picnic! There will be no charge, donations only, and, if you are able to donate a bottle of Pimm's, so much the better. The United Benefice of Linch Notices and Milland & Rake Linch churchyard “tidy-up”: on Saturday 28th May from th 9.30 a.m. onwards. We should be grateful for as much help SUNDAY 8 May 7 Sunday of Easter as possible so please come armed with your shears, rakes, Linch 9.30 am Holy Communion secateurs, etc., not forgetting your gardening gloves and Readings Acts 16: 16 – 34; Rev. 22: 12 – 14, 16 – 17, 20 – end; enthusiasm. John 17: 20 - end Milland Notices Sidesmen James Caulfeild and Mary Turton The Memorial Garden: Discussions are continuing on The sermon today will be given by William Alcock the work to be carried out on the damaged stonework on the roof. However, we are very conscious of the need for access Milland 11.00am Matins for maintenance work to be done now that summer is Lessons Acts 16: 16 – 34; John 17: 20 - end approaching, also for people to be able to tend their Sidesman Michael Cartwright memorials, so we are looking at ways of achieving this. Readers Brian Porter and Michael Although a piece of coping stone was recently found Cartwright embedded in the Memorial Garden, which had fallen off the east side of the south chancel roof, there is another piece Collect For Today loose. However it is now possible that we may be able to O God the King of glory, put up a lean-to cover ,which will allow access to the you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ garden in the meantime. with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Milland PCC: The next meeting of the PCC is on we beseech you, leave us not comfortless, Monday,16th May at 8pm in the Church but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone Next Week’s Services before, SUNDAY 15 May Pentecost – Whit Sunday who is alive and reigns with you, Linch 9.30 am Holy Communion in the unity of the Holy Spirit, Readings Acts 2: 1 21; Romans 8: 14 – 17; one God, now and for ever. John 14: 8 – 17, 25 - 27 Today’s Readings Sidesmen William Alcock &Lorraine Grocott Acts 16:16-34

Linch 12.30 pm Baptism for Isla Tagg 16:16 One day, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought Milland 11.00am Holy Communion her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling. Lessons Acts 2:1 – 21; Romans 8:14 – 17; 16:17 While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, John 14:8 – 17, 25 - 27 "These men are slaves of the Most High God, who Sidesman Bob Ireland proclaim to you a way of salvation." Readers Leslie Lloyd and Brian Porter 16:18 She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I order you in

the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour. 16:19 But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. 16:20 When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, "These men are disturbing our city; they are Jews 16:21 and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or observe." 16:22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. 16:23 After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. 16:24 Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 16:25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 16:26 Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened. 16:27 When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. 16:28 But Paul shouted in a loud voice, "Do not harm Deanery: Linch with Marsh & Milland yourself, for we are all here." Benefice: The new Milland Care Group

16:29 The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell Prayers for those in Long Term Care: down trembling before Paul and Silas. Jill Maslen-Jones and Martin Beale 16:30 Then he brought them outside and said, "Sirs, what Prayers for the Sick: must I do to be saved?" 16:31 They answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and Steve Collins, David Godfrey and Dave Dyke, . you will be saved, you and your household." In Memoriam 16:32 They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all Edward Young, Pauline Baldock who were in his house. 16:33 At the same hour of the night he took them and Post Communion Prayer washed their wounds; then he and his entirefamily were Eternal God, giver of love and power, your Son Jesus baptized without delay. Christ has sent us into all the world to preach the gospel 16:34 He brought them up into the house and set food of his kingdom: confirm us in this mission, and help us to before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that live the good news we proclaim; through Jesus Christ our he had become a believer in God. Lord. Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 Notices 22:12 "See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone's work. Benefice Notices

22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the Messy Church: this will be on Friday 20th May at 3.30 last, the beginning and the end." in Milland Church 22:14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter Archdeacon's Visitation for the admission of the city by the gates. Churchwardens to office for the following year is at St 22:16 "It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this Mary's, on 24th May at 7.30 when Michael, testimony for the churches. I am the root and the Lynnne, David and Carol will be attending and would love to see some friendly faces there. descendant of David, the bright morning star." 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let St Mary's Hospital, , Almshouses has asked me everyone who hears say, "Come." And let everyone who whether there is anyone within the parish who would be is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of interested in applying for residency at the almshouse. life as a gift. They are for elderly persons in financial need. If you 22:20 The one who testifies to these things says, "Surely I know of anyone who might benefit from this talk to Rev am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Trish. 22:21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Rural Fair: As you know, this is on Sunday 5th Amen. June and gates open at 11.00 a.m. We will have a John 17:20-26 'Benefice stall' which we have advertised as 'A meeting 17:20 "I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on place for parents to rest and children to play' and of behalf of those who will believe in me through their course there will be the usual cake stall. word, Sainsbury Active Kids Vouchers. Sheila Pim and 17:21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me th and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world Mary Turton need to hand our vouchers over by the 8 may believe that you have sent me. July so there is still plenty of time to continue collecting the vouchers for Rake and Hollycombe Schools. 17:22 The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, The Rural Fair and the Parish Magazine. We will be 17:23 I in them and you in me, that they may become giving away some magazines at the Rural Fair. The Fair is completely one, so that the world may know that you a superb opportunity for us to promote our churches we have sent me and have loved them even as you have want the magazine to be extra special. So please submit loved me. an article or paragraph to Alison. It can be about any topic 17:24 Father, I desire that those also, whom you have you like Christian or “What I did on Holiday” given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, The magazine deadline is May 20th. which you have given me because you loved me before Wednesday Eucharist: This takes place on the foundation of the world. Wednesdays at 8.45am in the Bettesworth Room 17:25 "Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. Confirmation: The Deanery will be holding 17:26 I made your name known to them, and I will make Confirmations on Wednesday 8th June, 7.30 at St Mary's it known, so that the love with which you have loved me Easebourne. Bishop Martin will be presiding. If there is may be in them, and I in them." anyone who would like to be confirmed, adults or

Thought For The Week children aged 11 up, please talk to Rev Trish. The candidates with Rev Trish will meet together for three or four weeks running up to the confirmation, for Intercessions preparation. World Church: PRAY for The Anglican Church of Korea To celebrate the 90th birthday of H M The Queen, we will be holding a Hymns & Pimm's afternoon on Diocese: Pray for the Board of Education, the Director and the Education Team at Church House Saturday 11th June on the Rectory lawn. Come and join us to raise a glass to Her Majesty and to sing some of our favourite hymns and, if you wish, bring a rug and a