Parish Church of St Luke Holmes Chapel
Come to Christ, Love to Learn, Learn to Love!Sunday 24th Jan: Epiphany 3
Today, and until further notice during the virus pandemic, our services of communal worship in St Luke’s church are now suspended – see COVID-19 update.
However, we will continue to worship together through Zoom (as set out below) and St Luke’s church will be open for individual private prayer on Wednesday and Sunday mornings from about 9am until midday.
Please note: you must wear a face covering and comply with the social-distancing and other COVID-19 precautions posted on the notices whilst in the church for any purpose.
The Bible readings for today are:
- Psalm 59
- 1 Samuel 16: 14-23
Our vicar Canon Rob McLaren has recorded a special short video address to help us prepare for our worship by Zoom which starts at 10.30am.
His address today is the second in a new short series about the life and development of David as a leader based on the 1st book of Samuel.
Please join from 10.25am so that the service can start at 10.30am
Zoom ID: 856 031 5150 password 902272
11.15am: after service catch-up session – a chance to chat in small groups with other Church members; session hosted again by Jean McClaren.
Note: Zoom joining details for this session have been circulated to those on our email list. Please contact secy@stlukesholmeschapel.uk with your phone number if you are local to St Luke’s and would like to join in.
COVID-19 Restrictions – St Luke’s
After careful consideration, we have reluctantly decided to suspend all services of communal worship in St Luke’s church, Holmes Chapel until further notice but our regular worship through Zoom will continue.
This step follows the National lockdown: Stay at Home conditions announced by the PM on 4th Jan in view of the rapid rise of coronavirus cases nationally, and the precautions needed to protect everyone entering church, especially the clinically vulnerable.
Advent Hymn Quiz – the Answers!
Read the answers to our Advent Hymn Tune Quiz
January 2021 letter
Our vicar Canon Rob McLaren prepares us for a positive start to the New Year.
“We need help as we start this new year. Our nation needs our help. Our businesses and voluntary bodies need our help. Our health and education services need our help. Our families need it too. Like a tottering fence, the last thing we need is a coat of whitewash to hide the cracks, or whinging provocateurs seeking to further undermine us. There are challenges on a lot of levels for many of us and we need positive help…..”
The coming week: 25th – 31st Jan
In order to keep everyone safe during the virus pandemic, until further notice we will not be holding any services of communal worship in St Luke’s church – see COVID-19 update above.
We will continue our worship through ZOOM (as set out below), and St Luke’s church will be opened on Wednesday and Sunday mornings from about 9am until midday for individual private prayer.
Please note: whilst inside church for any purpose, you must wear a face covering, complete the Track and Trace sheet, and observe all of the hand-sanitising, social distancing and other requirements on the notices inside the church.
Monday 25th – Wednesday 27th Jan: ZOOM
9.00am (daily) – short service of Morning Prayer by ZOOM led by our vicar, Canon Rob McLaren
Zoom ID: 856 031 5150 password 902272
Wednesday 27th: St Luke’s church
No service in the church today – see COVID-19 update above – but the church will be opened for individual private prayer from about 9am until midday.
Please note: you must wear a face covering and comply with the above COVID-19 precautions whilst in the church for any purpose.
Thursday 28th Jan: ZOOM
9.30am – Prayer Meeting by ZOOM led by Rob and Tim
ZOOM ID: 856 031 5150 password 902272
Sunday 31st Jan
No service in St Luke’s church today – see COVID-19 update above.
The church will be opened for individual private prayer from about 9am until midday.
Please note: you must wear a face covering and comply with the above COVID-19 precautions whilst in the church for any purpose.
10.30 am – service of Morning Worship by ZOOM* conducted by Rob
Zoom ID: 856 031 5150 password 902272
11.15 am: ZOOM* catch up for an informal chat in small groups with other Church members; hosted again today by Jean McLaren.
Everyone on our email circulation list has received the Zoom login details. If you are local to Holmes Chapel and district and would like to join one of our Zoom sessions, please let us know by email with your contact details to secy@stlukesholmeschapel.uk .
Readings and Music for the Epiphany – from York Minster
A special pre-recorded service exploring the great Epiphany themes through readings and music from the Choir of York Minster.
Donations to help support the upkeep of the building may be made through https://bit.ly/2V2LWsm. You can find the order of service here: https://bit.ly/35ePv4e
Bible Readings: 25th - Jan 2021
Monday 25th January Psalm 66; Hosea 3; 1 Corinthians 9:15-end
Tuesday 26th January Psalms 34,36; Hosea 4:1-16; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Wednesday 27th January Psalms 45,46; Hosea 5:1-7; 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1
Thursday 28th January Psalms 47,48; Hosea 5:8-6:6; 1 Corinthians 11:2-16
Friday 29th January Psalm 61; Hosea 6:7-7:2; 1 Corinthians 11:17-end
Saturday 30th January Psalm 68; Hosea 8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Sunday 31st January 1 Samuel 17:20-37; 17:55-18:5
Praying Together – when sickness is near
you can view or download this whole prayersheet here
God of compassion,
be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation.
In their loneliness, be their consolation;
in their anxiety, be their hope;
in their darkness, be their light;
through him who suffered alone on the cross, but reigns with you in glory,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Merciful God,
we entrust to your tender care those who are ill or in pain,
knowing that whenever danger threatens your everlasting arms are there to hold them safe.
Comfort and heal them, and restore them to health and strength; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
For hospital staff and medical researchers
Gracious God,
give skill, sympathy and resilience to all who are caring for the sick,
and your wisdom to those searching for a cure. Strengthen them with your Spirit,
that through their work many will be restored to health;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
From one who is ill or isolated
O God, help me to trust you,
help me to know that you are with me, help me to believe that nothing can separate me from your love
revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Praying together in Epiphany
Collect for Epiphany Sunday:
O God, who by the leading of a star
Manifested your only Son
To the peoples of the earth:
Mercifully grant that we,
Who know you now by faith,
May at last behold your glory face to face;
Through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen
New history of St Luke’s
Take up of the new history of St Luke’s has been excellent. All 100 copies are sold and there is currently a waiting list.
Please contact Peter Cotton by email papscotton@sky.com or phone 01477 537491 to add your name to the waiting list.
Bible Reading Fellowship 2021
Time to renew or start your New Daylight notes to help with your daily Bible reading.
Remembrance in Holmes Chapel 2020
Due to the current coronavirus restrictions, sadly the usual Remembrance Sunday Parade through the village couldn't take place. However, there was a socially distanced, wreath laying ceremony at the cenotaph in St Luke's churchyard, for a small number of invited...
Mothers’ Union – April 2020 Report
MU report - April 2020 Well, what a strange year! Our AGM meeting usually is in March to coincide with the financial year, but this year both Dorothy and I were going to be away for that meeting so we planned it for April. Little did we know that April wasn't going...
Genesis update – January 2021
Genesis returns on Sunday 10th January, again at 9.45am- 10.15am. We are very excited about seeing everyone again on our Zoom account: (the Genesis Zoom access details have already been sent by email to parents.) We have planned a programme of meetings through to Easter Sunday.