Services for Sunday 21 April Easter Day He is risen!
8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP) Stubbings
9.15 am Easter Family Communion (CW) Littlewick Green
10.30 am Family Service with Communion Hurley
10.30 am Easter All-Age worship Stubbings
11.05 am A Shortened Communion (BCP) Stubbings
This Week
Tuesday 16th April
Oasis at 2.30 pm in the Priory Room, Hurley
Oasis, our Parish Prayer Group, has a meditative feel.
We listen reflectively to music, Bible passages and readings before a short time of silence leads into prayer for those who are unwell and for the Parish.
Community Choir 7.30 - 9.00 pm The Priory Room, Hurley
A new venture, open to all, not just those living in Hurley. All welcome!
Wednesday 17th April
Midweek Communion 11.30 am, Stubbings
"We pause in the silence, in the presence of God" So begins our midweek service using the historic and memorable words of the Book of Common Prayer. Please join us in the quiet of St James the Less
Thursday 18th April
Pebbles 10.30 am in the Priory Room
Pebbles is a short service for pre-schoolers and parents/carers. We sing 'Pebbles action songs' say prayers, find Warwick Bear, have drinks and biscuits: then the children play; adults have a well-deserved chat!
Maundy Thursday Holy Communion followed by the Vigil 7.30 pm Littlewick
At the last Supper Jesus' washed his disciples' feet. We re-enact this as the priest washes the feet of representative members of the parish. This is followed by the Communion, obeying Jesus' command at the Last Supper, "Do this in remembrance of me." Then the transition to Good Friday begins, the altar is stripped, and all decoration removed, symbolising the stripping of Jesus clothing and dignity. The lights are dimmed as a vigil begins; the church is open for quiet prayer until 10.30pm.
Good Friday 19th April
10.30 am Hurley: Family Service and Hot Cross Buns
We hear the story of the first Good Friday and hint at the good news to come.
Good Friday Meditation1.30 - 3.00 pm Stubbings
We wait with Jesus at the cross, using reflections, prayers and music. At 2.30, the Passion Gospel is read.
Easter Eve 20th April
8.00 pm Littlewick Green Holy Saturday: The silence of the tomb. Then, in the evening, at the Easter vigil we move from that darkness towards the light of the resurrection. The Easter Vigil the service includes the lighting of the Paschal candle from a bonfire lit outside the church, the official start of the Easter Season, and the Renewal of Baptism Vows.
News from Mark and Rosalie Balfour
Mark and Rosalie are now back in the UK for a few months, based in Gloucester. They will be visiting our Parish on Sunday 19 May. In the meantime they ask for our prayers as follows:
- for ourselves that we would sleep better. We have also found it more disorientating to be here in the UK this time than in the past two shorter visits from Guatemala so would value prayer for our continued adjustment to living in a different culture. We have an overnight debriefing session booked for next week (a usual part of CMS UK leave) - so that we would be open to Jesus and allow him to work in us as we go to that.
- for a friend, S., whom we know through our pastoral role with Street Kids Direct - he was working in Honduras but is now back in the US receiving treatment for cancer. For healing and provision for him and strength for his family.
- for the visits to churches - that we would listen to Jesus and serve well the people we are visiting
- for continued wisdom as we work, play and rest through this time and that in our planning we wouldn't overcomplicate things! For plenty of unhurried time with family, especially.
With our love and hope that you have a wonderful Easter,
Mark & Rosalie
Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM)
Our APCM will take place on Sunday 28 April at 10.30 am in Littlewick Green Church, after a Parish Service at 9.15 am. Please come and reflect on what has happened in 2018 and what the current year may bring.
Nomination forms for Churchwardens and PCC members will be at the back of the churches. Please prayerfully consider if you should stand for these important roles.
Christian Aid Week 12 -18 May
This year's campaign is 'All Mums should Live', and aims to make childbirth safer for the women in Sierra Leone in particular, where every day 10 women die giving birth
A number of events will be taking place locally, including in our own Parish:
Saturday 18 May 3.00-4.30pm An afternoon Tea in the Soltau Centre, proceeds to Christian Aid
Saturday 27 April 6.30 pm, an "Inter-Church" Quiz Evening, fish and chip supper and raffle at St Luke's Community Hall, Norfolk Rd, Maidenhead: Teams of 6: £11 per person (£6 if not eating), bring your own drinks. Further details from Rosemary Burfitt (01628 823503)
Saturday 11 May Coffee Morning Sunday 12 May Christian Aid Service Details of these events to follow soon
*URGENT APPEAL FROM MAIDENHEAD FOODBANK*
Supplies at the Foodbank are running low and they are having to severely ration what they give out. Please donate the following items: Tinned Meat / Tinned fish / Tinned vegetables/ Soup / Rice / Herbs/Spices / Cooking sauces / Instant mash/ Tea Bags/Instant Coffee / Sugar / Breakfast cereals / UHT milk / Tinned desserts / Cereal bars / biscuits / Jams / Fruit juice. There are drop of points in each of our churches. Please ensure all items donated are within their 'Best before' date.
Wanted please:
small plants, flowers, or little posies to help make the 'Garden of Repose' for the Maundy Thursday service at St John's, Littlewick Green on 18 April at 7.30 pm. Bring to church or leave in the porch Thursday morning.
