Dear Friends,

This Sunday marks the beginning of the season of Passiontide, the final two weeks of Lent which direct our thoughts towards the cross. The Lenten journey which began in the wilderness on Ash Wednesday has been moving steadily toward Jerusalem, toward suffering, sacrifice and the holy mystery of God’s redeeming love.

In our first reading (links below) we hear about a vision given to the prophet Ezekiel of the valley filled with dry bones. In the middle of this scene of lifelessness, God asks, ‘can these bones live?’. What seems impossible is fulfilled through the life-giving breath of God. It is a powerful vision which speaks not only of the restoration of Israel, but of God’s promise to bring life where there is despair and renewal to the driest, emptiest parts of our lives.

Paul echoes this promise in our passage from his letter to the Romans, reminding us that the Spirit of God dwells within us. The same spirit that raised Christ from the dead is still at work among us today.

Our Gospel reading in the remarkable story of the raising of Lazarus. Standing by the tomb of his friend, Jesus weeps. Yet, in this most human of moments Jesus also reveals the deeper truth of who he is. Calling into the darkness of the tomb, he reveals that he truly is ‘the resurrection and the life’ as even death itself submits to his voice.

Passiontide confronts us with both these things: the deep suffering of Jesus and the life that God promises beyond it.

Yours in Christ,

Ian

Worship this Sunday

Sunday 22 March 2026

The Fifth Sunday of Lent – Passion Sunday

FELTON St Katharine

9.00am Morning Worship

WINFORD St Mary & St Peter

11.00am Eucharist

NEMPNETT THRUBWELL St Mary

4.00pm Evensong

STOWEY St Nicholas & St Mary

6.30pm Evensong

Next Sunday: Sunday 30th March (Palm Sunday)

10.45am Palm Procession, Passion Story & Eucharist (Winford)

Readings & Collect

Ezekiel 37: 1-14

Romans 8: 6-11

John 11: 1-45

Collect:

Most merciful God,

who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ

delivered and saved the world:

grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross

we may triumph in the power of his victory;

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.

Lent Collect:

Almighty and everlasting God,

you hate nothing that you have made

and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:

create and make in us new and contrite hearts

that we, worthily lamenting our sins

and acknowledging our wretchedness,

may receive from you, the God of all mercy,

perfect remission and forgiveness;

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.

BCP Collect:

We beseech thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon thy people; that by thy great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore, both in body and soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lent Bible Study

The Rector will be leading a series of five Bible Studies on Tuesday evenings during Lent in Chew Stoke Village Hall, 7.00–8.00pm. Remaining sessions:

Tuesday 24^th March

Tuesday 31^st March

Each week we will be working through two short books in parallel: Joel (Old Testament) and Philippians (New Testament). The prophet Joel speaks to us of the need to turn back towards God and to take seriously his calling to repentance and renewal. It is a brief but fascinating book which moves from despair to hope. Similarly, St Paul’s letter to the Philippians (written while he was in prison) is a passionate plea to the church to press forward in the hope we have in Christ with joy and perseverance. ‘Rejoice in the Lord, always’ he insists (Phil 4:4).

The sessions are free and will include tea and coffee. You don’t need to attend all five sessions, so do come when you can.

For Your Prayers

Please pray to Almighty God for …

…the Church throughout the world … renew your people with the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim with courage that Christ is the resurrection and the life … strengthen all who lead your Church, and help us to be a community that brings hope to the weary, faith to the doubtful, and life to places of despair;

… a world often filled with conflict, fear, and division … for your breath of peace to fill nations torn by war, and guide the hearts of leaders toward justice and reconciliation;

… all who are burdened by illness, grief, loneliness, or anxiety … breathe your Spirit of comfort and healing upon them … give strength to those who care for the sick and suffering, and hope to those who feel trapped in darkness or despair;

… those who have died and now rest in your mercy … as Jesus called Lazarus from the tomb, so we trust in your promise that death is not the end … grant to the departed your peace and everlasting life, and comfort all who mourn with the hope of the resurrection.