Thoughts from The Vicarage 317
Thoughts from The Vicarage with encouraging words, Holy week and Nicodemus
Greetings ! Please find Pews News attached with service information for the coming week, prayer requests and the readings for the 2nd Sunday of Lent. Lent, a liturgical time, is like a space in our busy lives, carved out traditionally for ‘penitence, fasting, and giving of alms’. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the gifts that God has given us. These forty holy days are also a time to look to foster closeness, to journey each day closer with the Divine, with God.
As I wrote last week the Quiet Day led by Bishop Mary was most inspiring. Mary shared the poem by Gemma Gately that you will find on week’s Pews News – she also shared a list, called ‘Encouraging Words’ ready for Lent. Simple but just right for a book mark or on your bedside table. There are copies in St Michael’s.
Lent culminates in the great feast of Easter celebrated in churches across the world. But first we travel through Holy Week as we recall the trials of Jesus, his last days and his crucifixion.
The Pews News illustration this week is Nicodemus & Jesus by Lauren Wright Pittman who writes: “Jesus lists metaphors that swirl around and fly over Nicodemus’ head, such as, “the wind blows where it chooses.” Jesus’ words create a halo of confusion around Nicodemus’ head. I imagine Nicodemus faced away from Jesus with his eyes closed, grappling for answers by playing the metaphors in his head like little vignettes on repeat. While Nicodemus spins in his searching, Jesus says simply, ‘We speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen, yet you do not receive our testimony.’
In Jesus’ perspective, his explanations to Nicodemus are as real and tangible as earthly things, but for Nicodemus Jesus’ words seem so distant, so celestial. Nicodemus is a leader of the Jews; he has all of the knowledge of the law and of doctrine, but he doesn’t know Jesus. He’s not even really listening to Jesus. Jesus is right in front of his face. He can reach out and touch him. But they are light years away from one another.”
“I wonder how things would shift for Nicodemus if he would just look at Jesus. . .”
Looking ahead to Holy Week: all dates are below. On Maundy Thursday at 11am in Christ Church Cathedral Oxford there will be service of Eucharist with the Blessing of Oils and Renewal of Ministerial Commitment. It is a very special service and it would be lovely to see you. Everyone – lay, licensed, and ordained – is welcome, as we come together to renew and celebrate our shared ministry as the people of God in the diocese of Oxford. More information can be found here or ask myself or Christine if you’d like to know more.
Finally – from Canon Rhona Floate
Father God,
As you number even the hairs of our heads,
be with us in every detail of our lives.
May your Spirit guide us in all we do
so that nothing may overwhelm us and
the fruit of the Spirit may flourish and grow within us,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Every blessing,
Julie
Revd Julie Mintern Vicar Lambourn Valley Benefice
Diary Dates
- Monday March 2nd 2.00 – Lent group @ Christine’s home
- Wednesday March 4th 7pm – Come & See Lent gathering @ Meridian
- Monday March 9th 2.00 – Lent group @ Christine’s home
- Wednesday March 11th 7pm – Come & See Lent gathering @ Meridian
- Sunday March 15th – Mothering Sunday 9.30 St James
- Sunday March 15th – Mothering Sunday 11.00 All Saints
- Sunday March 15th – Mothering Sunday 11.00 St Michael & All Angels
- Meridian Monday March – 16th 2.30 Lent group @ Christine’s home
- Wednesday March 18th 7pm – Come & See Lent gathering @ Meridian
- Monday March 23rd 2.00 – Lent group @ Christine’s home
- Wednesday March 25th 7pm – Come & See Lent gathering @ Meridian
- Friday March 27th – Lambourn school breaks up
- Sunday March 29th – Palm Sunday Benefice service Blessing of Palms St Michael & All Angels
- Monday of Holy Week March 30th 7pm – Holy Communion & Homily St Michael & All Angels
- Tuesday Holy week March 31st 7pm – Holy Communion & Homily St James
- Wednesday of Holy Week April 1st 7pm – Holy Communion & Homily All Saints
- Maundy Thursday April 2nd – Holy Communion & stripping of altars St Michael & All Angels
- Good Friday April 3rd 10.00 – Walk of Witness meet at Sacred Heart
- Good Friday April 3rd 11.00 – Veneration of The Cross Sacred Heart Church
- Good Friday April 3rd 12.00 – Good Friday Liturgy St James
- Good Friday April 3rd – Requiem & Anthems St Michael & All Angels
- Holy Saturday April 4th 7pm – Easter Vigil St Michael & All Angels
- Sunday April 5th Easter Day 9.00 – Easter Day Holy Communion All Saints
- Sunday April 5th Easter Day 10.30 – Easter Day Holy Communion St James
- Sunday April 5th Easter Day 10.30 – Easter Day Festal Sung Eucharist St Michael & All Angels
- Sunday April 5th Easter Day 6.30 pm – Festal Evensong St Michael & All Angels