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Christchurch
Methodist Church

Springfield Road, Bexhill on Sea,
East Sussex TN40 2BX

Christchurch Methodist Church
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Winchelsea Chapel

Methodist Church

WHAT IS LENT ALL ABOUT?

LENT GROUP

Dr Julie Todd and Rev Jonathan Todd (members at our St Leonards-on-Sea Church) will be leading a Lent Group each Friday from February 23rd in the afternoon and running through Lent. As you read this note, the group will have started but do feel free to join for some or all of the dates. Final details will be made available shortly and it is hoped that some folk from Christchurch will come along. More details from Barry if needed.


Advent is a time of celebration and anticipation whilst Lent is observed with solemnity as we commemorate the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. For both festivals we prepare in certain well-rehearsed ways.

Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days (this excludes Sundays). In the UK Ash Wednesday follows Shrove Tuesday. This comes from the word 'shrive' which means to absolve. We are encouraged to eat up all those left over food items and enjoy pancakes (very tasty!).

Ash Wednesday is the real start of Lent and it is named after the practice of blessing ashes by the burning of the palms from Palm Sunday. Some will remember this practice that we did at Christchurch, but sadly the palms do not burn very well! With the ashes the sign of the cross is marked on foreheads symbolising the start of Lent. Some times a Biblical quotation is used 'Repent and believe in the Gospel' Mark 1 verse 15.

During Lent we are encouraged to commemorate this in a sacrificial way eg to give up chocolate, alcohol or certain food and for others they may watch only minimal television and social media.

Some would use Lent as a time to turn to the Bible and use daily reflections. We can particularly concentrate on the happenings of Jesus with his trial, death, resurrection and ascension.

The 40 days does exclude the Sundays and many services reflect the Lectionary lessons and events. Those who look at the Circuit Plan will be aware that at the top of each week the Bible readings are given. This is called the Lectionary. In our worship we start with the Liturgy and this incorporates the Easter symbols being placed beside the cross. These items include the wine cup, towel and basin, bag of coins, purple cloth and crown of thorns, whip and palm leaves. On Easter Day the cross is covered in flowers that are brought by members of the congregation.

Palm Sunday is a day of celebration when Jesus was cheered by the crowds as he travelled in Jerusalem on his donkey. 'Hosanna' they cried!

We also reflect upon the happenings in Holy Week (there is a special service with Holy Communion at Winchelsea Chapel on Wednesday 27th March at 7.30pm - do come).

At the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples, and predicted his betrayal by Judas, and the denial by Peter. Maundy Thursday is a solemn time when Jesus washed the disciples' feet - services on this day are held in a very subdued style. (the Monarch gives away Maundy Money in a sacrificial way).

Good Friday follows with three days to reflect upon the death of our Lord. But then, Christians throughout the world celebrate the miracle of Easter Day when we all unite in saying 'He is risen' - and our response 'He is risen, indeed'.

We read the story of the empty grave and the meeting of the disciples with their risen Lord. The miracle is recorded in the Gospels and is well worth reading again on Easter Day. The meeting of Jesus with Thomas is particularly poignant and meaningful, and I suspect that there is a part of Thomas within most people - but he forgot about his doubting when he said to Jesus 'My Lord and my God'.

Lent is a mixed emotion journey and there are many symbols to remind us of the wonder of the season. May we feel that this is the time when we can bring our worship to God in ways that show our love and commitment to our Lord. John chapter 3 verse 16 says it all.

Barry Turnwell


Hymn for Passiontide and Holy Week

There is a green hill far away,
Without a city wall,
Where the dear Lord was crucified
Who died to save us all.

We may not know, we cannot tell,
What pains he had to bear,
But we believe it was for us
He hung and suffered there.

He died that we might be forgiven,
He died to make us good;
That we might go at last to heaven,
Saved by his precious Blood.

There was no other good enough
To pay the price of sin;
He only could unlock the gate
Of heaven, and let us in.

O dearly, dearly has he loved,
And we must love him too,
And trust in his redeeming Blood,
And try his works to do.

Words by Cecil Frances Alexander,
and most popular tune by William Horsley

 
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Hastings Bexhill & Rye Methodist Circuit - Charity number 1134757