Praise Him - Songs of Praise
in the
New Testament Course
Church News and Views for the Parishes
of
Badingham Bruisyard Cransford Dennington Rendham & Sweffling
Services for February 2015
Sunday
1st
8.00am
BCP Holy Communion
Dennington
Epiphany
4
9.30am
BCP Morning Prayer
Bruisyard
9.30am
BCP Holy Communion
Sweffling
11.00am
CW Holy Communion
Badingham
Presentation of Jesus
Sunday
8th
8.00am
CW Holy Communion
Badingham
Lent
-2
9.30am
CW Trad. Communion
Cransford
11.00am
Family Service
Dennington
11.00am
BCP Holy Communion
Rendham
Sunday
15th
8.00am
BCP Holy Communion
Dennington
Lent
-1
9.30am
CW Holy Communion
Bruisyard
9.30am
BCP Morning Prayer
Sweffling
10.00am
30 Min. Family Service
Badingham
Ash Wednesday 18th 7.00pm
Holy Communion
Sweffling
Sunday
22nd
8.00am
BCP Holy Communion
Badingham
Lent
1
9.30am
BCP Morning Prayer
Cransford
9.30am
Morning Prayer
Rendham
11.00am
CW Holy Communion
Dennington
Articles for publication should be with the editor by the 15th of the preceding month.
Editor: Victor Warne 5 Mill Road Badingham Woodbridge Suffolk IP13 8LG
01728 638357 or Email copy in the text, not attach: [email protected]
The Editor reserves the right to edit or omit any item submitted.
2
The Rectory
Tel. 01728 638823
Reader: Mark Myatt
Tel: 01728 633032
As many of you know, I have been in hospital and am still recovering.
Please accept a very big thank to all who have supported me with prayer,
cards and practical help. I was very sad not to be with you over Christmas
but as we start a new year many of us may be wondering what the
forthcoming 11 months will bring. Although, I do remember chatting to
someone who suggested it would be very much the same as the previous
year with the usual ups-and-downs of life, so why get too excited about a
new year?
It is easy to be fatalistic about what lies ahead rather than view the future
with optimism. For many a new year heralds a new opportunity, a fresh
start and maybe new challenges. For a Christian, it should be one of hope
and expectation; hope in that this may be the year that Christ returns,
fulfilling Advent promises. Alongside hope there should be expectations,
expectations of what God might do in my life and the life of the church
family. Expectations are such an important part of anyone's life,
particularly for Christians in their relationship with their heavenly
Father. I recall a passage from
the OT book of Jeremiah, where
the prophet is writing to those
who lost everything as they
were forcibly taken from their
homes in Jerusalem and settled
in another city, the great city of
Babylon. Their future and
outlook appeared bleak, until
God spoke directly into their situation. As I read this I think of the many
Middle Eastern Christians who are displaced and effectively living in
exile.
3
This is what the Lord says: ‘When seventy years are completed for
Babylon, I will come to you and fulfil my good promise to bring you back
to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord,
‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen
to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your
heart. I will be found by you,' declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back
from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I
have banished you,' declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back to the
place from which I carried you into exile.'
History was to prove these words fulfilled as the people were to return
home and rebuild their homes, their city and their lives.
One of the most encouraging thoughts is the idea that God has "plans" for
us. We might appear to drift along at times, but those who trust in God,
have purpose and order to their lives. God's plans are there to help us
"prosper" and to provide "hope and the future."
It is important that we have such an outlook when we consider our roles
within the local church, especially when we can feel overwhelmed
whenever we face difficulties and problems. I think particularly of PCC
members who when trying to advance the mission and ministry of the
church appear to be held back and discouraged by a shortage of finance; a
sense of gloom can descend and yet, if God has got "plans" for the local
church, then he will provide the means for these to be undertaken and
fulfilled. Of course, it will require us to make use of our God-given
resources – be it money, time or expertise - and of course to be prayerful.
Plans lead to vision and vision, hope, and yet without any vision we read:
"Where there is no vision, people perish" (KJV Proverbs ch29 v18)
When we face the New Year ahead, it is important we do so with hope and
expectation, trusting that God has plans for us. Those who exercise such
faith have confidence knowing "those who hope in me (God) will not be
disappointed." (Isaiah ch49 v23)
Ash Wednesday and Lent are also upon us and as we know, Jesus began
His public ministry with 40 days of fasting and spiritual communion with
God. During Lent, we remember the life and work of our Lord Jesus
Christ and submit ourselves to Him.
Lent consists of 40 days including Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good
Friday and Easter. This year, the Great Lent begins on Sunday, 22nd
February 2015
4
Lent is not intended to win favours from God; instead, it is the time of
fulfilling the purpose of God in our lives. May God help us to observe it
meaningfully with prayer, fasting and correction in life.
Blessings,
Jonathan
AGM DATES FOR 2015
BADINGHAM
BRUISYARD
CRANSFORD
DENNINGTON
RENDHAM
SWEFFLING
TUESDAY 17TH MARCH
THURSDAY 12TH MARCH
WEDNESDAY 11TH MARCH
WEDNESDAY 18th MARCH
TUESDAY 24thMARCH
WEDNESDAY 25TH MARCH
6.00 IN CHURCH
6.00 IN CHURCH
7.00 OLD RECTORY
7.00 IN CHURCH
6.00 IN CHURCH
6.00 IN CHURCH
LENT COURSE 2015
All on a Monday night at 7.00pm at BRIDGE FARM. SWEFFLING
The Theme is:
“Praise Him - Songs of Praise in the New Testament course.”
23rd February
2nd March
9th March
16th March
23rd March
1. Gratitude (Ephesians 1.3-14)
2. Image of God (Colossians 1.15-20)
3. Humility (Philippians 2.5-11)
4. New birth (1 Peter 1.3-12)
5. Word made flesh (John 1.1-14)
Bruisyard
Many thanks to all who decorated the church for Christmas and all who
supported the Crib Service on Christmas Eve.
Thanks also to all who have helped towards the successful Soup and Puds in
2014 and the recent “Winter Party” at the village hall which was much
enjoyed by all.
We now have a very fine new Rowland’s electric organ.
We all hope and pray for Jonathan’s speedy recovery
Rupert
5
Cransford
We are much missing the ministry of Jonathan our Rector, and wish him a
speedy recovery. In his absence on Christmas Day our service was taken by
Rev Martin Percival, and was well attended, with several from other churches
in the Benefice. After a troubled start let us hope 2015 settles down to a more
peaceful and stable normality. So far we have been spared snow and hard
weather and already there are signs outside of the coming spring. On Good
Friday the annual Procession of the Cross will start at St Peter’s Cransford at
10am, and proceed to The Christian Fellowship Church for a service and
refreshments.
Our Coffee Morning and Plant Sale will take place again this year at the Free
Church in Framlingham on Saturday 25th April. It opens at 9am. Entry is free.
There will be a large selection of plants and shrubs ready for your garden, and
freshly baked cakes and biscuits, marmalade and honey, other stalls and a
Grand Draw. Contact Caroline 663510 or Glenda 663732 for further
information.
Easter
April was called Ostermonath, the month of the east wind. (we know about
that in Suffolk). Easter was thus the April feast which lasted eight days. Our
Easter Sunday must be between March 21st and April 25th. It is regulated by
the pascal moon, or first full moon between the vernal equinox and fourteen
days afterwards. The Anglo Saxon for Easter was eastre, rather different from
the latin pasche which gives the French Pâque or Italian La Pasqua. Easter
eggs are symbolic of creation, or the recreation of Spring. It seems they
originated in Magian or Persian, and are also found among the Jews,
Egyptians and Hindus. We can blame them therefore for all that chocolate we
now have to face after church on Easter Sunday
Patrick
CHURCHWARDENS’ REPORT FOR ST MICHAEL’S CHURCH
RENDHAM FOR THE FEBRUARY/MARCH STREET AND ALDE LINK
On the first Sunday of Advent, 30 November, our Benefice Service of Holy
Communion was conducted by the Rector and was well attended. The Choir
sang the introit Let thy merciful ears... and Stanford’s anthem Beati quorum
via. Thanks to those who provided the refreshments afterwards which we all
enjoyed.
6
More than 50 people came to our Christmas Day Service which was taken by
Canon Basil Jenkyns. The Choir sang The Infant King and In Dulci Jubilo
with warmth and feeling. The Church looked beautiful with lovely flower
arrangements and the two decorated Christmas trees. Thanks to Richard
Pilgrim and to another donor who so generously gave and set up the trees,
and to the Flower Team for giving so much of their time to make such a fine
display.
Everyone connected with the Church will feel the loss of Derek Mangan,
who died on Friday 9 January. His work for St Michael’s was tireless, both
as churchwarden and as fabric officer. A fuller appreciation appears in our
magazine The Street.
Charles Seely, Frances Hill, Churchwardens
Badingham
FRIDAY 20TH MARCH 2015
7pm - 9pm
A BEETLE DRIVE
in
BADINGHAM VILLAGE HALL
Tickets for The Beetle Drive £7.50 adults no charge for children under
16years
A light buffet supper with a glass of wine or fruit juice will be served at half
time
for which there is no charge.
There will be a Raffle
Tickets from Carol - 638352; Ann - 638288; Tanya - 638894
Proceeds for Badingham Church of which 10% will be donated to
Badingham Village Hall
This is intended to be a fun evening for all the family do come along and join us.
Everyone very welcome
7
March 15th is Mothering Sunday
Our Family Service is at 10am lasting approximately 30 mins.
in Badingham Church.
Stay and join us for coffee afterwards.
Come along and help us bake a cake to share for the occasion.
Dennington
Christmas seems a long time ago now but thank you very much to everyone
for decorating the church so beautifully – it really did look
wonderful. Thank you also to those who brought mince pies, cakes or
biscuits to the Carol Service. It was lovely to see so many people in church
for the carol service and on Christmas Day, but very sad that Jonathan could
not be with us and we wish him a speedy recovery.
Dates for the diary
Wednesday 18th March Dennington PCC AGM in the church at 7.00 pm
Sunday 5th April Easter Day service will be at 11.15 am.
Saturday 2nd May – Plant Sale – more details to follow.
Veronica
Rendham
MEMORIAL LILIES AT EASTER IN RENDHAM CHURCH
Unfortunately, in 2014 we had to cancel our memorial lilies in our village
church due to its redecoration. However, we would like to do them again
this year: they have been well supported by local people in the past. Lilies in
memory of family and friends will be on display in St.Michael's Church,
Rendham, over the Easter weekend and throughout the following week; the
names of those to be remembered will also be displayed and read out at the
11 o'clock service on Easter Sunday, April 5th. If you would like to order a
lily or lilies, in memory of someone dear to you, please fill in the form on
the table at the back of St.Michael's Church. Orders must be in by the end of
the day on Wednesday 11 March. Lilies cost £3.50 each & proceeds go to
Church funds. Please support us in order for us to have as beautiful a display
as we have had in the past.
8
SATURDAY 14TH MARCH: FRAMLINGHAM FLOWER CLUB will
again be selling baskets of flowers for Mothering Sunday in Framlingham
market from 8.30 a.m until they're all gone. Pocket money prices, so Dads
bring the kids. COME EARLY to avoid disappointment! ALL
PROCEEDS TO THE NEO-NATAL UNIT AT IPSWICH HOSPITAL
ALDE COMMUNITY COUNCIL AGM 18th March 2015, 7:00pm
Bruisyard Village Hall. To be followed at 8:00pm by an Archive Film
Show. The Community draw will take place during the evening.
ALDE COMMUNITY COUNCIL SPRING FLOWER SHOW 28th March
2015, 2:00pm Sweffling Hut. Prize-giving and raffle at 4.00pm Entry forms
in village halls, and on village web-site. Entry 50p to include tea/biscuits
Advance Notice
An opportunity to be entertained in Rendham Village Hall.
We are planning a series of varied entertainments.
There could be an appetiser in February or March
Keep looking for further details
Sweffling
Thank you to everyone who helped in any way with our services over
Christmas and we wish Jonathan a speedy recovery.
St. Mary’s Sweffling: There will be a service of Holy Communion at 7.00
p.m. on Ash Wednesday, February 18th. Everyone from the Benefice is
warmly invited.
We will be holding our annual Lent Soup Lunch in Sweffling Hut on
Saturday, March 7th from 12.00 noon until 2.00 p.m. As usual we will have
a large selection of home-made soups and bread and you can eat as much as
you like. The cost will be £4.00 for adults, £2.00 for children and all
proceeds will go to the Bakary Medical Centre in the Gambia.
Our Mothering Sunday Service on Sunday March 15th will be a Family
Service at 9.30 a.m. and will be followed by refreshments. Posies will be
distributed during the service.
We are again having memorial lilies for our Easter Day service. Each lily
will cost £3.50 and the names of those to be remembered will be read out
during the Service. If you would like to order a lily or lilies, please contact
Diana (663578) or Sheila (663518).
9
Date
Church Family
Services
for 2015 at
Badingham Church
10am
Sunday Mornings
With refreshments at
end of service
10.30am
ALL WELCOME
Service
18th January
Jesus in the Temple
15th February
Creation Story
15th March
Mothering Sunday
19th April
Noah and the Ark
17th May
Daniel in the Lions Den
21st June
Fathers’ Day
19th July
Pet Blessing
16th August
Church Animal Trail
20th September
Harvest Festival
18th October
Jonah and the Whale
15th November
Donkey
20th December
Christingle
10
Services for March 2015
Sunday
Lent
1st
2
8.00am
9.30am
9.30am
11.00am
BCP Holy Communion
BCP Morning Prayer
BCP Holy Communion
CW Holy Communion
Dennington
Bruisyard
Sweffling
Badingham
Sunday
Lent
8th
8.00am
9.30am
11.00am
11.00am
CW Holy Communion
CW Trad. Communion
BCP Holy Communion
Morning Prayer
Badingham
Cransford
Rendham
Dennington
Sunday
Lent
15th 8.00am BCP Holy Communion Dennington
4
9.30am Family Service
Sweffling
3
Mothering Sunday 9.30am BCP Holy Communion Bruisyard
10.00am 30 Min. Family Service Badingham
Sunday
Lent
22nd 8.00am BCP Holy Communion
5
9.30am BCP Morning Prayer
9.30am Morning Prayer
11.00am BCP Holy Communion
Palm Sunday 29th 11.00am Benefice Service
Maundy Thursday April 2
Good Friday
April 3
EASTER
See bac
k
cover
April 5th
11
Badingham
Cransford
Rendham
Dennington
Badingham
LENT & EASTER IN THE UPPER ALDE
BENEFICE 2015
MOTHERING SUNDAY 15th March
Normal service throughout the Benefice
PALM Sunday 29th March
Benefice Service 11.00 Badingham
A chance for the benefice to share this important day
together.
HOLY WEEK
Maundy Thursday 2nd April
7.00pm Holy Communion St Mary's Sweffling
GOOD FRIDAY 3rd April
10.00am United Service following the Cross from St
Peter's Church for the Service. At Cransford
Chapel (Refreshments)
12.00 Midday Good Friday Reflection St Michael's
Rendham
EASTER DAY 5th April
9.00am Joint Communion at Cransford with
Bruisyard - The Rector
9.30am BCP Communion St Mary’s, Sweffling
10.00am CW Communion St John the Baptist Badingham
- The Rector
11.00am BCP Communion St Michael's Rendham
11.15am CW Communion St Mary's Dennington The Rector
ASCENSION DAY 14th May
7.30am Holy Communion St John the Baptist
Badingham
Followed by Breakfast at the Rectory