Second Sunday of Easter, 11th April, 2021
‘Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe’. John 20.27 Alleluia! Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Allelulia! We continue to celebrate the Easter season and we hope you can join us either in church or by watching our 10am service on Facebook or You Tube.
Collect Risen Christ, for whom no door is locked, no entrance barred: open the doors of our hearts, that we may seek the good of others and walk the joyful road of sacrifice and peace, to the praise of God the Father.
Readings Acts 4.32-35, Psalm 133, 1 John 1.1 - 2.2,
Prince Philip – may he rest in peace
It is a sadness this week to hear about the death of Prince Philip. Bishop Martin writes: ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty the Queen and with her family, on hearing the news of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. Beyond the love and commitment of marriage and family life, Prince Philip has been a remarkable consort in his commitment for nearly 7 decades to the demands of public life – a rock of support in good times and bad. Let us now give thanks for his steadfast love of the Queen, their family and the nation that he served with pride. May God grant to him rest and peace and a share in the glory of eternal life’. +Martin
You can sign the online condolence book here Sunday Zoom Coffee Time! For those joining us at home on Sunday, when the 10am live stream of the service finishes you have ten minutes to make yourself a cuppa and join us for a Zoom coffee time. Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 846 7654 6296 Passcode: 281524
We are delighted that Sea Lights returns to the hall Sunday 18th April. Please contact Daisy to book your place.
Children’s Lamb Trail Children’s entrance forms are on top of the piano. Plus, can you spot the animal in the porch and the shepherd who is protecting the sheep?
Tony’s Sabbatical Canon Tony is taking a three month sabbatical from the Good Shepherd starting from 1st April. This is to concentrate on his work with SEAN International. We look forward to welcoming Tony back in July, and we thank him for all the work he has put into our Zoom services during lockdown. Bob’s Cards for Sale In the church hall car park, after each 10am service. I will be selling various cards from my car boot, socially distancing and masks to be worn. All proceeds to The Church of the Good Shepherd.
Keep off the grass Please keep off the grass in front of the church (not the car park). It has been reseeded.
Christian Aid Week A date for your diary - Saturday May 15th- Takeaway Afternoon Tea in aid of Christian Aid. Watch this space for more details of how to order your box of delights. Maybe you can begin to plan with friends a socially distanced gathering in an outside space where you can enjoy your afternoon tea together. Please let Jill Charlish know if you would like to help in anyway during Christian Aid week this year (May 10th-16th). Jill Charlish.
Bible Art John 20.19-31
I was thinking how this episode is the diametric opposite to the split second before somebody dies suddenly, one moment all is well and the next moment it goes horribly wrong. Here we have the disciples gathered together in the 'horribly wrong' state, in the split second before Jesus appears amongst them.
The Gospel says that the door was locked because they were afraid of what the authorities might do to them, they must have been terrified; they probably had not slept at all, they may have eaten little, and I have drawn them dishevelled because they were young and distraught and might not even have changed their clothes.
Fear of what might happen to them was probably not their only fear ... many people live in a state of fear after someone they love has died, especially if it happens without warning. So these disciples are in shock, they have not known where to turn for comfort because the man they trusted above all to help them has been horribly killed. People might say that life was cheaper then, but that does not mean that the effect of someone's death upon those who loved them was any different to the effect of the sudden death of a loved one on us now.
So that was the first half of the split second ...then comes the second half when Jesus appears amongst them and says 'Peace be with you!' This is the Lord's peace, so you can imagine that the fear, shock and horror would be instantly lifted from them, bringing them true healing, so that they could listen to what Jesus was saying and remember his words.
This is the split second between terrified despair and the revelation of God's redemptive plan beginning for those disciples. Revd Jess
APCM – revised date We have had to move back the date for the APCM to allow more time for the finalising of reports. The new date is now Tuesday 4th May, 7.30pm on Zoom. Full notices are in the church porch. Electoral Roll Rescheduled Annual Revision of COGS Electoral Roll During this period, those already on the COGS electoral roll can check their details and submit revisions if necessary — change of address, change of name, etc. Email me (GeoffHolme@yahoo.co.uk) if you wish to check your currently-held details.
Here’s one of the lovely miniature Easter gardens made by the children at our Good Friday outdoor family service. My hours as Associate Vicar are half time and my working days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and also Sunday mornings. Please do get in contact if you need any prayer or support. Blessings and prayers for you this Easter season.
Revd Jane Email: bartlett.jane@ntlworld.com. Tel: 079355 38085.
HOW TO BOOK FOR SERVICES How to book for next week’s service, 18th April, 10am This is the TryBooking link for booking places https://www.trybooking.co.uk/ZTF
service. Once the service is full, if you have been unsuccessful and would like to attend the following Sunday, please tell the office immediately (email or phone) and you will be given a priority place ahead of the Monday to Thursday booking times
Services this Week Sunday, 11th April 8am – Holy Communion in church 10am – Parish Communion in church With Revd Peter Please book for the 10am. This service will be live streamed onto our Facebook and You Tube channel.
You Tube page CLICK HERE
Church Facebook page CLICK HERE
Tuesday, 13th April 9.30am - Informal Holy Communion With Revd Jane (in church, no need to book).
Thursday, 15th April 7pm Celtic Evening Prayer on Zoom Meeting ID: 835 3982 3953 Password: 589147
Friday 16th April 8am – Meditation with Morning Prayer on Zoom Meeting ID: 513293120 (No password is needed ) Click here LINK Evening Prayer This is said at 5.30pm from St Marys via Zoom on Monday and Wednesday, at 5.30pm. If you want to attend contact Canon Ann for the link. Email: annwaizeneker@gmail.com
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Newsletter 21st March 2021 News, service times and links | |
Newsletter 14th March 2021 news and service times/links | |
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Newsletter 31st January 2021 news and service times this week, plus Zoom links | |
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