E100 is an exciting way for all of us to share in a journey through the bible; looking together at all those familiar stories that we have grown up with from Sunday School in a simple, no nonsense, fresh way.

We will all have ‘homework’, if you want to take part, consisting of reading short passages each day. On Sunday the sermon will reflect our weeks readings and if we have questions to raise we are given the opportunity to do so on Monday evenings at the discussion group sessions.

We hope you will join us in this journey, to learn together and encourage one another in our Christian walk and witness.

The programme began on May 2nd; the next readings are as follows:

Week 13

(25th July – 30th July) Five readings spread over six days.

1. The Word Became Flesh – John 1:1 – 18
2. Gabriel’s Message – Luke 1:1 – 80
3. The Birth Of Jesus – Luke 2:1 – 2:40
4. John the Babtist – Luke 3:1 – 20
5. babtism and Temptation -Matthew 3:13 – 4:17

Theme / Sermon: In the Begining.

Sunday 31st July, Benefice Service at Rampside; Readings: Selected from above 

Week 14

(1st – 6th August) Five readings spread over six days.

1. Sermon on the Mount (part 1) – Matthew 5:1 – 6:4
2. Sermon on the Mount (part 2) – Matthew 6:5 – 7:29
3. The Kingdom of Heaven – Matthew 13:1 – 58
4. The Good Samaritan – 1Luke 10:25 – 37
5. Lost and Found -Luke 15:1 – 32

Theme / Sermon: The Teaching of Jesus.

Sunday 7th August, Readings:Selected from above

Week 15

(8th – 13th August) Five readings spread over six days.

1. Fedding the Five Thousand – Luke 29:1 – 36
2. Walking on Water – Matthew 14:22 – 36
3. Healing the Blind Man – John 9:1 –41
4. Healing a Demon Possessed Man – Mark 5:1 – 20
5. Raising Lazarus from the Dead – John 11:1 – 57

Theme / Sermon: The Miracles of Jesus

Sunday 14th August, Readings: Selected from above 

Week 16

(15th – 20th August) Five readings spread over six days.

1. The Last Supper – Luke 22:1 – 46
2. Arrest and Trial – John 18:1 – 40
3. The Crucifixion – John 19:1 – 42
4. The Resurrection – John 20:1 – 21:25
5. The Ascension – Actsi 1:1 – 11

Theme / Sermon: The Cross of Christ.

Sunday 21st August, Readings: Selected from above 

 

Week 17

(22nd – 27th August) Five readings spread over six days.

1. The Day of Pentecost – Acts 2:1 – 47
2. Growth and Persecution – Acts 3:1 – 4:37
3. The First Martyr – Acts 6:8 – 8:8
4. Sharing the Word- Acts 8:26 – 40
5. Good News for All – Acts 10:1 – 11:18

Theme / Sermon: The Church is Born.

Sunday 28th August, Readings: Selected from above

 

Tilly, muttering to herself, ran back and forth between piles of nuts and berries carefully gathered together on the ground.  She couldn’t make up her mind which ones would travel well, which might get squashed and which they should bury for their return.  Meanwhile, Tully was carefully binding some leaves together to make a little carrying pouch for each of them.  “We don’t need to pack too much,” he sighed catching sight of Tilly’s flustered face.  “There’ll be plenty to eat on the way.  It’s the summer now, not winter!”

Just at that point, Benson the badger rounded the hedgerow, almost squashing the little berries neatly gathered beside Tilly.  He came to an abrupt halt.  “What you two up to now?” he frowned, glancing around at the squirrel pair.

“We’re going on a journey – a long journey,” advised Tully, carefully strapping the carrying pouch onto Tilly’s body, as Tilly nodded in agreement.

Benson hooking one of the juicy berries onto his paw, frowned at the pair, “Where you off to then?  Across the main road?  To Sea Wood?”

“Oh further than that,” replied Tilly excitedly.  “Tully thinks we should visit our cousins at Urswick this year.  We haven’t seen them for the last two years.  And it’s an awfully long way.  So we’re making sure we’ve got enough food to last the journey.”

“I should say!” snapped Benson.  “Looks like you’ve packed enough to keep you going for days.  I’ll look after what you don’t need,” generously offered Benson, licking his lips.

“T’woo, t’woo, I don’t think there’d be much left for Tilly and Tully with yooou looking after their supplies,” twittered Ollie the owl, who had woken from his mid morning sleep high up in the cherry tree.  “Yooou will have to be very careful.  It’s a long way to Urswick from here,” he said nodding wisely.   “But you do seem to be taking a lot of provisions with yooou, when you could collect them along the way and travel light.”

“I’m just not sure what we’ll find on the way,” wailed Tilly.  “P’raps other creatures will have eaten all the berries and we won’t know where their nuts are stored.”

“Never mind about the lack of food,” grumped Benson. “What about where you’re going to sleep each night, or who you might share your bed with!”

“Share our bed with?  What d’you mean, Benson?” demanded Tully.

“Well, you know all those bats amongst the trees, the foxes …” exaggerated Benson.

“That’s enough Benson,” admonished Ollie.  “What we don’t know can be frightening, and I think you’re beginning to frighten Tilly and Tully.  This is a grand adventure for them and we should be encouraging them, not scaring them.   This is how we learn in life.  Our lives are made up of many journeys – all different – all learning experiences and this will be a great experience for Tilly and Tully.”

Tilly and Tully were now ready, the reserve parcels attached securely to their bodies, and Tilly had buried the spare nuts at the base of the cherry tree, ready for their return.  “You can have these berries, Benson,” offered Tully, “I think we’ve got plenty.  We’ll just drop by on Scamper and Snowdrop to say goodbye and then we’re off.”  So off scampered Tilly and Tully and cries of ‘goodbye’ and ‘good luck’ and ‘come back soon’ could be heard blowing softly through the trees.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Isn’t life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?”

Matthew 6: 25 

You don’t know what you’re going to encounter today but the chances are that you’ll be able to cope with it.  But if you can’t, try sharing it with someone else, and better still if you’re really stuck, try God – He’s around all the time.

>>Today is unknown territory.

Whatever it may bring, Lord of the way, stay near.<<

Cuthbert’s Creatures come to you each month by our new writer Connie Stone.
Illustrations by Stephanie S, age 11.

The Hoad Monument was erected on the summit of the hill in 1850, was modelled on the earlier Eddystone Lighthouse, built of local limestone from Birkrigg Common and stands 100 feet high. It has an internal spiral staircase of 112 narrow steps leading to a lantern chamber. Unfortunately by 2003 the building had deteriorated and restoration was the only answer to the tune of £1.2m, the money coming from various trusts, funds and donations, ensuring a visitor spectacle and a lasting sight from all roads approaching Ulverston.

Long have we marvelled at the “Pepper Pot”, as it is still affectionately called, from a distance; but on Thursday 19^th May – nineteen of us, all admirers, were taken to the summit of Hoad Hill to see it at close quarters. This was only made possible by the generosity of members of the Tarn Supper Club. They provided transport from the Ghyll Car Park in the form of a fleet of four 4 x4 vehicles kindly driven by Jack Rice, Graham Hopkins, Roger Eves and Allen Legate.

The views were wonderful – Ulverston and the canal spread out before us and in the distance the Coniston Fells with the Scafells beyond. The sun shone, showing off the new limestone covering of the tower and the copper lantern cover above…it was large and awesome. We walked up a few steps into the immaculately restored lower chamber. How wonderful if we could all have climbed the 112 steps to the top – but even encouraged by the two volunteer wardens – some of us could only manage to reach the first level but a group of intrepid climbers (my husband of 86yrs included) made it to the lantern chamber.

The excellent first floor display depicting the life of Sir John Barrow was very interesting and we could look up through the winding steps to the top and appreciate the beautiful restoration work as well as purchase small mementos from the mini shop below. Then it was time to go outside once again, walk around in the sunshine and have photographs taken before being driven down the winding track to the car park.

The evening had not ended however for we all returned to the Olde Mill and a fine meal. Perhaps it was apt that this was followed by a discussion about the children of Daniel’s School in Ghana about whom we had just learned were desperately short of food and no money. Spontaneous donations were made and £170 was collected to be added to the £200 already in hand and would be sent out immediately to relieve the situation.

So thank you and well done Tarn Supper Club….and did I hear it mentioned that another outing was to take place next month to the Lakeland Motor Museum followed by a meal out? Can’t wait.

Val Ellis, Urswick

Once, Abbot Antony was conversing with some brethren, and a hunter who was after game in the wilderness came upon them. He saw Abbot Antony and the brothers enjoying themselves, and disapproved.

Abbot Antony said, “Put an arrow in your bow and shoot it.”

This he did.

“Now shoot another,” said the Elder. “And another and another.”

Then the hunter said, “If I bend my bow all the time it will break.”

Abbot Antony replied, “So it is with the work of God. If we push ourselves beyond measure, the brethren will soon collapse. It is right therefore, from time to time, to relax.”

Celtic Daily Prayer, June 7th

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1 – 8 and 14

Last month I lost it! Not something Vicar’s are supposed to do!

Do you remember “Hmmmm … the answer to which came first is top secret, so I’ve hidden the answer under this tear off strip …. for your eyes only… if anyone else finds out, you might need to eat the evidence!”

Well here it is … I found it again …

must’ve fallen off the table when I was doing the last Magazine…. Mind you … it’s a strange instruction … Please do not scratch from this side …. I hear people saying sometimes “I’ve got an itch that needs to be scratched” or similar, meaning Its on my mind and I have to do some thing about it. There’s a lot in life that can feel a bit like that. It’s like asking for directions, and getting the answer “I wouldn’t start from here” , that don’t scratch from this side, or, the grass is greener over there – until you get there, seem to say.

Of course its not always like that. Watching the weather forecast on TV, and then the forecast actually happens is a sort of expectation. Its like when I pray, I expect that something will happen. Sometimes I have to search hard to find out what the answer was. Sometimes I have to pick myself up off the floor, because the answer was so strong it hit me between the eyes. But I expect that there will be an outcome from prayer; in prayer – the action from God, is often in the action of others around me.

The farmers around the Vicarage and near our church buildings are all very busy in the fields. There are tractor and machinery noises everywhere. I’m beginning to get a feel for some of the things I read in the agricultural journals about the things that are being expected to happen, and the reality of what happens. I liked this bit which is down to earth and I quote here as it was written, with Thanks to Brian Warren, FCN (Farm Crisis Network) for sending this lot in….

Some words from the wise…

• Accept the fact that some days you’re the pigeon, and some days you’re the statue!
• Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
• Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
• Drive carefully… It’s not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.
• If you can’t be kind, at least have the decency to be vague
• If you lend someone £20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it..
• It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
• Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won’t have a leg to stand on.

I really like that. I like the expectation of our summertime too. An expectation of fresh air, good company, weather we can stay out in, the chance to catch up with friends over the garden fence or in the park we haven’t seen over the less-out-door months. Expectations can be different for different people of course – like the darker toned skin people amongst us may have a different view of lots of sunshine to the red-heads amongst us. We all are different, we all are part of our communities and families, and the answer to our expectations might surprise us….

A call to leave – and stay:   Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. ‘Follow me,’ Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him (Luke 5:27,28).

People do get up and leave everything. They disappear leaving everyone behind and join the missing persons’ list. They walk away for many different reasons, some of them unbearable. They walk away from responsibility, from having to be reliable and prudent, from careful risk assessment, from remembering to lock up the petty cash each evening. Many of us can probably understand some of the reasons, feel the same way about weights and responsibilities, but most of us stick in there. It takes some kind of perverse courage to run away.                                                                                      

But Levi was called away. He was at work with the little piles of denarii in front of him. Then Jesus said, ‘Follow me’. He went when Jesus called him. But he didn’t turn his back on his workplace. He had a lot of friends among the tax collectors. I expect they tended to stick together. What did they think of his radical, rash, risky act? Levi gave them the chance to find out what had happened to him and why. He didn’t just wash his hands of them when he left. He gave a banquet so that they could meet Jesus.
Levi didn’t think he should leave the riff-raff and the rascals behind now he was following Jesus, unlike the local religious leaders who wanted to know why Jesus was eating and drinking with ‘tainted’ people. Jesus knew where he was needed – knew that those who were battling with life and work would hear what he had to say. Respectable, comfortable, self-righteous people were less likely to hear him.
He may call us to walk away, but he is much more likely to call us to a new obedience just where we are and a new commitment to those we already know and work with, who may need us – and him.
Author: Margaret Killingray, LICC

Enjoy your summertime. I pray you find the time and opportunity – the space – to lie on the grass, or a sand dune, or a chair, and breath in the fresh air, looking up at the passing clouds on a comfortable day …. And just be! By God’s grace, we are blessed.

Love and prayers  

Alex

Picked up from the site….

Little boy had been a problem at school and was, in desperation, transferred to the local church school.

On the very first day, having had a look around, he knuckled down to work…and boy did he work! At home he went straight to his room after his meal and was to be found beavering away at his school work…reading, doing sums, writing. It was amazing.

In no time at all he had caught up with the rest of the class, got great reports and grades…a veritable star pupil.

His mum and dad were amazed and eventually simply could not resist asking the big question, “Billy, what happened? You hated school and wouldn’t work or behave until you went to your new church school. What changed you?”

“Oh that. It’s easy…I saw what they did to that chap they nailed to a cross and thought that I’d better get some work done.”

Mmmmm. Thank you to the contributor.

Do have a look around the website and tell us how we can improve it for you.

“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be lived.”

Soren Kierkegaard

“Life is like a box of chocolates; without the contents page you never know what you’re gonna get.”

Forrest Gump

“Life is a journey, not a destination.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

“In life focus on two things: double vision – See others not as they are, but as God sees them; and problem solving – You’ll think more clearly by including God. Go to Him first with the problem and don’t try battling through on your own.”

Frank Laubach

“God has a place for you to fill, but it will take all of you to fill it.”

Hugh Redwood

“Next to its love for the chief of sinners the most touching thing about the religion of Christ is its amazing trust in the least of saints.”

Readings from St Finian July 14th

“I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.”

William Penn (1644 – 1718)

 

“Love alone is capable of uniting living beings in such a way as to complete and fulfil them, for it alone takes them by what is deepest in themselves.”

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881 – 1955)

The Editor would be pleased to receive any Quick Quotes from you for printing in this column. Thank you to those who have responded.

None of us can do everything and certainly none of us can do everything all of the time. We must learn at times to slow down, take stock, prioritise and better still seek God in our activities. He DOES know best and the Holy Spirit does things so much better than we do! The lesson then is to, as the old saying goes, ‘Let go and let God.’ Then by following His leading, His prompting, we will be less stressed AND actually get more done.

How do I know this? I have had to learn the lesson over the years and I have come to understand how much better it is to follow God’s lead than to attempt in our impatience to leap ahead of His timing, plan and purpose.

I recall the lines from a favourite hymn….

“Be still my soul; your God will undertake to guide the future as He has the past.”

Slow down and do enjoy your summer.

God bless,

                                        Allen

E100 is an exciting way for all of us to share in a journey through the bible; looking together at all those familiar stories that we have grown up with from Sunday School in a simple, no nonsense, fresh way.

We will all have ‘homework’, if you want to take part, consisting of reading short passages each day. On Sunday the sermon will reflect our weeks readings and if we have questions to raise we are given the opportunity to do so on Monday evenings at the discussion group sessions.

We hope you will join us in this journey, to learn together and encourage one another in our Christian walk and witness.

The programme began on May 2nd; the next readings are as follows:

Week 9

(27th June – 2nd July) Five readings spread over six days.

1. Samuel listens to God – 1Samuel 1:1 – 3:21
2. King Saul – 1Samuel 8:1 – 10:27
3. David and Goliath – 1Samuel 16:1 – 18:16
4. David and Saul – 1Samuel 23:7 – 24:22
5. King David -2Samuel 5:1 – 7:29

Theme / Sermon: The Rise of Isreal.

Sunday 3rd July, Readings: Selected from above plus Acts 8:1 – 17

Week 10

(4th – 9th July) Five readings spread over six days.

1. David and Bathsheba – 2Samuel 11:1 – 12:25
2. King Solomon – 1Kings 2:1 – 3:28
3. Solomon’s Temple – 1Kings 8:1 – 9:9
4. Elijah and the Prophets of Baal – 1Kings 16:29 – 19:18
5. The Fall of Jerusalem -2Kings 25:1 – 30

Theme / Sermon: The Fall of Isreal.

Sunday 10th July, Readings:Selected from above plus Acts 2:29 – 40

Week 11

(11th – 16th July) Five readings spread over six days.

1. The Lord is my Shepherd – Psalm 23:1 – 6
2. Have Mercy on Me – Psalm 5:1 – 19
3. Praise the Lord – Psalm 103:1 –22
4. Godly Wisdom – Proverbs 1:1 – 4:27
5. Proverbs of Solomon – Proverbs 16:1 – 18:24

Theme / Sermon: Psalms and Proverbs

Sunday 197th July, Readings: Selected from above plus Acts 10:34 – 43

Week 12

(18th – 23th July) Five readings spread over six days.

1. The Suffering Servant – Isaiah 51:1 – 53:12
2. Jeremiah’s Call and Message – Jeremiah 1:1 – 3:5
3. Daniel in the Lion’s Den – Daniel 6:1 – 28
4. The Story of Jonah – Jonah 1:1 – 4:11
5. The Day of Judgement – Malachi 1:1 – 4:6

Theme / Sermon: The Prophets.

Sunday 24th July, Readings: Selected from above plus Acts 11:1 – 18