Weekly News - 19th February 2023

This weekend’s Bible readings: 

Exodus 24:12-18 (p 82) and Matthew 17:1-9 (p 984)

Lent course on Wednesday evenings 7.30 pm at All Saints: 

We will be running a course on Wednesday evenings throughout Lent: Christians Foundations for Today.
The Lent course this year will focus on our Christian foundations and how they work out in our lives day by day. For each of these foundations there is a foundational verse. The course will comprise of a short talk followed by discussion and feedback to a panel to answer questions. Each week will be at Little Munden except the Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday services. Do come along!

22 February Ash Wednesday (Sacombe)

“Take up your cross and follow me” Matthew 16:24

1 March The Creator God

“In the beginning God created” Genesis 1:1

8 March The Uniqueness of Jesus

“In the beginning was the Word...” John 1:1

15 March The Truthful Spirit

“The Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth” John 16:13

22 March The Nature of Humanity

“Male and female he created them” Genesis 1:27

29 March Our Identity in God's Kingdom

“Be born again” John 3:3

6 April Maundy Thursday (Sacombe)

Lent Appeal: 

Once again, we are appealing this Lent for our mission and ministry locally. As we consider God’s goodness to us, we must also consider our response. Whether it’s time, expertise, money or anything else, it is our Christian joy to consider regularly and prayerfully what God calls us to offer to him. Our annual accounts are being prepared, and our PCCs are focussed on the funding gap between our income and expenses, but there are many ways to respond to God’s provision for us. As we travel through Lent, we remember all that he has done and given to secure our salvation; please pray about what and how he is asking you to give in gratitude.

Midweek Music 22nd February: 

On Wednesday our Midweek Music at St Mary’s series continues with refreshments from 11.30am followed by a short concert at 12.30 given by our own Margaret Goodall on the trumpet and Michael Smith on the piano and organ. Do come along if you can.

Pop-Up Shop 26th February: 

Marion is holding another pop up shop after the 10.30 service on Sunday 26th February. There will be fairtrade items for sale including The Real Easter Egg, along with various Christian gifts. You can also order items at any time and the website will be available. All profits go to the Buntingford Foodbank.

Tudor evensong 26th February: 

The weekend of 25th and 26th February will be a celebration of the completion of the restoration work on the Sadleir tombs. The weekend will culminate in a service of evensong on Sunday 26th at 6.30, where we will, as far as is practicable, follow an order of service that would be familiar to Sir Ralph. Bishop Alan will take part, and refreshments will be served afterwards.

Sunday lunch at The Star: 

Heather’s next monthly Sunday lunch will be on 26th February at 12.15pm at the The Star in Standon. If you would like to book a place please let Heather know by Sunday 19th February. Tel 07909 065550 or [email protected].

World Day of Prayer 3rd March: 

This year’s service, prepared by the Christian Women of Taiwan, will be on Friday 3rd March 2023 at 7pm at St. Mary The Virgin Church, Church Lane, Braughing. There will be refreshments after the service. This is a lovely enjoyable, ecumenical service open to all. Margaret is still looking for people to read or take part in the service. If you think this could be you please get in touch on 07791 233338. All are welcome to the service; please put the date in your diary and tell your friends.

Confirmation service in St Mary’s 9th March: 

There will be a confirmation service in St Mary’s on 9th March. The new Bishop of Hertford will be officiating, and we will be welcoming candidates from Bishop’s Stortford as well as our own church family candidates. Please come and support them all if you can.

Volunteers still sought: 

Our in-house teams are still looking for volunteers on many fronts. In particular, we are now turning children away from the clubs at Roger de Clare because we don’t have enough helpers, and there is a waiting list of 15-20 children. If you can help with this or any of the other tasks listed in recent weeks, please speak to John or the appropriate person.

Website: 

Our benefice website is on the www.achurchnearyou.com platform. The benefice page is:www.achurchnearyou.com/church/7825/benefice. Please visit it to see the range of information there.

Services for the next few weeks

Midweek services each week:

Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP), St Catherine's

Wednesdays, 9.30am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary's

Sunday services:

19th February 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's

10.30am Holy communion, All Saints

4.00pm The Centre, All Saints

26th February 10.30am Family worship, St Mary's

4.00pm The Centre, All Saints

6.30pm Tudor Choral evensong, St Mary's

5th March 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's

10.30am Morning worship, All Saints

4.00pm The Centre, All Saints

12th March 10.30am Holy communion, St Mary's

4.00pm The Centre, All Saints

19th March 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's

10.30am Holy communion, All Saints

4.00pm The Centre, All Saints

Our Ash Wednesday service will take place at 7.30 pm on 22nd February at St Catherine’s.