elham valley group Newsletter
29th March 2026 - Palm Sunday
The Collect:
Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Post Communion Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, you humbled yourself in taking the form of a servant, and in obedience died on the cross for our salvation: give us the mind to follow you and to proclaim you as Lord and King, to the glory of God the Father. Amen
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a
The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens—wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. 5 The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backwards. 6 I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. 7 The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; 8 he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. 9 It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?
Gospel Reading: Matthew 26:14-end of 27
Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, ‘What will you give me if I betray him to you?’ They paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.
17 On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ 18 He said, ‘Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, “The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.”’ 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal. 20 When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; 21 and while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ 22 And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, ‘Surely not I, Lord?’ 23 He answered, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.’ 25 Judas, who betrayed him, said, ‘Surely not I, Rabbi?’ He replied, ‘You have said so.’ 26 While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ 27 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; …
Please Pray for Jenni Lister, The Bradley family, Wendy Cook, Sue Leaver, Mark, Millie Collins, Jill Fitch, Poppy Allard, John Meers, Michael Kirk, Alice Mills, Martyn Bowles & family, Claire Laker.
Please contact the Benefice Administrator Alison Dale 07985025381 or beneficeadmin@elhamvalleygroupofchurches.co.uk to add people to the prayers.
Please pray for the departed, and those for whom an anniversary of death falls at this time, Geoffrey Caunce, Marjorie Howard, Gladys (Annie) Smith, Petula Morgan, John Long, Phyllis Butler, John Midgley, Jacqueline Smith, Ken Percival, Audrey Hopper, Colin Collier, Maurice Hopkins, Kathleen Mellody & Robert Snow.
To arrange for Funerals, Thanksgivings, Blessings, Renewal of Vows and all other services please contact the Rector – revcarolbates@gmail.com 0777 239 4855
For Baptisms and Weddings please contact the Benefice Administrator -beneficeadmin@elhamvalleygroupofchurches.co.uk 07985025381
Parish Notices:
Paddlesworth - NB there will be no services after Easter due to building works.
Thanksgiving for Marriage – Hannah & Will Gonzalez - 28thMar. 2pm – Acrise
Baptism – Willow Baker –5th Apr. 9.30am – Elham
Funeral- Doreen Browne – 15th Apr. 11am – Elham, followed by burial.
