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Despite the pandemic, we are celebrating Easter in church today. There are still many restrictions however, including our inability to perform the joyous sermon of Hippolitus.
So, here's a video of the last time we were able to do it (a nice sunny day, just like today):
And in case you didn't get it all (quite a bit of traffic noise, sorry), here's a transcript:
Pascal Sermon - HIPPOLYTUS of Rome
Are you God's friend and lover? rejoice in this glorious feast of feasts!
Are you God's servant, knowing God's wishes? be glad with your Master, share his rejoicing!
Are you worn down with the labour of fasting? now is your payday!
Have you been working since early morning? you will be paid fair and square.
Have you been here since the third hour? you can be thankful, you will be pleased.
If you came at the sixth hour, come up without fear, you will lose nothing.
Did you linger till the ninth hour? come forward without hesitation.
Even if you came at the eleventh hour? have no fear; it is not too late.
God is a generous employer, treating the last to come as he treats the first arrival.
God gives to the one and gives to the other: honours the deed and praises the intention.
Join, then, all of you, join in our Master's rejoicing.
You who were the first to come, you who came after, come now and collect your wages.
Rich and poor, sing and dance together.
You that are hard on yourselves, you that are easy, celebrate this day.
You that have fasted and you that have not, make merry today.
The meal is ready: come and enjoy it. The calf is a fat one: you will not go away hungry. There's hospitality for all, and to spare.
No more apologizing for your poverty: the kingdom belongs to us all.
No more bewailing your failings: forgiveness has come from the grave.
No more fears of your dying: the death of our Saviour has freed us from fear.
Death played the Master: but He has mastered death
Isaiah knew this would happen, and he cried: "Death was angered when it met you in the pit."
It was angered, for it was defeated.
It was angered, for it was mocked.
It was angered, for it was abolished.
It was angered, for it was overthrown.
It was angered, for it was bound in chains.
Death swallowed a body, and met God face to face.
It took earth and encountered heaven.
It took what is seen and fell upon the unseen.
O Death, where is your sting? O Grave, where is your victory?
Christ is risen and you are overthrown.
Christ is risen and evil has fallen.
Christ is risen and the angels rejoice.
Christ is risen and life reigns.
Christ is risen and not one dead remains in the tomb.
Christ is risen indeed from the dead, the first of all who had fallen asleep.
Glory and power to him for ever and ever!
Christ is risen! HE IS RISEN INDEED!
Christ is risen! HE IS RISEN INDEED!
Christ is risen! HE IS RISEN INDEED!
Video: Stephen Lines
Date: Easter Sunday, 4th April 2021
Dear All.
I hope this letter finds you safe and well.
Good news!
Our PCCs have approved a return to “corporate worship” in our Benefice from the 14th March - which means that our first Communion Service in St Michael’s will be on Sunday 14th March at 9am.
Services as we return to having Services in the Church
We will continue to observe Covid safe practices. Please contact me, Roni - well in advance - if you intend to be at Communion services so we can plan seating. Remember to wear your mask and bring your red service book if you have been given one already.
As we have it at the moment:
- Friday 12th March Private Prayer in Church (10.00-3.30pm)
- Sunday 14th March 9am Holy Communion in Church
10.30 on line Morning Worship, Facebook and YouTube - Friday 19th March 10.30am Holy Communion in Church
Private Prayer in Church (10.00-3.30pm) - Sunday 21st March 10.30 on line Morning Worship, Facebook and YouTube
- Friday 26th March Private Prayer in Church (10.00-3.30pm)
- Sunday 28th March 9am Holy Communion in Church
10.30 on line Morning Worship, Facebook and YouTube - Good Friday 2nd April to be confirmed
Do you need prayers?
We have a small group of intercessors who will continue to pray confidentially for those who ask for prayers. If being held in prayer in that way is something you would like, please talk to Roni or Jenny.
Together or apart - let us continue to hold one another in prayer, and where possible to reach out in love and service.
With my love and prayers,
Be safe, keep well, and God bless you,
Roni
We have just received a letter from Bishop Alan, Bishop of St Albans which we'd love to share with you.
You can download a copy of his letter here.
Source: Revd Roni Goodman
Date: 29th October 2020
You will find the service and activity sheets for Sunday 18th October - the 19th Sunday after Trinity, in the links on the Worship/Online Worship section of this website. The sermon this week is preached for us by Keith Callard, Reader at St Mary's Church, Meppershall, and, as always this will be available via our Listen-in Worship blog and by phone on 01462 559112.
As part of our mission to reach out with God's message to as many people as possible, a blog has been launched which allows you to listen to a Service or Talk from St Michael's Shefford and St Mary's Meppershall in Bedfordshire, England. This Podcast is also available by phone - please share the number with a friend who doesn't have internet - T 01462 559112.
Click here, or on the image to visit the blog.
Source: Andrew Goodman
Date: 14th October 2020
Each year we are required to have a Parochial Church Meeting at which various reports are presented (mainly to do with Church finances and the state of the the church building), plus the election of people that we want to represent us.
You may be surprised to hear that the APCM is still going ahead this year, in spite of the COVID 19 restrictions.
It will be very different this year though - on a Thursday (8th October), and it will be a mixture of physical and Zoom online meeting.
We don't have times or nitty gritty details yet, but will publish them as soon as they're available. Until then, please try to keep 8th October clear in your diary.
For now, Patricia Goulding, our Churchwarden has asked me to publish various forms relevant to the meeting:
- Electoral Roll Application (If you are not on the Electoral Roll, you cannot vote on anything in the APCM).
- Nomination For Election To PCC (Put yourself, or someone else forward to represent you on the Church Council)
- Deanery Synod Nomination Form (Put yourself, or someone else forward to represent your Parish/Benefice at the Deanery Synod)
- Nomination For Election As Churchwarden (Put yourself, or someone else forward to support Patricia as Churchwarden)
Please think and pray about how you want your Church to go forward in these challenging times - can you add your talents and experience to our future, or do you know someone who could be nurtured to unlock as yet untapped skills or talents?
Source: Patricia Goulding - Churchwarden
Author: Stephen Lines - Webmaster
Published: 24th August 2020
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