Dear Friends

We are rapidly approaching Holy Week, the most important week in the life of the Church. As the preface for last Sunday tells us.

“For as the time of his passion and resurrection draws near.
The whole world is called to acknowledge his hidden majesty.
the power of the life-giving cross
reveals the judgement that has come upon the world
And the triumph of Christ crucified.
he is the victim who dies no more,
the Lamb once slain, who lives for ever
our advocate in heaven to plead our cause.”

Do try to take time for our acts of worship this next week, by entering into the activities of Holy Week you are participating in the drama of our salvation. The Maundy Thursday service which is a shared supper is particularly poignant and it is child friendly, we begin at 8pm. The Good Friday liturgy at 2pm is a feast of the most beautiful music and the Vigil service on Saturday evening at 10.30pm ushers in the joy of Our Lord Resurrection. It is the Great Week.

Simon.

Dear Friends

You will see elsewhere in this bulletin details of the services held at our church during Holy Week. I do hope that as many people as possible will want to come and join us in this very special week. If you are unable to attend church, do try and set aside a little quiet time at home to pray through the events of the week.

There is, however, an additional service that you might like to consider attending. This is the Chrism Mass, or to give it its full title, Sung Eucharist with the Blessing of the Oils and the Renewal of Ordination Vows, held on Maundy Thursday at St Paul’s Cathedral.  A similar service is held at cathedrals throughout the country on the same day. It is an extraordinary gathering of a large number of clergy and laity from throughout the diocese. We are all there to give thanks for our partnership in the gospel, and  to renew our vows. Nine deacons will have been chosen, three of whom will present the three oils to be used in the Church throughout the coming year, namely the oil of the sick, of catechumens and of chrism. This is a wonderful reminder of the fact that we are all part of the larger Church, not just our community here at St Nick’s. The service starts at St Paul’s at 10.30, but if you are planning to attend, can I suggest you arrive by 10am in order to find a seat with a good view of the proceedings.

For those of you who are planning to be away from Chiswick during Holy Week and Easter, I do hope you will be able to find a church near to where you are staying where you can join in their worship.

With every blessing
Mother Eileen