Dear Member of All Saints,
We hope this letter finds everyone well and feeling hopeful about the future. The planning for having attended services has continued apace and there is no current indication that Government plans will bring about a change. Therefore, there will be opportunities for people to come into All Saints for some services prior to and over Easter and beyond.
* The first opportunity is on this coming Sunday the 28th March at 9am for a service of Morning Praise – Please don’t forget that the clocks go forward one hour from 2am on that day.
* This will be followed by the service on Good Friday 2nd April at 10.45am for a Service of Meditation. This service will be live-streamed and can be accessed via the Church’s YouTube channel with the details on the Facebook page.
* Then on Easter Sunday 4th April at 9am for a service of Morning Praise (This will not include Holy Communion). This service will also be live-streamed.
* The 10.45 service on Easter Sunday is All Age Worship and will be available on-line.
In order for services to continue to be shown live more new members are required for the Technical Team. Please consider if this is something that you could help with. As we said last week no technical knowledge is required, training will be given and age should not be considered a barrier, with younger members of the church being particularly welcome.
Given that it is 12 months since the effects of the pandemic have been felt across the British Isles, this week has been a time for looking back and many have being doing so with considerable sadness but also with a great deal of gratitude to the people in all walks of life who have made the last 12 months more bearable for us all. Consequently and despite the sadness we all have much for which to thank God. Nevertheless, for many the last 12 months will have led to us having questioning thoughts like “What is God doing? Why is suffering lasting so long when we are all praying for it to end”?
The apostle Peter answered similar questions in his second letter in relation to the return of Jesus. Peter’s response is very helpful. 2 Peter 3:8-9 “But do not forget this one thing dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” In other words, God’s timing and purposes are perfect and are an encouragement to us to keep praying for their fulfilment and for more and more people to come to him “in repentance.”
It would be good if as many as possible could focus on praying to that end between now and Easter.
John Chester and Andy Creeth, Church Wardens