All the latest happenings at All Saints.
[.....]
Dear Friends: April - The Seed that Dies
Happy Easter! Together this lent we have travelled with Jesus through the wilderness and the road he walked to Jerusalem. We have watched and prayed as Christ suffered and was crucified. We have discovered the empty tomb and met Jesus on Easter Sunday. Now the journey goes on through the Easter season.
The wonder of that journey is one that we may struggle to fully understand. Yet we know the ending of the story, one of Resurrection and Ascension and Pentecost. The disciples did not, even though Jesus gave [.....]
Dear Friends April: Reader's Reflections
Since Ash Wednesday we have spent the period of Lent in prayer and reflection. Our mood then swung from the deep agony we felt at the crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday to the joy of his resurrection on Easter Day, and we are probably feeling drained.
Jesus had gone into death with the power of life and could not be held there. He broke out into a new kind of life which was never going to end. The offer of forgiveness and eternal life is there for each [.....]
Sue's Prayer Reflections: April
May I suggest you simply spend time holding or focusing on a cross – maybe your Palm Sunday Cross, and remembering our Lord’s death and resurrection.
[.....]
Services for Holy Week 2015. Please contact us for details
Monday of Holy Week19.30 40 ReflectionTuesday of Holy Week12:00 Reflection & Lunch at the Harvester
19.30 Stations of the CrossWednesday of Holy Week19.30 Eucharist & AnointingThursday of Holy Week19.30 Eucharist & Foot Washing. Watch.Good Friday 09.30 Children's Workshop (until 13.30)
14:00 The Liturgy of the CrossHoly Saturday20.00 The Service of LightEaster Day 5th April08.00 BCP Eucharist,
10.00 Family Eucharist
18.30 EvensongEaster Monday08.30 Breakfast then Easter Pilgrimage [.....]
Dear Friends: March - Perfect Peace
Dear Friends
When we gather to worship on Sunday we are in a way taking part in two different services.
The first is the Ministry of the Word: A welcome, a reflection on our sins, the reading of Scripture and the proclaiming of the Gospel, Sermon, Creed and prayers.
The second part is the Ministry of the Sacrament where are focus switches to the table and the offering of bread and wine, Christ’s Body and blood.
In the early church the first part of the service would have been open to all, [.....]
Spring – the time for sowing and planting – and it’s nearly here!
The Bible contains many references to plants. Jesus described himself as the vine; Hosea wrote about ploughing the soil prior to planting. In Psalm 1 we read, “He (a man who follows God), is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.”
Perhaps as you choose and sow your seeds, in the place you have prepared, and water them and watch them grow, until [.....]
Something to do
Light a candle and sit quietly, watching the flame. Think how a flame gives warmth and light: both of these are essential for life. Remember how God spoke to Moses from the burning bush. Remember how Jesus came as ‘The Light of the World’. Pray that your heart will be warmed by hearing God’s word, and your path lit as you follow Jesus.
A Prayer of St. ColumbaMy dearest Lord,
Be thou a bright flame before me,
Be thou a guiding star above me,
Be thou a smooth [.....]
Dear Friends: February - Thank You
Dear Friends,
All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
1 Cor 12:27
This month I want to say two simple words – Thank you.
Thank you to all the people who volunteer at All Saints and contribute to our life together. People who volunteer in different ways, some practical, some spiritual, many that are both. Churches run on volunteers and they are frequently not easy to replace when for whatever reason they are no longer able to continue their service.
Service is a good [.....]
JANUARY TASKS
There is a picture in ‘Scouting for Boys’ of Lord Baden-Powell sitting amidst the family fun of Xmas Day, writing letters. He said that a present wasn’t really yours until you had said ‘thank you’! – so, I ask, “Have you written your Xmas ‘thank you letters’ yet?” – And, while you are about it, why not write a letter to God as well, to say thank you for all his blessings, and for the greatest gift of all, the gift of His Son?
And, have you [.....]
Sun 18th Jan Pulpit Swap - Revd Duncan Campbell will be preaching
Mon 19th Jan 8pm Kingswood Baptist
Tues 20th Jan 8pm Garston Community Church
Wed 21st Jan 12.15pm North Watford Methodist
Thurs 22nd Jan 5.30pm - 7.30pm Leavesden Road
Baptist Family Flexi Church with singing, arts and crafts, activities and family food all welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult
Fri 24th Jan 8pm Woodside Church of the Nazarene
Sat 25th Jan 10.30am Grace Communion at St Peters
Sun 26th Jan 4pm Christ Church
[.....]
Dear Friends: January - Who Are We?
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year!
In the New Year it is traditional to take a thoughtful look at ourselves and where we are – even who we are. I was reminded of this early December when I had to fill in a form describing the worshiping tradition and spirituality of the parish. Like many of these things the form soon descended into ‘Christianese’!
One option was Central – or ‘Middle of the Road’. Every Parish I have ever worshiped in thought it was ‘Middle of the Road’. Unfortunately the ‘Middle of [.....]