This edition of St Mary’s News starts with a message saying “All You Need is Love” and then addresses Easter Services and the usual listings of services and contacts.
All You Need is Love – an Easter Message from Revd Anne
We moved house last year, to Great Horkesley, into a house that is smaller. This, of course, meant some sorting out, and giving or throwing things away. We all accumulate ‘stuff’ – things that might come in handy one day, or perhaps have a sentimental attachment. And now, a year later, we can’t even remember the things that we thought were important and that we were so reluctant to get rid of!
From Pandemic to Ukraine
In the shadow of the pandemic that has affected our lives for so long, and with the sadness of the Russia/Ukraine conflict, it might be good to reflect on what is really important in our lives.
In 1965 a song was recorded with the words,
What the world needs now is love sweet love.
John Lennon Lyrics
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.
What the world needs now is love sweet love.
No not just for some but for everyone.
The world, and each one of us, has always, and will always, need love, and at this time of year when many celebrate Jesus’ death and resurrection at Easter, God offers us his unconditional love, and a peace and contentment that can’t be found in the ‘stuff’ we accumulate.
Popular Verse – For God so Loved the World
One of the most popular verses in the Bible is this: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son (Jesus)”. God’s love for us is everlasting and sacrificial, freely given whether or not he receives any love in return.
And for us, when we give love to someone, it can be more meaningful than receiving love for ourselves. After hearing a sermon about God’s love, a woman said, ‘I am going home to love my husband with a deeper love that I have ever given him before. If he responds – good, but if he doesn’t respond, it will still be good, for I’ll be the better for giving it.’
As we are approaching, or reflecting, on Easter, may this time of year bring love, peace and happiness to you and those you hold most dear.
Revd Anne Mason (Assistant Curate for West Bergholt, Great Horkesley, Langham and Boxted)
Holy Week and Easter Services
All are welcome to all services!
Palm Sunday Messy Church
Taking place on 10th April at 9:30 am this is an informal service with worship and crafts for all ages, with refreshments served afterwards.
Holy Week Compline Service
A short service of night prayer held on zoom at 9:30 pm on Mon 11th, Tues 12th, Weds 13th & Thurs 14th April. Please contact the church office for the zoom link. NB the service on 14th April is also gathered following the Agape meal.
Maundy Thursday Agape Meal
A simple meal of bread and cheese at 8 pm on 14th April with dramatized readings as we remember the last supper, followed by Compline, gathered and on zoom.
Good Friday, an Hour at the Foot of the Cross
A reflective service suitable for all ages, followed by hot cross buns at 3 pm on 15th April.
Easter Day
All-age Easter Praise service starting at 9:30 am with a shortened Communion, followed by an Easter Egg hunt!
Services & Other Dates
| 3rd April | 9:30 am | Holy Communion (also on Zoom) |
| 10th April | 9:30 am | Palm Sunday Messy Church |
| 11th – 14th April | 9:30 pm | Holy Week Compline on Zoom |
| 15th April | 8:00 pm | Maundy Thursday Agape Meal |
| 15th April | 3:00 pm | Good Friday – An Hour at the foot of the cross |
| 17th April | 9:30 am | Easter Day – All age Easter Praise with Communion, followed by Easter Egg hunt |
| 24th April | 9:30 am | St George’s Day Parade Service—followed by the Church Annual Meeting |
Our Team at St Mary’s
- Priest in Charge: Revd. Heather Wilcox
email: [email protected]
tel: 01206 240906 or 07503 151715 - Assistant Curate: Revd Anne Mason
email: [email protected].
tel: 07895 970834 (Sunday & Tuesday – Thursday). - Church Wardens:
Peter & Caroline Finlay, — [email protected] or 07926 387551 and
Kate & Stephen Penrose, — 07973 421306 - Lay Readers:
Richard Chadborn—01206 240541;
Michael Foster—01206 241022;
Joy Budden—01206 241871. - Parish Evangelist
Ron Seymour—01206 272579. - Church Administrator:
Jo Rassell — 01206 243683,
email: [email protected].
Church Office Hours — Monday 9 am—12:30 pm, Tuesday – Friday 9 am – 1 pm. - Hall Bookings:
Nicole Long—01206 240443. - Newsletter Editor:
email: [email protected]. - Website: Stmaryswestbergholt.co.uk
- Follow us on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/stmaryswestbergholt.