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.
