| Editor: Sonia Marshall | Layout: Dave Merchant | Web version: Mark Warrick |
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Scripture readings for Sunday
April is such a full month that it is very hard to narrow down what needs to be said! On the one hand we start in mid-Lent, with Mothering Sunday on 2nd April - the Family Eucharist will be on this Sunday, not on the 9th - and on the other we end with the Second Sunday of Easter (Low Sunday) on 30th April. The mood is quite different and we shall have passed through all of the Holy Week and Easter celebrations in the meantime.
In addition to all of this, April is also the month of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting and the Annual Meeting of Parishioners for the Election of Churchwardens. This will be held on Palm Sunday, 16th April, at 11:15, immediately following the 10:00 celebration of the Eucharist. All who are members of the church electoral roll are urged to attend this meeting to have your say in the way our work in this church will develop during the coming year. Nominations for the posts of churchwarden and for the places on the Parochial Church Council can be made in advance or at the meeting, and full details will be posted in church.
We are at an exciting stage in the life of the parish at present, with a real possibility of growth both in numbers and in our individual relationships with God through the life of the church. Please pray for the life of this church and, whether you will be attending the meeting or not, pray that wise decisions may be made, that God's will may be done.
Finally, may I recommend to everyone that you take advantage of the programme of worship for Holy Week and Easter, Maundy Thursday to Easter Day (20th - 23rd April this year) lie at the heart of the story of what God has done and still does for us in Jesus Christ, and in our services we thank him and celebrate the wonderful freedom he has won for us and the gift of eternal life he offers us. To set aside time to ponder on these central aspects of the Gospel and to celebrate them together is both a duty and a joy for the Christian.
2nd April, 4th Sunday of Lent (Mothering Sunday)
10am: Exodus 2: 1-10; John 19: 25-27
6pm: Numbers 21: 4-9; John 3: 14-21
9th April, 5th Sunday of Lent (Passion Sunday)
10am: Jeremiah 31: 31-34; John 12: 20-33
6pm: Exodus 7: 8-24; Luke 22: 1-13
16th April, Palm Sunday
10am: Isaiah 50: 4-9a; Mark 14: 32 - 15: 39
23rd April, Easter Day
10am: 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11; John 20: 1-18
6pm: Ezekiel 37: 1-14; Luke 24: 13-35
30th April: 2nd Sunday of Easter
10am: 1 John 1: 1 - 2; 2 John 20: 19-31
7th May, 3rd Sunday of Easter
10am: 1 John 3: 1-7; Luke 24: 36b-48
6pm, Deuteronomy 7: 7-13; Luke 16: 19-31
On Tuesday 7th March the Priory Church Social Committee held its annual "Pancake Party" in the Church Hall, when over fifty people of all ages enjoyed a supper of hot soup and home made bread followed by pancakes with various fillings made by Margaret Flegg and assisted by Ann Bennett. After supper a Beetle Drive was held. Those attending were asked to dip deep in their pockets and £75 :00 was raised for the Mozambique Appeal Fund.
If you would like to receive Holy Communion this Easter but are unable to attend services through illness or infirmity please do speak to the Vicar or Sonia Marshall to make arrangements for Holy Communion at home.
It is always super on Easter Day to walk into the Church and be struck by the colour and scent of fresh flowers after their absence for six weeks during the season of Lent.
A plate will be available after the 10 am Eucharist to receive contributions towards the cost of flowers. Alternatively, please hand them to Joan Dyke or Ann Bennett.
St. George's Day (23rd April) coincides with Easter Day this year so under the rules his celebration service must be transferred.
The 7th May is the date of our next 11.30 am "5th Sunday" All Age worship so we shall be remembering St. George at that service with special hymns and music with a national flavour............. note your diaries now!
Please note in your year 2000 diaries the following events
The Annual Rose and Sweet Pea Show to be held on Saturday 24th June
A Musical Extravaganza featuring the Springfield Jazz Ensemble and other great musical groups. on Saturday 1st July
Watch out for further information........
It was very moving, both at General Synod and Diocesan Synod, hearing farewell tributes by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Lincoln to David Tustin who retires this month after 21 years as Bishop of Grimsby.
His contribution to the Church has been immense, not only as a suffragen bishop with wide local and diocesan involvement but also internationally through his work on the council for Christian Unity aided by his remarkable gift for languages. The Porvoo and Meissen Agreements which brought together which brought together the Anglican and Lutheran Churches in Scandinavia, the Baltic and Germany represent an historic step forward on the road towards unity.
In the time I have known him as a member of the General Synod I have always been impressed by his kindness, courtesy and sincere faith and calmness. I remember one particular debate which was becoming impassioned and difficult - until Bishop David got up to speak - the storm subsided and all was well again.
It was pleasing to learn that Bishop David and his wife Mary will continue to live in the Diocese after leaving Grimsby and we wish them every happiness for the future.
Sonia Marshall
The use of anointing has a very long tradition indeed, being mentioned well back into the Old Testament. In the Christian church it is used to signify the person for whom prayers are made at special times, and its use has been much revived in recent times following descent into use only in extreme sickness - when recovery was not expected - and the coronation of monarchs!
Oil is now used often in baptism and by some bishops in confirmation and ordination, and its use is encouraged in prayers for the sick. While it is to be used more sparingly than the laying-on of hands in healing, it is to be used both where death is expected and where there is still a real prospect of recovery. It would be appropriate before major surgery, for example.
Oil can be blessed for the purpose of healing by any priest at any time, but it symbolises the spiritual authority of the Church best when the oil used is that blessed by the Bishop for the purpose at the traditional service on or near Maundy Thursday: readings are provided in the ASB but not the service itself!
This year the oils for anointing will be blessed for our use by the Bishop of Grantham at Billingborough parish church on Wednesday in Holy Week, 19th April, at 7.30pm. It would be good if a number of us were present, and if you are involved in our prayer groups or the Eucharist for Healing then you may especially like to attend.
Mark Warrick
The Church Coffee Group held its Annual General Meeting on Thursday 9th March. The meeting agreed the following Programme of Meetings and also the distribution of funds as noted below.
- Coffee Morning: May 4th
- Afternoon Tea: July 6th
- Coffee Morning: September 14th
- Pre Advent Coffee Morning: November 30th
The W.R.V.S., as many of you will know, has for many years provided a valuable service taking hot meals at lunchtime to the sick and housebound in Deeping St. James. However volunteers are still needed to maintain the service, particularly those who can drive. As it is on a rota system, the commitment is not huge. If you would like to know more without any oblgation have a word with Sonia or telephone the local organiser, Jennifer Pearson on 346375.
This month Margaret is treating us to a touch of the Tropics.
Grease a Swiss roll tin. Set oven to 3000F or gas 2. Break chocolate into pieces and place in bowl over hot water. When melted, pour into bottom of Swiss roll tin and leave to set. Cream fat and sugar, add coconut, sultanas and chopped cherries. Mix well and spread evenly over chocolate. Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown. Leave to cool then cut into slices with a sharp knife.
We welcome to the Lord's family:
We congratulate:
We commend to God's keeping:
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