Archive

 This weblog will have no further updates and will remain as an archive for future reference.  The new Blog can be found on our website here

Gareth

 See the new Blog here

Ordinations

 News on the new Blog here

Update

 The is a new post on the website Blog, you can find it here

New Blog post

 Go to the new Blog here

Sunday Worship

 There is an update on our new Blog a link is here

Blogspot

In July, the email updated from Blogger will come to an end.  As a result of this the Blog is being moved to our website which has its own email update function.

The existing posts will be kept as an archive.

The first post on the Website Blog is a link to the Hymns for June, you can find the post here

You will see the sign up for emails option on the same page.

Gardening help

We are looking for volunteers to commit time to joining a weekly gardening rota for the upkeep of the church grounds.

Anytime or day on a regular basis would be gratefully appreciated. 

For further details, please contact 

Denise Elstub on 07751 898790 or 

Hilary Saxon on 07983 263113.

 

"We celebrate Pentecost, the birthday of Christ's Church"

To the bottom right is a picture of a flame with a dove inside it

At the bottom left is a quick reference bar code which takes you to this reading:

Acts: The Coming of the Holy Spirit

2 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.’ 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ 13 But others sneered and said, ‘They are filled with new wine.’

Peter Addresses the Crowd

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

17 “In the last days it will be, God declares,

that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,

    and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

    and your old men shall dream dreams.

18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women,

    in those days I will pour out my Spirit;

        and they shall prophesy.

19 And I will show portents in the heaven above

    and signs on the earth below,

        blood, and fire, and smoky mist.

20 The sun shall be turned to darkness

    and the moon to blood,

        before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.

21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

22 ‘You that are Israelites,[a] listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth,[b] a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— 23 this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. 24 But God raised him up, having freed him from death,[c] because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. 25 For David says concerning him,

“I saw the Lord always before me,

    for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;

26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;

    moreover, my flesh will live in hope.

27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,

    or let your Holy One experience corruption.

28 You have made known to me the ways of life;

    you will make me full of gladness with your presence.”

29 ‘Fellow Israelites,[d] I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Foreseeing this, David[e] spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah,[f] saying,

“He was not abandoned to Hades,

    nor did his flesh experience corruption.”

32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at[g] the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

“The Lord said to my Lord,

‘Sit at my right hand,

35     until I make your enemies your footstool.’”

36 Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah,[h] this Jesus whom you crucified.’

The First Converts

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers,[i] what should we do?’ 38 Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.’ 40 And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ 41 So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Life among the Believers

43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds[j] to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home[k] and ate their food with glad and generous[l] hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Enjoying the Sunshine

It is really good with the easing of lockdown to see people getting out and about and doing some of what they have missed. It was a glorious sight walking through the village where I live seeing the shops and the pubs open.

Archie has been able to start going to football club with his daddy on Saturday mornings. I wont' mention which club his daddy supports, but it begins with L and ends in L and they are in the premier league. There are no doubts in my mind it is very traumatic for Archie having to wear such a kit. I have had words with his daddy!!

Louise, Archie and I have been to the beach. Archie had a ride on donkey called Rambo who was very reluctant to move. Archie was more impressed with donkey's stubbornness than the ride. He couldn't wait to tell his nursery friends all about it.

He was most impressed with paddling in the sea. However, we did have a hard time trying to explain about the waves and the tide.

.

  

He even persuaded nana to have a paddle!!

On Saturday, Louise, Archie and I went to a park and met up with my granddaughters, Brooklynne and Kierey and their daddy Steve. A good time was had by all and we certainly enjoyed the ice creams.

It filled me joy and great delight to see not only my own grandchildren but many other children enjoying the sunshine with their families and friends. But what about those children who for whatever reason can't play outside. Please remember them in your prayers this week.

Reminders of God and a Rare Breed

Below are some pictures that I took this morning, one of my snow-covered garden and the others when I was out and about after church. Each one of these pictures spoke to me of God in one way or another. It might have been a Bible passage, a line of a hymn, the beauty of God's creation or being thankful. Take a good look around you, what do you see that reminds You of God?

And now for something completely different. 

This is a conversation I had today when I paid for some petrol. Needless to say, I was wearing my collar at the time.

Cashier " Wow, a lady vicar! Never seen a lady vicar before

Me " That is the second time in as many weeks that someone has said that to me. (It was said to me in Manchester when I was on my way to the Cathedral).

Cashier " You know you don't look like a vicar"!!

Me " Oh, what is a vicar supposed to look like?

Cashier " Well, I don't really know but not like you.

Me " Oh, maybe you'd like to think about it.

We both laughed as I went out the door.

Easter Day Service

 The service can be found here

Resurrection Eucharist

 The service starts at around 3 minutes in and can be found here

Good Friday Service

 The service starts 10 minutes into the clip and can be found here

Tenebrae service from Churches together in Lees and District

 The service can be found here

Holy Week services

The Holy Week services will be streamed live on Rev'd Christine's YouTube channel.  We have a new camera which is sharper, but the volume is louder so be ready with your volume control.

Rev'd Christine's channel is here

Holy week services

Tuesday 30th March 10am

Wednesday 31st 10 am

Maundy Thursday 7pm

Good Friday 9.30 am (Zoom service for young people)

                    YouTube service by Churches together in Lees and District, link to follow.

                    1pm Reflection

                    2pm Liturgy of the Day

Easter Eve 8pm

Easter Day 9.30am

Please email Rev'd Lyn if you would like to book a place.  For the Zoom service please contact Rev'd Amy Elizabeth.

Worship for Palm Sunday

If you have a Palm Cross have it ready in order for Rev'd Lyn to bless it.

The service can be found here

Intercessions for Palm Sunday

 The prayers can be found here

Wayside pulpit

The picture is of Jesus with a cross over his shoulder. 

The caption reads "He bears your cross for you"