Although we are still not meeting in our church building, we are now planning to open for Easter Sunday and will let you know the dates and times off all services around Easter soon.

CHURCH OPEN FOR PRAYER:  Every day from 11.00 a.m. to 12.00 the church building will be open for individuals to come to for personal prayer.  Please wear face coverings, maintain social distancing and use the hand sanitizers as you enter.

SUNDAY SERVICE ONLINE: our service will continue to go out at 10.00 a.m.

• St Mary’s Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/stmaryschurchrushden
• or in the latest video for St Mary’s on YouTube   http://www.youtube.com/user/stmarysrushden

COFFEE TIME:  at 11 a.m.,  Zoom in to a church Coffee Time, on your phone/tablet/computer.   CLICK on the BLUE LINK below and you will see everyone else on Zoom!   https://us05web.zoom.us/j/89836145688?pwd=R0l1bzBXdmdsbTdhaXdPb3ROdEEydz09   Or you may need the following:  Meeting ID: 898 3614 5688     Passcode: WQD84A

“Thought for Thursday” will continue ONLINE at 10.30 a.m.  each Thursday on the church Facebook site  https://www.facebook.com/stmaryschurchrushden/

BISHOP DONALD’S BIBLE STUDY ON HEBREWS:  This is available to download (in either just audio or audio/visual format) on the diocesan website on this link:  
https://www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/bishop-of-peterborough/sermons-articles-and-talks

Bumps & Babes:  are on Facebook on Monday mornings at 10.00am.
https://www.facebook.com/stmaryschurchrushden/

If you want to know more about the Christian faith and the hope we have in Jesus, please ring Steve (01933 312554) or Phil (01933 356906)
who would be happy to talk with you.

_________________________

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS! Happy Birthday to Sheila Rodwell on her 90th birthday on 6 March. Warmest greetings!

MARCH GRAPEVINE:   is now available and will be distributed to you if you are on our distribution list or can be viewed here:  Grapevine March 2021 lite

BRIAN AND VAL HODGKIN are retiring after 36 years of ministry with Wycliffe Bible Translators. We have partnered with them through prayer and giving during their journey and as a church we are making a gift to them as they retire.  If you would like to be a part of this, you may do so by either:

• writing a cheque payable to Rushden St Mary’s Church with a note indicating “Hodgkin Gift”  and posting it to our Treasurer, Robert Bates at 16 Keats Way, Higham Ferrers, Northants, NN10 8DQ

• making an electronic payment to the following account:  Acct Name:  “CC of St Marys Rushden”; Acct No: 00081414; Sort Code: 30-97-20; please reference your payment “B&V”

LENT “LUNCH” ZOOM PRAYER MEETINGS:  each Wednesday during Lent, the Council of Churches (led by a different clergy person each week) will be hosting a Zoom Prayer time at 1.00 p.m.  Zoom Meeting ID: 810 8445 0699;  Passcode: 495190; or use this link to join Zoom Meetings:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81084450699?pwd=Tm5DT0lFbllXMVpSUG1MVWtoQVdpZz09

The full set of dates are below (as you will see,
the meetings carry on through Maundy Thursday and Good Friday: 
     Wed Mar 10, 1:00 pm
        Wed Mar 17, 1:00 pm             Wed Mar 24, 1:00 pm
        Wed Mar 31, 1:00 pm      Maundy Thurs Apr 1,  1:00 pm
        Good Friday  Apr 2, 1:00 pm

FOODBANK:  the Foodbank are grateful for everyone’s support!  At the moment, they are asking for items such as tinned potatoes, peas, sweet corn and carrots as well as cleaning products. They have sufficient pasta and baked beans!  Many thanks! 

FREE PHOTO ALBUMS:  I have a number of photograph albums each holding 200 7×5 prints free to a good home (or homes). If interested please contact Peter Chamberlain on 01933 386826.

Children’s Society Quiz:  a new quiz “OH” (answers ending with ‘O’) is now available from Joy Holloway (01933 318415) or Pam Bailey (01933 313195)  Price £1.  There will be three prizes of £10 each. Proceeds to the Children’s Society.

IDEAS FOR MY FUNERAL SERVICE:  Linnet Smith has made a booklet available for recording ideas for family members to know your wishes regarding funeral arrangements (songs, etc).  These will be available on Thursday 29 October or can be downloaded here: Ideas for my funeral service or sent to you by post if you contact Sue Prior 01933 312554 or email susaneprior@hotmail.co.uk

CONTACT ONE ANOTHER:  May I ask that Home Group Leaders, and our other leaders who have been phoning around our congregation, ensure that they are in contact each of their members during the coming week.  Let’s express our concern and support for one another by keeping in contact, particularly with those we think might feel isolated by this lockdown.  If anyone knows of needs or concerns, please get in touch with myself or another clergy person.

GIFTS AND OFFERINGS:  If you have any questions about your giving, you are welcome to contact our Treasurer, Robert Bates to discuss options with him (telephone: 01933 358005 or email: robertbates1947@btinternet.com).  There are options for paying remotely (by direct debit, standing order, through the Parish Giving Scheme).

PLEASE PRAY:

For those who are Ill:    Jean Tombling, Alma Walters, Ann Beal, Viv Striblehill, Michelle Smith, Jennie Bone, Glenis Burton, Iris Gilbert,  Alan Palmer, Mark Butcher, Mel Britchford, John Tye, the Whiteman Family and Ruby Willmer.

For the recently bereaved families and friends: of Avril Bird, Maurice Bee and Mabel Allen. 

For our congregations, our communities, the local mission of ENCS (The Food Bank and Recovery House) 

Pray for our mission partners – James Hawksworth (Church Army); Tearfund; Brian and Val Hodgkin (Wycliffe Bible Translators); CMS, The Church Pastoral Aid Society; and Langham Partnership UK & Ireland.

CLICK BELOW FOR OUR CHILD PROTECTION POLICY