SERVICES THIS WEEK – 8TH MARCH
8.00 am Holy Communion with Breakfast
9.00 am Messy Church
10.30 am Holy Communion
BREAKFAST CHURCH
1st Sunday Church Breakfast
2nd Sunday Messy Church
3rd Sunday Alpha with Breakfast
4th Sunday Cafe Church
Services are held on Sundays at 8 am Holy Communion and 10.30 am. Messy Church is held on the 2nd Sunday of each month (term time only).
Lunchtime Holy Communion with soup lunch at 12 pm on the first Wednesday of each month.
LENT AND EASTER SERVICES
| Wednesday | 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th March | 11.00 am | Lent Group |
| Friday | 6th March | 7.30 pm | World Prayer Day |
| Sunday | 15th March | 10.30 am | Mothering Sunday Service |
| Sunday | 22nd March | 4.00 pm | 4@4 Passiontide Service |
| Saturday | 28th March | 10-12 noon | Classic Car Event |
| Sunday | 29th March | 10.30 am | Palm Sunday Service |
| Maundy Thursday | 2nd April | 6.30 pm | Maundy Thursday fish & Chip Agape Supper |
| Good Friday | 3rd April | 9.00 am | Messy Church |
| Good Friday | 3rd April | 10.30 am | Stations of the Cross |
| Holy Saturday | 4th April | 7.00 pm | Easter Fire |
| Easter Sunday | 5th April | 8.00 am | Eucharist |
| Easter Sunday | 5th April | 10.30 am | Eucharist |
LENT GROUP— St Helen’s
Lent is a season devoted to self-examination, repentance, and preparation for Easter. This sacred season invites us to reflect deeply on the words of Jesus, pray together, and focus on spiritual growth.
REFLECTING ON JESUS’S WORDS
Many members of the congregation have ordered the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent book Dancing to the Heartbeat of God. Copies are available at the back of church. Themes from this book will form the basis of our Lent course, which meets every Wednesday during March at 11:00am. Each session will be followed by Holy Communion and the opportunity to share lunch together at 12:00 noon.
PRAYING TOGETHER
This year’s World Day of Prayer will be held on Friday 6th March at 7:30pm at St. Helen’s, with refreshments served from 7:00pm. The 2026 service has been prepared by women from Nigeria and is centred on the theme: “I will give you rest, come.”
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
It has been wonderful to welcome new faces to church almost every week. With the help of Tracey and Jane, we have introduced two new breakfast services, both beginning at 9.00 am. On the third Sunday of each month, the service includes an Alpha Course — a series of group conversations exploring the basics of the Christian faith. The fourth Sunday hosts Café Church, offering a relaxed and contemporary gathering in a coffee-shop atmosphere.
If you enjoy singing, you are warmly invited to a special Sunday 4@4 gathering at 4:00pm in mid-Lent to sing highlights from Stainer’s The Crucifixion. Those wishing to join the choir are welcome to attend a rehearsal on Tuesday 17th March at 7:00pm, with a short warm-up rehearsal at 3:30pm on the day.
GROWING CHURCH
A short document has recently been shared outlining plans to improve our toilet and kitchen facilities. The positive response has been encouraging. Please continue to share your thoughts and ideas. Taking on a building project of this size is a significant step of faith and will require the support of the whole church community.
Want to Get More Involved at St Helen’s?
We would love for you to join one of our friendly volunteer teams! Whether you’ve helped before or it’s your first time, there’s a place for you.
Here’s how you can help:
🙋♂️ Sides Team – Say hello and hand out service sheets as people arrive.
📖 Read Scripture – Share the Bible reading at the 10:30am service.
🙏 Lead Intercessions – Help lead prayers (we promise it’s not as scary as it sounds – there’s lots of support and guidance).
☕ Sunday Coffee – Serve drinks after the service and/or bring something baked.
🧁 Coffee Shop – Lend a hand during open hours.
🧹 Church Cleaning – Team up with someone to give the church a clean on two weeks.
Most of these roles are just once a month, and they’re a great way to meet others, get involved, and serve our community.
If you’re interested, just have a word with Tracey – she’ll point you in the right direction. Thanks so much!
CLEANING—One of our teams has had to step down, so we are looking to recruit. Cleaners work in teams of 2 and cover two weeks every 6-8 weeks. If you can help, please get in touch with Tracey. Contact details: 01454 417660, tracey.lynne.black@hotmail.co.uk. Thank you in anticipation.
COFFEE MORNING HELPERS
The Coffee mornings at St Helen’s are a great success. Everyone benefits from getting together, and we raise monthly funds for charity. If you could spare an hour on a Tuesday morning to help bake, wash up, or serve, we would love to hear from you. A sign-up sheet is available in the Church, or you can contact rosemaryboere@gmail.com. Many thanks.
HELP TO MAINTAIN ST HELEN’S CHURCHYARD
Many consider St Helens Churchyard the prettiest and best-maintained churchyard in the area. We actively encourage wildflower displays, including primroses, cowslips, oxeye daisies, and birds-foot trefoil. We are looking for additional help to mow the grass, which must be carried out in sympathy with the wildflowers. The demand for cutting changes through the season.
If you can work without supervision at your own convenience for an hour a week and would like to join the team, please contact Richard Hiscock at 07444236099 e: richardhiscock25@gmail.com
🌸 CHURCH FLOWERS AT ST HELEN’S
Our flower team love to make the church a welcoming and uplifting place. Beautiful arrangements bring joy to everyone who comes through our doors—whether for Sunday worship, coffee mornings, or midweek gatherings.
Dedicate Flowers in Memory
If you would like to dedicate an arrangement in memory of a loved one, we would be delighted to include this. A card can also be placed with the flowers to mark the dedication.
Supporting the Flower Fund
We do our best to keep costs low by using flowers and foliage from local gardens. However, for festivals and special occasions we provide additional arrangements through the Flower Fund. Donations to the fund are always gratefully received.
How to Donate
Leave donations in church, clearly marked Flower Fund.
Enclose a note if you would like the flowers dedicated in memory of someone.
Or get in touch by email: revsrural@gmail.com.
Thank you for helping us continue this ministry of beauty and welcome in our church.