THE PARISH CHURCH OF STOKE
DAMEREL (ST. ANDREW & ST. LUKE)
For the 10.00am Parish Eucharist for today click here
Rector: Revd Keith Robus RN
Telephone No: 01752 509724
Email: keith.robus@btinternet.com
www.Stokedamerel.church
www.facebook.com/StokeDamerelChurch
Sunday 1 August Ninth Sunday after Trinity
Thought for the Day
The splendid lights of TEAM GB have been
burning brightly with a splendid haul of medals to
boost our Nation’s pride and give us a boost to
morale. Over the entire Olympic park burns the
Olympic Flame which is a signal to show the 2021
games are underway. The flame was lit in Greece
on the slopes of Mount Olympus and was taken
about the globe before arriving in Tokyo. It has
been handled by several thousands and seen by
many millions. Truly a global event.
Further flames were also in my agenda last week
as Wednesday in HMS VIVID we had a brief on
navigation and as part of that was the recognition
of buoys and lighthouses / ships. This time there
was not a link to the Pharos of Alexandria in times
of the Ancient World, but something much closer
to home. All will have seen Smeaton’s Tower and
when it was in use as a lighthouse saved many
lives and many tonnes of shipping. If one were to
look out into the Sound at night one would see a
plethora of lights of different colours and each
flashing in different patterns. For every buoy in the
Sound each one has its own identity, it has a name,
shape and colour and a unique flash code. This
helps mariners navigate with a trustworthy
knowledge and therefore in safety.
We as Christians have our own trustworthy
lighthouse and buoyage light. We have our own
Olympic flame and torches throughout the world.
Our ‘Light of the World’ is of course Jesus Christ
for after all he himself called himself that. He is
the light that brings light to the world, his light
shines as a beacon in the darkness, his light brings
truth, honesty and trust, his light brings us hope.
Jesus’ light is of rainbow colours welcoming all
into a world where there are no shadows. His light
is unable to be dimmed, hidden or extinguished.
His light emits its unique flashing pattern – that all
are welcome to feel the power of his love.
Consider the light given by a lighted candle, as it
burns so it diminishes as the wax is used as fuel.
There is something sacrificial about the candle
giving of itself to produce light. In a similar way
Jesus in giving his light had to go to the cross for
all to see. He sacrificed himself in order for us to
receive his everlasting light and love.
However, we know that as Jesus is the light of the
world, we too are lights in God’s world. In our
baptism we receive his light to show we have
passed from darkness to light and that we are to
shine as lights in the world to the glory of God. We
emit the light of Christ from our hearts, as with the
lights in the Sound they are of many colours and
have their own unique flashing pattern. We have
the opportunity to add our light to that of Christ’s
in all situations in which we find ourselves.
Together we are able to bring hope, healing,
security and above all his love in places of
darkness.
Imagine if the Tokyo Olympic stadium was filled
to capacity with Christians but in darkness, and if
every Christian were then to light a flame and hold
it aloft, what brilliance there would be. Such is the
situation with God’s world, we Christians have the
ability to hold our flaming torches aloft for all to
see, we look to Jesus the eternal Olympic flame
burning as a symbol of truth, hope and love.
For then we all are rewarded Gold Medals of
eternal life.
Father Keith
THIS WEEK'S READINGS
Sunday 1st August 9th Sunday after Trinity
Exodus 16:2-4. 9-15
Psalm 78:23-29
Ephesians 4:1-16
John 6:24-35
NEXT WEEK’S READINGS
Sunday 8th August 10th Sunday after Trinity
1 Kings 19:4-8
Psalm 34:1-8
Ephesians 4:25 – 5:2
John 6:35. 41-51
IF YOU ARE ILL OR NEED TO GO INTO HOSPITAL
Please ring for support:-
Revd Keith: 509724
Wendy: 218432
Liz: 509852
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.
PLEASE PRAY FOR:-
Heather, Charles, Andy, Bishop Nick,
George & Audrey, Chris, Yvonne, Lisa, David,
Terry and Pat, Janet, Jean, Philip, Margaret,
John, Eli, David, Kelly, James, Ruth,
all those who are ill or affected by the present
virus outbreak, and all those who have asked
for our prayers.
Almighty Father,
we commend to thy loving care all who are
sick in body and mind.
Grant them patience in their suffering;
cheer and uphold them with the knowledge of
thy love;
and if it be thy will,
restore them to health and strength,
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
BLESSED SACRAMENT CANDLE
If you would like to have the candle lit for a week
for a particular prayer / thanksgiving /
commemoration, etc., please send a £5 donation to
Debbie Smith, clearly marking your donation as
being for the candle. Details of your intention can
be emailed to:- sarah.lundstrom@virginmedia.com
so that a mention of the commemoration, etc., can
appear in the Sunday Sheet.
The candle has been burning this week for Craig
Miles in memory of his Dad, Ken Miles, who died
on 26th July.
RECTOR’S RAMBLINGS
Stoke Damerel Parish Church is a hybrid church
open for public worship and private prayer and all
services will be live streamed.
By attending a live streamed service, you give
implied permission to have your image captured
on CCTV and to be broadcast as participant in the
liturgy.
In order to watch the livestreamed services please
‘click’ on this link to
make your way to YouTube site:
https://www.youtube.com/c/StokeDamerelChurch
Sunday 1 August Trinity 9
0800 Holy Eucharist
1000 Sung Holy Eucharist
Sung hymns are provided by St Martin’s Singers
Tues 3 August
No church services
Wed 4 August
10.00 Holy Eucharist
Thurs 5 August
No church services
Sunday 8 August Trinity 10
0800 Holy Eucharist
1000 Sung Holy Eucharist
Sung hymns and organ music
The Church of England, working with St Martin
in-the-Fields and the Royal School of Church
Music, is delighted to be providing a resource of
rights-free music for use on streamed services.
Summer Service Schedule –
Thought for the Day and Tony Barnard
I have been monitoring the numbers at the
midweek Eucharists, and in July and August there
will be a suspension of Thursday 0900 Private
Prayer and 0930 Eucharist. Tony and I have agreed
to give you a holiday in August from his nature
notes, historic findings and serious stuff, and I
from my random thoughts for the month of
August. We should be back with you in
September. Rector’s ramblings will continue to
update with news.
Archdeacon’s Visitation
Marilyn is now an officially sworn in Church
Warden for Stoke Damerel.
Summer Service Schedule –
Thought for the Day and Tony Barnard
St Aubyn’s Church 250th Anniversary
We all have been invited to a 250th service of
Thanksgiving on Sunday 19 September 1100am
with a celebration of Holy Communion by The Rt
Revd Nick McKinnel, the Bishop of Plymouth followed
by a lunch.
Pastoral Placement
Stoke Damerel Parish has been asked to take a
final year student from the South West Ministerial
Training Course for their long placement in
October. The ordinand is Steve Guffick and I will
be meeting with him shortly to begin to get to
know him better. As a parish we are definitely on
the map, and I am sure, when Steve arrives you
will give him your usual (well actually it is very
full and exciting) welcome!
Scam
Yet again I have been hit by an email scam asking
for vouchers. Please be assured I would never send
out emails asking in this way. Please send any such
email to report@phishing.gov.uk.
The Village Hub Food Bank
Please do remember our local ‘small but perfectly
formed’ food bank. The Hub are particularly
asking for canned meat and fish, UHT milk, tea,
coffee and sugar.
Blessed Sacrament Candle
In Stoke Damerel Church there burns a candle
week in week out to mark the presence of Our
Lord under the form of the Blessed Sacrament.
The reservation of the Blessed Sacrament is for
distribution to those at home and in emergency.
For a bargain price of £5 per week, your dedication
will be prayed for on the Sunday Sheet and by the
congregation. Lesley Morris has resumed her
duties as ‘The Lady of the Lamp’ and please do
make contact.
Christmas Cards 2021
Please see the attached form to order your
Christmas Cards. The cards have the image below
and are an excellent fund-raiser for the Parish. I am
delighted Mrs Lesley Morris will be the co-
ordinator for this venture – Lesley, thank you for
taking on this valuable task!
Father Keith
Devonport and Stoke Community Youth Work
Simon, our Youth Worker in Devonport, delivering
food during Lockdown.
Simon has been working in Devonport for more
than 18 months. He works with young people in
running Youth Clubs and also in detached work.
He works in Secondary schools and has contact
with young people at City College, Plymouth. His
hours are 25 per week and he is establishing
contact with young people in an area where there
are no Youth facilities. As Churches in Devonport,
we acknowledged that this ministry was essential
to the area and as Churches Together we support
this project.
Simon is funded by a trust fund and from
donations from Churches and the Christian
Resources Project. Covid has created challenges
with funding and to date we have a deficit. To help
with this a Crowdfunding page has been created
and we are looking for donations to help keep
Simon in post. If you are able to help with this the
Crowdfunding page is as follows.
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/devonport-and-
stoke-community-youth-work
If you would like to give and not able to use the
Crowd Funder page, please contact Ruth on:
ruthmsayers@gmail.com
or
01752 965197
Thank you.
Ruth Sayers CMS worker.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN AUGUST
Beatrice Spencer, Penny Barnard, Maureen
Wilson, Catherine Gillhespy.
SUMMER FAIR 2021
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2021
Sept 11 Devon Historic Churches and
Heritage Day in Stoke Church
Sept 25
Wedding of Tevor and Annabel
Oct 01
Wedding of Lewis and Nikki
Oct 03
Harvest Thanksgiving
Oct 05
PCC Meeting
Oct 09/10
Mayflower Garland Folk Festival
War Child Charity Concert
Oct 17
St Luke’s Hospice and Patronal
Thanksgiving
Nov 02
All Souls’ Day
Nov 07
Chamber Ensemble of London
Concert
Nov 14 Remembrance Sunday
Nov 19/20 Christmas Fair
Nov 27
Plymouth Gilbert & Sullivan Theatre
Productions Christmas concert
Nov 28 Plymouth World Aids Day Event
Nov 29 St Andrew’s Day Fundraising evening
celebration
Dec 19 Service of Nine Lessons with Carols
A prayer for the world
God of love and hope,
you made the world and care for all creation,
but the world feels strange right now.
The news is full of stories about Coronavirus.
Some people are worried that they might get ill.
Others are anxious for their family and friends.
Be with them and help them to find peace.
We pray for the doctors and nurses and scientists,
and all who are working to discover the right
medicines to help those who are ill.
Thank you that even in these anxious times,
you are with us.
Help us to put our trust in you and keep us safe.
Amen.
Hubb Support, 17/08/2020