April 2007

Dear Friends,

During Lent we enjoyed meeting with others from Harrold and Carlton churches for study and discussion. One evening we found ourselves discussing the issue of despair. Should a Christian ever feel despair? Did Jesus know what it was to depair?

Despair is a bleak word – it means loss or absence of hope, perhaps the darkest emotion we can experience. Certainly for someone who is wholly trusting in Christ, there is no need to give in to despair – for whatever happens to us in this life, whatever our situation, Jesus holds out to us the promise of his eternal love and presence …. yet we are human. I suspect that for most of us, if we are honest, there have been those moments of particular darkness and difficulty when we have felt despair in a very real way.

And what of Jesus? - did he ever experience the depths of despair? Surely, if he took upon himself our humanity in all its weakness, as the Christian faith has always maintained, then he also experienced the full range of human emotions, including despair. His words from the cross - "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me" - seem to affirm this.

These words are found in Psalm 22, which if you read the whole Psalm, vividly reflects Jesus’ suffering as he hangs on the cross, bearing in his broken body, the sins of the whole world. It is precisely because of such suffering that the Christian faith can identify with others who have suffered terribly, and with all who have lost hope.

To them, and to us, God holds out his two-fold promise; the promise that he knows our pain and hears our cries:

The image of new birth is a powerful one – it speaks of a whole new possibility, opened up to us through the resurrection. For it is the resurrection that changes everything – evil has done its worst, but the utterly selfless, extravagant, healing, forgiving love that took Jesus to the cross – and raised him from the dead – has triumphed. Such love can transform despair into hope, as we come to understand that, whatever our circumstances, we are loved at great cost, with a love that is totally indestructible.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him – this Easter, and in the days ahead.

Christine

What is the Prayer Group? It is made up of members of All Saints Church who undertake to pray regularly, on an individual basis, for people who ask us for prayer support.

Who do we pray for? Anyone whom we are asked to remember; these might be people from our church, from our local community or others known to us.

What will you pray about? Anything which you would like brought before God; maybe anxiety due to illness, stress or loneliness. You can also tell us of a special day you wish to be remembered – perhaps for an interview or an exam. Any information will be treated in strictest confidence.

How can I let you know if I would like you to pray for me? You can either telephone Christine (720234), or drop a note through the Rectory door, or complete a card (anonymously if you wish) and place it in a box kept near the church door. Prayer requests will be collected from the box each Sunday morning after the 10.00am service.

At the United Reform Chapel, Harrold – 8.00-8.45pm

"Judas in a Dark Place"

At St.Mary’s Church, Carlton – 8.00-8.45pm

"Jesus in the Garden"

At St.Peter’s Church, Harrold – 8.00-8.45pm

"Peter in the Courtyard"

At the URC, Harrold - 7.15 for 7.30pm

"In the Upper Room" – a Christian Passover Meal

At All Saints Church, Odell – 2.00-3.00pm

"An Hour Before the Cross" a meditative service reflecting on the Passion of Christ.

At Chellington – 6.00-7.00am

Greet the Risen Lord at this sunrise service followed by the first communion of Easter – bring a torch!

Other Easter services will be held in each of the churches at their normal Sunday morning service times.

Churches Together are hoping to put up a large wooden cross on Harrold Green for the whole of Holy Week, and also to give out hot-cross buns on Friday 6^th between 10-12 noon.

Our March walk took in two rivers, the Great Ouse and the Ivel, and linked up the three villages of Willington, Great Barford and Blunham. We enjoyed an absolutely mud-free walk (!) despite being so close to a great deal of water - and made use of the cycle-way along the old

railway track for the homeward stretch. In all it was probably about 6.5 miles, a little longer than usual, but in the warm Spring sunshine, we were up for it!

Next month's walk will be on 28th April - meet outside The Bell at 9.45am.

Matthew 9:9. NLT

"Come be my disciple"… So Matthew got up and followed Jesus.

According to the Jews tax collectors ranked barely above plankton on the food chain, so everybody kept their distance from Matthew, the tax collector. Everybody except Jesus: "Come be my disciple". So Matthew got up and followed Jesus. Then it got interesting: Matthew gave a big dinner for Jesus at his house. Many tax collectors attended and were eating there too. What a party – salty language, loose morals. These guys kept the phone number of their bookies on the speed dial.

But a friend is a friend. What can Matthew do? Invite them to meet Jesus. What a great idea.

Then the door opens and an icy wind blows in – the Pharisees begin to complain.

"Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors?"

Matthew doesn’t know whether to get mad or to get out. But before he has time to choose Jesus intervenes: "I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough."

Matthew is just like you and me, isn’t he? Maybe you have taken liberty with the truth, taken credit for what was not yours – an ordinary man with many faults - but to you Jesus is saying: "Come follow me." Everybody’s welcome.

Furthermore you don’t have to be weird to follow Jesus. After all, we will all meet Him one day. You don’t have to stop liking your friends to follow Him. Just the opposite! A few introductions would be nice, when He gave His all for you. Jesus wants you today.

Sarah Bennett

Saturday 9^th June at 2.00pm

In Scout field, Horsefair Lane, Odell

Entry Adults £1.50, Children Free

2.00pm Grand Opening by Mrs Noreen Sturridge

2.00-4.00pm Dog Show

4.00pm Judging of Children’s Competitions

4.30pm Raffle Draw and Prize Giving

Stantonbury Brass Band

Boys’ Brigade

Teas Children’s Tombola Ice Creams

Tombola Cakes Beat the Goalie

Books Refreshments Bottle Stall

Coconut Shy Children’s Sports White Elephant

Produce Gifts Many Side Shows

Raffle Dog Show

(entry fee - £1 per dog per class)

I am told that the origins of our annual village fete go way back to the time when the parochial church councils were formed and assumed liability for repairs to the fabric of the church, and needed to find ways to raise the necessary cash. Then and ever since, the village has loyally supported the fete, and many of you have contributed to its success. Each year the money raised has helped to keep our lovely church in good repair. However, this year, the churchwardens, PCC and fete committee are all in agreement that the proceeds from the 2007 fete should be split 50/50, half going to the Village Hall fund. In future years, careful consideration will be given to both church and village needs in deciding how best to appropriate the funds.

We want this year’s fete to be the best ever, and have already booked the Stantonbury Brass Band. But we need your help! PLEASE CONSIDER what help you can give this year, with setting up and taking down, with manning stalls, managing car-parking, providing raffle-prizes etc. etc. Come and be part of the fun!

Contact Steve Robinson on 720113, Jane Eshelby on 01933-410959 or me, Christine Clark, on 720234.

Come and join ….

a new club for 5-11 year olds starting after Easter – Mon 23^rd April

3, Church Lane, Odell

Games, Activities, Crafts,

Bible stories, Music, Drama

Encouraging children to think about

the world they live in,

their contribution to it and where faith fits in - while having fun!

For details contact: Sue Robinson 720113 or Christine Clark 720234

FEBA continues to broadcast the good news of Jesus Christ in many parts of Asia and Africa where it is against the law to preach the Christian faith. The programmes are designed to speak to the particular needs of people who are only too aware that they are involved in a spiritual battle. As a result of the broadcasts many come to a true faith in Jesus and are given strength to witness to their families and neighbours. Sometimes it means exile or death but there are also many stories of whole families coming to faith and seeking to take the gospel to neighbouring states.

The non-threatening medium of radio provides a unique opportunity for hundreds to learn of the way of life which can free them from the

shackles of a religion which offers no hope. Making and broadcasting programmes in dozens of different languages is time consuming and costly. Please give what you can so more people can hear the Good News.

1^st Jane Eshelby

7^th Decorate the church for Easter

8^th Easter Day

14^th All help to clear

22^nd Lynette Hall

29^th Roberta Goodman

Wednesday 25^th 10.30am at Eileen’s, 24 Church Hall

Road, Rushden.

Happy Birthday to:

Rebecca Causton, 2 on the 3^rd

Mon 2^nd 8.00pm URC Harrold Churches Together service.

Tues 3^rd 8.00pm St Mary’s Carlton service.

Wed 4^th 8.00pm St Peter’s Harrold service.

Thurs 5^th 7.15pm URC Harrold Passover Meal.

Fri 6^th 2.00pm All Saints’ Odell Service of Meditation.

Sat 7^th 10.00am Church Decorating, All Saints’

Sun 8^th 6.00am Dawn Service, Chellington.

Sun 8^th 10.00am All Saints’ Odell All Age Holy Communion.

Tues 10^th 7.30pm W.I. Village Hall.

Wed 11^th 10.30am Meeting Point at Sarah’s, 9 Horsefair Lane.

Tues 17^th 10.00am Spring Migrants, birdwatching HOCP.

Sat 21^st 7.30pm Quiz, Village Hall.

Mon 23^rd 5.30pm Odell Monday Club, The Rectory.

Wed 25^th 10.30am Meeting Point at Eileen’s, 24 Church Hall Rd., Rushden.

Fri 27^th – 7.45pm A Little Light Music, Mill Theatre, to 5^th May.

Sat 28^th 9.45am All Saints’ Amblers meet outside The Bell.

Sat 28^th Cantamus in Concert, Turvey.

Sun 29^th Walk, Talk and Lunch, Moggerhanger House.

Mon 30^th Jazz Workshop, Biddenham Upper School.

Mon 30^th 10.00am Conservation Tasks, HOCP.

Please send all entries for the May 2007 magazine to Tricia Hudson (mag1@odellbeds.net) or Catherine Corkery by April 12^th 2007 at the latest. May we remind you that the editorial team exercises the right to edit, shorten or alter any items that are submitted. Also, the opinions expressed in the articles are those of the contributors and are not the responsibility of the editorial team.