Gracious God, help us to mirror the steadfast spirit of the one who set his face like flint toward the cross. We thank you for the example of true humility – the kind that lays aside its own rights and comforts to serve the needs of others. May we not be swept away by the fickle praise of the world, but instead remain rooted in the quiet strength of your love. Grant us the courage to follow where you lead, even when the path is difficult, trusting that in our weakness, your power is made perfect.
Holy Week & Easter: St Marks and St Thomas
Sun 29th | Palm Sunday
- 8.00 am BCP Holy Communion (both churches)
- 9.00 am Bubble church Palm Sunday service (St Thomas)
- 10.00 am Liturgy of the palms with St Thomas choir (St Thomas) / contemporary communion for Palm Sunday (St Marks)
Mon-Wed | Midday Communion
- 12.00 pm Join us for a simple reflective service of Holy Communion (St Thomas)
Thu 2nd | The Last Supper
- 6.30 pm Maundy Thursday Holy Communion with foot washing, stripping of the sanctuary & watch (St Thomas)
Fri 3rd | Stations of the Cross
- 12.00 pm A meditative exploration of the cross of Christ (St Thomas)
Fri 3rd | Good Friday Liturgy
- 2.00 pm Contemplating Christ’s passion and the cross with St Thomas choir (St Thomas)
Sun 5th | Easter Celebration
- 8.00 am BCP Holy Communion (both churches)
- 10.00 am celebrate Easter with St Thomas choir and a family Easter egg hunt (St Thomas) / contemporary communion for Easter (St Marks)
The following activities are taking place each week. All are welcome to join us:
Sundays
- 8:00am – BCM Communion Service
- 10:00am – Contemporary Service (Communion service on the first and third Sunday of the month, informal morning praise on the second and fourth Sunday of the month)
Mondays
- 9:00 – 9:30am – Morning Prayer on Zoom with St Thomas and St Mark’s – Parish Prayer zoom link
Tuesdays
- 9:00 – 9:30am – Morning Prayer on Zoom with St Thomas and St Mark’s – Parish Prayer zoom link
- 1:30 – 4:00m – Strictly Come Crafting. 2nd & 4th Tuesday at the Community Hall. Contacts Dorothy Davies 01590 676163 or Shirley Saunders 01590 677628
- 2:30 – 3.45pm – Friendship Teas 1st Tuesday in month (except in August) at the Community Hall.
Wednesdays
- 9:00 – 9:30am – Morning Prayer on Zoom with St Thomas and St Mark’s – Parish Prayer zoom link
- 10:15 – 10:30am – Morning Prayer at St Mark’s Church (4th Wednesday only)
- 10:30 – 11:30am – Coffee at St Mark’s Church (4th Wednesday only)
Thursdays
- 9:00 – 9:30am – Morning Prayer on Zoom with St Thomas and St Mark’s – Parish Prayer zoom link
- 12:00 – 12:45pm – Advice Outreach, from NFDC and Citizens Advice
- 12:45 – 1:45pm – Fareshare Larder – St Mark’s Community Hall Car Park
Fridays
- 9:00 – 9:30am – Morning Prayer on Zoom with St Thomas and St Mark’s – Parish Prayer zoom link
Saturdays
- 9:00 – 9:30am – Morning Prayer on Zoom with St Thomas and St Mark’s – Parish Prayer zoom link
Donations for St Mark’s equipment and maintenance
We are pleased to say that we have received £2,379 in donations (includes the tax back) for installing our sound system. This includes money raised from the Rogation Walk that Paul organised in August. Thank you so much for all your gifts.
If you can help with the cost of replacing our heat pump (£323 + VAT) in church, the churchyard wall on Wainsford Rd (£445 + VAT) and CCTV for the Hall, we ask you to prayerfully consider what you can give to help us. Every contribution is deeply appreciated as it makes a meaningful difference to preserve our church for current and future generations. A donation box is at the back of church.
New Forest District Council to Host Community Day in Pennington
New Forest District Council (NFDC) has announced a Community Day taking place on Wednesday, 1 April, at St Mark’s Community Hall (SO41 8EJ). Running from 10am to 4pm, the event is designed as a drop-in session for local residents to engage directly with the council’s housing teams. It offers a formal opportunity for the public to ask questions, share ideas regarding local housing, and learn more about the NFDC’s draft strategy on homelessness and housing allocations.
In addition to meeting council staff, attendees can connect with several key local organisations, including the Citizens Advice Bureau, New Forest Disability, and the Pennington Action Group. To make the day accessible for families, the council is providing free refreshments and various activities, with a particular highlight being the ‘Crazy Creatures’ animal display scheduled between 11am and 3pm. Residents are encouraged to pop in at any time throughout the day to take part or simply to chat with their neighbours and local service providers.
WI Quiz Night
Pennington WI are holding another quiz night with fish and chip supper at the St Marks Community Hall on Saturday 18th April to which everyone is invited! Doors open at 6:30pm for a 6:45pm start with supper being served around 7:30pm.
There will be a raffle and all proceeds are being donated to the Hampshire and Isle Wight Air Ambulance.
The only cost is for the summer (fish and chips, sausage and chips or veggie burger with chips) which has to be ordered in advance. If you are interested, please contact Pat Wright (01590-678416) and the WI will be delighted if you can join us for a fun evening.
Step Up Safe Space (SUSS) Hub
On Thursdays call in at Pennington Community Hall from 11 – 12. SUSS volunteers will be offering refreshments and snacks before the Larder opens at noon.
CTLP – Cancer & Prayer Support Group
Are you or a loved one affected by cancer? Come along to this small group and join in prayer, support and a safe place to share experiences.
- Time: 4th Saturday of each month 10.30 – 12noon
- Place: Alibi Room, Lymington Baptist Church, 10 New Street
- Contact: Tina Cumberlege
- email: firmroots@lymingtonbaptist.org
- phone: 07376564359 in office hours.
Basics Bank
A basket is at the back of church for donations of non-perishable food in date (dried/tinned), personal hygiene products (e.g. washing powder, toothpaste)
Easy Fundraising
As you shop online, consider using Easy Fundraising to start that journey; doing so, you can help St Marks through affiliation as you shop on many online stores! Details available here:
https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/stmarkspcc
Holy Communion Intinction
The CoE’s national policy is that intinction (dipping) of wafers is not permitted, to keep safe those with particular health conditions. Those with severe allergies, particularly to gluten, can become seriously ill. There is a chance that a person’s fingers could touch the outside of the chalice or the wine, as hands carry many more germs than found on our lips.
It is important to remember receiving Communion in ‘one kind’ is still Communion ‘in full’.
Pennington Community Hub
The Community Hub continues it’s successful work on Thursday in the Community Hall from 11pm to 2pm.
Daily Prayer
With St Thomas in Lymington, we continue to ‘pray for our nation, for its leaders, its health and essential services and all those who suffer’ this week at 9am on Zoom. Led by members of St Mark’s and St Thomas congregations, this now runs Monday through Friday.
Daily prayer is also taking place in St Thomas church from 9am on Saturdays
Coming together, we offer daily prayer for the situation in Ukraine.
Please do join them either by computer or phone:
- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
- Meeting ID: 895 2990 2640 Passcode: 2020
- Dial in from a landline phone: 0131 460 1196
St Mark’s Flower Decoration
If you would like to give flowers to commemorate an anniversary or other special day, or remember a relative or friend, please enter your name on the poster at the back of church against the date you would like your flowers to decorate the church and/or contact:- Lin Haley on 01590 677904
YouTube and Facebook
All our services can be found on our YouTube channel here. We also post details about or services and events on our Facebook page too, here.
Online Connection Information
Zoom Details
- Parish Prayer Zoom Link:
- From a landline phone: 0203 481 5240 Meeting ID: 895 2990 2640 Passcode: 2020
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PenningtonChurch
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StMarksChurchPennington