Bexley Team News
St Barnabas, Joydens Wood
St James, North Cray
St John the Evangelist, Bexley
St Mary the Virgin, Bexley
Sunday 29 March 2020 Issue 2 The Fifth Sunday of Lent
PUBLIC WORSHIP HAS BEEN SUSPENDED IN ALL CHURCHES & PLACES OF WORSHIP.
British Summer Time starts Sunday 29 March. Don’t forget to put your clocks
forward one hour.
Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love to the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you,in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Bible Readings for this Sunday
Old Testament Reading Ezekiel chapter 37 verses 1-14
New Testament Reading Romans chapter 8 verses 6-11
Gospel Reading The Gospel of John chapter 11 verses 1-45
Prayers
Lord Jesus, who healed the sick and gave them new life, be with doctors, nurses and carers, as they act as agents of your healing touch. In desperate times, keep them strong yet loving; and when their work is done, be with them in their weariness and in their tears. Amen. (Althea Hayton, adapted)
Keep us, good Lord under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbour and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you. In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick, and to assure the isolated of our love, and your love, for your name’s sake. Amen.
A reflection from Pope Francis.
Tonight before falling asleep, think about when we will return to the street, when we hug again, when all the shopping together will seem like a party .Let’s think about when the coffee will return to the bar, the small talk, the photos close to each other. We think about when it will all be a memory but normality will seem an unexpected and beautiful gift. We will love everything that has so far seemed futile to us, every second will be precious. Swims at the sea, the sun until late, sunsets, toasts, laughter. We will go back to laughing together. Strength and courage. See you soon!
Around and about
We encourage everyone to pause and say the Lord’s Prayer at 11.00 am each day and to pray at 7.00 pm each evening. We can be together in prayer even when we are apart.
Bexley Foodbank. The most needed items this week are toiletries, shampoo/conditioner, dried noodles,
sugar, sponge puddings and packets of custard. We can no longer access the collection boxes in churches but most supermarkets have their own if you are out doing essential shopping. Bexley Foodbank will also receive donations of items taken to them directly, see https://bexley.foodbank.org.uk/locations. You may also wish to consider donating to them financially at https://www.give.net/bexleyfoodbank
The Bishop of Rochester has recorded a You Tube message and reflection on the current crisis. Search You Tube How can we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land? A reflection from Bishop James.
If you know someone who would like to receive weekly issues they can email chrisawood2003@yahoo.com with the subject ‘Bexley Team News’
Bishop James has extended by six months the date by which Annual Parochial Church Meetings must take place. This date is now 31st October. Those who serve as PCC representatives and would have been due for re-election will therefore be able to continue for an additional six months J
The London Borough of Bexley has set up a phone line to assist people in need during the coronavirus pandemic. Whether you need someone to get shopping, pick up other essentials, or to give you information, guidance and advice, please call us on 020 3045 5398. The helpline will be open from 8am to 6pm. They are also working with Bexley Voluntary Services Council (BVSC) to support Bexley residents who are able to give their time to support the community during the Covid-19 pandemic. We are inviting people to register with the Bexley Volunteer Hub (https://bvsc.co.uk/covid-19) where willing volunteers will be matched to where they are most needed in Bexley at this time.
The Church Times is currently offering a super deal 10 copies for £10 with no commitment to continue. Go to www.churchtimes.co.uk/subscribe or call 01603 785911. Church House Bookshop has compiled a list of suggested titles for these troubled times which can be found on their website and are now offering postage and packing free of charge. Also the Time to Pray app, is now available to download free.
Bug fun
Make the most of good weather and build a bug (not the virus type) house
for the garden. Research how to make a bug home, using recyclable
materials from the home and natural items – twigs leaves moss etc from
the garden. Make the bug home and put it in a suitable place in the garden
– it can be as large or as small as you want. Encourage young children to
name & draw pictures of all the bugs which can be found in the garden
and older children to find out why these bugs are so important.
When you have finished pray for our world, for the beauty of creation,
for all creatures however large or small and for the contribution they make to our world.
News from around the Team Churches
St Mary’s, Bexley
Some planned giving envelopes are marooned at the back of church and will be liberated in due course. Clive received the following message by email- ‘Just dropping you a quick line to say how much I will miss the services at St Mary's. I have become very fond of the congregation and so I have to be glad that measures have been taken to protect them.’
St. Barnabas, Joydens Wood
In Joydens Wood and Bexley Park, the local shops that remain open have been doing what they can to deal with the spike in shoppers and ensure our frail and isolated people are given priority. A huge thank you to them – let’s hope that when the current situation goes back to ‘normal’ that we will remain loyal to our local traders.
A big worry is the huge number of people who have been enjoying the beautiful local ancient woodland – but not observing guidance about social-distancing. PLEASE keep each other safe.
Smile and wave, but keep your distance.
St James, North Cray
The primroses in the North Cray churchyard are looking absolutely beautiful. May they become a heart-lifting means of blessing for those who walk through our churchyard on their way to the Footscray Meadows.
St John’s, Bexley
Foodbank Donations- unfortunately the closure of the church means we can no longer receive foodbank donations – see ‘around and about’. Suspended Sermons are posted each Sunday at fatheredwardbarlow.wordpress.com Social Media- engage with us via Facebook (/stjohnsbexley) and Twitter (@stjohnsbexley).
Help offered/needed
If you or someone you know needs help or if you can offer assistance please contact-
St. Mary’s Bexley contact Christine Wood 01322 270942 chrisawood2003@yahoo.com
St Barnabas, Joydens Wood- contact Rev’d Ren or Kevin Clarke 07791582546 kacrat@btinternet.com
St. James, N Cray- contact Rev’d Ren or David Stevens 0208300 0867 davidstevens112@aol.com
St. Johns, Bexley- contact Revd Edward Barlow contact details below
THE BEXLEY TEAM CLERGY
Team Rector: Reverend Ren Harding renharding@hotmail.co.uk 01322 528923 07836644782
Associate Priest: Revd Sue Twynam susantwynam@btconnect.com 01322 559501 07952 468127
Team Vicar: Reverend Edward Barlow fr.edwardbarlow@gmail.com 01322 521786
Team Vicar: Reverend Clive Wood revclivewood@gmail.com 01322 270942 07982 392809