Sunday 21 February 2021: Lent 1

To include articles on this sheet contact Valda Pearson on 07751 663339 or email valdaapearson@gmail.com by Tuesday evening. 

10:15    Parish Eucharist in church and live streamed

Last week the parish eucharist was viewed 708 times on Facebook.  This is remarkable but also proves that those who can't get to church at the moment can continue to join in with worship wherever they are.  

Please pass on the link https://www.facebook.com/Eccle...so we can bring hope to all those in need of comfort at this time.

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness, and was tempted as we are, yet without sin;: give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit; and, as you know our weakness, so may we know your power to save; 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.

Sunday 21 February Readings:

Genesis 9 : 8 - 17

1 Peter 3 : 18 - 22

 Mark 1 : 9 - 15

Intercessions   

We pray for an end to coronavirus:

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose years never fail and whose mercies are new each returning day: let the radiance of your Spirit renew our lives, warming our hearts and giving light to our minds; that we may pass the coming year in joyful obedience and firm faith; through him who is the beginning and the end, your Son, Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.

Those in need this week:

Maureen Dalby; Pauline Readett; Gregory McMahon; Pat Lee; Carla Brindle; Mary Brown;

Those who have been in need for some time:

Tommy Trayling; Colin Buckley; Pat Wilson; Helen Christopher; Graham Pownall; Olivia Wilson; Tony Dolan; Margaret Dolan; Audrey Batten; June Davenport; Pat Lee, Michael Walker, Gemma Kavanagh, Maureen Brindle

The departed

Harold True; David Walton

Those whose anniversary occurs this week

Beatrice Taylor; Madeline Brothwood; Alice Makinson; Nora Elizabeth Hargreaves

Banns of Marriage

Third time of asking

Andrea Jean Johnson and Ian Henry Smeatham

What's on

Daily readings in the week

Monday 22 February           Mark 35 : 31 - end

Tuesday 23 February          Polycarp    Matthew 6 : 7 - 15

Wednesday 24 February     Luke 11 : 29 - 32

Thursday 25 February        Matthew 7 : 7 - 12

Friday 26 February            Matthew 5 : 25 26

Saturday 27 February       George Herbert    Matthew 5 : 43 - end

The verse of a hymn by the poet-priest, George Herbert

King of glory, King of peace,
I will love Thee;
And that love may never cease,
I will move Thee.
Thou hast granted my request,
Thou hast heard me;
Thou didst note my working breast,
Thou hast spared me.

Click on the image to hear the hymn

Morning Prayer will be said in church Monday to Thursday 09:00 and Evening Prayer at 17:00

Wednesday        Midweek 11:30 Eucharist

Next Week:

28 February  Lent 2   Purple

Readings:     

Genesis 17: 1-7 and 15-16; Romans 4: 13-25; Mark 8: 31-38

Weekly church running costs - £1901

THE COST OF KEEPING OPEN OUR CHURCH is £14 PER PERSON PER WEEK – current levels of giving work out at £5 per person per week increasing the gap between incomings and outgoings even further.  The financial situation is becoming increasingly worrying.  Please help as much as you can. Forms are available to make a Standing Order if you would prefer to contribute in this way. Forms are available for tax payers from the treasurer or Gift Aid Secretary, Eric Smith. Please make sure you have completed yours. Gift Aiding raised £11,707 in year 2019.

 Eccleston St Marys PCC Sort Code 09-01-55 A/c 23903081

CONTACT DETAILS

Rector                  Fr Andrew Brown        01257 452777

Church Warden     Gill Jamieson             01257 451863

Church Warden     Garry Fishwick           07885 839067

Weddings              Andrea Cheetham      01257 451932

Baptisms              Claire Walsh               01257 433167

Funerals               Linda Thornton          01257 451075

PCC Secretary       valdaapearson@gmail.com  

The following daily intentions are suggested:

Monday        Staff returning to schools today

Tuesday        The Government and the Civil Service

Wednesday   Persistence in our Lenten disciplines

Thursday      The Diocese of Manchester

Friday          Poets in the Christian Tradition

Saturday       An end to coronavirus

Coming to church

Congregational Worship is specially permitted even during the current national lockdown.  You may be aware that some churches have decided to remain closed, this is particularly true of other denominations but also include some Anglican parishes; in the Church of England not opening at least once per week for a service is subject to Canon Law and the Bishop’s discretion.  After discussion with neighbouring parishes, the Church Wardens believe  that we can offer the sacraments to those who wish to receive them with minimum risk of spreading infection.  We will keep the situation under review to maintain a clean and safe environment, offering the sacraments to those you wish to receive them.  However, please remember to register your attendance and use hand sanitiser from the new automatic dispenser (which further reduces the risk of spreading infection) when entering; wear a mask and remain two metres apart from others at all times.

Support during Coronavirus Isolation

Please continue to keep in touch with church:

The Parish Website - www.ecclestonstmaryschurch.org

Worship - online Eucharists are available through social media

Personal Contact – please request help if you require it

Prayers - Please contact Liz Green to be included.

The Lent Books are now available at the back of church or by request to Fr Andrew who will deliver one to your home (if you live locally, otherwise we can post a copy) – please request one in person or by email.

The Diocese is providing these resources free of charge for your reflection and devotion.  After the success of the Advent Devotional where 5000 copies were distributed across the diocese, we are launching a similar resource to take us through Lent entitled ‘Read, Mark, & Learn’. Our focus this time will be on Mark’s Gospel and will take in every verse, with contributions from both clergy and lay-people. The resource is designed for all church members but we hope it will be especially valuable to those unable to gather in person for worship at this time. We are planning a Zoom discussion group for those with the book.  If you are interested in taking part please let Fr Andrew or a warden know.

Does this painting intrigue you?  Caravaggio painted the Calling of St Matthew in 1602.  

Fr Andrew is preparing a Lenten reflection on the painting and the role of each character depicted.  

It will be available online in the next couple of weeks.  Look out for how this great work of art is relevant to your experience in Lent 2021.

We want your opinion.  St Mary's Primary School are exploring the possibility of setting up a nursery in autumn 2021.  They need to know if there is a need or demand for this exciting new venture.  If you have children, either preschool age or older, or if you know someone who does the governors would like to know your views.  Please encourage as many people as possible to complete the quick and easy online survey which can be found by clicking on this link or select the image of the school door to take you to the questionnaire.

The Weekly Message from the Diocese of Blackburn is time from Bishop Philip, who is always good value.  He reflects on having a joyful Lent rather than a miserable Lent.  You can view the YouTube video here of by clicking on the image to the right.

Foundation Governors we have two further vacancies at our CE Primary School.  Contact Fr Andrew if you are interested and more information is available at the Blackburn Board of Education website (click here to direct you to their website) or specifically at the Governors' landing page on the Board of Education website.  More information about our Church of England Primary School can be found on their website by clicking on the school logo to the right.

Candles and Palm crosses are things we use because we are an open church: e.g. power, heat, candles, hosts for communion etc.  There is no cost to a closed church.  The Paschal Candle is a source of light and hope at Easter and at each baptism, wedding and funeral as it symbolising new life through the resurrection.  Each year a new candle is lit on Easter Eve - these cost £75.  We spend £30 on Palm Crosses annually.  This year we are inviting donations to cover the cost of these important items which are used because of the active ministry in the parish which has not ceased dispute the current lockdown.   If you would like to make a contribution please donate at the back of church, at The Rectory in the week or by selecting the online link on the candle picture on the right.

Giving - your donations through our contactless terminal in church can now benefit from GiftAid if you are a UK taxpayer. That means for every £5 you donate, Eccleston St Mary’s PCC receives £6.25. To help us receive this extra benefit please register your Visa and MasterCard on the Swiftaid website (by clicking on the link or the image above) before you use the terminal in church. Please contact Eric Smith if you will to join the envelope scheme.  He has a number spare.  

Also please sign up to Easyfundraising (details below) as this is such a good way to earn money for church without any effort, especially now that online purchases are increasing popular since the beginning of the pandemic.

Ecclesiastical Insurance runs a scheme called Trust 130.  As an insurance company they havegiven more than £430,000 to churches in the UK as part of the Trust130 campaign and now we’re extending for another year.  There is no limit on the number of donations which can be made. We could benefit from Trust130 donations of £130, if you take out anew policy with Ecclesiastical and mention St Marys, Eccleston and Trust 130:  please contact Ecclesiastical Insurance on 0800 7830 130  You can read more about the scheme by clicking the picture on the right.

It's a quiet time at the moment but you can plan ahead by lighting up the church to mark a special day, or may be some retail therapy is just want you need - don't forget to buy online during lockdown using the Easy Fundraising link to benefit our parish funds.

Book Floodlighting – it is now possible to book the floodlighting again.  Please use this form to make your request and online payment.  It only costs £10 to light up the church for one evening.  We also feature your memorial on the parish website and on our Facebook page.  Join those who have raised over £1,300 for church funds as they remember an important event or person when they have 'Lit up the Church'.

Keep up with the latest news and events on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/ecclestons... select - Follow  

Keep up to date with www.ecclestonstmaryschurch.org

If you shop online, please register for Easyfundraising Cause

When you click on this link you will be able to make a small donation to our parish work each time you shop at selected retailers at no additional cost to you.  Our 62 supporters have raised £1,869.94 so for so why not join them at this time that all non essential shops are closed.  

Disability Provision

There is a hearing Loop system

Space is provided in church for wheelchair users. A wheelchair is available.                     

Disability toilet in the Parish Centre

Fire Notice   

There are two emergency exits:

Through the main door Through the Jesus Chapel (To the right of the altar) Muster by the War Memorial, await instructions