28th

July

2021

18th July

2021

July

25th

2021

A letter from Jonathan

Services online

Dear Church Family

I’ve always had a prayer life. Pretty poor at times, but ever present, turning to God when perplexed, overwhelmed, or down. As I'm growing as a follower of Jesus, I’m learning that I need to pray about more of life; not just at times of struggle but also when I feel comfortable and think I can cope. 

This summer, as we seek rest, relaxation, a change of scene and times of refreshing, remember to pray. King David knew exhaustion but he also knew where to turn for true rest: not to the Algarve, but to God. He wrote ‘Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him.’ David discovered that being right with God - ‘salvation’ - was the foundation of true rest. For us, salvation through Jesus gives us the peace that the world cannot give, no matter how picturesque. (cf John 14:27) Jesus gives us rest for our souls. (cf Matthew 11:29)

The same is true as we seek times of refreshing. In Acts 3 verse 19, Peter says ‘Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord . . .’ Sin robs us of energy and zest for life. Times of refreshing come, not on the surfboard, but as we turn to God in repentance and allow Him to ‘wipe out’ our sin, and enter more deeply the peace of God, for the soul at peace with God is being refreshed by Him. 

So, rather than park prayer while away make a special time each day to seek the Lord in prayer. Take a Psalm, some of the words of Jesus or part of a New Testament letter - see above. Pray over the teaching, pray in the encouragement, pray for rest and times of refreshing. Make notes, if it helps, so that you can turn answered prayer into thanks and praise. Share your testimonies of God’s goodness with us when you return. 

Holiday Blessings
Jonathan

In place of our pre-recorded services, you can already listen live to the audio of our services via our new internet radio station, Shepton LifeStream which is accessible from the player below or with full details of what’s playing now and our daily schedule of programmes, click here.

Benefice Updates

Sunday services at St Peter and St Paul’s

Updated!

Following much prayerful consideration, the Rector, churchwardens and PCC have decided to modify our attended services from Sunday 18th July 2021. Our live audio stream on Shepton LifeStream is now operating - see here for full details.

Covid recommendations will still be in place for anyone visiting the church building at this time. The protocols below follow current government advice and regulations regarding attended church services. Please read through if you wish to attend. We look forward to seeing you!

While we have put in place recommended hygiene and distancing practices, it is very important that you make an informed decision about when to return to services, taking into account any health issues and risk factors which apply to you or your family. For any who can’t attend, we’ll continue to stream services online so there is no pressure to return before you feel ready to do so.

Church Update 🚦 📯

With the lifting of all major covid-19 restrictions by the government, and new guidance from the Church of England, we are able to change some of the ways we worship and meet together, particularly on Sundays:

What’s Changing?

+ SINGING -We can now sing together(🙌 ),though still behind masks for the moment.

+ SOCIAL DISTANCING - We will keep social distancing between households, and we will ask people to keep wearing their masks throughout the services.

+ HOLY COMMUNION - We will continue to celebrate Holy Communion using bread dipped in the wine.

+ FELLOWSHIP - We will continue to have times of fellowship and refreshments outside when the weather allows ☕

+ SAFETY - We will continue to have maintain good ventilation and ensure hand sanitising is available throughout the building during our times together.

As we continue to regather, join us to worship the Lord Jesus, and to pray for our town and community 🙏 ⛪ . We can’t wait to see you all!

Arriving

• • Doors will open at 10:00 so to avoid a queue please don’t arrive before then! It might take a little while for us to get everyone in safely, so thank you for your patience.
• • In line with government recommendations, we will be displaying the official NHS QR code poster in church and in Peter Street Rooms. If you have downloaded the NHS COVID-19 app, please scan the QR code as you enter the buildings.
• • Parking, as always, is very limited. Please park in the public carparks unless there are mobility issues that would make this very difficult.
• • You’ll need to stay with your household as you come in and for the duration of the service and to stay two metres away from other groups
• • You’ll need to have your own face covering, ready to wear whilst you’re with us - and take home with you after the service
• • We’ll ask everyone to use the hand sanitisers provided as they enter the buildings, and before they receive the bread at Communion when it is held.

During the service

• • Please do not shake hands, high 5 or hug anyone - the Shepton wave is the new way of greeting each other!
• • We are now able to sing out loud (Alleluia!), but please keep your mast on for the time being.
• • Please bring your own bible and notebook etc
• • Please bring a drink if you need one as we will not be providing refreshments.
• • The Peter Street Rooms ground floor accessible toilet will be open, but best just use in an emergency to be on the safe side.
• • The collection will be not be taken during the service - there will be a collection basket at the door if people wish to make an offering as they leave.
• • There won’t be a paper service/notice sheet - please ensure that you can see one of the screens.

Departing

• • Please do not shake hands or hug anyone as you leave! 
• • Please have fellowship whilst respecting social distancing as you do so.
• • Feel free to feedback any comments. We’d love to make the experience of being together as good as possible while being as safe as possible. 

If you or any of your household: 

• • feel unwell
• • show or have shown any symptoms of COVID-19 (or have been in close contact with someone who has) within the last 14 days
• • have been diagnosed with COVID-19 (or been in close contact with someone who has) within the last 14 days
• • have been asked to self-isolate under the NHS Test and Trace scheme or have returned from a country outside of the UK government exemption list in the last 14 days

Supporting our fellowship

We are keeping a list of those who are self-isolating, along with any particular pastoral or practical needs so that we can arrange appropriate help. Morag Brown is co-ordinating this. Please let her know of any needs or changes to need as they arise.

Keeping us praying

Praying together as a family is vital. We will be sending out a weekly list of prayer needs for the whole church family and our community. Do try to set aside a time each day to pray - many of us are pausing at 8 in the mornings and evenings to do this, and knowing that others are too at the times is encouraging.