shadow

Weekly Bulletin for Sunday 19th April

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”

John 20:19 (NIV)

As we find the disciples in todays Gospel reading, hiding behind a locked door. We should be reminded that our God does not abandon us to fear or doubt. In his love for us he comes and meets us in our need, his grace is always greater than our weakness.

As we live through a time when we find our own Church doors locked and wish to meet together to share the good news of Easter, we need to pray for patience. It was right for the disciples to wait a while until on the day of Pentecost they were filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to share the good news in the way that God had planned.

Our God can unlock any door and will do so in his own perfect timing. We must pray that we will be ready to respond when he calls us to do so, just as the disciples were.

Reverend John (Vicar)

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.

Website

Our parish communion will be posted on our website www.melthamparish.co.uk this will be pre-recorded but Rev John will be repeating the service at 10:30am so that it may be considered spiritually live. Please join in if you are able.

Meltham Food Bank has become increasingly important to many people facing an uncertain future. A small group of people are responding to an increasing demand for food and access to our Mann’s Wharfe Wheels meals donated for those in need. 31 food parcels have been delivered this month. We are trying to live faithfully believing that God will supply our needs. Many people have donated money. Cash donations and money into our account are very welcome. Yesterday we had agreed we needed £150 to purchase what we needed. Three donations arrived unexpectedly this morning totalling £190. We thank God and you for your prayers and support.

Easter II – Sun 19th April – On-line ZOOM Service of the Word

Here is your link to start our service this morning at 11am for a 11.15am start.

Rev Judy is leading this service via phone (first time we’ve done this).

Looking forward to seeing you all and worshiping together.

Time: Apr 19, 2020 11:00 AM London

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/96663613030?pwd=cExsZkl6dEE0dVJvUDdiT280a2w3UT09

Meeting ID: 966 6361 3030

Password: 007415

2nd Sunday of Easter – Parish Communion – On-line

Hallelujah, Christ is Risen!
He is Risen indeed, Hallelujah!

Join us for our on-line Parish Communion at 10:30am for the 2nd Sunday of Easter. This can be viewed at any time but Rev’d John will conduct the service at the vicarage at this time to make the worship spiritually live. The service words will appear on the video to enable you to join in easily.

The service can be viewed here via YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz4Bbj5Ph50


Weekly bulletin for Easter

At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

            Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

John 20:13-16 (NIV)

Do you get it? do you really get Easter?

In our Gospel reading today there are a few examples of people not really getting what’s going on. Peter and John are dashing about trying to understand, trying to get it. But they go home, back to the others. The reading says that they believe but it’s not entirely clear what it is that they believe. Perhaps they do believe that Jesus is risen but do they really get Easter yet.

The angel talking to Mary seems like quite a pained conversation, I’m not at all sure that they were both on the same page at all. Mary is mourning the death of Jesus and the angel is celebrating Jesus’s victory over death and sin.

So, he asks “why are you crying?”.

Then Jesus calls Mary by name and she got it, she got Easter. Jesus calls us all by name, do you hear him calling your name today?

Reverend John (Vicar)

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.

Website

Our parish communion will be posted on our website www.melthamparish.co.uk this will be pre-recorded but Rev John will be repeating the service at 10:30am though you can join in at any time to suit.

Happy Easter

Easter Day – Online ZOOM Service of Holy Communion – 11:15am

Please find below the link for the zoom service for Easter Sunday. This will be a service of Holy Communion led by Rev’d Dennis. Looking forward to seeing everyone for this special service. Please join from 11am ready to start the service at 11:15am

Topic: Easter Sunday – Holy Communion service

Time: Apr 12, 2020 11:00 AM London

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/566117716?pwd=TVNMekl4M1NZWjhucHcrUTdWcm56dz09

Meeting ID: 566 117 716
Password: 767905

Easter Day – Parish Communion – On-line

Hallelujah, Christ is Risen!
He is Risen indeed, Hallelujah!

Join us for our on-line Parish Communion at 10:30am to celebrate Jesus, Risen from the dead! This can be viewed at any time but Rev’d John will conduct the service at the vicarage at this time to make the worship spiritually live. The service words will appear on the video but you can also follow via the service booklet.

The service can be viewed here via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWwODgrKVo0

Good Friday – Stainer’s Crucifixion and Olivet to Calvary

The choir of St Bartholomew’s #Meltham had planned to sing Stainer’s Crucifixion this year. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances, this is not possible. We do however, have a recording from 2003 which we are sharing and is available to listen to on-line.

Traditionally, St Bartholomew’s Choir have sung either Stainer’s Crucifixion or Olivet to Calvary on alternate years. We also have a recording from 2004 of the Olivet which is available to listen to online.

The choice is yours! We know some people prefer one to the other. Hopefully you will enjoy either or both.

Visit the ON-LINE SERIVCES page to listen in:
http://www.melthamparish.co.uk/pages/onlineservices/

Good Friday Reflections – An hour at the Cross


An hour at the Cross – a series of dramatic readings featuring characters involved in the Crucifixion story. Usually takes place between 2pm and 3pm.

Pause the recording and take a few minutes to reflect between each one.

If you are prompted to download the app, or sign-up or sign-in, please ignore it. It should enable you to listen without the need to.

Listen here: (audio only file)
https://1drv.ms/u/s!ApUFY78M1xXegykaYIwzslGnBSyb?e=8L5QZ3

Maundy Thursday – 7pm On-line – Short service of Holy Communion

Join Rev’d John at 7pm as he conducts a short service of Holy Communion for Maundy Thursday.

This is available as an audio only file – you can also download the service booklet to follow the words and join in.

You can find the link here on our new ‘ONLINE SERVICES Portal’ page. The latest service is also displayed on the banner on the website also:

http://www.melthamparish.co.uk/pages/onlineservices/


Holy Week – Reflection for Thursday

Jesus and his disciples are beginning their Passover meal when Jesus, without warning or explanation, takes on the role of servant and begins to wash people’s feet. Peter looks on, we can’t be sure what order Jesus did this in, but it seems that Peter was not the first one that Jesus came to. On this occasion Peter thinks for a little while before he speaks. As he watches some of the others having their feet washed, he tries to understand what is happening and how he should respond…………………..

Read the rest of the reflection here: