All Saints Margaret Street.

Dear Friends,

Trinity 11

It is unusual to think of the first Bishop of Rome as someone called Simon Johnson, who came to be called Rocky by his friends. Simon was a Galilean fisherman from the small village of Capernaum on the shores of the lake. He was the first person Jesus called to follow him. The apostle’s full name was Simon Bar-Jonah, which means Simon son of John. Johnson. Just as the two brothers James and John were given the nickname “sons of thunder” because of their thundering temper, Simon is given a new name which reveals something of who he has become. The new name is Cephas in Aramaic, or Petros in Greek, taken from the root word for “rock”. Matthew shows us in Sunday’s Gospel that Simon’s new name is given to him by Jesus; he also tells us that the Church is founded on the inspired confession of Simon, who henceforth will be known as Cephas.  

In the Gospels Peter is first in all the lists of the apostles. Not only is he the first to be called, but Jesus’ mission in Galilee has its base in Peter’s house in Capernaum, where Jesus cured Peter’s mother-in-law. He is seen as the spokesman for the apostolic group, their acknowledged leader. In the story of Jesus there is no other figure that is mentioned as frequently as Peter. And the Gospels are realistic in their memory of him: he is not only the one who confesses who Jesus is, he is also the one who denies Jesus; he is not only the one who expresses faith in Jesus, he is also the one who falters in that faith. He has to be helped by Jesus in all that he does, but the Gospels indicate that he is Jesus’ choice to lead the community in the future. He is the one who will return and strengthen the brethren.  

Matthew shows us that Peter is chosen by God to receive enlightenment about Jesus: the source of revelation is not flesh and blood, but the Father in heaven. In response to God’s choice of Peter, Jesus elects to build the Church on this rock, the rock of faith. Jesus then extends this authority to the whole body of disciples when he says to them all: “I tell you solemnly, whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven” (18:18).  

The gift of authority is given to the response of faith. This is the heart of the Petrine ministry which Pope Francis is reimagining in our time. Francis never refers to himself as Pope, always as Bishop of Rome, ironically taking to himself the title that Cranmer and other reformers used as a put-down. He majors on faith not status. That is the true source of Petrine ministry which we all need to reimagine for the future of the Church.  

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Michael Bowie 
Assistant Priest,All Saints Margaret Street  

THIS WEEK’S PRAYER DIARY

Those who are sick or distressed and who have asked for prayers: Asia Bibi, Rosemary Oakeshott, Pat Hawkins, Ruth Butler, Rose Smith, Fr Graham Francis, Maria Magdalena Gedmanaite, Faddy Hardo, Ken Hales, Ron Capon, Patricia Capon, Nancy Gardner, Katie Marko, Andrew Evans, Sarah Payne, Rodney Bickerstaffe, Ros Tagoe, Beverley Ward, Vivienne Dunne,  Catherine Paciullo & Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor.  

Those known to us recently departed: Mildred Bellet, Michael Manktelow Bp, John Wraw Bp and Robert Norwood Pr, Roger Davison Pr, Joan Cook, Barbara Anne Thrift & Mike Barrie.  

Remember past priests, benefactors, friends, and all whose year’s mind occurs this week:  Ellen Noble, Lucy Cook, Dawn Hart, Christine Sanderson, Michael Boll, Nora Leyland, Kenneth Eaves, Evelyne Mginah, Denis Campkin, Joan Saint, John Miller, Ameilia Stephens, Tom Chalmers, Peter Davidson, Patricia Williams, Edward Tagoe, Vera Arde-Acquah, Sophie Garrett, Kathleen Heales & Betty Little.                                                            

WORSHIP THIS WEEK: 

27 August ~ 11^th Sunday after Trinity
8am Low Mass
10.20am Morning Prayer

11am HIGH MASS with Choir & Sermon
Preacher: Fr Michael Bowie
Britten Missa Brevis
Fauré Maria, mater gratiae

There is no Sunday Lunch service during the August holiday period. We look forward to welcoming both visitors and regular diners once again in September.  

5.15pm Low Mass
6pm EVENSONG & BENEDICTION with Sermon
Preacher: Fr Julian Browning
Sumsion Setting for upper voices in G
Duruflé Tota pulchra es Maria 
 

This Week’s Services

Bank Holiday Monday 28 August
12 Noon Mass only  

Tuesday 29 August to Friday 1 September
7.30am Morning Prayer 
 8am Low Mass
12.30-1pm Confessions  
1.10pm Low Mass
5.30pm Confessions  
6pm Evening Prayer
6.30pm Low Mass 

Saturday, 2 September  
12 noon Low Mass   
6pm Evening Prayer 
6.30pm First Mass of Sunday

NEXT SUNDAY’S SERVICES
3 September ~ 12^th Sunday after Trinity
8am Low Mass  
10.20am Morning Prayer

11am HIGH MASS with Choir & Sermon
Preacher: Fr Julian Browning
W. Lloyd Webber Mass in E minor
W. Lloyd Webber Love Divine, all loves excelling  

5.15pm Low Mass
6pm EVENSONG & BENEDICTION with Sermon
Preacher: Fr Michael Bowie
Howells Canticles in G   Howells Salve Regina 

For full service information: www.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk.
 

WEEKLY NOTICES and FUTURE EVENTS at ALL SAINTS  

FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY – HIGH MASS & OUTDOOR PROCESSION with choir and brass accompaniment – PHOTOS to be seen at  https://www.facebook.com/AllSaintsMargaretStreet/. No need to be on Facebook to view these wonderful images of a very special evening, which was the best attended service with outdoor procession to date. NEWS: The Diocese of London has also now put a piece about this service and procession on its website: https://www.london.anglican.org/news/  

Sunday 3 September – Volunteers to help prepare & serve coffee and hot snacks needed please. One/two people are needed before Mass from 10.30am to set out cups, fill the hot water urn; to serve refreshments after Mass and clear up. If you are able to help, please see one of the coffee team/contact Janet Drake: 020 7278 9930/ejanetdrake@googlemail.com who can provide details.  

THE JOHN LEWIS (SABEEMA) ARTS AND CRAFTS CLUB AUTUMN EXHIBITION will be shown at All Saints once again from Tuesday 12 until Sunday 24 September 12 – 6 daily in the Parish Room. Do come and visit – an early opportunity to purchase gifts (art, craft and jewellery) and cards for Christmas.  

ALL SAINTS Saturday 16 September, 12 NOON MASS WITH HYMNS AND MUSIC is a Celebration Mass and Reunion for USPG Former Staff and Mission Personnel. All are welcome to join for coffee from 11am and for the Mass, but the lunch and afternoon events are for those taking part in USPG’s Reunion. Celebrant: Fr Alan Moses and Preacher: The Revd Canon Chris Chivers, USPG Chair of Trustees and Principal of Westcott House, Cambridge. Organist: Jeremiah Stephenson.  

Sunday 24 September, 7.15pm All Saints (after Benediction) ORGAN RECITAL – Jeremiah Stephenson (Assistant Director of Music). Programme includes Marcel Dupré: Cortège et Litanie op 19 no 2 and Prélude et ƒugue en sol mineur op 7 no 3; Maurice Duruflé Suite op 5 – Prélude, Sicilienne, Toccata.  Retiring collection. All Saints licensed Club/Bar open afterwards. 

FUTURE EVENTS ELSEWHERE

Saturday 2 September, 3pm– St Cyprian’s Church Choral Evensong & Benediction (followed by tea). Officiant: Fr Michael Fuller.
Responses: Alyeward; Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis: Brewer in D and
Anthem: Geistliches lied; Brahms. Director of Music: Julian Collings leads the choir newly returned from its successful tour of venues in Boston, USA including the Victorian Gothic Church of the Advent.

Friday 8 September, 7.30pm – St Mary’s, Cable Street Patronal Festival 2017 – Solemn Mass on the Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Preacher:  the Dean of Westminster. Mass will be followed by a party in the church hall. All welcome. 

Wednesday 13 September, 6.30pm
CTiW Reformation 500 event, St Martin-in-the-Fields – Bread for the World
St Martin-in-the-Fields is hosting a Churches Together in Westminster Reformation 500 event, with
St Anne’s Lutheran Church London and Revd Eliza Zikmane, focusing on Luther’s legacy to Christian Education through the Small Catechism, Bread for the World is a great way to find focus during a busy week. With music led by the Choral Scholars of St Martin’s. 

Saturday 30 September at 3pm – You are invited to a POETRY TEA AT PAMELA’S HOME. You can bring poetry or prose.  The theme will be Gardens and Gardening.  To attend please speak to Pamela or Sandra in the courtyard, or ring Sandra on 020 7637 8456 leaving your name & phone number.  Charge £6.  Proceeds to the All Saints’ Restoration Fund. 

ALL SAINTS MISSION PROJECTS 
Our year-round fundraising efforts go to support three charities:

The Church Army hostels and programmes in Marylebone empowering homeless women into independent living.
The USPG-led UMOJA, HIV Project in Zimbabwe, enabling people living with HIV and Aids to have positive lives, and
The Soup Kitchen (American International Church, Tottenham Court Road) feeding up to 80 vulnerable people daily in central London. 

Men’s clothing especially is needed by the Jesus Centre in Margaret Street and also by the Soup Kitchen at the American International Church, both of whom provide a daily range of services to homeless people. If you have women’s or men’s clothes to give away, please bring to Church and leave at the Parish Office so we can continue to help support our neighbours’ efforts. The Church Army is now also collecting women’s clothes for their Homeless Hostel so all donations can be found a good new home!

The Soup Kitchen specifically calls for: men’s trousers (sizes 32-36) and men’s sturdy/athletic shoes (sizes 9-12 especially) and say ‘we also need men’s outerwear of all varieties and rucksacks and duffle-bags to help our guests carry their belongings!’

The Soup Kitchen team (only part-time cover) asks: ‘Please drop me a line if you are planning to drop things off here. As always, many thanks for your support.’ Soup Kitchen at the American International Church, 79a Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 4TD T: 020 7580 2791    www.amchurch.co.uk/soup-kitchen/

Further Communications or Assistance from All Saints Margaret Street:- 
* If you would like to encourage others to take an interest in All Saints/keep up with what is happening here, please forward this email on to them, or to people you would like to invite to services or tell them about our websitewww.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk, which has a full colour 360 virtual tour for viewing the wonderfully restored interior of the Church – seewww.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk/history/virtual tour – before a visit or if unable to travel. 

* If you know of others (near or far) who would like to receive this regular update on what’s happening at All Saints please encourage them to sign up for the email on the All Saints website – see the tab News & Events> Weekly Newsletter. 

* If you would like any pastoral assistance, please do not hesitate to contact:

The Parish Church of All Saints Margaret Street, London W1 W 8JG

Vicar: The Revd Prebendary Alan Moses
T: 07973 878040 E: alanmoses111@gmail.com (Day off: Saturday)

Assistant Priest: The Revd Dr Michael Bowie
T: 07581 180963 E: mnrbowie@gmail.com (Day off: Wednesday)

Confessions 
A priest is available for confessions/counsel Monday – Friday from 12.30-1pm and at 5.30pm Monday – Saturday, or by appointment. (Special arrangements apply in Lent and for Holy Week.)

If you would like prayers offered, or amendments to the prayer list please contact: Dee Prior, Parish Administrator (020 7636 1788).  E: astsmgtst@aol.com. Or make use of the prayer request facility on the website at: www.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk/prayer.  

Safeguarding Officers: Chris Self (Vulnerable Adults) and: Janet Drake (Children) 

allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk   www.facebook.com/AllSaintsMargaretStreet