March Update
Dear Friends,
It is with some sense of shock that the days are passing by so quickly that we’re already at the time of year when we consider the Easter message. In the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, we believe the claims of Jesus were indeed vindicated. God has proved in this miracle above all miracles, that Jesus is King above all Kings and that He reigns over all. Peter, preaching about the resurrection on the day of Pentecost, shares with all who will hear them, that ‘God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.’ (Acts 2:36). The resurrection is the sign that Jesus is who He says He is.
When we are weary and discouraged then, let us draw down on this great hope. Jesus is the triumphant King, and has triumphed even over death. There is now no place on earth where His victory cannot be experienced. That can give us great hope too. In the humdrum of life, when we are weary and worn down with responsibilities, on the global scale when we are tempted to despair at escalating and painful warfare, the Christian message of life triumphing over death, light triumphing over darkness, love triumphing over hate can be of some comfort and consolation. In the cross of Christ, and in His empty tomb, though the war wages on, the battle is won forever. We are all too aware that as Jesus entered into the wilderness and experienced abandonment, torture and death before His day of victory, we too may well have to endure and undergo times of trial and suffering. We are not immune from such things. But we do look ahead with confidence to the great day that is surely coming, when all heaven and earth bow at His feet and acclaim ‘All hail King Jesus.’
With love
Gareth
Our next monthly prayer meeting is this coming Wednesday, 6th March at 7:30pm led by Dave & Jane Martin. We will be praying in the parlour and remembering the Tuesday Bible Study in our prayers among other aspects of church life and ministry. All are welcome.
Our next men’s curry evening is Thursday 7th March, 7pm at the Mannamead pub on Mutley Plain. All are welcome. £12 covers food, a drink and a small donation to our friends at the FAST charity in Romania.
Veronica Graham Farewell
Veronica Graham retires from the staff team at PMCH in the coming weeks after over 20 years on the church staff. On Sunday 17th March 7pm, we are celebrating with thanksgiving Veronica’s ministry - please do come along and support her in this, there will be cake after the service! As part of our farewell gesture, we are organising a collection to purchase gifts for Veronica. If you would like to contribute, you can do so online into the church bank account using the reference "VERONICA," or you can bring cash donations to the welcome desk on Sundays, where Amber will be stationed.
MWiB
On Monday 18 March at 2pm Methodist Women in Britain are hosting Dr Maria Earl speaking on “My Job and my Faith” followed by tea and cake
If you are part of the Children or Youth team at PMCH please join us after the morning service on 24th March for training with Paul Friend from South West Youth Ministries. A soup lunch will be provided and we would like as many people as possible to attend. Sign up here
On Palm Sunday evening at our 7pm service we have Anne Middleton coming who will read Mark’s Gospel as a monologue. The reading of the Gospel at the outset of Holy Week is an ancient tradition, and so we are looking forward to hearing the Gospel in a different way to usual. This will be accompanied by traditional Palm Sunday & Holy Week hymns. All are welcome.
We have services every day during Holy Week to aid our reflection as we approach the crucifixion and resurrection. See ‘coming up this month’ section below for specific details. All are welcome.
Our Maundy Thursday communion service will follow the taize tradition.
We have lots on as we celebrate the resurrection on Easter Sunday. There is a short reflective communion service at 8:30am led by Rev Gareth Higgs. Breakfast of cereal and bacon sandwiches are on offer for everyone from 10am and our All Age Easter Celebration is at 11am which is also led by Gareth.
In the evening we join with our friends from Plymouth & Devonport Circuit for a United Easter Praise and communion service, led by Pastor Jonny Libby and with Rev Brenton Prigge as the preacher. This service will be live-streamed instead of morning worship.
All are welcome at all of our events and services over Easter time.
Coming up this month…
Saturday 2nd March - 9:30am Prayer on the Streers
Sunday 3rd March - 11am Morning Worship - Pastor Jonny Libby
Sunday 3rd March - 7pm Evening Communion - Rev Gareth Higgs
Monday 4th March - 7:30pm Leadership Team
Wednesday 6th March - 7:30pm Church Prayer Meeting
Thursday 7th March - 7pm Men’s Curry Evening, The Mannamead, Mutley Plain
Sunday 10th March - 11am Morning Worship - Rev Gareth Higgs
Sunday 10th March - 7pm Evening Worship - Rev Gareth Higgs
Sunday 17th March - 11am Morning Communion - Rev Gareth Higgs
Sunday 17th March - 1pm Welcome team lunch
Sunday 17th March - 7pm Celebration of Veronica Graham’s ministry
Sunday 24th March - 11am Morning Worship - Paul Friend
Sunday 24th March - 7pm Palm Sunday Reading of Mark’s Gospel
Monday 25th March - 7pm Holy Week Worship - Rev Malc Halliday
Tuesday 26th March - 7pm Holy Week Worship - Delarre Irving
Wednesday 27th March - 7pm Holy Week Worship - Maria Mills
Thursday 28th March - 7pm Maundy Thursday communion in the Taize tradition
Friday 29th March - 11am Good Friday Worship - Pastor Jonny Libby
Sunday 31st March - 8:30am Easter Communion - Rev Gareth Higgs
Sunday 31st March - 11am All Age Easter Celebration - Rev Gareth Higgs
Sunday 31st March - 7pm United Easter Praise - Pastor Jonny Libby & Rev Brenton Prigge