Christian Aid 2023 highlights the stories of Jen and Esther, both mothers from Malawi, whom Christian Aid in partnership with local agencies is helping to grow better crops and sell them for a fairer price so that they can better support their families. Money raised will help to expand the work of local co-operatives to that more people can benefit from working together.What can you do?Drink coffee (or tea) and make a contribution. Your PCC decided that for the next few weeks the donations for refreshments after the 10am service will be given to Christian Aid.Come to a Coffee Morning. See our website www.https://stmarysclitheroe.co.uk for more information.Take one of the red envelopes, put in your donation and return it to church on Sunday May 21st. Even better – take several envelopes and distribute them to your friends.Donate online direct to Christian Aid.
Celebrating the Coronation of King Charles IIISunday morning May 7th 10am: Special service of Holy Communion to mark the Coronation. The service has been prepared by the Church of England with readings and prayers chosen for this historic occasion. The choir will sing the anthem “Zadok the Priest” by George Frederick Handel – a coronation tradition since the eighteenth century. There will be a souvenir Order of Service which you are invited to take home with you. Flowers for the King and Queen Our Flower Arrangers have planned Coronation decorations for the church on a Royal theme. Come and see them at any time during the weekend.
The early church prayed for the strengthening of the Holy Spirit for ten days, and so can we! Like them, we need the Spirit’s inspiration to live out and share the Kingdom of God.Pray for 5As part of our sharing the Good News we can pray by name for five (or more!) of our family and friends to come to know Jesus better. You can take a pack of five buttons from the table at the back of church to remind you of those for whom you pray.Free Resources – available from the table at the back of churchPrayer Journal – A short reading and reflection for each of the eleven days including Ascension Day and Whit Sunday, Pentecost, contributed by writers from different Christian traditions. There is space to record the people and situations for whom you pray.Novena (which means 9!) – Nine days of readings and reflections, one for each day between Ascension Day and Whit Sunday. These, based on the first letter of John, are written by the Very Rev. Bob Key, Anglican Communion lead for Thy Kingdom Come.CelebrateOn Ascension Day the disciples watched, no doubt with mixed feelings, as Jesus was taken into heaven. On the Day of Pentecost his Spirit filled them with the power of wind and fire. The colour for Whitsunday, or Pentecost, is red. To celebrate, let’s wear something red to church on May 28th!
