An Anglican Cleric in London

Our Holy Week began with the Palms and Hosannas and we know soon the sounds of crucify and a kiss will bring us deep into the passion. I know I wait with anticipation for Easter this year, so many and so much unstelled, religion, politics, health (say one for my sister as she has cancer surgery tomorrow)..glorious remembrance of Oscar Romero who was killed at the altar in El Salvador 30 years ago at Westminster Abbey with Rowan Cantuar at his best, inspiring us by telling of those who are true inspiration…Pope is in the news….Lord Carey joins ranks with those who feel Christians are being marginalised and there are strikes, confusion and utter disarray abounds…I hope the Passion Play in Trafalgar Square inspires christians to make a public witness in all of this, saying we know a better way – in HIM who yes dies, but is raised from death to bring us all a new life…Try to find a church to attend this week…the liturgy is so powerful. You are always welcome at St Stephen Walbrook.
One of the main food supermarket chains called the tinme we call Lenbt – Easter Chocolate Season through 4 April….if our joy is only found in chocolate, we are a sad lot….how can good news be told….I wonder…and I work for it. I remember a person of some authority dismissing my venture for good Christian (Anglican) news, the person claimed it untruth..well that person is wrong..yet we need new ways of showing we are the Body of Christ. We hope that LIC can be a vehicle to help us all in that quest. This is Holy Week, the weeks of all weeks, not all easy, but the end result brings new life, new hope for all who seek it…We adore thee O Christ and we bless thee, because by thy Holy Cross you have redeemed the world..

but it is…do not let it pass you by, please (I am speaking to yours truly as well)…services abound, try to attend a service on Sunday and mark the sharp contrast as you return on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Then be prepared to share the joy of the Great Vigil on Saturday night and of course the liturgy of Easter Day. Visit the Easter section of London Internet Church for interesting articles and examples of devotion…cathedrals and abbeys are always a great way to experience these great days with their choirs and preaching, but also the local church could be a true place of gathered community and a wonderful sharing experience for you….music music everywhere, next Tuesday at St Pauls Cathedral (free) will find Bach’s St Johns Passion and then on Good Friday find Stainers Crucifixion at Marylebone Parish Church…..comments are always welcome on the LIC website as it further developes into a true resource and place to a virtual church for its visitors…..join the activity of the community pages as well….. Is the typeface, ok? Size? Photos? What is missing? What is too much? or is it “getting there” as we say…nice pause in penitence this week as we celebrate the Annunication of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary on Thursday, Lady Day, March 25, the big day for the Mothers’ union and all. Fasting is off for the day..enjoy!…Walbrook welcomes you at 12.45 p.m………If we could all be as obedient, strong and graceful as Mary, what a world it could be, ave! Have a good week…Jim

Lent moves on so quickly, lots of people in my life having difficulties and illnesses and shattered dreams. At Walbrook today as the new organ scholar at Southwark warms up for a recital at 12.30, usually good crowd…Walbrook is os special, the place, of course, but also the people (regulars are great) but as I opened the church this am a Dutch person followed by a Portuguese man, were our first of the daily visitors….Next thursday special Annunciation Day 12.45 p.m. Sung service and then same time of Maundy Thursday. A really big choral and organ mass set for Ascension Day, note it now, May 13…I am searching web for webcasts and pod casts of Holy Week and Easter, please keep current on our site, also daily changes, and do not forget the power of the Light A Candle offering….also eager for articles on reconciliation and diversity from the three Abrahamic faiths arena, please send on to me at james.rosenthal@gmail.com…..Told another Dutch visitor I was the UK Sinterklaas, he laughed….this Sunday I say the 11 a.m. Communion at St Bart the Less church within the grounds of the famous hospital….keep in touch….join us at the Easter Vigil at 6 p.m. on Saturday April 3 at Walbrook and on Easter Day at 11 a.m. with me at St Matthews Bayswater…Happy Feast! Jim+

Sitting in the cold here at stunning St Stephen Walbrook thinking about prayer requests in today from London Internet Church, many so sad, and other things happening that make me feel the reality of Lent. Kyrie Eleison is all I can say. we had 8 for Mass, our Said Eucharist for Lent, last week 11 and 5 on the first Monday. Thursdays are still the main service with our fine choir and preaching by Peter or by me or Father Derek White…week ahead looks very busy..I told the people at St Anne’s Soho yesterday in my homily that there were 24 days left in Lent, and to not let it pass you by, I now am warning myself as well….sorry avatar lost the awards, good sermon material but not that great as a film….I hope the new Nicholas of Myra movie comes out this year…..Twitter me..see you soon on Facebook…
Father Jim

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