Dear People & Friends of St. Clement’s,
It was most encouraging to have a congregation of sixty-nine last Sunday morning, which is nearly 40% higher than our average Sunday attendance in 2015. We gave very good voice to the hymns, especially ‘Amazing Grace’. My sermon from that service is now available to listen to on our Church website. Just follow this link:
My thanks too, to Stephen Weeks, for organising an excellent parish outing on the Sunday afternoon, visiting the ruined abbey at Panenský Týnec and the Church of St. James, Slavětín nad Ohří.
Now looking ahead to this coming Sunday and the following week.
Sunday 18th September at 11.00 – Sung Eucharist for the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity
Our Old Testament reading will be Amos 8. 4-7, where the prophet has some challenging words regarding the economic abuse of the poor and needy. Our second reading will be a further part of St Paul’s first letter to Timothy – 1 Timothy 2. 1-7, which has some helpful advice about what we should pray for. Out Gospel reading – Luke 16. 1-13, is the somewhat difficult parable of the dishonest manager and is then followed by some powerful words of Jesus ending with his declaration that, ‘You cannot serve God and wealth’.
There will be parallel Children’s Ministry and following worship, Cool Drinks & Light Refreshments will be served at the back of the Church, provided that a volunteer comes forward to set up & serve them! If you can help, please email me ASAP!
I will then be off to Praha hl.n. in order to catch the train to Dresden to officiate at the monthly English-language Anglican Service of Evening Prayer at the Frauenkirche, with my friend and former colleague Rev’d Kathy Ferguson, preaching.
Tuesday 20th September 18.30-21.00 in the small meeting room on the first floor of Klimentská 18
The film entitled ‘Nefarious‘ will be shown, explaining and addressing the very serious issue of people trafficking. The film will be introduced by Tash Schoultz, who heads the Anti Human Trafficking work of Operation Mobilisation here in the Czech Republic. If the ground floor door of Klimentská 18 is locked, press the bell marked Sborový Kancelář & we’ll buzz you in!
Then please note that from Thursday 22nd – Monday 26th September, I, along with Gordon Truefitt and Jack Noonan, will be in Warsaw, attending the annual meeting of the Eastern Archdeaconry Synod.
Sunday 25th September at 11.00 – Sung Eucharist for the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity
The Celebrant & Preacher will be Rev’d Kathy Ferguson with parallel Children’s Ministry and followed by Cool Drinks & Light Refreshments served at the back of the Church. More details in next week’s ‘Weekly Message’ which I’ll be sending out one day earlier than usual, before heading for Warsaw.
I hope that all of you in Prague are enjoying the late summer sunshine. Until Sunday!
Best wishes
Ricky
