Weekly News Sheets

 St John’s Church, Neville’s Cross

We are encouraging as many people as possible to receive this weekly news sheet via email.  Please click here to contact the Rector’s Secretary to be added to the distribution list. This helps to keep our costs down and also reduce our carbon footprint.

This Sunday (23rd March) there will be a Communion Service in church at 8.45 am and at 10.30 am (with Amy Ward preaching).  The 10.30 am service will be broadcast live (available to view on our Facebook page) https://www.facebook.com/StJohnschurchnevillescross.

The baptism of Phoebe Ruth S will be celebrated in St John’s on Sunday 20th April (Easter Day); please pray for Phoebe and for her family, in preparation.

Lent Course: we are running the Difference Course https://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/priorities/reconciliation/difference- course ) in church on Wednesday evenings, 7-9pm (following the evening Communion service).  All are most welcome.  We are hoping that this will help us in and through present times, as well as encouraging us to engage with some of the issues raised in ‘Crystal’s Vardo’.

Fasting and prayer: Amy writes – Fasting is very unfamiliar in much of the Western Church now but has long since been a part of praying to God, especially in difficult times.  With many things concerning us all in the world today, we wanted to invite you to share in this different way of praying.  All are invited to join us in prayer in this 24-hour period, whether you’re able to fast or not (and it won’t be possible for everyone).  On Fridays we shall meet in the Upper Room at St John’s to pray (5:45pm for 6:00pm).  We’ll then break the fast together with a simple meal of rice and beans.  If you would like to join us for food on any Friday, please email Amy Ward or Caroline Friswell by the Thursday before, so that we can cater for the right numbers.  See attachment for details; if you’ve any further queries, do get in touch with Amy Ward, or Caroline Friswell in person or via the Contact Form.

The next Men’s Breakfast (All Welcome !) will be at 9.30 am on Saturday 29th March.  Please sign the list at the back of church to give us an idea of numbers.

Messy Church – Diary Dates:

  • Easter Messy Church is different, as it takes place on Good Friday, 18th April, from 10am – 11.30am and concludes with light refreshments and a drink.
  • The following month Messy Church returns to the usual programme, 4-6pm on 11th May and then another change;
  • we meet during the Ecofest at 2-3pm on Sunday 15th June. 

Children – we look forward to seeing you again with your adult.

The next Open Door session is on Wednesday 2nd April.  Do come and join us from 10.00 am – 12 noon for coffee/tea, conversation and cake. 

Coffee Rota: We are looking for volunteers to join the coffee rota for the 10.30am service at St. John’s.  Please contact Sarah R in person or via the Contact Form, if you would like to help.

Church Prayer Meetings take place in the Church at 9.30 am on the 2nd Saturday of the month, ie, 12th April, and 1t May.  Everyone is very welcome to pray for the church and the world.

All-age services this term continue to take place at 10.30 on the 4th or 5th Sunday of the month (children stay in church for these services, rather than meeting in groups in the church centre).  On Mothering Sunday (Sun 30th March) we will have an All-age Eucharist at 10.30.  Before next term we will be reviewing the practicalities and spiritualities of Café Church (we will seek the congregation’s input).   

EcoFest 2025: Plans are already underway for Ecofestival 2025 which will be held on Sunday 15th June 2025 at St John’s Church, Nevilles Cross – please save the date! We are looking forward to a day of music, stalls, speakers, food and fun welcoming the local community on the field and around the church and raising awareness of environmental and social justice issues.  More information to follow – we hope to see you again soon!  Every good wish from The Ecofest team

Save the date!!  We are beginning to plan our next parish weekend away.  It will be from 19th to 21st September 2025 at Scargill House in Kettlewell in the Yorkshire Dales.  More details will be available soon.

Welcome cards: if you are new to St John’s: welcome!  You are invited to fill out one of the ‘Welcome to St John’s’ cards, which can be found in the pews; it will enable us to get in touch and say hello, and also, if you wish, for us to stay in touch and keep you informed.  Please also take one of our ‘Welcome Packs’ which can be found underneath the noticeboard in the main foyer.

Would you like to read or lead prayers (intercessions) in church from time to time on Sunday mornings? If so please contact the Rector or Rector’s Secretary.  Training/guidance/encouragement will be given.

Music on Sundays: If you would be interested in receiving a notification on Saturday, about the hymns/sheet music for the 10.30 am service on Sunday please let Amy know, either in person or via the Contact Form.

Prayer:  A number of us meet on Zoom every Monday morning at 9.30 am to say Morning Prayer together.  This is in addition to the Prayer Meeting in church at 9.30 am on the second Saturday of the month.  To join us for Morning Prayer, regularly or on occasion, contact the Rector, Jo Cundy or Mike Chater in the first instance and we will ensure that you receive the Zoom link.  It is so important for the life of the church that we pray together.

St Cuthbert’s Day – Celebrating St Cuthbert at Durham Cathedral:

Friday 21st March 

  • 6.00 pm Evensong and Procession to the Shrine. Sung by Durham Cathedral Choir. Preacher: Professor Dee Dyas (Professor of the History of Christianity, Director of the Centre for Pilgrimage Studies at the University of York and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society).  Followed by hospitality in the Cathedral

Saturday 22nd March – Family Activities during the day

  • Pilgrimage Walk: Leaving St Mary and St Cuthbert’s Church, Chester-le-Street at 10.00 am or from Finchale Priory leaving at 1.15 pm, arriving at Durham Cathedral at 3.30 pm. (For more information about the Pilgrimage email allen@durhamcathedral.co.uk)  
  • 4.00 pm Sung Eucharist.  Sung by Durham Cathedral Choir and Newcastle Cathedral Choir.  President and Preacher: The Bishop of Jarrow

Concert at Ushaw College: The Durham Singers will perform a new setting of The Crucifixion by their musical director Tom Edney in St Peter’s Chapel at Ushaw College on April 12. The Passiontide programme, entitled Komm Süsser Tod (Come Sweet Death), also includes works by J S Bach, Ethel Smyth, Poulenc and Caroline Shaw. The performance will begin at 7.30pm and tickets are £15, £10 for students and free for under-12s. They are available via www.ticketsource.co.uk/durhamsingers

 

PRAYERS AND READINGS FOR THIS WEEK:

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT – 23RD MARCH

Hymns for 8.45 am service:

  • I heard the voice of Jesus say (334)
  • Just as I am, without one plea (413)
  • Guide me, O thou great Redeemer (275)

Collect

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain,
and entered not into glory before he was crucified: mercifully grant that we,
walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life
and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Alternative Collect

Eternal God, give us insight to discern your will for us, to give up what harms us,
and to seek the perfection we are promised in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings  

  • Isaiah 55.1-9
  • 1 Corinthians 10.1-13
  • Luke 13.1-9

Post Communion

Merciful Lord, grant your people grace to withstand the temptations of the world,
the flesh and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow you,
the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings for Next Sunday:

  • Exodus 2.1-10
  • Colossians 3.12-17
  • John 19.25-27

 

In This Section