(A few details from the month - a fuller issue can be obtained from church)
FROM THE VICAR
As I said in a previous letter this year is the Centenary of the Diocese of Chelmsford and Bishop Stephen has asked every Parish in the Diocese to mark the event with some Mission activity.
With this in mind the P.C.C. has set up a Mission Committee to look at our response to this call. So far we have met twice and have come up with some ideas for the year. These include our celebration of Mothering Sunday (30th March); a form of Back to Church Sunday at Pentecost (8th June); an event geared to Children and young people at S. Cedd's on Saturday 28th June and a special act of worship in remembrance of the departed on All Souls Day (2nd November) Obviously, in due course, further details will be given of these events and help will be needed to make them a success so please keep these days in your diaries and in your prayers as we try to answer the Bishop's call and spread the good news of Jesus Christ more effectively here in Shrub End.
Also this month marks the beginning of Lent. There will be a Solemn Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes on Ash Wednesday (5th March) at 7.45pm.
Also during Lent, as in former years, there will be a chance to join a Lent Group as part of our preparation to celebrate Holy Week and Easter.
This year we will again be using one of the Ecumenical York Courses this one is entitled "BUILD ON THE ROCK Faith, doubt - and Jesus " the main contributors are the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres; Dr. Paula Gooder and the Revd. Joel Edwards. The Lent Groups will replace the usual Bible Study Meetings and will take place in the Annexe on Tuesdays from 7.45pm until about 9.00pm
SESSION 1 - Tuesday 11th March
SESSION 2 - Tuesday 18th March
SESSION 3 - Tuesday 25th March
SESSION 4 - Tuesday 1st April
SESSION 5 - Tuesday 8th April
I hope many of you will want to mark this special time of the year by being a part of the group.
Wishing you all every Blessing for Lent
Your Priest and Vicar
Fr Nicholas
A MESSAGE FROM BARBARA
The family of Len send their sincere thanks for all the lovely cards, letters and tributes that were received after his sad and sudden death. A special thank you was given to Father Nicholas for the beautiful service and to everyone who came to it.
Several people who came to the funeral asked about the poem that was read by his step grandson, and copy of this was found in Len's wallet. This is now reproduced below -
Stepping Stone or Stumbling Block by R.L. Sharp
Isn't it strange that princes and kings
and clowns that caper in sawdust rings
And common folk like you and me
Are builders for eternity.
To each is given a book of rules
A block of stone and a bag of tools
For each must shape ere time has flown
A stumbling block or a stepping stone.
DEANERY NEWS
The vicar of Berechurch is in the news as he has been making an informative video entitled "Snapshots of God".
THE CHILDREN'S SOCIETY
Another reminder for you that it is nearly the time for the annual grand count. Please could these be given to Brenda. Bring them along to church from the beginning of March for counting towards the end of the month.
FRIENDS OF ALL SAINTS
The Group are again looking for new members, if you need more information about how to join up as an annual subscriber. Please mail all your details to Brian on -
MOTHERS' UNION
Many thanks were given to Fr Nicholas for coming along and presiding at their own Eucharist. Over the last few years the group have commenced their programme with a Eucharist and once again they were able to remember and celebrate the Feast of Candlemass.
The March meeting will be held on Wednesday 5th March at 230pm in the Annexe. They will observe Ash Wednesday and also use the Wave of Prayer sheet.
Also just a reminder that on Mothering Sunday, the Mothers' Union are asking you buy a "Make a Mother's Day gift" that will help them to change the lives of families all over the world. Each gift has been carefully selected with their goal of long-term sustainability in mind. Your gift, no matter how small, will play a vital role in helping them achieve this goal. (Much fuller information is in the church magazine).
SUNDAY READINGS
Revised Common Lectionary:- Year A
Sung Eucharist Sung Evensong
Revised Common Lectionary:- Year A
Sung Eucharist Sung Evensong
2nd March THE SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE LENT
All Age Eucharist Psalm 84
Exodus 24: 12 - 18 Ecclesiasticus 48: 1 - 10
Matthew 17: 1 - 9 Matthew 17: 9 - 23
5th March ASH WEDNESDAY
Joel 2: 1 - 2 & 12 - 17
II Corinthians 5: 20b - 6: 10
Matthew 6: 1 - 6 & 16 - 21
9th March THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
Genesis 2: 15 - 17 & 3: 1 - 7 Psalm 50: 1 - 15
Romans 5: 12 - 19 Deuteronomy 6: 4 - 9 & 16 - 25
Matthew 4: 1 - 11 Luke 15: 1 - 10
16th March THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
Genesis 12: 1 - 4a Psalm 135
Romans 4: 1 - 5 & 13 - 17 Numbers 21: 4 - 9
John 3: 1 - 17 Luke 14: 27 - 33
23rd March THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
Exodus 17: 1 - 7 Psalm 40
Romans 5: 1 - 11 Joshua 1: 1 - 9
John 4: 5 - 42 Ephesians 6: 10 - 20
30th March THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT (Mothering Sunday)
All Age Eucharist Psalm 31: 1 - 9
I Samuel 1: 20 - 28 Micah 7
Luke 2: 33 - 35 James 5
NOTES FOR YOUR DIARY
2nd THE SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE LENT
8.00 Eucharist at All Saints'
10.00am Parish All Age Eucharist at S. Cedd's
6.30pm Sung Evensong at All Saints'
4th Feria 9.30am Eucharist at S. Cedd's
7.45pm Devotional Bible Study in the Annexe
5th ASH WEDNESDAY
Mothers' Union Meeting 2.30pm in the Annexe
7.45 Solemn Eucharist and
Imposition of Ashes (with incense)
6th Feria in Lent 10.00am Eucharist at All Saints'
8th Concert by the Military Wives Choir
7.00pm in Church
In Aid of the British Legion Poppy Appeal
9th THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
8.00 Eucharist at All Saints'
10.00am Parish Sung Eucharist at All Saints'
6.30pm Sung Evensong at All Saints' & Litany
10th P.C.C. Meeting 7.45pm in the Annexe
11th Feria in Lent 9.30am Eucharist at S. Cedd's
7.45pm Lent Group Meeting in the Annexe
13th Feria in Lent 10.00am Eucharist at All Saints'
16th THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
8.00 Eucharist at All Saints'
10.00am Parish Sung Eucharist at All Saints'
6.30pm Sung Evensong at All Saints'
18th Feria in Lent 9.30am Eucharist at S. Cedd's
7.45pm Lent Group Meeting in the Annexe
20th Feria I Lent 10.00am Eucharist at All Saints'
23rd THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
8.00 Eucharist at All Saints'
10.00am Parish Sung Eucharist at All Saints'
6.30pm Sung Evensong at All Saints'
25th THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD
9.30am Eucharist at S. Cedd's
7.45pm Lent Group Meeting in the Annexe
27th Feria in Lent 10.00am Eucharist at All Saints'
30th THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
8.00 Eucharist at All Saints'
10.00am Parish Sung Eucharist at All Saints'
6.30pm Sung Evensong at All Saints'
