The Messenger Parish Magazine of St Michael and All Angels, Middlewich with St John the Evangelist, Byley March 2014 50p Service plan for March 2014 2nd March– Sunday before Lent 8.00 am Middlewich Communion 9.15 am Middlewich Communion 11.00 am Middlewich All Age Worship with Baptism 11.00 am Byley Morning Praise 6.30 pm Middlewich Evening Praise 5th March– Ash Wednesday 7.30 pm Middlewich Ash Wednesday Communion 9th March– 1st Sunday of Lent 9.15 am Middlewich Communion 11.00 am Middlewich Morning Praise 11.00 am Byley Communion 2.30 pm Middlewich Baptism 4.00 pm Middlewich Bereavement Service 16th March– 2nd Sunday of Lent 9.15 am Middlewich Communion 11.00 am Middlewich Communion 11.00 am Byley Morning Prayer 6.30 pm Middlewich Church @ 28 23rd March– 3rd Sunday of Lent 9.15 am Middlewich Communion 11.00 am Middlewich Morning Praise 11.00 am Byley Communion 2.30 pm Middlewich Baptism 6.30 pm Middlewich Confirmation Service with Bishop Peter Forster 2 30th March– 4th Sunday of Lent (Mothering Sunday) 9.15 am Middlewich Communion 11.00 am Middlewich Morning Praise 11.00 am Byley Morning Praise 6.30 pm Middlewich CTiM Service– United Reformed Church Healing Service each Tuesday at 9.30 am Communion Service each Thursday at 9.30 am St Michael’s Church Office 28 Hightown, Middlewich, CW10 9AN 01606 738005 Office hours 10am-2pm Monday-Friday Office Manager : Beth Deakin [email protected] FUNCTIONS AT NUMBER 28 All the rooms at Number 28, which is opposite St Michael’s Church, are available for rent when not being used by the Church. The rooms seat between 8 and 60 people, are well appointed and would suit private functions or business meetings. A full commercial standard kitchen is also available. Go to the Number 28 Website www.at28.org/roomhire to see details, or phone the office on 01606 738005. 3 Letter From The Rector Dear Friends, When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride. March this year brings us to the season of Lent. Traditionally a time of fasting, usually associated with giving up chocolate, alcohol or some other vice. It is meant to be a period of penitence though these days that tends to be restricted to celebrating Ash Wednesday (5th March). It is also an opportunity to prepare ourselves spiritually for the celebration of Easter. Personally I shall engage in the latter two but not the first! Lent could be described as a walk to the cross as it culminates in the celebration of Good Friday. The words above by Isaac Watts are from perhaps the best-known Good Friday hymn. The cross of Jesus Christ is the centre point of Christian faith; hence it’s use as the universal Christian symbol. But the story of the cross creates varied responses within the human heart. St. Paul wrote these words: Christ crucified – a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to gentiles, but to those whom God has called it is the power and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). Most people prefer Christmas Day (Incarnation) and Easter Day (Resurrection), Pentecost (Empowerment) and Harvest (Creation), but it is the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross which is actually the true demonstration of the power & wisdom of God at work among us. I don’t know if you will give anything up this Lent, or whether you will use it as a season of penitence and self discipline, but I do hope you will use it as an opportunity to look afresh at the cross of Jesus and remind yourself of what it really means to you. Were the whole realm of Nature mine, That were an offering far too small; 4 Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all! Yours in Christ Revd Simon Drew Holy Week & Easter Services at St Michael’s Church Tuesday 15th April 9:30am Healing Service Wednesday 16th April 9:30am Prayer@28 (in No28) Thursday 17th April 9:30am Midweek Communion 7:30pm Maundy Thursday Communion Friday 18th April 10:30am United Walk of Witness (starts at St Mary’s Church, King Street) 2:00pm Good Friday Meditation Sunday 20th April 9:15am Easter Communion 11:00am Easter Family Communion Lent Course 2014: David – God’s Chosen King What do you know about the life of the biblical King David? We can all reply ‘he killed Goliath’ but what else do we really know about the greatest king Israel ever had? David’s life from shepherd boy, to warrior, to king and then into his old age is a much deeper story of faith, success, failure, forgiveness and trust. During Lent this year we will be running a Lent Course on Tuesday evenings looking at the life of David and the lessons we can learn from this man of God, and ancestor of Jesus. The sessions will take place on No28, Tuesday evenings at 8pm (lasting for around 90 minutes). Dates are 11th, 18th, 25th March, 1st, 8th April 2014. Do come and join us. (For further information contact Simon Drew) 5 Observations for Lent The shortest distance between a problem and its solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. Anon The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. Anon People are like tea bags - you have to put them in hot water before you know how strong they are. Anon When down in the mouth, remember Jonah. He came out all right. Anon Many a man has thought himself broken up, when he has merely been made ready for the sowing. Hugh Redwood Adversity does not make us frail; it only shows us how frail we are. Anon Affliction by itself does not sanctify; it exhausts and embitters, it depresses and entices. It is the presence of God and the use made of it by him, as he relates it to our lives as a whole... that makes adversity salutary. Donald MacLeod God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb. Laurence Sterne Self-emptiness prepares for spiritual fullness. Richard Sibbes An humble knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than a deep search after learning. Thomas a Kempis The man who does not like self-examination may be pretty certain that things need examining. C H Spurgeon God only asks you to do your best. Robert H Benson Fight truth decay - study the Bible daily. Anon Do not wait for the hearse to take you to church. Anon Unless the Lord Builds the house, its Builders labour in Vain. (Psalm 127:1) So don’t forget to Pray! 6 Christ For All On Friday 7th February we held a Supper with an Indian Flavour in No. 28. We enjoyed a delicious meal and fellowship in the room downstairs, after which we adjourned to the upper room for coffee and entertainment. This was in two parts: Robert Reed divided us into small groups and ran a light hearted general knowledge quiz with the winning group receiving a prize of sweets. While this was going on, 3 married couples were dispatched to other rooms (men & women separately) in order to answer a selection of questions on the lines of the television programme Mr & Mrs. The quiz started with questions such as ‘Where you first met ‘ and ‘who puts out the rubbish’. There was much hilarity when the answers were revealed. The object of the evening was to raise money for the work of Christ For All (one of St. Michael’s four designated charities) This quarter we are focusing on this work and it was good to have Will Bishop as the guest at Church @ 28 in January. Will spent about 6 weeks last summer as a volunteer with John Mark and his team and was able to tell us first hand about this remarkable organization. A magnificent £400 was donated to this work at the Supper. A huge thank you to all who helped in the success of the evening. There will be a Coffee & Cake Morning in No. 28 on Thursday 13th March from 10 a.m. till 12 noon, with homemade cakes for sale. Anyone who feels able to make and donate a cake for this please let Ruth Broadfoot know. See page 9 for the recipe for that wonderful curry! The cost of heating and lighting St Michael's for a whole year is nearly £6,650: Heating alone costs about £38 per day. So please turn the lights off and shut the door after you! 7 Parish Weekend Away Following the success of our weekend at Cloverley Hall in October 2012 we have booked another parish weekend in October 2014, at Cloverley Hall (nr Whitchurch, Shropshire). Cloverley Hall is a Christian conference & retreat centre and we have booked the house for our sole use over the weekend of 3rd – 5th October 2014. This weekend will provide an opportunity to spend time together with periods of Christian fellowship and teaching, and also some fun and relaxation. There will be groups and activities for both adults and children. Our speaker this time will be Bishop John Hayden, who has a wealth of experience as a church leader, both in England and also in Africa. Those of us who went in 2012 had a really great time and I would really like us all to be able to share in this next weekend away together.