Dear Friends,

I invite you to join with Christians throughout the world in worshipping with us on Palm Sunday and during Holy Week.

Our witness begins on Palm Sunday with our annual Palm Procession at Winford Church at 10.45am followed by the Eucharist during which we will hear the Passion Gospel read to us. The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday challenge us to consider where we stand with the crowd during that Holy Week. We must take our place with those who lauded his arrival in Jerusalem; but we must also admit that we too would have abandoned Jesus as the week progressed and the cost of following him became too risky.

On Maundy Thursday we will celebrate the Eucharist of the Last Supper in Bishop Sutton at 7.00pm. This poignant service reminds us of the last meal Jesus shared with his friends and in which he instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion. Increasingly isolated, afraid and awaiting betrayal, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet in an act of service and humility before retreating to the Garden of Gethsemane where he wept.

Good Friday calls us to spend time in contemplation of the cross as we recall the Passion and death of Our Saviour. There will be two opportunities to worship at the foot of that cross in Stowey at 9.00am and Winford at 2.00pm.

Yours in Christ,

Ian

Worship this Sunday

Sunday 13th April 2025

Palm Sunday

STOWEY St Nicholas & St Mary

8.30am Holy Communion & Blessing of Palms

WINFORD St Mary & St Peter

10.45am Palm Procession

11.00am The Passion Story & Eucharist

Readings & Collect

Philippians 2: 5-11

Luke 19: 28-40

Almighty and everlasting God,

who in your tender love towards the human race

sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ

to take upon him our flesh

and to suffer death upon the cross:

grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility,

and also be made partakers of his resurrection;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

BCP Collect:

Almighty and everlasting God,

who, of thy tender love towards mankind,

hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ,

to take upon him our flesh,

and to suffer death upon the cross,

that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility;

Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience,

and also be made partakers of his resurrection;

through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Holy Week & Easter Day

MAUNDY THURSDAY

BISHOP SUTTON Holy Trinity

7.00pm Eucharist of the Last Supper

GOOD FRIDAY

STOWEY St Nicholas & St Mary

9.00am Meditation on The Cross

WINFORD St Mary & St Peter

2.00pm ‘An Hour at the Cross’

HOLY SATURDAY

CHEW STOKE St Andrew 

8.00pm The Easter Vigil & Easter Fire

EASTER DAY

REGIL St James 

8.00am Holy Communion (BCP)

NEMPNETT THRUBWELL St Mary

9.00am Eucharist

STOWEY St Nicholas & St Mary

9.00am Holy Communion (BCP)

BISHOP SUTTON Holy Trinity

10.30am Eucharist

WINFORD St Mary & St Peter

11.00am Eucharist

FELTON St Katharine

11.00am Eucharist

CHEW STOKE St Andrew

6.30pm Evensong

For your prayers

We pray that the Lord Jesus, who entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to cleanse and save God’s people will find us ready to follow him.

Lord, as you gave us an example of humble service, so guide our King and all leaders of the nations to serve their people with devotion and bring peace between nations;

Lord, as you sacrificed your life for the world’s salvation, so give strength and patience to those who make great sacrifices in their care of others;

Lord, as you cleansed the Temple in Jerusalem, so cleanse your Church today of disunity, hypocrisy and complacency;

Lord, as you taught your people the truth about God, teach us your ways, reveal your love, and send us out with your sprit to serve others;

Lord, be close to all who are suffering this Holy Week. Grant them healing, strength and encouragement;

We pray for all who have died in the faith of Christ crucified and in the hope of his joyful resurrection, especially Sonia, Eric and Rosemary.

Saviour of the world, by your agony and trial, and by your precious death and burial; good Lord, deliver us.

Contact

Revd Dr Ian Mills, Rector & Area Dean

The Rectory

4 Parsonage Lane

Winford  

BS40 8DG

Telephone: (01275) 474504 

chewvalleywest@gmail.com

Revd Fran Smettem, Curate

Telephone: (01934) 340682 

curatechewvalleywest@gmail.com