Sunday 18th April - Third Sunday of Easter
We have 2 short services today - 9 am and 10 am. (See the notice from Fr Mark on the Home page about attending.) If you are not able to attend either of the services, please use these documents to help you take spiritual communion at home. On the service sheet (pdf link below) there are suggestions of websites for videos and hymns suitable for today.
We have 2 short services today - 9 am and 10 am. (See the notice from Fr Mark on the Home page about attending.) If you are not able to attend either of the services, please use these documents to help you take spiritual communion at home. On the service sheet (pdf link below) there are suggestions of websites for videos and hymns suitable for today.
| 15_spiritual_communion_third_sunday_of_easter__18_april.pdf |
There are additional prayers for you on these two documents if you wish to use them:
| prayer_book_cofe_.pdf |
| prayer_for_the_long_haul.pdf |
EASTERTIDE
The Great Fifty Days of Eastertide form a single festival period in which the tone of joy created at the Easter Vigil is sustained through the following seven weeks, and the Church celebrates the gloriously risen Christ:
Triumphant in his glory now,
his sceptre ruleth all,
earth, heaven and hell before him bow,
and at his footstool fall.
(Fulbert of Chartres)
Early Christians gave the name Pentecost to this whole fifty-day span of rejoicing, which Tertullian calls ‘this most joyful period’ (laetissimum spatium). It is sometimes also called ‘Great Sunday’. In those places where the custom of lighting the Easter Candle at the beginning of Easter is followed, the lit Candle stands prominently in church for all the Eastertide services.
The Alleluia appears frequently in liturgical speech and song; Morning Prayer begins with the traditional collection of Pauline texts known as the Easter Anthems, and white or gold vestments and decorations emphasize the joy and brightness of the season.
On the fortieth day there has from the late fourth century been a particular celebration of Christ’s ascension. He commissions his disciples to continue his work, he promises the gift of the Holy Spirit, and then he is no longer among them in the flesh. The ascension is therefore closely connected with the theme of mission. The arrival of the promised gift of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost completes and crowns the Easter Festival.
The Great Fifty Days of Eastertide form a single festival period in which the tone of joy created at the Easter Vigil is sustained through the following seven weeks, and the Church celebrates the gloriously risen Christ:
Triumphant in his glory now,
his sceptre ruleth all,
earth, heaven and hell before him bow,
and at his footstool fall.
(Fulbert of Chartres)
Early Christians gave the name Pentecost to this whole fifty-day span of rejoicing, which Tertullian calls ‘this most joyful period’ (laetissimum spatium). It is sometimes also called ‘Great Sunday’. In those places where the custom of lighting the Easter Candle at the beginning of Easter is followed, the lit Candle stands prominently in church for all the Eastertide services.
The Alleluia appears frequently in liturgical speech and song; Morning Prayer begins with the traditional collection of Pauline texts known as the Easter Anthems, and white or gold vestments and decorations emphasize the joy and brightness of the season.
On the fortieth day there has from the late fourth century been a particular celebration of Christ’s ascension. He commissions his disciples to continue his work, he promises the gift of the Holy Spirit, and then he is no longer among them in the flesh. The ascension is therefore closely connected with the theme of mission. The arrival of the promised gift of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost completes and crowns the Easter Festival.
- You can view the weekly and daily prayers on the Prayers page. The daily readings and reflections can be viewed on the Daily Readings page. Please, also, take time to read the Weekly Notices which are updated each Sunday. During the week extra notices may be posted on the Weekly Notices page as well in addition to some on the Home page.
- You can access daily prayer and services from the Church of England, using this link: https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily-prayer
- The Pray as you Go website offers a lovely short daily service. https://pray-as-you-go.org/home/
- Whilst we are unable to attend church for worship you might like to follow the services that are recorded at Lichfield Cathedral.
Services take place at the following times:
MONDAY-SATURDAY
08:00 Morning Prayer
12:30 Eucharist
17:30 Evening Prayer
SUNDAY
08:00 Eucharist (Traditional Language)
10:30 Eucharist
17:30 Evening Prayer
Follow this link to see services recorded live at the above times or you can catch up with previous services if you miss them going live. - The BBC has a Daily Service, which is about 15 minutes with a reflection, reading from Scripture, prayers, and hymns. It’s every day at 9.45 am on the BBC website and on Radio 4. You can also listen to services from the last 30 days.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006wzfs
OTHER SERVICES will be resumed as soon as it is possible to do so.
8.00 am Sunday - Holy Communion SUSPENDED FOR THE MOMENT (but see separate note about worship in the Church on the Home page).
Begin the day with our quieter Communion Service using the majestic Book of Common Prayer. This is a 'said' service (ie, no singing).
_________________________________________________
Communion Service
(The usual 10.30 am Sunday Parish Eucharist cannot be held (no singing and no communion wine). The usual type of Eucharist service is SUSPENDED FOR THE MOMENT (but see separate note about worship in the Church on the Home page).
This is our main service. Traditional in form and tone but open to all. Hymns are sung. Please stay for refreshments after the service. (All Age service on the first Sunday of each month. This will be an opportunity for people of all ages to come together to offer God their praise and worship. It will not just be a children’s service with adults present or, indeed, an adult service with children present. The service will be aimed at all of the congregation. Please contact Father Mark if you want more details. SUSPENDED FOR THE MOMENT)
_________________________________________________
6.00 pm Sunday - Memorial service SUSPENDED FOR THE MOMENT
We hold a Memorial service 2 or 3 times a year (usually around February, June and October) for those who have lost loved ones recently or some years ago.
'Lord, have mercy on those who mourn, who feel numb and crushed and are filled with the pain of grief, whose strength has given up. You know all our sighing and longings. Be near to us and teach us to fix our hope on you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen'
‘And God shall wipe away every tear from their eye and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain.'
_________________________________________________
10.00 am Tuesday - Communion SUSPENDED FOR THE MOMENT
Friendly BCP Communion Service - no singing, a short sermon, then you are welcome to stay for coffee, biscuits and sometimes home-made cake!
_________________________________________________
6.00 pm First Friday each month - Quiet Hour SUSPENDED FOR THE MOMENT
This is a quiet and reflective service with times of silence and meditation and anointing if desired. There is no sermon or hymns. It will be the ideal opportunity to take time out and to meet with God in the silence.
_________________________________________________
All Age Service - first Sunday of the month 10.30 am SUSPENDED FOR THE MOMENT
The first Sunday of the month will be an ‘All Age Service’. The service will still have the Eucharist at its heart but it will be a more relaxed and accessible service and all are welcome. We are hoping and praying that the Leaders and young ladies from the Uniformed Organisations will be joining us each month and in addition, please begin to think and pray now about who you can invite.
_________________________________________________
Christening/Bookings
If you would like to enquire about a Christening at St Bartholomew's Church then please come and visit us on Sunday morning at our morning worship (10.30 am). Please note church is closed so you will need to contact Fr Mark. Please complete the form on the Contact Us page. Once the church is open in 'normal' and safer times, enquiries about this will be dealt with following the service but until we notify you on here, please follow the advice given above in red. Click here to see more details about Christenings on the Christenings/Baptisms page.
_________________________________________________
Wedding Bookings
If you would like to enquire about a wedding at St Bartholomew's Church then please come and visit us on Sunday morning at our morning worship (10.30 am). All enquiries about this will be dealt with following the service. Please note church is closed so you will need to contact Fr Mark. Please complete the form on the Contact Us page. Once the church is open in 'normal' and safer times, enquiries about this will be dealt with following the service but until we notify you on here, please follow the advice given above in red. Click here to see more details about weddings on the Weddings page.
_________________________________________________
Home Communion (for the homebound)
Do you know anyone who would like to receive Holy Communion within their home? Click here to message us about this.
_________________________________________________
Services/events will be in Church unless otherwise stated. Click here to see details of future events.
_________________________________________________
ACTIVITIES:
All activities are suspended for the time being.
Open the Book
Enabling every child to hear the stories of the Bible at School in their primary years. www.openthebook.net. Our 'Open the Book' team currently visit the following primary schools: St John's C of E Primary Academy and Old Park Primary School. Click here to view the Open the Book page.
Craft Club
Our craft club, Lovingly Crafted, meets once a month, 2 pm to 4 pm. Click here to find out more on the Craft Club page. The dates for 2020 can be found on the Craft Club page.
Open Table
The Open Table team serve delicious lunches at 1.00 pm usually on the second Saturday of each month. Please see Linda Stockall or Joyce Turner if you wish to attend, or can help. Please see the dates below for 2019.
Events
Click here to find out about forthcoming events.
Newsletters
Click here to download the newsletter each month. During the closure of the church Fr Mark has asked me to upload the Lichfield Diocese bulletins and these can be found on the Newsletters page.
_________________________________________________
8.00 am Sunday - Holy Communion SUSPENDED FOR THE MOMENT (but see separate note about worship in the Church on the Home page).
Begin the day with our quieter Communion Service using the majestic Book of Common Prayer. This is a 'said' service (ie, no singing).
_________________________________________________
Communion Service
(The usual 10.30 am Sunday Parish Eucharist cannot be held (no singing and no communion wine). The usual type of Eucharist service is SUSPENDED FOR THE MOMENT (but see separate note about worship in the Church on the Home page).
This is our main service. Traditional in form and tone but open to all. Hymns are sung. Please stay for refreshments after the service. (All Age service on the first Sunday of each month. This will be an opportunity for people of all ages to come together to offer God their praise and worship. It will not just be a children’s service with adults present or, indeed, an adult service with children present. The service will be aimed at all of the congregation. Please contact Father Mark if you want more details. SUSPENDED FOR THE MOMENT)
_________________________________________________
6.00 pm Sunday - Memorial service SUSPENDED FOR THE MOMENT
We hold a Memorial service 2 or 3 times a year (usually around February, June and October) for those who have lost loved ones recently or some years ago.
'Lord, have mercy on those who mourn, who feel numb and crushed and are filled with the pain of grief, whose strength has given up. You know all our sighing and longings. Be near to us and teach us to fix our hope on you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen'
‘And God shall wipe away every tear from their eye and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain.'
_________________________________________________
10.00 am Tuesday - Communion SUSPENDED FOR THE MOMENT
Friendly BCP Communion Service - no singing, a short sermon, then you are welcome to stay for coffee, biscuits and sometimes home-made cake!
_________________________________________________
6.00 pm First Friday each month - Quiet Hour SUSPENDED FOR THE MOMENT
This is a quiet and reflective service with times of silence and meditation and anointing if desired. There is no sermon or hymns. It will be the ideal opportunity to take time out and to meet with God in the silence.
_________________________________________________
All Age Service - first Sunday of the month 10.30 am SUSPENDED FOR THE MOMENT
The first Sunday of the month will be an ‘All Age Service’. The service will still have the Eucharist at its heart but it will be a more relaxed and accessible service and all are welcome. We are hoping and praying that the Leaders and young ladies from the Uniformed Organisations will be joining us each month and in addition, please begin to think and pray now about who you can invite.
_________________________________________________
Christening/Bookings
If you would like to enquire about a Christening at St Bartholomew's Church then please come and visit us on Sunday morning at our morning worship (10.30 am). Please note church is closed so you will need to contact Fr Mark. Please complete the form on the Contact Us page. Once the church is open in 'normal' and safer times, enquiries about this will be dealt with following the service but until we notify you on here, please follow the advice given above in red. Click here to see more details about Christenings on the Christenings/Baptisms page.
_________________________________________________
Wedding Bookings
If you would like to enquire about a wedding at St Bartholomew's Church then please come and visit us on Sunday morning at our morning worship (10.30 am). All enquiries about this will be dealt with following the service. Please note church is closed so you will need to contact Fr Mark. Please complete the form on the Contact Us page. Once the church is open in 'normal' and safer times, enquiries about this will be dealt with following the service but until we notify you on here, please follow the advice given above in red. Click here to see more details about weddings on the Weddings page.
_________________________________________________
Home Communion (for the homebound)
Do you know anyone who would like to receive Holy Communion within their home? Click here to message us about this.
_________________________________________________
Services/events will be in Church unless otherwise stated. Click here to see details of future events.
_________________________________________________
ACTIVITIES:
All activities are suspended for the time being.
Open the Book
Enabling every child to hear the stories of the Bible at School in their primary years. www.openthebook.net. Our 'Open the Book' team currently visit the following primary schools: St John's C of E Primary Academy and Old Park Primary School. Click here to view the Open the Book page.
Craft Club
Our craft club, Lovingly Crafted, meets once a month, 2 pm to 4 pm. Click here to find out more on the Craft Club page. The dates for 2020 can be found on the Craft Club page.
Open Table
The Open Table team serve delicious lunches at 1.00 pm usually on the second Saturday of each month. Please see Linda Stockall or Joyce Turner if you wish to attend, or can help. Please see the dates below for 2019.
Events
Click here to find out about forthcoming events.
Newsletters
Click here to download the newsletter each month. During the closure of the church Fr Mark has asked me to upload the Lichfield Diocese bulletins and these can be found on the Newsletters page.
_________________________________________________
MOTHERING SUNDAY EUCHARIST
The fourth Sunday of Lent is kept as Mothering Sunday. It's sometimes known as Laetare (joyful) Sunday. It's a day when Mothering in all its forms is celebrated - the mothering of Mother Church as well as the human mothering by parents.
The fourth Sunday of Lent is kept as Mothering Sunday. It's sometimes known as Laetare (joyful) Sunday. It's a day when Mothering in all its forms is celebrated - the mothering of Mother Church as well as the human mothering by parents.
February's memorial service:
SPECIAL PEAL OF BELLS - 23rd February 2019
A peal was rung at our Church by 10 ringers from the St Martin’s Guild in 3 hours 2 minutes on Saturday 23rd February. They rang 5040 changes of Cambridge Surprise Royal in loving memory of Andy Carr, who had been tower captain of Northfield and it was rung on Henry Johnson Dinner Day. You can see further details on the the Ringing World BellBoard website. https://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1273037 |
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2nd December 2018
Lynn, Mario, Joyce, Alice and Wendy went to the Central Hall in Walsall to see Stuart Townend and Band in their ‘Courage’ tour. The band was fabulous and we all came out feeling positive. (We hope Mario will sing some of the songs in Church. )
Stuart Townend is an English Christian worship leader and writer of hymns and contemporary worship music. His songs include ‘In Christ Alone’, ‘How Deep The Father's Love For Us’, ‘Beautiful Saviour’ and ‘The King of Love’. (His son plays drums and his daughter is a vocalist.)
11th November 2018
Our Church looked lovely with displays of poppies and the poppy wreaths laid during our Parish Eucharist prior to going to the Cenotaph. The Cenotaph and the area around it was packed. It was a wonderful turn out during this special Centenary to mark the ending of WW1 especially as we did it on the 11th day of the 11th month at 11 am this year. (See the slideshow of the photos at the bottom of the page showing the poppies in Church and some from the Cenotaph that were taken some time after the service and when most people had left. )
Invitation from Holy Trinity Church, Old Hill
On Saturday 29th September, Claire and Wendy represented our Open the Book team at Holy Trinity Church in Old Hill. Click here to find out more on the Open the Book page and go to the bottom of the screen.
Invitation to visit Polesworth Abbey and St Editha's Church
David Brookes (Organist and Choir Master) extended an invitation to us to visit his church. The Abbey, Church and Sensory Garden is open to visitors every day apart from Mondays from 10.30 am to 4.00 pm. Wendy, her husband Dennis and friend Heather visited on Thursday 27th September and enjoyed a few hours there. Thank you to David and other volunteers for making them very welcome. Polesworth Abbey was founded in the 9th century by St Modwena and King Egbert. The first abbess was Edgytha (daughter of King Egbert, now known as St Editha) to whom the present church is now named. It is likely that she lived in the 600s and that there was a Saxon shrine dedicated to her at Polesworth before the end of the 7th century. A 12th century carving found in excavations and prominent in the Abbey is probably part of an early Norman memorial or shrine installed when the present Abbey buildings were erected in the early twelfth century. It is a very interesting place. Please visit our Facebook page if you wish to view photos. Click here to go to the page and then select Photos and look for the album.
Harvest Festival
On 16th September we had our Harvest Festival service. Thank you to Morrisons for the generous donation of the Harvest Festival Sheaf. It looked fabulous on the altar. Many thanks, too, to all of you who donated non-perishable items. These will be used by the Food Bank in Wednesbury. The Food Bank deals with many people from the area who often have nothing and go hungry. It's wonderful that our donations will enable the Food Bank to continue to help these people in their time of need.
Guild of Servers of the Sanctuary
On Monday 10th September, for the first time in a long time (approximately 35 years) St Bartholomew's had the privilege of having a visit from the Guild of Servers of the Sanctuary. The Guilds Office was chanted and a sermon was given by their chaplain, the Revd Fr Martin Ennis. The Guild of Servants of the Sanctuary is a Guild of Altar Servers which seeks to deepen the spiritual life of its members and to help them to become more worthy of their high office. It is entirely a society of lay people but welcomes Bishops, Priests and Deacons as Associate Members and non-servers as Supporter members. Altar Servers from many parishes meet at their Chapter and Festivals for Worship and Fellowship, often providing support for servers who may be the solitary server at their church. There are Chapters throughout England, Wales and overseas. Details regarding the Guild can be found on their website.
http://guild-of-servers-of-sanctuary.weebly.com/
Lynn, Mario, Joyce, Alice and Wendy went to the Central Hall in Walsall to see Stuart Townend and Band in their ‘Courage’ tour. The band was fabulous and we all came out feeling positive. (We hope Mario will sing some of the songs in Church. )
Stuart Townend is an English Christian worship leader and writer of hymns and contemporary worship music. His songs include ‘In Christ Alone’, ‘How Deep The Father's Love For Us’, ‘Beautiful Saviour’ and ‘The King of Love’. (His son plays drums and his daughter is a vocalist.)
11th November 2018
Our Church looked lovely with displays of poppies and the poppy wreaths laid during our Parish Eucharist prior to going to the Cenotaph. The Cenotaph and the area around it was packed. It was a wonderful turn out during this special Centenary to mark the ending of WW1 especially as we did it on the 11th day of the 11th month at 11 am this year. (See the slideshow of the photos at the bottom of the page showing the poppies in Church and some from the Cenotaph that were taken some time after the service and when most people had left. )
Invitation from Holy Trinity Church, Old Hill
On Saturday 29th September, Claire and Wendy represented our Open the Book team at Holy Trinity Church in Old Hill. Click here to find out more on the Open the Book page and go to the bottom of the screen.
Invitation to visit Polesworth Abbey and St Editha's Church
David Brookes (Organist and Choir Master) extended an invitation to us to visit his church. The Abbey, Church and Sensory Garden is open to visitors every day apart from Mondays from 10.30 am to 4.00 pm. Wendy, her husband Dennis and friend Heather visited on Thursday 27th September and enjoyed a few hours there. Thank you to David and other volunteers for making them very welcome. Polesworth Abbey was founded in the 9th century by St Modwena and King Egbert. The first abbess was Edgytha (daughter of King Egbert, now known as St Editha) to whom the present church is now named. It is likely that she lived in the 600s and that there was a Saxon shrine dedicated to her at Polesworth before the end of the 7th century. A 12th century carving found in excavations and prominent in the Abbey is probably part of an early Norman memorial or shrine installed when the present Abbey buildings were erected in the early twelfth century. It is a very interesting place. Please visit our Facebook page if you wish to view photos. Click here to go to the page and then select Photos and look for the album.
Harvest Festival
On 16th September we had our Harvest Festival service. Thank you to Morrisons for the generous donation of the Harvest Festival Sheaf. It looked fabulous on the altar. Many thanks, too, to all of you who donated non-perishable items. These will be used by the Food Bank in Wednesbury. The Food Bank deals with many people from the area who often have nothing and go hungry. It's wonderful that our donations will enable the Food Bank to continue to help these people in their time of need.
Guild of Servers of the Sanctuary
On Monday 10th September, for the first time in a long time (approximately 35 years) St Bartholomew's had the privilege of having a visit from the Guild of Servers of the Sanctuary. The Guilds Office was chanted and a sermon was given by their chaplain, the Revd Fr Martin Ennis. The Guild of Servants of the Sanctuary is a Guild of Altar Servers which seeks to deepen the spiritual life of its members and to help them to become more worthy of their high office. It is entirely a society of lay people but welcomes Bishops, Priests and Deacons as Associate Members and non-servers as Supporter members. Altar Servers from many parishes meet at their Chapter and Festivals for Worship and Fellowship, often providing support for servers who may be the solitary server at their church. There are Chapters throughout England, Wales and overseas. Details regarding the Guild can be found on their website.
http://guild-of-servers-of-sanctuary.weebly.com/
Day Retreat
Karen Bennett kindly allowed us to publish some photos she took when she attended the Day Retreat on 8th August led by Fr Mark from St Bartholomew’s Church and the Revd Dr Jason Philips at the church of St Giles in Whittington.
Karen said “I had an amazing time at this Ignatian Spirituality Retreat” and thanked both Fr Mark and St Giles Church. The retreat offered quiet spiritual reflection, guided meditation and time for personal reflection.
