Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

‘And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.’   Philippians 1:6

It’s extraordinary to look back at the last year and to think that the Weekend Away at High Leigh 2020 was the last big thing many of us did together as a church family!  These words from Philippians seem even more apt for us as we look back at the year in pandemic. For it reminds us that we can be sure, and we can be confident, that God will bring us through this crisis – we can trust him with our life. Why? Because we know he began a good work in us, through faith we began a journey of discipleship, and the good work of salvation in this sense is ongoing. When all around us looks bleak and difficult, we can be confident that he will bring it to completion, as we fix our eyes on the one who completed his work on the cross and sat down at the right hand of the throne on high. Paul wrote not just to individuals but to a church in Philippi, who were doing Life Together, no doubt with all the stresses and strains which that can entail. In the messiness, in the longing to meet together, and get back to some kind of ‘normal’, let us rest in the fact that He will do it!


SUNDAYS

9.15 & 11.15am – we begin a new series taking us up to Easter looking at the Passion narrative in Mark’s gospel entitled ‘The Journey to the Cross’. We begin with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane.  The 11.15 service will be livestreamed on the St John’s YouTube channel.

10.30am Virtual Refreshments on Zoom

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81424473923?pwd=ekkvMk5obDR3MXoxek96MXoxZVEyQT09
Meeting ID: 814 2447 3923
Passcode: 112358

6pm Open to Questions will be live streamed on the St John’s YouTube channel.

We will be taking time to follow up on the recent sermon series ‘Life Together: ethnicity, church and the gospel’ and seeking to comment on the questions that have been sent in to us.


PRAYER

Monday 8th March, 8-9pm will be our monthly Prayer Gathering, please do join in as we seek to lay the needs of the world, the nation and our church before the Lord.

Lent Prayer Gatherings (30min) continue every Tuesday at 9am, Thursday 8pm and Saturday 4.30pm via Zoom.

If you’ve never prayed with other people before, this is a great way to have a go. Come and pray however you’re comfortable – out loud or silently. Someone will lead each occasion and suggest things to pray for. Drop in whenever you can!

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83374329566?pwd=bTEyN3lCYjRYZS9sZnR6VngrK0FCdz09

Meeting ID: 833 7432 9566
Passcode: 366044

EASTER SERVICES

Less than a month to go until Easter and so we wanted to update you:

Maundy Thursday 1st April at 6pm Fellowship Evening

This year we will be inviting you to join via Zoom and to have a virtual meal together. The idea is that you will prepare your usual meal for a 6pm start. There will be a welcome from me and then we will divide into breakout rooms to chat while you eat. We will give you a couple of simple questions to help the conversation. Then we will gather together for a short reflection on the Last Supper, sing, and invite you to share bread and wine/juice in your own homes. We will also be joined by Charlton and Blackheath Christian Fellowship (CBCF).

Good Friday 2nd April

All Age Good Friday service – 9am.  This will be a short online pre-recorded service available on the St John’s YouTube Channel

An Hour at the Cross, 2pm will be an in-person service at church. This is a more reflective service as we think upon Christ’s sacrifice for us.

Easter Day 4th April

All Age Easter Day celebration – 9.15, 11.15 and 4pm 

In consideration of CV19 restrictions we have added an additional service to cater for more people. For these services you will need to BOOK a seat and you can do this by going to the website here:

https://www.stjohnsblackheath.org.uk/event/all-age-easter-sunday-service/

6pm Easter Unplugged service with Communion. This is a contemporary informal service celebrating the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

 

SPEAK PRAY LOVE

Following on from Jane’s email earlier this week there are some great ways to Speak about Jesus with your Neighbour – Pray for your Neighbour – Love your Neighbour:

Invite them the Easter Quiz March 20th 8pm

Invite them to the Case for Christ Course beginning Tuesday 13th April

Invite your neighbour to do Word 1-2-1 virtually: theword121.com/virtual-one-to-one 

AND

Share/chat about the ‘Question Video’s’ which can be found on the Church’s YouTube channel and social media. Please click this link for the first one Questions Video

https://youtu.be/BGzT5ILCpBM


DATE for the DIARY

Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) will be Monday 19th April at 7.45pm. If you have been attending church regularly and would like to join the electoral roll, please email Cathy in the church office. The Electoral Roll lists are now on display on the notice board in the foyer, please check your details whilst observing social distancing.  If there are any changes please email them to Cathy, rather than marking the lists.

 

Lots to look forward to in the coming weeks!

Grace and peace to you, Eddie