March News

LENT

LENT is a time when we look to strengthen our spiritual muscles by a more focussed discipline that we may grow in gratitude, faith, and love.  Three aspects of Christian discipline which have a special prominence in lent are prayer, fasting and giving.  Jesus teaches us that all are to be done joyfully, quietly and without boasting.

PRAYER – we are invited to give more time to prayer.  As a focus for our prayers this Lent everyone is encouraged to read through St John’s gospel – using the bishop’s bible challenge leaflets or following the prompts on the church FB page.  You will be able to prepare for Easter by reading and prayerfully reflecting on the whole of the gospel over the 6 weeks leading up to Easter.

FASTING – has in some ways never been more important than today when most of us can have what we want, when we want it.  It is important to practise saying no to ourselves by abstaining from some of what we enjoy for a season.  Feasting is more meaningful after a season of fasting.  And we can fast from things other than food – e.g., from social media.

GIVING – We are to think of others and address their needs during Lent.  This Lent we are collecting items for the ‘bank’ at Clayton Baptist Church.  Items for mothers and babies are always in demand, including nappies and milk powder.  But also needed are household items, clothes, shoes, toiletries, foodstuffs, etc for those ex-prisoners, ex-homeless, ex-broken relationships who are starting out with absolutely nothing.  PLEASE could you bring something to contribute each week that you come to church this Lent?

SPECIAL MIDWEEK SERVICES DURING LENT

Thursdays 7:30pm Holy Communion
(finishing before 8am)

Friday 11am* Scriptural Stations of the Cross
(approx. 40 minutes following Jesus’ journey to Calvary)
*10am instead on 27th March

 

LENT GROUPS
Looking together at passages from St John’s Gospel
Sunday morning at Altham Church 10:45am
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday evenings in homes around the parish
Wednesday morning 11:15am in the vicarage or church, followed by soup and roll.
All welcome.

OTHER NEWS

 

SUNDAY NIGHT TAKE-AWAY

Within the mix of services available at All Saints’ we lack an informal worship service aimed at teens and adults rather than at children.

We are now introducing a monthly Sunday evening service called ‘Sunday Night Takeaway’.  It will feature contemporary worship, lead by a band, prayer, and a short talk.  Afterwards there will be drinks and pizza.

We especially hope that this service will appeal to those who ‘grow out’ of Friday Praise.  All those confirmed in the last few years will receive a personal invitation.  We also hope that it will offer all of us the opportunity to complement the more structured, liturgical approach of Sunday mornings with a more informal style of worship.

Do come and support the band and this new service as it gets off the ground.

The first one will be on March 29th at 6:30pm

 

 

ADVANCED NOTICE

Clayton Fest 2020

Picnic on the park Saturday 20th June 2020

12 noon – 4pm

Organised by the churches of Clayton-le-Moors

Musical entertainments

Side shows and activities

Children’s races

Tea, coffee and cake available

All welcome – bring a picni

PLEASE make a note of the date in your diary.

PLEASE let Toby or Barbara Anderson know if you could help as a volunteer – we are looking for marshals, people to help with refreshments, etc, etc.

PARENTS AND CHILDREN please look out for the poster competition coming out through primary schools this half-term.

Lent Groups

The Lent Groups start the week beginning 1st March. The groups will focus on exploring St. John’s Gospel.

The groups are as follows:

  • Sunday morning at Altham Church 10:45 am
  • Monday evening starting at 7:15pm; Tuesday evening beginning at 7:30pm; Wednesday evening beginning at 7:30pm. The evening sessions are at homes around the Parish. Please see the back of church for more information.
  • Wednesday morning at 11:15am in the vicarage or church, followed by soup and roll.                        All Welcome.

What can we do help during this crisis?

We are looking to create a list of people who can help during this Coronavirus outbreak. This could be by phoning those who are alone; shopping for hose who cannot get out or being part of a rota that helps to keep the church open at specific times for individuals to have time for private pray. If you can help, please let Toby or Sara know. Thank you

In addition, this Lent we are asking Parishioners to bring items that can help stock Clayton Baptist Church mother and baby bank and the other banks of stores held there to support those in need. Nappies and baby milk are always in demand. Clothes, towels, even shoes, pots & pans etc. We all have unused items that could be a blessing to someone else.

You can bring the items to church at one of the times it is open  and we will ensure they are taken to the Baptist Church.

Thank you.

Ash Wednesday – this week.

Lent begins this week with Ash Wednesday. Why not come along to Communion and receive ashes on your forehead. Service is at 10am at All Saints’ Church or 7:30 pm Altham.

Emergency Prayer request

The Bethany Choir has had an accident with their minibus. One child has sadly died and five quite badly injured. The latest update indicates that all 15 children are now out of hospital and all but one are back being cared for at the Bethany house. The remaining one is being looked after by relatives. The police are investigating the incident.

More can be found on the Bethany Project (Tanzania) UK website.

Please pray for the whole community affected.

 

 

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Lent groups

This Lent we are focussing on St John’s Gospel.  It is a beautiful gospel with something for everyone – someone said it is “Deep enough for an elephant to swim and shallow enough for a child not to drown.”

Our Lent homegroups give the perfect opportunity to look at some of the great signs St John picks out to highlight who Jesus is and what he brings.  Anyone is welcome to join the groups – choose whichever time suits you better.  No prior experience or understanding is assumed, we’ll look at a passage together, aided by a simple study guide, and discuss our responses.

We have groups meeting in different homes on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evening.  We also have a group meeting in church on Wednesday mornings, 11:15am followed by a soup lunch and a group meeting at Altham Church at 10:45 on Sundays.

Full details of venues are on the Lent leaflet available at church.

 

 

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Prayer for the Week

Dear Lord,                                                                                                                                                                       Help me remember what a difference it makes                                                                                                         when I make time with You a priority in my morning.                                                                                               Awaken me in body and spirit each day with a desire to meet with You                                                               and to hear You speak words of affirmation, assurance, and wisdom                                                                        over my heart as I prepare to go into my day.

                                                                                       Amen

Next Sunday 9th February…

Peppermint creams are being sold by two All Saints’ pupils from Y6 in aid of the Nkuringo project Uganda.

You may remember a teacher from the school coming to talk to us about her trips to Uganda and the terrible floods and suffering the people of Nkuringo region. As a church and as part of our Charitable giving we made a donation to their flood appeal.

Please support the children and keep the people of Nkuringo in your prayers.

Thank you

Prayer for the Week

All- powerful Father,

Christ your Son became man for us

and was presented in the temple.

May he free our hearts from sin

and bring us into your presence.

We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ,

you Son, who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Parish Consultation Event this Thursday

Plans at the back of church.

 

If you weren’t able to get to the meeting on Thursday, there are still plenty of ways to find out what is being planned, and to contribute your views or ask your questions.

There is an article with outline plan in the current Saints and Angels newsletter. There is also a display at the back of church, together with response slips and a box to put them in. Please let us have any feedback by Sunday 23rd February  Thank you.