The Anglican Parishes of Whittington, and Hints

TWO WEEKS - SUNDAYS 14th & 21st March 2021

We are three inclusive Anglican churches where you are always welcome May God’s blessing be upon you We believe in an inclusive Church - church which does not discriminate, on any level, on grounds of economic power, gender, mental health, physical ability, race, age or sexuality. We believe in an hospitable Church which welcomes and serves all people in the name of Jesus Christ; which is inherently Eucharistic and sacramental, scripturally faithful but open to new insights; which seeks to proclaim and apply the Gospel afresh for each generation; and which, in the power of the Holy Spirit, allows all people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ.

Church Contact: Parish Administrator: Lynne Mills 07721 767963 [email protected] For baptism and wedding bookings and other enquiries Office hours: Thursdays 10.00 am – 3.00 pm Please telephone beforehand to avoid a wasted journey – currently working from home

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TEMPORARY CANCELLATION OF SERVICES Whittington, Weeford and Hints

All services at St Giles’ Church Whittington, St Mary's Church, Weeford, and St Bartholomew's Church, Hints, are cancelled for the foreseeable future. We will continually monitor the situation and we will keep you updated if the situation changes at all. Please be assured of our prayers for you all.

Sunday March 14th 2021 – Fourth Sunday of Lent – Mothering Sunday

ZOOM MORNING PRAYER AT 9.30 AM

Bible Lessons: Exodus 2: 1-10 p58 2 Corinthians 1: 3-7 p1158 Luke 2: 33-35 p1028 COLLECT (BCP) Fourth Sunday of Lent Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of thy grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. COLLECT (CW) Mothering Sunday God of love, passionate and strong, tender and careful: watch over us and hold us all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Wednesday 17th March – COLLECT (CW) St Patrick’s Day Almighty God, who in your providence chose your servant Patrick to be the apostle of the Irish people: keep alive in us the fire of the faith he kindled and strengthen us in our pilgrimage towards the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Sunday March 21st 2021 – Fifth Sunday of Lent - Passiontide -

VIRTUAL SERVICE OF MORNING PRAYER ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Bible Lessons: Jeremiah 31: 31-34 p793 Hebrews 5: 5-10 p1204 John 12: 20-33 p1080 COLLECT (BCP) Fifth Sunday of Lent We beseech thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon thy people; that by thy great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore, both in body and soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. COLLECT (CW) Fifth Sunday of Lent Eternal God, give us insight to discern your will for us, to give up what harms us, and to seek the perfection we are promised in Jesus Christ our

Lord.

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In faith and love we pray and respond to the needs of the world… Anglican Communion Cycle of Prayer: Pray for Iglesia Anglicana de Chile and The Church of . Diocese: Our prayers take forwards the ‘SHAPING FOR MISSION’ Deanery focus. Please refer too to the Lent prayers for SfM available https://bit.ly/3bh3kBA. As ‘People of Hope’ we remain mindful too of the implications of Covid-19, both locally and globally. Schools We pray for the leaders and teachers in our schools as they balance heavy workloads with the desire to meet the needs of the children in their care. We give thanks for their tireless dedication and for their enthusiasm to continue to provide moments of joy, awe and wonder within each classroom. We lift the most vulnerable families before you and pray that you would surround them with your love. Inspire us to action that we may be compelled to meet the needs of those before us. We pray by name for: Irene and Gomer Jones, Alan and family

Promoted to glory: Hazel Rushton, Keith Clarkson

You are encouraged to make full use of the wide range of resources on our Church website, especially the prayer and spirituality sections. Website: www.ourvillagechurch.org.uk

Prayer Cycle: Week 7. The Parish of Weeford (Population c.450): Tamworth Road Packington, Jerry’s Lane, Levett Road, Knox’s Grave Lane, Flats Lane, Watling Street, Weeford Village, Little Hay Lane, : Barkers Lane, Heart of the Country, London Road, Old London Road, Swinfen Hall Estate. Community facilities and institutions in Weeford: Weeford Parish Council; Parish Council; St Mary’s Church; the Church Council; The Old School House Restaurant; Swinfen Young Offenders Institution; Swinfen Hall Hotel; Heart of the Country; The Old Stables. Prayer Cycle: Week 8. The Parish of Hints (Population c.200): Bangley Lane, Brockhurst Lane, Hints Lane, School Lane, Watling Street. Community facilities in Hints: St Bartholomew’s Church, the Village Hall. Organisations in Hints: Hints and Canwell Parish Council; the Church Council, Village Hall Committee, Events Committee, Kids Club, Gardening Guild.

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WORSHIP ONLINE 1st, 3rd, 5th Sunday of the month will be a YouTube Morning Prayer service (available from the link which will be sent out on the Sunday mornings) 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month will be Zoom Morning Prayer at 9.30 am (link will be sent out on Saturday or Sunday morning) If you wish to take part in an online eucharist, then Lichfield Cathedral has excellent offerings, in both BCP and Common Worship formats. If you are struggling to find any of these services, email Gill & Peter Hollis on [email protected] (preferred) or telephone 01543 432107.

LICHFIELD FOODBANK Our most-needed items are tinned tuna, jam and snack/breakfast bars. There is a collection point in the Whittington newsagents as well as at Tesco, Morrisons, Waitrose and the Co-op in Lichfield. Thank you!

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN LICHFIELD Good Friday 2nd April Walk of Witness Prayer Walk the order of service can be found on the website and can also be used by individual households. There is an evening reflection “The Way of the Cross” on the Wade Street YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRraaB44ZGLbNvG6SYHmG1Q Service at Lichfield Cathedral 7.30 pm there will be an Ecumenical Service, led by Robert Mountford, Ecumenical Mission Officer for and the Potteries. All welcome to attend – seating limited due to restrictions – email to reserve a seat: [email protected]. The service will also be available to watch on the Lichfield Cathedral YouTube channel. Easter Sunday Prayer Walk 4th April Details will shortly be made available of a suggested prayer walk for individual households for Easter Sunday. https://www.churchestogetherinlichfield.co.uk

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK Christian Aid week this year will take place from 10th - 16th May Christian Aid is giving people an opportunity to give thanks for their Covid-19 vaccine and help others in crisis across the world. Recognising the deep sense of relief and gratitude experienced by many people after being vaccinated, Christian Aid is enabling people to pass the blessing on by making a donation to their Coronavirus Appeal. Further information on the ‘Give thanks for our Vaccines’ appeal on their website: https://www.christianaid.org.uk/give/ways-donate/give-thanks-your-coronavirus- vaccine 4