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CHURCH NEWS - March 2013

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Please note that our normal Sunday Services start at 10.30am for the winter months

                                                                                                        

Dear Friends, 

I am writing this on Ash Wednesday, the traditional start of Lent, a 40 day period before Easter which the church observes as a time of penitence and self-denial.  We begin by remembering Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness, looking to him to help us overcome our own.  As Easter draws nearer we reflect on his suffering and death, through which we seek forgiveness. Traditionally, Lent has also become a time for giving to others in need, as well as going without ourselves, reminding us there is more to life than our own instant gratification. 

It is surprising how many people who would not regard themselves as regular churchgoers still like to observe Lent by giving something up or by doing something extra to help others. Some of the children who came to Fusion in February thought about what Lent might mean for them Imaginatively, they came up with things like ‘try to eat everything that is put in front of me’ and ‘be more friendly’ as well as the practical ‘help with the washing up’ and ‘tidy my bedroom’.  In a recent survey of over 2,000 people carried out by the Church Times, only 10% said they did not know what Lent was – one suggestion (tongue in cheek?) was “How the EU is keeping Greece afloat”!   

In a society that has grown disillusioned and weary of the self interest and deceit that has permeated so many areas of national, economical and political life, it is heartening to know that there are still many who see the self-imposed discipline of keeping Lent as meaningful and of personal value. Stuck for suggestions?  Try out …

 www.christianaid.org.uk/getinvolved/lent-2013,  or, www.livethechallenge.co.uk 

As we move from Lent into Holy Week, the churches in Harrold, Carlton and Odell join together for short services of reflection and prayer.  This year on Maundy Thursday (28th March) Odell is hosting a re-enactment of a Passover Supper in the Village Hall, which will include a 2-course meal plus wine or soft drink.  This promises to be an interesting and informative evening – tickets: Adults £5, Children £1, Family £12, available from myself or any church member.   Christine 

Prayer Group

What is the Prayer Group?  It is made up of members of All Saints’ Church who undertake to pray regularly, on an individual basis, for people who ask us for prayer support.   

Who do we pray for?  Anyone whom we are asked to remember; these might be people from our church, from our local community or others known to us.   

What do we pray about?  Anything which you would like brought before God; maybe anxiety due to illness, stress or loneliness.  You can also tell us of a special day you wish to be remembered – perhaps for an interview or an exam.  Any information will be treated in strictest confidence. 

How can you let us know if you would like us to pray for you?  You can either telephone Christine (720234), or drop a note through the Rectory door, or complete a card (anonymously if you wish) and place it in a box kept near the church door.  Prayer requests will be collected from the box each Sunday morning after the 10.00am service.   Christine

 

Odell – Chellington – Harrold

A Lenten Pilgrimage led by the Bishop of Bedford on Wednesday 20th March

The Rt. Rev’d Richard Atkinson, Bishop of Bedford, is visiting each Deanery in Bedfordshire during Lent. On Wednesday 20th March he is spending the day in the Sharnbrook Deanery. From 2.00 – 5.00pm there will be an opportunity to join him in a ‘mini pilgrimage’ of about 5 miles, starting and ending at All Saints’ Church, Odell.  There will be stops for prayer and worship along the way, at the Chellington Centre, St.Peter’s Church Harrold, and the Harrold and Odell Country Park before returning to All Saints’ for our closing worship and refreshments.  It will be possible to travel by car to each or all of the venues as an alternative to walking.  Everyone is welcome to come and join this time of companionship and spiritual refreshment.  

Odell Fete and Dog Show

Hard to imagine a summer without the annual Fete and Dog Show in the Scout Field in Horsefair Lane, but if it is to continue we do need HELP with getting it ready.   

So, can you come along to ….the Fete Preparation morning 10.00am on May 6th when we clean and repaint the signs for the stalls and  prepare the roadside boards … then reward ourselves with a tasty BBQ, gorgeous puds and a glass of wine

the big preparation on Friday afternoon 7th June when we need muscle, good sense of humour, wheels and anyone who is willing ….to collect tents, tables, chairs and stall signs, and to set up the field for the big day.     (Tea & Cake supplied to keep you going!)   Mandy (720414) or Christine (720234) await your call!

All Saints’ Amblers meet outside the Bell, 9.45am on Saturday 23rd March for a walk in the country followed by a pub lunch. Children and dogs on leads welcome to join us.

 

 

 

Churches Together in Harrold & Carlton with Odell

Services for Holy Week 

Monday 25th March

8.00pm St. Peter’s Church, Harrold

Evening Prayer and Stations of the Cross 

Tuesday 26th March

8.00pm St. Mary’s Church, Carlton

Evening Prayer and Stations of the Cross 

Wednesday 27th March

8.00pm United Reform Chapel

Evening Prayer and Stations of the Cross 

Maundy Thursday 28th March

6.00pm Odell Village Hall - Passover Supper 2 course meal and drinks included – Adults £5 , children £1, Family ticket £12 

Good Friday 29th March

11.00am  Short service and erection of the Cross

on the Green at Harrold

2.00-3.00pm  St. Mary’s Church, Carlton 

“An Hour Before the Cross” 

Saturday 30th March

8.00pm St. Peter’s Church, Harrold

A service for Easter Eve (followed by puddings) 

Easter Sunday Services 31st March 

Harrold & Carlton Churches

9.30am Easter Communion at United Reform Chapel

11.00am Easter Communion at St. Mary’s, Carlton

Odell

10.30am Easter Communion – All Saints’ Church

(a service for all ages)

Women’s World Day of Prayer

(Interdenominational) 

Friday, 1st March, 10.30am, All Saints’, Milton Ernest

Speaker: Reverend Wendy Wood

This service has been prepared by the Christian Women of France

The theme is“I was a stranger and you welcomed me” 

More than 170 countries participate in an annual day of celebration, which bring together people of various races, cultures and traditions sharing together in God’s word and worship.  Men, women and young people worldwide will be worshipping together on Friday, March 1st.  They will be using an order of service prepared by Christian women from France, which has a strongly French feel and flavour.  It is envisaged that this great annual wave of prayer will rise with the sun over the island of Samoa, across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas and finally American Samoa.  By then services will have taken place in all of the many countries involved. 

All Saints’ Church Charitable Giving for the month of March is to FEBA,   

(Far Eastern Broadcasting Associates) - a radio station which began in 1959 and makes and broadcasts Christian programmes in dozens of different languages, reaching Christians who would otherwise have little contact with the outside world.  Today FEBA broadcasts on FM and medium wave radio, the internet, text messaging and social media – each has its own use and own target audience. 

The message FEBA delivers is that “The love of Christ addresses all areas of people’s lives: emotional, spiritual and physical…There are programmes on health education and disease-prevention; young believers gain strength through online discipleship courses; locals speak out against corruption…Everywhere people turn to God.  Lives are changed; communities transformed.  Love in action.” 

For more information about the work of FEBA see the notice board in All Saints’ Church. 

The Children's Society

March is the month when Children's Society boxes should be emptied.  I would therefore be very grateful if box holders could let me have their boxes as soon as possible.  Many thanks.  Catherine Corkery, 720348

 Senior Citizens’ Fish and Chip Lunch

Wednesday 13th March

12.30 for 1 o’clock

Village Hall

Let Jill (720261) know by 3rd March

  

All Saints’ Flower Rota

March

10th Mothering Sunday

Jane Smith

Madeline Jeeves

24th Eileen Shakespeare

Jane Eshelby

30th Decorate for Easter

April

6th All help to clear

Sarah Bennett has sent us this lovely poem for inclusion in the magazine:

 

Diary

March

1st 10.30am Women’s World Day of Prayer, All Saints’ Milton Ernest

8th 7.30pm Indoor Carpet Bowls, Village Hall

12th 7.30pm W.I., Village Hall

13th 12.30 Senior Citizens’ Fish and Chip Lunch, Village Hall

14th 10.30am Health Walk, HOCP

16th St. Patrick’s Day celebration, The Bell

20th 2.00pm Lenten Pilgrimage from All Saints’ Church

23rd 9.45am All Saints’ Amblers meet at The Bell

25th 10.00am Friends Task Day, HOCP

25th 8.00pm Evening prayer, St. Peter’s, Harrold

26th 8.00pm “ “ St. Mary’s, Carlton

27th 8.00pm “ “ United Reform Chapel

28th 10.30am Health Walk, HOCP

28th 6.00pm Passover Supper, Village Hall

29th 11.00am Good Friday Service, Harrold Green

2.00pm “ “ “ St. Mary’s, Carlton

30th 8.00pm Easter Eve Service, St. Peter’s, Harrold

31st 9.30am Easter Communion, United Reform Chapel

10.30am “ “ “ All Saints’ Church, Odell

11.00am “ “ “ St. Mary’s, Carlton 

April

1st 10-12noon Easter Egg Hunt, HOCP

1-3pm “ “ “ “

1st 2.30pm Café in the Tower, All Saints’ Church

3rd 10.30am Meeting Point, Jane Smith’s, Horsefair Lane 

Magazine Deadline

Please send all entries for the April 2013 magazine to Tricia Hudson (ed at odellbeds.net) or Catherine Corkery by March 12th at the latest.  May we remind you that the editorial team exercises the right to edit, shorten or alter any items that are submitted.  Also, the opinions expressed in the articles are those of the contributors and are not the responsibility of the editorial team.


Last revised: March 06, 2013.