‘The Lord has done great things for us‘
A very warm welcome to all
Fifth Sunday of Lent
Readings: Isaiah 43: 16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3: 4b-14
Gospel: John 12: 1-8
In today’s Gospel
In today’s Gospel from John, not only is Jesus proclaiming with words his divine sonship, but he is producing signs that point to his ultimate mastery over death. The narrative that takes place just before our Gospel is entirely concerned with Jesus’ ability to defeat death. Jesus’ friend Lazarus is ill and his friends and family would like Jesus to come and heal him. Not being in a hurry, Jesus lingers where he is for a few days. He’ll say, a little later, that his tardiness is so that his disciples will see and believe. Before Jesus actually raises Lazarus from the dead, he proclaims, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). Jesus will back up his words with action. Even though Lazarus has been dead for at least four days, Jesus will raise him from the dead.
Bishop Anne
I am delighted to confirm that Bishop Anne will preside and preach at our Sung Eucharist at 10 am on Sunday the 3rd April.
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
Next Thursday is our final Lent group meeting and Fr Roger and I invite you to be part of our ‘Encountering Jesus’, Lent reflection group at St Mary’s. Where – The Crypt. When – Thursday 7pm, 7th April. Duration – One hour including a cup of tea and cake. Who – Anyone! 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
I have started to record those who have volunteered to read for me and be filmed as part of our ‘Women of Holy Week’ project (based on the book by the same name by Paula Gooder). This will continue into the rest of this week and the broadcasts will begin on Palm Sunday at the commencement of Holy Week.
Easter Sunday Services
There is now a slight adjustment to our Easter Sunday services as follows. 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. This will be provided by Bishop Anne and Fr Roger. 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. There will then be an 8 am Said Eucharist with a second option of breakfast at about 8.45 am for those who may wish to attend. This will then be followed by the 10 am Sung Eucharist where Bishop Anne will once more preside and preach.
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 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. Please come and speak with me if you are willing to help. Mrs Gillian Rose has offered to resume control of the purse for donations made during fellowship.
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.
Scaffolding
As the work continues outside our Church, I ask each and every one of you to take extra care when entering and exiting the building. Parking space is now severely limited but will still be available to those who require it on a Sunday due to mobility issues. Parking is also available during our weekday services. You will also note that we now have scaffolding inside the Church to enable the removal and repair of the damaged rose window. I have no idea how long this process will take and I ask for your continued patience.
Fellowship
There will be fellowship this Sunday, however, due to the Choir Vestry having new lighting installed and scaffolding erected within, we cannot put out tables as normal. I would therefore encourage everyone, when the service is over, to collect a cup of tea/coffee and a biscuit etc and bring it in to the main body of the Church. The work in the Choir Vestry is due to be finished on Monday, so we will be back to normal next Sunday.
Services/Events at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral w/c Sunday the 3rd April 2022
Sunday 3rd April at 8am – Holy Communion (Cn Terry – 1970)
Sunday 3rd April at 10 am Third Sunday of Lent Sung Eucharist (Bishop Anne Presiding and Preaching – 1982)
Monday 4th April – Cn Terry – Day off
Tuesday 5th April at 10 am – Morning Prayer (Cn Terry)
Wednesday 6th April at 10 am – Holy Communion (1970- Cn Terry)
Thursday 7th April at 7 pm – Encountering Jesus Lent Reflection (Final session – Fr Roger & Cn Terry – In the Crypt)
Friday 8th April at 6 pm – Compline (Cn Terry)
Sunday 10th April at 8 am – Palm Sunday Holy Communion (1970 – Cn Terry)
Sunday 10th April at 10 am – Palm Sunday – Sung Eucharist (1982- Cn Terry) Liturgy of the Palms / Liturgy of the Passion (Cn Terry)
Readings: Isaiah 50: 4-9a; Psalm 31: 9-16; Philippians 2: 5-11
Gospel: Luke 22: 14 to end of 23
“O lord, make this Lenten season different from the other ones. Let me find you again. Amen.”
(Henri Nouwen)
Blessings Always
Rev Canon Terry Taggart
01224588776/07768219984