What's in this week?
Worship with us:
Our Sunday Service of Holy Communion is online for the majority of people; only those people with specific ministries essential for worship are able to attend in person.
We are open for Morning Prayer on a Wednesday at 9am, staying open for private prayer until midday.
Whilst nowhere can guarantee 100% safety, we have a thorough risk assessment for this and all activity in church.
Join us in worship! Head to our YouTube Channel to join us Live at 10am on Sunday, and access other videos. You can do that by clicking or tapping on this link:
Join us afterwards! We meet up after the service at 11am. After the live service, grab a coffee and click or tap on the link below to join us on Zoom:
Palm Sunday
If you received a palm cross then have it to hand for the 10am online service and watch the service live if you are able.
Don't forget the clocks go forward this weekend!
Services in Holy Week and Easter
Visit our dedicated page to find out all about our services throughout Holy Week and on
Easter Day. We are resuming public worship on Easter Day with two services. Follow the link below to find out more, and to sign up to join us in person!
Our church will be open for Private Prayer throughout Holy Week.
You can just turn up and stay for as long as you like.
Monday 29th March and Tuesday 30th March 7.30pm-9pm.
Wednesday 31st March 10am – 12noon and 7.30pm-9pm.
Maundy Thursday 1st April 8pm - Midnight for the Watch before the Sacrament.
Good Friday 2nd April 9:30am - The Watch continues until Midday.
Night Prayer (Compline) for Holy Week
The Passion
Many of you will remember Tony Harrison’s ‘mystery’ play ‘The Passion’ which was performed to much acclaim by past and present Church members during Holy Week 2008.The video of this production will be available to view via the Church website during Holy Week this year.
New this week
St Mary’s Electoral Roll
The deadline for any additions or changes to our Electoral Roll is the 11th April. The church’s Electoral Roll is the register of its voting members; it is a list of those qualified to attend and to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. Electoral rolls provide an indication of the real membership and strength of the church. Any baptised adults (16 years or over) who live in the parish, or those who have worshipped regularly at St. Mary’s for at least six months and are committed to being part of the life of the local Church of England congregation are able to join the Electoral Roll. Contact Rosie by email at rosietate@me.com if you aren’t on the Electoral Roll already as now is the time to join!
Donations for Easter flowers
Last chance to make a donation for flowers in church over Easter you can pay by a Bank Transfer (BACS), bank details are: HSBC Sort code:40 46 28, Account no: 01444948. Please add a reference to the payment so we know that it's for the Easter flowers. You could also donate by cheque made payable to: St Mary’s Monkseaton, PCC and again, please put a note with the cheque to say that it's for Easter flowers
The Link Newspaper for April
Thought for the Week
I was out for a walk the other day and saw something I hadn’t seen for a very long time – it was a great crowd of children in a school playground running jumping, chasing each other, skipping etc. I loved listening to them laughing, shouting, enjoying being together and I walked away smiling.
In his book The Madness of Crowds by David Murray, a conservative British journalist, explores the world’s most complicated and sometimes divisive issues that can result in people gathering together in crowds, which can be organised and well behaved or disorganised and even violent. Emotions in many crowds are mixed, some may be joyful like the children I watched, some full of quiet pain or hurt, some angry, some intent on causing trouble, while others are hopeful, even praying for something different, something better.
We saw some of this demonstrated in the crowds that gathered on Clapham Common on Saturday 13 March to keep vigil in memory of Sarah Everard. I watched scenes in the afternoon and it was lovely to see women, mainly silent, bringing flowers and paying their respects. By early evening the mood changed and it went horribly wrong. Something that was beautiful suddenly turned ugly. This can happen in crowds whether they are organised or not.
Jesus attracted crowds around him wherever he went. Today, Palm Sunday, we remember one such crowd, an exhilarating crowd full of expectation and joy. Matthew’s Gospel tells us as Jesus entered Jerusalem to celebrate Passover for the last time, ‘A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road ….. shouting,“Hosanna to the Son of David!”, and “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matt 21:8-9).
Over this coming week Jesus will face many crowds. First joyful and welcoming which quickly turn angry and baying for his death. It’s not easy being in these crowds beside Jesus but we do it because we know his death is not the end. We don’t lose heart because we know Easter Day is coming.
May the crowds we encounter as we journey through these coming days act responsibly and with everyone’s safety in mind.
With every blessing
Eileen
Diary & Reminders
Diary
Maundy Thursday 1st April 11am Chrism Mass online from the Cathedral.
Traidcraft
As we approach Easter we are conscious that many like to support Traidcraft for their chocolate etc. Please feel free to contact Traidcraft direct as we will be unable to run the stall before then by browsing their website: www.traidcraftshop.co.uk. Many thanks and hope to be back soon. If you’d like a Traidcraft catalogue instead, let the office know.
Best wishes, Rick and Anne
Children's Society Boxes
Due to the current lockdown situation, we will postpone the annual collection and count until July when we hope things can get back to normal. Thank you for your continued support Rick and Sue.
For your prayers this week:
Your Prayers are requested for
Jennifer Stephenson
Peter Schofield
Janet Baker
Olya Bouchard
Don
Alan and Margaret Stears
Rose Ketteringham
Martin Cooper
Rest in Peace
Florence Redford and Ken Riley
We also remember Clarice Penfold whose ashes will be buried at Whitley Bay Cemetery on 29th March
Don’t forget, you can add someone to the prayer list by emailing or phoning as usual, but you need to get their permission before adding them to the sick list. You can also use the form on the website here to submit a prayer request online.
This Sunday's Hymns & Readings
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