St Mary’s April 2019 Update
St Mary’s Church April 2019 update provides listings of services, contacts and other events and news. This update includes an Easter message from Rev. Mandy Elmes, news of Church decoration, Annual Parochial Church Meeting and Easter Services.
Easter Message from Rev. Mandy Elmes
May I wish you all a happy and joyous Easter!
Easter is the greatest mystery of the Christian Faith. It is the time when Jesus, who had definitely died, on a cross, three days earlier, came back to life! The tomb in which he had been buried was definitely empty, he definitely spoke with Mary Magdalene and his followers and in the subsequent days he definitely ate with them.
A mystery is a truth given to us by God in a way which can’t be explained by logic or doctrine. It is a truth accepted through faith.
How Jesus came back to life is the mystery. But, we believe that it was through God’s power that it happened, and this single event shows that God’s power of life is greater than the power of death, his power of love is greater than the power of hatred, and his power of light is greater than the powers of darkness. These three things give us the confidence that in the end, God’s life, love and light will be what survives eternally, and this makes all the difference in our day to day lives. It means we can live our lives in a spirit of positive expectation and hope. And this truly is a message of good news for all of us, here and now!
On Easter Day please do join us at St. Mary’s, West Bergholt, at 9.30 am. It will be a service of happiness, joy and hope, and I invite you all to be part of the celebrations.
Happy Easter, Mandy
Annual Parochial Church Meeting
This takes place on Sunday 7th April at 10:45 am. All are welcome to our annual church meeting when we appoint our churchwardens & PCC members, review the past year and look ahead to the future. A copy of the Annual Report is displayed in the church and available on our website.
Decorating the Church
After enjoying the wonderful colours of our recent amazing weather, it’s time to start planning for Easter! I suspect some of our usual spring flowers may be over by then but would still like us to plan for a pastel palette of blues, pinks, yellows and light bright greens.
We will be decorating the church on Saturday the 20th of April from 9.45 am. If you are planning to bring any contributions, please give them a good water beforehand. All offers of help on the day will be much appreciated! Thank you. Fiona
Easter Services
Palm Sunday Messy Church
Taking place at 9:30 am on Sunday 14th April, this family-friendly service includes informal worship and fun activities for all ages, followed by refreshments in the hall. All welcome!
Maundy Thursday Fellowship Meal & Communion
A service based on the Jewish tradition of Passover, to remember Jesus’ last meal with His disciples., this is taking place on Thursday 18th April at 8 pm.
Good Friday Reflective Service
A contemplative service focusing on the events of the crucifixion, held at St John’s Church, Great Horkesley, Elstar Lane CO6 4FE on Friday 19th April at 10 am.
Love Unknown
Quiet Hours
At the cross for our sakes, Jesus Christ:
- Faced opposition and hostility,
- Faced betrayal and abandonment,
- Faced the ultimate death of death.
Lunch hour “Quiet Hours” will be taking place on from 15th – 17th April between 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm at St Botolph’s Church, St Botolph’s Street, Colchester. All are welcome.
Good Friday Walk of Witness
We will be following the cross through Colchester Town Centre starting in Essex Street (off Headgate) at 11:45 am, through the town finishing at 12 noon in Lion Walk. There will then be Live Art and worship led by Seeking God’s Blessing for Colchester and Kingsland Gospel Choir.
Easter Day Communion Service
A joyful service celebrating Jesus’ Resurrection at 9:30 am on Sunday 21st April. There will be refreshments at the end of the service and an Easter Egg hunt for the children!
Services & Other Dates
All events are at St Mary’s unless stated otherwise. Kids’ Church is our new form of Sunday school for children. Note, no Evening Prayer Service during winter months.
Contacts
- Priest in Charge:
Rev Dr Mandy Elmes, 1 Church Close, CO6 3JZ
email: [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]
tel: 01206 240906. - Church Wardens:
Sue Day—01206 241040;
Ronnie Seymour—01206 273579. - Lay Readers:
Richard Chadborn—01206 240541;
Michael Foster—01206 241022. - 3 Parish Families’ Worker:
Jo Jeffery—07853 586683. - Church Administrator and Newsletter Editor:
Church Office Hours—weekdays (not Weds) 9am—1pm
Liz Dixon—01206 243683,
email: [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]. - Hire our hall:
Nicole Long—01206 240443. - Website:
Stmaryswestbergholt.co.uk. - Follow us on Facebook:
facebook.com/stmaryswestbergholt.