Dear All,
It has been good to communicate with many of you over the past few weeks, whether by phone, email or Facebook and I hope you are staying well. Thank you to those who are phoning others to make sure that they are ok or just to have a friendly chat. And thank you, also, to those who have cut the grass in the churchyards and to the volunteers who are checking the churches weekly.
Please do let me know if you have any prayer needs so that I can include them in our Morning Prayer and Night Prayer Services as well as the Sunday Morning Services, and do continue to pray for those who have been bereaved in this time and who face family funerals. This week the funerals of Peter Moorse, Peter Rood and Leonard Edgar take place. Also, it is now confirmed that the funeral of Glyn Jones will be taking place at Basildon Crematorium on Monday 4th May at 5pm. Please could you also keep David Staines and Betty Tinworth in your prayers at this time.
The Foodbank have said they are seeing a 40% increase in demand on this time last year. Last week they made up 199 boxes, which kept their very dedicated volunteers extremely busy. Thank you, so much, to those who have donated items for the Foodbank. If you are unable to get out to buy food and would like to donate some items, Orsett Stores is offering a system whereby you can phone them on 01375 891242 to place your order and they will deliver it to the Rectory, or we will collect it from the shop, and take it to the foodbank. We also still have collection boxes in Bulphan, at 24, Church Lane, and Horndon, at 1, Lion Cottages, High Road. Or, if you would like to make a monetary donation, you can send a cheque made payable to Thurrock Foodbank to, 2 – 4, Chase Road, Corringham, Essex SS17 7QH, or make a donation by bank transfer, the details of which are, Thurrock Foodbank, Lloyds Bank, account number 22388060 sort code 30-18-34. The volunteers at the Foodbank have said they welcome our prayers more than ever at this time, and have asked that we pray for good health for all their volunteers and for the clients who are facing unemployment, domestic violence, illness, benefit delays or very low income, for whom the struggle to survive and the responsibility of feeding children who are home a lot more than normal weighs heavily.
This Sunday, my talk for the Family Service was based upon the story of the Road to Emmaus found in Luke’s Gospel, Chapter 24: 13-35, where Cleopas and, probably, his wife, didn’t recognise Jesus with them, as they were walking along chatting. It was only when Jesus broke bread that they finally realised who it was. I spoke about my own life journey and made a bracelet with beads, each of which represented a time when recognised Jesus’ presence. I also spoke of times when I failed to recognise Jesus or when I pushed him away. I encouraged people to make their own faith journey bracelets and keep adding to them and to look out for Jesus in unexpected places and at unexpected times. I also suggested we wear our bracelets or keep them in their pockets as an encouragement, particularly in these times, that Jesus has always been and continues to be with each one of us, even if it doesn’t always feel like it.
Finally, for those of you with young families, please don’t forget to send in photos of your children’s ‘Roots’ activity sheets to include on either our website or our Facebook page. For the website, please send it to d.mortimer@hobnob.org.uk and, for the Facebook page, please send it to l.robertson@hobnob.org.uk
Attached to the back or at the bottom of this letter, are this week’s Lectionary readings.
Please be assured of my ongoing prayers for you all at this time.
God bless,
Sue
This Week’s Lectionary Readings
| Day | Morning Prayer | Evening Prayer |
| Monday 27th | Psalm 96; Exodus 19; Luke 1: 1-25 | Psalm 61; Deuteronomy 5: 1-22; Ephesians 1: 1-14 |
| Tuesday 28th | Psalm 98; Exodus 20: 1-21; Luke 1: 26-38 | Psalm 71; Deuteronomy 5: 22- end; Ephesians 1: 15- end |
| Wednesday 29th | Psalm 105; Exodus 24; Luke 1: 39-56 | Psalm 72; Deuteronomy 6; Ephesians 2: 1-10 |
| Thursday 30th | Psalm 136: Exodus 25: 1-22; Luke 1: 57-end | Psalm 73; Deuteronomy 7: 1-11; Ephesians 2: 11- end |
| Friday 1st May | Psalm 139; Proverbs 4: 10-18; James 1: 1-12 | Psalm 149; Job 23: 1-12; John 1: 43-end |
| Saturday 2nd May | Psalm 110; Exodus 29: 1-9; Luke 2: 21-40 | Psalm 27; Deuteronomy 8; Ephesians 3: 14- end |