Welcome to St. Mary’s, the Parish Church of Shortlands St. Mary’s, Shortlands endeavours to bring the love of God into the everyday lives of the people of Shortlands. We have a hearing loop system in the Church: members of the congregation with hearing aids should switch to ‘T’ for better reception.

4 April Easter Day

Services Today Holy Communion - Reverend Gary Best Address: Reverend Gary Best The Old Testament reading will be: Psalm 118: 14-24 read by Zac Scott 10.30am The New Testament reading will be: Acts 10: 34-43 read by Annabelle Leonard Intercessions: Tim Aldred Gospel: Catherine Bingham, LLM

Services and Events this week Mon 5 Apr 9.00am Morning Prayer - live streamed only Tue 6 Apr 9.00am Morning Prayer - live streamed only 9.00am Morning Prayer - live streamed only Wed 7 Apr 8.30pm Compline - live streamed only Thu 8 April 9.00am Morning Prayer - live streamed only Fri 9 April 9.00am Morning Prayer - live streamed only Sat 10 April 9.00am Morning Prayer - live streamed only

Second Sunday of Easter Sunday 10.30am Holy Communion 11 April - Reverend Gary Best Easter Day Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how Collect Lord of all life and power, he went about doing good and healing all who who through the mighty resurrection of your Son were oppressed by the devil, for God was with overcame the old order of sin and death him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in to make all things new in him: Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death grant that we, being dead to sin by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on and alive to you in Jesus Christ, the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all may reign with him in glory; the people but to us who were chosen by God as to whom with you and the Holy Spirit witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after be praise and honour, glory and might, he rose from the dead. He commanded us to now and in all eternity. preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and Old Testament Reading the dead. All the prophets testify about him that Psalm 118: 14-24 everyone who believes in him receives The LORD is my strength and my might; forgiveness of sins through his name.’. he has become my salvation. Gospel There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the Matthew 28: 1-10 righteous: After the sabbath, as the first day of the week ‘The right hand of the LORD does valiantly; was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other the right hand of the LORD is exalted; Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.’ was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, I shall not die, but I shall live, descending from heaven, came and rolled back and recount the deeds of the LORD. the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like The LORD has punished me severely, lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear but he did not give me over to death. of him the guards shook and became like dead Open to me the gates of righteousness, men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be that I may enter through them afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who and give thanks to the LORD. was crucified. He is not here; for he has been This is the gate of the LORD; raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he the righteous shall enter through it. lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He I thank you that you have answered me has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is and have become my salvation. going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see The stone that the builders rejected him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left has become the chief cornerstone. the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran This is the LORD’s doing; to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them it is marvellous in our eyes. and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took This is the day that the LORD has made; hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus let us rejoice and be glad in it said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my New Testament brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’ Acts 10: 34 – 43 Post Communion Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly God of Life, understand that God shows no partiality, but in who for our redemption gave your only-begotten every nation anyone who fears him and does Son to the death of the cross, what is right is acceptable to him. You know the and by his glorious resurrection message he sent to the people of Israel, have delivered us from the power of our enemy: preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of grant us so to die daily to sin, all. That message spread throughout Judea, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John his risen life; announced: how God anointed Jesus of through Jesus Christ our Lord. Please remember in your prayers this week… The Church ... The Community … For the many churches opening their doors to For the Reverend Gary Best and his family. For public, in-person worship for the first-time in many the Parochial Church Council. months, and for those communities and For the witness of St. Mary’s in the community, individuals who are celebrating still physically the outreach through SPAN, the editors and distanced from one another. For our production team. archdeacons, supporting parishes in these For the work of Mothers' Union Worldwide & St. decisions: The Venerable Julie Conalty, The Mary's Fellowship group. The Toddler Group, Venerable Andy Wooding Jones, The Venerable Julie Runicles, and all who assist. For the many Dr Paul Wright youth organisations, and our engagement with , The Parish Church. Rector: The Rev young people in the community. For our Junior Carol Morrison Church Co-ordinator, Jo Eade. , All Saints. Vicar: The Rev George For residents and staff of Durham House, Rogers Franklin House and Merlin Court. Orpington, Christ Church. Vicar: The Rev For local hospitals and St. Christopher’s Hospice, Sharon Smith Sloane Hospital, Medical and Social Services in , St Francis. Vicar: The Rev Stephen the Borough. Niechcial For the Missionary Societies of the Church, Blendon, St James the Great. Vicar: The Rev especially those supported by St. Mary’s, and our Ian Smith Mission of the Month. Bexley Team Ministry: Bexley, St John the Evangelist and St Mary the Virgin, Joydens The Sick ... Wood, and North Cray. Team Rector: The Rev For all who are unwell, including Brenda Tyndall; Ren Harding. Team Vicars: The Rev Edward Sally Aldred; Melanie Jones; Joan Austen; Paul Barlow, The Rev Sue Twynam, The Rev Clive Corben; Ann Gramlich; Gill Humar; Ron Nowell; Wood

Gwilym Davies; Lucy Pearce. For all those who bring their prayers to our The World ... Church. Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy. The Departed ... Sustain and support the anxious, be with those who care for the sick, For those who have recently died and all who and lift up all who are brought low; mourn. that we may find comfort We also remember those whose anniversaries we knowing that nothing can separate us from your keep this week at this time: Anthony Parks; love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Audrey Truelove; Margaret Vandenbosch; Roger Harling; Barbara Minshull; Ken Sisman.

Our Mission of the Month for April is: Poverty and Hope Appeal The memorial flowers There is a display at the back of the Church. in church this week are Five per cent of our giving will support the work of this mission, and additional gifts may in memory of Anthony be given through the plate by the display. Parks and Keith Fisher

NOTICES Church will be open for private prayer on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10am - 3pm.  Traidcraft - If you wish to make an order from Traidcraft please contact Cecilia on 020 8313 0246 or (07511) 885 941. She can deliver you a catalogue, or you can visit the Traidcraft website, and then give her your order. Traidcraft is carrying on its vital work supporting some of the most vulnerable producers around the world. Some catalogues shall also be left in church.  Lent Lending Library - if you are looking for some reading for Lent, a lending library has been set up at the back of the church, offering a range of books for Lent. These can be accessed when the church is open for private prayer and reflection.  Bishopscourt Open Garden as part of the National Garden Scheme, Saturday April 17th 11.00 – 15.00. Tickets £5.00, children free. May be bought in advance via the NGS website www.ngs.org.uk or at the gate on the day. There will be tea and cake and a plant stall. All will be done according to Covid guidelines. Bishopscourt, 24 St Margaret’s Street, Rochester, ME1 1TS. Any enquiries Bridget Langstaff: 07816 828439 [email protected] Junior Church Leader  Please keep checking the St. Mary’s website Due to a change in personal circumstances, the for updates on forthcoming services and events. role of Junior Church Leader (JCL) will become www.stmarysshortlands.org.uk vacant from September 2021. The role of JCL involves working alongside the Thank you to all of our donors Incumbent, planning and implementing agreed for your amazing support, Sunday groups and activities for young people, The following items are in need at along with other potential young person meetings present: and services at agreed times. Experience in church life with a particular focus TOILET PAPER; UHT MILK; TINNED on young people is essential, as is having a VEGETABLES; TINNED FRUIT; TINNED vision for and overview of the ministry of Junior FRUIT; COLD MEAT; TINNED FISH; Church. The JCL must also have the desire to DESSERTS; LONG LIFE FRUIT JUICE. serve alongside existing church groups to ensure All donations gratefully received that our young people experience the full range of A reminder that we CANNOT receive fresh experiences that are on offer through St. Mary’s. goods, chilled goods or baby milk - ONLY LONG The role of JCL provides an opportunity to LIFE FOOD. develop and work with young people from within For information please contact Vici Nightingale. our church and wider community, for their faith to flourish or to allow young people to learn to know what it is to be church and to be people of faith. Save the Date Please contact Revd Gary for further information St. Mary’s APCM and to discuss the role in more detail. An Sunday 2nd May—11.45am enhanced DBS is essential. To be held in church and live-streamed Formal applications close on Sunday 18th April.

CONTACT INFORMATION Revd. Gary Best (day off FRIDAY)

[email protected] Parish Office Vicarage office tel: 020 8460 0262 Open 9.30am-12.30pm [email protected] Website Tel: 020 8460 5682 www.stmarysshortlands.org.uk