Dear Friends
The sorrow and the joy
Many of you have already expressed your sadness at the news of Bishop Andrew’s death. In my email on Tuesday, I mentioned Bishop Paul’s letter. If you would like to read it, click here, or if you prefer to see Bishop Paul speaking it, click here. The photo above also includes an image of flowers in our own churchyard. So many people comment on the beauty of the churchyard at this time of year as well as how the brighter warmer weather lifts their souls. It seemed appropriate to combine the two images to remind us of that reality of which we are all aware: life is rarely just sorrow or joy but more frequently a mixture of both.
Jesus in prayer
As we continue our Sunday sermons using Lent and Easter for everyone: from wilderness to glory by Tom Wright as our framework, our theme this week is Jesus in prayer. Our focus will be John 17:20-26 – Jesus’ wondrous prayer for his disciples just prior to his arrest.
Thank you from our mission organisations
Following the decision of the Parochial Church Council in January to distribute ten percent of our 2025 planned giving to the six mission organisations we supported 2022-2025, we have received letters of thanks from quite a few of them. CSW says, “Thank you so much for helping people who are suffering for their faith, and for choosing to support them through CSW.” Bible Society writes about how (amongst other things) our donation will enable “the Bible [to be] distributed free or at affordable prices to those in need”. MAF writes how our gift will “help us reach isolated communities with medical care”. The Mission to Seafarers describes how the money we have donated “will be used to help in our mission to the 1.89 million seafarers we serve around the world”. As ever, thank you everyone for your ongoing financial giving to the work of this church and those whose work we support.
Join us in praying for the work of this church
You are very welcome to join us in prayer at 10.00am on Saturday 7 March as we continue to pray for the work of this church, particularly those areas covered by the Church Development Plan. We’ll be meeting for one hour in the Slyfied Chapel of the church.
Welcoming Joanna Forbes L’Estrange
Joanna Forbes L’Estrange is a vocalist, composer and conductor. With effect from Easter Sunday, we’ll be using her new liturgical setting for Holy Communion at some services. To help us prepare, we are privileged that she has offered to come to us on Sunday 22 March at 9.30am to help us learn the setting and then use it that day. We recognise that not everyone will be able to be in church for 9.30am; in which case, please just come as soon as you can. Meanwhile, if you would like to listen to the setting in advance; click here.
A favour for an old friend!
I promised Peter Lutton that I would let you know about his organ/piano recital at St Martin’s, Epsom, on 28 March at 4.30 pm, for just one hour and with retiring collection. It is in the monthly series that his wife, Sarah, organises. Peter says, “I am cheap and available and the music will be a selection of my favourite pieces.” Parking is best in the public car park via a right turn just after the Fire Station, near the bottom of Church St. The church is five minutes' walk up Church St, on the left.
Keeping up to date
Please take time to read our weekly notice sheet which is available both online (click here) and in church. Excerpts from our 10 o’clock service, including the second in our current sermon series, are available here.
And finally…
Following Bishop Andrew’s death, here once again is the prayer Bishop Paul has written and commended for our use this Sunday.
Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for Andrew, our brother and bishop:
for his faith and faithfulness to you in life and in leadership.
As we mourn his death and commend him to your everlasting arms,
give us the same faith, hope and love rooted in the death and resurrection of your son, Jesus.
We pray especially for Beverly, Hannah, Sam, Joe, Lydia and the whole family.
Comfort them with your Holy Spirit and protect them in their grief.
And bring us, at the last, with Andrew and all your children,
to that eternal joy where you live and reign in glory forever,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Grace and peace,
Alan
Alan Jenkins
Rector
