Statue of St Peter in Capernaum
Bible readings: Romans 12:1-8 and Matthew 16: 13–20
Gospel Reading [NRSVA]
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’ Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
CLUSTER INFORMATION & EVENTS
Celtic Morning Prayer – Each weekday morning on zoom 8:00am – 8:30am. Please email Keno for zoom details.
Fellowship Lunch at St Mary’s – Every Monday midday.
Emmaus – the group is taking a summer break and will restart on 1st September. Kevin
Night Church at St Mary’s – 6pm to 9pm every Wednesday, join us for dinner, reflection and singing. A warm welcome awaits. This is a place for everyone. Victoria
Psalm Prayer Group – Every Thursday at 11:15am we read, pray and meditate on a Psalm. Come and join us at St Mary’s. Josie
Meditation Group – Every Friday a Meditation group meets at St Mary’s church at 10:30am. This is a welcoming and supportive space for everyone in the community. Vicky
Christian Meditation and Contemplative Prayer – Last Monday of the month at St Mary’s at 6pm. Next 31/08. We look forward to being together in silent worship. Vicky
Breakfast and Breathe is having a summer break and will resume again on Monday 7th September.
Little Lights is having a summer break.
Julian Prayer Group – The Julian Group meets at 6pm at St. Pol de Leon church on the first Sunday of the month, and online via zoom other Sundays. If you would like to attend, please email Mel at mlevesconte@hotmail.co.uk for zoom details.
Prayer Requests – If you are concerned about someone and would like their name included in the Prayer Request Group’s weekly prayer list, please do email Mel by 7pm on Tuesday evenings.
If you would like to join the group and could spend a little time each week praying the list in your personal prayer time, please do contact Mel at mlevesconte@hotmail.co.uk who will add you to the circulation list. Information is not shared and members’ names are not circulated within or outside the group.
Reflection: A People of Praise
Over the past month at NightChurch, we have had many “firsts”, and we are so excited about what the Lord is doing. We have been to Creation Fest, had our first team quiet day, and during our evening reflections we have been looking at some of the Psalms.
As we have journeyed together, quite spontaneously, singing has sprung up, from Coldplay’s Fix You to The Lord’s My Shepherd. Whether starting the team day in worship, singing at Creation Fest, or singing at NightChurch, something very special happens when our voices join together. The psalmist says, “God inhabits the praise of his people” (Psalm 22). We can’t help but pour out our thanksgiving and think of God’s words in Isaiah 43: “Behold, I am doing a new thing.”
The Westminster Catechism says that the chief end of man is “to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” This week, I have been reflecting on the word praise. We are made to be a people of praise and to celebrate God’s activity amongst us.
The Psalms remind us that praise is not only for when life is going well. Psalm 137 gives us a picture of the Israelites living in exile and under threat, yet still holding on to the story of God. Their life is sustained by Torah, by remembering God’s faithfulness and what He has done. The ground of the community’s life is wonder, and the response to wonder is gratitude. Even in difficult circumstances, the memory of God’s faithfulness makes praise possible.
Perhaps this is why the Psalms give us so many different expressions of praise. There are seven Hebrew words in the Psalter which help us glimpse the richness of praise.
Yadah means to extend the hands in thanksgiving and confession. There is something active about this kind of praise.
Todah means a sacrifice of praise, offered even in difficulty. It says, “Life is not great, but regardless of my circumstances, I will praise God, because God is always good.”
Shabach means to shout, commend and celebrate. Times when we raise a shout to the Lord and celebrate His victory.
Tehillah means a new song, a spontaneous expression of praise and thanksgiving, unique to the moment.
Baruch means to kneel, to bend the knee in blessing and thanksgiving.
Zamar means to celebrate or to make music. Psalm 149 speaks of praising God with dancing, tambourine and lyre.
Finally Halel, from which we get Hallelujah, means to boast, celebrate, joyfully exalt and even to look foolish.
King David danced before the Lord with all his might (2 Samuel 6:14). Michal was embarrassed by him, but David was more concerned with celebrating before the Lord than with how he appeared to others. Perhaps Halel invites us to become a little less self-conscious and a little more abandoned in our praise.
At NightChurch Lesley shared her reflection on the thread of praise throughout her life: “This is my story, this is my song, praising the Saviour all the day long.” She described a great blessing to have met Jesus at an early age and known His guidance and friendship throughout her life. She also reminded us that the Psalms are the world’s oldest hymn book, and that the songs and hymns we sing today continue to draw on the ancient themes of prayer and praise.
The Psalms teach us that praise can be a song, a shout, a bowed knee, a sacrifice offered in difficulty, a melody, a dance and the grateful remembering of what God has done.
The final five Psalms begin with the words, “Praise the Lord,” and the Psalter ends with a great crescendo:
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord!”
Victoria.
Breakfast Church and Holiday Club Celebration
At St Mary’s church on Sunday 6th September we’ll be providing croissants and coffees from 10.30am, and then in the service we hope that some of the families who have been part of this summer’s Holiday Club, will take an active part and tell us (and maybe show us!) something of what they’ve been doing. I know there’s been a lot of generous support of the Holiday Club, from people within the cluster, and this is a lovely way to acknowledge that kindness. Also, this will be a lovely event to invite people along to. Rev Jacky and Eliza
Proposed Pastoral Scheme affecting Penlee Cluster
Consultation – The Truro Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee has prepared a draft Pastoral Scheme for our four churches in the Cluster, which will unify them as one benefice. The scheme includes a number of important proposals for reorganisation and we are all invited to make representations either for or against by 14th September. Print-outs of the proposal are available in our churches and you can also find details on our cluster website here: https://www.penleecluster.org.uk/explore-our-cluster/
Macmillan Cream Teas
at St Peter’s Church on 26th September at 2oclock. All welcome. Thank you. Lynda
St Mary’s church Tidy Up
Saturday 26th September 9.30-12 noon
Please come along to help tidy up the church space. If you feel you’d love to help out but don’t feel up to moving things around, please offer to come along for about 10.45 when we’ll stop for some refreshments. We’ll need tea and coffee makers, as well as people who can carry things! If you’d like to help out in some way, please be in touch. Thank you so much. Rev Jacky and Eliza
Gala Concert at Paul Church
Mousehole Male Voice Choir on Sunday 30th August at 7:30pm, with special guest Faryl Smith (Soprano) who has been singing several roles at Glydnebourne this year. Entry is £10.
Installation Service for the Revd Dr Helen Williams
at Truro Cathedral – Sunday 4th October at 4.00pm
You are all warmly invited to attend the Installation Service for the Revd Dr Helen Williams, Archdeacon Designate as Archdeacon of Bodmin which will take place during evensong; no RSVP needed. Every blessing, Bishop David
CTiPA Open Doors Service
