Keeping in touch

April 28, 2020 St Stephens Basildon

Diocesan services continue to be streamed 'as live' at 10am each Sunday. The link can be found at oxford.anglican.org/livestream - it will be put there on Sunday morning.

Download the order of service and join online on Sunday at 10am.

Important NEW: Please let your neighbours/friends without internet know!
From this week the service is also available to people dialling in by phone as well.
The number to dial each week is 01865 920930 then

press zero for the short service and 1 for the full Church at Home service
it takes a few seconds to retrieve the recording, then the service will start.

Each week the diocese emails a link to everyone 30 minutes before the service starts. Can I encourage you to add your name to the eNews list by clicking on the link and filling in the form.

Bishop Steven has started recording a series of reflective podcasts to resource the Church in this period of lockdown. The first is an exploration of Psalm 1: Like a tree planted.
Details below.

I saw this cartoon in The Church Times and thought you might be amused, as I was. It's a reflection of how things have changed!

This week's reflection:

Mike Penny shares this verse with us:

“Do not be anxious about anything,
but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:6-7)

"I miss seeing people but I have never remembered so many people in my prayers". Mike.

Mike has recorded a sixty second sermon for local radio; you can listen to it by clicking on the link below. It's lovely to hear his familiar voice!

CLICK to Listen to Mike Penny 60 second sermon

Other 60-second sermons from local clergy can be found here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03m175h

CLICK TO OPEN a thank you letter and update from CCA (Christian Community Action) with pictures! Do open and read some heart-warming stories.

We are still in the Easter Season - it is the third Sunday of Easter, so here is an Easter prayer and blessing for you:

God of the open garden,
we have found you and long to hold you fast.
But you refuse our clinging need,
eluding the love that would bind
and possess you,
sending us out
beyond the bounds of our feeble knowing.
Rapt in our joy and desire,
we cannot interpret you:
you have gone from us again,
moving into morning, moving into light.
In your great love,
wait for us where you have sent us,
Go ahead of us,
be there to meet us,
risen, released into your world. (1)
May the light of Christ, rising in glory,
scatter the darkness of your hearts and minds;
and may the blessing of God,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
rest upon you and those you love and pray for,
and be with you always. Amen

1. Angela Ashwin (ed), The Book of a Thousand Prayers

Oxford Diocese are also offering us 'Easter Pilgrim' - a journey through the Lord's Prayer.
Forty reflections for the 40 days of Easter, beginning on Easter Sunday (12 April 2020) and finishing on Ascension Day (21 May 2020).
It's available as a mobile app or a link to subscribe for a daily email;
find both here: chpublishing.co.uk/apps/easter-pilgrim

SENT OUT BY ROSEMARY SANDBACH FOR ALL THE BENEFICE (BASILDON, ALDWORTH AND ASHAMPSTEAD)