Holy Week 2020

3rd April 2020

I have put three reflections for Holy Week on the web-site (look under ‘sermons’), one each for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Do read on the appropriate day.

Dear all,

I wish you the joy and hope of Easter, even though we cannot meet together.

As we face the uncertainty of the present situation, we all have anxieties and concerns for ourselves, loved ones and our nation. Our verse for 2019 says, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart’ (Proverbs 3:5). This is what we must try to do at this time. Our verse for 2018 was ‘Draw near to God and he will draw near to you’ (James 4:8) Times like this are when we can prove the truth of such promises.

Easter reminds us of the power of God and the triumph of Jesus over death itself. May the truth and reality of our faith sustain us in the face of the present threat.

As we say in the Easter acclamation:

Alleluia! Christ is risen.                                                                                                                                                      He is risen indeed, Alleluia!

You may like to use the Collect for Easter Day:

God of glory, by the raising of your Son

you have broken the chains of death and hell:

fill your Church with faith and hope;

for a new day has dawned

and the way to life stands open

in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

Thank you to all who are keeping in touch with others,

to reassure and to offer help. We need one another more than ever at this time.

Resources to help:

Why not follow the readings for Holy Week in your home?

It is traditional on Palm Sunday to read through the whole Passion story. This is Matthew chapter 26:14 to the end of chapter 27. Or you could read this section by section through Holy Week. On Maundy Thursday read John 13:1-17, 31b-35. On Good Friday read John chapter 19, plus Psalm 22 and Isaiah 52:13 to the end of chapter 53.

On Easter Day read Matthew 28:1-11.

After reading take a moment to reflect on what these events mean for you, and thank God for this.

If you have access to the internet, St Aidans web-site, www.staidanschurch.co.uk has updated news, the weekly pew-slip and regular sermons added.

Many prayer and worship resources are available on the diocesan web-site, www.chelmsford.anglican.org and on the Church of England web-site, www.churchofengland.org

Programmes to look out for during Holy week and Easter:

Good Friday:

At the Foot of the Cross BBC Radio 2 8-10pm

Good Friday Meditation BBC Radio 4 3-3.30pm

Easter Sunday:

Easter Sunday Worship BBC Radio 4, 8.10-9am with the Archbishop of Canterbury

Easter Sunday service from Bangor Cathedral BBC 1

Words and Music BBC Radio 3, 5.30-6.45pm

Plus much more….

Do pray for everyone working to beat the virus, keep us safe and protect those we love, whether Government, NHS workers, those supplying and delivering food, and all vital services. 

With love and prayers in Christ,

Gordon

01702 512531 gordontarry@yahoo.co.uk

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