Speak Magazine for February/March 2024

Fe b ru a r y / M a rch 2 0 2 4

St Peter’s Church, Elworth

www.stpeters-elworth.org.uk

Welcome Welcome to the February / March 2024 edition of Speak magazine.

I hope that you are having a good start to 2024. As always there are some dates for you to take note of as we lead up to Easter.

Speak magazine is your magazine and we are in desperate need of some new articles so if you have any ideas please speak to me or the Church Office!

Bethany Jones Editor

Vision statement We are committed in love to worshipping God: · By proclaiming the Gospel in word and action · B y e n c o u r a g i n g g r ow t h · By serving others · B y l e a d i n g p e o p l e i n t o a p e rs o n a l r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h J e s u s .

Contact Vicar:

Revd David Page

01270 762415 vicar@stpeters-elworth.org.uk

Associate Minister:

Revd Anthony Rigby

anthony@stpeters-elworth.org.uk

Church Office:

01270 762213

office@stpeters-elworth.org.uk

Magazine deadline Articles for the April / May 2024 edition need to be submitted no later than Monday 18 th March 2024.

Submissions by this date are editor@stpeters-elworth.org.uk.

requested

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Thank you.

David’s Page…

Why Lent?

Nowhere in the Bible is a season of Lent referred to. So, why do we observe it today, this 40 days of preparation before Easter?

From as early as the 4th century AD, we know that the church had developed an annual calendar to journey through the key events of Jesus’ life. The celebrations of Christmas and Easter were central to the yearly cycle, but so was Lent, 40 days set aside in the lead up to Jesus’ death and resurrection.

The key feature of this season of Lent was a rhythm of confessing sin, confronting mortality, and seeking, through Jesus, God’s saving grace. Every Lent is a reminder of our need of a rescuer to take us from death to life. The word Lent is derived from ‘lengthen’ and is a simple reference to the longer days of Springtime. That annual bursting forth of new life from apparently cold, dead soil. This image directs us towards the Easter Gospel message of Good News found in Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Though the word Lent is not specifically in the Bible, the season has associations with so many Biblical themes associated with the number 40. The practice of patient expecting waiting: the 40 days wait for the flood to end in Genesis. The recognition of journeying: the 40 years that the nation of Israel wandered in the wilderness after the escape from Egypt. The development of resisting evil: Jesus’ 40 days tempted in the desert.

So, this Lent, let us wait with purpose, recognise temptation and journey with Jesus as we traverse from Ash Wednesday to Easter. No matter what the world throws at us, let us do it together, remembering that: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22, 23

Hoilday Club Grab your snorkel and plunge into the book of Matthew with Deep Sea Divers, a swashbuckling adventure of a holiday club!

Monday 8th — Thursday 11th April with a celebration on Thursday evening

Contact the Church Office for more information.

Wreath Making 2023 What a great way to begin December! Our wreath making and brunch morning on Saturday 2nd December was a real hit.

There was a really happy buzz as everyone made fantastic wreaths! There were even a couple of bauble wreaths which looked amazing. This event was a great opportunity to invite friends to.

Don't miss out on our next ladies event on Saturday 16th March in the evening.

Further details to follow.

Ladies Team

Volunteer Award Many of you will know Fiona who is a long standing member of our Church family.

However, Fiona has also been volunteering for Girlguiding and on Monday 22nd January in her unit of 2nd Elworth Rainbows, she was presented with her 30 years long service award!

We are very grateful to have Fiona at Rainbows.

If you would like to know more about Girlguiding please talk to Fiona or Bethany.

Groups

APCM The Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) will take place on

Wednesday 6 th March 7.30pm in the Church Hall

Special Services

A s h We d n e s d a y — Wednesday 14 th February Holy Communion Service 7.00pm in Church

G o o d Fr i d a y — Friday 29 th March All Age Service 10.30am in the Church Hall Meditation Service 1.30pm in the Church

Lent 2024 During the season of Lent this year, we will be looking at the book of Lamentations. There will be a book available with 40 daily reflections called 'Finding Mercy on the Way of Sorrow’.

Loving Father, In this season of lengthening days, Increase our awareness of your mercy.

How wide and deep and long it is!

You call us to turn from the long shadows of our sin and lean upon Jesus Christ.

Guard me from denying my brokenness and mortality, and astonish me afresh that I am beloved.

By your Spirit, fill me with a hunger for you, more than anything in this world.

Rather than beating ourselves up, instead lift Christ up in our hearts.

Help us 'to survey the wondrous cross' from new angles, and to grasp your grace in new ways this Lent.

In Jesus' name. Amen

Services for February and March 9.00am St Peter’s Church

10.30am St Peter’s Church Hall

6.00pm St Peter’s Church

4 th February

No Service

Holy Communion

Evening Prayer

11 th February

Holy Communion

Baptism Service

Evening Prayer

18 th February

No Service

Morning Worship

Holy Communion

25 th February

Holy Communion

All Age Service

Evening Prayer

3 rd March

No Service

Morning Worship

Holy Communion

10 th March

Holy Communion

All Age Mothering Sunday Service

Evening Prayer

17 th March

No Service

Morning Worship

Evening Prayer

24 th March

No Service

Baptism Service

Evening Prayer

31 st March

Holy Communion

All-Age Easter Communion

Holy Communion

Church is open for prayer at 9am on Sundays 4th, 18th February Sundays 3rd, 17th, 24th March

Help us, help you

Do your shopping online and raise funds for St Peter's!

Visit www.easyfundraising.org.uk and select ‘St Peter's Church, Elworth’ as your favourite cause.

It’s that simple!

Feel like you’re drowning in debt?

Call Lifeline Debt Advice and let them be your lifeline…

Our aim is to help anyone who has money or debt problems and the service is totally free and confidential.

If you are in need of help please call us on 01270 750358 to arrange an appointment.

From the registers We join in sadness with the family of the late:

Susan (Sue) Ashley

Marion Bould

Joan Yates

Editorial disclaimer Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of this magazine, we cannot guarantee that inaccuracies will not occur. The Editors are responsible for content selection and reserve the right to amend articles and withhold items as deemed necessary. Articles submitted after the deadline date may not be included in that edition of the magazine and the Editors’ decision is final. Should you have any concerns regarding the content in the magazine or wish to submit an article for inclusion, please contact us by phoning the Church Office on 01270 762213 or email editor@stpeters-elworth.org.uk.

Bethany Jones, Editor St Peter’s PCC, Elworth - Registered Charity Number 1130803

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