Weekly News - 12th March 2023

This weekend’s Bible reading: 

John 4:5-42 (p 1066)

Lent course on Wednesday evenings 7.30 pm at All Saints: We are 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 Maundy Thursday service. Do come along!

The remaining sessions are:

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)

Levantine cookery demonstration & supper 18th March: 

Basma will be demonstrating recipes from the Levant in Standon Village Hall on 18th March. After the demonstration, we will share a meal, and a licenced bar will be available. Tickets at £20 (including supper and a glass of wine) are available from Diana 07718 734897. All profits will go to FOSM.

Stainer’s Crucifixion 26th March: 

On Sunday 26th March at 6.30pm in St Mary's our benefice choir with other chorister friends will be singing Stainer's The Crucifixion. This is a moving meditation on the Passion with hymns for all to sing as well as music for the choir and soloists. It is a special way to continue your Lent journey as we move towards Holy Week and Easter. Please come along and bring someone who would enjoy sharing this time of worship with us. It will last for about an hour. There is no charge. A retiring collection will be taken for the musical outreach of our benefice.

Sunday lunch at The Star: 

Heather’s next Sunday lunch at the The Star will be on Sunday 26th March. If you would like to book a place please let Heather know by Sunday 19th March. Mobile 07909 065550.

Stories of faith: 

There is a new part of our website, “My Story” where different people tell their story of coming to faith. So far, we have Rita, with Denise and Margaret coming shortly. Anyone else who would like to contribute is very welcome. Please speak to John if you’d like to add your story.

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 for this coming year, 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.

Plea for carrier bags: 

Karen is appealing for carrier bags for the food bank. They need to be in reasonable condition, and they can be left in the food bank boxes in church or given to Lizzy.

Volunteers still sought: 

Our in-house teams are still looking for volunteers on many fronts. 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:

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

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

4.00pm The Centre, All Saints

6.30pm Stainer's Crucifixion, St Mary's

2nd April 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's

10.30am Morning worship, All Saints

4.00pm The Centre, All Saints

9th April 10.30am Easter holy communion, St Mary's