Magazine Entry March 2009 part one

Forthcoming events
Flower Festival on 29^th - 31^st May at Christ Church, Long Lane
Duck Race on Monday May 25^th at 4.00p.m. at Brook Farm, Boylestone
Teddy Parachuting Saturday 13^th June at St Michael's, Church Broughton

BOYLESTONE, CHURCH BROUGHTON, DALBURY, LONGFORD, LONG LANE, RADBOURNE, SUTTON-ON-THE-HILL & TRUSLEY

Rector: Rev. Michael Bishop, The Vicarage, Chapel Lane, Church Broughton, Derby, DE65 5BB.
Tel. 01283-585296. Email:- rector@longford8.org.uk Mobile 07918175860
Blog Site: http://churchbroughtonchurch.blog.co.uk/

During this month and next we shall be following the course of Lent and then of Holy Week and Easter – a time when we are called to get down to the very basis of our faith and what difference it is to make in our lives. It is a chance for us to look at our own lives and ask how far what we do reflects what we say we believe. It is all too easy for the two to become detached. One of the things that we are to work for is the reconciliation of God and all mankind and the reconciliation man and man. That can sound a wonderful thing – and of course it is. However, how far do we put it into practice? It is not just a general principle, it is to be applied individually as well. We would all do well to ask how far we are ready to be reconciled with those from whom for whatever reason we may have become estranged. Are we ready to be reconciled with those from whom we have become estranged by some perceived insult or unkindness or other thing? We are called to be ready to forgive and be reconciled to one another. I am frequently forced to stop and examine myself when I find myself saying in the Lord's Prayer “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”. That, if you really think about it is a dangerous prayer to pray – it is asking God “Please forgive me in the same way that I forgive others.” If I, in my heart, do not forgive someone else for a perceived offence or hold a grudge for that thing they said or did, then in praying in the Lord's Prayer, I am saying effectively “If I don't forgive, then please don't forgive me” Dare I hold a grudge? Dare I do anything that allows disunity in the family, friends, or other group (even the human race!) of which I am a member? Surely I should, rather accept perceived injustice or sleight, in order to further the unity and reconciliation which is God's will for every one of us. We are all called of God to promote peace and love amongst all people.
My prayer this Lent – and I hope yours too – is “Let there be peace on earth – and let it begin with me”

May the reconciling love of God be in all our hearts and lives today and always

Michael Bishop
(Rector)

United Lenten Study Group
Our Lenten Study this year will be held in the Vicarage on Wednesday evenings at 7.30p.m. The course , entitled “Faith, Hope and Love” and is based on 1 Corinthians 13.
All are invited to come and join in.

Mothering Sunday - 22^nd March 2009

At 11.00a.m. there will be a United Service for Mothering Sunday at St Michael's, Sutton-on-the-Hill Please note that on this day there will be no service in Church Broughton

Holy Communion will be celebrated on Wednesdays 4^th & 18^th March at 10.30a.m. at Long Lane.

Morning Prayer at 7.30a.m. is normally said daily in church as follows:
Monday Sutton;Tuesday Church Broughton; Wednesday Longford; Thursday Trusley;
Friday Boylestone; Saturday Long Lane.

Evening Prayer at 6.30p.m. is normally said daily in church as follows:
Monday Radbourne; Tuesday Boylestone; Wednesday Long Lane; Thursday Sutton; Friday Dalbury; Saturday Longford

CONFIRMATION
It is hoped that Confirmation classes will begin soon for a confirmation to be arranged in the new year. In preparation for this, those who would like to consider preparing should let the rector know. When names have been gathered arrangements for the classes will be made.

MAIN SUNDAY READINGS FOR March 2009

01/03/09 First Sunday of Lent

Genesis 9.8-17; 1 Peter 3.18-22; Mark 1.9-15

08/03/09 Second Sunday of Lent
Genesis 17.1-7,15-16; Romans 4.13-25; Mark 8.31-38

15/03/09 Third Sunday of Lent
Exodus 20.1-17; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; John 2:13-22

22/03/09 Fourth Sunday of Lent
Numbers 21.4-9; Ephesians 2.1-10; John 3.14-21

or Mothering Sunday
Exodus 2.1-10; 1 Samuel 1.20-28; 2 Corinthians 1.3-7; Luke 2.33-35

29/03/09 Fifth Sunday of Lent

Jeremiah 31.31-34; Hebrews 5.5-10; John 12.20-33

FOR PARISH ENTRIES SEE PART TWO