Keeping in Touch (3 April)

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Last Updated on Saturday, 04 April 2020 20:59

Written by Team Rector

Watch Sunday Service for Palm Sunday (5 April)

Dear All,

What an extraordinary season it continues to be…and with the annual coming again of Palm Sunday, we find ourselves on the threshold of Holy Week. I hope the mailing you receive will help you to ‘guard your light’; to keep rooted in the soil of the One who is the source of all light, life and hope.

You may have heard me use the phrase, ‘The seeds of love are never wasted’. To put it another way, David Adam writes, in a short prayer called ‘Your Tide’ – ‘It is your tide that pulls me Lord, draw me to yourself. When one tide ebbs, another flows. Nothing is lost, only it suffers a tide change.’

Let’s claim for ourselves the great Christian truths we know & gain strength from the journeys we’ve taken, as, this coming week, we put our hand into the hand of God, once again. 

Jane

The Collect for Palm Sunday

Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; 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. Amen

Gospel readings for Palm Sunday:

• The Entry into Jerusalem - Matthew 21: 1-11
• The Passion* of Christ - Matthew 26:14 – 27:66 (or  Matthew 27:11-54)

*The word Passion comes from the Latin word for suffering. The Passion of Christ is the story of Jesus Christ's arrest, trial, suffering and finally his execution by crucifixion. But it is only an episode in a longer story that includes the Resurrection.

Thank you

Thank you so much to all those who have given so much positive feedback to the phone network, resources (both online and sent through the post) and our first online service. It is so lovely for Roderick, Jane, Sue and Richard to be able to tell everyone how well these have been received and we thank God for the way they are being used to bless people in these unusual times. 120 prayer resource packs were sent out by post and over 220 e-mails were sent through this New Weekly Newsletter to people across all of our six churches. Material for Holy Week & Easter is also available and being posted to those without internet access.

Holy Week & Easter

While it will feel strange not being able to mark this most important week in the Church Year in our buildings, we know that God can bless us in new ways at this time.

·       Resources for Holy Week & Easter contains a list of all the events that took place in Holy Week and some reflections for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. There's also a DIY guide to making a Palm Cross, a booklet based around the Stations of the Cross at St Michael’s and the service sheet we will use for our online service on Easter Day (you will still be able to follow the service if you’re not able to print it out).

·       Palm Sunday – an online service with Sue and Richard with hymns led by Derek Whitty at St Michael’s and a short meditation for Palm Sunday. 

·       Maundy Thursday – a short meditation will be available to watch online.

·       Good Friday – a meditation on the Stations of the Cross will be available to watch online.

·       Easter Day – an online service and a meditation will be available.

Longer versions of the meditations (including short pieces for each day of Holy Week) can be watched here.

Wednesday of Holy Week is traditionally known as a silent day because the Bible gives no indication of what happened that day. Why not have a Quiet Day yourself using these 3 films?

Using video conferencing, the clergy will celebrate communion on behalf of the whole team on each day.

Praying at home

·       Further Information and resources  are available for you to use to pray at home. This includes a prayer activity, some intercessions and information about other resources you may like to use. If you would like a printed copy please reply to this email.

·       Telephone Prayer Meeting at 5pm on Wednesdays. Seven people joined the first meeting which provides an opportunity to pray with others. All are welcome. Simply call 0330 606 0403 – it’ll be answered by an American recorded voice asking you to enter an Access Code which is 516129 followed by #. One of the ministry team will answer and you’ll be able to speak to others who also phone in.

Pat Penwill’s remains will be cremated at 8.15am on 7 April and a memorial service will be held at St Michael’s at a later date. As it is not possible for people to attend the cremation please hold her family and friends in your prayers at that time.

The clergy and ministry team will also be happy to pray over the phone.

Social Media

We now have a new presence on Facebook and Twitter so please do follow us. Other information will be regularly posted on this website 

Support for one another

One of the new ways we are keeping our church ‘Open for Business’ and keeping everyone in our church linked together is through our Phone Network. Over 300 people will receive a phone call each week offering a friendly ear and pastoral support, resources for prayer and worship and a message from the Ministry Team. 

If you know anyone else who would value being part of this network please let Sue 01626 873807, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or one of the Ministry Team know.

All the clergy team are available by phone and email to offer support – Roderick on 01626 779177 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Jane on 01626 870288 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Sue on 01626 873807 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Supporting our Churches

Church of England guidance states that no one should be entering church buildings for any reason.

Although our buildings are closed, may we encourage you to please continue giving during this period to help with ongoing costs and expenses. Obviously, our day-to-day income will be affected by the closing of the church and our ability to raise funds.  If you are able to review or increase your contributions in the short term this will keep us secure for the future. Please contact your church’s treasurer to find out how to give in this current time.

We appreciate this is a time of concern and please be assured of our prayers and support.