IMPORTANT NOTE:
There will continue to be services at 9 am and 10 am each Sunday.
If you are unable to attend church on Sunday, please use the Spiritual Communion Service sheet below.
Services during week commencing 6th December are as follows:
If you are unable to attend church on Sunday, please use the Spiritual Communion Service sheet below.
Services during week commencing 6th December are as follows:
If you struggle to see the text in the image above, please use this pdf version.
| the_week_ahead_wc_6_dec.pdf |
Sunday 5th December - 2nd Sunday of Advent
If you are not able to attend a service in church, please use this document to help you take spiritual communion at home. On the service sheet (pdf link below) there are suggestions of websites for videos and hymns suitable for today.
| spiritual_communion_the_second_sunday_of_advent_5_dec.pdf |
There are additional prayers for you on this document if you wish to use them:
| prayer_book_cofe_.pdf |
Forthcoming services leading up to Christmas:
The Advent Memorial Service will be an opportunity for those of you who have lost loved ones over the past year or more, to light a candle in their memory. I will update this information if anything changes.
Christian Meditation
Our 6-week introductory course on Christian meditation that was held on Tuesday mornings has now finished. A new course will begin in the New Year, please do speak to Fr Mark for more details. In the meantime, for further information regarding this form of Christian Meditation please visit the website of the World Community for Christian Meditation at https://wccm.org
Meditation is an ancient form of contemplative prayer that seeks God in the silence and stillness beyond word or thought. It is a way of simplicity, silence and stillness and can be practised by anyone who is merely serious about beginning.
The roots of the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) lie in the desert tradition of the early Christianity of the 4th century. By recognising the way of ‘pure prayer’, ‘prayer of the heart’ or ‘meditation’, that he found in this tradition the Benedictine monk, John Main (1926-1982), brought to countless people in ordinary life the possibility of a contemplative practice in their following of the Christian way of life. As a Benedictine monk, he taught how restoring this lost dimension of prayer to the life of the churches, Christianity itself could be renewed and society as a whole benefit from its spiritual awakening. He started the first Christian Meditation Centre in London in 1975. The first of the weekly meditation groups, of which there are now some thousands around the world, began to meet then.
For further information contact Fr Mark Danks markjdanks@yahoo.co.uk
To communicate and nurture meditation, as passed on through the teaching of John Main in the Christian tradition in the spirit of serving the unity of all. (WCCM Mission Statement)
The roots of the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) lie in the desert tradition of the early Christianity of the 4th century. By recognising the way of ‘pure prayer’, ‘prayer of the heart’ or ‘meditation’, that he found in this tradition the Benedictine monk, John Main (1926-1982), brought to countless people in ordinary life the possibility of a contemplative practice in their following of the Christian way of life. As a Benedictine monk, he taught how restoring this lost dimension of prayer to the life of the churches, Christianity itself could be renewed and society as a whole benefit from its spiritual awakening. He started the first Christian Meditation Centre in London in 1975. The first of the weekly meditation groups, of which there are now some thousands around the world, began to meet then.
For further information contact Fr Mark Danks markjdanks@yahoo.co.uk
To communicate and nurture meditation, as passed on through the teaching of John Main in the Christian tradition in the spirit of serving the unity of all. (WCCM Mission Statement)
If you are unable to attend church on Sunday or during the week, you might like to use the following links for live services:
If you are unable to attend church on Sunday or during the week, you might like to use the following links for live services:
- We advise you to follow the 'Pray as you Go' website daily, for each day's short service. The service is reflective, quiet and aims to help you to become more aware of God’s presence in your life, listen to and reflect on God’s word and grow in your relationship with God. https://pray-as-you-go.org
- You can access daily prayer and services from the Church of England, using this link: https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily-prayer
- You might like to follow the services that are recorded at Lichfield Cathedral. Services take place at the following times:
- Follow the link below to see services recorded live at the above times or you can catch up with previous services if you miss them going live.
https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/welcome-back/together-in-worship-from-51120 - The BBC has a Daily Service, which is about 15 minutes with a reflection, reading from Scripture, prayers, and hymns. It’s every day at 9.45 am on the BBC website and on Radio 4. You can also listen to services from the last 30 days.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006wzfs
REGULAR SERVICES:
For services during the week, see the notice at the top of the page.
For services during the week, see the notice at the top of the page.
9.00 am Sunday - Holy Communion
Begin the day with our quieter Communion Service using the majestic Book of Common Prayer. This is a 'said' service (ie, no singing).
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10.00 am Sunday - Communion Service
Parish Eucharist (no congregational singing and no communion wine). Traditional in form and tone but open to all. Mario Castillo and the Gill family will provide some music during the service.
_________________________________________________
6.00 pm First Friday each month - Quiet Hour
This is a quiet and reflective service with times of silence and meditation and anointing if desired. There is no sermon or hymns. It will be the ideal opportunity to take time out and to meet with God in the silence.
_________________________________________________
For midweek services, which may change from week to week, please see the details of what's on at the top of the page.
_________________________________________________
6.00 pm Sunday - Memorial service
We hold a Memorial service 2 or 3 times a year (usually around February, June and October) for those who have lost loved ones recently or some years ago.
'Lord, have mercy on those who mourn, who feel numb and crushed and are filled with the pain of grief, whose strength has given up. You know all our sighing and longings. Be near to us and teach us to fix our hope on you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen'
‘And God shall wipe away every tear from their eye and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain.'
_________________________________________________
All Age Service - first Sunday of the month SUSPENDED FOR THE MOMENT
The first Sunday of the month will be an ‘All Age Service’. The service will still have the Eucharist at its heart but it will be a more relaxed and accessible service and all are welcome. We are hoping and praying that the Leaders and young ladies from the Uniformed Organisations will be joining us each month and in addition, please begin to think and pray now about who you can invite.
_________________________________________________
Christening/Bookings
If you would like to enquire about a Christening at St Bartholomew's Church then please come and visit us on Sunday morning at our morning worship (10.00 am). Please complete the form on the Contact Us page. Click here to see more details about Christenings on the Christenings/Baptisms page.
_________________________________________________
Wedding Bookings
If you would like to enquire about a wedding at St Bartholomew's Church then please come and visit us on Sunday morning at our morning worship (10.00 am). All enquiries about this will be dealt with following the service. Please complete the form on the Contact Us page. Click here to see more details about weddings on the Weddings page.
_________________________________________________
Home Communion (for the homebound)
Do you know anyone who would like to receive Holy Communion within their home? Click here to message us about this.
_________________________________________________
Services/events will be in Church unless otherwise stated.
_________________________________________________
ACTIVITIES:
Open the Book
Enabling every child to hear the stories of the Bible at School in their primary years. www.openthebook.net. Our 'Open the Book' team currently visit the following primary schools: St John's C of E Primary Academy and Old Park Primary School. Click here to view the Open the Book page.
Craft Club
Our craft club, Lovingly Crafted, meets on the first Saturday each month, 2 pm to 4 pm. Click here to find out more on the Craft Club page. Please note that there will not be a meeting in January.
Open Table
The Open Table team serve delicious lunches at 1.00 pm usually on the second Saturday of each month. Please Joyce Turner if you wish to attend, or can help.
Events
Click here for Weekly Notices and, also, here to find out about forthcoming events that may not be on the Notices.
Newsletters
Click here to download the newsletter each month.
_________________________________________________
Begin the day with our quieter Communion Service using the majestic Book of Common Prayer. This is a 'said' service (ie, no singing).
_________________________________________________
10.00 am Sunday - Communion Service
Parish Eucharist (no congregational singing and no communion wine). Traditional in form and tone but open to all. Mario Castillo and the Gill family will provide some music during the service.
_________________________________________________
6.00 pm First Friday each month - Quiet Hour
This is a quiet and reflective service with times of silence and meditation and anointing if desired. There is no sermon or hymns. It will be the ideal opportunity to take time out and to meet with God in the silence.
_________________________________________________
For midweek services, which may change from week to week, please see the details of what's on at the top of the page.
_________________________________________________
6.00 pm Sunday - Memorial service
We hold a Memorial service 2 or 3 times a year (usually around February, June and October) for those who have lost loved ones recently or some years ago.
'Lord, have mercy on those who mourn, who feel numb and crushed and are filled with the pain of grief, whose strength has given up. You know all our sighing and longings. Be near to us and teach us to fix our hope on you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen'
‘And God shall wipe away every tear from their eye and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain.'
_________________________________________________
All Age Service - first Sunday of the month SUSPENDED FOR THE MOMENT
The first Sunday of the month will be an ‘All Age Service’. The service will still have the Eucharist at its heart but it will be a more relaxed and accessible service and all are welcome. We are hoping and praying that the Leaders and young ladies from the Uniformed Organisations will be joining us each month and in addition, please begin to think and pray now about who you can invite.
_________________________________________________
Christening/Bookings
If you would like to enquire about a Christening at St Bartholomew's Church then please come and visit us on Sunday morning at our morning worship (10.00 am). Please complete the form on the Contact Us page. Click here to see more details about Christenings on the Christenings/Baptisms page.
_________________________________________________
Wedding Bookings
If you would like to enquire about a wedding at St Bartholomew's Church then please come and visit us on Sunday morning at our morning worship (10.00 am). All enquiries about this will be dealt with following the service. Please complete the form on the Contact Us page. Click here to see more details about weddings on the Weddings page.
_________________________________________________
Home Communion (for the homebound)
Do you know anyone who would like to receive Holy Communion within their home? Click here to message us about this.
_________________________________________________
Services/events will be in Church unless otherwise stated.
_________________________________________________
ACTIVITIES:
Open the Book
Enabling every child to hear the stories of the Bible at School in their primary years. www.openthebook.net. Our 'Open the Book' team currently visit the following primary schools: St John's C of E Primary Academy and Old Park Primary School. Click here to view the Open the Book page.
Craft Club
Our craft club, Lovingly Crafted, meets on the first Saturday each month, 2 pm to 4 pm. Click here to find out more on the Craft Club page. Please note that there will not be a meeting in January.
Open Table
The Open Table team serve delicious lunches at 1.00 pm usually on the second Saturday of each month. Please Joyce Turner if you wish to attend, or can help.
Events
Click here for Weekly Notices and, also, here to find out about forthcoming events that may not be on the Notices.
Newsletters
Click here to download the newsletter each month.
_________________________________________________
MOTHERING SUNDAY EUCHARIST
The fourth Sunday of Lent is kept as Mothering Sunday. It's sometimes known as Laetare (joyful) Sunday. It's a day when Mothering in all its forms is celebrated - the mothering of Mother Church as well as the human mothering by parents.
The fourth Sunday of Lent is kept as Mothering Sunday. It's sometimes known as Laetare (joyful) Sunday. It's a day when Mothering in all its forms is celebrated - the mothering of Mother Church as well as the human mothering by parents.
February's memorial service:
SPECIAL PEAL OF BELLS - 23rd February 2019
A peal was rung at our Church by 10 ringers from the St Martin’s Guild in 3 hours 2 minutes on Saturday 23rd February. They rang 5040 changes of Cambridge Surprise Royal in loving memory of Andy Carr, who had been tower captain of Northfield and it was rung on Henry Johnson Dinner Day. You can see further details on the the Ringing World BellBoard website. https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1273037 |
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2nd December 2018
Lynn, Mario, Joyce, Alice and Wendy went to the Central Hall in Walsall to see Stuart Townend and Band in their ‘Courage’ tour. The band was fabulous and we all came out feeling positive. (We hope Mario will sing some of the songs in Church. )
Stuart Townend is an English Christian worship leader and writer of hymns and contemporary worship music. His songs include ‘In Christ Alone’, ‘How Deep The Father's Love For Us’, ‘Beautiful Saviour’ and ‘The King of Love’. (His son plays drums and his daughter is a vocalist.)
11th November 2018
Our Church looked lovely with displays of poppies and the poppy wreaths laid during our Parish Eucharist prior to going to the Cenotaph. The Cenotaph and the area around it was packed. It was a wonderful turn out during this special Centenary to mark the ending of WW1 especially as we did it on the 11th day of the 11th month at 11 am this year. (See the slideshow of the photos at the bottom of the page showing the poppies in Church and some from the Cenotaph that were taken some time after the service and when most people had left. )
Invitation from Holy Trinity Church, Old Hill
On Saturday 29th September, Claire and Wendy represented our Open the Book team at Holy Trinity Church in Old Hill. Click here to find out more on the Open the Book page and go to the bottom of the screen.
Invitation to visit Polesworth Abbey and St Editha's Church
David Brookes (Organist and Choir Master) extended an invitation to us to visit his church. The Abbey, Church and Sensory Garden is open to visitors every day apart from Mondays from 10.30 am to 4.00 pm. Wendy, her husband Dennis and friend Heather visited on Thursday 27th September and enjoyed a few hours there. Thank you to David and other volunteers for making them very welcome. Polesworth Abbey was founded in the 9th century by St Modwena and King Egbert. The first abbess was Edgytha (daughter of King Egbert, now known as St Editha) to whom the present church is now named. It is likely that she lived in the 600s and that there was a Saxon shrine dedicated to her at Polesworth before the end of the 7th century. A 12th century carving found in excavations and prominent in the Abbey is probably part of an early Norman memorial or shrine installed when the present Abbey buildings were erected in the early twelfth century. It is a very interesting place. Please visit our Facebook page if you wish to view photos. Click here to go to the page and then select Photos and look for the album.
Harvest Festival
On 16th September we had our Harvest Festival service. Thank you to Morrisons for the generous donation of the Harvest Festival Sheaf. It looked fabulous on the altar. Many thanks, too, to all of you who donated non-perishable items. These will be used by the Food Bank in Wednesbury. The Food Bank deals with many people from the area who often have nothing and go hungry. It's wonderful that our donations will enable the Food Bank to continue to help these people in their time of need.
Guild of Servers of the Sanctuary
On Monday 10th September, for the first time in a long time (approximately 35 years) St Bartholomew's had the privilege of having a visit from the Guild of Servers of the Sanctuary. The Guilds Office was chanted and a sermon was given by their chaplain, the Revd Fr Martin Ennis. The Guild of Servants of the Sanctuary is a Guild of Altar Servers which seeks to deepen the spiritual life of its members and to help them to become more worthy of their high office. It is entirely a society of lay people but welcomes Bishops, Priests and Deacons as Associate Members and non-servers as Supporter members. Altar Servers from many parishes meet at their Chapter and Festivals for Worship and Fellowship, often providing support for servers who may be the solitary server at their church. There are Chapters throughout England, Wales and overseas. Details regarding the Guild can be found on their website.
http://guild-of-servers-of-sanctuary.weebly.com/
Lynn, Mario, Joyce, Alice and Wendy went to the Central Hall in Walsall to see Stuart Townend and Band in their ‘Courage’ tour. The band was fabulous and we all came out feeling positive. (We hope Mario will sing some of the songs in Church. )
Stuart Townend is an English Christian worship leader and writer of hymns and contemporary worship music. His songs include ‘In Christ Alone’, ‘How Deep The Father's Love For Us’, ‘Beautiful Saviour’ and ‘The King of Love’. (His son plays drums and his daughter is a vocalist.)
11th November 2018
Our Church looked lovely with displays of poppies and the poppy wreaths laid during our Parish Eucharist prior to going to the Cenotaph. The Cenotaph and the area around it was packed. It was a wonderful turn out during this special Centenary to mark the ending of WW1 especially as we did it on the 11th day of the 11th month at 11 am this year. (See the slideshow of the photos at the bottom of the page showing the poppies in Church and some from the Cenotaph that were taken some time after the service and when most people had left. )
Invitation from Holy Trinity Church, Old Hill
On Saturday 29th September, Claire and Wendy represented our Open the Book team at Holy Trinity Church in Old Hill. Click here to find out more on the Open the Book page and go to the bottom of the screen.
Invitation to visit Polesworth Abbey and St Editha's Church
David Brookes (Organist and Choir Master) extended an invitation to us to visit his church. The Abbey, Church and Sensory Garden is open to visitors every day apart from Mondays from 10.30 am to 4.00 pm. Wendy, her husband Dennis and friend Heather visited on Thursday 27th September and enjoyed a few hours there. Thank you to David and other volunteers for making them very welcome. Polesworth Abbey was founded in the 9th century by St Modwena and King Egbert. The first abbess was Edgytha (daughter of King Egbert, now known as St Editha) to whom the present church is now named. It is likely that she lived in the 600s and that there was a Saxon shrine dedicated to her at Polesworth before the end of the 7th century. A 12th century carving found in excavations and prominent in the Abbey is probably part of an early Norman memorial or shrine installed when the present Abbey buildings were erected in the early twelfth century. It is a very interesting place. Please visit our Facebook page if you wish to view photos. Click here to go to the page and then select Photos and look for the album.
Harvest Festival
On 16th September we had our Harvest Festival service. Thank you to Morrisons for the generous donation of the Harvest Festival Sheaf. It looked fabulous on the altar. Many thanks, too, to all of you who donated non-perishable items. These will be used by the Food Bank in Wednesbury. The Food Bank deals with many people from the area who often have nothing and go hungry. It's wonderful that our donations will enable the Food Bank to continue to help these people in their time of need.
Guild of Servers of the Sanctuary
On Monday 10th September, for the first time in a long time (approximately 35 years) St Bartholomew's had the privilege of having a visit from the Guild of Servers of the Sanctuary. The Guilds Office was chanted and a sermon was given by their chaplain, the Revd Fr Martin Ennis. The Guild of Servants of the Sanctuary is a Guild of Altar Servers which seeks to deepen the spiritual life of its members and to help them to become more worthy of their high office. It is entirely a society of lay people but welcomes Bishops, Priests and Deacons as Associate Members and non-servers as Supporter members. Altar Servers from many parishes meet at their Chapter and Festivals for Worship and Fellowship, often providing support for servers who may be the solitary server at their church. There are Chapters throughout England, Wales and overseas. Details regarding the Guild can be found on their website.
http://guild-of-servers-of-sanctuary.weebly.com/
Day Retreat
Karen Bennett kindly allowed us to publish some photos she took when she attended the Day Retreat on 8th August led by Fr Mark from St Bartholomew’s Church and the Revd Dr Jason Philips at the church of St Giles in Whittington.
Karen said “I had an amazing time at this Ignatian Spirituality Retreat” and thanked both Fr Mark and St Giles Church. The retreat offered quiet spiritual reflection, guided meditation and time for personal reflection.
