elham valley group Newsletter

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 The Collect:
Almighty   God, whose Son revealed in signs and miracles the wonder of your saving   presence: renew your people with your heavenly grace, and in all our weakness   sustain us by your mighty power; 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 

Post Communion Prayer:
Almighty Father, whose Son our Saviour Jesus Christ is the light of   the world: may your people, illumined by your word and sacraments, shine with   the radiance of his glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to   the ends of the earth; for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever. Amen

Old  Testament Reading: Isaiah   9:1-4
But there will be no gloom for those who were in   anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and   the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of   the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. 2 The   people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a   land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. 3 You   have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before   you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing   plunder. 4 For the yoke of their burden, and the   bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken   as on the day of Midian.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 4:12-23

Now when Jesus heard that John had been   arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left   Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of   Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what had been   spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

15 ‘Land of   Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan,   Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people who sat in   darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region   and shadow of death light has dawned.’ 17 From   that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has   come near.’ 18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he   saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting   a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. 19 And   he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ 20 Immediately   they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he   went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his   brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and   he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat   and their father, and followed him.

23 Jesus went   throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good   news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among   the people.

Please   Pray for The Bradley family, Wendy Cook, Mark, Tom Hutchings, Millie Collins, Jill Fitch, Poppy Allard, John   Meers, Michael   Kirk, Alice Mills, Martyn Bowles & family, Claire Laker.
Please   contact the Benefice Administrator Alison Dale 07985025381 or beneficeadmin@elhamvalleygroupofchurches.co.uk to add people to the prayers.
Please pray for the departed, Gordon   Bradley & Pam Farley, and   those for whom an anniversary of death falls at this time, Alf Hickmott.

To arrange for Funerals, Thanksgivings, Blessings, Renewal of   Vows and all other services please contact the Rector – revcarolbates@gmail.com 0777 239 4855
For Baptisms and Weddings please contact the   Benefice Administrator -beneficeadmin@elhamvalleygroupofchurches.co.uk 07985025381

Parish Notices: 

Funerals: 

Rosemary Coulter – 26th Jan. 1.30pm – St Mary’s Elham, Committal at Barham 3pm. Reception at 3.45pm King’s Arms, Elham.

Mary Ottaway – 29th Jan. 1.15pm – St Mary’s Elham, then committal at Elham Cemetery.

Baptism: 

Imogen Burrows – 1st Feb.11.45am – St Martin’s, Acrise