Dear Friends,

‘Spring has sprung, the grass is gris, I wonder where the birdies is!’ … This is an odd saying that my father used to quote at me regularly growing up around this time of year, and it certainly feels like that this week!  Magnolia trees in full swing, Daffodils galore and spring blossoms and smells waft through the air.  The long dark nights and short grim days witnessed at the beginning of Lent are starting to feel a little like a more distant memory as the sun brings much needed cheer and relief.

We are now entering the last two weeks of Lent as Sunday the 22nd marks Passion Sunday (the two week period before Easter) and Sunday the 29th is Palm Sunday, the triumphant entry of Christ into Jerusalem upon the back of a simple Donkey.  Like spring and sunnier days, Christ’s triumphant entry brought the Children of Israel much needed joy and hope after a long period of decline and Roman occupation.  So too does Christ bring hope into our lives, banishing the oppression of sin and death as we crown him as our Lord and King, and bringing the joy of his love and peace into our hearts.

Later that week they called for Christ’s blood in favour of a convict and all round bad chap Barabbas.  I know in my life I can quite happily sing Christ’s praises one Sunday, and by my own short comings, failings and wrong doings, crucify Christ that same week.  But through Christ’s death and resurrection on Easter morning, we are all promised forgiveness, new birth and a second chance with Jesus who’s love for us is greater than all of our short comings and muck ups.

Reverend Joshua Gaskell

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 Sunday morning service new start time of 10.45am.

Sunday 22nd March – Passion Sunday
We look forward to welcoming back Rev Josh Gaskell to preside and preach at our service for the 5th Sunday of Lent. Music will be provided by Christian our organist and MD with prayers and readings from the St.Nick’s Team. Refreshments will be served after the service.

Sunday 29th March-Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday service will begin in the hall, and Palm Crosses will be distributed. We will walk outside and round to the front of the church lead by Rev Josh Gaskell. Josh will preside and preach at our service. Anyone who does not wish to walk can simply move into church. Our service will continue once the walkers are back in church. Music will be provided by Christian our organist and MD with prayers and readings from the St.Nick’s Team. Refreshments will be served after the service.

LIVE BROADCASTS:
Our 10.45 am service is broadcast live every Sunday. View the service via our website www.st-nicholas-church.org.uk or via our You Tube channel #Everyone is welcome, #inclusivechurch

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A prayer for Sunday 22nd  March

Most merciful God,
who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ
delivered and saved the world:
grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross
we may triumph in the power of his victory;
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.
Amen

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A prayer for Sunday 29th  March

Almighty and everlasting God,
who in your tender love towards the human race
sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
to take upon him our flesh
and to suffer death upon the cross:
grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility,
and also be made partakers of his resurrection;
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.
Amen