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Parish Magazine – May 2020

Welcome to the May edition of the #Meltham Parish Magazine. We hope and pray that you are all keeping well. Speaking of which, this month, we’re launching a #melthamprays prayer campaign which you can join in both at home and on social media – (see page 15). Don’t forget VE day (pg 9) and find out how our Crossroads Centre and Foodbank has been getting on in these difficult times.

As ‘social distancing’ continues, we are still unable to get this edition distributed in hard copy so please feel free to share/forward this around to those who (under the current circumstances) may not receive this, obviously keeping to social distancing guidelines.

Weekly Bulletin for Sunday 26th April

On the Road to Emmaus

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.

Luke 24:13-16a (NIV)

Why didn’t the two people in todays gospel reading recognise Jesus? Why is it that we often do not see Jesus walking alongside of us in our own lives until we look back?

Perhaps sometimes it could be that we aren’t really looking but it can’t be God’s inability to make himself known. In many ways it would be much easier, for both us and God, if he always made us know he was there and what he was doing. So, why not? Our God is almighty, but he is also loving and gentle. He is always there and always calling us, but he doesn’t force us, he doesn’t use his power to make us follow him. He allows us to choose to have faith in him so that our faith can be based on our love for him which is our response to his love for us. He is gentle and patient, he lets us ask questions and forgives our mistakes, and we can trust that he is always there whether we see him or not.

Reverend John (Vicar)

Following recent guidelines from the Church of England and the government.

All churches will be closed for public worship until further notice. This now includes private prayer and funerals. Funerals can still be held at the crematorium and at the grave side with a maximum of ten mourners.

All weddings are postponed until further notice.

Website

Our parish communion will be posted on our website www.melthamparish.co.uk this will be pre-recorded but Rev John will be repeating the service at 10:30am so that it may be considered spiritually live. Please join in if you are able.

Evening service 6:00pm Sunday 26th April

This service will be delivered live through Zoom.

Zoom is an easy to install and easy to use app that is free to download and can by used by any type of computer. Just google Zoom and you should find instructions. You will then need to check our website for the details to join the service.

Easter III – Sun 26th April @ 6pm – On-line ZOOM Service of the Word

You’re invited to join our evening ZOOM service – God of peace.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday 26th April at 6pm.

Topic: Evening service – God of peace.

Time: Apr 26, 2020 06:00 PM London

Please click the link below at 6pm on 26th April to join the Zoom service:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86402025366?pwd=TjFCTndwQkp0WHZqNTkyMi9INmJRZz09

Meeting ID: 864 0202 5366

Password: 450735

3rd Sunday of Easter – Parish Communion – On-line

Hallelujah, Christ is Risen!
He is Risen indeed, Hallelujah!

Join us for our on-line Parish Communion at 10:30am for the 3rd Sunday of Easter – Sunday 26th April. This can be viewed at any time but Rev’d John will conduct the service at the vicarage at this time to make the worship spiritually live. The service words will appear on the video to enable you to join in easily.

The service can be viewed here via YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hm4xEedN0Y

The Zoom service will take place this evening, further details to follow.

Weekly Bulletin for Sunday 19th April

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”

John 20:19 (NIV)

As we find the disciples in todays Gospel reading, hiding behind a locked door. We should be reminded that our God does not abandon us to fear or doubt. In his love for us he comes and meets us in our need, his grace is always greater than our weakness.

As we live through a time when we find our own Church doors locked and wish to meet together to share the good news of Easter, we need to pray for patience. It was right for the disciples to wait a while until on the day of Pentecost they were filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to share the good news in the way that God had planned.

Our God can unlock any door and will do so in his own perfect timing. We must pray that we will be ready to respond when he calls us to do so, just as the disciples were.

Reverend John (Vicar)

Following recent guidelines from the Church of England and the government.

All churches will be closed for public worship until further notice.

This now includes private prayer and funerals.

Funerals can still be held at the crematorium and at the grave side with a maximum of ten mourners.

All weddings are postponed until further notice.

Website

Our parish communion will be posted on our website www.melthamparish.co.uk this will be pre-recorded but Rev John will be repeating the service at 10:30am so that it may be considered spiritually live. Please join in if you are able.

Meltham Food Bank has become increasingly important to many people facing an uncertain future. A small group of people are responding to an increasing demand for food and access to our Mann’s Wharfe Wheels meals donated for those in need. 31 food parcels have been delivered this month. We are trying to live faithfully believing that God will supply our needs. Many people have donated money. Cash donations and money into our account are very welcome. Yesterday we had agreed we needed £150 to purchase what we needed. Three donations arrived unexpectedly this morning totalling £190. We thank God and you for your prayers and support.

Easter II – Sun 19th April – On-line ZOOM Service of the Word

Here is your link to start our service this morning at 11am for a 11.15am start.

Rev Judy is leading this service via phone (first time we’ve done this).

Looking forward to seeing you all and worshiping together.

Time: Apr 19, 2020 11:00 AM London

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/96663613030?pwd=cExsZkl6dEE0dVJvUDdiT280a2w3UT09

Meeting ID: 966 6361 3030

Password: 007415

2nd Sunday of Easter – Parish Communion – On-line

Hallelujah, Christ is Risen!
He is Risen indeed, Hallelujah!

Join us for our on-line Parish Communion at 10:30am for the 2nd Sunday of Easter. This can be viewed at any time but Rev’d John will conduct the service at the vicarage at this time to make the worship spiritually live. The service words will appear on the video to enable you to join in easily.

The service can be viewed here via YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz4Bbj5Ph50


Weekly bulletin for Easter

At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

            Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

John 20:13-16 (NIV)

Do you get it? do you really get Easter?

In our Gospel reading today there are a few examples of people not really getting what’s going on. Peter and John are dashing about trying to understand, trying to get it. But they go home, back to the others. The reading says that they believe but it’s not entirely clear what it is that they believe. Perhaps they do believe that Jesus is risen but do they really get Easter yet.

The angel talking to Mary seems like quite a pained conversation, I’m not at all sure that they were both on the same page at all. Mary is mourning the death of Jesus and the angel is celebrating Jesus’s victory over death and sin.

So, he asks “why are you crying?”.

Then Jesus calls Mary by name and she got it, she got Easter. Jesus calls us all by name, do you hear him calling your name today?

Reverend John (Vicar)

Following recent guidelines from the Church of England and the government.

All churches will be closed for public worship until further notice.

This now includes private prayer and funerals.

Funerals can still be held at the crematorium and at the grave side with a maximum of ten mourners.

All weddings are postponed until further notice.

Website

Our parish communion will be posted on our website www.melthamparish.co.uk this will be pre-recorded but Rev John will be repeating the service at 10:30am though you can join in at any time to suit.

Happy Easter

Easter Day – Online ZOOM Service of Holy Communion – 11:15am

Please find below the link for the zoom service for Easter Sunday. This will be a service of Holy Communion led by Rev’d Dennis. Looking forward to seeing everyone for this special service. Please join from 11am ready to start the service at 11:15am

Topic: Easter Sunday – Holy Communion service

Time: Apr 12, 2020 11:00 AM London

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/566117716?pwd=TVNMekl4M1NZWjhucHcrUTdWcm56dz09

Meeting ID: 566 117 716
Password: 767905