Dear All
As we mark the anniversary of the announcement of the first lockdown and the events since, I’m sure we are all thankful that at least this year we are able to meet for communal worship. There have been so many changes to the way we live. As I compiled this week’s mailings and the information sheet, I was struck by how different it is to pre Covid, so much blue text denoting links to the internet, each church has gone global. It is easy to think the church has shrunk but perhaps not, many of the services have more people sharing them than before, just not all at once in the church building.
Please note that in order to have the necessary 72 hours between Services in each church building, not all Holy Week Services are being held in one church. We are able to offer all the usual services but by using the different churches. Also, the Maundy Thursday Communion has been moved to Wednesday to enable us to be able to open on Easter Day. Booking is essential for all services and please be aware that once we reach the maximum number permitted within the Social Distancing rules we may have to refuse entry so please do not rely on turning up on the day without booking. We may be full!
May the peace of the Lord be with you as you journey through Holy Week.
Stephen
Weekly information sheet for the week commencing 28th march 2021
28th March at 10.30 a.m. Palm Sunday led by Raymond Lea
To attend email thedriveworship@gmail.com or ring 01253 725669 before 9.00 p.m. on Friday as this helps with seating arrangements and to reduce queueing time. Services available live via our Facebook page. To access the service go to https://www.facebook.com/The-Drive-Methodist-Church-St-Annes-on-the-Sea-1073502732725389/ or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZhye__Glr3oQQhxLPwznCA/videos
Wednesday 31st March at 7.30 p.m. Holy Week Communion – Joint Service at Church Road Methodist Church led by Rev Stephen Heath
To attend please email churchroadworship@gmail.com or ring 07788166144 before 9.00 p.m. on Monday 29th March.
2nd April at 11.00 a.m. Good Friday Ecumenical Service at The Drive – Rev Stephen Heath and Judith Smith
To attend email thedriveworship@gmail.com or ring 01253 725669 before 9.00 p.m. on Wednesday 31st March. To access the service go to https://www.facebook.com/The-Drive-Methodist-Church-St-Annes-on-the-Sea-1073502732725389/ or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZhye__Glr3oQQhxLPwznCA/videos
4th April at 10.30 a.m. Easter Day Morning Worship and Holy Communion – Joint Service at Church Road Methodist Church led Rev. Stephen Heath
To attend please email churchroadworship@gmail.com or ring 07788166144 before 9.00 p.m. on Friday 2nd April.
Sunday at 11.45 a.m. There is an invitation to join in fellowship by Zoom with others from around the Circuit hosted by Deacon Kim. To join https://zoom.us/j/98170029407?pwd=L0xONGplak1JNVJuRTZXQmhINTZZUT09
Mondays 6.00-6.15 p.m. Circuit Prayer Meeting via Zoom – To join Meeting ID: 830 0454 1832 Passcode: 687000 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83004541832?pwd=d3YzQnN0aGU2TlVXWFZOOWVGYklSZz09
You can also ring in on 01 203 901 7895. On the 28th March. If you have any particular prayer requests please contact Stephen or Judith.
Weekly Reflection during Lent by The Rev’d Paul Davis, Chair of District, the link to the fifth in the series is https://youtu.be/iFbFUKJ_AA0
Readings for the week commencing 28th March 2021 – Suffering and Glory
If you would like some background on the readings and points to ponder please go to https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/the-bible/a-word-in-time/
| Sunday | Mark 15:1-39 | Psalm 31 | STF 277 | My song is love unknown |
| Monday | John 12:1-8 | Psalm 36 | STF 636 | O love that wilt not let me go |
| Tuesday | John 12:9-11 | Psalm 27 | STF 361 | Man of sorrows! What a name |
| Wednesday | John 12:44-50 | Psalm 70 | STF 289 | When my love for Christ grows weak |
| Thursday | John 13:1-17, 31b-35 | Psalm 116 | STF 268 | Sing my tongue, the Saviour’s glory |
| Friday | Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12 | Psalm 22 | STF 273 | Here hangs a man discarded |
| Saturday | John 19:38-42 | Psalm 4 | STF 292 | After darkness, light |
Joan and Michael would like to thank everyone for their prayers, telephone calls, get well cards, lovely flowers and goodies they have received throughout Joan’s Illness and subsequent operation. Joan is making good progress and will be back at Church as soon as she is well enough. Thank you all once again. God bless. Joan and Michael.
Remember you are never alone. We are never more than a phone call or email away. Please keep in touch and keep safe. Peace be with you. Stephen