Saint Mary the Virgin, Goosnargh Newsletter April 2013 A Member of the Fellside Group of Parishes John 21 Principal Lectionary readings for April 2013 (Read at 8-30 and 11am Eucharist.) Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Gospel 7th April, Easter 2 Acts 5. 27-32 Revelation 1. 4-8 John 20 19-31. Rebecca Birkby Glenn Ingram 14th April, Easter 3 Acts 9. 1-6 Revelation 5. 11-14 John 21. 1-19 Lindsey Hornsby Barbara Huck 21st April, Easter 4 Acts 9 . 36-43 Revelation 7. 9-17 John 10 22-30. Sheridan Keane Hilda Pickles 28th April, Easter 5 Acts11. 1-18 Revelation 21. 1-6. John 13 . 31-34. Lindy King Alisdair Mackie **Indicates that alternative readings are available for that date and may be chosen Lay Rota Apr Intercessions Chalice assistant Sunday Club 7 Andrea Mellor Rebecca Ingram Karen Hodgson, Sam Warren, Alan Gornall Julia Gildert 14 Lindy King Andy Mellor Andrea Mellor, Jane Sims, Linda Christopherson Kate Hardman 21 Linda Helen Littlehales Lindy King, Dean Warren, Christopherson Peter Littlehales Jane Williamson 28 Leslie Sumner James Hide Susan Parkinson, Jackie Parker Elaine Duckett Glenn Ingram Side person’s Rota (and Chalice at 8.30am service) Apr 8-30am 11am 6-30 pm 7 R. Dewhurst, Sheridan Keane, Isabel Kings David Maddocks 14 I. .Pinder Andrea Mellor, Andy Mellor Mike Smalley Sian Elcomb 21 S. Smith Dean Warren, Jade Kirkham Maureen Rooney 28 E. Shepherd Rebecca Ingram, Bill Watson Delphine Burn Coffee at 11am Service – April 7th 14th 21st 28th M. Rooney, Lindy King, Jade Gillian Mackie, Freda Parker, B. Watson Kirkham, Helen Trish Parker, Hilda Pickles, Jane Williamson, Littlehales Andrea Mellor, Susan Parkinson, Happy Easter from the Team Vicar Dear Friends, Last time I wrote Pope Benedict had just resigned; yesterday Pope Francis was elected. The papers said much about his election and what it might mean for the Roman Catholic Church. There were column yards about what his background is and how this might affect his priorities as Pope. The reports I read were all about the organisation, its social and political impact. There were one or two passing references to God, and nowhere was Jesus even mentioned, yet Jesus lies at the very heart of Pope Francis’ faith and ours. Two Sundays ago we were given a name, photograph and details about Julian Henderson who’s been appointed our new Bishop here in Blackburn Diocese. Again the statements about him mostly focused on the organisation and the issues affecting it. Near the end of one, however, was this comment: “I believe that knowing Jesus Christ is Good News and I will do whatever I can to speak of him and encourage others to believe in him. I hope to be able to boost confidence in this Gospel message and for the Christian community to be more and more unashamed of their faith in Jesus Christ. In April, in the weeks of Easter, the Christian church in all its guises celebrates the risen Lord Jesus. Up until Holy Week he’d been a teacher, a healer, a charismatic leader, and some had thought maybe more – maybe even the Messiah, the Christ. Good Friday dashed those hopes, Jesus was dead and gone. Easter Day brought strange stories of an empty tomb and Jesus alive. Then in the 40 days after Easter, the risen Jesus met, ate, walked and talked with his followers. The doubtful grabbed hold of him to make sure he was real. In this and through this lives were changed as people came to recognise that in Jesus they had come into contact with God. When people met the risen Jesus, lives were changed. Lives were changed as they received his love and forgiveness. Lives were changed as people sought to live his way. Lives were changed ...... it was Good News then, it’s Good News now, never mind what the papers might say. This doesn’t mean that there won’t be issues and problems for Pope Francis, or for Julian Henderson when he becomes our Bishop, or for us, but it does mean that with a proper perspective, with the risen Jesus at the heart of what we seek to be and do as individual Christians or the church, there will be life transforming Good News. God bless. Revd Stephen Cooper A Letter from the Rector Dear Friends, Within the Anglican and Roman Churches it has been a time for new appointments. First came the announcement that Bishop Justin Welby, Bishop of Durham is to be the new Archbishop of Canterbury. Then Archdeacon Julian Henderson was named as the New Bishop of Blackburn .Last evening came the news from Rome that Francis 1 has become the new Pope to succeed Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI.It seems like a time for fresh starts and new opportunities. All these exciting appointments come to us as we celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The greatest new start and opportunity ever offered to the world. Some years ago, in 1975 to be precise, I went on a Pilgrimage to Rome with colleagues and a large number of young students. On the Wednesday of Easter Week we went to see Pope Paul VI at the weekly audience held in a huge auditorium. It was a great spectacle and a memorable occasion. One of my most vivid memories of the day is that of a huge tapestry hanging at the back of the stage as a huge backdrop. The picture was of Mary Magdalene meeting the Risen Lord in the garden on the first Easter Day. It was that mystifying moment(John20:17) when Jesus said to her “Don’t cling to me”. He said this as if to say :”if you try and keep me here , I will never be able to be available for ever to everyone in the world.” About seventeen years ago, Val and I visited Rome once more and as we were walking through the corridors of the Vatican,we saw that same tapestry again. The moment tells us so much , that in dying on the cross and rising from the dead, Jesus is alive for ever and is here , through the power of the Holy Spirit to come to the hearts of those who receive him in faith. God of Glory, By the raising of your son You have broken the chains of death and hell: Fill your Church with faith and hope; For a new day has dawned And the way to life stands open In our Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen Yours in the Risen Lord, Jeff. MOTHERS UNION NEWS The AGM was held on 7 March at 7.30 pm, 30 members attending. The meeting was chaired by Revd. Margaret Sherdley and started with prayers and hymns. This was followed by reports from the officials, and after some years of silence, Sylvia, our overseas rep, was able to read a etter she had received from South Africa. Barbara thanked everyone for their hard work throughout the year and also through her six years as presiding member. She then introduced Mrs Maureen Rooney who will be our new presiding member. Barbara was presented with flowers and vouchers and Fliss and Sylvia read an amusing poem to end the AGM. We then had tea and homemade biscuits and looked through the scrap books which date back to 1941. April 4 Meeting in the village hall at 7.30pm. Mrs Marjorie Holt: “The Beat goes on “ The continuation of Marjorie’s career in the police force. May 2 Meeting in church at 7.30 pm. Mrs Margaret Lambert will be talking about The Rufford National Trust. June 6 Meeting in the village hall at 7.30 pm. Dr Ian Webster will be giving an illustrated talk. COFFEE IN CHURCH FIRST SUNDAY IN MONTH (1PINT OF MILK IN FLASK AT 10.30 AM) April Mrs M Rooney Mrs J Williamson Mrs B Watson May Mrs D Swarbrick Mrs S Kilroy Mrs L Christopherson MONTHLY MEETING TEA ROTA 7.15pm April Mrs E Clarke Mrs D Burn Mrs S Keane May Mrs C Fish Mrs S Kilroy Mrs R Ingram OBLATIONS April Mrs M Ward Mrs E Duckett May Mrs E Roberts Mrs S Kilroy April Bible Readings April focuses on the joy and the mystery of resurrection, when the risen Jesus walks and talks, meets and eats with his followers, preparing them for Pentecost, for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and that time when the church, the Body of Christ, continues his work, living, being and communicating the Good News of God’s Kingdom. Please use these readings as you explore what it means to be a follower of Jesus. April 1st MONDAY OF EASTER WEEK Acts 2.14,22-32 Matthew 28.8-15 ‘God raised this man Jesus to life, and of this we are witnesses’. Being a witness to what we know of the love of God revealed in Jesus, of his forgiveness and of the transformation he brings to our lives, continues to be our calling. April 2nd TUESDAY OF EASTER WEEK Acts 2.36-41 John 20.11-18 Whether Mary Magdalene, or those who met Jesus through Peter’s preaching, lives were utterly transformed. Mary became the ‘Apostle to the Apostles’ telling them of the resurrection. Others were baptised, filled with the Holy Spirit and never the same again. April 3rd WEDNESDAY OF EASTER WEEK Acts 3.1-10 Luke 24.13-35 The disciples on the road to Emmaus heard and understood the risen Jesus, recognising him in the breaking of bread.