There was good attendance at the United Parishes Eucharist Service, which also included a service of public baptism, in Jeffreyston, on Sunday - the 21st after Trinity. The Rector, Fr. Paul, welcomed everyone and after reading out the collect for the day, he introduced the candidates for baptism, Richard, Rhian and William from the Sunday School, who were supported by their parents and godparents. We then continued with the baptism service, using 'An Alternative Order for the Public Baptism of Infants', during which there was a reading from Matthew, chapter 28, 'Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you, and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age'. After the baptism, the readings were Isaiah 43 vv10-13 and Ephesians 6 vv10-20. The Gospel reading was Luke 7 vv1-10. In a well-delivered sermon, Bob Lewis highlighted Ephesians 6, verse 11, 'Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes'. Bob exhorted us to follow this teaching, emphasising that we draw strength to do this from God. The evening Eucharist service in Reynalton was well attended, being led by Fr. Paul and assisted by Bob Lewis. The readings were Jeremiah 31 vv31-34 and Revelation 7 vv2-4 and 9-end. The Gospel reading was Matthew 5 vv1-12, where we read The Beatitudes from the 'Sermon on the Mount'. From his sermon, Fr. Paul highlighted verse three of the Gospel reading, 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven'. In discussing this, Fr. Paul said that Christians have the benefit of the enfolding Love of God to resist materialism in this day and age. Church services for this Sunday are: 9 am Eucharist, East Williamston; 10.30 am Eucharist and Sunday School, Jeffreyston; 12 noon Morning Prayer, Loveston; 6 pm Evensong, Jeffreyston.
Holy Eucharist at opening day of new school
The weather was fine on Monday morning for the opening day of the new Saint Oswalds VA School at Jeffreyston. At the new school's very first assembly, a Eucharist service was led by the parish priest, Fr. Paul, who was assisted by the Rev. Sylvia Temple and Bob Lewis. Within the congregation were the headmistress, Mrs. M. Brown, and her staff, together with school pupils, school governors, parents and local people, including members of Jeffreyston Church. The service for Eucharist had been set up in the new gymnasium and words for hymns and prayers were projected onto a wall. After Fr. Paul had welcomed everyone, he explained the meaning of the Eucharist service to the children. Everyone then heartily sang 'Shine Jesus Shine', followed by the readings for All Saints Day, which were Jeremiah 31, verses 31-34, and the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 5, verses 1-12, recording the Beatitudes from the 'Sermon on the Mount'. Fr. Paul gave a brief talk reviewing the heritage of the previous schools, which had now amalgamated to form the new Saint Oswalds VA School. During the Eucharist service, prayers were said to thank God for all the work everyone had done to bring this new school into existence. The service ended by everyone again singing with gusto the well-known favourite of the children, 'Seek ye first the Kingdom of God'.