THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
(Passion Sunday)
5th April 2025
Greetings.
Tomorrow we begin our observance of Holy Week. In worship we enter into the drama of Jesus' suffering and betrayal, his Passion. The powerful of the world have often sneered at this story of apparent weakness and failure. Yet in remaining true to his calling, and resisting the temptation to meet violence with violence Jesus revealed the truest power of all, that which never can be overcome; LOVE. In love he reigned supreme from the cross and the power of love to inspire a new future was declared in his resurrection.
It is something of a cliche to say that love has never been needed more for it is true in every time and place. The challenges are always great but modern life is such that now we are as aware of global issues as we are of the more local and intimate ones. It can seem overwhelming and the temptation is to throw up one's hands in despair. What good can I do? we might ask somewhat forlornly. Well, attempting to resolve problems on a huge scale is the way of oppression and failure. But it is also a failure to give up and withdraw. Loving those around us is our God-given calling, revealed in Jesus' passion and witnessed in the suffering of many martyrs through the ages. Yes, as a mortal story it doesn't always end well. But LOVE is bigger than mortal existence and bigger than the fear which always prioritises self-interest. This Holy Week is an opportunity to step out of the shadows of gloom and fear and commit afresh to that ever urgent task of nurturing community in the power of love.
May Christ's peace be with you,
Charles Booth
NOTICES
Notices and readings for Holy Week are on the attached Pew Sheet. Also attached is flyer of Holy Week services. Please forward it to others if you can. This Sunday being the second of the month we have Breakfast@Nine in the church hall. This will culminate at 9.45m with the Gospel of the Palms and the Palm Sunday procession around St. Mark's grounds. The Eucharist with the Passion according to St. Luke will follow immediately, in church at 10am.
The Annual Parochial Church Meeting takes place on Low Sunday 27th April at 11.30am in the Church Hall. This is a very important occasion in the life of our church community. Please support and attend if you can.
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