St John's News - 4 March 2025

Dear friends,

'Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.'
Luke 14:15

Today is Shrove Tuesday. The word 'shrove' comes from the old Roman Catholic practice of 'shriving,' which meant going to church to confess your sins before Lent began. In Anglo-Saxon England, a 'shriving' bell was rung on Shrove Tuesday to call people to church for this purpose.

Lent starts tomorrow with Ash Wednesday. To mark this occasion there will be a service with the (optional) imposition of ashes on foreheads at 5:00pm in the church.

The Ladies Brunch is this Saturday (8 March) at 10:00am and Catherine Joughin will be speaking. Please email legoodridge@gmail.com if you are not yet signed up and would like to come.

Please note there is no prayer meeting this Saturday.

If you missed the all age service on Sunday, you can catch up on our YouTube channel.

Next Sunday's service includes the Lord's Supper and the main reading is Mark 10:1-16. The Sunday School will be looking at the parable of the 3 servants.

On Sunday 23 March at 3:15pm there is a fundraising event for Mercy Ships with poems, stories, and "retro-praise" with the church band. Refreshments provided. Entry is free, but donations to the work of Mercy Ships will be appreciated. Mercy Ships deploys hospital ships to some of the poorest countries in the world, delivering vital, free healthcare to people in desperate need – find out more here.

Finally, a reminder to sign up for the new church electoral roll. Please print and complete the attached form and return it to Amanda Fairgrieve (at church or to Feldway, Station Road, Elmswell, IP30 9HD) by 12 April. Hard copies of the form with pens are available at the front of church.

In Christ,

Peter
Tue 04 Mar 2025