Aghavea Parish Church

Hi folks This weekend is marked by many of the sporting organisations boycotting all forms of social media in an attempt to highlight the abusive comments directed at the players and staff of many of the world's most supported teams. It seems that abuse and accusations have become the ""norm" on social media in the recent years. I detest the fact that people (whether anonymously or not) feel that it is appropriate to share their opinions and prejusdices online, especially when their views hurt or offend others.  Let me make my own view very clear - I DO NOT FIND ABUSE ACCEPTABLE IN ANY WAY! It is also inappropriate to use an anonymous account that hasn't been verified - and in this respect, the platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram - and so many others) should change their rules to be able to track every user on their systems. I'm not suggesting that they should track everyone, but there should be a mechanism that they could track everyone!   I...

Hi folks This Sunday sees the third Sunday in Easter.  Unlike the world, which has moved on rapidly from Easter, we continue to celebrate the Easter Resurrection until the Ascension, 40 days later.  It is very appropriate that since we spent 40 dys of Lent in preparation for Easter, the season of Easter should continue for the same period - after all, it was the greatest event in human history, ever!! We continue to remember that great event, gathering in His glorious name, and celebrating that magnificent day of Resurrection, confirming the end of eternal death, once and for all.  You'll find the service sheet attached, and I hope you consider joining us - if not physically in church, then virtually online.  Either way, you'll find a warm welcome, and hope that you feel like a family member before you leave. We are trying a slightly different approach to the stream tomorrow - and we hope that it will bring a better sense of belonging to the congregation.  Let u...

Hi folks Please find the service sheet for the Morning Prayer Service for the Second Sunday in Easter.  In our readings we continue to celebrate the Easter Story, with the Risen Lord meeting his disciples on the evening of the first Sunday. We will also remember the death of HRH The Prince Philip - who died on Friday.  We will continue ro remember him in our prayers, and will also give a short tribute to him during the service. We are also hosting a walk (or run for the more energetic) around Ashbrooke on 28th April, the last Wednesday in April - starting at 7pm - a lovely Spring Walk through the beautiful estate, and we have ordered lovely weather for the event too!!  Adults £7, Teenagers £3 - and all proceeds will be donated to the Aghavea Building Fund.  All welcome to join us! Our service will be in Church at 11am, and streamed online via Facebook.  We would love your fellowship and company either way - and you can join us afterwards on our YouTube channel....

Hi folks It is with great sadness that we mark the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip.  In our prayers, we will remember Her Majesty the Queen, now widowed by her husband of over 73 years - a lifetime in anybody's books.  We will remember their family, and continue to ask that God grants them the peace and strength they need in the coming days and weeks. You didn't need to be a "royalist" to understand his contribution to the royal family.  He brought the "Firm" into the 21st Century, updating ancient procedures, and opening the workings of the Crown to the world.  It was his influence that brought the live coverage of the Coronation to television (the first live broadcast of its scale anywhere).  It was his idea to set up the "royal.uk" website in 1999 - long before we took the internet for granted, As a passionate conservationist, he loved nature, and set up many programs and plans to support wildlife and flora and fauna over the w...

Hi folks In an act of great faith, I have prepared the readings and hymns for the coming weeks - taking us through to the end of May, which will be Trinity Sunday.  All these plans assume that we continue to act sensibly both as a church and as a society - keeping the infection rates down, and not being subject to any more lockdowns or restrictions! If we do have to return to our car park drive-in church, the readings will still hold for each week. I know that I havent attributed any readers to the readings as yet - we will take it gently for another few weeks and take it from there. Please continue to keep diligent in your prayers, and safety-first in your actions.  We are in this together, and we will get through it together too. Blessings Johnny

Hi folks We have two different services of Holy Communion tomorrow, one at 7am in the car park as a drive-in service, the other at 11am in church!  The only difference between the two will be the hymns - and the sermon - so the one service sheet will do for both services. You are welcome to join us tomorrow (Sunday) for our celebration of Easter as we proclaim that Christ is risen!! The two services will both be streamed online as usual, and will be available afterwards too.  I hope you can join us either in person at the services or virtually online. As ever, and I cannot stress this enough, all are very welcome to our services of Holy Communion, and are invited to join with us as we celebrate the Eucharist.  In the words of my training rector when asked about the Holy Communion, he replied - "All may, some should, none must!" Christ is risen!! Alleluia!! Regards Johnny

Hi folks As we end Holy Week 2021, we use the service of Ante-Communion as our service tonight.  There are fairly long readings, hence the service sheet is 3 pages long. We also use the Reproaches, a conversation between us and Jesus about the Crucifixion - a poignant set of liturgy that allow us to comprehend the magnitude of Jesus' actions. The service is at 8pm, will be streamed live, and I hope to see you all soon. Regards Johnny

Hi folks Maundy Thursday represents the opportunity to share with the disciples as we join with Christians over the world to share Holy Communion. The "evening before he was betrayed" is tonight, Thursday, and we celebrate the same elements that Jesus took in his own hands to give to the disciples. Tonight we definitely feel that we are celebrating the "Lord's Supper". Our service sheet is attached, the service starts at 8pm, it's streamed online, and all are welcome to join us! Blessings Johnny