8 Aug 2020

Dear Friends,

Week Commencing Sunday 9th August 2020

You can find a few words From the Vicar’s Desk here.

The Sunday Morning Worship service can be found here.

Bible reading and the Bishop’s sermon (without the rest of the morning service) can be found here.

The Sundays Alive family service can be found here.

Sundays Alive Zoom Social at 4pm – link can be found on its Facebook page

There are various opportunities to make contact together during the week:

Tuesday Afternoon Fellowship – 2pm conference call. – Details from Dawn and the team.

Wednesday Zoom Social at 12.15pm – link sent out on Wednesday by email.

WednesdaysAlive prayer and worship time on Zoom contact Larry.

I’m very happy to receive a phone call if you would like to chat – 01276 691127

Blessings Larry 

+

26 July 2020

Dear Friends

Week Commencing Sunday 26^th July 2020

You can find a few words From the Vicar’s Desk here.

The Sunday Morning Worship service can be found here.

The Sundays Alive family service can be found here.

Sundays Alive Zoom Social at 4pm – link can be found on its Facebook page

Bible readings and the Bishop’s sermon (without the rest of the morning service) can be found here.

A short “advert” for Through Faith Missions is here.

There are various opportunities to make contact together during the week:

Tuesday Afternoon Fellowship – 2pm conference call. – Details from Dawn and the team.

Wednesday Zoom Social at 12.15pm – link sent out on Wednesday by email.

WednesdaysAlive prayer and worship time on Zoom contact Larry.

I’m very happy to receive a phone call if you would like to chat – 01276 691127

Blessings

Larry

Here is the quote in full that I mentioned in the From the Vicar’s Desk video that had spoken to me deeply this week.

“March 8.–Accompanied A.B. in one of his rounds through some of the most miserable habitations I ever beheld. Such scenes I never before dreamed of. Ah, why am I such a stranger to the poor of my native town? I have passed their doors thousands of times; I have admired the huge black piles of building, with their lofty chimneys breaking the sun’s rays–why have I never ventured within? How dwelleth the love of God in me? How cordial is the welcome even of the poorest and most loathsome to the voice of Christian sympathy! What imbedded masses of human beings are huddled together, unvisited by friend or minister! ‘No man careth for our souls‘ is written over every forehead. Awake, my soul! Why should I give hours and days any longer to the vain world, when there is such a world of misery at my very door? Lord put thine own strength in me; confirm every good resolution; forgive my past long life of uselessness and folly.” (Aged 21)”

Robert Murray M’Cheyne

Psalm 142 

I cry out to the Lord with my voice;
With my voice to the Lord I make my supplication.
² I pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare before Him my trouble.

³ When my spirit  was overwhelmed within me,
Then You knew my path.
In the way in which I walk
They have secretly set a snare for me.
⁴ Look on my right hand and see,
For there is no one who acknowledges me;
Refuge has failed me;
No one cares for my soul.⁵  I cried out to You, O Lord:
I said, “You are my refuge,
My portion in the land of the living.
⁶ Attend to my cry,
For I am brought very low;
Deliver me from my persecutors,
For they are stronger than I.
⁷ Bring my soul out of prison,
That I may praise Your name;
The righteous shall surround me,
For You shall deal bountifully with me.”

+

19th July 2020

Dear Friends

Week Commencing Sunday 19^th July 2020

You can find a few words From the Vicar’s Desk here.

The Sunday Morning Worship service can be found here.

The Sundays Alive family service can be found here.

Sundays Alive Zoom Social at 4pm – link can be found on it’s Facebook page

Bible readings and the Bishop’s sermon (without the rest of the morning service) can be found here.

A very short message from Bishop Andrew to the wider Christian Community here.

Jamie Muir asks what might God’s Air Bridge to us look like? here.

There are various opportunities to make contact together during the week:

Tuesday Afternoon Fellowship – 2pm conference call. – Details from Dawn and the team.

Wednesday Zoom Social at 12.15pm – link sent out on Wednesday by email.

WednesdaysAlive prayer and worship time on Zoom.

I’m very happy to receive a phone call if you would like to chat – 01276 691127

I was asked for the Words of Revd Malcolm Guite’s poem:

Hold On – a new song

Well the world has changed around us

Like the shifting of a dream

And it’s left us stranded where we are

An island in midstream.

And the tides of time have borne away

All the goods we counted on

But we will not be swept away

If we can just hold on

So here’s an arm to reach for you

And here’s a warm embrace

I know that in the darkness here

You cannot see my face

But let us trust each other

In these hours before the dawn

Hold on my own beloved one

Keep praying and hold on

Chorus

Hold on to your history

Hold on to your myth

Hold on to the one you love

And love the one you’re with

Hold on through the ecstacy

Hold on through the pain

And if you ever lose your grip

Then hold on tight again

I know that you are tired now

I know the wind blows cold

I know its hard to hold on when

There’s nothing left to hold

But we can hold together

Till these dreadful days are done

And one day Love will set us free

Till then we’ll just hold on

Chorus

Hold on to your memory

Hold on to your hope

Hold on to these threads of love

And twist them into rope.

Hold on through the infamy

Hold on through the scorn

I’ll hold you, and you hold for me

Together we’ll hold on

Hold on, Hold on, Hold on….

Blessings, Larry

+

12 July 2020

Dear Friends

Week Commencing Sunday 12^th July 2020

You can find a few words From the Vicar’s Desk here.

The Sunday Morning Worship service can be found here.

The Sundays Alive family service can be found here.

Bible readings and the Bishop’s sermon (without the rest of the morning service) can be found here.

There are various opportunities to make contact together during the week:

Tuesday Afternoon Fellowship – 2pm conference call. – Details from Dawn and the team.

Wednesday Zoom Social at 12.15pm – link sent out on Wednesday by email.

WednesdaysAlive prayer and worship time on Zoom.

Sundays Alive Zoom Social at 4pm – link can be found on it’s Facebook page

I’m very happy to receive a phone call if you would like to chat – 01276 691127

Blessings Larry 

+

5 July 2020

Dear Friends

You can find a few words From the Vicar’s Deskhere.

The Sunday Morning Worship service can be found here.

The Sundays Alive service can be found here.

Bible readings and the Bishop’s sermon (without the rest of the morning service) can be found here.

I’m very happy to receive a phone call if you would like to chat – 01276 691127

There are various opportunities to make contact together during the week:

Tuesday Afternoon Fellowship – 2pm conference call. – details from Dawn and the team.

Wednesday Zoom Social at 12.15pm – link sent out on Wednesday by email.

WednesdaysAlive prayer and worship time on Zoom.

Sundays Alive Zoom Social at 4pm – link can be found on the Sundays Alive Facebook page

Thank you to all who prayed for me and the situation during the week.

Blessings, Larry

+

28 June 2020

Dear Friends

You can find a very few words From the Vicar’s Deskhere.

The Sunday Morning Worship service can be found here.

The Sundays Alive service  can be found here.

A Bible reading and the Bishop’s sermon (without the rest of the morning service) can be found here.

I’m very happy to receive a phone call if you would like to chat – 01276 691127

There are various opportunities to make contact together during the week:

Tuesday Afternoon Fellowship – 2pm conference call. – details from Dawn and the team.

Wednesday Zoom Social at 12.15pm – link sent out on Wednesday by email.

WednesdaysAlive prayer and worship time on Zoom  – link sent out on Wednesday by email and Facebook.

Sundays Alive Zoom Social at 4pm – link can be found on the Sundays Alive Facebook page

Thank you to all who are working away behind the scenes to keep church life going.

Blessings, Larry  

+

20 June 2020

Dear Friends

You can find a very few words From the Vicar’s Desk here.

The Sunday Morning Worship service can be found here.

The Sundays Alive Service can be found here.

A Bible reading and the Bishop’s sermon (without the rest of the morning service) can be found here.

A song by Kayne West based on Revelation 19 is here.

A separate edition of the Michael Eldridge acapella song (the one from the USA not our Church Warden) which advertises our prayer chain.ishere.

I’m very happy to receive a phone call if you would like to chat – 01276 691127

There are various opportunities to make contact together during the week:

Tuesday Afternoon Fellowship – 2pm conference call. – details from Dawn and the team.

Wednesday Zoom Social at 12.15pm – link sent out on Wednesday by email.

WednesdaysAlive prayer and worship time on Zoom  – link sent out on Wednesday by email and Facebook.

Sundays Alive Zoom Social at 4pm – link can be found on the Sundays Alive Facebook page

ROTAS – Morning Service for Reading and Intercessions (prayers) – Thank you for those who have done our readings and prayers this week.

Blessings, Larry

+

13 June 2020

Dear Friends

You can find a very few words From the Vicar’s Deskhere.
The Sunday Morning Worship service can be found here.

The Sundays Alive Service  can be found here.

A Bible reading and the Bishop’s sermon (without the rest of the morning service) can be found here.

A bit of non-conformist humour can be found here.

I’m very happy to receive a phone call if you would like to chat – 01276 691127

There are various opportunities to make contact together during the week:

Tuesday Afternoon Fellowship – 2pm conference call.

Wednesday Zoom Social at 12.15pm – link sent out on Wednesday by email David Swift will be hosting this week.

WednesdaysAlive prayer and worship time on Zoom  – link sent out on Wednesday by email and Facebook.

Sundays Alive Zoom Social at 4pm – link can be found on the Sundays Alive Facebook page

ROTAS – Morning Service for Reading and Intercessions (prayers) Andrew will be contacting everyone on the original rotas that we had for reading and prayers to see if you can provide an electronic version of a reading or intercessions for our cyberspace services. There are many ways to provide this, and he will talk you through the way that suits you best. To provide a reading or intercessions is no more difficult than talking on your mobile phone, although more advanced ways are available!

I very much appreciated this talk by Rico Tice – you can find it here. 
I shall not be available on Wednesday due to a family funeral.
I’d like to leave you with a hymn that expresses how I feel in our present isolation – here.  (It’s also at the end of From the Vicar’s Desk!)
Blessings, Larry

+

6 June 2020

Dear Friends,
You can find a very few words from me here.

I’m very happy to receive a phone call if you would like to chat.

There are other various opportunities to make contact together during the week.
Tuesday Afternoon Fellowship – 2pm conference call.
Wednesday Zoom Social at 12.15pm – link sent out on Wednesday by email.
WednesdaysAlive prayer and worship time on Zoom  – link sent out on Wednesday by email and Facebook.
Sundays Alive Zoom Social at 4pm – link can be found on the Facebook page
The Sunday Morning Worship service can be found here.
The Sundays Alive Service can be found here.
A link to a very short talk (by a friend) on the Trinity for teenagers (and others) is here.
A Bible reading and the Bishop’s sermon (without the service) can be found here.
Blessings, Larry

+

Dear Friends
Please find the links to our services below as well as a few words from my desk.
From the Vicar’s Desk is here
Sunday Morning Worship is here
Sundays Alive is here
There is no link to the 6pm Diocesan Virtual Pentecost Service but you much st search YouTube for “Diocese of Guildford”.
As ever do give me a ring if you would like a chat – my numbers are as below:
Blessings, Larry

24 May 2020

Dear Friends,
Please find links for the services for this Sunday below:
A few words for me here
Morning Worship here
Sundays Alive family service here
…and something a bit lighthearted here
Blessings, Larry

17May 2020

Dear Friends
Our isolation continues…
Please find a few words from me here
Please find our morning service here
Please find our Sundays Alive service here and note that our Zoom meeting will be earlier at 4pm so see if this will help families with younger children.
I will send another email on Wednesday morning with links to our 12.15 church Zoom social and 19.50 for 20.00 our Wednesdays Alive praise and prayer Zoom 

Blessings, Larry

10 May

Dear Friends,

I have said a few words From the Vicar’s Desk on video which can be listened to here.
I very much hope that it might be possible later in the week to share a link to Neal Walker’s funeral which is at 4pm on Thursday14th May so that you might join us virtually at Easthampstead Crematorium on your computers and tablets.
I prepared a short video for VE Day which I managed to share on Facebook so some of you might have seen it. You can view it here.

Bishop Jo is preaching again at our Sunday Morning Service which can be seen here.
Sundays Alive service is here and there will be a Zoom at 5pm – the link is on the Facebook page.
There will be an opportunity to meet up for a Virtual Social at 12.15 on Wednesday – I will send the link on Wednesday by email.
There will also be a Wednesdays Alive Worship and prayer time on Zoom at 19.50 for 8pm –  I will also send the link on Wednesday by email.
Every blessing, Larry

+

Dear Friends,

2 May 2020

Dear Friends,

I trust you are well despite the restrictions placed upon us.

I’m continuing to learn about technology and edge forward. This week our services will feel similar to previous weeks but there will be no need to click on all the links any longer as I have now learnt how to combine them all together into one.

*** You can find the whole Morning Service by clicking here

There will be a Zoom meeting to keep in touch at 12.15pm on Wednesday Join Zoom Meeting  Meeting ID: 289 488 8607
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/2894888607

*** You can find the whole Sundays Alive family service by clicking here
There will be a Zoom meeting at 5pm check the Sundays Alive Facebook page for a link.

*** Those of you that enjoy contemporary Christian music might like to listen to the songs from last weeks    WednesdaysAlivehere

*** RESOURCES
This call to prayer from an NHS Consultant is part of the morning service. Others can view it here  *** The Bishop’s sermon is part of the morning service. Others can view it here *** This short humorous talk about making the bed by a friend is part of the Sundays Alive service. Others can view it here  *** A more reflective talk from another friend Christopher Spicer on how God might use the current crisis for our good. here ***

Please do give me a ring if you would like a chat during the week.

Blessings, Larry.

25 April 2020

Dear Friends,

I’m attaching a plan for Sunday’s morning worship. This time there are more opportunities to press click during the service. I looking for a way to link these different items together – if you are skilled in video editing I’d love to hear from you.
The Sundays Alive afternoon service is available on the new joint Messy Church Facebook page.
Please especially remember in your prayers those who do not have email or the internet and are feeling more cut of than the rest of us.
I would be interested to know if any of you would appreciate me hosting a Zoom meeting – say at 12.15pm (just after the bells) on a Wednesday? 

Every blessing, Larry

+

18 March 2020

Dear Friends,

Attached is for all ages and there are a variety of choices that you can make.
Do feel free to revisit the pages attached if you feel like a sing-song or you feel that you would like to listen to something again or a read an article (at the end)
Children might like to make a flag to sing along to songs with – there’s nothing to stop adults either for that matter.
I’m slowly learning about technology…..
Blessings, Larry
NB If you see anything that’s worth sharing do let me know.

ALL AGE CHURCH WORSHIP FOR 2^nd after EASTER – SUNDAY 19^th April 2020

Although divided by geography/isolation we are one people – Praise the Lord!

Welcome

Christ is risen He is risen indeed. Alleluia, Alleluia!

OPENING PRAYER

O God

we have come to this house of prayer:

help us to remember

that you are here with us,

to pray to you and sing your praise

with all our hearts,

and to listen to your word

with open minds;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

OPENING BIBLE SENTENCE

Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us: ♦
so let us celebrate the feast,

not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness: ♦
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

1 Corinthians 5.7b, 8

SONG (Adults – children to learn)O worship the King CLICK

or

SONG – Lions go roarCLICK

COLLECT FOR PURITY

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open,

All desires known,

And from whom no secrets are hidden,

Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts

by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,

That we may perfectly love you,

And worthily magnify your holy name;

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

CONFESSION

O Jesus Christ, risen Master and triumphant

Lord, we come to you in sorrow for our

sins, and confess to you our weakness and unbelief.

We have lived by our own strength,

and not by the power of your resurrection.

We have lived by the light of our own eyes,

as faithless and not believing.

We have lived for this world alone,

and doubted our home in heaven.

PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS

May the God of love and power

forgive us and free us from our sins,

heal and strengthen us by his Spirit,

and raise us to new life in Christ our Lord. Amen.

SONG – Spirit of the living GodCLICK

and

SONG – Jesus is the name we honourCLICK

PSALM 91 (my friend Jamie recites this psalm on his way to theatre) CLICK

BIBLE READING – John 20:19-end (see below for text or read in your own Bible)

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

¹⁹ On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁰ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

²¹ Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” ²² And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Jesus Appears to Thomas

²⁴ Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

²⁶ A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

²⁸ Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

SERMON from Bishop Andrew Sermon ‘Inside Out’ John 20:19-endCLICK

and/or

SUNDAYS ALIVE THOUGHT(and others) a skirmish with the Trinity (by John Watson) CLICK.

SONG (Quieter) Be still for the presence of the Lord CLICK

or

SONG(Louder)These are the days of Elijah CLICK

+

Dear Friends,
Hallelujah He is Risen, Happy Easter

Please find our Easter Service attached.
There is no sight of the promised Easter Sermon from one of the Bishops but I hope the service will still be a blessing to you.
If/when a sermon appears I will send it along.
Blessings
Larry

ALL AGE CHURCH WORSHIP FOR EASTER SUNDAY 12^th April 2020

Welcome

Christ is risen

He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Although divided by geography/isolation we are one people – Praise the Lord!

OPENING PRAYER

O God

we have come to this house of prayer:

help us to remember

that you are here with us,

to pray to you and sing your praise

with all our hearts,

and to listen to your word

with open minds;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

OPENING BIBLE SENTENCE

Colossians 3:1-4 

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

SONG (Adults and children to learn)Jesus Christ is risen today CLICK

COLLECT FOR PURITY

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open,

All desires known,

And from whom no secrets are hidden,

Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts

by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,

That we may perfectly love you,

And worthily magnify your holy name;

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

CONFESSION

O Jesus Christ, risen Master and triumphant

Lord, we come to you in sorrow for our

sins, and confess to you our weakness

and unbelief.

We have lived by our own strength,

and not by the power of your resurrection.

We have lived by the light of our own eyes,

as faithless and not believing.

We have lived for this world alone,

and doubted our home in heaven.

PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS

May the God of love and power

forgive us and free us from our sins,

heal and strengthen us by his Spirit,

and raise us to new life in Christ our Lord. Amen.

SONG – He is Lord, He is Lord CLICK

SONG – Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen CLICK

CREED (portion) – what we believe

Christ died for our sins

according to the Scriptures;

he was buried;

he was raised to life on the third day

according to the Scriptures;

afterwards he appeared to his followers

and to all the apostles:

this we have received, and this we believe. Amen.

BIBLE READING – Mathew 28: 1-10 (see below for text or read in your own Bible)

Jesus Has Risen

28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴ The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Her Majesty the Queen – Easter Message – CLICK

No sermon arrived from Guildford Diocese – there is a short talk at the bottom of this sheet.

INTERCESSIONS (Prayers asking and thanking God for things)

SONG – Behold the Lamb CLICK

AT THE COLLECTION

All things come from you O Lord – And of your own do we give you

(Take a moment to thank God for all that we have been given and consider how much we should give back to him to and through the church and to others.)

THE PEACE

The risen Christ came and stood among his disciples

and said, Peace be with you. Then they were glad when they

saw the Lord. The peace of the Lord be always with us

REMEMBERING THE LORD’S SUPPER

Father, we give you thanks and praise

through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord.

Jesus, you died to set us free

We worship and adore you

Jesus you are risen from the grave

We worship and adore you.

We worship and adore you

with angels and archangels

and all the company of heaven, saying:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord,

God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

the night before Jesus died

at supper with his friends

he took bread and gave you thanks.

He broke it and shared it, saying:

“This is my body given for you”.

After supper he took the cup of wine.

He gave you thanks and said:

“This is my blood of the covenant

which is poured out for forgiveness.

Eat this bread and drink this wine

and remember me.”

Christ has died!

Christ is risen!

Christ will come again!

Father as we remember that Jesus gave himself for us – we give ourselves to you.

Accept through him our thanks and praise.

Fill us with your Holy Spirit

and help us to live as your people

so that we may bring glory to your name.

Blessing and honour

and glory and power

be yours for ever and ever. Amen.

SONG (Adult) Thine be the glory CLICK

or

SONG(children) Good news, Jesus was born CLICK

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father in Heaven

hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come, your will be done

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power

and the glory are yours,

now and for ever. Amen.

SONG(adult) – See what a morning CLICK

or

SONG (children) – Our God is a great big God CLICK

BLESSING

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He has given us new life and hope

by raising Jesus from the dead.

God has claimed us as his own.

He has brought us out of darkness.

He has made us light to the world.

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Let us go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

CLOSING MUSIC CLICK

Time for a quality cup of Coffee

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN

There are activities & other things to watch and do on the Sundays Alive Facebook page

The Power of the Cross CLICK

A short talk (4 mins) about Judgement and Grace – Hugh Osgood (my former pastor) CLICK

+

Dear Friends,

Please find a Good Friday Service attached.  There is perhaps more content than you might need so feel free to pick and choose.
Good Friday – an opportunity to watch the Wintershall Play on Facebook – I don’t think you have to be a member of Facebook to watch.

Wintershall 7 hrs · 

“This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” The breaking of bread at the Last Supper has been re-enacted through the centuries as a way of remembering Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. This shared meal is a beautiful picture of our unity with Christ and with one another as believers.

We will be streaming a documentary tomorrow on Good Friday at 12 and 3pm using pre-recorded clips, without an audience, from the Wintershall Passion and the One Good Friday cities and towns.

There will be messages from both Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Bishop Jo Bailey Wells, as well as interviews with the Wintershall team. This will be followed by a full showing of 2019 Trafalgar Square production. Join us: CLICK
Keeping in touch with one another I do hope you are making an effort to keep in touch with church friends and others. We received this email from Eda earlier today which I thought I would pass on “Easter Blessings to everybody in Heatherside Church, May all this uncertainty, all over the world be resolved ….we ask in your Dear name, O Lord , Amen from Eda“
Other things Apologies that Dawn’s email address was incorrect in my previous email.
Every blessing
Larry

Good Friday 10^th April 2020

WELCOME

This is the day that the Lord has made Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Although divided by geography/isolation we are one people Praise the Lord!

Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,
to you be glory and praise for ever.
As we behold your Son, enthroned on the cross,
stir up in us the fire of your love,
that we may be cleansed from all our sins,
and walk with you in newness of life
singing the praise of him who died
for us and our salvation.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.

READING Isaiah 52: 13-end

The suffering and glory of the servant

¹³ See, my servant will act wisely;

he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.

¹⁴ Just as there were many who were appalled at him –

his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being

and his form marred beyond human likeness –

¹⁵ so he will sprinkle many nations,

and kings will shut their mouths because of him.

For what they were not told, they will see,

and what they have not heard, they will understand.

PAUSE & REFLECT

SONG There is a green hill far away CLICK

CONFESSION

Jesus Christ, risen Master and triumphant Lord,

we come to you in sorrow for our sins,

and confess to you our weakness and unbelief.

We have lived by our own strength,

and not by the power of your resurrection.

In your mercy, forgive us.

Lord, hear us and help us.

We have lived by the light of our own eyes,

as faithless and not believing.

In your mercy, forgive us.

Lord, hear us and help us.

We have lived for this world alone,

and doubted our home in heaven.

In your mercy, forgive us.

Lord, hear us and help us.

The Lord enrich us with his grace,

and nourish us with his blessing;

the Lord defend us in trouble

and keep us from evil;

the Lord accept our prayers,

and absolve us from your offences,

for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen.

SONG My Lord what love is this CLICK

READING John: 18: 1-14

Jesus Arrested

 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.

² Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. ³ So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

⁴ Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”

⁵ “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) ⁶ When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

⁷ Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.

⁸ Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” ⁹ This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”

¹⁰ Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

¹¹ Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

¹² Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him ¹³ and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. ¹⁴ Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.

PAUSE & REFLECT

SONG Jesus Christ I think upon your sacrifice CLICK

READING John 18: 15-40

Peter’s First Denial

¹⁵ Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, ¹⁶ but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

¹⁷ “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.

He replied, “I am not.”

¹⁸ It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

The High Priest Questions Jesus

¹⁹ Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.

²⁰ “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. ²¹ Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”

²² When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.

²³ “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” ²⁴ Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter’s Second and Third Denials

²⁵ Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?”

He denied it, saying, “I am not.”

²⁶ One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” ²⁷ Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.

Jesus Before Pilate

²⁸ Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. ²⁹ So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?”

³⁰ “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.”

³¹ Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.”

“But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected. ³² This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die.

³³ Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

³⁴ “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”

³⁵ “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”

³⁶ Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

³⁷ “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

³⁸ “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. ³⁹ But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?”

⁴⁰ They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.

PAUSE & REFLECT

SONG Meekness and majesty CLICK

READING John 19: 1-27

Jesus Sentenced to Be Crucified

19 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. ² The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe ³ and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face.

⁴ Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” ⁵ When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”

⁶ As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!”

But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.”

⁷ The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.”

⁸ When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, ⁹ and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. ¹⁰ “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”

¹¹ Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

¹² From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.”

¹³ When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). ¹⁴ It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon.

“Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews.

¹⁵ But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”

“Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked.

“We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered.

¹⁶ Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. ¹⁷ Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). ¹⁸ There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.

¹⁹ Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: jesus of nazareth, the king of the jews. ²⁰ Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. ²¹ The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.”

²² Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

²³ When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.

²⁴ “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.”

This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said,

“They divided my clothes among them
    and cast lots for my garment.”

So this is what the soldiers did.

²⁵ Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” ²⁷ and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

PAUSE & REFLECT

SONG My song is love unknown CLICK

READING John 19: 28-42

The Death of Jesus

²⁸ Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. ³⁰ When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

³¹ Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. ³² The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. ³³ But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. ³⁴ Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. ³⁵ The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. ³⁶ These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken, ³⁷ and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”

The Burial of Jesus

³⁸ Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. ³⁹ He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. ⁴⁰ Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. ⁴¹ At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. ⁴² Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

PAUSE & REFLECT

Time for your own Prayers – quiet music – CLICK

(Fade/end to suit)

SONG When I survey the wondrous cross CLICK fade to suit

COLLECT – A special prayer

ALMIGHTY God, we beseech thee

graciously to behold this thy family,

for which our Lord Jesus Christ

was contented to be betrayed,

and given up into the hands of wicked men,

and to suffer death upon the cross,

who now liveth and reigneth with thee

and the Holy Ghost, ever one God,

world without end. Amen.

CLOSING PRAYER

Be with us, Lord, as we go out into the world.

May the lips that have sung your praises

always speak the truth;

may the ears that have heard your word

listen only to what is good;

and may our lives as well as our worship

be always pleasing in your sight,

for the glory of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

MUSIC CLICK

Additional Music for reflection

SONG Power of the crossCLICK

SONG Cathedral version of – When I survey the wondrous Cross for Sydney CLICK

+

The Liturgy of Maundy Thursday

WELCOME

Although divided by geography/isolation we are one people Praise the Lord!

SONG – Lord Jesus Christ CLICK

Prayers of Penitence

Our Lord Jesus Christ says:

‘If you love me, keep my commandments.’

‘Unless I wash you, you have no part in me.’

Let us confess to almighty God our sins against his love,

and ask him to cleanse us.

Silence is kept.

Have mercy on us, O God,

in your great goodness;

according to the abundance of your compassion

blot out our offences.

Lord, have mercy.

Against you only have we sinned

and done what is evil in your sight.

Christ, have mercy.

Purge us from our sin and we shall be clean;

wash us and we shall be whiter than snow.

Lord, have mercy.

May the Father forgive us

by the death of his Son

and strengthen us

to live in the power of the Spirit

all our days. Amen.

SONG – As we are gathered (not physically but spiritually) CLICK

The Collect

Let us pray that we may love one another as Christ has loved us.

Silence is kept.

God our Father,

you have invited us to share in the supper

which your Son gave to his Church

to proclaim his death until he comes:

may he nourish us by his presence,

and unite us in his love;

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT READING

Exodus 12: 1-14

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL READING

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

I give you a new commandment, says the Lord:

Love one another as I have loved you.

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

Glory to you, O Lord.

John 13.1-17, 31b-35

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

All Praise to you, O Christ.

SONG– Broken for you – broken for me CLICK

REFLECTION Take some space to reflect on the scriptures

SONG – A new commandment CLICK

A meditation on the washing of Feet

God is love, and where true love is, God himself is there.

Here in Christ we gather, love of Christ our calling;

Christ, our love, is with us, gladness be his greeting;

let us all revere and love him, God eternal.

Loving him, let each love Christ in all his brothers.

When we Christians gather, members of one Body,

let there be in us no discord, but one spirit;

banished now be anger, strife and every quarrel.

Christ our God be present always here among us.

Grant us love’s fulfilment, joy with all the blessed

when we see your face, O Saviour, in its glory;

shine on us, O purest Light of all creation,

be our bliss while endless ages sing your praises James Quinn SJ

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,

you have taught us

that what we do for the least of our brothers and sisters

we do also for you:

give us the will to be the servant of others

as you were the servant of all,

and gave up your life and died for us,

but are alive and reign, now and for ever. Amen.

PRAYERS

In the power of the Spirit let us pray to the Father through Christ the saviour of the world.

Father, on this, the night he was betrayed, your Son Jesus Christ washed his disciples’ feet.

Add you own thought and prayers

We commit ourselves to follow his example of love and service. Lord, hear us and humble us.

On this night, he prayed for his disciples to be one.

Add you own thought and prayers

We pray for the unity of your Church. Lord, hear us and unite us.

On this night, he prayed for those who were to believe through his disciples’ message.

Add you own thought and prayers

We pray for the mission of your Church. Lord, hear us and renew our zeal.

On this night, he commanded his disciples to love, but suffered rejection himself.

Add you own thought and prayers

We pray for the rejected and unloved. Lord, hear us and fill us with your love.

On this night, he reminded his disciples that if the world hated them it hated him first.

Add you own thought and prayers

We pray for those who are persecuted for their faith. Lord, hear us and give us your peace.

On this night, he accepted the cup of death and looked forward to the new wine of the kingdom.

Add you own thought and prayers

We remember those who have died in the peace of Christ. Lord, hear us and welcome all your children into paradise.

A SPECIAL COLLECT FOR MAUNDY THURSDAY

Almighty God,
whose glorious Son washed the feet of his disciples
and loved them to the uttermost:
give us your needful grace to love our neighbours as ourselves,
in these days of worry and isolation,
that we may bear witness by the power of his Spirit
to the love of him who died for us all
to rescue us from the wrath to come,
Amen.

SONG – Brother Sister let me serve you CLICK

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father in Heaven

hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come, your will be done

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power

and the glory are yours,

now and for ever. Amen.

A traditional prayer said after the Lord’s Supper which we remember tonight

Silence is kept.

Lord Jesus Christ,

we thank you that in this wonderful sacrament

you have given us the memorial of your passion:

grant us so to reverence the sacred mysteries

of your body and blood

that we may know within ourselves

and show forth in our lives

the fruit of your redemption,

for you are alive and reign, now and for ever. Amen.

THE CONCLUSION

When the disciples had sung a hymn they went out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus prayed to the Father, ‘If it is possible, take this cup of suffering from me.’ He said to his disciples, ‘How is it that you were not able to keep watch with me for one hour?

The hour has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to the power of sinners.’ Christ was obedient unto death. Go in his peace.

ADDITIONAL SONG CLICK for use to meditate on the Lord’s Supper and it’s deep foundational truths that the Lord Jesus has instituted for us as we remember Him and celebrate his victory and our new life we have received in Him.

Collects for the present time

Lee Gatiss offers a selection of prayers appropriate for use this Easter time and beyond.

A Collect for Maundy Thursday

Almighty God,
whose glorious Son washed the feet of his disciples
and loved them to the uttermost:
give us your needful grace to love our neighbours as ourselves,
in these days of worry and isolation,
that we may bear witness by the power of his Spirit
to the love of him who died for us all
to rescue us from the wrath to come, Amen.

A Collect for Good Friday
Heavenly Father,
whose Son Jesus Christ shared our flesh and blood
that he might make atonement for our sins
and through the eternal Spirit offer himself unblemished to you:
grant us steadfast faith
to suffer as he did all the thorns and thistles of this mortal life,
that just as he breathed his last in expectant hope of your fatherly goodness,
we too may rest secure in the grace of the one who bore our sicknesses and carried our sorrows.
For we ask in his precious name, Amen.

A Collect for Easter Sunday
Our God and Father,
in whose great mercy we have been given new birth
into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead:
strengthen us with that solid hope
and calm our anxious thoughts and fears
in the midst of the dangers we now face,
that we who often stagger in desperate times
may rejoice and be satisfied with him
whose painful anguish of soul brought us the light of life.
For we ask in Jesus’s name, Amen.

Lord Jesus,
who was delivered over to death for our sins
and was raised to life for our justification:
fill our hearts with thankful praise for all the blessings we enjoy in this life
and, having been justified by your grace alone,
renew our hope of eternal life,
O Christ our healer and redeemer, Amen.

For those diagnosed with COVID-19
Lord Jesus,
who offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears
to the one who could save him from death,
and was heard because of his reverent submission:
have mercy on ____________(insert names)
(and) all those who live in the shadow of this terrible virus,
that they may have strength for the struggle and hope for the future;
And in the midst of the heat and urgency of their condition
grant their thirsty souls true repentance for their sins,
that they may know forgiveness and eternal life in you, Amen.

For those grieving in isolation for the death of loved ones
Gracious Heavenly Father,
who knows our grief is the price we pay for love:
give gospel comfort and consolation
to those who feel the pain of bereavement
and the anguish of separation at this time of global crisis;
and reminded as we are of the fleeting frailty of this life,
teach each one of us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
For we ask in the name of your Son,
who was cut off from the land of the living
to rescue us from the present evil age,
Amen.

For those dying alone during this time
Sovereign Lord, our rock and our salvation,
who has promised never to leave or forsake those who put their trust in you:
hear the feeble sighs and groaning
of those now fighting their final battle without their loved ones by their side;
by your Spirit, grant them grace and strength to endure what they must,
and having put their faith in Christ,
may their eyes see at last the Redeemer
for whom our hearts have always yearned,
so that along with all those who love the Lord Jesus with an undying love, they may receive the crown of righteousness from him
on the day we meet again,
Amen.

Lee Gatiss is Director of Church Society.

+

Paintings and Reflections for Holy Week 2020

This series of paintings is a precious legacy that was gifted to me by my father, Paul Robertson, to use in my ministry. He originally painted them (along with many, many other such treasures) as an aide to worship and reflection at St Patrick’s, Wallington, where I grew up and where my parents still worship. Over the last dozen years, this Holy Week journey has been offered in a variety of settings as a focus for prayer, retreat and meditation.

This year, my hope is that this set of pictures and reflections will help us journey into the mystery of the cross and resurrection from our homes, where we are currently in lockdown, due to Covid-19. You may want to use them for a few minutes or an entire day, or anything in between.

At St Michael’s, Sheerwater, we will be using these pictures each day. If you have any reflections, questions or responses, I’d love to see them posted on the FB page (St Michael’s Shared Church, Sheerwater) or on the church Whatsapp thread.

May we each encounter Jesus in new ways as we take this journey together,

Gillaine

Reverend Gillaine Holland

About the Artist:

Paul Michael Robertson was born in 1931 in Beddington, Surrey, he attended Wimbledon Art School from 1947 – 1951 and then the London Institute of Education from 1951 – 1952. Following National Service, Paul taught in Secondary and Higher Education until he retired in 1989.

Throughout his life, Paul has exhibited in local shows and sold privately throughout the country. Paul paints mainly from observation, memory and imagination, loving the textures and patterns of nature and the effects of light and shadow. In his paintings of Christian themes, he seeks mostly to express the feelings (rather than the appearances) of the subject, using textures, colours and abstracted images to powerful effect.

Paul lives in Wallington with Pauline, his wife of sixty seven years, with whom he shares his passion for art. Further work can be viewed at www.paulrobertsonartist.co.uk but please do not try to contact him through his website. If you have an interest in his work, then email me at:

rev.gillaine.holland@stmichaelssheerwater.org.uk

These paintings are definitely not for sale but you are welcome to print the pictures for your own use -with acknowledgement to my father.

The following notes are offered as a way into each of the paintings. Use what is helpful and discard what is not:

• Find a quiet space and let anyone who lives with you know that you want some time alone.
• Nobody prays well if they are uncomfortable! You are invited to be attentive to your body: sit in a chair that is supportive with both feet on the ground and your hands relaxed on your lap.
• Take a moment to breathe deeply and become present to yourself and to God.
• When you are ready, invite God to be in your looking and thinking.

Come Holy Spirit;

fill my heart with your love as I look.

Father, guide me as I contemplate.

Give me courage and curiosity as I explore.

Let me hear you speaking, Jesus, and sense your presence with me.

Amen.

• Spend time carefully looking at each painting. Give your attention to all you see. Look at the colours, shapes, patterns, details and notice the many symbols hidden in each image. Don’t rush. There is time.
• Notice what you are drawn to and spend time there.
• What do you notice that is familiar from your understanding of the story represented?
• What do you notice (perhaps for the first time) that surprises you or takes you into a new relationship with the story?
• Notice how you feel about the painting. Can you describe your emotional reactions?
• Where might you be found in the painting?
• What does the painting mean for you right now – in your life?
• What might God be saying to you through the painting?
• How would you respond?

Your response might be written, drawn, spoken or unspoken. It might be modelled, knitted or gardened, glued, crocheted or cooked! Find whatever you would like to use to respond with or sit in silence.

Wait in silence and rest in the presence of God.

I have also provided a short reflection on each painting to help you find a way in but I would encourage you to turn to this last: after doing your own looking and praying so that God’s unique message toyou isn’t coloured by my thinking.

For Palm Sunday and Monday of Holy Week (5 & 6 April)

‘Entry’

Entry

We begin with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday): The mood changes as Jesus moves purposefully from the open countryside (Luke 7:16 & 17) where he has a huge following (Luke 5:11 & 15) to set his face towards Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). Traditionally, you go ‘up’ to Jerusalem but this is a spiritual journey of descent which starts at the top of the image where ‘hosannas’ echo in the air. ‘Hosanna’ means save us or help us. Bright halos of gold crown the beginning of the path down, where we can see the little hoof marks of the young donkey that carries Jesus into the city. White lines of the plentiful harvest that Jesus commented on (Luke 10:2) join the path, which slowly deepens in colour and descends into the confines of a dark tunnel. The circular sun shapes repeat downwards representing the Son who willingly descended for us. The branches and leaves spelling out ‘Hosanna’ (Mark 11:9) change to ‘Crucify’ (Mark 15:13) as they fall into the pit. The dark night of the soul approaches. The crown of glory gradually morphs into the crown of thorns. Shining gold becomes a more threatening red. The paths, rocky ground and brambles are reminders of the dangers in the parable of the sower (Mark 4:3ff). As we descend, the path becomes a cross spattered with droplets of blood. At the pit of the tunnel awaits the gaping mouth of the skull – Golgotha.

I wonder where we are in this journey downwards? Even though the weather has begun to turn and there is spring growth in our land, the bright skies of celebration seem a long way behind us. Yet, as I write, this is only week 2 of what looks to be at least 12 weeks of lockdown. As a nation we have had to deliberately set our faces towards a steep descent into isolation. Unlike Jesus, we have been forced to step onto that dark and bloody ladder and to stare death in the face. How extraordinary then, to understand that Jesus willingly chose that journey ahead of us. He descended to a place of isolation, abandonment and death. He did it so that no matter how deep this tunnel proves to be, we can know that there is a God who trod the path first in human form; a God who promises to tread this path with us again so that we do not have to walk alone; a God who will show us the way. This is the God we Christians proclaim: a God who walked willingly into the very mouth of death and yet was raised.

It is too early in this traumatic journey to talk about resurrection. We are still on the way down. Each day brings rising numbers of unnamed people affected by Covid-19 and yet each one was made in the image of God and is known completely by their Creator. The journey of Holy Week gives us a place to put the very real fears and anxieties of this season and calls us to trust that there is something ahead, beyond what we can currently see.

For Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week (7 & 8 April)

‘Cleansing’

Cleansing

Here we witness the explosive effect of Jesus going into the temple to clear out all those who are abusing the system (Matt 21:10-17). He angrily denounces the greed and overbearing regulations that have perverted God’s plan for what should be a house of prayer (Isa 47:1ff). Jesus overturns the table, scattering the livestock, their skeletal owners and the money they’re collecting at the expense of the poor. 9 sheep run away but 1 returns to show gratitude (cf Luke 17:12ff). The little lamb stands without fear in front of the blazing white-hot fury of Jesus Christ, reminding us that Jesus will become the sacrificial lamb as this week unfolds. In the bottom centre of the picture, water flows according to Ezekiel’s vision of the temple (Ezek 47:1ff). Prison doors fly open to set captives free (Luke 4:18) and furniture legs (bottom centre) form a reminder of the Crucifixion. All is scattered.

I don’t know how you experience anger. It’s often painted as something that good Christians (especially us women) shouldn’t feel. Yet, surely, when faced with injustice, suffering, greed and abuse, anger is the only right response? Anger can be our friend (not a nice one) but one that tells us something deep and important is going on. Injustice makes me angry. People stuffing their shopping trollies with too much food when my dad, who painted these pictures, can’t get an internet delivery aged 89, makes me angry. Stories of money-grabbing opportunists pretending to be neighbourly, before stealing shopping money from house-bound people make me angry. Whilst this disease is indiscriminate, touching rich and poor alike; you can bet that if you happen to come from one of the poorer parts of the world, your chances of dying are much, much higher than mine – and that makes me angry. There is a long and noble history of angry prayer in the Bible. God seems to encourage and even welcome honest and open dialogue from God’s people. It’s good to know that even Jesus expresses rage.

Perhaps as disbelief gives way to anger at this virus, at our situation, at suffering and death, we might find a way to move into this painting and show up at our house of prayer in magnificent fury, denouncing all that is deathly and evil, clearing our place of prayer so that, like that one lamb, we might stand face to face with the one who shares our anger and trust in the one who fully intends to do something about the situation.

For Maundy Thursday (9 April)

‘Eucharist’

Eucharist

A stylised view of the last supper, rich with symbols from that evening’s events: the water bowl for foot-washing, the prominent blood-red cup, the broken bread, bitter herbs from the Passover feast. Jesus himself is stylised in the form of both a cross and a 7-branch temple Menora (candlestick) reminding us that he is both the Light of the World and the one who replaces the need for further sacrifices in the temple. Judas, his cup knocked over, leans away from the temple and the skeletal figure melts away through the door and into the night. The Mandala (oval) is the traditional shape for showing Jesus in glory. His disciples have a share in this; they are enveloped in their own Mandala of light.

The buildings of Jerusalem spell out the familiar words of institution.

The disciples, gathered around Jesus for the annual Passover meal, probably had little idea they would not eat this meal with Jesus again – not until the great heavenly feast (Luke 22:15ff). I guess most of us had our last supper similarly unaware that it was to be our last, for a while at least. Bread taken and blessed, broken and shared with wine outpoured, is the basis of our weekly worship. Rich with Passover story, God’s people celebrate their freedom from the slavery of sin, recalling both the first Passover story that set the Hebrew slaves free from Pharaoh and the Crucifixion-Resurrection story, which sets us free from even death itself. The sudden shutting down of public worship, the end of our physical meeting, has robbed us of more than we can express. This Maundy Thursday we will not be able to gather around food to retell the stories of faith, to re-enact foot-washing, to break bread and drink wine. How might we lament our loss in this season and how might we be nourished in other ways? What will feed your faith in this season? Can we feast on the word, the story itself, our Scriptures?

One way you might like to do that, is to watch ‘Out of Egypt’ on the Youtube link below. Brain-child of composer James West, scripted by Jay Whittaker and directed by Audrey Hofmeyr, this musical production involved a whole church effort from Christ Church Guildford, just before I moved on. My entire family are in it and despite that, it’s really rather good! It follows the story of Moses from baby in the bulrushes, through the discovery of who he is and his calling from God, right through the plagues and the final Exodus from Egypt. If we watch it in the early evening (pausing to clap the NHS at 8pm) then we can meet afterwards on Zoom at 8.30pm for a conversation and a final prayer before we head into Good Friday. Here’s the link to the show:

Enjoy!

For Maundy Thursday or Good Friday (9 & 10 April)

‘Betrayal’

Betrayal

The dominant symbol is the cup shape, standing for suffering (Luke 22:42 & 44) which also becomes the pathway of the Gethsemane garden. As it encloses the disciples (indicated by 11 rings/haloes) it is also a reminder of the intimate fellowship of the last supper. At the base of the cup, the solid mine-like circle shows Judas leading the soldiers to Jesus (John 18:2-3.)

It has been said that you can only be betrayed by a friend. Betrayal is a breach of trust and we can put our trust in more than just friends. A sense of betrayal is normal in the cycle of grief and loss – How could they leave us? How could they do that to us? In this larger circle of grief, a sense of betrayal is also normal but who do we feel betrayed by? Questions have been raised about the speed of China’s response to the Covid-19 crisis and to our national shame, we have witnessed a rise in racist behaviour towards the Chinese. The Government has come under fire for not providing enough protective equipment, enough financial support, a quick enough lockdown. When people suffer and die, we look for people to blame, to pass our anger on to.

Judas betrayed his friend Jesus. He offered him up to those who wanted to harm him for just 30 pieces of silver. Was it just greed? He apparently had his hand in the common purse on a regular basis. Was it disappointment? Jesus wasn’t the kind of Messiah/Saviour he was looking for. Maybe he felt betrayed by Jesus?

Whatever the motive, Jesus stands and receives the kiss of a friend and refuses to allow the rest of his friends to defend him. He chooses to accept the betrayal square on and not to retaliate; not to let anger or bitterness eat away at him. Much easier said than done. In my experience, forgiveness is a lengthy business; a decision to put aside the normal human response and to ask God to help us. It cannot be rushed.

Perhaps this painting can help us explore our own betrayals and to consider where we are on that journey. It is ok to pause here, in this sharp-edged garden, a place of anger and strife, and to know that we are not ready to be quite as brave as Jesus – not yet.

For Good Friday’s hours at the cross (9 April)

‘Scourging’

Scourging

This disturbing image of pain take us beyond the brutality of the flogging Jesus received (John 19:1-3 and Matt 27:27-31) and moves us into an image which expresses the agonies felt for all the suffering inflicted in our world. The red ribbons of blood might also be the tattered scarlet robe which was put on him, along with the crown of thorns on his head, to mock his kingship. As darkness closes in from the edges of the painting, the light of the world is being dimmed before us.

We may we feel that we are suffering (and so we are) but this image reminds us that there is nowhere we can go, nothing we can experience that has not been fully experienced by Jesus Christ. Despite the fact that the club banging on Jesus’ head feels a bit like the nation’s screen headache, most of us are not suffering like this. Our freedom has been curtailed. We miss our social circles. We are limited in what we can do. Perhaps for us, this offers some perspective. There are, however, many who would understand this image of pain: those trapped in violent homes, those watching loved ones die, those in parts of the world where lockdown means no food and actually watching your children starve. Can this image disturb us into action? For those of us who have a secure income, who might we bless and help today? Who needs our prayers? Who needs to know that Jesus stands with them today?

Then might we return to the image of kingship that this picture offers us? What kind of leader is this Jesus? What does he require of our own leadership of others in response to this image? Whether we are leaders or followers or both at once, this is a challenging model of what it is to be in charge and to follow Christ in these times.

For Good Friday’s hours at the cross (9 April)

‘Affliction’

Affliction

‘Affliction’ seeks to present an image we will recoil from. The thorns viciously snake around the naked eye at the centre of the figure and cause us to flinch. The imagery is jarring and jagged and takes us beyond the usual delicate images of Christ’s death on the cross. The pointed nails pierce hands in such a way that the hands themselves mirror and multiply the blade of the nails. Jesus’ ribcage is exposed, his side pierced and any light in the painting comes from the hellish fire building from the bottom of the painting. This is evil’s day: Caught in a web of spikey, coiling tendrils, Jesus takes on the full force of all that is wrong in the world and in us, every act of rebellion against God from creation through to the end of history.

Here, we must stare in horror and wonder at the love that brought Jesus to this place. Replacing the pure white lamb from our first painting, Jesus becomes the lamb of the world, making the final sacrifice for us all.

For Good Friday’s hours at the cross (9 April)

‘Crucifixion’

Crucifixion

After the excruciating pain of the previous paintings, this image gives way to the pervading sense of desolation as the 3 hours at the cross draw to a close. The place of the skull, Golgotha, waits for its next victims. Its tombstone teeth remind us that many met their death here at the hands of the Romans.

In his final moments, flanked by 2 criminals (one repentant and the other not), Jesus cries out ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ The moment Bonhoeffer describes as when God became an atheist. (Mark 15:33-34).

Jesus felt abandoned by God and yet God was present. How could God be otherwise? When clouds form and darkness gathers, we say, ‘The sun isn’t shining!’ but it is. We just can’t see it. It has brought me great comfort to know that even Jesus experienced that sense of abandonment by God. Not even God’s own son was able to see his Father at all times.

After the drama and the betrayal, the violence and the pain, here we have those final moments many of us have witnessed when life ebbs away and all is still. Even the very painting seems to cry. It is finished. Not just the torture, the pain and the crucifixion but the task Jesus set out to complete. It doesn’t look like much of an accomplishment – not yet – but like the women who witnessed this brutality, we must wait and see.

For Low Saturday (11 April)

‘Burial’

Burial

‘Burial’ takes us below the mourning figures of the women, into the mouth of the tomb, where the body of Jesus rests within the well of a lift shaft – or is that a throat? It is a reminder that he descended to the dead. The hopelessness of Hades, and the futility of humanity without God, is expressed by the twisted and broken ladders and stairways that lead nowhere. A power starts to work in the burial place on the left and life returns to some of the dead (Matt 27:52-53.) In the top right hand corner a new order is foretold by the splitting of the temple walls (Matt 27:51).

Whilst the events leading up to and including the crucifixion are easily imaginable, and we can easily identify with the mourners in their numb helplessness, we have very little to help us understand what happened between Good Friday and that first Easter morning.

I remember a story I was told in church one year: a teacher asked the class what they thought Jesus was doing in the place of the dead in those days. A small boy said, ‘He went to get his friend back!’ Judas betrayed Jesus. Surely, if anyone deserved to remain in death’s clutches it was him? Yet, I find the idea that even Judas might be forgiven a reassuring one. Realising what he’d done, he went and hung himself. Judas undoubtedly regretted his betrayal but thought it was too late to sort out. It may have been too late for any action on his part but I like to imagine Jesus arriving at the gates of death and with an almighty kick, breaking them into splinters as he yells, ‘It’s ok – I’m coming for you!’ I want that to be true because if, on this day, he’s coming for Judas, then he’s also coming for me and for you but for now we wait…

For Easter (12 April and beyond)

‘Resurrection’

Resurrection

A rainbow shaft of light bursts up from the deep, radiating pure light from the risen Lord Jesus Christ. We see, on the right of the chasm, the melting of the grip of death and, to the left, the dawning of a new heaven and earth. Blazing glory, circles of light and life; here is what we have been waiting for – death has been defeated. Read the story for yourself in John 20.

Whilst we may be stuck in our homes and unable to celebrate Easter in our church buildings, nonetheless, Easter comes. Like the sun, that may or may not seem to shine today, Jesus is risen. How will you celebrate today? How will you show your gratitude for what God has done? How will you bear witness to what God has birthed in you for this season?

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

                                                                                                      4 April 2020

Dear Friends,

Church Worship – Palm Sunday 5^th April

Welcome

Although divided by geography/isolation we are one people

Praise the Lord!

Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,
to you be glory and praise for ever.
As we behold your Son, enthroned on the cross,
stir up in us the fire of your love,
that we may be cleansed from all our sins,
and walk with you in newness of life
singing the praise of him who died
for us and our salvation.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.

Hymn – Rejoice the Lord is King

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDFAv0eh-s8

Confession

Lord God,

we have sinned against you;

we have done evil in your sight.

We are sorry and repent.

Have mercy on us according to your love.

Wash away our wrongdoing and cleanse us from our sin.

Renew a right spirit within us

and restore us to the joy of your salvation,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.                                                    cf Psalm 51

Prayer for forgiveness

May the Father of all mercies

cleanse us from our sins,

and restore us in his image

to the praise and glory of his name,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Song – Hosanna in the highest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7u0grU-cwI

Time of Sharing – testimony

https://youtu.be/tSmv1kRk_Xw

HYMN – All creatures of our God and King

(a modern take on an ancient song)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUZD0hgtSgE

Bible Reading – Matthew 21:1-10 New International Version

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, ² saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. ³ If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” ⁴ This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: ⁵ “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”⁶ The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. ⁷ They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. ⁸ A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹ The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” ¹⁰ When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

Address – Bishop Jo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAioIxv_uV0&fbclid=IwAR31D9Tyg3S6jJ9D54Z9qlzeZcmzPU5_W3RqSLGeAscfQVyUaaZZ-HUsBYk
Time for your own Prayers – quiet music

(Fade/end to suit)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_UwvzWjQlI

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours

now and for ever. Amen.

Song – Our Father

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eIVSWdBaTE&feature=youtu.be

Hymn – O worship the King

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAyKmYD2Zg8

The collect – a special prayer for each 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.

A prayer for all those affected by coronavirus

Keep us, good Lord,

under the shadow of your mercy.

Sustain and support the anxious,

be with those who care for the sick,

and lift up all who are brought low;

that we may find comfort

knowing that nothing can separate us from your love

in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Blessing Prayer

Eternal God and Father,

by whose power we are created and by whose love we are redeemed:

guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,

that we may give ourselves to your service,

and live this day in love to one another and to you;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Music (fade it out to suit)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyMz0w2UC9s&list=RDPyMz0w2UC9s&start_radio=1&t=46&t=46

END – a quality cup of coffee…….

Contemporary Songs to listen to during the week and an interview

An interview with Mr and Mrs Gumbel (of the Alpha Course)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0681ddPAGI

Hosanna from Hill Songs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoM0AT8fBvs

Stuart Townend – Come People of the Risen King

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNlP8Sy23XE

Friends,

---

Dear Friends, 

---

Dear Friends,

NI Notices 10 February 2019

Friends, 

The Church Wardens and I have reluctantly decided that we should NOT have a service tomorrow morning and I think this is wise. 

We have consulted widely and in view of the likely condition of the roads and footpaths following the coldest night of the year we believe that it would not be right to hold church tomorrow at 10.30am. 

Many of our morning congregation are unsteady on their feet (I slipped over yesterday!) and others drive some distance to be with us and given the snow melt today all the surfaces are likely to be wet and subsequently frozen first thing first thing. 

It would be very helpful if you could phone a couple of friends who you think might not do email or not check their email frequently and let them know. 

Can I suggest that you might have a look at Ephesians Chapter 3 for yourselves and consider:

• the mystery that St Paul explains (vs 2-6) The inclusion of Jews AND Gentiles
  
• the role of St Paul (7-9) St Paul leads by example.
  
• the role of the Church (vs 10) now there’s a challenge
  
• the heavenly audience (vs 11-12) what a thought!
  
• the importance of suffering and not being discouraged (v12) when the rubber hits the road
  
• joining in with St Paul’s priorities and praying for each other (vs 14-21)

Personally I think verse 10 is the most challenging – that God should choose to use the Church to accomplish his will. What might this mean for us.

 

A decision about the Sundays Alive service will be made at 1pm and posted on facebook. Feel free to ring me if you don’t do Facebook.

 

ANNOUNCEMENT

New Electoral Roll 

The electoral roll must be completely renewed this year.  If you wish to have your name on the new roll, you will need to apply for enrolment as soon as possible so that the new roll can be prepared in line with the current Church Representation Rules. Forms will be available from Lesley Lee or Rev Larry Bain.

Friends,

Please find the details of the Christmas and New Year services on out latest notice sheet attached.

May I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

1) ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1: 1

2) ‘Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.’’      Isaiah 7:14

3) ‘A voice cries out: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’  Isaiah 40: 3

4)‘“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness. ’Jeremiah 23: 5 – 6 

5) ‘But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient days.’    Micah 5: 2

6) “ The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means, God with us).’ Matthew 1: 23

Notices 16 December 2018

Throughout the history of the Church, Christians have used Catechisms – collections of questions and answers designed for memorisation and recitation to teach the core doctrines of the faith. 

What sort of redeemer is needed to bring us back to God? 

Answer

The one who is truly human and also truly God.

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Notices 9 December 2018

---

Throughout the history of the Church, Christians have used Catechisms – collections of questions and answers designed for memorisation and recitation to teach the core doctrines of the faith. 

Who is the Redeemer? 

Answer

The only Redeemer is the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, in whom God became man and bore the penalty for sin himself.

1 Timothy 2:5

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

Notices 2 December 2018

---

What is our only hope in life and death?

How does the Holy Spirit help us? 

The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, comforts us, gives us spiritual gifts and the desire to obey God; and he enables us to pray and to understand Gods word.

Ephesians 6:17-18 

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Notices 07 October 2018

Dear All 

What should we pray?

The whole Word of God directs and inspires us in what we should pray, including the prayer Jesus himself taught us.

Ephesians 3:14 – 21

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Notices 23 September 2018

---

What is Prayer?

---

---

• Notices 15 April 2018

---

Friends, 

• Notices 8 April 2018
• Unplugthewood @ St Francis

• Notices 1 April 2018
• Bishop Andrew’s Maundy Thursday Sermon 2018

• Watch the Barabbas video Steve mentioned in his Good Friday address:

• Notices 18 March 2018

• Notices 4 February 2018

I was delighted to hear today that some of our Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes went to Central Asia where I worked in the 90s. There are many poor children in these countries.

We launch our joint Messy Church project tomorrow (Sunday) at 4pm  working together with St Peter’s Frimley. Please invite your friends. We will do this once a month. Please pray for this new venture.

Churches Together in Camberley have a Prayer and Praise meeting tomorrow (Sunday) at St Michael’s Camberley at 6.30pm – arrive a bit early as there will be singing before the start.

Blessings, Larry                                                                                       27 January 2018

• Notices 28  January 2018

---

Friends,

Please find the notices attached.

I the wider community there has been discussion both at the Heatherside Ward Residents Association meetings and on facebook Heatherside Residents Forum about raising support (and funds in due course) to erect a pillar on the grass at the corner of Martindale Avenue and Cumberland Road. Similar pillars exist in Deepcut and in Frimley Green. I fully support this idea.

Members of the wider community have been pledging their support and an offer of money towards such a project (mostly £5 each). For those of you wishing to pledge support for this idea but who do not use or prefer not to pledge by Facebook there will be a sheet at the back of church. It is necessary to secure these pledges to convince the borough council to allow us as a community to go ahead with the project. One of our neighbours Len Williams is coordinating this effort and his idea is explained more fully on the attached letter which contains pictures of nearby pillars.

Blessings, Larry                                                                                20 January 2018

• Notices 21 January 2018

---

Dear Friends,

Please find the notices attached for this week.

Thank you to all of you who prayed for our Living nativity event last week. I was delighted at the large numbers that attended and stayed and relaxed over a coffee with us. I was amazed to discover that we have manged to cover our costs and make a small contribution to the Residents Association for next years Christmas Tree events.

Blessings, Larry                                                                                  12 January 2018

• Notices 14 January 2018

---

Friends,

I’m very grateful to have got through the Christmas period without a cold this year – always good to be grateful. I hope you all had a great Christmas and are looking forward into the New Year with hope. I will be away on retreat with some other church leaders from sunday evening returning in time for Wednesdays Alive.

In the morning tomorrow (Sunday 7th) we will have our annual Covenant Service when we will recommit ourselves to living and serving God afresh.

In the afternoon Millers Ark Living Nativity will be joining us at St Francis from 2pm until 4pm followed by church at 4pm. The Pop Up Coffee Shop will also be “popping up” to do the refreshments for the event. This is an event that is really easy to invite your family and friends to. Please find the notices attached and a copy of the Living Nativity poster for any last minute invitations.

Blessings, Larry                                                                                   6 January 2018

• Notices 07 January 2018

• Notices 10 December 2017

• Notices 3 December 2017

• Notices 5 November 2017

---

Friends,

Please find the notices for tomorrow attached.

This is a REMINDER that the CLOCKS CHANGE TONIGHT so we get an extra hours sleep.

• Notices 29 October 2017

NB I quite in enjoyed watching this :

---

Dear Friends,

---

Dear Friends,

Please find the notices attached.

Blessings, Larry                                                                                           14 October 2017

• Notices 15 October 2017

---

Friends,

I am delighted to let you know that a new Archdeacon has been announced for our half of the Diocese. His name is Paul Davies and I attach a press release from the Diocese.

New Archdeacon for Surrey

The next Women of the Word event is tomorrow (Saturday) at Heatherside Community Centre on Saturday 7 October at 9.30am. Guest speaker will be Lisa Edge of Acorn Christian Healing Foundation.

Blessings, Larry                                                                                           6 October 2017

• Notices 8 October 2017

---

Friends,

Church seems busy with a full notice sheet – please take time to see if there is anything that would be good to be involved with or invite others to.

Please continue to pray for those on the Alpha Course and for those who being Baptised and/or Confirmed on 19th November and their families.

Thank you for your prayers for last weekend’s Pop Up Coffee Shop and Harvest Service.

Blessings, Larry                                                                                          30 September 2017

NB note the Prayer and Praise service at St Paul’s this Sunday (1st) at 6.30pm for Churches Together in Camberley.

• Notices 1 October 2017

• Notices 17 September 2017

---

Friends,

Please find the notice sheet attached.

Please particularly note the early start time for the Harvest service on 23rd September at 10.15am when the uniformed organisations will be joining us.

I would love to hear from you if you are thinking of Baptism and/or Confirmation as Bishop Andrew has agreed to come and join us at 4pm on 19th November.

Blessings, Larry                                                                                           9 September 2017

• Notices 9 September 2017

---

Please find the notices attached.

Larry (still on leave)                                                                                   1 September 2017

• Notices 3 September 2017

---

Dear Friends,

• Notices 13 August 2017

---

Dear Friends,

Please find the notices attached for the next 2 weeks – combined.

We look forward to hosting our next coffee morning here on Monday (31st).

Blessings,  Larry                                                                                        29 July 2017

• Notices 30 July 2017 (2 weeks)

---

Dear Friends,

Please find the notices attached.

Blessings,  Larry                                                                                         22 July 2017

• Notices 23 July 2017

---

Dear Friends,

Please find the notices attached.

Blessings, Larry                                                                                           15 July 2017

• Notices 16 July 2017

---

Dear Friends,

• Notices 9 July 2017

• Notices 2 July 2017

Dear Friends,

• Notices 25 June2017

---

Friends,
The Pop Up Coffee Shop is tomorrow (Saturday) in the Community Centre between 10am and 11.30am and will raise funds for the children’s charity Sparklers. Please pop in for a coffee and a cake.

Tickets for the Pop Up Gig Night on 1st July can be bought from me for £10 and include a Fish & Chip supper and the Band Unplug the Wood.

Blessings,  Larry                                                                        16 June 2017

• Notices 18 June 2017

---

Dear Friends, 

Sundays Alive this weekend (11th June) will be having a meal together after church this week. Steamed bacon pudding with potatoes and cabbage as well as less exotic food! – All welcome – bring your friends but let me know for numbers. Bring food if that works better for you.

The notices are attached.

Blessings, Larry                                                                                         9 June 2017    

• Notices 11 June 2017

---

Friends,

Please find the notices attached. We look forward to welcoming the family and friends of William Roberts who is being Baptised at our 10.30am service 4th June.

Blessings, Larry                                                                                        3 June 2017

• Notices 4 June 2017

---

Friends,

Please find the notices attached.

There will be no Kids Alive this week as some of us will be attending the funeral of Karen Badger in Maisey Hampton. There are many things to pray for in our church family at the moment but can I ask you to also be praying for Jon Badger and the family and friends of Karen as we give thanks for her life on Thursday.

Blessings, Larry                                                                                      20 May 2017

• Notices 21 May 2017

---

Dear Friends,

Whilst away on holiday this week I received the sad news that Karen Badger who formerly worshipped with us had died.

Please pray for Jon and the family and friends of Karen after her untimely death. As soon as details of a funeral or memorial service are known we will publish them.

Please find the notices attached as usual.

Blessings, Larry                                                                                        13 May 2017

• Notices 14 June 2017

How did a personal tragedy lead Loretta Minghella OBE

CEO of Christian Aid to follow her calling?

---

Dear Friends,

Please find the notice sheet attached.

I’m on leave this week returning next Sunday (14th).

Blessings, Larry.                                                                                                 6 May 2017

• Notices 7 May 2017

---

Friends,

Tomorrow is our Annual Meeting of Parishioners and our Annual Parochial Church Meeting for 2016. Please do join us at 3pm for afternoon tea at St Francis Church when we will do our annual business together. The Sundays Alive congregation are hosting a BBQ after the service – all our welcome to stay on.

As far as our elections go:

Two people have been nominated for the role of Church Warden of which we have two vacancies.

There are four vacancies for the Parochial Church Council and I am aware of two persons standing for election. There are two vacancies for Deanery Synod and I am aware of one person standing for election.

It is possible to to nominate persons for any of these positions right up until the meeting – I have the necessary forms.

I am attaching all the paperwork for the meeting that is available and the notice sheet for this week.

Blessings, Larry                                                                                                 29 April 2017

• NI  30 April 2017

---

Dear friends,

Please find the Notice sheets attached as usual.

Sunday week 30th April we will have our Annual Parochial Church Meeting at 3pm at St Francis Church Hall at 3pm with afternoon tea.

There are four vacancies for PCC members – if you would like to stand for election you will need to a proposer and seconder. Might there be a someone you would like to challenge to serve us in this way? Forms available at both services on Sunday.

Blessings, Larry                                                                                                   22 April 2017

• Notices 23 April 2017

---

Friends,

Very much looking forward to celebrating Easter with you tomorrow. We will be having a Family service at 10am for 10.30am with Hot Cross buns.

We had another excellent Pop Up Coffee Shop today raising £170.00 for Cancer Research.

Blessings, Larry                                                                                                   15 April 2017

• Notices 16 April 2017

---

Friends,

Please find the notices attached.

If you are coming in the morning please allow extra time at the end of the service so that we can work on our goals for the year ahead.

Blessings, Larry                                                                                                    8 April 2017    

• Notices 9 April 2017

---

Friends,

I was sad to hear that Jean Fletcher had died this week. Please see the notice sheet for details of her Thanksgiving Service. We pray for Bob and the family in particular.

I’m very much looking forward to Mary Seaton speaking to us again tomorrow/today (Sunday morning).

We had hoped to look at putting together the Church Plan (for the morning service) during the meeting next Sunday but strong feelings have been expressed against doing this so we will now meet at the conclusion of the service which will mean that we all need to plan to spend longer at church next Sunday (9 April). I’m attaching a form for you to start to prayerfully gather your thoughts on.

Blessings, Larry                                                                                                       1 April 2017

• Notices 2 April 2017
• Goals for Heatherside First Service

---

Dear Friends,

Please note that the clocks go forward an hour this evening.

The notices are attached.

Blessings, Larry                                                                                                     24 March 2017  

• Notices 26 March 2017

---

Dear All,

Please find attached the notices for this week.                                               18 March 2017

• Notices 19 March 2017

---

Friends,

Attached is the notices this week,

Blessings, Larry                                                                                                     11 March 2017

• Notices 12 March 2017

---

 Dear Friends,

• Notices 5 March 2017
• Daniel Odhiambo prayer letter

Dear Friends,

• Notices 26 February 2017

• Notices 19 February 2017

• Notices 12 February 2017

Don’t forget the next Pop Up Coffee Shop 10-11.30am 18th February Heatherside Community Centre.

This month all proceeds will be going to help Camberley Family Contact Centre (CFCC) whose aim is to promote contact in a safe and welcoming environment, between children and non residents members of their immediate family. 

---

• Notices 7 Feb 2017

---

Friends,

Just in case you weren’t in church last Sunday – we had another very successful Pop Up Coffee Shop last week raising £130.00 for the Fountain Centre and in the evening  nearly 70 folk for our Pop Up Music Night at St Francis raising £150.00 for the Hyper Mobility Syndrome charity and £260.00 for our church. A very big thank you to all who helped make our day such a success.

It’s not too late to join the Alpha course next Wednesday morning – have word with Liz Haffenden or Penny Eldridge.

Blessings, Larry                                                                                               28 January 2017

• Notices 29 January 2017

---

Friends

Many of you will remember Keith King, a former member and Church Warden of Heatherside Church.  He passed away peacefully last week – please pray for Diana and their family at this sad time.

What a busy weekend with our Pop Up Coffee shop this morning and the Pop Up Gig Night tonight.

Please find our notices attached.

Blessings, Larry.                                                                                             21 January 2017

•  Notices 22 January 2017

• Notices 15 January 2017

---

• Notices 18 December 2016

• Notices  11 December 2016

Dear Friends,

• Notices 27 November 2016

• Notices 20 November 2016
• Mary Seaton Ladies Breakfast
• Carols for the Bereaved

---

Dear Friends,

• Notices 13 November 2016

---

Friends,

---

• Notices 30 October 2106

---

Dear Friends,

• Notices 23 October 2016

---

• Notices 16 October 2016

• Notices 9 October 2016

• Notices 02 October 2016

• Notices 25 September 2016

• Notices 18 September 2016

---

• Notices 11 September 2016

---

Dementia Friendly Churches.

A FREE Training opportunity for Local Churches to become Dementia friendly.

This short course is being held at St.Paul’s Church, Crawley Ridge on Saturday 24th Sept 10am-12:30pm & Thursday 29th Sept 7:00–9:30pm. After the session you will be able to wear a Dementia Friends Badge and display a Dementia Friends Sign in your church. We will also have a presentation from Maureen Hume of Camberley’s Alzheimer’s Café, a taster session from Elsie Hawkins from High Cross’ Melody for the Mind and the opportunity to hear personal testimonies.

Refreshments willbe provided. Please contact Karen:karen.pdo.ctc@gmail.com or 07931 336511 to register your interest.

---

Church Library Closing.

The library of audio cassettes, CDs and VHS recordings of teaching materials has ceased to be regularly used and is therefore being brought to an end. Andrew has the list of available items.

If you are interested in any of the items, or know of an organisation which could use them, please contact Andrew.

---

Aid to Calais.

Julie Green will be making a trip to Calais on 23-34 September.

Julie is hosting a ‘spice-bag-making evening’ on 13 September, 7.30-9.30 pm at her home. All materials will be provided – just come along, help to assemble bags and enjoya glass of wine or tea/coffee and a chat. If you would like to help in any other way (e.g. donations for the spice bags or a financial contribution)please ask.

---

Addiction Recovery Course.

St Paul’s will be running an Addiction Recovery Course, starting on Tuesday 6 September from 7.30pm to 9.30pm for 15 weeks. While it is a Christian-based course, it’s open to people of all faiths or none and is for people with any addiction. Contact St Paul’s on C 700210.

---

Job Vacancy.

Samaritan’s Purse are recruiting for a Regional Volunteer Manager www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/jobs

---

Women Women of the World.

You are invited to a Ladies’ Breakfast on Saturday 15^th October 9.30am at St Johns Church Hall, Cove Farnborough. The guest speaker will be Michele Grandfield. The cost is £5 per person, please book in advance. 01252 522960 email: info@womenoftheworld.org.uk

For more information please speak to Penny Eldridge.

---

Friends,

• Notices 28 August 2016

---

Friends,

Please find the Notices attached.

• Notices 21 August 2016

---

Friends,

• Notices 14 August 2016

Blessings, Larry

• Notices 7 August 2016

---

Last Friday Curry Club. 29 July 2016. We plan to have a change from curry and go for Chinese this month. See you at The Four Horseshoes, 13-15 Burrow Hill Green, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8QP and then at 9pm at Eastern and European, 160 Windsor Road, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8QX.

I’m attaching the Notices for this week and a copy of Archbishop Justin’s  sermon to mark the Queens 90th Birthday.  Clearly their was a great calling on the Queen’s which God had prepared her for – I wonder what is the calling that God has for each one of us? How  faithful are we to that calling I wonder? What a great example the Queen is  to each one of us…

I’m very much looking forward to sharing lunch tomorrow to celebrate the royal Birthday.

Blessings, Larry

Archbishop preaches at Queen’s 90th birthday thanksgiving service Friday 10th June 2016.

The Archbishop of Canterbury preached and gave the blessing at the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral today for The Queen’s 90th birthday.

You knit me together in my mother’s womb… I thank you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made [Psalm.139:12]

Ninety years ago, Her Majesty The Queen was born, like every human being knit together in her mother’s womb, and today we thank God for the way in which she, like every human being, is fearfully and wonderfully made.

Before we ever come to light, God marks our journeys. No one at The Queen’s birth knew for what she was destined. Today we recognise that God knew.

You encompass me behind and before and lay your hand upon me [Ps.139: 4]

Sixty-three years ago at the Coronation, again in the words of the Psalmist, God uniquely laid his hand upon Her Majesty, anointing her as our Head of State, our Monarch.

We are here today to worship the God who made our Queen, and to celebrate the way in which God’s hand has been so uniquely evident in her life.

Psalm 139 explores fear and wonder, and the connection between them.

In life there is much to fear. Over and again the Psalm describes those things we might be afraid of – the fears we harbour individually as well as the fears we share corporately.

Fear makes us want to flee – from God, from one another, often even from ourselves. But over and again that fear is turned into wonder as we see that God is before, behind and beyond it.

Over the 63 years and the 90 years there has been much to fear: at times of personal challenge or national crisis. But just as the psalmist sees through fear to something more stirring and more  extraordinary, so we look back on Your Majesty’s 90 years in the life of our nation with deep wonder and profound gratitude. Through war and hardship, through turmoil and change, we have been fearfully and wonderfully sustained.

The one who turns fear to wonder is Jesus. The story of Jesus shows us that God enters into  the most fearful places imaginable in our lives – of sin, betrayal, violence, rejection, even death – and turns each one of them from horror into glory.

Nothing is outside God’s understanding. Nothing is beyond God’s grace. Nothing is too broken for God’s transformation. No one can flee from God’s redeeming goodness or finally escape God’s loving attention.

‘Consider the lilies, how they grow,’ says Jesus. They too are the handwork of God who clothed them in glory, from the overflow of his love and care. How much more does God care for and clothe each one of us.

Your Majesty, today we rejoice for the way in which God’s loving care has fearfully and wonderfully sustained you, as well as Prince Philip marking his 95th birthday today.

And we rejoice, Your Majesty, for the way in which the life God has given you in turn you have given wonderfully in service to this nation. You have been an instrument of God’s peace, and through you God has so often turned fear into wonder – and joy.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

• Notices 12 June 2016

Please find the notice sheet attached for the week ahead.

For those of you who use Facebook there is a link below to a live Bible Study that ++ Justin did recently which can be watched here:
http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/5719/archbishop-of-canterbury-hosts-live-bible-study-on-facebook

It reminded me just what a helpful thing it is to sit down with a friend  and discuss a bible passage together. I still have some copies of The Word ONE TO ONE bible guides which are really great for using with a friend –  just ask me if you would like a set. I have really enjoyed reading them  together with friends this last year.

• • Notices 5 June 2016

• • Notices 29 May 2016

• Notices 22 May 2016

I hope that you have been spending the time in anticipation of Pentecost  which we celebrate tomorrow.
I attach the notice sheet for this week and a corrected version of the Term  card which now has the correct time for Tuesday Afternoon Fellowship.
Blessings,  Larry

• • Term Card May to July 2016 1st Update

• • Notices 15 May 2016

• • Notices 8 May 2016

• Notices 1 May 2016

---

---