News from our Churches

Sunday 19th April -Third Sunday of Easter

Hempstead 8.00am Eucharist (DS)

Little Sampford 9.30am Praise Service (AW)

Thaxted 11.00am Sung Mass (DS)

Monday 20th April

Thaxted 7.30pm Praying the Rosary

Tuesday 21st April

Thaxted Church Hall 7.00pm Julian Meeting (DS)

Wednesday 22nd April

Thaxted 10.00am Low Mass (DS)

Thursday 23rd April - St George

Radwinter 6.00pm Eucharist (DS)

Saturday 25th April - Mark the Evangelist

Little Sampford 5.00pm Eucharist (DS)

Sunday 26th April - Fourth Sunday of Easter

Great Sampford 8.00am Eucharist (DS)

Hempstead 9.30am Eucharist (SL)

Thaxted 11.00am Sung Mass (DS) followed by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting

Reflecting on today’s Gospel (Luke 24.13-35) may we always be ready to believe in good news, and always try to be positive in our dealings with family and friends. The mission of the church and our own responsibilities to assist that aim.

The community of Leaden Roding after the fatal dog attack on a young lady. We pray especially for her family and friends.

For all who work for peace, especially in Ukraine and Iran. For the innocent victims of conflict.

The work of Friends of the Earth.

Sunday 19th April

Thaxted Open Gardens from 12 noon. Entrance programmes available from Thaxted Church Hall, Margaret St.

Saturday 25th April

International Organ Day Doors open 10am. Come and find out how organs work and even have a go at playing it yourself!

Sunday 26th April

Thaxted APCM 12.30pm

Sunday 3rd May

Radwinter & Hempstead APCM after the 9.30am service.

May devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Thaxted, with visitors from the Pant Valley Benefice!

Monday 4th May

Thaxted Parish Church May Fayre.

Sunday 10th May

The Sampfords APCM after the 9.30am service

Saturday 6th June

6pm - Evensong - choir of Wanstead Parish Church.

Saturday 27th June

Pilgrimage to the Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. 

Dear sisters and brothers,

Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road? (Luke 24.13–35*). Is your heart full? Burning within you?

My heart is full. I have felt this sometimes, palpably. For example, after a concert, I thanked the performers, and the words which sprang to mind were "Ah! Thank you, our hearts are full!"

My heart is full: of love, and fear (of the future with the threat of war, climate change) and sadness (world events, witnessing an illness in a former colleague), and stress (the complexities of life, and a regrettable propensity to worry), but above all, love.

Are our hearts burning within us as we live to follow Christ? Mine is, and I pray daily that the life and witness of our church here throughout the benefice brings others to feel the same. Tell them the good news of Jesus Christ! Tell others if your heart is full and burning within you, because of Jesus.

Love one another deeply from the heart, we are told and encouraged by the Apostle Peter (1 Peter 1.17–23*). Why? because the precious blood of Christ saves us. And this makes Peter reflect on silver and gold in comparison as 'perishable things'. The metals we value so highly are, however beautiful and meaningful in works of jewellery, for example, nothing compared to love. That is: God's love for us (so much he sent his only son) and the love  Peter says we should have in our hearts for each other.

Were not our hearts burning within us? Love one another deeply from the heart. Wherever you are, may God bless you and the precious, holy ground you stand on. I am ever yours, in the love of God.

Fr David - Rector of Thaxted, the Sampfords, Radwinter and  Hempstead.