Dear People & Friends of St. Clement’s,
We had an amazing congregation of 115 for our Palm Sunday worship – 93 adults & 22 children according name who carried out the somewhat difficult job of doing a head count! Whilst name had about 40 friends & family supporting them for the baptism of their twin daughters, name, it still means that there were 75 others. I hope we see just as many if not more, over the coming Easter weekend. Therefore a reminder of our forthcoming services.
Maundy Thursday 13th April at 19.00 – Sung Eucharist commemorating the Last Supper
We will hear about the origins of the Jewish Passover meal with our first reading from Exodus 12. 1-14. Our second reading will be 1 Corinthians 11. 23-26, where St Paul reminds the Corinthian Church about Jesus’ words and actions at the Last Supper, instituting what we know as Holy Communion or the Eucharist. Our Gospel reading will be John 13. 1-17 & 31-35, which tells of Jesus washing the disciples feet & giving a new commandment, ‘that you love one another just as I have loved you’. The name ‘Maundy’ comes from the Latin ‘Mandatum’, meaning ‘mandate’ or ‘command’.
Good Friday 14th April at 14.00 – ‘Last Hour on the Cross’
A devotional service for which we will be joined by the ‘Anonym Choir‘ under the direction of our regular organist name. The service will be very similar to the much appreciated one last year, with the Passion story being read, interspersed with five anthems by the choir, four congregational hymns and a time of intercession. As I stressed last Sunday, make sure you come and sit at the foot of the cross, before celebrating the joy of Easter Day.
Easter Sunday 16th April – Sung Eucharist for Easter Day
Our Gospel reading will be the account of Jesus’ resurrection from John 20. 1-18. The supporting readings will part of Peter’s sermon in the house of Cornelius, as recorded in Acts 10. 34-43, in which he speaks of the death & resurrection of Jesus & of himself & others being witnesses of the events. We shall also hear Colossians 3. 1-4 where St Paul speaks of the impact the resurrection should have on the life of each Christian believer. There will be parallel Children’s Ministry and following worship, Coffee Hour in the hall on the third floor of Klimentská 18.
Please be aware that the middle section of the Metro red line, between Nádraží Holešovice and Pražského povstání, will be out of action from early Friday morning until late Monday night. There will be alternative trams & buses, but please check your journey to Church & give yourself additional time to get there.
After worship on Easter Day, as instructed, I will be taking the week as annual leave, trying to prepare for moving from the Chaplaincy Flat. But I will be your celebrant & preacher the following Sunday.
Sunday 23rd April at 11.00 – Sung Eucharist for the Second Sunday of Easter
Our Gospel reading will be John 20. 19-31 – the story of Doubting Thomas, which follows on directly from our Easter Day Gospel reading. There will be parallel Children’s Ministry and following worship, Coffee Hour in the hall on the third floor of Klimentská 18. Then in the evening, I shall be at the Frauenkirche, Dresden, leading Evening Prayer and preaching on the same Gospel reading :-)
A reminder, – because I keep being asked despite spelling it out many times – my final Sunday will be Sunday 30th April 2017. This is therefore my penultimate ‘Weekly Message’. I shall write & send out my very final one in advance of my final Sunday.
Looking forward to seeing many of you over these next few days as we once mark the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Best wishes
Ricky
