So, we’re half way through Ordinary time, the half a year that follows the excitement of Easter and Pentecost. There aren’t seemingly any great feasts to celebrate, no anticipation as with Lent before Easter or Advent before Christmas. Really, ordinary time? More like boring yawn time – wake me up when it’s Christmas and something is happening, alright?
Notices for Sunday 2nd June, with details of our upcoming services and events. Find out more about a summer concert and how we’re recognising ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ in 2019!
David, the Bishop of Basingstoke lead a confirmation service at St Mark’s Church, Pennington on Sunday 28th April at 3pm. Many from St Mark’s congregation, as well as from neighbouring St Thomas’s Church in Lymington and All Saints in Milford came to show their support for our candidates Bev and Alex as they were confirmed – and Lauren as she was baptised – together with candidates from Lymington and Milford.
From our Evensong service on Easter Sunday and it’s great news! Christ is risen and we have the promise of eternal life, called personally by name by Jesus. We are each called, we are known by Jesus. How often however do we not see what Jesus is doing for us, not seeing that he is there – and thus assume we’re walking alone?
Jesus talks to his followers frankly about his death. About how his time is not forever with them, but soon to come to an end. What a terrible prospect this must have felt to the disciples around Jesus. They’d heard him speak: they’d seen his miracles: they’d shared his truth with others and devoted their lives to his cause. They were enjoying a good thing – and don’t we all want to hold on to that?
In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayers strengthened him to accept God’s will the cup He wanted to be taken away was not. But through Prayer, he was able to go ahead to face his trial and crucifixion, and even with all the challenges of desertion, denial and betrayal from his disciples, he still led them out of that garden towards his destiny.
April and we’re celebrating Easter!
