Thoughts from The Vicarage with an invitation, Easter celebrations and dates after Easter
Greetings as we look ahead to the end of Holy week and Easter Day itself. Please find attached Pews News for days, times and venues for the services of the Triduum – the days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Saturday all leading to Easter Day itself.
Tim Schenck has written these words of invitation and encouragement for parishes all over the world:
“When you hear clergy strongly encouraging you to attend the services of Holy Week, especially the Great Three Days (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil), it’s not just because they like to see more people in the pews, or it’s good for their egos, or they want parishioners to see how much effort goes into these liturgies. It’s because they believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the transforming power of the Christian faith. It’s because they love you and want nothing more than for you to have such a moving encounter with our Lord, that it will change your life. It’s an invitation rooted in profound love, and a recognition that there is literally nothing more important in the entire world than to participate fully as we collectively journey from the Upper Room to Calvary to the Empty Tomb. I hope you will join your local parish.”
Easter Sunday will be a glorious celebration in each of our valley churches! At the 10.30 service in St Michael’s please bring instruments, ribbons, bells to wave around and make a joyful noise! Then in the evening there will be a wonderful Festal Choral Evensong in St Michael & All Angels to which all are welcome!!
The APCM of St Michael & All Angels is on Wednesday May 7th at 6pm in church beginning with the Vestry meeting at which churchwardens are elected. If you are interested in becoming a PCC member and have been on the Electoral Roll for at least 6 months, please speak to Ruth or Keith as soon as possible and complete a nomination form to be found in church. PCC meetings are held roughly 6 times a year.
Please consider whether you are called to stand, and pray for the life and work of the PCC, its effectiveness, commitment and openness to the guidance of God. Tea and coffee will be served just prior to the start of the meeting.
AFTER EASTER dates for your diary
- 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.
- Saturday May 3rd 9-11.00 St Michael’s churchyard clean up.
- Thursday May 8th 5.30 A traditional service in St Michael’s to mark in hymns, prayers and remembrance VE Day 80 years on.
- Saturday May 17th 10am – 3pm Seeking the kingdom alongside our global partners St John & St Stephen’s Church Reading. Do join me!
Many have expressed their horror at the bombing of Al-Ahli hospital run by the Anglican Church in Jerusalem. A prayer you may care to make your own.
Out of the depths have I cried unto you. O Lord hear my voice. Psalm 130:1.
Loving God, you call us to mourn with those who mourn and weep with those who weep. As we stand with those at the Al Ahli Hospital, hear our prayers for an end to this senseless violence. Give us the courage and the will to speak up for the defenceless. Remind us that every human being is made in your image. We pray for those with the power to stop this madness. Give them the vision to imagine new possibilities, where hardened hearts are opened to goodness, love and grace. We pray for the team at Al Ahli, Archbishop Hosam, and the Diocese of Jerusalem. Surround them with your love, give them your strength and fill them with your wisdom.
Amen
And finally Thoughts from The Vicarage will be taking a break and will back w/b April 28th meanwhile,
May the cross carry you through whatever pain and suffering assails you.
May you go forward with courage with Christ.
May you know the love of Christ’s sacrifice and may you let it change you.
Every blessing and I bid you all a most blessed Holy Week and Joyful Easter Day.
Julie