Dear Church Friends,
This has not been a good week for news. I am sorry to have to begin with some sad news. Our much loved, retired organist Arthur passed away on Friday 25th February. At this sad time, we pray for his son, Nigel and daughter Jane and other family members as they come to terms with their loss. A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Arthur will be held in the White Church on Friday 11th March at 11.30am. Please remember and pray for the family on that day.
The news from Ukraine is very upsetting and we pray for those undergoing tortuous journeys in an effort to leave the country for a place of safety. We pray for those left behind who are undergoing severe hardship and terror. Comfort those who suffer and give them hope for the future. We pray for those involved in peace talks and hope that they may find common ground and a humanitarian and non-violent way forward.
Although it doesn’t feel like it, meteorological spring arrived on Tuesday, heralding the next three months of our four seasons and towards the end of this month the clocks will be going forward to Summer Time. The birds are certainly singing more – not only just before dawn but well after it gets fully light. The bird feeder is being well visited and still keeping the squirrels at bay – hurrah! Tuesday was a glorious day with blue skies and sunshine and light winds – a rarity over recent weeks. Wednesday reverted to form! We are now in the period of Lent. Lent is an old English word meaning to lengthen and comes in the spring as the days begin to lengthen. It is the period of reflection and preparation for the celebration of Easter and in Western Churches it begins on the 7th Wednesday before Easter Day.
Last Sunday I was delighted to be able to announce that David Windle will be joining us as our Musical Director from Sunday 13th March. Choir practices will resume at 9.30am each Sunday morning. David has a wealth of experience of playing the organ over 42 years and we look forward to his input to the music in our church.
I should like to thank John for the sterling job he has been doing on the piano and more recently on the organ, since last July when singing was permitted while wearing a mask. He will enjoy singing in the choir when they restart.
Our Worship on Sunday 6th March at 10.45am will be led by Val Atkinson and will include communion. To make it easier for the stewards to serve you, please sit in alternate pews.
Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 26: 1 – 11 Page 167 and Luke 4: 1 – 13 Page 859
Our Worship on Sunday 13th March at 10.45am will be led by Stuart Gay
Our Worship on Sunday 20th March at 10.45am will be led by Andrew Barratt
Even though all rules on the wearing of face coverings have been removed, please feel able to continue to wear one if it makes you feel more at ease.
Rev Jim has started the Bible Study Sessions at Marton at 3pm and Bispham at 7pm. Each Thursday from 17th February to 24th March.
They will reflect on the Global Pandemic in the context of Jesus’ journey to the cross.
Rev Janet Calderley’s 6 week course entitled ‘Living on the Breadline’ which focuses on poverty, injustice and discrimination begins this week. It will take place at St. Anne’s URC on Monday evenings from 7th March to 11th April at 7.30 pm. Each session will last an hour.
Although Churches Together in Ansdell and Fairhaven has not held any activities since the start of the pandemic, Rev Paul Bye at St Paul’s has informed me that St Paul’s will hold two events at which anyone from the local churches who wish to attend would be made most welcome.
There is an organ recital at St Paul’s followed by soup on Wednesday 16th March at 11.30am.
On Good Friday, 15th April at 10am, Rev Paul Bye will lead a 15-20 minute service outside the Fundraising Shop on Woodlands Road.
Leprosy Mission Appeal There are envelopes on the back table for any further donations to the Leprosy Mission. The final date for returning envelopes is Sunday 20th March.
Fairtrade Easter Eggs
The church, as members of Fylde Fairtrade, will once again be donating Easter Eggs to various local children’s charities through sales and donations. The price of an individual milk egg is £4.50 and the dark egg £5.50. Janet S. now has some eggs in stock.
A Table Top Sale with a Bottle Stall will be held on Saturday 19th March 2022
There will be a table top sale in the church hall on Saturday 19th March with proceeds going to the Church. We are looking for donations of bric a brac of anything saleable, as well as bottles for the bottle stall. The bottles can be any sort of bottle: drinks; shampoo; shower gel; salad dressing etc, etc. Please bring your contributions to church on a Sunday or to a Thursday coffee morning. Volunteers are also required to run the event, so if you are able to help either on the Saturday morning or with any advance preparations, please could you let Jan H know. Refreshments will also be available. Thank you for any donations….they will be most welcome
The Elders will be meeting on Tuesday 8th March
The Church AGM will be held on Wednesday 30th March at 7pm
Let us pray
Dear Lord,
We remember the people of Ukraine and pray that you will give them strength to face the challenging days ahead. May they feel Your comfort and love to give them courage and hope.
We pray for those in our congregation who are facing their own challenges. Be with them and carry them through their difficulties towards light and hope. In the name of Christ. Amen
Please join me in the Grace.
May the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen
God Bless you all.
Ruth
