I received the following from Evelyn Sweerts of the Anglican parish and am happy to advertise it. Fr Ed.

Lions and Lambs… and Lattes!

Are you

• Looking for a coffee morning that offers something extra?
• New to Luxembourg and eager to meet other parents of young children?
• Keen for your baby or pre-schooler to learn a bit about Jesus?

Lions and Lambs could be for you! On Thursday 18^th September the Anglican Church’s group for parents and their little ones is re-starting for the new school year (baby bumps through to pre-schoolers are all very welcome). We will sing some child-friendly action songs together; read an age-appropriate New Testament story; and do a fun and simple craft or game. We give special attention to important moments in the Church Year. There will be plenty of time for snacks and free play for the little ones, and (more importantly?) coffee and fellowship for the parents.

Our aim is to be Christ-centred in a creative, inclusive and joyful way – not least because that is what Jesus was (is!) like. Whether telling a story about a banquet to which everyone was invited – especially those no one else thought should be – or rebuking the disciples who tried to keep the children away from him, Jesus made it clear that everyone is invited to the party! Young, old, rich, poor, male, female, good, bad, popular or not – everyone was welcome.

We will meet alternately in Claudia’s home in Rollingergrund and Julia’s home in Schuttrange. Both have good bus connections, and we hope in this way to be easily accessible to all who are interested in joining us. Get-togethers are on Thursday mornings from 9.30-11am during Luxembourgish school term time. You are welcome to come to both or to choose the one that is most convenient for you.

Lions and Lambs is open to those of all: you don’t have to be part of our Sunday morning worship to be welcome. We hope you’ll join us!

Questions? Comments? Need more information? Or simply want to RSVP / get directions? Please contact:

Evelyn Sweerts on 691 11 00 82 or evelyn_sweerts@yahoo.co.uk

On Sunday next, 13 July, the choir will be introducing us to a new setting of the Mass, the ‘Belmont’ Mass. The setting is relatively easy to learn, and we should soon become familiar with it. We have applied to the publishers for a license to reproduce the notation of the melody, and will make copies available as soon as possible. In the meantime, a pdf version is available here: Belmont Mass

Last Sunday, 6th July, Helen Clarke (leading light in our music group) ran in a sponsored run (the JP Morgan City Jogging) in a team of 11 people, raising funds for the Illula Orphanage Trust, a charity in which she is personally involved, serving orphaned children in Tanzania. In an appeal at Mass on Sunday (not pre-announced), over €430 was donated to the Trust. Including money donated at St Alphonse, Helen’s team has raised over €1,530 for the project. Helen will be working in Tanzania for 3 weeks in August.We forgive all the runners for the traffic disruption suffered by those trying to get to Mass! Photos of the race, and the project, to follow. Congratulations to Helen and the team! Fr Ed

We resumed our customary serving of tea and coffee after Mass in September last year, some time after we moved to St Alphonse. In the 10 months since then, over €2,000 has been raised for the mission projects in Garango, Burkina Faso. Annette Power, the co-ordinator of the rota, notes that this amount marks a substantial increase over amounts raised in previous years, where the norm was between €1,200 & €1,600 per year, whereas the present amount of €2,000 was raised over a shorter period. Many, many  thanks to Annette and the rota teams (new teams always welcome!) for this service, which enhances the essential social aspect of our Sunday celebrations, whilst at the same time helping people in Garango with the essentials they need to live. Fr Ed

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, year A

Today’s Readings

First Reading  Isaiah 55:10-11  The word of the Lord accomplishes God’s will

Second Reading Romans 8:18-23  Paul sees the sufferings of this life in the context of an eternity spent in the glory of God

Gospel Matthew 13:1-9  The parable of the sower, inviting believers to receive and nurture the word of God

MUSIC
This week the choir will be introducing the Belmont Mass setting, a simple but beautiful setting of the Mass texts. You can find a recording of the Belmont Mass (the Kyrie is missing) here
Opening Hymn: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty  601
Penitential Rite Belmont Mass
Gloria  Belmont Mass
Psalm
Creed said
Preparation of the Gifts  organ; followed by Blest are you, Lord  603
Sanctus  Belmont Mass
Agnus Dei Belmont Mass
Holy Communion  organ; Sweet Sacrament divine  663
Recessional  As I kneel before you  360

Prayer of the Faithful
Praying especially for:
Special Intention