April Church News
April Church News
Lenten greetings from the members of the congregation at St. Mary’s to the wider community of Wenvoe and St. Lythans. If you cannot make it to church, follow and join in our service on a Sunday morning by logging on to www.ipcamlive.com/stmarywenvoe.
As I write, we are mid-way through the season of Lent. We celebrated Mothering Sunday on 15th March. This day is also known in the church calendar as Refreshment Sunday. It is a little pause in the solemnity of Lent, when we honour our Mother Church in the cathedral at Llandaff, give praise and prayer for our Bishop Mary Stallard and of course our own mother, grandmother, God mother and anyone who cared for us during our formative years. The congregation was presented with daffodils during the singing of the last hymn to give thanks to the people assembled; it was a very joyful occasion.
Our Curate, Rev. David is getting to know us. He preached his first sermon at the Mothering Sunday service, and this was well received. David is a part time priest with us and his day job is teaching; somehow, he is able to combine his care for his students and care for his worshipping community. We pray that he will find his time with us to be an enriching experience with very happy memories.
By the time you are reading the church news we shall be in that period know as Passiontide, when we hear of the suffering that Jesus underwent as He approached the final days of his ministry, leading up to his crucifixion on Good Friday.
On Maundy Thursday we will take part in the Agape Supper. This is to remember the events when Jesus, at supper with his disciples, having washed their feet before the meal, took bread and wine, and instituted the service we know as Holy Communion or the Mass at the Last Supper. We recall at this time our vocation to serve through the recollection of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. This is a profound opportunity to reflect on our call to love one another as Christ mandated. You are welcome to join us at 7.00pm in the Church Hall, providing seats are available, followed by the Watch Service in the church.
Good Friday, 3rd April 2pm – Walking the Way of the Cross – All are invited to gather at St Bleiddian’s, St Lythans to walk down the hill to St Mary’s, Wenvoe OR to gather at St Mary’s for a reading of the Way of the Cross concurrently while awaiting the arrival of the pilgrims from St Lythans at about 3pm for the conclusion of the Way of the Cross and Solemn Liturgy of Penitence. This is the day that we remember the crucifixion of Christ; we acknowledge brokenness in the world; and we confess our part in that brokenness. While this day is a solemn recognition of darkness, our profound hope in the Resurrection underlies our observance of Good Friday.
Holy Week and Easter
Palm Sunday, 29th March 9:30am – Eucharist and Palm Procession – Church yard, Wenvoe The Holy Journey through the Cross to the Resurrection begins with the Palm Procession recalling Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Holy Week Daily Eucharist 6.00pm – Monday in Holy Week, 30th March – St Bleiddian’s, St Lythans 6.00pm –Wednesday in Holy Week, 1st April – St Mary’s, Wenvoe Holy Week & Easter continues with the Triduum, which consists of the greatest three days of the Christian year.
Easter Sunday – Day of Resurrection, 5th April 7.00am – St Bleiddian’s, St Lythans – Sunrise Lighting of the Easter Fire & Holy Eucharist with Renewal of Baptismal Vows 9:30am – St Mary’s, Wenvoe – Lighting of the Easter Candle & Holy Eucharist with Renewal of Baptismal Vows This is the biggest Sunday of the year! In the earliest days, Easter was the only Christian festival: an annual celebration, in one act of Christ’s life, death, resurrection, ascension, and the sending of the Holy Spirit. The celebration began on Easter day and lasted fifty days in one continuous festival of joy and thanksgiving, ending on the Feast of Pentecost. Our celebration of the Holy Eucharist on Easter Day, is marked by joy with the lighting of the Holy Fire and Paschal Candle followed by the Renewal of Baptismal Vows. There is an absence of all things penitential so that the Great Fifty Days of Easter outweigh the Forty Days of Lent. We celebrate that we are a Resurrection People filled with the New Life of Christ!
Easter Lilies: As in previous years, we will be collecting towards Easter lilies and flowers to decorate the church in memory of loved ones. Please print the names clearly on your envelope with your donation by Palm Sunday. All names will be published on Easter Day. There is a suggested donation of £3 per stem, please. Church decorating will take place on Saturday 4th April at 10.00am. All are welcome.
Food Bank: All contributions are gratefully received, including Easter Eggs. Please leave in the containers in the Church Porch.
Advance notice for your diary: A pilgrimage to Brecon Cathedral has been arranged for October 24th. The Cathedral has recently been awarded a lottery grant of £3m for repairs to the roof, reordering the interior and the building of a West Door and outdoor piazza, to enhance the setting of the West end of the priory church. More details to follow in the Autumn.
Thank you for reading all that is happening at St. Mary’s. You are welcome to join us at any of our services.
Every blessing to you all at this Eastertide.
Parry