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St Barnabas, Joydens Wood
St James, North Cray
St John the Evangelist, Bexley
St Mary the Virgin, Bexley
11th April 2021 Issue56 The Second Sunday of Easter
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The risen Lord Jesus came and stood among his disciples and said ‘Peace be with you.’ Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord. Alleluia! |
St Mary’s 10.00 am Holy Communion
10.00 am Wednesday Holy Communion
St James 9.30am Holy Communion
St Barnabas 10.45am Holy Communion
St John’s Church Open for Individual Prayer
throughout the day on Wednesday
Where church buildings are open they will have been thoroughly cleaned. As usual, face-masks MUST be worn (unless medically exempt) hand sanitiser will be used and social distancing of 2 Metres MUST be observed at all times. Do not attend if you or a member of your household is shielding or vulnerable. The church doors will open for ventilation, so dress accordingly.
Team Zoom Services and Worship material
Saturday 10thApril Saturday Nightwatch Zoom Service
Sunday 11th April at 10.00 am Sunday Zoom Service
A Service of bible readings and prayer. See the final sheet of the BTNews for the songs. Invitations to the above Zoom services are being emailed. If you haven’t received the link, or are having problems, please contact any member of the Team Clergy. Dial in option is available.
Sunday 11th April Bexley Team Children’s Church
Here is the link for Children's Church this weekhttps://youtu.be/XAVLsBXm3m4
The Diocese of Rochester are producing material for children during lockdown.
All of the Ministry@Home sheets can be found on the main Diocese website under
(under 18s) or click here. Diocese of Rochester | Family Worship in the Home (anglican.org)
Bible Readings Acts 4 v32-35 Psalm 133 1 John 1 v1 -2 v2 John 20 v19- 31
The Collect: Almighty Father, you have given your only Son to die for our sins and to rise again for our justification: grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness that we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
The Additional Collect: Risen Christ, for whom no door is locked, no entrance barred: open the doors of our hearts, that we may seek the good of others and walk the joyful road of sacrifice and peace, to the praise of God the Father.
Rev’d Matt writes-
Almost two years ago now I found myself standing outside a church on a warm summer’s day with an email in my inbox. I was running slightly late for a meeting but despite the time constraints I couldn’t resist taking an extra minute to read that email. The subject header read “Rochester Diocese – Curacy Offer”. I know, you would have opened it too wouldn’t you?
That was the beginning to a story which has led my family and I being here with you all in the Bexley Team. One of the things that most attracted me to this role was the fact that this is team ministry. I love the fact that the church can work co-operatively and yet be distinctive. As a Team Curate I get to enjoy each aspect of the churches that I serve, enjoying their nuances and quirks. We are all different and yet we are united.
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Psalm 133:1 - “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
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However, unity isn’t uniformity. Although we are united, we are unique. God has made us differently, to enjoy different things, to possess different skills. It is this that makes our churches rich and distinctive. So therefore it’s good and fine for us to do things differently. So long as we are united in our common goal.
These are interesting times. Some of us have chosen to return to public ‘in person’ worship over the last couple of weeks and more may return to do so over the coming weeks. For others, emotional, physical or practical implications may mean that remaining at home and engaging with online church is the best thing for now. (note I said online church, for it is just as much ‘church’ when we gather together virtually.) Both of these options are perfectly good. We ought not to feel diminished if we remain at home for our time of worship. We ought not to feel bad if we feel awkward or uncomfortable about being in a church building again. We ought not to feel guilty if we are overjoyed at being in a physical church building again. All of these are OK.
We are not uniformed but we are united. Let us bear with our brothers and sisters as we each navigate this time of transition for ourselves. Let us remain focussed on the common goal we collectively hold; to proclaim and share the love that God has for us all.
Modern Day Slavery
This year our Lent course focussed on human trafficking and modernday slavery. This was undoubtedly challenging but thoroughly worthwhile for our churches to engage with. We thought it might be of interest to those who attended that an episode of the Channel 4 documentary '24 hours in Police Custody' recently featured a story on this subject, focussing on a Lithuanian man's experiences of modern day slavery. Having watched it I found it to be deeply moving and it opened my eyes to the experiences of men in this industry as well as the struggles of female workers. The episode, entitled 'The No Body Murder', was broadcast on Monday 6th April and can be found on the All 4 catch up service. Rev Matt
Bexley Team Forest Church
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18th April at 3.00 pm. Forest Church, which will be held each month (on the third
Sunday) at St James's Church North Cray, is open to adults and children alike and will
enable us to explore God's amazing creation through an outdoor service with activities
for all ages. Our first service will be themed on us using our senses to explore our
surroundings. Children - make sure you bring an adult with you, and we're looking
forward to seeing you there. Rev Matt
Clive will be leading a holiday to Austria and Oberammergau including the Passion Play 22-29 June 2022. If you would like a hard or e-copy of the holiday/pilgrimage brochure please let Clive know.
FINANCIAL GIVING TO THE TEAM CHURCHES
For St Barnabas Any contributions can be dropped off at the Treasurer’s house or at the Vicarage. Or you can give by BACS transfer. In all cases, if you are a taxpayer please “Gift Aid” your giving. If you have any questions regarding this please contact, David Peters on 01322 529796 or by email davidpeters45@hotmail.co.uk
For St James, North Cray Contributions can be dropped off at 91 The Grove, or made by BACS transfer, contact Suzy Higgs on 07799072548
For St John's You can give to the continuing upkeep and ministry of St John's via our Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/stjohntheevangelist-bexley
For St Mary’s If you ordinarily make your financial contributions in church but, in the present circumstances, wish to contribute by cheque then please make your cheque payable to St Mary’s Bexley PCC and send it c/o C. Lee 11 Holmesdale Road, Bexleyheath, DA7 4TJ. Your continued support is very much appreciated.
Each week the musicians at St James North Cray offer links to a selection of songs and music for us to enjoy. These can be found on our website www.stjamesnorthcray.org.uk/welcome/music/
St John’s Sermons are posted each Sunday at fatheredwardbarlow.wordpress.comSocial Media - engage with us via Facebook (/stjohnsbexley), Twitter (@stjohnsbexley) and Instagram (@stjohnsbexley)
THE BEXLEY TEAM CLERGY
Team Rector: Rev’d Ren Harding renharding@hotmail.co.uk 01322 528923 07836644782
Associate Priest: Rev’d Sue Twynam susantwynam@btconnect.com 01322 559501 07952 468127
Team Vicar: Rev’d Edward Barlow fr.edwardbarlow@gmail.com 01322 521786
Team Vicar: Rev’d Clive Wood revclivewood@gmail.com 01322 270942 07982 392809
Team Curate: Rev’d Matt Hodder matthodder10@gmail.com 07889873125
Songs for Zoom Worship – Sunday at 10.00 am.
Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
the Holy One is here;
come, bow, before Him now with reverence and fear.
In Him no sin is found, we stand on holy ground;
be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is
here.
Be still, for the glory of the Lord is shining all around;
he burns with holy fire, with splendour He is crowned.
How awesome is the sight, our radiant King of light!
Be still, for the glory of the Lord is shining all around.
Be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place;
he comes to cleanse and heal, to minister His grace.
No work too hard for Him, in faith receive from Him;
be still, for the power of the Lord is moving in this place.
I will sing the wondrous story
of the Christ who died for me;
how He left His home in glory
for the cross on Calvary.
I was lost but Jesus found me,
found the sheep that went astray;
threw His loving arms around me,
drew me back into His way.
I was bruised but Jesus healed me,
faint was I from many a fall;
sight was gone, and fears possessed me,
but He freed me from them all.
Days of darkness still come o’er me;
sorrow’s paths I often tread,
but the Saviour still is with me,
by His hand I’m safely led.
He will keep me till the river
rolls its waters at my feet,
then He’ll bear me safely over,
all my joys in Him complete.
Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
of the Christ who died for me;
sing it with the saints in glory,
gathered by the crystal sea.