A Pastoral Letter from the Parish Priest – 14th February 2021
My dearest Friends in the Lord,
Hope you all had a cold but lovely week and several walks on the glistening, white snow! The Nature opens our hearts and minds to miracles all around us. Enough to look at the snowdrops and daffodils peeping out of the ground and birds increasingly twittering, awaiting the advent of Spring! There is hope in the air and we too must look beyond the covid-19 and await better times!
LIVE 10.30 am on-line Parish Communion Service on zoom – Sunday 14th February.
Please note that this service is streamed from the Ingham church and anyone wishing to attend this service physically in church and receive Communion is welcome to do so. Father Sebastian will lead the service and Mr John Beverley will preach at the service and we will listen to some favourite hymns or songs.
You will receive an invitation to join this short on line service if you are in the Parish database. If not please contact the Springline Parish Secretary on springline springlinepcc@btinternet.com
Please download the Order of service here.
Family Service (recorded) from Scampton Church.
Please visit: Scampton church www.scamptonchurch.org
Springline Parish on-line Home Worship Resources.
You will find a copy of this letter, the sermon for this week and prayers etc. Do visithttps://springlineparish.co.uk/online-church/
Ash Wednesday Service 17th February 2021, 4pm Scampton Church
With the Ash Wednesday Service we begin the Holy Season of Lent. If you wish to join us for the service you are very welcome to do so. In an article in the Church Times 22nd January on Lent and Easter guidance, we read: “The imposition of ashes will be permitted during Ash Wednesday services next month, with precautions, for Church of England churches that are open for public worship during the current lockdown, new guidelines states.”
“Hot Potatoes for Lent!” – Lent Course 2021 – Looking Ahead
Last year on 3rd March we had begun the Lent Course and hardly had we finished two sessions the national lockdown was announced and we had to suspend the course. However, we are happy to announce that Revd John Leach who led the course has agreed to take the remaining three sessions of the course beginning on 24th February via zoom.
The two sessions of last year were “Hard questions and how not to answer them!” and “Why should we believe in God?” The remaining sessions are the following:
24th February Do all roads lead to God?
3rd March What happens when we die?
10th March Why does God allow suffering?
For any queries please contact Mr John Walsh 01522 520350.
Audio versions of last year’s two Lent Course sessions are also available for your to listen. Please contact Parish Secretary by email: springlinepcc@btinternet.com
Using the Bible, The Word of God, during Lent
During the forthcoming Season of Lent, it would be nice to open our bibles and read God’s Word. Why not select a particular section like the Gospel of Mark and read it during Lent. The great Saint Paul wrote: Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. We could understand the Word of God in the four elements of matter – Fire, Wind, Water, Earth.
The Word of God is Fire. It is a flame that burns the falsities in our hearts and lives.
The Word of God is like Wind. It is a breath of air that blows away the dross in our hearts.
The Word of God is like Water. It washes clean our hearts soiled by sin or evil deeds.
The Word of God is like Earth. It absorbs the decay of our messed-up lives.
- The Word of God purifies.
- The Word of God clarifies.
- The Word of God cleanses.
- The Word of God restores.
Lent is a time of purification, clarification, cleansing and restoration of our lives!
The Springline Parish – Nine Churches, One Parish, Following Jesus.
The Church exists to assist you in your spiritual search, to comfort you in your cares and worries, to support you and walk with you. We believe that Jesus is The True Answer to all our questions and problems, the one who can fill the emptiness and restlessness in our hearts, the One who can help us heal our world! Do help us to help you where we can!
I wish you a Happy and Holy Season of Lent, a time of hope and spiritual renewal !
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you now and always.
Take care! Keep safe! Stay home! Help the NHS! Save lives! And God bless you!
With my love and prayer to each one of you,
Father Sebastian
Revd Dr Sebastian Thomas Mattapally
Rector, Springline Parish, Diocese of Lincoln
Tel: 01522 731793 Email: rector.springline@gmail.com