ASCENSION and PENTECOST–Ascension Day this year fell on Thursday 9th May, forty days after Easter. It tends to pass us by a little, we just note that the following Sunday is described as the Sunday after Ascension Day. Ascension Day itself celebrates Jesus’ return to his Father in heaven and signifies the completion of his time on earth.Imagine the New Testament writers trying to describe for their readers what actually happened when Jesus ascended. Just how do you put into words something so unworldly in such a way that worldly people can even begin to comprehend such a phenomenon?What’s more, how would the disciples have felt on the Mount of Olives, where Jesus took them and then left them?What the disciples experienced must have left them confused, frightened, disturbed, bereft and much more, but ten days later they came to realise that Jesus had not abandoned them. In his lifetime he had promised that his Father would send his Holy Spirit to teach them all things and remind them of everything he (Jesus) had said to them. The Holy Spirit would give the disciples the power to stand strong and to be his witnesses, telling people about him“ throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”.Pentecost comes from the Greek word pentekoste which means fiftieth and it is celebrated fifty days after Easter.Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary, mother of Jesus and the Apostles of Jesus while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in Acts of the Apostles. They experienced the coming of the Holy Spirit as ‘a sound from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind’ and ‘tongues, as of fire’ over their heads. They now had the strength to overcome the fear that had seized them to the point of running away during Jesus’ passion and to go out into the world proclaiming the teachings of Jesus Christ.We may never experience anything quite so dramatic as described above, but we can be assured that God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are with us, especially when we feel at our most lost and alone, our most frightened and vulnerable. How wonderful is that!
SERVICES IN THE PARISHPlease be aware that our pattern of services has altered to reflect changes within the Ministry Team, particularly due to Noel’s circumstances. We would ask you to check regularly in case last minute alterations take place and be patient and understanding as we try to do the very best we can for everyoneSunday 19th May – Eighth Sunday of Easter - PENTECOST• Family Communion at 9.30am at St Chad’s, Wishaw – The Rector• Service of the Word at 11.15am at St Nicholas’, Curdworth – Mrs Lisa Wilcox• Pentecost Service at 3.00pm at St John’s, Middleton – The RectorSunday 26th May – TRINITY SUNDAY• Holy Communion at 9.30am at St Chad’s, Wishaw – Rev Roy Allen• Family Communion at 11.15am at St Nicholas’, Curdworth – The RectorSunday 2nd June – First Sunday after Trinity• All Age Worship at 9.30am at St Chad’s, Wishaw – The Rector Holy Communion at 11.15am at St Nicholas’, Curdworth – Rev Roy Allen• Service of the Word at 11.15am at St John’s, Middleton – Mr Andrew FarrowSunday 9th June – Second Sunday after Trinity• Holy Communion at 9.30am at St Chad’s, Wishaw – Rev Roy Allen • Family Communion at 11.15am at St Nicholas’, Curdworth – The Rector