Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, we pray to you for the NHS and all of its staff and volunteers, for those working in Social Care, for the Government, the Emergency services, and those in Key work roles all selflessly supporting the country, and some paying the ultimate sacrifice to get us through this pandemic. We pray that the light of Jesus will shine brightly bringing hope into all of the dark places in this country caused by the Corona Virus. We pray for peace for those affected in anyway by it. Amen
Verity & Paul Brayshaw (April 2020)
Parkstone and Poole
Christ of the Emmaus Road. Walk with us in these days. Be our companion and guide, teacher and friend, host and servant. That we may recognise you in the unfamiliar, discover more of you in the all too familiar and be blessed by you in the moment of recognition. With renewed faith, may we share from you the Good News, for the whole world.
(Luke ch. 24 verses 13 - 33)
James Whately Minister
Parkstone, St Martins West Moors and Verwood United Reformed Churches
. Please contact Mark Phillips for more up to date information 07980 002676 or email the office This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
A Short Devotional Video for the Sunday 9th May from Rev. James Whately
Dear friends,
Please find attached the notice sheet for this Sunday.
There is no service at Parkstone URC this week but there will be a short devotional video from Rev James on PURC website (see above)
and the PURC Facebook page.
There are plans for live Services in church from the 23rd May which is Pentecost. More details will follow before the 23rd May 2021
The lectionary Bible readings set for this Sunday are:
Psalm 98 (All the earth, praise the Lord, who rules justly)
John 15:9 – 17 (Jesus’ commandment; love one another)
Acts 10:44 – 48 (The Holy Spirit rests on the Gentiles)
1 John 5:1 – 6 (A child of God believes in Jesus)
John 15:9-17
New International Version
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
Acts 10:44-48
New International Version
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[ a ] and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Reflection
Christian Aid Week begins this week ( from 10th - 16th May ) ; though with the pandemic it's mostly an on-line rather than door-to-door event this year. The focus of the week is on the people in countries devastated by climate change, and particularly those affected by changes to water - too much or too little of it.
The gospel reading for this Sunday includes Jesus' command to ‘love one another’. Working out what this means in practice has engaged followers of Jesus ever since! On one level of course it's easy - just love everyone, at all times and in all circumstances… except my experience, and perhaps yours as well, suggests this is a nigh on impossible commandment to maintain. If it were only up to us, then I think it would be impossible. But that's not the case, because Jesus' command is in the context of the disciples being given his gift of the Holy Spirit, the helper, to enable them to live faithfully.
Often this new commandment is only seen from the perspective of individual relationships, but I believe it also includes our community and national relationships as well. Jesus’ command is also a call to 'loving' other communities and nations. If you think loving individuals is hard, just try loving some communities or nations… but this is what we individually and collectively are called to do. The principles that undergird the work of Christian Aid and especially the focus of its appeal for this week - the crisis caused by climate change and the role of water in damaging lives and livelihoods, resonates with Jesus call to ‘love one another’. We cannot ‘love one another’, while at the same time turning a blind eye or deaf ear to our responsibilities for climate change and ignoring the lifestyle decisions that are causing this crisis for so many of our sisters and brothers. These will not be easy choices for us, but with the presence and strength of the Holy Spirit, we can take them; we can begin to live out Jesus’ command to ‘Love one another, as I have loved you’.
Christian Aid Week Prayer
© Rev. Bob Kikuyu, Christian Aid Global Theology Advisor, Nairobi, Kenya
Great God,
Who makes the sun to rise, and opens the heavens,
Hear the cry of the people
Who sow in hope for rain, but reap only despair,
Hear the cry of the people
seeking shelter from the storm, their hopes and homes submerged
Hear the cry of the people.
When creation is hitting back, with rage and resistance
Give us hope, grant us salvation,
Give us a new relationship with creation
With reverence to tend this gift from You
And say once again of the earth and all you created
It is GOOD.
Amen.
The Collect or special prayer
God our redeemer,
you have delivered us from the power of darkness
and brought us into the kingdom of your Son:
grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life,
so by his continual presence in us he may raise us to eternal joy;
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
Have a lovely weekend
God bless
Verity Brayshaw
Admin
PURC
The Lord is my Shepherd
James and Oswald sing "The Lords my shepherd" with kind permission
of Devon Brown and CMM
A short video of the fantastic work happening at my Church, Parkstone URC during the Covid19 Virus.
Reflection: How well do you know yourself and how much do you really know about others, even those who you consider your ‘nearest and dearest’? There is a theme running through all the Bible readings set for this Sunday which is about recognising people, and things, as they really are. This is profoundly challenging, humbling and affirming, because this also implies that others will do the same for me; that I will be dealt with in the same manner. Jesus talked about the seemingly routine nuisance of weeds growing amongst crops, but doesn’t this also relate to the complexity of life and relationships? The Psalmist records the deeply profound understanding that God, our Creator, also knows us ‘weeds – or is it warts – and all’. Taken alongside each other, these point to the deep truth that no matter how we see ourselves, God recognises the beauty of each and invites, or is it challenges us to look for and see that beauty also.
In the new patterns of life around us,
The Lord says 'I am with you'.
In the uncertainties that tomorrow will bring,
The Lord says 'I am with you'.
In the repeating routines of this day,
The Lord says 'I am with you'.
In the maze of ever changing directions,
The Lord says 'I am with you'.
Lord God of all, in this new reality,
breathe your peace into the shadows of our anxiety.
In the clock-stopping moments of wakefulness,
may we take our timing from the heartbeat of your love.
Guide our dreams for a future,
to become your Kingdom living reality for all each day.
Guard us this night, in the power of your peace,
Give us rest, in the depths of your love,
Meet us in the dawning light of your Day.
In the Saviour’s name.
Amen.
James Whately 24th March 2020
.Our Mission Statement is..."The people of Parkstone United Reformed Church are here to share God's love for all through welcome, service and care."Our Vision Statement is...Because of this understanding of who we are and what we are here
for we welcome many groups and organisations to use these buildings, our home.
•We will serve all within the community by sharing our faith through worship, people, resources, and buildings.•We will welcome and care for all those we
meet.
•We will explore what our belief means in our lives today through different styles of worship, as we are led by the Holy Spirit.
•We will continue our long history of challenging the injustices we see in our society today.
•To
grow by working together with our covenanted partners - St Peter's and St Osmund's with Branksea St Mary's as well as other Churches in Poole. We will treasure God's gift of creation, as we experience it.
Parkstone United Reformed Church is situated in Lower Parkstone along the main (commercial road) leading down to Poole Park, the Civic Center, Town Center and of course the Harbour.
From the outside, although a noticeable building built
in the late 1800's. The external view hides its true splendour and the maze of wonderful rooms, halls, gardens and facilities. But of more consequence of course is the beautiful main Church with its wonderful Stained Glass windows facing
you; either as a member of the congregation, or reverant service. Not forgetting the classic Organ to the right of the stage.More important is the amazing atmosphere and the relaxed feeling of calm, peace and comfort within the hall and
the Church as a whole.Extremely active within the Lower Parkstone and Poole area the Church is well known as a friendly meeting house and support location to many local groups and organisations – both Faith Groups and Community Groups
– from the Poole Passion Play, Bournemouth Orchestra’s and Dance Show Rehearsals.. to humble local Art workshops.Our Vision...We at Parkstone United Reformed Church, home of the Parkstone Christian Center have developed a vision and mission statement to express our feelings about why we are here
• We will serve all within the community by sharing our faith through worship, people, resources, and buildings.
• We will welcome and care for all those we meet.
• We will explore what our belief means in our lives today through different
styles of worship, as we are led by the Holy Spirit.
• We will continue our long history of challenging the injustices we see in our society today.
• To grow by working together with our covenanted partners - as well as
other Churches in Poole.
• We will treasure God's gift of creation, as we experience it.
Centre Manager
Admin
Children's and Family Worker
More
The Parkstone Christian Center is fortunate to have many areas available to book for private functions, meeting halls and rooms - within the Poole, Bournemouth and Dorset area.
Who uses our Rooms - just a few examples:- a while Buckholme Towers School burnt down, the school needed a home while it was rebuilt- Poole Passion Play - Security Training weeks for the Olympics.- Kitchen Cookery Groups
and Classes- Art Workshops- Dance and Fitness Groups.- Disability Groups- Poole College
Extremely flexible in approach and is well known throughout the area as a venue with a "can do" ethos - for not only Faith and Community groups but Commercial enterprizes too.
Every Thursday 10 - 11.30 during term time
Healthy snack provided plus tea and coffee for the adults
Stories, rhymes and variety of activities
sugested donation £1.50
for more information our Children's and Familie Worker Catherine Phillips 07486 375104
more Church Life
No need to book just come along.. I’ll put the Kettle on Every Tuesday 10 am - 12.15pm (ish) £5 per session Pay As You Go.
Absolute beginners ~ absolutely WELCOMED.
Once a month we hold our Messy Church at 3.45pm through the use of artwork we encourage children to celebrate something of the Christian Story. The event ends with an act of worship and then a meal.
Every Thursday 10 - 11.30 during term time
Stories, rhymes and variety of activities
sugested donation £1.50
ALL SERVICES ARE CURRENTLY POSTPONED
Please pray for :
• Gina's friend Ruth who is undergoing cancer treatment.
• Bruce who is very unwell. Please pray for Suki
• comfort and peace for Liz and her family
• Peter who is undergoing treatment
• Mattine is recovering well, but still needs prayer
• Please keep praying for RM
• Katie who has a serious illness
• Karen and Anthony and family at this time
• Aneta’s parents and family
• Sam, 37 years old who has had a massive stroke, he is home and recovering
slowly
• For Maria and her family as her brain surgery was cancelled
• For the LifeWorks as they stay isolated
• Our homeless who may not be able to isolate
• Pray Mary Exton who has had her eye operation
• For Bex and her family after their loss
• For everyone impacted by corona virus, especially our hospitals, and vulnerable
• For the Poole Passion team who have had to cancelled this year.
• For our groups that have had to close down at present
• We thank God that Flippers is continuing and looking after Children with Frontline
parents. Pray that they stay safe and well
• Mark and Catherine who are working hard supporting families and
the vulnerable in our community everyday. He has delivered food to
over 200 people and hostels reaching up to 800 people.
Messy Church is a place where carers, children and young people meet together to learn more about God and enjoy fellowship together in an informal setting. Messy Church meets every fourth wednesday of the month - 3.45 -
6.00pm. All children and young people are welcome with a carer(s) whilst adults are also welcome with their children
Once a month we hold our Messy Church at 3.45pm through the use of artwork we encourage children
to celebrate something of the Christian Story. The event ends with an act of worship and then a meal.
