27 May 2018— Trinity Sunday

Three in One?

… and One in Three? Really? This is what we believe about the God

we worship and declare in various forms of Creed each Sunday.

But not too easy to understand or explain to the unbeliever or

seeker! How about using an illustration from our own experience? I

am one person with a variety of titles, depending in who is listening!

Husband, father, grandfather, Reverend – and then when I was made a

Canon the question was “what do we call you now?”!

So we arrive at Trinity Sunday, and see God from three different angles

with three different titles. The important thing is to remember that

He introduces Himself as three different persons. As early as Genesis

we read of God in conversation: “let us make man in our image”. God

the Father – yes, we can imagine, visualise and accept that. Then the

Father sends the Son – we can accept that – in fact we have four

accounts from different authors about the birth, ministry, death and

resurrection of the Son.

Then the Spirit - another “he”, a third “person”, not an “it”. At the

baptism of Jesus the Son we hear the voice of the Father and see the

image of the Spirit in the form of the dove of peace. He is sent to us

by the Father once the Son has returned to heaven. It is the spirit of

Jesus who is with us now, living in individual believers and in the world-

wide Christian Church: powerful, guiding, enabling, and always pointing

to Jesus!

What a God! He’s got everything covered – creating and sustaining,

loving and saving, empowering and enabling. All in three equal persons.

So if you think that one is more important than other, go to a simple

illustration. A tripod, a three-legged stool – which leg is more

important? Of course they are all vital to the whole. So it is with our

three persons in one God, the one of whom we focus this Trinity

Sunday.

May we know His sustaining love and guidance every day! Michael Anderson

St Mary’s

Fordingbridge

SP6 1BB

St Mary’s

Breamore

SP6 2DF

Holy Ascension

Hyde

SP6 2QJ

St Giles

Godshill

SP6 2JJ

St Boniface

Woodgreen

SP6 2AJ

St Mary’s

Hale

SP6 2RF

Sandleheath

Uniting Church

SP6 1PT

weekly

newsletter

We welcome all, especially visitors and those attending for the first time. If you need gluten

free wafers at Communion, please speak to someone at the door before the service.

Please take this newsletter home with you for the week ahead. Please stay after

the morning service for tea and coffee, to meet folk and ask any questions. God Bless

PARTNERS

READINGS - for you to use today and during the week

COLLECT:

Holy God,

faithful and unchanging:

enlarge our minds with the knowledge of your truth,

and draw us more deeply into the mystery of your love,

that we may truly worship you,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

AMEN.

PSALM 29 (For Morning Prayer)

1. Ascribe to the Lord, you powers of heaven,

ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

2. Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name;

worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

3. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;

the God of glory thunders;

the Lord is upon the mighty waters.

4. The voice of the Lord is mighty in operation;

the voice of the Lord is a glorious voice.

5. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees;

the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;

6. He makes Lebanon skip like a calf

and Sirion like a young wild ox.

7. The voice of the Lord splits the flash of lightning;

the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;

the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

27 May 2018 — Trinity Sunday

8. The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe

and strips the forests bare;

in his temple all cry, 'Glory!'

9. The Lord sits enthroned above the water flood;

the Lord sits enthroned as king for evermore.

10. The Lord shall give strength to his people;

the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.

A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Isaiah 6:1-8

Isaiah's vision of God's glory, and his response to God's call.

1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty;

and the hem of his robe filled the temple. 2 Seraphs were in attendance above him;

each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered

their feet, and with two they flew. 3 And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy,

holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.’ 4 The pivots on the

thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. 5 And I said: ‘Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a

people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!’ 6 Then

one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar

with a pair of tongs. 7 The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: ‘Now that this

has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.’ 8 Then I

heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I

said, ‘Here am I; send me!’

At the end, the Reader says:

For the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

THE GOSPEL READING

Please stand and turn to face the Gospel Reader

When the Gospel is announced, the Reader says:

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

Glory to you, O Lord. (Glory be to thee, O Lord.)

John 3:1-17

Nicodemus, a Jewish leader comes to Jesus under cover of darkness for enlightenment.

(Another example of John's use of the contrast between light and darkness in his Gospel)

1 There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by

night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God;

for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ 3 Jesus

answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being

born from above.’ 4 Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having

grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ 5

Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without

being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of

the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from

above.” 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do

not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of

the Spirit.’ 9 Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ 10 Jesus answered him,

‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Very truly, I

tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not

receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe,

how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into

heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as

Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15

that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that

he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may

have eternal life. 17 Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the

world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.’

At the end, the Reader says: (At the end, the Reader says:

This is the Gospel of the Lord. This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ. Praise be to thee, O Christ.)

(c) New Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bible.

POST COMMUNION PRAYER:

Almighty and eternal God,

you have revealed yourself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

and live and reign in the perfect unity of love:

hold us firm in this faith,

that we may know you in all your ways

and evermore rejoice in your eternal glory,

who are three Persons yet one God,

now and for ever.

AMEN.

GARY OUT AND ABOUT :

Tuesday evening, joining the Walking Group for a stroll along the Avon Valley Footpath.

Wednesday, Communion at Fordingbridge in the morning, followed by a meeting in

Mudeford, and recording Morning Thoughts for Radio Solent in the afternoon.

Thursday, Afternoon for Vergers and Sacristans in Winchester, along with others from

the Partnership.

Saturday, morning for Readers and Sidespeople at Hyde - all welcome.

FIONA GOVER : our lovely Parish Administrator is leaving us for personal

reasons. We want to thank her for all her hard work behind the scenes in the Church

Office. Many of you may want to pop in and say “farewell” and wish her all the best

for the future. Her last working day will be Wednesday 30th May (2pm to 6pm)

RETIRED CLERGY LUNCH : On Monday, June 11th, Gary is once again hosting

the Deanery Lunch for retired clergy and their spouses. If anyone would like to make a

pudding, or would like to be around that lunchtime to help, any offers would be

gratefully received. Thanks, Gary.

FRIENDS OF FORDINGBRIDGE PARISH CHURCH - notification of our

Annual General Meeting on Sunday 3rd June at 11.30am in the Lady Chapel. All

welcome with bright ideas, opinions and enthusiasm! Any queries to Viv 01725 512267.

THANK YOU FROM RACHEL : A huge thank you to everyone for supporting me

at my leaving service last Sunday in the benefice. Thank you for the amazing butterflies

decorating the church, the wonderful butterfly wordle picture from you all, the

gorgeous butterfly and duck from the children, and the generous gift. It was a lovely

way to end our time here, thank you to everyone that had worked so hard to make it

happen, with furniture moving, delicious refreshments and all the work behind the

scenes. Thank you all for our time here, we leave with many happy and joyful

memories. If you want to stay in touch, our address after 4th June is The Vicarage, 29

Ramley Road, Pennington, SO41 8HF. vicar@penningtonchurch.uk

RACHEL’S LICENSING : All are welcome at Rachel’s licensing as Priest-in-Charge

at St Mark’s Church, Pennington on Monday 18th June at 6.30pm. Light refreshments

will be available after the service at Pennington Junior School. Please RSVP to the AVP

Church Office by Friday 1st June so that numbers can be passed onto St Mark’s.

ALL SHALL BE WELL : Because of the snow, the Breamore group did not finish

their Lent study of Ann Lewin's Book about Mother Julian of Norwich and we want to,

so we are meeting together to look at the final chapter at 2pm on Monday 4 June.

Edna Dymott will kindly host us at 1 Outwick Cottages, Breamore. All are welcome to

join us.

EMERGENCY PRAYER CHAIN—Please send all requests for prayer to

prayer@avp-benefice.org.uk. If you feel able to commit to regular prayer for those on the list

and wish to become a prayer partner, please also make contact with the above e-mail address.

A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: The Madding Crowd are coming to the Hulse Hall

Breamore on 14th July at 7.30 p.m. Tickets £10, including light refreshments. Tickets

available at the Woodgreen Shop, The Fordingbridge Book Shop, Edna Dymott 01725

512343 and Lynette 01425 657650. Proceeds to St Mary’s Church, Breamore

FILM: The Shack (PG) based on the American 2007 bestseller by Wm Paul Young.

Another chance to see this film. At John and Pat Bloomfield’s home, 15 Provost

Street, SPY 1AY, 3.30pm on Thursday 31 May - A grieving man receives a mysterious,

personal invitation to meet with God at a place called ‘The Shack’. Please let the

Bloomfields know if you would like to come (837735). Tea and cake.

EVERY MAN REMEMBERED : we shall once again be commemorating the

names on our war memorials on the centenaries of their deaths. The next date is

Friday 1st June — Thomas King (11am at Memorial Gates, Fordingbridge). All welcome

LINE DANCING THANK YOU : A very good evening was had by all on 12th

May, the final amount raised was £445.00. Thank you to all who helped. Mike Ireland

FORDINGBRIDGE MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL

This year’s festival will take place from

Saturday 16th to Monday 18th June. Programmes available in church, Jessicas and Fordingbridge Bookshop

CATERING : we need your help once again in providing delicious vegetarian

quiches, puddings and cakes to serve at the Music and Arts Festival. All

varieties accepted, freezer space available if you want to bake in advance. We

also need lots of helpers to prepare, serve and clear up in the Church Hall.

Please consider giving up a couple of hours, its great fun. Lists and rotas are

now up at the back of Church. Many thanks. Jean Groves (tel 01202 822187

for any queries).

TWELVE GOOD MEN : will practise in Church on the following Tuesdays at

7pm - 8 pm:- June 5th and 12th. This is in preparation for the Music and Arts

Festival. Many thanks, Barry.

FLOWERS : Ladies from the St. Mary’s Flower Rota and Fordingbridge Flower

Club are very willing to arrange flowers for the Festival either in memory or

celebration. If you would like to contribute to the flowers please contact Helen

Tague on 01425 655462 or email thetagues@fordingbridge.com

STEWARDING: Once again, it's time for the 'A' Team to leap into action and

start signing the lists at the back of the Church. The timetable for the various

musical events is pinned up alongside, so you can choose your preferred

entertainment whilst welcoming our guests. Any queries, please see me in

Church or give me a call. Pam Felton 01425 654517. I know you won't let me

down!

REFLECTION : There was of course a lot of media coverage on the Royal

Wedding, in particular about the sermon given by the first African-American leader of

the US Episcopal Church, Bishop Michael Curry. Yes, he referred to our Common

wealth history of racism and black slavery and much more. However little was made

of his fiery Christian message, “God loves us - without love there is no God.” He

went on “only love can change the world.” We might reflect on these words -

Perhaps by first pondering on how we love ourselves. We are born with God’s love

in our hearts so it should be all embracing but we tend to look out, to confine

ourselves to loving family and those we know – not necessarily ourselves! If we truly

loved ourselves we would become aware of how our attitudes and opinions would

change- in fact our whole outlook would change because we ourselves would be

changed. As the Bishop reminded us – only God’s transforming love can change

ourselves and then it would transform the world. “In stillness may I feel that love for

me”

Daphne Himmel

OPEN SPACE : Saturday 16th June, 11am to 1pm at Slate Cottage, Bridge Street,

Fordingbridge. We will be showing the video of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

TOFSS (Too Old For Sunday School): 10.45-12.30pm Thursday 14 June at 15

Provost Street. Come and join us to look at J I Packer’s study guide “Meeting God”.

Open to all. Bring your bibles, or borrow one when you come. Refreshments. We

look forward to seeing you. John and Pat Bloomfield.

TOFSS (Too Old For Sunday School): 10.45-12.30 Thursday 21 June at 15

Provost Street. Come and watch a DVD of Rev Malcolm Duncan speaking at New

Wine 2017: ‘Only Christ Can Heal Our Land”. All welcome. Refreshments.

THEATRE OUTING : to Salisbury Playhouse on Tuesday 12th June at 7.30pm to

see “Love on The Links” by P.G.Wodehouse. Tickets £14.50 payable asap to Helen

Tague. 01425 655462 or thetagues@fordingbridge.com Travel by car or if enough

people a mini bus.

CELEBRATING THE UNSEEN AT WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL:

Thursday 31st May 2018, 1.45pm to 5pm. An afternoon for Virgirs, Sacristans and for

all those who work behind the scenes to ensure churches keep running. Workshops

include a day in the life of a Cathedral Virger; learning how to care for vestments,

silver and linen; understanding the importance of roles and how to look after your

wellbeing and how to raise awareness of the role to increase volunteer participation.

For more information, please speak to Gary.

IMPORTANT PARTNERS MESSAGE : For those of you who receive Partners

electronically, this is the last week that it will be sent out via email. In future it will

be sent out via Mailchimp, which is an alternative way to manage the distribution.

Please click the following link to subscribe if you wish to continue to receive

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Contact: Fiona Gover or Gail Newell , Church Office , The Rainbow Centre, 39 Salisbury Street, Fordingbridge SP6 1AB

Tel. 01425 653163 e-mail:church.office@fordingbridge.com www.avp-benefice.org.uk

CHURCH OFFICE OPEN MONDAY 3.30pm to 5pm, TUESDAY TO FRIDAY 10.30am to 12 noon

This Week—27 May 2018—

Trinity Sunday

Monday 28 9.00am Morning Prayer Fordingbridge

Tuesday 29 2.00pm Funeral—late Irene Young Fordingbridge

Wednesday 30 9.00am Morning Prayer Fordingbridge

10.00am Holy Communion Fordingbridge

7.45pm Meditation Drop-In Fordingbridge

Thursday 31 7.30pm Bell Ringing Fordingbridge

Friday 1 June 11.00am Remembering Thomas King Fordingbridge

6.20pm Choir Practice Fordingbridge

Saturday 2 10.30am Training for readers, sidespeople Hyde

Sunday 27 8.00am Holy Communion Fordingbridge

May 9.30am Sung Eucharist Fordingbridge

9.30am Holy Communion Hyde

10.00am Holy Communion Woodgreen

10.45am Morning Service Sandleheath

11.00am Matins Breamore

4.00pm Baptism meeting Fordingbridge

6.30pm Evensong Fordingbridge

Sunday 3 8.00am Holy Communion Fordingbridge

June 8.30am Holy Communion Breamore

9.00am Holy Communion Godshill

9.30am Holy Communion Hyde

10.00am Holy Communion Hale

10.30am Allsorts (& Friends FB AGM) Fordingbridge

10.45am Morning Service Sandleheath

4.30pm Youth Space Hyde