REV. IRENE writes
We hear many interesting stories during our time at the Minster, this is one I wanted to share with you.
LOST AND FOUND
One of the welcomers came to me with a cash donation last Saturday morning and told me she had been given it by a very grateful lady who had visited the church earlier in the week. The lady had been very upset when she visited due to her beloved cat having gone missing! She said that whilst she was in the washrooms, she felt she needed to pray for a safe return for her pet and she said to God if he returns, I will come straight back to the Minster to give a gift. The story had a happy ending ‘puss’ returned safely and we gave thanks for a generous donation to help with the work that goes on each day of the week.
Whilst it is not normal practice to bargain with God In 1 Samuel 1, we read the story of Hannah who was desperate for a child. She pleaded with God to give her a son, promising that she would return him to the Temple to serve God. God answered her prayer and Samuel became the greatest prophet Israel ever had.
In Genesis 18 Abraham tries to bargain with God to stop him from destroying Sodom and Gomorrah (for their extreme wickedness). He starts off by saying if he can find fifty people who were not evil, would God save the city. God agrees and so Abraham starts bringing the numbers down: 45, then 40, and so on until he reaches ten. They settle on that figure. The reason Abraham was bargaining with God was that his brother-in-law Lot and his family were living there. Eventually, the city was destroyed because ten good men could not be found.
Many of us may have had members of our family who were very ill and have tried to make bargains with God as to what we would do if only they were healed. We must remember that God’s ways are not our ways and he only, knows the end from the beginning. That means we must trust him in all things because he loves us and has our best interests at heart.
URGENT PLEA FROM JON MAJOR
Jon is trying to put together a new register of all key holders. If you have church keys please would you let Jon know. You do not need to return them, it is just an update for administration purposes. Thank you.
ALPHA & ZOOM BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAY EVENINGS
Alpha 6:30 p.m. in the Trinity Rooms (NOT THIS COMING WEEK AS IT IS HALF-TERM)
Online: hullminster.org/teaching 7:30 p.m.
PLEA FROM WELCOME HOUSE
We have been asked by Olga, our Ukrainian friend, whether we are able to collect small toys for use at Welcome House. Welcome House provides daytime facilities for Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Hull and the East Riding. Often these are families with small children and at the moment they do not have toys for the children to play with.
If you can help, please bring things into the Minster, and leave for Irene. Thank you!
EXCITING JUNIOR CHURCH
It was great fun this week as children had to make decisions about what LOVE IS and what LOVE IS NOT. They had a pack of ‘hearts’ saying such things as ‘kind’, ‘patient’, ‘grumpy,’ ‘jealous’, and they had to decide on which large heart on the board to paste these. They were supposed to walk quickly but as you can see, that turned out to be more like running. It was great and everyone enjoyed it, whilst learning important lessons
WELCOME CAFÉ (from strangers to friends) & LISTENING SPACE
Welcome Café is held every Thursday morning 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please do drop in and support whenever you can. We hope to grow this facility and invite many different groups along. There will be newspapers, games, table talk and much more with coffee and cake supplied. It is extremely important that our church family pop along from time to time. time as we need people to welcome and chat to those that may be visiting for the first time.
From 12:30 soup will be served and drinks throughout the afternoon until 3 p.m.
SATURDAY CONCERT SERIES
This week Simon-Mary Vincent will perform, introducing the Occasional Trio.
The Stamford Bridge Singers sang at a special Evensong on Saturday 27th . A pleasure to listen to.
HULL FOR HEROES
Hull Minster will now be collecting food for the Hull for Heroes foodbank. They need ambient long-lasting food like tins, pasta, sauces etc. also toiletries. The donation point will be behind the Welcome desk, so clear out your cupboards!
FREE MONEY FOR CHURCH!
Ecclesiastical is Hull Minster's insurer. This year they are running a donation scheme where they will donate £130 to the Minster for every new household insurance policy taken out. If you are going to renew your policy this year, please consider getting a direct quote from them. There are also discounts of 10% for policies where one of the holders is a church volunteer or staff member. You can ring the number on the information below to find out more.
PRAYER POINTS FOR THE FOURTH WEEK OF MAY
For those we know who are sick or bereaved or awaiting hospital procedures, for healing and comfort.
We pray that the discussions of the World Leaders these last few days will have an effect for good.
We pray for special people in our live
We pray for teachers, staff and pupils during half term – a restful time for staff and a safe time for pupils
We pray for all those struggling financially in these difficult times. May those who can, be willing to help.
COLLECT FOR TRINITY SUNDAY
Holy God, faithful and unchanging;
enlarge our minds with the knowledge of your truth
and draw us more deeply into the mystery of your love,
that we may truly worship you, Father, Son & Holy Spirit,
one God now and forever
AMEN
READINGS FOR TRINITY SUNDAY
Psalm 8
Isaiah 40:12-17, 27-end
2 Corinthians 13:11-end
Matthew 28:16-end
DIARY FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS
WELCOME CAFÉ (from strangers to friends) & LISTENING SPACE
Welcome Café is held every Thursday morning 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please do drop in and support whenever you can. We hope to grow this facility and invite many different groups along. There will be newspapers, games, table talk and much more with coffee and cake supplied. It is extremely important that our church family pop along from time to time as we need people to welcome and chat to those that may be visiting for the first time.
From 12:30 soup will be served and drinks throughout the afternoon until 3 p.m.
HULL FOR HEROES
Hull Minster will now be collecting food for the Hull for Heroes foodbank. They need ambient long-lasting food like tins, pasta, sauces etc. also toiletries. The donation point will be behind the Welcome desk, so clear out your cupboards! Bailey
ASCENSION DAY SERVICE 6:30 a.m.
The choir on the tower roof celebrating Ascension Day.
MUSICAL CONCERT - BECOMING SANE
You can see from Rachel’s expression what she thinks of Ben’s playing and Louana Tranmer’s singing!
GIRLS BRIGADE
It was good to have the Girls’ Brigade taking part in the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service, as they led our prayers and encouraged us in singing. There were badges given out and one new recruit welcomed into the group.
Education Matters!
It was such a pleasure to be joined by Corey, Ellis, Jacob and Josh,this week when they visited the Jewish Living Experience Exhibition. They first came to Hull Minster for a primary school education visit when they were pupil at Bude Park Primary School.
Now apprentices at Ron Dearing UTC, they remembered the communion activity they did with Jane and Irene and were able to relate this to what they saw in the exhibition. We often wonder what impact education has on the youngsters we meet and have to wait a long time to find out. They feel welcome and comfortable at Hull Minster and often meet up with their friends during their long Thursday lunch break. I think we can call this success! Jane Owen
PRAYER POINTS FOR THE FOURTH WEEK OF MAY
For those we know who are sick or bereaved or awaiting hospital procedures, for healing and comfort.
We pray that the discussions of the World Leaders these last few days will have an effect for good.
We pray for special people in our lives
We pray for more facilities for young people to help keep them away from crime.
We pray for all those struggling financially in these difficult times. May those who can, be willing to help.
COLLECT FOR PENTECOST WHIT SUNDAY
Holy Spirit sent by the Father, ignite in us your holy fire;
strengthen your children with the gift of faith,
revive your Church with the breath of love,
and renew the face of the earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord
AMEN
READINGS FOR PENTECOST WHIT SUNDAY
Psalm 104:26-36, 37b
1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
Acts 2:1-21
John 20:19-23
DIARY FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS
