Update on Sunday Worship

Sunday 22nd March

Fifth Sunday of Lent

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Sunday 22nd March
  9:15 am   Holy Communion  St Lawrence Towcester
10:15 am   Benefice Sunday Worship via Zoom
11:15 am   Holy Communion (BCP)  St Bartholomew’s  Greens Norton
  2:00 pm to 4:30 pm   Stainer’s Crucifixion Rehearsal  St Lawrence, Towcester
  6:00 pm   Stainer’s Crucifixion  St Lawrence, Towcester

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Looking ahead to events and services that are happening please do look at the monthly calendar for March

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Dear friends,

This coming week, the Church of England marks a significant and historic moment as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury is formally enthroned on Wednesday 25th March, the Feast of the Annunciation.  What makes this moment particularly striking is not only the service itself in Canterbury Cathedral, but the journey that leads to it. On Tuesday this week, Archbishop Sarah set out on a pilgrimage on foot from London to Canterbury.

It is a powerful sign. Before taking up the seat of St Augustine, there is first a walking of the road. Step by step, mile by mile, a deliberate journey towards Canterbury, echoing centuries of Christian pilgrimage, prayer, and purpose. It feels deeply fitting that this happens in the season of Lent.

Lent is, at its heart, a journey. Not a rushed arrival, but a slow and intentional movement, a turning again towards God. Like any pilgrimage, it asks something of us: time, attention, honesty, and sometimes a willingness to walk through uncomfortable places.

Here, in our own life together across the benefice, we are walking that journey in many different ways.

Over the past 7 weeks, 15 to 20 people have been gathering weekly for our Holy Spirit Bible Study, tracing the movement of the Spirit across the whole sweep of scripture. From the breath hovering over the waters in Genesis to the life of the Church today. It has been a reminder that God is not distant or static, but active, present, and at work in all things.

Over that past 3 week, 600 children have been journeying through the Easter story with Experience Easter, stepping into the events of Holy Week in ways that are tangible, creative, and deeply engaging. As one head teacher reflected, “the children came back buzzing with all they had experienced, and we are so grateful to everyone who gave their time to make it so special.”

Last Sunday, in Towcester and Greens Norton, we shared joyful and truly intergenerational celebrations for Mothering Sunday, a reminder that church is what we do together. Thank you to everyone who helped make those services so special.

This week in our young people’s group, Faith, Food and Fun, the journey continued as they explore the Passion story, including the joy of making Palm Sundaes as they step into Palm Sunday.

All of these are part of the same pilgrimage, because as the Archbishop walks the ancient path to Canterbury, we too are walking in study, in worship, in conversation, and in community towards Holy Week.

As we draw closer to Holy Week, let us continue to be pilgrims, walking the road to the cross together as Church.

This Sunday, there is the opportunity to gather for John Stainer’s Crucifixion at 6pm at St Lawrence, a service of music and reflection that draws us into the story of the cross. 

Then next Sunday is Palm Sunday. We have our benefice service at 10:15am at St Michael’s Bradden. We will start by gathering outside the village for those who are able at 10:05am and we will take part in the reading of Matthew's Passion as we follow the road that Jesus himself walks. From the crowds of Palm Sunday to the cross, and beyond, a journey marked by love, sacrifice, and hope.

So this week offers us a gentle prompt not simply to observe, but to enter more deeply into our own Lenten pilgrimage. To trust that the road we are on is leading us, step by step, towards life.

With prayers 

Revd Paula Challen
 

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