Easter Resources
Over the next few days, we will be holding services online via our facebook page. The orders of service for these services are below.
It might be helpful to print them out or have them on a device that is separate from what you will watch the service on.
Holy Week Worship
This is a Holy Week like no other in the history of the English Church. On this page is a guide to worship this week. On each day Calum will share a reflection online. Below are some suggested activities and readings for each day along with times at which there will be some form of streamed worship in the later part of the week.
Compline
The ancient office of Compline derives its name from a Latin word meaning ‘completion’ (completorium). It is above all a service of quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day. It is most effective when the ending is indeed an ending, without additions, conversation or noise. If there is an address, or business to be done, it should come first. If the service is in church, those present depart in silence; if at home, they go quietly to bed.
Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross have formed part of Christian devotion at Passiontide for many centuries because they enable us to engage actively with the path of suffering walked by Jesus. They originated when early Christians visited Jerusalem and wanted to follow literally in the footsteps of Jesus, tracing the path from Pilate’s house to Calvary. They would pause for prayer and devotion at various points. Eventually those pilgrims brought the practice back to their home countries and ever since then Christians of differing traditions have used this form of devotion.
Attached here is a self-guided stations of the cross that can be used at home.
Palm Sunday - Worship Resource
Palm Sunday is usually full of joy as we proclaim Hosanna to the King of Kings and wave our palm crosses up high.
Here are some resources for you to use to Worship God at Home.
Revd Jess Piper, New Appointment
The Rector and PCC of the Parish of Stockport & Brinnington are delighted to announce the appointment of the Revd Jessica Piper to the role of Associate Minister for St Mary’s, St Thomas’ and St Luke’s, (subject to all legal formalities being completed).
Jess will begin ministry in Stockport sometime over the summer and will take a lead on ministry amongst children, families’ and in schools’ across the parish.”
Calum commented “I am proud and excited and for Jess with her new role in Stockport and I am really looking forwards to seeing the church grow and develop throughout the town centre. It’s poignant that Jess joins the new parish in Stockport and Brinnington which contains the church from which St. Michael’s was originally planted. I look forward to seeing how St Michaels can now support St Thomas’ and the wider parish of Stockport and Brinnington in the months and years ahead.
Passion Sunday - Worship Resource
On the 7th day of creation God rested having seen all that he made and having declared it good.
Sunday historically has been a day to rest for work and to focus on the worship of God.
Here are some resources for you to use to Worship God at Home.
We will post something like this every week, and over the coming weeks, we will develop it further with more interactive resources.
Parish Update 4
Good Evening Everyone,
Last night the Prime Minister essentially put the country into lockdown, as a result I have been required to shut and lock the church. When I was ordained in 2014 I never thought that during my ministry I would ever have to close a church building. Literally as I write this email I have received further guidance informing me that closing the church includes me – and I am now to lead Daily Prayers from the vicarage not the church.
It has been an immense honour over the last week to lead prayers in church for you and your behalf. The peace of the building has been eery, because whilst our building is a particularly peaceful place – not having you there has made the quietness disturbing – I am praying eagerly for us all to be united together in prayer, worship and fellowship again.
As we continue to journey forwards as a church, albeit a dispersed church, I continue to reflect on how our lives must be more akin to the early church who met in their homes and worshipped together as a family – following Easter the church bible reading plan will take us through the Acts of the Apostles – I will encourage you then to read through it with me and to see where were have shared experiences with them.
To give you another update into resources we have put in place, as encouragement to you to continue to worship God in these uncertain times:
Daily Prayer readings (And order of service) is on our website. I will upload Morning and Evening Prayer for Passiontide at the weekend.
I am uploading some resources that you could on Sunday for worship in your home. These include prayers and readings for the specific Sunday. These I upload each week in the news section.
Mark Hackney and I are working on producing a booklet version of Stations of the Cross. I hope this will be of use to both those that like words and those that like art in your devotions through holy week.
Some months ago, I met with those who usually lead Morning Prayer at church, and we began to put together a prayer cycle for St. Michaels. My hope is to share this with you soon.
I will continue to try and post daily on facebook and the website with some reflections and photos.
The Pastoral Care Network was launched earlier this week, and hopefully most of you have now had someone from the church call you to see how you are. If you haven’t and no-one calls you in the next week please let me know and I will try to work out why. I have received some really positive feedback from this so thank you to all involved – it has been a real encouragement.
Phil Wadsworth is continuing with SMT – hopefully you received a digital copy of this yesterday.
Jess and I are beginning to look at how we might celebrate Easter with you. I promised the PCC I would mark Easter – I had hoped some of you may be able to join us, but that isn’t going to be possible. I hate having to break promises. It maybe we live stream a service and invite you to join us that way.
Finally I received an email today from Revd Canon. Jackan Waweru, Newala Diocesan Information Officer, who wrote the following:
Greetings from the Anglican Communion in the Diocese of Newala.
On behalf of Bishop Oscar Stephen Mnunga and the Christians of the Diocese of Newala I want to bring his warm lent greetings of hope during this pandemic season of CORONA VIRUS which have taken away a lot of life's of good and energetic people.
Even when Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick in the gospel of John 11:4 he gave the message of hope to Lazarus daughters.
So we are together in prayers the main thing is just to press on with prayers.
I had the privilege of talking with Bishop Richard Jackson of Hereford Diocese after his enthronement service and he told me he is in the process of visiting the four linked Dioceses that is Newala, Masasi, Tanga, and Dar es salaam next year.
Receive Bishop Oscar Stephen Mnunga and Mama Agnes Mnunga warm and precious Christian greetings.
It was encouraging to be reminded to press on with prayer in hope by Jackan this morning whose timing was perfect. Isaiah 40:31 says: ‘but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’
Be people of HOPE!
God Bless you!
Calum
