ALL SOULS CHURCH NEWS Friday 24 April 2020

We hope you have all been keeping well. Our thoughts and prayers are specifically with Chris as she still is suffering with stomach pains and Pat as she recovers from her fall.

The Government announced a further three week ‘lock down’ on Thursday 16 April and I know some of you are having to isolate yourselves for twelve weeks. So at this present time, it is uncertain when we will all be able to return to meeting and worship at All Souls. All the time we can’t meet at All Souls, we will produce and send out (by email or post) this newsletter. Thank you for all the kind comments we have received.

We continue to pray that the amount of people who are admitted to hospital and the numbers of people that have passed away from this dreadful virus soon move in a downwards direction. In the last newsletter we said that The Queen had lifted the nation with her message, this week it has taken someone even older than the Queen to bring a huge smile to our faces. What a remarkable man Captain Tom Moore is at 99 years old (100 on 30 April) and the way he has dealt with all the huge publicity at his age is incredible. As this is written he has raised over £26 million for the NHS and has recorded a charity single with Michael Ball which has gone to the top of the download charts.

This week the online church service on the Church of England Website was taken by Reverend Canon Leah Vasey-Saunders and her family. It was really nice to see her husband and all her children also involved in the service. This is available to view all this week by going on to the website www.churchofengland.org .

BBC Radio 4 this Sunday has it’s regular service at 8.10am. It is titled “We had hoped”…. the words of two of Jesus’ disciples to a stranger on the road to Emmaus. In times of grief and disappointment, there is one thing left to cling to; that thing is hope.

Professor Jennifer Strawbridge of Mansfield College, Oxford and the Reverend Dr Steve Nolan, Chaplain at Princess Alice Hospice, lead a reflection on where we find hope in times of despair. They explore Jesus' appearance to his two disciples on the Road to Emmaus and how that encounter speaks to us today.

BBC Radio 4 at 5.43am has a Prayer for the day (2 minutes each day, Monday to Saturday)

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On television at 10.45am, BBC1 broadcasts it Sunday Worship from Hereford Cathedral led by the Bishop of Dover, the Right Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, with hymns recorded for Songs of Praise in 2017. The service was filmed before the closure of all church buildings.

Also on BBC1 at 1.15pm, there is Songs of Praise. It is titled Christian Pilgrimage. Sean Fletcher looks back on journeys to ancient and sacred places of pilgrimage, including Lourdes and the spectacular abbey of Mont St Michel in France.

There currently aren’t any details of online services on the Church of England website for Sunday, but these will be added nearer the time. The Church of England have a Facebook page which is regularly updated with news and links to prayers and services.

As well as this newsletter, Ann has been emailing out with other news which we hope you find useful. Whilst there isn’t the room to replicate contents of websites in this newsletter, anything that can be put on here will be.

PrayersWe said last week that this outbreak of Coronavirus has brought the NHS very much into our minds. The NHS workers continue to work selflessly using all the care and skill on the care of their patients. They work very long hours, in dangerous situations and we must remember them in our prayers as we should also the workers who care for the elderly and vulnerable in care homes and in their own homes.

As we said last week, in our small church community we have four ladies who are selflessly working for the NHS through the Coronavirus crisis. Marion, Karen, Sally and Chris, please continue to pray for them.

Last week we printed ‘A prayer for all those affected by coronavirus’ which was on the Church of England website. This is repeated again.

Keep us, good Lord,under the shadow of your mercy.Sustain and support the anxious,

be with those who care for the sick,and lift up all who are brought low;

that we may find comfortknowing that nothing can separate us from your love

in Christ Jesus our Lord.Amen.

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Sunday 26 April 2020 – Third Sunday of EasterThe readings are Acts 2, verses 14 and 36 - 41And Luke 24 verses 13 – 35(The readings are printed on page 4 and 5) .

The Collect

Please pray and give thanks for all those in need of healing, comfort or guidance especially Philip Hirsch (Ann and Family)Chris WyethDave Ardley (Doreen)Derek Diana (John)Doreen ThomasFamily of Duncan McNair (RIP)Family of Alf Thorp (caretaker and lollipop man at Crockenhill Primary School) Gerry StringerKerryMarie Read (David and Victoria)Mary WatersMike HaironsPat ScuttShirley and Peter AbbottSusan (who is the sister of Diane Crook)Please also pray for the friends and families of those listed below whose anniversary of their passing falls close to this date.

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Almighty Father,who in your great mercy gladdened the discipleswith the sight of the risen Lord:give us such knowledge of his presence with us,that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen lifeand serve you continually in righteousness and truth;through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,who is alive and reigns with you,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

Beryl May Sabey (April 29)Bible Readings Acts 2

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Luke 24, verses 13-35

On the Road to Emmaus13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”19 “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified

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him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Message from Ivan

We are pleased to bring to you a moving and thought provoking message from Ivan.

Here's the preliminary joke, hope it gives you all a laugh. It’s called ‘Service For Your Dog’.

A farmer named Muldoon lived alone in the Irish countryside, except for a pet dog he'd had for a long time. The dog finally died and Muldoon went to the parish priest, saying, " Father the dog is dead”. Could you possibly be saying a mass for the poor creature"? .

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Father Patrick told the farmer, "No, we can't have services for an animal in the church. But I tell you what, there's a new denomination down the road and there's no telling what they believe in. Maybe they'll do something for the animal."Muldoon said, "I'll go right now. By the way, do you think £50,000 is enough to donate for the service?" Father Patrick replied: "Why didn't you tell me the dog was Catholic?"

TRUST IN OUR GOD

Fear sneaks into my heart without permission. It paints a picture of helplessness and hopelessness. It steals my peace and my concentration. What am I fearful about? I'm concerned about the safety of my family or the health of loved ones.

When these fears and worries strike, how good it is to read David's prayer in Psalm 34. "I sought the Lord and he answered me, he delivered me from all my fears."

God delivers us from all our fears when we focus on him. Our fears fade when we trust him to be in control. I know someone who reads the last chapter first when she starts a new thriller! "It takes the anxiety out of reading" she claims.

So with us as Christians we can put our complete trust in the Lord Jesus because we've read the last chapter. We know the end of the story. Sometimes life can feel like an unwanted rollercoaster ride with downhill drops and hair-pin curves we never see coming. When trouble comes, when we meet with disquieting circumstances, when things seem so uncertain, our Bibles remind us that our best course of action is to trust in God.

It was in an awful time when invasion threatened his country that the prophet Isaiah, inspired by the spirit, discovered this powerful promise from the Lord. "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." Isaiah 26:3

Trusting in God is simply believing that he loves you, that he's good, that he has the power to help you. He wants to help you and he will help you. During these difficult days we can have peace by including God. Someone once told me that at dinner times they make a practice of placing an extra chair at the table to remind them that he is always present.

Someone else has a picture of Jesus with a scripture where they can see it as they fall asleep or wake up. They say it sets the tone for their day. Some read scriptures like Psalm 121.

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Personally, after I've read, researched , talked to others and done all I know, I always come back to the unchanging fact that He is my source, my strength, my guide and deliverer. Worthy of all my trust.

My lovely departed mother in law was always reading her bible. I remember her saying so vividly now about the many varieties of books there were all describing and discussing the bible. But they can never alter the fact that really they only need one book, "it’s all there", she would say.

Life will have its troubles ( don't we know it!), but our saviour, who loves us more than we can ever know, is greater than them all. Jesus is our peace.

Life is simple and peaceful when we come to God like little children and say God I don't want to live on my own. I want to trust you. When I don't know what to do, I'll trust you. When I don't understand why , I'll trust you. I'll do my part with your help and when I'm done, I'll trust you to do the rest.

God bless you allIvan

Wonderful words as always from Ivan and our deep thanks for them.

In last weeks newsletter we told you about the attempted scam which Shirley S was on the receiving end of. Fortunately Shirley recognised it as a scam and put the phone down as soon as she realised. ‘Which’ Consumer magazine has recently published four scams for people to be aware of.

Fake lockdown fines - People have been warned not to fall for a bogus text message saying they have been fined for stepping outside during the coronavirus lockdown. The scam message claims to be from the Government, telling the recipient their movements have been monitored through their phone and they must pay a fine or face a more severe penalty. 

HMRC goodwill payment -  The Met police are warning of a fake message designed to steal your account details that says ‘As part of the NHS promise to battle the COV-19 virus, HMRC has issued a payment of £258 as a goodwill payment’.

Free school meals - the Department for Education has issued warnings about a scam email designed to steal your bank details saying: ‘As schools will be closing, if you’re entitled to free school meals, please send your bank details and we’ll make sure you’re supported.’

WhatsApp request to forward your code - A recent scam could grant hackers full access to your WhatsApp messages, photos and videos. Someone who knows your phone number could request to register your WhatsApp on a different device, and when a verification code is sent to you, the hacker will then message you to try and

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coax you into forwarding this on to them. They could then target your contacts with requests for money.Unfortunately there will be evil unscrupulous people that will try and scam people out of money. Please take care and never give out personal information or bank details to people you don’t know and who have called you. For every negative story though, there are so many positive ones of people pulling together and offering help and support to those that need it. In future newsletters we will highlight examples.

Ann has already emailed round to people the Government Coronavirus support for the extremely vulnerable but in case anyone has missed it, I am reprinting it.  It is a worthwhile exercise for people who are what the Government term Extremely Vulnerable. The web page is www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable . What it also says on this page is:

Register with this service if either: you have a medical condition which means you’re classed as being clinically

extremely vulnerable to coronavirus you’ve been told by your GP or hospital clinician that you’re clinically

extremely vulnerable and need to ‘shield’‘Shielding’ means not leaving your home and minimising contact with other members of your household. You’ll be able to ask for help if you need it - for example, with getting essential supplies or your basic care needs. You can register yourself, or on behalf of someone else.

Sevenoaks District Council run a scheme of volunteers who can assist people with shopping etc. I have pasted below in purple some wording from their website and a link to register and a phone number.

If you have access to the internet, go into www.sevenoaks.gov.uk and then click on the Find Out More button under Coronavirus then when the next page opens, under Help for residents, click on Register for help. You can complete a registration form online or if you don’t have access call 01732 227000. What it says on the website is:

Request help from a volunteer in your community. If you want help from people in your community during the Coronavirus outbreak, you can register with us.Volunteers may be available to help with your shopping and other small tasks if you are in self-isolation.Once you have registered, we will pass your details to 'Care for our Community - Sevenoaks' or another local community group who will match you to a volunteer. Once you have signed up, we advise you to take the following sensible precautions to help keep you safe:

Every volunteer has a 'Community Volunteer' badge issued by us. Each badge has a unique identity number and our logo. If you want to check that a volunteer is genuine, please call us on 01732 227000 and quote the unique badge number.

Do not give your bank card and pin number to anybody or cash to a volunteer Plan in advance. Many supermarket delivery slots are currently several days

or weeks away. Consider alternatives to supermarkets, such as the local milkman, who can

usually deliver groceries, or local food companies that deliver veg or meat boxes.

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If you suspect you or someone you know is being targeted by a criminal, contact Action Fraud or call 03001 232 040.

Take care everyone this week. Below are the answers to the Codeword and the Quiz from last week and three other puzzles to keep you amused.

Quiz

1. Harold II2.Viscountess Nancy Astor3. Bletchley Park4. George III 5. Battle of Trafalgar6. 19677. Richard III8. Battle of Stirling Bridge9. Peter Sutcliffe10. 511. 612. 913. Sunderland14. Ruth Rendell15. Edward VII16. Clementine Hozier17. Jos Buttler18. David Lloyd George19. Usually 2ND Saturday in June20. Wiltshire

Trivia Quiz

Example: 26 L of the A = 26 Letters of the Alphabet

1. 7 W of the A W2. 1,001 A N3. 12 S of the Z4. 9 P in the S S5. 32 D F at which W F6. 18 H on a G C7. 90 D in a R A8. 200 P for P G in M9. 4 Q in a G10. 24 H in a D11. 1 W on a U12. 57 H V13. 11 P in a F T

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14. 29 D in F in a L Y15. 64 S on a C

WORDSEARCH

Finally a few anagrams (with a few clues to help)

1. SOARTRIP (You’ll probably visit two of these if you soar into the sky on your trip)2. IBEDSANTA (Thanks but I’ll pass) 3. PANCHOREE (You might get one of these when visiting the doctor)4. PETERDAD (Peter waved goodbye to his dad then)5. NYCCEGIRL (Nyccegirls take care of the planet)

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6. SNOGAMILF (It is done standing on one leg)7. LOSHTPSAI (not a place you would choose to stay)8. DIRTYROOM ( Would you want to sleep here ?)

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