Notice Sheets - weekly Sunday

                                                                                Sunday 26 July 2026

www.st-matthias-church.org

               The 11am on Sunday is live-streamed so you can join us

               in Church or online (or even worship later in the week!)

                                            www.youtube.com/@stmatthiaschurchtorquay6827/streams

Please note that, due to annual leave, the office will only be partially manned between 30 July to 13 August.

Reading for this Sunday 

Romans 8:26-39 NIV (UK)

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Matthew 13:31-33 & 44-52 NIV (UK)

31 He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.’

33 He told them still another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about thirty kilograms of flour until it worked all through the dough.’

 ⁴⁴ ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

⁴⁵ ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶ When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

⁴⁷ ‘Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. ⁴⁸ When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. ⁴⁹ This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous ⁵⁰ and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

⁵¹ ‘Have you understood all these things?’ Jesus asked.

‘Yes,’ they replied.

⁵² He said to them, ‘Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.’

News

The Friends of St Matthias - as a result of the ongoing very hot weather, and other factors, the Car Treasure Hunt scheduled for Sunday 26th July has been postponed to a new date next year.  2027 will be the 30^th year since our formation. The Chairman apologises for any inconvenience caused

Eco-Action - still thinking of our Marine environment, try to reduce the amount of single use plastic that you use - eg buy things loose or packed in cardboard and paper.    We now have a large green recycling bin – clear bags only - in the Church and one in the Hall kitchen.  No glass, please take that home.  Only put in the clean items you would recycle at home. There is a key to open the big bins in the car park so that you can dispose of clear bags in the recycling bin and black bags in the general rubbish bin.

Pre-school – We have a vacancy for 3 mornings a week for a pre-school administrator: please contact Sylvia for further information.  A good knowledge of Excel Spreadsheets is required.

The leavers service was lovely and we really appreciate the donations made towards the cost of the Bibles.

We have a new Rector! During an a Spirit-filled service worshipping God on Tuesday 21^st July, Stephen Yates was instituted and installed, and Helen Baker was formally admitted and licensed as our Lay Worker.

If you haven’t been able to pick up the prayer card, please use this prayer for the next three months.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for calling Stephen to lead us.  Surround Stephen and Victoria with your love and protection.  Equip Stephen for this new ministry with wisdom, resilience, compassion and grace.  Bless us, and especially the staff team, as we seek to serve you in our community.  May we be drawn together in love, patience and mutual respect and shine as a beacon of light that you will draw others into your Kingdom here. In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

With the exception of Welcome Space (which continues this week, but not in August), our groups are on holiday until September.  We would like to thank all the volunteers who run everything and hope they have a wonderful summer with family and friends.

Dates for your diary

Men’s Prayer Breakfast – 15^th August – is also open to ladies this month.  Guest speaker Michael Marcel – see the link for more information on him https://ukwells.org/

On this occasion all places must be prebooked and paid in advance. No Cash on the day.     Contact Charlie:  07917005406

Bank Transfer details are:  JOHN CHARLES ALLANSEN 77-49-26   31484062.

Dine out Sunday – for those who have already booked, our lunch out together will be at 2pm on 26^th July and we will be back at the Babbacombe Inn.  Please contact Gill Buick on 07709727714 for further information or to book a place for future lunches together.

Prayers for the week –

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.          James 5:16

St Matthias Mission Action Group - Supporting stranded seafarers 

Among the charities supported each year by St Matthias' mission tithe is the Mission to Seafarers. In the Strait of Hormuz, they are making in-person ship visits, as well as keeping in contact with crews by phone and WhatsApp. They are delivering emergency assistance, welfare checks, and giving emotional support. Please pray for this vital work at this time, with hostilities having increased recently.