Our Sunday Service

Dear All

I hope this finds you well.

I am writing this two week pew news in advance of Easter Day, as I am on my post Easter break next week.

There are 2 extra news items for this week: firstly, there will be coffee and hot cross buns served after our 10am Good Friday Holy Communion service for anyone who would like it.

Secondly, immediately after the10am service on Easter Day I will be blessing the new benches and garden in the northern corner of the churchyard, after over a year’s hard work by the monthly working party team levelling and planting it up. So please stay for that if you can.

The intention is for another quiet place of rest and reflection for all parishioners and the sling path is wide enough for wheelchairs approaching from Church Hill. 

The benches are made of English oak and carved by carpenter Oliver Newman of Marnhull. The lower bench has a view through the churchyard to the church. The higher bench has a relaxing view to the distant ridge, on a clear day. 

This is designed to be a scent garden, with walking areas planted with Roman Chamomile ‘Treneague’ as it is hard wearing and gives off a scent; some thyme and highly scented roses, and other herbs (Rosemary, Mint etc). Native daffodils (thanks Alanna) and later, poppies should emerge. The benches can be unlocked and reconfigured to allow for occasional outside worship.  A special mention goes to the working party: Charles, Alanna, Mark, Mitchell, Chris, Judith, Elizabeth- and Andy’s bacon butties!

It seems highly suitable to seek God’s blessing on our new outside place of rest and peace on Easter Day when we celebrate the empty garden tomb. And knowing Christ as the Gardener is very appropriate, for Christ is “charged with bringing the chaos of God’s creation into new order, bringing it into flower and into fruitfulness. He has come to uproot the thorns and the thistles and replace them with blossoms and harvests.”    (Bishop Tom Wright)

Jesus the Gardener who tends us and gives us all that we need to grow in our relationship with our heavenly Father; Jesus the Gardener who came to uproot sin and death; Jesus the Gardener who through the Holy Spirit prunes us for our good, who knows our potential and what can blossom and fruit from our lives to the world around us…

The symbol of the resurrection of Jesus in the New Testament is the empty tomb: the seal of death has been broken open, so that the life of God in Jesus Christ can continue for the whole world and all who follow Jesus receive the new life that he is and that he gives.

Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Acts 10 :34-43

Colossians 3:1-4

John 20:1-18

THIS WEEK

Easter Day Sunday 5th April

8am Holy Communion (traditional language)

10am Easter Family Communion- with eggs!  This will be followed by the blessing of the new churchyard benches!

NB 6-14th April Revd Gaenor is taking some post Easter leave. Please contact Judith if there is an urgent matter.

Weds 8th 

9am Parish Prayer

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS

Acts 2:14, 22-32

1 Peter 1:3-9

John 20:19-end

NEXT WEEK

Sunday 12th Easter 1

ONE Service: 10am Parish Communion- with coffee afterwards        i.e.no 8am service this week

Revd Stephanie will be presiding and Judith is preaching 

Weds 15th 

7pm PCC meeting at the Rectory

Thurs 16th 

12pm Music Season: Stephen Binnington performs an organ concert: Music for Spring and Easter

Sat 25th April

9-11am Monthly working party 

3-4pm Prayer for St Gregory’s Church ahead of the APCM

LOOKING AHEAD

Sun 26th April 

11.30am Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM)

Thurs 14th May Ascension Day 

11am Holy Communion 

Sun 17th May

2-4pm Church open afternoon

4pm Evensong with St Gregory’s Singing Group

OTHER NEWS

• The church electoral roll (ER) is being revised from 29th March until  12th April. If your details have changed or you would like to have an ER form please speak to Judith our ER officer.

• Poppython on Wednesday 15th April from 10am to 12 noon in the RBL on Sodom Lane. Contact Julie Vitali or Marnhull Craft Club for information.
• Ahead of our APCM on Sunday April 26th we have a number of vital church roles that will need filling:Two Churchwardens* ; PCC Secretary* ; PCC Treasurer*; Sacristan (can be shared); Health and Safety Officer; Deanery Synod member; PCC members Training for these roles* is given by the diocese.

PRAYERS

• Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
• We pray that we may live as those who believe in the triumph of the cross and the empty tomb
• We pray for all those born to new life through the waters of baptism that they may know the power of the resurrection- bringing new life and hope to the world
• We pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in the persecuted church- for hope and joy in believing
• We pray for all those who will visit our churchyard this spring and summer – that they find God’s peace and consolation 
• Please pray for all in or from our parish who are currently ill in body, mind or spirit- for healing and wholeness