Beaulieu, Exbury & East Boldre Churches
Following the Christmas Crib, parishioners Mike Dawkins and Derek Hewitt have created an Easter Garden in the space under the Altar.
In an eerily empty Church, it looks mysterious and awesome. Many thanks to Mike (overall design and construction), Derek (populating with figures and other props) and Father John for co-ordination.
These two photographs, one of the sun rising over the altar of the ancient Beaulieu Abbey; the other depicting the moment when the stone is rolled away, graveclothes discovered folded, and our Lord Jesus Christ seen to have risen from the dead; these two photographs help us to share in the joy of Easter morning.
With grateful thanks for the skills of Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, and of Father John White.
(written by Jane Barnicoat-Chongwe, with a photo of an Olive Tree from the Garden of Gethsemane, from Alison Percy)
The Collect of the day:- Lord of all life and power, who through the mighty resurrection of your Son overcame the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him: grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, may reign with him in glory; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and honour, glory and might, now and in all eternity. Amen.
As we begin our time of prayer, as we come into your presence O Lord, wherever we are… On this Easter Day we join in the dawn chorus of all your saints and children, In singing praises and thanksgivings. Grant that Easter joy may show itself in our homes and communities and throughout your world and may that joy radiate the good news of humankind’s salvation, the pattern for humankind’s fulfilment
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
We pray for the Church and for the world, giving thanks for all the opportunities that we the risen Church have, the freedom to share in the joy of this Easter Day, a time of new beginnings, of fresh hope. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the people of the Lord of the Holy one. We pray for the leaders of the nations, for Elizabeth our Queen and for Boris Johnson our Prime Minister (himself in hospital suffering from the COVID-19 virus). On this Easter morning we continue to bring before you O Lord, all the peoples and places of the world affected by the Coronavirus. We pray for those receiving medical care, we give thanks for all the Nurses, Doctors and Carers working tirelessly in our hospitals, care homes and communities. Let the vision of hope be underpinned by trust in your promises, that we may be made one with you, in this life as in death and in the life to come.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
Lord of every discovery, you gave to your disciples living tangible proof of your resurrection. Guide our pilgrim steps along your way, however hard and uncertain the road. Be patient Lord, with those who seek both to see and to recognise the marks of your passion. Watch over our homes and families, strangers and neighbours. Open our eyes to your compassion and love, that others may see in us the fruits of your Spirit and seek to be united in the mystery of your love.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
Merciful and compassionate Lord, our thoughts are directed to the needs of others, to the sick, to the anxious, to the distressed, those recently bereaved and those that are lonely. We pray that your strength and comfort may provide the courage and the trust that lead to your peace and the realisation of your love, and in turn the surprises of joy. Specifically we pray for Veronica & David House, Ruth Willrich, Ann & Bruce Wallace, Paul Humphries, Dorothy Alston, Charlotte Hammond, Valerie Wright, Leonard & Joy Taylor, Joyce Creamer, Sydney Jackson, Marigold Jordan, Isabel Tyrrell, Denise Abell-Parker, Ginny French, Anne, Jane B-C, Jackie Hutchins. We remember the anniversaries of those who have died:- Nora Horrigan , John Thacker, Douglas Betteridge .
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
Lord of all holiness, we believe and trust in you, one God of us all. Strengthen in us the eternal truths that bind us to you, most glorious Trinity, Creator, Saviour, Comforter.
On this Easter Day, your promise to us is eternal life, here and now and forever. Bind us together, in love, each with the other, and both with you and Mary and all the Saints in heaven, with cords that cannot be broken.
Merciful Father accept these prayers, for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
This morning we marked the beginning of Holy Week, In our household we followed Fr John’s suggestion, and fashioned small Palm Sunday crosses made from twigs found in the garden, tied together with a palm leaf.
At 9.30 we walked around our very small garden, pausing and saying the words “ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest”.
This was followed by joining together with Bishop Tim and Sally Dakin (www.youtube/cofewinchester) as we took part in the very special Palm Sunday Service broadcast from the Chapel at Wolvesey (the Bishop’s palace Winchester). This service can be watched at any time, simply by following the link as above.
I have followed quite a few of the services that are available on line, but this one from Wolvesey, really is very good, simply done, with the hymns and liturgy displayed for all to join in. This really has lifted our spirits in these very challenging times.
When we think of what we as a nation and as a world are facing right now, can we perhaps think of it as our own `Holy Time’ a time of pain, sorrow, tears as well as joy and unknown challenges and yet a time that will certainly pass, just as the days leading to our Lord’s crucifixion passed leading to that glorious Sunday, that first Easter, when Jesus appeared to Mary , Our risen Lord… the hope of the world to come.
These are strange times! As Holy Week is upon us, we must turn to other resources to guide our worship, as our 'home' churches remain locked.
Fortunately, the Diocese of Winchester has provided these opportunities for worship. I hope the links work for you, as you click upon them, and are directed to either the Diocesan Website, or the Diocesan You-Tube channel. Please note that the reference to Zoom is to a video conferencing system which is available from the Internet, free of charge. Zoom is comparable to Skype and Facetime.
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