Sunday 19 April: 3rd Sunday of Easter Our Service will be led by Revd Graham Watts As we enter the third Sunday of Easter, we continue to celebrate the gloriously risen Christ. The fifty days of Eastertide form a single festival period in which the tone of joy created at the Easter Vigil is sustained throughout the following seven weeks. We continue our new Sermon Series on being “Resurrection People.” His Resurrection brings us all hope and is a reminder that the story of Jesus did not end with His death on the cross. We follow his disciples on their journey, reflect on the Resurrection and meditate on it’s meaning for our own lives and faith. Reading and Gospel Our reading this week, from Isaiah 35: 3-6, is on page 690 of the Old Testament in our pew bibles. These verses emphasise God’s promise to strengthen, restore and bring joy to his people. Isaiah vividly portrays both miraculous healing and the renewal of life. “then the lame shall leap like a deer …. And waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.” The reading from Acts 3: 1-10 is on page 128 of the New Testament in our pew bibles. On his way to the temple with John, Peter miraculously heals a crippled beggar “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.” The apostles are continuing Jesus’ ministry and reinforcing the belief that faith in Christ brings about transformation and healing. There is also an alternative Gospel reading for this week from Luke 7: 18-23 which you will find on page 70 of the Old Testament in our pew bibles. When asked if He is the one who is to come, Jesus responds by pointing to His ministry as evidence of His Messiahship: “ .. the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me” We are all reminded to remain steadfast in our faith and trust in Jesus whatever the circumstances that may arise. Notices 1. New Altar Frontal for All Saints’ Bisham Carol and Claire are currently developing designs for our new purple Altar Frontal. The budget is £5,000 … so if anyone does wish to contribute it would be much appreciated. Please speak to Carol or email our Treasurer Tim Linacre and he will help advise on the best way to help. tim.linacreasb@gmail.com Services and Events Saturday 18 April 1.00pm – 4.00pm at All Saints’ BishamChurchyard Tidy Up. Apologies but I am going to postpone this as I cannot be at church due to family commitments. Sunday 19 April 9.30am at All Saints’ Bisham ... Morning Communion Service Sunday 26 April 9.30am at All Saints’ Bisham ... Morning Communion Service Thursday 30 April 10.00am – 12.00pm ... Bisham Church Friends Coffee Morning and History Talk – The Vansittarts buy the Bisham Estate Sunday 3 May 8.00am at All Saints’ Bisham ...Book of Common Prayer - Early Communion ServiceSunday 3 May 9.30am at All Saints' Bisham ... Morning Communion Service Sunday 10 May 09.30am at All Saints’ Bisham ...Morning Communion Service followed by Annual General Meeting (AGM) in church Friday 29 May 10.00am – 12.00pm ... Bisham Church Friends Coffee Morning and History Talk – “The Shape of the Village” Thank you for reading this week’s, Pew News. Please note that Marlow Bridge is again due to be closed to all vehicles and pedestrians on 18 and 19 April. With love. Mark and Carol
Sunday 12 April: 2nd Sunday of Easter Our Service will be led by Revd Carol Cooper Following Easter Sunday, we now enter Eastertide. This is a festive period lasting 50 days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost - including Ascension Day – during which we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. During Eastertide (or Paschal tide), our “First Reading” in our Resurrection People Sermon Series will be taken from the Acts of the Apostles. The Acts of the Apostles, written by Luke, provides a continuous narrative linking the ministry of Jesus to the development of the early church. Reading and Gospel Our reading this week from Acts 1:1-5 is on page 126 of the New Testament in our pew bibles. Following his Resurrection, Jesus appears before his Apostles many times over the course of the next 40 days, providing proof that he is still alive. His promise of baptism with the Holy Spirit foreshadows what will happen at Pentecost. The Gospel reading from Luke 24:44-49 is on page 97 of the New Testament in our pew bibles. As we approach the end of Luke’s Gospel, following the Resurrection, Jesus appears to his disciples and reminds them that everything written about him in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled as the continuation of God’s plan. “Being clothed with power from on high” again points to the Apostles’ future empowerment with the Holy Spirit. There is also an alternative Old Testament reading for this week from Isaiah 43:18-21. You will find it on page 699 of the Old Testament in our pew bibles. “Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing;” At a time of despair and when everything seems lost, The Lord offers words of hope and encouragement to his chosen people. Notices 1. All Saints’ Bisham Electoral Roll During the period 15th March to 12th April the annual review of the church electoral roll will take place. A copy of the current roll is on display in the church porch. If your name is already on the roll, you do not need to do anything - unless your contact details have changed in the last year. If you wish to be added to the roll an application form can be found at the back of the church. All completed forms can be left in the box found at the back of the church. Any completed forms received after the 12th April 2026 will not be added to the roll until after the AGM on 10th May 2026. 2. Project Shine …. Take on the Challenging 26! Congratulations to Graham Cooper. His Marathon Challenge Bikeathon has already raised a massive £990.21 versus a target of £500! Not taking part? You can still make a difference by sponsoring a participant, cheering them on, sharing their efforts, or praying for them. Details of the events to sponsor are here: https://bit.ly/Lan-26 3. New Altar Frontal for All Saints’ Bisham Carol and Claire are currently developing designs for our new purple Altar Frontal (replacing the one pictured below). The budget is £5,000 … so if anyone does wish to contribute it would be much appreciated. Please speak to Carol or email our Treasurer Tim Linacre and he will advise on the best way to help. tim.linacreasb@gmail.com Services and Events Sunday 12 April 9.30am at All Saints’ Bisham Morning Communion Service Saturday 18 April 1.00pm – 4.00pm at All Saints’ Bisham Churchyard Tidy Up – all helpers welcome for no matter how long … please bring your own gardening tools Sunday 19 April 9.30am at All Saints’ Bisham Morning Communion Service Sunday 26 April 9.30am at All Saints’ Bisham Morning Communion Service Thursday 30 April 10.00am – 12.00pm Bisham Church Friends Coffee Morning and History Talk – The Vansittarts buy the Bisham Estate Thank you for reading this week’s, Pew News. Please note that Marlow Bridge is due to be closed to all vehicles and pedestrians from 11 to 12 April. With love. Mark and Carol
Sunday 5 April: Easter Sunday Both the 6.00am Sunrise Service and our “all age” Easter Communion Service at 9.30am will be led by Revd Carol Cooper Resurrection and Hope In her Easter letter, The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, reflects on the resurrection as the foundation of Christian hope, offering believers 'deep, unshakeable confidence' in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Drawing on the images of the cross and the empty tomb, she emphasises that suffering and death do not have the final word. Christians are encouraged to live as 'people of resurrection', bearing witness to hope, unity, and new life in a wounded world. Easter proclaims that even in the darkest places, God is at work bringing life. Reading and Gospel Our first reading this week is from Acts 10: 34-43 on page 138 the New Testament in our pew bibles. Peter proclaims God’s impartiality and emphasises that the Gospel is for everyone. Whilst Jesus was put to death on the cross, God raised him on the third day, and his appearance was witnessed by his chosen followers - who even ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. The reading from Matthew begins when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary go to visit the tomb. The Angel of the Lord tells them that he is not there for he has been raised as he promised - but they will see him again in Galilee. On the way there, Jesus himself meets them and instructs them to tell his disciples to go to Galilee where they will see him for themselves. The Gospel reading from Matthew 28 1-10 is on page 35 of the New Testament in our pew bibles. Notices 1. All Saints’ Bisham Electoral Roll During the period 15th March to 12th April the annual review of the church electoral roll will take place. A copy of the current roll is on display in the church porch. If your name is already on the roll you do not need to do anything - unless your contact details have changed in the last year. If you wish to be added to the roll an application form can be found at the back of the church. All completed forms can be left in the box found at the back of the church. Any completed forms received after the 12th April 2026 will not be added to the roll until after the AGM on 10th May 2026. 2. Lighthouse – bringing churches and communities together around children Lighthouse began in Great Missenden and Prestwod in 1987. There are now 16 Lighthouses including clubs in Marlow and High Wycombe. Their aim is for children to discover God’s amazing love for us all by helping them to explore the Bible and give them opportunities for them to accept Jesus as their Saviour and friend. They are always looking for willing volunteers and have reached out to ask if anyone would be interested in joining a dedicated prayer group working quietly in the background to support Lighthouse through prayer and unity. If you would be interested in finding out more please speak to Sean or Carol. https://www.lighthousecentral.org/ 3. Project Shine …. Take on the Challenging 26! Looking for a fun way to support Project Shine, our new community space and church building in Marlow Bottom? Take on the Challenging 26—do 26 of something that suits you! Walk 26 miles, bake 26 cakes, read 26 books, swim 26 lengths, or create your own challenge. Not taking part? You can still make a difference by sponsoring a participant, cheering them on, sharing their efforts, or praying for them. Details of the events to sponsor are here: https://bit.ly/Lan-26. Services and Events Sunday 5 April 6.00am at All Saints’ Bisham Sunrise Service in the Churchyard Join us for our traditional Easter Sunday Sunrise Service, held at dawn to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and to begin Easter Day with reflection, worship, and gratitude. We will gather outdoors at 6am as the day begins to break, sharing Bible readings that recall Mary’s visit to the empty tomb and the hope brought by the risen Christ. As we watch the sun rise, we are reminded of new life and the triumph of light over darkness. After this time together outside, we will move into the church to continue the service and share in Holy Communion. Sunday 5 April 9.30am at All Saints’ Bisham All Age Easter Communion Service This Easter Communion service is for the whole church family — people of every age, gathering to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The service is designed to be accessible and engaging for everyone, with a shorter, interactive talk and opportunities for children and adults alike to take part. At the same time, we will keep the familiar shape of our worship, with prayers, readings, hymns, and the sharing of Holy Communion as we celebrate the good news of Easter together. Sunday 12 April 9.30am at All Saints’ Bisham Morning Communion Service Saturday 18 April 1.00pm – 4.00pm at All Saints’ Bisham Churchyard Tidy Up – all helpers welcome for no matter how long … please bring your own gardening tools Sunday 19 April 9.30am at All Saints’ Bisham Morning Communion Service Sunday 26 April 9.30am at All Saints’ Bisham Morning Communion Service Thursday 30 April 10.00am – 12.00pm Bisham Church Friends Coffee Morning and History Talk – The Vansittarts buy the Bisham Estate Thank you for reading this week’s, Pew News. With love. Mark and Carol
