Thoughts from The Vicarage with Palms, Holy Week and VE Day service
Greetings as we look ahead to Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy week. Each service will begin with the Procession of Palms from outside the church. Please find attached Pews News and Holy Week times and venues.
Palm Sunday is when we receive Palm crosses and hear how Jesus came into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey a few days before his death. The crowds waved palms and cheered him as a king. We will act this out by walking from the Lych Gate to church with palms and songs of welcome to Jesus – come and join in! If you would prefer to wait in church – that’s fine as well!
And don’t forget to take home your Palm cross – here’s how it can help you pray …
- Each point of the cross links to a theme. Hold the cross in your right hand and then place your left thumb on the left ‘crosspiece’. Pray for the world, Loving God, thank you that your peace reaches into every situation across our world. Be close to those places that need peace this day. Lord in your mercy – Hear our prayer;
- Place your left thumb on the right of the ‘crosspiece’ and pray for people in need in these or similar words: Loving God, thank you that your hope reaches into every situation. Be close to those who are ill or sad this day. Lord in your mercy – Hear our prayer;
- Place your left thumb on the base of the ‘crosspiece’: Pray for the community where you live in using these or similar words: Loving God, thank you that your joy reaches into our homes. Help us to know that you are with us every day. Lord in your mercy – Hear our prayer;
- Place your thumb in centre of the ‘crosspiece’: Pray for yourself, in these or similar words: Loving God, thank you for Jesus and the love he showed for me. Help me to follow him more and more each day. Amen.
Looking ahead
Please see the attached for days, times and venues for the services of Holy week and of the Triduum. That is the days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Saturday all leading to Easter Day itself.
Important after Easter dates
- Sunday April 27th – is Mystery Worshipper Sunday when we encourage you to visit Sunday worship in another church and report back your thoughts! There will be no service in the Benefice that Sunday. Suggestions of churches next week!
- Saturday May 3rd do come along 9-11.00 to the St Michael’s churchyard clear up.
- Thursday May 8th 5.30 A traditional service in St Michael’s to mark in hymns, prayers and remembrance VE Day 80 years
Finally a prayer as we look ahead to Holy Week
In this coming Holy Week,
help us to be faithful,
to walk with you the way of sadness,
not averting our eyes from suffering,
finding your love,
even for those who do their worst,
and knowing the salvation you bought for us by your suffering love on the cross.
Amen
Every blessing
Julie