We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will take back with Jesus those who have died believing in him. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 St Helen’s, Bilton-in-Ainsty St John the Baptist, Healaugh St John the Baptist, Hessay All Saints, Moor Monkton All Saints,Wighill READINGS AND PSALMS FOR APRIL YEAR C These are the readings taken from the Church Lectionary and are suggested as read on the following Sundays. They may be changed depending on the theme of the service. Sunday 7th April Isaiah 43:16-21 • Psalm 126 • Philippians 3:4b-14 • John 12:1-8 Sunday 14th April Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 • Luke 19:28-40 Sunday 21st April Isaiah 50:4-9a • Psalm 31:9-16 • Philippians 2:5-11 • Luke 22:14-23:56 or Luke 23:1-49 Sunday 28th April Isaiah 42:1-9 • Psalm 36:5-11 • Hebrews 9:11-15 • John 12:1-11 1 CONTENTS Parish Letter 3 Communion at Home 5 Prayer Requests 6 Home Group News 6 What’s on in the Parish 7 From the Registers 8 RAYC 8 Easter Day 9 Good Friday 10 Men’s Group 11 News from around the Parish 12 Jon and Lisa’s Excellent Cathedral Adventures 15 Assassination Wighill 16 Passion Play Live 18 Palm Sunday 19 Pancake Thanks 20 Parish Annual Meeting 21 40 Acts 22 Christian Aid Afternoon Tea 23 Sing for Spring 24 A Church Near You 25 Supporting the Bishop’s Mission Order 25 Cluster 26 Mister Passes 26 Gift Aid 27 The Real Easter Bunny 28 St Mary’s Primary School Report 29 Brownies 31 Rainbows 32 Marston Moor Probus Club 33 Yorkshire Countrywomen’s Association 35 Classified Ads 36 Parish contacts 41 Church Rotas 42 2 PARISH LETTER Still As you read this at the beginning of April, we are still in the time of Lent. I wonder how that’s going for you? Did you give up something and stick to it? Did you take up more Bible study and prayer so that it’s now a positive habit? How many of the #40Acts did you complete? If you’ve kept going, well done! I don’t want to criticise or condemn anyone, but to help us realise how difficult it can be to persist in something for the long haul. I’ve been reflecting recently on the word still and its different meanings. Often this can be a negative word, meaning that something continues even though we want it to stop: ‘I still haven’t got over this cold.’ In the darker times in our lives, our fears and sufferings can seem to keep going on and on, and it’s difficult to see an end to them. That’s when we need a different kind of still. ‘Be still, and know that I am God!’ Psalm 46:10 The Hebrew word for ‘still’ here means to stop striving, to be still in a restful way, submitting - not giving in to the darkness, but giving ourselves up to God. Often, we want to be seen to cope and to be in strong in adversity, we keep busy and try to manage the practicalities, but become more mentally and physically tired. That’s when we need to carve out some time, even if it’s only five minutes, to hand over those situations to God. Find a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted and can be comfortable, it could be a church, or a garden, or just somewhere at home. If you’re worried about taking too long, or not being able to fit it in, you could even set a timer. Perhaps light a candle. Sit still and just allow God to comfort you. One of our Sunday readings recently was the story of Jesus calming the storm, and I think it’s a helpful meditation during suffering because it reminds us who is in control. Jesus is able to sleep through the storm because he trusts God, but he responds to the fear of the disciples: 3 ‘He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm.’ Mark 4:39 Jesus, whom even the wind and waves obey, speaks peace and stillness in our lives when we cry out to him. As we enter Passiontide on the 7th of April, we begin our focus on Jesus’ journey to the Cross, remembering that He knows the pain of suffering and watching others suffer - He has experienced it all himself. In becoming human, God chose to identify with his people and Jesus left His disciples with the promise: ‘Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ Matthew 28:20 And of course, after the darkness of night, the sun still rises. After the darkness of Good Friday, and the silence of the Sabbath day, Sunday began with the Sonrise, the dawning of new hope. Whatever our darkness, there is still hope because Jesus is still with us. He draws from us the other kind of still, the persistence of trusting in Him, the insistence that in His presence our eyes will search for the coming of the dawn. This Easter, let us not jump too quickly to the joy of the resurrection, though we are sure of its coming. Let us be still together, bearing one another’s burdens and waiting for God. Kath McBride 4 COMMUNION AT HOME The 'Communion' we share in Church on a Sunday morning, is a visible symbol of the Community of God, that we are in, by sharing the bread and wine and remembering the sacrifice of Jesus. When we take Communion in Church on a Sunday we are, amongst other things, affirming our Community. I know that for many reasons some people are not able to come to Church on a Sunday. This doesn't mean that Communion cannot be received at another time through the week. Our Community is not wholly defined by who is at Church on a Sunday morning. Church can come to you! If you wish to receive Home Communion on a regular basis (or as a one off) you are more than welcome to do so. Myself, Kath McBride or Rev Lucy Brencher will happily visit. Please don't think that it is too much trouble to ask, this is certainly not the case. All you need to do to start receiving Home Communion is to contact me or one of the Churchwardens and we can visit, by arrangement, to suit you. It is also a pleasure to sit and chat for a while, after Communion is shared. Also, if you know someone who you think will benefit from Home Communion please let us know. Richard 5 PRAYER REQUESTS There are times when we feel we, or someone we know would benefit from prayers said specifically for them. This can bring great comfort. If you would like a prayer said for you or someone you know please get in touch with Richard, Lucy, Kath or one of the Churchwardens who will be able to help you. Similarly, if you would like yourself, or people to be specifically prayed for in our services please also ask, ensuring that the person for whom prayers will be said is comfortable with the happening. HOME GROUP NEWS Come and join our fellowship and Bible study small group...... We run a weekly group which meets on a Wednesday from 7.30 - 9pm in Bickerton to chat, get to know each other, study the Bible and pray over a cuppa. Everyone is welcome from across the parish and you don’t need to commit to every week. Over the past couple of terms, we’ve been learning about God’s character, Fruits of the Spirit and Gifts of the Spirit. This term we are using study materials from Holy Trinity Brompton to look at how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament Prophecies about Him (“The Jesus Manifesto”) and to relate these to the practicalities of how we should be living and enjoying a full life. This term’s programme: 03/04 Lent Meditation 10/04 End of term meal If you would like to join us or would like further information, then contact Karen and Simon Flood: [email protected] 6 WHAT’S ON IN THE PARISH IN APRIL Wednesday 3rd April 12.15pm Community Lunch, Wighill Saturday 13th April 10.00am – 11.45am Coffee Morning, Hessay Thursday 18st April 11.00am to 1.00pm Community Coffee Morning, in the annexe to Tanfield House Saturday 20th April 10.00am – 12.00pm Community Café, Healaugh Memorial Hall Friday 26th April 10.30am-12.00am Community Café, School Rooms, Moor Monkton Saturday 23rd April 10.30am-12.00pm Bilton Coffee Morning. St Helen’s Church, Bilton-in-Ainsty Wednesday 25th April 2.00pm- 4.00pm Open Afternoon, 56 Long Ridge Lane, Poppleton Home of Joyce Woods. All welcome Space Youth Group is for those over the age of 14, school year 10, meeting on Mondays in term time from 7pm -9pm at the Hayloft, Healaugh. RAYC (Rural Ainsty Youth Club) will be meeting every other Sunday in April, between from 4.30pm to 6pm at the Hayloft, Old Hall, Healaugh. Tots Groups Tuesday 9.30am-11.30am Hessay Tots: Hessay Methodist Chapel Thursday 10.00am-11.30am The Old Schoolroom, Moor Monkton For more details on any of the above activities please email [email protected] or call Revd Richard 7 FROM THE REGISTERS Baptism of Reginald Frank Peat At All Saints, Wighill On Sunday 3rd March 2019 Funeral of Michael Vasey Formerly of Wighill On Tuesday 5th Macrh RAYC Our RAYC (Rural Ainsty Youth Club) meets again on 14th March at 4pm, finishing at 5.30pm at the Hayloft, Healaugh.