THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS
In Luke's Gospel we find a relentless concern for the faithful stewardship of goods. Justice is presented as an end-times balancing of the scales - a reversal of fortune of the kind sung about in Mary's Magnificat. Those who have suffered through terrible need are made full, and those who have lived a life of excess and greed are left empty. Rich and poor are not, in this parable, left general, but Jesus uses two characters to illustrate the point, make it more personal, and drive the point home. The rich man, despite his close proximity to Lazarus, who resides just outside his gate, cannot 'see' him. In just the same way that those who are truly impoverished and in need can become invisible to society. This text asks us to take up the great moral challenge of 'seeing' from God's perspective - seeing the great needs, the inequality of wealth, the desperate need for distribution so that rich may give and the poor may receive. It is ironic that in a world where we have more access to scenes of poverty and knowledge about it through the media, we yet seem more able to turn our back on it and pretend it is not happening.
Our relationship with wealth is complicated, as the many stories Jesus told about it recognised. It is not wrong to have money, and nor is it wrong to use some of it for enjoyment, but alongside it comes the enormous responsibility of wise stewardship with it. If we are 'lovers of money' we have a problem, because we do not tend to own possessions: rather they tend to own us. If we are 'lovers of God' then we will find he will help us with a right attitude to money - our stewardship and our giving.
To Todays Readings
Services at Parish Church of The Holy Trinity, Minchinhampton
SUNDAY
8.00 a.m. Said Eucharist
10.00 a.m. Sung Parish Eucharist except First Sunday - All Age Service.
5.30 p.m. First & Third Sunday: Evensong (BCP).
Second, Fourth & Fifth Sunday: Said Evening Prayer - Common Worship
WEEKDAYS
8.00 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday to Saturday: - Said Eucharist
11.00 a.m. Wednesday: Eucharist (BCP)
4.30 p.m. Friday: Said Evening Prayer in the Lady Chapel
5.30 p.m. Monday Thursday and Saturday:- Said Evening Prayer in the Lady Chapel
For additional services please use the Calendar.
Services at St Barnabas, Box
SUNDAY
9.00 a.m. Eucharist with hymns.
WEEKDAYS
8.00 a.m. Wednesday – Eucharist
For additional services please use the Calendar.
Wednesday Cuppa
Takes place every week from 2:30 until 4:00pm in the Porch Room or if really nice weather outside the church as in the picture.
Church members attend as well as non-church goers and a warm welcome and good cake awaits you. The Wednesday walkers often join us as they finish ready for a sit down and a cuppa. It is a good social gathering of friends and all are welcome to come and chat and meet new people.
HARVEST 2016
JOINT BENEFICE CELEBRATION
Sunday 9th October
Benefice Choral Evensong Holy Trinity, Amberley 4:30
followed by
Bring-And-Share Harvest Supper, Amberley Parish Room
Come and Celebrate Harvest in the Benefice!
As well as the usual morning Harvest services, we will be having a Benefice Choral Evensong at Holy Trinity, Amberley at 4.30pm, followed by a Bring-and-Share Supper in the Parish Room.
The Supper will be organized as follows: there will be no ticket sales, but you will be invited to contribute a plate of food instead. Please sign the attendance sheet - one name per line please, then (just so we don't get 50 plates of sausage rolls) on the second sheet, put your name down against the item(s) of food you would like to contribute. Places are limited, so don't delay, it will be first come, first served!
Anyone who would like to come but who feels unable to bring a food item is more than welcome, as there will be the opportunity to make a donation on the night to help defray the costs of bread, squash, etc. but please still sign the attendance sheet.
There will be no bar, but you are welcome to bring your own wine, beer or whatever you want to drink. Squash will be available at no charge. Gluten-free and vegetarians catered for – please indicate on the lists with a v or a g by your name.
We look forward to seeing you all there!
Amberley Social Committee and Minchinhampton Hospitality Committee
Do You Enjoy Singing?
We are growing our choirs! Please consider joining at the level of commitment / frequency you feel able to offer. The choirs (adult & junior) sing a wide range of music not only for regular church services but also for weddings, funerals, carols in church, special events and even a recent film! Junior singers are trained according to the RSCM's Voice for life scheme – recently a chorister was accepted by Gloucester Cathedral choir. Choral scholarships available for over 16-year-olds still in full-time education. Adults singers commit only to what they are able to do. Details on the church website and on the Choirminch Facebook page. If you think you might enjoy singing, contact Julian Elloway for an informal chat
