Sunday 31st March 2019
Mothering Sunday, Lent 4
A PRAYER FOR MOTHERING SUNDAY
Loving God, we thank you for the love of the mothers you have given us, whose love is so precious that it can never be measured.
May your loving hand guide them.
We ask you to bless them with your own special love.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Today
8.00am Holy Communion
10.00am Parish Communion
4.00pm Church at 4
Diary – Week Commencing 31st March
Monday 1st April
The Parish Office is closed today
8.30am Morning Prayer – Church
10.00am Bible Study Group—11 St John Road
Tuesday 2nd April
The Parish Office is closed today
8.30am Morning Prayer – Church
9.30am Wroughton Infant School Easter Service – Church
7.30pm Lent Course – Church
9.00pm Night Prayer Compline – Church
Wednesday 3rd April
8.30am There will be no Morning Prayer during Lent
10.00am Lent Course – St Joseph’s Church
Thursday 4th April
8.30am Morning Prayer – Church
9.00am Wroughton Junior School Easter Service – Church
7.30pm Choir Practice
Filling Station – Tony & Tracy
Friday 5th April
8.45am Morning Prayer – Prospect Hospice
12noon Lent Lunch – St Joseph’s Church
7.00pm Bellringers Practice
7.00pm 115 Club (1st & 3rd Friday of the Month)
Saturday 6th April
10.00am Healing on the Streets – Ellendune Centre
The Parish Office
The Office will be closed on Monday 1st & Tuesday 2nd April and will reopen on Wednesday 3rd April.
Dates for your diary 2019
Holiday Club 2019
This years Holiday Club will be Monday 12th to Friday 16th August 2019
Sunday 7th April 2019
Lent 5
8.00am Holy Communion
Preacher: Martina Lewis
Sidespeople: Alan & Christine Wrixon
10.00am Parish Communion
Preacher: Martina Lewis
Intercessions: Sheila Tubey
Reading: Isaiah 43. 16-21
Reader: Diane Phillips
Gospel: John 12. 1-8
Servers: Kathy Leach and Gillian Pitter
Sidespeople: Sally Parker and June Bradley
11.00am Annual Parochial Church Meeting
4.00pm Church at 4
Leader: Diane Phillips
6.00pm Evensong
Preacher: Mark Tubey
Intercessions: Margaret Penfound
1st Reading: 2 Chronicles 35. 1-6, 10-16
Reader: Roger Moore
2nd Reading: Luke 22. 1-13
Reader: Clive Parker
Sidespeople: Trish Green and Carol Brown
Compline during Lent
There will be a short said service of Compline (Night Prayer) at 9pm each Tuesday evening during Lent. The service will include a short reading from the bible and a period of silence for personal reflection.
Gluten free wafers
If you require a gluten free wafer for holy communion please let a sidesperson know.
Floodlighting
The Church will be floodlit on Tuesday 2nd April by Bill & Doreen Greenshields in memory of their son, Andrew on his birthday.
Electoral Roll 2019
A copy of the new electoral roll is on the notice board at the back of church. Please take a few moments to check your details. If your details are incorrect or your name is missing please contact the office as soon as possible.
Our Annual Parochial Church Meeting will take place at 11am in church on Sunday 7 April. Elections will be held to fill six vacancies on the Parochial Church Council. Please consider prayerfully whether you might stand- PCC nomination forms are on the church chest and the Bristol Diocese website has useful information on what being on the PCC involves. Copies of the Agenda and Annual Report 2018 will be available towards the end of March.
PCC vacancies
Due to a number of people coming to the end of their term and others stepping down, we have a number of vacancies on the PCC for 2019. Please prayerfully consider whether you might be able to help with the governance and spiritual leadership of our church by joining the PCC. There are approximately 5 PCC meetings each year. Nomination forms can be found at the back of church.
Lent course
We’ll be using the Bible Society’s Lent material this year. Focusing on Jesus’ last words from the cross we’ll discover what the Bible has to say about loneliness as we explore six messages of great hope and great challenge. These themes will be supported by weekly BBC radio services and podcasts leading up to Easter. Sessions will be on Tuesday evenings at 7:30pm in church and then REPEATED on Wednesday mornings at 10am in St Joseph’s church hall. People are free to come to a mix of mornings and evenings. The first session will be on Tuesday 12th March.
Lent Lunches
Lent lunches every Friday during Lent at St Joseph’s Parish Centre from 12 noon to 12.45pm. Donations for Christian Aid / Cafod.
Tearfund’s Mean Bean Challenge
I shall be taking on the Mean Bean Challenge to eat only plain rice and beans for 5 days from 20th to 24th March to raise awareness of the many people in the world whose everyday diet is very simple food. Any sponsorship money will go to Tearfund to support their work among some of the poorest people in the world. Please sponsor me if you are able. Here is a link to my page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/margaretsmeanbeanchallenge2019 or add your name to the sign up sheet. Having done this challenge a couple of years ago, I know it’s not an easy one to complete. Margaret Penfound
Quiz Night
The Harbour Project is hosting its annual Quiz night on Friday, 26th April, 7.00 -10.00 pm at St Joseph ‘s College, Swindon. Tickets are £13.50, which includes a fish & chip supper. Those of us who have previously taken part have had a really good evening. Let’s see if we can get two teams of 8 from Wroughton! Please speak to Margaret Penfound for more information.
Ordination of Teresa Townsend
Teresa Townsend is being ordained a priest on Saturday 29th June. The service is 3.30pm. We have hired a coach, if you would like join us for the service or just an afternoon in Bristol we will leave at 1.45pm. Return from Bristol at 6ish. Cost should be £10/12. Please sign up with either Jean Ford or Ross Fralley.
Do you shop at Waitrose?
If you shop at Waitrose in Mill Lane please can I ask you to use your green tokens throughout April to support Cancer Ninjas. This group was set up by Mike Horlock following the loss of his wife to Breast Cancer, they support Cancer UK in the belief that by doing a little, together we can achieve a lot. Thank you. Jean Ford
Swindon Business-Owners’ Self-Help Discussion Group You are warmly invited to join us at The Pilgrim Centre, Regent Circus, Swindon SN1 1PX (2nd Floor)
Tuesdays at 12.00 noon. Bring your own lunch. Drinks will be provided. Are you working on your own or in a small business? Are you stressed, worried, or coping with a difficult life situation? Would you like to meet up with others who are going through something similar? Come in and talk through your issues in a safe, confidential, accepting environment. This activity is organized by Swindon Commercial Chaplaincy which is open to all faiths and no faith. We will not preach; we are just here to offer support.
Joyce Mwangi
Joyce is desperately trying to raise £350 towards her daughter’s school fees which are due at the end of March. Without it her daughter will not be able to take her exams. I know some of you have been very generous in the past and I have said we will certainly pray that she finds the money but if anyone is happy to contribute, however small, I will collect on Sunday. Sally Parker
Knitting for Mission to Seafarers
Knitters you are amazing. This week I have sent off a parcel of 20 hats and 15 scarves and am already half way to the next box full. Thank you all very much. We have been given a lot of wool recently so thank you to the donors and please take some if you would like to get knitting. It is on the pew near to the piano. Further information from Janet Henderson 525856.
Legge House Monthly Prayer Point
Pray that Legge House has the right combination of staff and volunteers for the coming busy months over the Spring and Summer. May the House continue to be a beacon of Christian hospitality.
This week please also pray for:-
- Swindon Youth for Christ
- Those leading our Lent Courses this year
- Wroughton Infant & Junior School
- We commend to God’s care and keeping those who have died recently especially Richard Bracher, Irene Page, David Bottrill and Frank Whatley. We pray for all who mourn the loss of loved ones.