Thy Kingdom Come – pray with us across Houghton-le-Spring 8th-14th May

Posted on by

Jesus Christ calls every person to follow him. As Christians it’s our duty and joy to share that invitation. That’s why the Archbishops of Canterbury and York are inviting every church in England to join a week of prayer this Pentecost, from 8-15th May — let’s pray for every Christian to receive new confidence and joy in sharing this life-transforming faith.

Thy-Kingdom-Come_Final

In response to this there will be a series of prayer spaces across Houghton-le-Spring to which we invite everyone to come in the days between Ascension Day and Pentecost to pray for renewal – of themselves, of our community and of our nation. Can you spare a few minutes or even an hour to pray during this special time? You will be joining with people all over the country in a great ‘wave of prayer’.

http://thykingdom.co.uk/

Prayer Spaces in Houghton-le-Spring

In St Michael & All Angels Church

In the big church on the Broadway, Houghton-le-Spring. Add your prayers to our prayer tree. Pray for friends, family, neighbours to come to know the love of God. Pray for our nation and our government. Pray for whatever burdens you are carrying.

Prayer Labyrinth outside St Michael’s Church

Use this ancient form of prayer by walking around the labyrinth path into the centre. As you walk slowly, ask God to speak to you, pray for anything that comes to mind. Journey with God and see what happens.

Space4 prayer

Join us at Space4 on the ground floor of Houghton Library on Newbottle Street in an interactive prayer space.

Durham Cathedral Friday 13th May 8.00-9.30pm

Join us in the Galilee Chapel of Durham Cathedral as we are inspired by Bernard Gilpin, Apostle of the North to pray for the re-evangelisation of the North East.

 

 

A big thank you to Alastair Bradley for serving as Church Warden for 6 years

Posted on by

At our APCM yesterday we had to give a very special thank you to our Church Warden extraordinaire Alastair Bradley who has served us very faithfully for a full term of 6 years. Alastair has made a particular contribution to managing and maintaining the fabric of our Grade I listed building and will continue in a role as Assistant Church Warden in this capacity.

Thanks for all your hard work Alastair!

Alastair Bradley thank you

Wishing you a very Happy Easter – He is Risen indeed, Alleluia!

Posted on by

Alleluia, Christ is Risen!

Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ there would be no worshipping community here in Houghton-le-Spring. Everything we do is in response to the love God lavished on us through Jesus. We are all trying to make a difference and share this love with everyone we encounter. Here is a video and song expressing this desire – will you join us?

Every good wish for a joyous Easter

Rector Sue and the St Michael’s Ministry Team

Easter greetings 2016

Pictures from the Procession of the Palms in Houghton-le-Spring

Posted on by

We were blessed with beautiful weather this morning as we gathered in Rectory Park for our Procession of the Palms remembering Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey as the crowds waved their palms.

We were joined by Houghton Youth Brass Band and two donkeys, the little one, a Spanish miniature called Bethany and the bigger one an Irish breed called Summer.

CC4A8949 (1)

Here are some photos from John Lambton of this very special day:

You are warmly invited to join us this Holy Week and Easter

Posted on by

Holy Week and Easter are almost upon us. Every year we have the wonderful opportunity to spend a week walking alongside Jesus and the disciples as they approach Jerusalem and ultimately the cross on Calvary.

Holy Week 2016

This year in Holy Week we will be reflecting on the Passion of Jesus Christ through some of the less well-known characters who were there at Calvary: Nicodemus the Pharisee, Veronica who wiped Jesus’ face on his walk to Golgotha, Simon of Cyrene who was forced to carry Jesus’ cross by the Roman soldiers and Pilate’s Wife who had a disturbing dream about this Jesus of Nazareth on the night before his trial.

These are the services to which you are warmly invited during Holy Week and Easter, do try and come to as many as you can, it’s an experience not to forget:

Holy Monday

2pm – Mothers’ Union Easter Readings Service – Why did Jesus die?

7pm – Eucharist with sermon on Nicodemus

Holy Tuesday

7pm – Eucharist with sermon on Simon of Cyrene

Holy Wednesday 

7pm – Eucharist with sermon on St Veronica

Maundy Thursday

This is the day we remember Jesus’ last supper with his friends, his journey to the garden of Gethsemane with the disciples, their falling asleep while he prayed and then his betrayal by Judas. After a powerful service of the Eucharist the altar and church are stripped of all their decoration as a symbol of the stripping of Jesus by the soldiers. We then gather in the side chapel (representing the garden of Gethsemane) in silent prayer – a time called the ‘watch’ where we remember how the disciples fell asleep and Jesus’ words: ‘So, could you not watch with me one hour?’ (Matthew 26:40) Following our silent prayer we finish with Night Prayer – Compline at 10pm.

10am – Eucharist

7.30pm – Parish Eucharist, followed by the stripping of the altar with the watch (silent prayer) until 10pm

10pm – Night Prayer – Compline

Good Friday

Good Friday is the day we remember the crucifixion of Jesus and meditate on what this means for us. It is a time when we confess our sins and receive God’s forgiveness.

11am – Service of Reflections and Confession

2pm – Liturgy of the Cross

Holy Saturday

On Holy Saturday in the evening we celebrate the Easter vigil. Our new Easter (Paschal) Candle is lit from a fire outside, blessed and brought into a dark church representing the light of the Risen Christ. The first Easter song of praise, the ancient chant of the Exsultet is sung by a minister to greet the Risen Christ and bless the new candle which is then used at baptisms all through the year. We then hear a range of bible readings starting with the Old Testament and leading all the way to the accounts of the Resurrection of Jesus.

7.30pm – Easter Vigil Houghton Deanery Service

People of all the churches in Houghton Deanery are invited to attend this special Easter service.

Easter Day

This is the most important festival in the church year – the feast of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This year is extra special for us at St Michael’s because our Festival Eucharist at 10am will include the baptism of Rosie and also our children will be receiving communion for the first time in the service. Do come along and celebrate the greatest festival with us!

8.30am – Eucharist

10am – Parish Festival Eucharist

6pm – Celtic Eucharist

Ashes to Go 2016 in Houghton-le-Spring – photos and video footage

Posted on by
A view of

A view of the Broadway on Ash Wednesday 2016

We were blessed with beautiful weather on Ash Wednesday this week as we took to the Broadway offering prayer, free tea and coffee, and of course ashes ‘to go’ to passers-by. It was a tremendous privilege to speak to people from all walks of life from Houghton about their hopes and aspirations, their needs and desires and to share with them the love and forgiveness of God.

Below are some photos from the day and a short film made by Jorgie Carmichael which includes an interview with Mark, Bishop of Jarrow about the experience.