Covid-19 

Dear Friends
Another week has passed on our journey of recovery and again the number of new cases of Coronavirus continues to reduce, this means that from next week families will be able to meet together in small numbers outdoors. This is a sign that the national situation is improving and hopefully will continue to improve. We remain aware that the virus is still active and that in many parts of Europe the numbers of new cases are increasing which gives us cause for concern. We have to remain hopeful but cautious with our approach to ensure we stay safe and continue to keep others safe at this time.
Sadly this week, on Saturday whilst at home in the loving care of his family, Roy Blennerhassett was promoted to glory to the care and eternal love of the Lord. Roy had with much courage and grace faced ongoing illness but has received dedicated and devoted care from Thelma, Helen, Elizabeth, David and their families. Please hold Thelma and all the family in your love and prayers at this difficult time.
This week we start our journey through Holy Week and we reflect on the many challenges and injustice faced by Jesus during this time. As we make this journey we consider the pain, humiliation and agony that Jesus faced as He died for us. We look forward with anticipation and hope to the wonder of Easter Day but recognise that sadly this year we will be unable to meet together in person at this time. Many events are being held virtually throughout the week including services on Good Friday and Easter Day via both WhyPay and Zoom, together with opportunities to join virtual daily reflections. The diary of all these events were included on the back of Rev Linda’s letter from last week, please do join them if you can.
Hopefully you have received a package from the Events team which includes a card and gifts for the Easter season from your Church friends. As always we are grateful for the organisation, planning and skills of the Event team and for all their kindness and support in keeping us connected as a church family.
At Trentham whilst our Church building is closed we want to continue our tradition of transforming the empty Cross which will be placed outside of the Church on Good Friday. On Easter morning we would normally be decorating the Cross with flowers. We invite you to bring some flowers and place them on the Cross outside as a sign of the hope and life that Jesus our Risen Saviour brings.  The flowers can also be placed in memory of those who have passed away during this year or for someone who is unwell at this time.  We also ask that you tell your neighbours, friends and family about the Easter Cross and invite them to place a flower in memory of those who have passed on over this Covid year.   The Cross will be in place for flowers from Easter Weekend and through Easter week. Please do remember to maintain social distancing when placing your flowers on the Cross.
Our reading this week is from Mark Ch11 v1-11 and is often referred to as the Triumphal Entry and is the traditional reading for Palm Sunday which commences Holy Week.
The story tells us that on approach to Jerusalem, Jesus sent ahead two of his disciples to find a colt in the nearby village and bring it back to him. He reminded them that if challenged they should reply, “The Lord needs it and will send it back later”  When they returned with the colt they threw their cloaks over it and Jesus sat on it. The people gathered threw their cloaks on the road and spread palm branches from the fields. Many shouted “Hosanna – Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the Temple. He looked around at everything but as it was late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
When Israel’s rulers wanted to present themselves as servants of the people, they rode donkeys. When they acted as military leaders, they rode horses. Pilgrims in Jerusalem will have entered on foot. Here we find that the Lord rides on a colt, loaned for the purpose we assume by strangers out of obedience for the King. Jesus knew exactly where the colt could be found and sent the disciples with clear instructions. This event must have been planned in advance. When the disciples were challenged about releasing the colt, the owners gave their permission. We are told the colt was unbroken meaning it had not been previously ridden. In the account however we learn that Jesus was able to ride the animal with ease.
Here is an animal that no one had ever sat on – but Jesus sat on him, and he was quiet, responsive, and obedient, and carried him through the streets of the crowded city.
The City would have been busy for the Passover and the streets full, yet the crowds placed garments on the ground before Jesus. This would have been a sign of royal homage and respect. The garments of the crowds would have been valuable and to have them trodden underfoot, especially by a hooved animal, would be a great loss. Jesus enters the City as a suffering servant, riding on a loaned donkey rather than as a conquering warrior riding on a regal stallion. This is a sign of the humility to keep his glory cloaked as He comes to the temple.
Mark is the only writer of the four gospels who describes Jesus visiting the Temple and leaving immediately. The account does not mention a crowd at the Temple, no mention of the excitement and anticipation from the crowds lining the route. Once at the Temple, Jesus does nothing, says nothing, he looks around but leaves and goes to Bethany. This is often described as a strange and bewildering anti=climax to the triumphal entry to Jerusalem. Perhaps Jesus was retreating, moving out of the Town, perhaps he needed to be somewhere else or perhaps he was sacred. He had heard and was aware of what was about to happy in Holy Week. Perhaps he was having doubts or questions or simply needed time away. I am sure we have all faced difficult and painful experiences where we too just wanted to leave and go away. This was however an official visit of the King of Israel, an inspection of the heart of the city. Yet he said nothing and it seems he was not noticed.
Leaving the Temple could be both significant and unique. In Matthew we hear that the whole City was in turmoil when Jesus enters. In this gospel Jesus at this time drives out the traders and over turns the tables in the Temple but we know that in John’s gospel this has already occurred. John’s gospel is also the only one to report that Jesus promised to return the colt to its owner. Perhaps he has to leave the Temple to ensure the colt was returned to its owner? Perhaps this was another example of Jesus keeping his promise. For some, at times like Christmas and Easter, people focus on Jesus with great anticipation but then follow this with apathy. Possibly at the Temple Jesus felt ignored and this caused him to depart. Perhaps this was not really a triumphal entry but a reminder that simple celebration is not discipleship and enthusiasm is not faith.
Maybe returning the colt was a reminder to keep our promises, to let go of things or arrange a return. Perhaps we have to let go of a grudge, anger, fear, guilt or envy.
As we journey into Holy Week perhaps this is the time to return to or release all to God – handing our worries and concerns to him in Trust and faith. Throughout Holy Week despite the difficulties and challenges Jesus stayed true to himself. He reclaimed and loved the lost, ignored, forgotten, rejected and denied. He sets for us an example of what we should do in our Christian journey. Returning the colt is how Holy Week begins, returning to God and ourselves is the promise of how this week will end.
 
You can join with friends from the Church and Circuit by joining the weekly Zoom Service at 11.30am each Sunday morning (by either computer or telephone) using the links below.
Topic: Sunday Service 11.30 am – Our Service this week will be led by Rev Jeff Short
Time: This is a recurring meeting
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4775422768
or just click here.
Meeting ID: 477 542 2768 (No password is required)
Dial by your location
0203 481 5237
0203 481 5240
0203 901 7895
0131 460 1196
0203 051 2874
Meeting ID: 477 542 2768
We also have a telephone service each week using WhyPay at 10.00am on Sunday morning.
If you wish to join this the number is 0333 0110 946 and the Room Number is 47927697# and the Pin is 1145#
Please do continue if you are able to pray at 6.00pm each evening and join with others from our Church so that we can unite in the power of prayer.
Please also pray for those on our prayer list.  
 Barry and Linda
Ashley, Debbie and family
Stuart and Sylvia
Frank
Ralph
Pat
Kevin and family
Robert & Jocelyn
Beryl
Karen
Ken and Pat
Chris and Dianne
Malcolm, Anne and family
Arthur
Eileen and Carl
Rev Alex
Don
Margaret B
Alan
Doreen
Jean
Beaulah
Alan and Heather
Linda and family
Carol, Dave and Logan
Janet, Steve and family
Les, Olga and family
Charles
You can find reflections and biblical stories on our Circuit YouTube channel including new material added weekly from Rev Linda, Rev Jeff and others at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBhbVptj0forVkUfmmsvd_w
or just click here.
Please continue to stay safe and know that you are surrounded by the love and prayers of your Church family.
With every blessing
Ian