Weekly Notices

[ See here for Notice archives ].

Sunday 5th and 12th July Trinity 5 & 6

Welcome to our newsletter for the next two weeks

What is our direction of travel?

Will we tell God where we want to go
or ask him which way we should go?

Collect for 5th July
Almighty and everlasting God,
by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church
is governed and sanctified:
hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people,
that in their vocation and ministry
they may serve you in holiness and truth
to the glory of your name;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Collect for 12th July
Merciful God,
you have prepared for those who love you
such good things as pass our understanding:
pour into our hearts such love toward you
that we, loving you in all things and above all things,
may obtain your promises,
which exceed all that we can desire;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Readings for 5th July: Gen. 24: 34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Ps. 45: 10-17 and Matt. 11: 25-30. For 8am and St Mary’s 11.15am: John 1: 1-5.

Readings for 12th July: Gen. 25: 19-34, Psalm 119: 105-112 and Matt. 13: 1-9, 18-23. For St Thomas’ and St Andrew’s: John 1: 1-5.

This Sunday:
8:00am      BCP Holy Communion at St Thomas’
8:45am      Parish breakfast in the Canterbury Room
9:30am      Family service at St Thomas’
11:15am    Holy Communion at St Mary’s
11:15am Family service at St Andrew’s
3.15pm      Tea to meet the curate in the Canterbury Room
4:00pm Choral Evensong at St Thomas’

Next Sunday, 12th July:
8:00am      BCP Holy Communion at St Mary’s
9:30am      Holy Communion at St Thomas’
11:15am    Family service at St Mary’s
11:15am BCP Holy Communion at St Andrew’s
5:00pm      Discoverers / Family meal

Our new curate, Jane Collins
We pray for Jane as she prepares to be ordained as deacon in Christ Church Cathedral this Saturday, 4th July at 2pm. If you plan to go please let the office know as we have additional information on parking etc. The service will also be livestreamed on the Cathedral’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/c/ChristChurchCathedralOxford.

Welcome tea
On Sunday 5th July there will be a benefice tea in the Canterbury room at 3.15pm before a benefice evensong at 4pm. Offers of cake etc. appreciated! All most welcome.

All about Jane!
My journey towards ordination has been a long one. I was raised a Christian, and have always known God’s presence in my life. In my mid-twenties, while walking across a field on my way to church, I experienced a sudden and unwanted sense I was being called to be a priest. It came completely out of the blue and I didn’t want to hear it and I pushed it away, however God would never let me forget the calling, and eventually I accepted it.

One of the many reasons I was reluctant was that I loved science and had just got a job as a nuclear scientist. That career has spanned 26 years, and I have loved every day of it. Ironically, I’ve always loved science because it helps me understand God’s world more deeply, when I look at a cell, I see an entire universe. I began on the path in earnest in 2020 after suffering with Covid, and the doors opened one by one, to the point now where I am starting a curacy!

I am really looking forward to serving the parishes of Goring, Streatley and South Stoke and to see the many friendly people I met when I visited some months ago now. It will be quite a change for me so I am hoping there will be understanding and patience when I get things wrong (i.e. learn!) and I am looking forward to getting to know the congregations and also those outside the church within the parishes. I am hoping to emulate Revd. Ben by using a bicycle, but they may be times you may see me on the motorised kind too; I have 2 motorbikes, which bring me great joy. My other love is my cat, Nev who has made the move with me and is keen to get out into the garden!
It will be a significant transition for me, but with God all things are possible! If there were prayers for me, it would be that my cat adjusts and is well, as he’s quite a scaredy cat and is 16 years old now, so quite a senior gentleman. I look forward to meeting you all very soon. Jane Collins

This Sunday, 5th July,
Parish Breakfast at St Thomas’

Come along for toast, fruit and coffee on this first Sunday of a month from 8.45-9.15am.
This is a wonderful way to integrate our different church members of all ages and stages.
Thank you to Jo for providing this.

The Nicene Creed sermon series resumes this Sunday with sermons on Jesus’s divinity at the 8am service and at St Mary’s.
The Thursday study group continues with Week 3 on 9th July and the Tuesday morning group on 14th July.

Afternoon service last week.
Thank you for everyone’s prayers for the 4pm service. It was an encouraging start!

Disasters Emergency Committee Venezuela appeal

Two catastrophic earthquakes have hit Venezuela. Buildings were reduced to rubble in minutes. The UN estimates that millions of people have been affected, with more than two million in

the worst impacted areas.
Families are sleeping in makeshift tents on the street, with little protection from the heat and rain. Power lines and roads have been destroyed, and people are cut off from essential supplies.
DEC has started an appeal and the UK Government will match pound-for-pound up to £2 million donated by the public. You can find out more and donate online here: https://www.dec.org.uk/ or we will have buckets in our churches this Sunday.

Prayer for the people of Venezuela from Christian Aid
Loving God,
When the earth trembles and homes fall to dust, hold our hearts, God.
When grief shakes families to the core, hold our hearts, God.
Send our hands and feet to help however we can.
Our sisters and brothers in Venezuela live this now.
God of love and mercy, may we match your love in the way we respond - now.
Amen

Goring Primary School fete
The primary school will be holding its annual summer fete this Saturday, 4th July, from noon to 3pm.
As well as raising much needed funds for the school this promises lots of fun for all the family.
There will be plenty of stalls as well as games, food and refreshments.

Piano and violin recital at St Thomas’, Saturday 18th July
Unfortunately this recital by Mary Daniels, Edward Knighton and Maxton Pitcher on Saturday 18th July has been cancelled due to ill-health.

Pathways
The new edition of the Diocesan magazine, Pathways, is now available in all our churches. This includes Bishop Steven’s reflections on his 10 years as bishop, a review on the awful effect of the removal of VAT refunds on church repairs, and suggestions for a wonderful day out near Burford and much more!
Please do help yourself to a copy.

Join in Morning Prayer together. Please do. We offer ourselves in worship, listen to the Bible and pray for our world and church members in turn.
Monday: 8.30am Goring, Tuesday and Thursday: 8.30am Streatley.
Friday: 9am Goring.

This week we are asked to pray for:

The people of Venezuela.
An honest look at what we are doing to the climate and future generations of all species. For forgiveness, hope, wisdom and sacrificial love. May we recognise that every drop of fossil fuel used, be it in air conditioning or manufacturing or whatever adds to the burden for the future.
Wisdom on how to provide defence against global aggressors, be they countries or commercial venturers.
Vocations to all types of ministry, especially Jane beginning her ordained life among us.

Diary for the next two weeks

Wednesday 8th July
10:30am    BCP Holy Communion at St Thomas’
The readings will be Hosea 10: 1-3, 7-8, 12, Psalm 115: 3-10 & Matthew 10: 1-7.

Thursday 9th July
7:30pm      Evening Nicene Creed study group

Friday 10th July
Noon           Marriage of Julien & Natasha at St Mary’s

Sunday 12th July please see earlier

Tuesday 14th July
10:30am    Nicene Creed study group in the Canterbury Room
7:00pm      Goring Primary leavers’ service at St Thomas’

Wednesday 15th July
10:30am    Little Lights at St Mary’s
10:30am    BCP Holy Communion at St Thomas’
The readings will be Isa. 10: 5-7, 13-16, Psalm 94: 5-11 & Matthew 11: 25-27.
1:30pm      Streatley Primary leavers’ service at St Mary’s

Thursday 16th July
10:30am    Pick-a-Flick in the Canterbury Room

Saturday 18th July
3:00pm      Sadly, no recital at St Thomas’ - cancelled

Sunday 19th July
8:00am      BCP Holy Communion at St Thomas’
9:30am      Good News service at St Thomas’
11:15am    BCP Holy Communion at St Mary’s
11:15am Good News service at St Andrew’s

Prayers for the week based on Roots on the web
Lord God, we look to you for your leading in all that we do. Give us discernment and direction we pray.

Life is full of decisions to be made, large and small. One large decision we make in life is that of our marriage partner. Just as you led Abraham’s servant your way resulting in Rebekah and Isaac coming together, we pray for all couples contemplating marriage plans. we pray for all on the cusp of this decision.
We turn to you... Lord, Guide them and us, in your way.

Lord God, we pray for those who have decided to walk a dark path, and those who have been coerced onto such a path. We think of those lost in a world of drugs, those lost and held in the grip of human trafficking, and those caught up in a never-ending cycle of violence. Light up your path, O God. Open their eyes to see, their minds to know and understand.
We turn to you... Lord, Guide them and us, in your way.

Lord God, we pray for your church today. We lift to you all those in roles of ministry. May they look and act on your word for your people, and look not to their own ideas, the demands of the world or society’s trends. May your word be paramount as all seek to discern your leading.
We turn to you... Lord, Guide them and us, in your way.

Lord God, after yet another Prime Minister resignation we pray for much-needed stability for our country. This country needs your direction, Lord. May you reign in power over this land. Put the right people in government and have Christian values central in all decisions.
O God, we pray for all whose actions affect our daily life.
We turn to you... Lord, Guide them and us, in your way.

Lord God, we pray for the world, for all caught up in conflict. We pray for your hand on peace talks, Lord. We pray for the war in Ukraine and the end to hostilities worldwide. Strengthen the innocent caught up amid the rubble of broken lives and provide nourishment for body and soul.
Lord God, we pray for the devastation wrought by the twin earthquakes in Venezuela. We pray for the rescue teams. Lord, rebuild the shattered lives of those devastated by war, famine or earthquakes.
O God, we pray for all people crying out for help. Speak peace, grant sustenance and restore your world.
We turn to you... Lord, Guide them and us, in your way.

Daily readings for the week beginning 6th July

Monday am:	Ps 98	1 Sam. 1: 1-20	Luke 19:28-40	pm: Ps 105	2 Cor. 1: 1-14
Tuesday am:	Ps 106	1 Sam. 1.21-2.11	Luke 19: 41-end	pm: Ps 107	2 Cor. 1.15-2.4
Wednesday am:	Ps 110	1 Sam. 2: 12-26	Luke 20: 1-8	pm: Ps 119: 129-152	2 Cor. 2: 5-end
Thursday am:	Ps 113	1 Sam. 2: 27-end	Luke 20: 9-19	pm: Ps 114	2 Cor. ch 3
Friday am:	Ps 139	1 Sam. 3:1-4:1a	Luke 20: 20-26	pm: Ps 130	2 Cor. ch 4
Saturday am:	Ps 120	1 Sam. 4.1b-end	Luke 20: 27-40	pm: Ps 118	2 Cor. ch 5

Daily readings for the week beginning 13th July

Monday am:	Ps 123	1 Sam. ch 5	Luke 20:41-21:4	pm: Ps 127	2 Cor. 6:1-7:1
Tuesday am:	Ps 132	1 Sam. 6: 1-16	Luke 21: 5-19	pm: Ps 135	2 Cor. 7: 2-end
Wednesday am:	Ps 119: 152-end	1 Sam. ch 7	Luke 21: 20-28	pm: Ps 136	2 Cor. 8: 1-15
Thursday am:	Ps 143	1 Sam. ch 8	Luke 21: 29-end	pm: Ps 138	2 Cor. 8.16-9.5
Friday am:	Ps 142	1 Sam. 9: 1-14	Luke 22: 1-13	pm: Ps 145	2 Cor. 9: 6-end
Saturday am:	Ps 147	1 Sam. 9.15-10.1	Luke 22: 14-23	pm: Ps 148	2 Cor. ch 10

Please send any notices or articles for the next news sheet by noon on Thursdays to vicarofgsandss@yahoo.com.

The Benefice of Goring and Streatley with South Stoke

The Vicarage

Manor Road

Goring, Berkshire RG8 9DR

United Kingdom

02/07/2026