Dear Brothers and Sisters

Next Wednesday, 23rd of March, marks the anniversary of our first National Lockdown. We are asked to keep this day as a day of reflection. There will be all sorts of programs and resources on the media, and as a Nation we are asked to be silent at Mid-day to remember all those we have lost during this past year. In the evening you might want to focus on this past year as we pause at 6pm. To pray for the nation. If you do some extra prayers are attached along with this bulletin.

We take a new turn in our Lenten journey from today. We enter Passiontide where our thoughts are fixed more fully on what Jesus suffered for each of us. Some would say that this is all a bit morbid, but we know differently. The Passion and death of Jesus is central to our faith as Christians. As we consider all that Jesus did for each of us, we can commit ourselves more fully to following him, and to carrying our own cross as well.

Next week brings us to Palm Sunday; we will have services at Weston, Leathley and Fewston. Palm crosses will be available at those services. If you would like a palm cross and are not able to come to church, please let me know and I will get them to you. We won’t have a service on Maundy Thursday this year but there will be a service on Good Friday at Weston followed by Easter Day services in each of our parishes. Unfortunately, the Diocese has confirmed that we will not be able to sing at any of these services.

This Sunday is Census Day. If you need help completing it you can still contact Nidderdale Plus who have been designated as a Census Support Centre and will be able to help you. You can contact them on 01423 714953.

Remember that next Sunday (28th) is also the day when the clocks change. So, especially if you are coming to church remember everything is an hour forward.

We continue to stop at 6pm. each evening to pray for the Nation and to remember those who have died. If you are struggling to think of words to say try these:

Sunday Readings

A Reading from the Prophecy of Jeremiah

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord’, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.                                                                          (31 :31-34)

The Gospel according to John

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.

‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say— “Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.                                                      (12:20-33)

Services for Sunday 28th March                         Weston                                  9.30am.

            (Palm Sunday)                                         Leathley                                11am.

                                                                             Fewston                                2.30pm.

Good Friday 2nd April                                         Weston                                  2pm.

Services for Sunday 4th April                              Farnley                                  9.30am.

            (Easter Day)                                              Leathley                                10am.

                                                                              Fewston                                11am.

                                                                               Denton                                  11am.

Please remember in your prayers: All who have lost loved ones over this past year. Those whose lives have changed for ever. Our Government as we continue on the long journey out of this pandemic. Our schools and teachers and the children and young people they care for as they return to school from this week onwards. Our farmers as they work round the clock caring for their flocks. Our Front-line services, that we don’t take them for granted. All involved in the national vaccination drive. Couples planning to be married this year. The homeless and those who cannot feed their families. Our friends and neighbours and all who live in this Benefice. The sick, and the dying. Those who have died and all who mourn. 

God bless you all.   

Stephen