#468: which is most of a cheerleader chant
This Sunday – and it’s a busy one!
Maybe one for a thermos flask of tea and some marmalade sandwiches, as we have…
BCP Mass, 8am at St Paul’s
Parish Mass, 9.30am at St Paul’s
Community Mass, 11am at St Nick’s
Taize Service, 3pm at St Nick’s, followed by tea and cake
Compline and Benediction, 6.15pm at St Paul’s
Which is, I’m sure you’ll agree, the perfect way to begin Passiontide. When you come to St Paul’s on Sunday, you will notice that the image of Christ on the Cross behind the altar is veiled, covered in purple cloth. Mary Cassidy has very helpfully sent in this article to read about Passiontide and about veiling, and it’s well worth a read as we start the last 2 weeks of lent.
Passiontide and Veiling of Images | Catholic Culture
The organ music at the 9.30am Mass at St Paul’s will be:
Before (ca 12’)
Howells – Psalm Prelude (op. 32, no. 3)
Anthem
Bach – Wir setzen uns (from St Matthew Passion, BWV 244)
After
Bach – Erbarm’ dich mein, O Herre Gott (BWV 721)
Then we have 2 different but equally reflective services in the afternoon, perfect for some space and time spent in prayer. The taize service at St Nick’s gives chance for entering into prayer through music and repeated chants. If you’ve never been, give it a go, at Emmbrook Community Hall, followed by refreshments.
Then in the evening, we will be having Compline (Night Prayer) and Benediction. It will be a said service, with some music for space and reflection. The Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament stimulates us to an awareness of the presence of Christ, and is an invitation to spiritual communion with Him. Benediction (which means ‘blessing’), allows us to reflect on God’s love for us and for all creation, revealed in the face of Jesus. In the space of the Benediction we are able to focus on the presence of Christ with us always. We come before the Holy Sacrament and deepen our understanding of just how much love God radiates onto us and throughout the world.
New Rector!
In case there’s anyone who hasn’t yet heard the news (!) we were able to announce on Sunday that we have a new rector, Sam Korn, starting at the end of August. You can read more about him here: New Rector! | St Paul’s Parish
Please do pray for Sam and his fiancee as they prepare to move, for Sam’s current ministry and a good goodbye.
Which also gives chance to say 1) a MASSIVE thank you to all our church wardens, pro wardens and stewards for their work in the vacancy, in interviewing and in discerning… and 2) please continue to pray for them and all who continue to give extra in this vacancy.
St Paul’s Cathedral Evensong 5pm 11th April
For those of you who have requested discounted sightseeing tickets for St Paul’s Cathedral, please give your names to the staff on arrival at the ticket desk who should be able to tick you off on their list. Please pay them, not me. The cost of the discounted ticket is £13.
Supporters of the choir are welcome to attend the service and are asked the enter the Cathedral from 4.30 pm. You should exit after the service via the West End steps and meet the choir outside after they have changed and collected their belongings. If you wish to be seated in the Quire, you will be directed by the Virgers from 4.45 pm. All seating in Quire is unreserved and we will accommodate as many supporters as we are able to. Once the Quire is full, and no later than 4.55 pm, the gates are closed and no access is permitted for further congregation. Plenty more seating for congregation is under the Dome.
And here are the coach details…
Coach to St Paul’s Cathedral, Friday 11th April.
Departure – Coach will arrive at the Parish Room Car Park at 9.45, leaving at 10.00 am ETA of arrival at the Cathedral – 12.00 pm. The coach will remain at the Cathedral.
Return – The coach will leave the Cathedral at 7.00 pm ETA arrival at Parish Room Car Park – 9.00 pm
Churches Together Wokingham – Holy Week
Palm Sunday (13th April): There is a donkey for the All Saints Palm Sunday Procession through Wokingham town centre. The Procession will leave All Saints at 10.30 am and will stop at the Baptist, Methodist and Salvation Army churches before returning to All Saints for lunch at 12 noon. All are welcome to join in. It is hoped people will join the procession at each pause.
GOOD FRIDAY (18 April). Our witness will be a simple time of silence, singing and scripture in the Market Place.
At 11 am an all-age service will take place at All Saints, to which all CTW member churches are welcome. (Hymn: There is a green hill)
The Walk of Witness in silence with the cross will leave All Saints at about 11.40, reaching the Market place at midday
A guitarist from the Baptist church will lead the singing of a couple of hymns (When I survey and Amazing Grace — words sheets for attendees to be provided by the Baptists), Scripture passage(s) will be read, prayers said and some silence kept. Nick in charge!
The Walk will continue to the Salvation Army where Jan has offered hot cross buns and the cross will be housed for the coming year.
Good Friday Family Activities, St Paul’s
Electoral Roll
The full revision of the Electoral Roll is now complete and a list of names is on the porch noticeboard. If you applied to be admitted to the Roll, please check if your name is included on the list. I will also have the full version of the Electoral Roll in my possession if you wish to ensure that your details are correctly registered.
If anyone has omitted to submit their application form or has forgotten to apply, you may do so at any time; however, no entries may be added to the Electoral Roll until after the APCM on 27th April 2025.
Teri Austen
Easter Lillies
There will be an opportunity to purchase Easter Lilies in memory of a loved one again this year. The cost is £3.00 per lily. If anyone would like to purchase a lily, please let me have the donation and name of the person by Sunday13th April. Any other donations towards the cost of the Easter lilies are always very welcome. Donations can also be left at the Parish Rooms.
Many thanks
Sue
Coffee and Chat help
We have a group on a Friday afternoon in the parish rooms, Coffee and Chat, which is there for all who need some company, tea, coffee, cake, jigsaws, a quiz. Are you able to help with the setting up please, namely putting up tables and chairs? If so please be there at about 1.10pm, any help would be very much appreciated, thank you.
