NEWS & VIEWS

LENT is well underway, and Easter is in five weeks’ time. In today’s Gospel we hear Jesus tell Nicodemus (and us) that we must be born of water and the Spirit – or ‘from above’ in order to enter the Kingdom of God and that God sent his Son into the world not to condemn it, but to save it. To be ‘born again’ means that when we are in Christ, we are a new creation and the old has been put away.

LENT Please do ensure you have a copy of the special Lent, Holy Week and Easterleaflet, which lists our services during this holy season, and check the list of services above.

NEW DIRECTOR OF MUSIC Barry Hopwood takes over as DoM today. Please make him welcome as he settles into his new role.

QUIZ EVENING There will a quiz evening at St Margaret’s at 7.30pm on Saturday 25 March and St Mary’s (and St Luke’s) folk are especially invited. Tickets are £5 per person from Jannis on (020) 8554 0784. Take your own food and drinks. stmargaretilford.org.uk

REGULAR GIVING We rely on the people who worship at St Mary’s to cover the costs associated with our church. Financial giving to fund the ministry of the Church is part of being a Christian and an essential part of our commitment to our faith. Please, if you don’t already, would you consider giving a regular amount each month? We are really struggling to make ends meet! No amount is too small. Using our parish giving plan is easy and you are in full control (and Margaret Quinney will be pleased to help you if needed).

TURKEY/SYRIA EARTHQUAKE Thank you to all who donated to our earthquake appeal. You raised £600 and this has now been sent to Tearfund, who in turn will send it to their church partner in Syria. The Church writes: On behalf of the people we serve, thank you. It has been humbling to see the quick and generous response from people like you to this tragedy. Your donation is a lifeline to people who have lost everything. Thank you, and please continue to pray for everyone affected by the earthquake across the region – as well as the ongoing impact of the conflict in Syria. Poverty is not God’s plan. You are.

INTERCESSION

OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR

the sick, distressed and bereaved
John & Joan Cassidy, Richard Holland, Lucy Ball, Amberly Crediton, Kathy Valentine, Margaret Harding, Mel Taylor, Bernard Street, Muriel Masters, Keith Holland, Helen Johnson, Joe & Sally Cox, Kay Higgins, Edward, Peter Decker, Doris Collom, Matthew, Jacqui & Leslie Haigh; Charlie Brinkley

the recently departed

those whose anniversaries of death fall this week

Monday

Charles Welch, John Campbell

Friday

Ambrose McDonald priest, Donald Noble

Saturday

Tristram Eeles, Katie Furzland

please pray especially for

our keeping of a holy Lent

ORDER OF SERVICE