The theme of this years Christian Aid Week is ‘Let’s Give The Tools to help people in poverty out of poverty’, and on Sunday 29th April the Area Representative for Christian Aid, Eldred Willey will be our visiting preacher at the 10.15am service at Lavenham Parish Church. Do come and hear about the vital work of Christian Aid in transforming lives around the world. For more information visit http://www.christianaid.org.uk
Lent and Spring are synonymous in old English: lencten. It is, traditionally, the “long fast” in the Christian calendar, when we set aside worldly matters to meditate on the life spiritual, to prepare for baptism, to confess our sins and our faith in preparation for Easter. Many eschew meat and fish – or more contemporary treats like chocolate - after Shrove Tuesday (carneval). Perhaps we can use this distance from luxury to focus our minds on the Word of God?
Lavenham and Preston St Mary will be running a Lent Course again this year, to stimulate our thinking about the Christian life and the meaning of the Resurrection. The theme of this year’s course will be “Signs of the Kingdom” and will begin on the 27th of February in Lavenham Village Hall. The first session, “The man born blind – Light” will be at 9.45am with sessions 2-5 on the Mondays following, also starting at 9.45. Details on the lent course poster
This morning’s Gospel (Matthew 25.1-13) tells of Jesus relating the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins. It is a reminder of the necessity of preparedness, concluding “Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” [of the coming of the Lord]. The Rev’d Stephen Earl reminded us, in his sermon, of the advice of Robert Baden-Powell, to “Be prepared!”.
Fittingly then, here are some dates for your diaries, of services and events this week…
A busy Wednesday
On Wednesday the 9th Holy Communion will be celebrated in Lavenham at 10am.
The funeral of Keith Taber will be held on Wednesday at 12.30pm.
We are delighted that the induction of our erstwhile curate, the Rev’d Annette Shannon will be held in Tattingstone at 7.30pm on Wednesday. If you would like to attend this service, please sign the relevant form at the back of the Lavenham Church, so that travel arrangements can be made. The service starts at 7.30pm but we will need to be seated by 7.10pm.
Armistice Day, Friday 11th November
Morning Prayer will be held in the Lady Chapel at 10am.
A Service of Remembrance will be held in our sister church, St Mary’s, Preston St Mary at 10.30am.
An Act of Remembrance will be held in Lavenham, beginning at 10.50am.
The Choir Practice will take place in Lavenham at 7.15pm.
Next Sunday is Remembrance Sunday. Details of services will be posted later this week.
