LEXDEN METHODIST CHURCH
Notices for Week Commencing 18th February 2024
The spirit descended on him like a dove. Mark 1 v 10
We offer you all a very warm welcome especially if you are a visitor and to those who will be watching the DVD during the week and to Rev Hannah Chun who is leading our worship with Holy Communion this morning.
PRAYER
Please pray for our Ministers – Rev Chris Preece and Rev Hannah Chun.
Continue to pray for all others who are in any way troubled, lonely, unwell or bereaved and anyone else who needs our prayers.
NOTICES
Hannah’s Pastoral letter for February – please see below.
Mersea Methodist Church are holding a quiz night on Saturday 24th February at 6:30pm. Supper included, suggested donation £5 towards church funds. Please call Ann on 386841 if you are attending.
Women’s Day of Prayer – at West Bergholt on Friday 1st March – 12:15pm for soup lunch – 1:30pm service. Please see Viv if you would like transport.
Annual Church Meeting on Wednesday 6th March at 2:00pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please join us if you are able.
Easter Day Service – this will be Holy Communion led by Rev Hannah Chun and will take place at 3pm on Sunday 31st March. Please note there will not be a morning service on that day.
Sunday Services on DVD – If you, or anyone you know, would like a copy of our Sunday morning service on DVD please speak with Geoff or one of the stewards.
Midweek Prayer Time – every Thursday. A short service of prayer and reflection. Everyone welcome.
DIARY OF SERVICES AND EVENTS
Thursday 22nd February
9:30am – Midweek Prayer Time
Thursday 29th February
9:30am – Midweek Prayer Time
Next Sunday Service 3rd March
10:30am – Worship led by Rev Hannah Chun
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If you need prayer or help in anyway, please contact your pastoral visitor or you can call Rev Hannah Chun on 07935 612414 or Alan Beesley on 766604.
Dear Friends,
A few weekends ago, my family and I visited Dedham for the first time. I had heard so much about the beautiful village and well, it’s Constable Country! There was plenty to be excited about. We attempted to do the walk partway towards Flatford Mill along the River Stour. However, we realised about a quarter way into the walk that our footgear was not suitable for what this walk would entail. We should have worn our wellies! The further we got the muddier it became and soon enough we were squelching through thick gloopy mud for the rest of the walk. Looking back at that experience, I realised I had been so focused on looking at the ground and where I was stepping that I hadn’t taken the time to drink in the beauty of the scenery around me.
Sometimes when we’re so focused on looking down or looking into the details we may miss the bigger picture. The details are important, but I wonder whether there might be a tendency to be ‘stuck in the mud’ if we never look up to see the fuller landscape around us.
February is a busy month. There will be plenty of the finer details to focus on. Especially as we yearn for the end of winter to arrive and look for the small signs of spring emerging, our attention may be drawn to the tiny buds that begin to sprout up here and there. Each bud holds the bigger picture of new life, hope and warmer weather.
Lent comes earlier this year. We begin our Lenten journey on Ash Wednesday which will be preceded by Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day when traditionally all the sugar was used up in the household to prepare for Lent. Some of us may choose to either give up or take on something during Lent. How are you hoping or planning to mark Lent this year? No matter how we choose to follow this Lenten journey, may we be reminded that all the smaller details of this season ultimately lead us to the bigger picture of Easter and Christ’s resurrection. The message of Easter is the backdrop to Lent and all we believe in as Christians.
May you discover afresh the broader landscape of God’s love for you as you journey through this Lent. I feel the words said at the moment of baptism can have meaning for all of us as we ponder on the bigger picture of what Jesus did for us.
For you Jesus Christ came into the world;
For you he lived and showed God’s love;
For you he suffered death on the Cross;
For you he triumphed over death,
Rising to newness of life;
For you he prays at God’s right hand:
All this for you,
Before you could know anything of it.
(Methodist Worship Book)
God bless,
Hannah
Lexden Methodist Church 