The Welland-Fosse Benefice: Prayers and Notices.

Sunday 5 April 2020:  Palm Sunday.

Please remember in your prayers those who are sick:  Ann Fowler, Gill Profit, Jeremy Bagshaw (Kay’s son); Coronavirus) and Barry Broughton.

In our wider prayers we remember the Deanery of Greater Northampton and its Rural Dean, Beverley Hollins.

Don’t forget our very own daily Lent Blog which can be accessed via the Benefice website, www.wellandfosse.org.

If you have now received your stewardship form, please consider prayerfully how you might respond.  (The Priest-in-Charge has just rediscovered his!).

There are limited number of Palm Crosses in circulation. Please contact your wardens.

SOUTH LUFFENHAM:

If you would like a Palm Cross delivering to your door please email sally@saltlane.com (if you haven’t  already done so).

If you are out for a walk on Good Friday there will hopefully be a wooden cross on the village green, for quiet contemplation. 

TIXOVER:

Please think of Margaret and Derek Barker.

 

Here is a short meditation extract for Palm Sunday but first you might want to click and watch this short Pam Sunday video – great for children of any age! Called Holy Moly! It goes on to tell the story of Maundy Thursday too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipAcuR-NiYc

You are in Jerusalem – a crowd is gathering. As you peer down the road you see them coming, men, women, a few children their sandals kicking up dust in the dry air. One man is riding, the donkey just a little small, so his long legs drag in the dust.  The stranger standing next to you points and yells, “There he is.”

Your eyes follow the line of his pointing finger. You ask, “On the donkey, is that Jesus on the donkey.”   The stranger nods. As they approach people around you cut palms from the trees and wave them. A chant rises from the watchers. “Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna, to the son of David.” Are you joining them or standing back and just watching?   A victorious king rides a donkey as he returns to his city. What victory is Jesus celebrating?   The little party passes directly in front of you. Your eyes are drawn to Jesus. He turns his head. Your eyes meet and hold their gaze.  What message are you receiving from Jesus? What would you like to tell him?  The moment is fleeting. He smiles and turns to someone else. In minutes the parade is over. Did you wave your flag?   As you watch the little band of people pass through the gates, you realize the sun has dropped even lower. They disappear from view. How are you feeling now? What will you tell your friends about this encounter?

See wellandfosse.org for much more information, including contact details for

The Very Rev Christopher Armstrong and the churchwardens