Dear friends,

Easter draws near. Next Sunday marks the start of Holy Week, when we commemorate Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, not in a tank, but on a donkey. He did not plan to abduct, torture or kill others, rather this was to be his own fate. The crowds welcomed him with branches and cheers, but in the end even his own followers fled. What began as a triumph ended in a brutal execution, a show murder on the main road out of town. (Whoever says God does not know how it is has not looked very carefully at the New Testament) Yet three days later the tomb was empty. Fake news! cried the authorities. The guards said nothing, but kept muttering about angels right up until their own “early retirement”.

Palm Sunday Worship Services 10th April

9.30am Morning Prayer at St John’s Stoke Row with Revd Angela Linton

11am Palm Sunday Holy Communion at Checkendon Church with Revd Kevin Davies. Join us as we begin Holy Week. Hymns and a palm cross to take home.

Other service options for elsewhere in the Team can be found on the Langtree Team Ministry Churches website. There’s no Sunday evening service during Lent, but an online reflection every day.

The Lent Journey: 8.30-8.40pm online every day on zoom: 842 3891 2144 and 123165

“Forty Words” is our ten minute daily online reflection for Lent 2022, hosted by Revd Kevin and Revd John. A word from Scripture, a reflection, music and prayer between 8.30-8.40pm every day. You can join the pilgrimage using zoom numbers 842 3891 2144 and 123165.  Do make a note of them in your diary. Everyone is welcome, wherever you are. Come every day, or drop in when you can.

Easter Services for your diary.

Maundy Thursday 14th April: Communion of the Last Supper at Checkendon at 7.30pm.

Good Friday 15th April: An informal and interactive service for all ages at Checkendon School at 10.30am. Songs, craft, video, colouring and hot cross buns!

Easter Sunday 17th April: 9.30am Holy Communion at Stoke Row, 11am Easter Celebration at Checkendon.

You can support Checkendon church and  Stoke Row churches via our online card donation pages. Just click on the link. It is very secure. There is a new option to set your donation to be monthly rather than one off. There is also an option to Gift Aid your donation. Please do this if you can as your church can then reclaim the income tax you have paid on your donation.

Please pray for:

Charlotte Snowden, who is now at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Pray for the healing of her spine and recovery of movement for her arms and legs. You  can tie a yellow ribbon for her onto the prayer tree in church.

Refugees from the Ukraine seeking placement in the UK, and for their hosts, and all those working to make connections, and offer help. You can tie a blue ribbon for all these people onto the prayer tree in church.

The schools in our communities, breaking up for their holidays this week. For staff, pupils, and parents, after a very difficult term where Covid has been still causing disruption.

“Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord”. (Phil 3:1)

Your Rector, Canon Kevin