how can we be committed to loving others even when we feel let down or slighted by them? This kind of love is the ideal – and if we are honest we live quite a way from it, quite a lot of the time. But Jesus shows us how to love. We learn best by example and Jesus gives us that. He asks us to love each other as he has loved us. We can ‘live his story’ and follow his example by sharing his story, in love with others, with all – even, especially, those Gentiles that don’t come to church! Amen

Intercessions from Norma Faithful God, your Son Jesus Christ gave us a new commandment, of love for each other and so we ask you to teach us to love you in our neighbours that by serving them we might also serve you. Lord hear us…………Lord Graciously hear us. Mighty God, we pray for our Churches Together in Chellaston as we gather this day, either on Zoom or in person, to praise you and to hear your holy word. We pray for our Christian sisters and brothers worshipping around the world in small rural churches, great city cathedrals and on the internet. Give us here in Chellaston a sense of expectation as we come, and inspiration as we go. Bless our ministers, lay and ordained, whose preaching and teaching inspire us with the message of your salvation. Lord hear us…………Lord Graciously hear us. Lord of mercy, we pray for those around the world now struggling with COVID-19 and especially at this time for the nation of India. Heal and

15

comfort those who are sick and suffering. Protect and guide the health professionals who are at the front line. May there be a fair sharing of the world’s resources for controlling the pandemic. Lord hear us…………Lord Graciously hear us. Father God, may our closeness to family and friends make us never exclusive, shutting others out, but always inclusive, and welcoming. Inspire us to offering hospitality to others so that they may feel welcome in our churches and homes. Lord hear us…………Lord Graciously hear us. Loving God, help us all to be a part of the healing ministry of your church. Encourage us to constantly pray for those we know who are suffering in body, mind, or spirit and from the Coronavirus. Deepen our love for our neighbours especially those who are weak, help us to console the sorrowful and give hope to the dying. We remember those on our prayer lists and in a moment of quiet ask your presence to be with them and any others known to us personally who are in need of your comfort at this time. Lord hear us…………Lord Graciously hear us. Merciful God, your love reaches beyond the grave. At the end of our days on earth be with us and with those we love and with those whom we love and have gone before us. We pray now for those who have recently died; give to the departed the perfect joy of your eternal love and to those bereaved by their passing the consolation of Your perfect love. Lord hear us…………Lord Graciously hear us. Holy God, send us out into the world today mindful that as witnesses and servants, we should make you known in every place we visit and bear witness to the Gospel with acts of faith and hope and love. Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

16

Bible Study will meet again on Wednesday 12th May. The group meets at 7pm on Zoom. Everyone welcome.

Blue Door Family are holding Blue Door Gang on Zoom at 2.15pm on

the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month – please email Rachel if you know anyone who would like an invite.

Today’s story from the bible is all about loving others as Jesus loves us. The bible tells us that Jesus loves us – we can see this through all the things he says and does. What is your favourite story about Jesus?

17

18

For our Prayers this week:

Red Prayers: Jason Reynolds, Bob and Kathleen Winrow, Patricia Bowers, Lucy, Isis Spendlow-Rawlings, Stephen Thorp, Andrew Mason, Marion and Tony, Andrew, Eriko Curtis, Robin, Helen Keep, Rick and Melba Dowding, Nicky Ryalls, Christy Lindsay, Mike and Sue Reynolds, Maggie, Gaynor Higgs, Brian Harding, Sandi, Mike Stevenson, Helen

Amber Prayers: Mike Curtis, Mark Whiteman, Val Mason, Lisa Green Prayers: Phil Hewitt, Lin, Arthur, Jean Lewis, Richard Lewis We pray for those who have died: Margaret Dawson Thanksgivings: We give thanks for those people who are special in our lives In our Prayers: we pray for the family of Margaret Dawson Praying for Chellaston: pray for all of Chellaston at this time! Prayer Walk: There will not be an actual prayer walk for the moment. Please do keep praying for Chellaston and the work of the churches in Chellaston Use the labyrinth to walk and pray for Chellaston, this country, and the world as we navigate our way through all that is happening at the moment. Pray for the NHS, for Pharmacists, for Carers, for Care Home Staff, for those that work in retail, on public transport, for the postal service, refuse collectors, delivery drivers, farmers, Funeral Directors, the government and local councils and all those who have jobs that are classed as key. Prayer Requests: email requests to the office email address, or ring one of the Ministry Team

19

Prayer Group meets on Thursday 13th May on Zoom at 7pm (No Prayer Group on Maundy Thursday)

Prayer Group A prayer for those affected by Coronavirus: Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy. Sustain and support the anxious, be with those who care for the sick, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may find comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Prayer Wheel:

Prayer requests may begin anywhere on the list – you don’t have to start at the top.

Rachel Harrison 07732337717 Helen Keep 704251 Tim and Amanda Sandland 690126 Norma Harding 606344 Lynda Lewis 705042 Lesley Nelson 793171 Queenie Adams 705194 BJ Facey 704835 Val Smith 704203 Alison Henshaw 863182

If you have any problems with the running of the wheel please speak to Rachel.

20

Prayer of the Week: Sovereign and saving God, sanctify our hearts by your touch, so that the flawed worship we offer may nonetheless be pleasing to you and speak to us. Sanctify us in truth, so that we will know, love and serve you better. Sanctify all we are and all we do, so that, consecrating our lives to your service, we may live each moment in the light of your love, your grace shining through our witness as light to the world, drawing together all people to you. Amen

LECTIONARY READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday 10th May

Psalm 65 Deuteronomy 26 1 Peter 4: 1 - 11

Tuesday 11th May Psalm 126 Deuteronomy 28: 1 - 14 1 Peter 4: 12 - end

Wednesday 12th May

Psalm 132 Deuteronomy 28: 58 - end 1 Peter 5

Thursday 13th May Ascension Day

Psalm 110 Isaiah 52: 7 - end Hebrews 7: 26 - end

Friday 14th May Matthias the Apostle

Psalm 16 1 Samuel 2: 27 - 35 Acts 2: 37 - end

Saturday 15th May

Psalm 47 Deuteronomy 30 1 John 2: 7 - 17

Next Sunday: Sunday 16th May

The Seventh Sunday of Easter

Readings: Psalm 1 Ezekiel 36: 24 - 28 Acts 1: 15 – 17, 21 - end 1 John 5: 9 - 13 John 17: 6 - 19