They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Acts 2:42-45 (NIV)

Pentecost and the birth of the Church was undoubtedly an extremely exciting time for the disciples. However, it was surely a very disturbing time as well.
Things changed, and many of the changes were not ones that they may have chosen. There had always been three pillars to the way they lived out their faith; the law, sacrifices and the temple. As they read their scriptures (our Old Testament) they had to see how the law worked through the prism of the grace and mercy of Christ. On the cross Jesus had become, the one perfect sacrifice, meaning that sacrificial worship was no longer necessary in the old way of thinking. And through persecution many of them would soon lose access to temple worship altogether. The whole way that they lived out their faith changed almost overnight.

At the end of acts 2 we see how they began to deal with these changes. They knew what they had to keep, what had to be their priorities, The Apostles teachings, prayer, fellowship, and generosity.

As we live through uncertain times today, surely, we should ensure that whatever shape our Church community takes, it should be based around these same four pillars.

Reverend John (Vicar)

ONLINE SERVICES – via Parish website
Our Parish Communion for Sunday 3rd May will be posted on our website www.melthamparish.co.uk
This will be pre-recorded but Rev John will be repeating the service at 4:00pm so that it may be considered spiritually live. Please join in if you are able.

PRAYER CAMPAIGN #melthamprays
Many people are looking for a simple way to pray. I hope that this will offer an opportunity to do so. Please look at the magazine, facebook, or our website for more details.

Virtual Parish Choir
We have formed a virtual Parish Choir, with the aim that individuals can record themselves at home, and then these will be joined together as one choir!
Anyone can join in, but you will need 2 devices (i.e. phone, tablet or PC) and some earphones – this is so you can listen to the piano accompaniment with one device and record yourself with the other. If you are interested, then contact Simon via melthamparish@outlook.com
We’ll be starting off with well known hymns, so that hopefully people find it easy to join in.
The first recording by 15 virtual choristers was used in the Parish Communion on 3rd May – you can listen there to see what’s achievable – amazing!

Following recent guidelines from the Church of England and the government. All churches will be closed for public worship until further notice.
This now includes private prayer and funerals.
Funerals can still be held at the crematorium and at the grave side with a maximum of ten mourners.
All weddings are postponed until further notice.