Easter Sunday, 12th April 2020
Alleluia, He is risen! Wishing you all a peaceful and blessed Easter. Things are very different for us all this year because we can’t gather together for our usual services. Church doors across the country remained locked. Our celebrations will not have their usual exuberance during this time of national crisis, yet hopefully we can still experience the deep peace of knowing that all things are made new in Christ.
We have been doing our best to stay in contact with you, either through this printed newsletter, or by the internet. Putting short services and sermons online has been a real challenge, especially for me, with limited equipment and even more limited technical know-how! Despite all these difficulties, there have been online offerings for Holy Week, Maundy Thursday and also Good Friday.
I invited some of the artistic members of our congregation to illustrate different Stations of the Cross for a Good Friday service and was delighted at all the submissions – a feast for the eyes! I attach a copy to this newsletter of the images. Many thanks to all the artists.
I do hope you are all keeping well and managing to stay in good spirits during this difficult time. Do contact me if you want to chat or need any practical support.
Ted Young
We let you know, with great sadness, that Ted Young has died after a long illness. Ted was a much loved member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, well known for his musical talent, humour and joy of life. Ted will be much missed.
Chrystabell thanks everyone for their condolences. She prefers texts and ‘WhatsApp’ messages at the moment. Sally Excell has Chrystabell’s temporary address if you wish to write. Please hold Chrystabell in your prayers. In her own words, Ted has ‘gone to the biggest forever gig.’ There will be a Thanksgiving service for Ted as soon the current health situation allows.
Collect
Lord of all life and power,
who through the mighty resurrection of your Son
overcame the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him:
grant that we, being dead to sin
and alive to you in Jesus Christ,
may reign with him in glory;
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and honour, glory and might, now and in all eternity.
Lectionary Readings for Easter Sunday
Acts 10.34-43, Jeremiah 31.1-6, Psalm 118.1-2,14-24, Colossians 3.1-4, Acts 10.34-43, John 20.1-18, Matthew 28.1-10
Easter Sunday Online
We are posting up a simple short Eucharist, plus a pre-recorded sermon from Canon Tony, and music from some members of the Durrant family! These will all be available to watch online on the church’s website and the Facebook page.
Canon Tony has produced an ‘Easter Promise’ bookmark as a gift for you all. Here's a version you can print out..
He writes:
‘After he rose from the dead, Jesus appeared to his disciples several times. On one occasion, he promised them that he would be with them always. In the bookmark you will find that promise in a number of languages.
We invite you to cut it out and keep it for these words of Jesus have been a great help and encouragement to many, and may be helpful to you at this time?
Please note: the fascinating and remarkable story of the Pectoral Cross (pictured) will be told in Sunday's 'Reflection'.
Online Weekly Services
After Easter we will resume our regular pattern of weekly worship.
- Tuesday 14th April, 9.30am – an online homily on our Facebook Page
- Thursday 16th April, 5.15pm – Celtic Evening Prayer on Zoom (email me for details about how to join).
- Friday 17th April, 8am – Meditation with Morning Prayer on Zoom (email me for details about how to join).
Other ways to worship
You can always pop over to the St Mary de Haura website and see what’s happening at our sister church. Canon Ann plans a range of online services and sermons.
Chichester Cathedral are streaming their services on their website.
There are many other online worship opportunities and also services on the radio and television. There are too many to list here but go to the Church of England’s website for full information.
10 O’clock Rock
Our family and children’s co-ordinator Daisy is putting together activity sheets for our Sunday school. See attached. Thank you Daisy. If you made an Easter Garden this year do share a photo on our Facebook group.
Other Notices
Don’t forget the April issue of Shoreline is available! You can read this on the church website. Paper copies have been delivered to those who are not online.
Every blessing for Easter,
Rev’d Jane
Email: bartlett.jane@ntlworld.com Tel: 07935538085