‘You O Lord, are my hiding place, you preserve me from trouble’
A very warm welcome to all
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Readings: Joshua 5: 9-12; 2 Corinthians 5: 16-21
Gospel: Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32
In today’s Gospel
The Prodigal Son, or the Lost Son: But, as we’re about to see, perhaps a better title for this story would be “The Gracious Father–and the Two Lost Sons.” Because, really, the point of the parable is the amazing grace of the father in dealing with both of his lost sons. “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” What the Pharisees meant as a slam against Jesus becomes for us the most gracious of invitations and the cause for great praise. “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” The party is happening right here, right now. Rejoice! It’s time to celebrate!
War in Ukraine
Please continue to offer prayers for our brothers and sisters caught up in the mayhem that is Ukraine. Please think about what you can do to help in any way for those who continue to reach out to the rest of Europe and beyond for our assistance. Whatever method or organisation you use to make donations, please do it rather than thinking about it.
Lent Course
There were seventeen attendees at our third session of the Lent course on Thursday evening! Fr Roger and I are absolutely delighted at this enthusiasm, and we invite you to be part of our continuing ‘Encountering Jesus’, Lent reflection group at St Mary’s. Where – The Crypt. When – Thursday 7pm, 31st March and 7th April. Duration – One hour including a cup of tea and cake. Who – Anyone! Whether you can make one or all the dates. Any questions – please speak to Fr Roger(revrogdyer@btinternet.com) or myself (terry_t_2000_uk@yahoo.co.uk)
“Women of Holy Week”, Paula Gooder
Over the next week, I will be working with the ladies who have volunteered to be filmed reading passages from acclaimed author and theologian, Paula Gooder’s book ‘Women of Holy Week’. Permission has been obtained to broadcast these readings throughout Holy Week and I am grateful to those individuals who have offered to help. The short films (about 5-10 mins), will be broadcast on the Diocesan fb page and hopefully other media outlets.
Advisory Group Update
If you recall last week, I spoke about some of the rituals that take place during our Sung Eucharist services which unfortunately, had to be withdrawn during the Covid pandemic. As a result of the most recent guidance from the Provincial Advisory Group we now have the option to return to most, if not all of the elements that take place during our worship. Therefore, from this Sunday (27th March) we will resume with the following, which will be as I mentioned last week, an open door to participate at your own choice. No-one should feel pressurised to partake in any or all of the return to well accustomed practices outlined below.
- The Peace – We are encouraging everyone to make efforts to share the peace in a way that we used to, which will involve possibly moving from your pew to do so. Of course, this will be entirely at your own discretion, and no-one should feel under any pressure to do so.
- The Bread and Wine: The Communion elements will be brought up to the altar during the Offertory by persons nominated by our Peoples Warden Mr Iain Stewart.
- The Collection Plate: The collection plate will once more be passed through the congregation during the Offertory, after which it will be brought to the altar and passed to the Server.
Last week I mentioned that we would reintroduce the ‘Common Cup’. I have not yet sourced the appropriate wipes with the requisite alcoholic content required to ensure proper cleansing of the Chalice after each use. Therefore, until that is the case, we will continue as before, with the congregation receiving in one kind only.
Bishop presiding and preaching on Sunday 3rd April
Bishop Anne will Preside and Preach next Sunday, the 5th Sunday of Lent and the beginning of passion-tide. It would be nice to see as many of you as possible attending this service where our Diocesan Bishop will lead us in worship.
Easter Sunday
On Easter Sunday (17th April) there will be a 6am Dawn Worship. This will be a Eucharist Service with Bishop Anne presiding. After this service, there will be breakfast served in the Choir Vestry for those who wish to partake. Fr Roger and I would therefore be grateful if those who will be enjoying this early refreshment with us, could append their names to the sheet at the back of the church to give us some indication of numbers on the day. We also need some volunteers who are willing to provide the breakfast on the day to chip in.
Gold
As mentioned in previous weeks, I am asking you to look through your jewellery boxes to see if you are prepared to part with something that you really haven’t used for years or maybe you just feel like donating something you have no further use of. Of course, it doesn’t have to be gold, it could be any type of jewellery that we might be able to sell on to a jewellers. In any case, I am now appealing to you to consider this and I intend to keep this running for the next 3 months, at which point we can assess where we are.
2022 Easter egg Appeal
Thank you all so much for the continued donation of Easter eggs for this year’s appeal.
Coffee and tea rota
I am looking for someone to take responsibility for producing a rota to look after the provision of teas and coffees at our after-service fellowship. The role would also require taking care of the ‘purse’ of all donations made during this fellowship so that everything can be properly replenished when required. Please come and speak with me if you are willing to help.
Fundraising Events
The following is a direct link to our fundraising events calendar should you be interested in what is happening in the coming months. https://stmaryscardenplace.org.uk/social-fundraising-calendar/
Vestry Vacancies
We have two vacancies on St Mary’s Vestry for Ordinary Members, and I would strongly urge those who feel that they could offer something to assist in the management of our Church to speak to me. Vestry membership is a rewarding role and provides an insight in to how we reach the decisions we do in our work here at Carden Place.
Reading Scripture
Our Peoples Warden Mr Iain Stewart has asked me to put out a call for more people to consider volunteering to read scripture and intercede at our worship. Should you feel so inclined, I encourage anyone who is considering this valuable ministry to approach Ian in the first instance.
Peace/Therapy Garden
I continue to draw you attention to our proposals for the Peace/Therapy Garden at the front of the Church. We have obtained some samples of ideas re what the garden could look like, and we (The Vestry) would value your opinion on what your preference might be. Please take some time to click on the following link where all will be revealed.https://stmaryscardenplace.org.uk/notices/west-end-garden-project/
Services/Events at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral w/c Sunday the 27th March 2022
Sunday 27th March at 8am – Holy Communion (Cn Terry – 1970)
Sunday 27th March at 10 am Third Sunday of Lent Sung Eucharist (Fr Roger Presiding – Cn Terry Preaching – 1982)
Monday 28th March – Cn Terry – Day off
Tuesday 29th March at 10 am – Morning Prayer (Cn Terry)
Wednesday 30th March at 10 am – Holy Communion (1970- Cn Terry)
Thursday 31st March at 7 pm – Encountering Jesus Lent Reflection (Fr Roger & Cn Terry – In the Crypt)
Friday 1st April at 6 pm – Compline (Cn Terry)
Sunday 3rd April at 8 am – Holy Communion (1970 – Cn Terry)
Sunday 3rd April at 10 am – Fifth Sunday of Lent – Sung Eucharist (1982 – Bishop Anne)
Readings: Joshua 43: 16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3: 4b-14
Gospel: John 12: 1-8
“No act of virtue can be great if it is not followed by advantage for others. So, no matter how much time you spend fasting, no matter how much you sleep on a hard floor and eat ashes and sigh continually, if you do no good to others, you do nothing great.”
(John Chrysostom)
Blessings Always
Rev Canon Terry Taggart
01224588776/07768219984