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Church Family friends,
I am writing at the beginning of Holy Week: the beginning of the end of the life of Jesus on earth. As the entry into Jerusalem leads inevitably towards the events of the betrayal by Judas, the Last Supper, the arrest, trial, crucifixion and resurrection, we know that the drama moves from the crowds, to the twelve, to the three, to the one. Sharply focussed and utterly intentional, we move towards the most important weekend in the history of the world, centred on the one man, Jesus Christ.
We will have told the story again this year in words and in music, in services in church, with the schools, in residential care homes and on the streets of our town in Churches Together the Walk of Witness. The repetition of the story never makes it dull; the extraordinary grace of God, evident in the characters we meet, never ceases to amaze and inspire.
We have prepared for the remembering of these events in small groups and in the new School of Theology, in our worship leading us to the cross and in our learning expanding our minds. I am hugely grateful to all those who have attended these opportunities and especially to those who led them and helped to make them happen this year.
Our Sunday programme for April and May is set out below. Each Sunday at 10am our service is “live-streamed” on YouTube; and a recording of it may be viewed at 10am or later on in the day. It is still very encouraging to have new people continuing to join our church family: checking in or checking us out!! We had a wonderful crowd with us for Palm Sunday. Between 20 and 30 people join us on-line most weeks. God is good!
A gentle reminder of our Easter Programme and details for May
Maundy Thursday
6pm Supper and Service
Good Friday
10am Family Workshop
12noon Walk of Witness – meet at The Hart Car Park
2pm Meditation
Holy Saturday
9.30am Decorating the church – all are welcome! Refreshments will be served.
Sunday 9 April – Easter Day
8am Holy Communion
10am Celebration and Communion
6.30pm No Evening Service
Sunday 16 April
8am Holy Communion
10am Morning Service with groups for primary school aged children
6.30pm Evening Service
Sunday 23 April – Annual Meeting and Annual Parochial Church Meeting
10am Morning Service with groups for primary school aged children
6.30pm Evening Service
Sunday 30 April
10am Morning Service with groups for primary school aged children
6.30pm Evening Service
Sunday 7 May
8am Holy Communion
10am Morning Service with Celebration of the Coronation of King Charles III
11.30am Morning Service at St Francis’ Church
6.30pm Evening Service
Sunday 14 May
10am Celebration and Communion – Guest speaker (see below)
6.30pm No Evening Service
Sunday 21 May
8am Holy Communion
10am Morning Service with groups for primary school aged children
Guest speakers (see below)
6.30pm Evening Service
Sunday 28 May: Pentecost
10am Morning Service with groups for primary school aged children
6.30pm Evening Service
For the summer, a message from Mary and Richard Haines:
“Our narrowboat Naomhog is currently on the River Wey. We will be journeying along the river and the Basingstoke Canal over the next couple of months.
We would love to have people join us to enjoy a day trip. Maximum of four at a time. Do get in touch if this idea appeals to you! Mary and Richard maryweg@gmail.com.
N.B. The parish office can give you my mobile number if you would prefer to WhatsApp!”
Accommodation WANTED: until December. Single male (mature student).
Please contact David for more info.
Coming up …
Tues 11 April 1pm Organ Recital – refreshments from 12.30pm
Tues 9 May 1pm Organ Recital – refreshments from 12.30pm
Sunday 14 May 10am Guest Speaker: Jill Weber
from the Mustard Seed Community, Waverley Abbey
Sunday 21 May 10am Guest Speaker: Leif Ingvald Skaug and Tim Uffindell
from Gospel Explosion (Oslo, GE, Norway)
Tues 13 June 1pm Organ Recital – refreshments from 12.30pm
Sunday 18 June 10am Fathers’ Day Celebration
Sunday 16 July 11am Gathering and Celebration at Waverley Abbey
As we prepare for Easter, some words from the special prayer for this week and a favourite hymn for us to use for reflection:
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
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
Forbid it Lord that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ my God
All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to His blood
See from His head His hands His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing so divine
Demands my soul my life my all
Kathryn joins me in wishing you well and assuring you of our prayers for a very Happy Easter!
With all good wishes, as ever, David 1 April 2023
Our Parish is committed to following the Safeguarding Policies of the Church of England to keep children and vulnerable adults safe from harm.
Concerns of any sort should be reported to The Rector, The Revd. H. David Uffindell (01252 710129), or our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Sanchia Vinall (01252 715412).
The Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor is Jackie Broadfoot (07918 559387)
To view the Church of England Policy Statement ‘Promoting a Safer Church’
click here