The Week ahead at HTR March 13th
The Parish Mass every Sunday at 9:00AM.
Please Note:
There will be Sunday School at Christ Church run by Sherri and her team. Sadly, weekday worship is cancelled while our Church is unsafe due to storm damage on the bell turret.
Today and for the next two Sundays we meet here at Christ Church in Vale Square for our Parish Mass at 9:00AM.
Sunday March 13th The Second Sunday of Lent. Hymns for today’s Mass: 393, 461, 384, 439.
Readings at Mass today: 1st Reading: Gen 15: 1-12. Psalm: Ps 27. 2nd Reading: Philippians 3: 17-4.1. Gospel: St Luke 13: 31-35.
In the Gospel today we hear the words “How often I had desired…and you were not willing.” In a nutshell that’s the whole story of God’s relationship with us. The bible sets our story from the Garden of Eden, the days leading up to the great flood, the days in the wandering in the wilderness, the heady days of the prophets and their messages, and right up till the days of Jesus of Nazareth.
How often God desires one thing for us, and yet how often we are unwilling to accept it.
That is the very heart of human sin and rejection of God. Recoiling from the desires of God for us, we fail in our obedience and so we reject God on all sorts of levels.
So often when we hear the word “sin” we think of something gross. Illegal. Something that other people do in dark corners of their lives. It’s easier to think of sin in that way, because we almost never think of ourselves in those terms. It is so much more comforting to think of sin as what “other people” do. Yet in reality, sin is so much broader than that. Sin may happen in dark alleys and back rooms, but it also happens every time we walk away from God’s desires for us. When we shun even the loving protection and embrace of resting under the shadow of His wings. The faithful walk – the Lenten walk – is to seek out the desires of God, and rest under the shadow of His wings. To try and accept what God wants from us, and, of course, to accept the forgiveness he so freely offers to us when we go astray.
The Bell and Turret – work is progressing very slowly to dismantle the bell turret and then rebuild due to major issues with the scaffold company. Until the building is safe to use, we will be meeting at Christ Church in Vale Square for the next three Sundays with Sunday School operating again.
March 25th is Lady Day This special day is the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord. Please Note: There will be a special Mass at Noon in The Rectory.
The Lent Course: God at the Movies – This joint course at St Andrew’s in Deal runs from March 10th until April 7th at 6:30PM. Ask for a lift!
Stations of the Cross – We walk the Way of the Cross every Friday in Lent at 5:00PM at The Rectory until further notice.
April 10th PALM SUNDAY: Liturgy of the Palms, Procession and Solemn Mass with the Reading of the Passionat 9:00AM
April 11th – 13th Mon, Tue and Wed of Holy Week Mass and Homily at 6:00PM
Tuesday April 12th. The Chrism Mass (Blessing of the Oils) at Canterbury Cathedral with Bishop Norman. 12 Noon. All are welcome.
April 14th MAUNDY THURSDAY: Mass of the Last Supper with Footwashing and Stripping of the Altars followed by the Watch at the Altar of Repose. 6:00PM with Watch until 8:00PM.
April 15th GOOD FRIDAY: The Way of the Cross for Children at 10:00AM . The Solemn Liturgy of the Passion at Noon.
April 16th HOLY SATURDAY. EASTER EVE The Great Easter Vigil at 8:00PM for both parishes. The Blessing of the New Fire, Reading of the Prophecies, Renewal of Baptismal Vows and First Mass of Easter.
April 17th EASTER DAY The Parish Mass of Easter Day at 9:00AM
12 Volunteers are needed for the Foot washing at the Maundy Thursday Mass on April 14th at 6:00PM. Please speak to Fr Paul.
This year our APCM will take place after Mass on May 15th. This is a good to time to commit to your prayers the question – Can I serve God in this parish as a member of the PCC or as Churchwarden? The next year will be crucial for our parish and its future as you seek to call a new parish priest after my retirement. The future of Holy Trinity Church is very much in YOUR hands!
