Gospel
John 3:1-17
3 There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a
Pharisee. 2 After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said,
“we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are
evidence that God is with you.”
3
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see
the Kingdom of God.”
4
“What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back
into his mother‟s womb and be born again?”
5
Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without
being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but
the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don‟t be surprised when I say,
„You must be born again.‟ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can
hear the wind but can‟t tell where it comes from or where it is
going, so you can‟t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”
9
“How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked.
10
Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you
don‟t understand these things? 11 I assure you, we tell you what we know and
have seen, and yet you won‟t believe our testimony. 12 But if you don‟t believe
me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you
about heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the
Son of Man[ has come down from heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze
snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that
everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.
16
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that
everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his
Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
NLT
‘When I Needed a Neighbour Were You There?’
Jesus broke down barriers and connected us to one another. This Lent is a
time for us to walk with our brothers and sisters across the globe. Here in
the UK many communities and churches are welcoming those seeking
refuge, and Christian Aid works throughout the world, answering the
challenge “Were you there?” We each need to answer this challenge, not
in words, but through our actions, living out the love God desires for us
all.
Just as hunger and thirst can consume our global neighbours, may we
who are fed be consumed with a desire for justice. In Thailand, thousands
of Burmese refugees live in border camps, forced from their homes by
horrific violence. Our partner gives healthy meals to refugee
children. Maybe we could fast and pray over one of our meals
this week and donate the money we save.
Adapted from Christian Aid’s “Count Your Blessings 2017”
Christian Love in Action
12th March 2017
Second Sunday of Lent
Welcome to Worship
A very warm welcome to The Ven. Mark Butchers
9.30am
11.00am
11.00am
Holy Communion, All Saints‟, Bradford
Holy Communion, Holy Cross, Highampton
Holy Communion with APCM St Mary‟s, Black Torrington
Readings
Genesis 12:1-4b
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
John 3:1-17
Collect
Almighty God,
by the prayer and discipline of Lent
may we enter into the mystery of Christ's sufferings,
and by following in his Way
come to share in his glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
„God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save
the world through him. ‟
John 3:17
Rector: Revd Preb Kathy Roberts
Tel: 01409 231279 Mob: 07717 575554
email: [email protected]
Reader: Mark Neave
Tel: 01409 231556 Mob: 07814 435440
Email: [email protected]
www.black-torrington-benefice.org.uk
e-mail: [email protected]
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
The Mission Community; Revd Christopher Penn and the Holsworthy
Benefice; Revd Richard Freeman and Putford Church
All Saints Electoral Roll: Maura Marwick, Kevin and Paula Morgan,
Cathy and Geoffrey Pitt, Avis Radford, Vivien Radford
Those who are ill: Dorothy Chandler, Renate Egelstaff, Norman Lock,
Avis Radford, Maurice and Joan Thomas, Jenny Searle, Peter Evans,
Penny Seymour-Lee
Holsworthy Youth Worker, Jonathan Schnarr and for his studies as he writes
his last essays before finishing in September
Black Torrington, Bradford and Highampton Primary Schools as we seek to
forge even stronger links between the schools and the church
Rest In Peace: Jean Ann Sutherland; Tristram Smyth
Benefice Diary for March
Mon 13th
8.00am
Morning Prayer, St Mary‟s, Black Torrington
Tues 14th
8.00am
Prayer Breakfast, The Rectory
Wed 15th
8.00am
2.00pm
7.30pm
Morning Prayer, St Mary‟s, Black Torrington
Lent Group, Priestacott Barn, Bradford
Lent Group, The Rectory
Thurs 16th 8.15am
9.00am
Morning and Silent Prayer,
Iona Holy Communion, St Mary‟s, Black Torrington
Fri 17th
2.30pm
Flower Festival Meeting, St Mary‟s Church, Black
Torrington; all are welcome to this first meeting
Sat 18th
7.00pm
7.30pm
Compline, All Saints, Bradford
Tamar Valley Male Voice Choir Concert,
Highampton Village Hall
Sun 19th
9.30am
11.00am
6.30pm
Holy Communion with APCM, All Saints, Bradford
Morning Prayer, St Mary‟s, Black Torrington
Holy Communion, St Peter‟s, Thornbury
Rural Church Ministry
Revd Penny Dobbin has just completed a report entitled Aspects of Life in
North Devon and Torridge and the Church's Response. She is keen to be
involved with a rural group of churches for further research and has asked
if she could spend time in our benefice. She has already attended a couple
of services in different churches and will be taking part in others in the near
future.
She will be coming along to the church wardens and ministry team meeting
when we will be discussing the Mission Action Plan and will be present
'on the side-lines' to offer input when asked and to give any information
that we might need.
We are grateful for her interest in our benefice and sure that she will be
warmly welcomed wherever she turns up!
Exploring the Bible - Halwill Baptist Church
Saturday 25th March 2017 - 1-30pm - 7.15pm
“Why Did Jesus Need To Die?”
By Rev Paul Smith - Tea Provided
Contact: Brenda Down on 01409 221317;
Alison Skinner on 01409 221363
A Poem Following International Women’s Day
Who are we?
We are women born of the past generations,
we are women present in the here and now,
we dream of a future that is yet to be.
Who are we?
We are women made up of all nations and all races,
we include people from all countries of the world,
we come from down the road and round the corner.
Who are we?
We represent all cultures and languages,
we consist of all ages and abilities,
we embrace strangers as neighbours.
Who are we?
We are called to be God‟s people.
Welcoming, embracing, relating, creating,
woven together into God‟s community on earth.
© Clare McBeath, 2011
Prayer for Fair Trade Fortnight
Creator God,
You created a beautiful world for all your children.
As we taste and smell the fruits of this creation,
help us to remember those who farm the land to grow them.
Help us live in a partnership of love and support
with those who produce our food and drink
so that we might enable others to feed their families
and create a sustainable future.
Amen
by Bishop Sarah
SING INTO SPRING!
The singing group is coming out of hibernation and we would
welcome newcomers to join us in preparing music for services
between now and Easter. If you like singing, and have a
sense of humour (not necessarily in that order), then please come
along to rehearsals at Priestacott Barn where you will receive a warm
welcome. The first session is on 13th March, starting at 7.30pm.
Further details from Morag (281800)
Come and enjoy songs from the shows with Tamar Valley Male Voice Choir
Tickets £7.00 - Proceeds to Highampton Church Restoration Fund
Saturday 18th March at – Highampton Village Hall at 7.30pm.