Lent starts today! During Lent, we are holding a group 5-6.30pm at The Rectory every Sunday for 5 weeks starting this Sunday 26th Feb. The group will be doing a Lectio Course which is a five session video series with Pete Greig and special guests exploring the ancient practice of Lectio Divina: learning how to hear God by praying the Bible. Please come and join us – everyone welcome!
Lent
Ash Wednesday 22nd February
Our Ash Wednesday Service is on Wednesday evening at 7:30pm. This is a quiet service of prayer and preparation for Lent, including ashing, for those who would like to participate, having the sign of the cross made in ash on your forehead. It is a moving way to begin the Lent journey towards Easter. All welcome.
Holy Week 2022
Palm Sunday
This Sunday is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, leading us through the last week of Lent to a joyful Easter. This Sunday we will meet at the Market Cross, outside The Queens Head at 10am, to make a Palm Sunday procession to the church building, waving our palms and singing. Give us a smile and a wave if you see us, or come and join in this special service. If you are unable to join the procession, wait for us in church – we will arrive in style to worship with you!

Lent Course, Wednesdays at 7:30pm
๐๐๐The 3rd session of our Lent Course continues on Wednesday evening (23rd March) at 7:30pm at The Rectory, hosted by Revโd Tim and Dawn, reflecting on the season of Lent with poetry. No prior knowledge needed, and even if you missed the first two, if youโd like to join in, please do! ๐๐๐
Poetry Lent Course
๐๐๐Our Lent Course starts on Wednesday at 7:30pm, hosted by Revโd Tim and Dawn at the Rectory. This year the sessions will be reflecting on the season of Lent with poetry. Session 1 on 9th March, 5 sessions altogether. All welcome. ๐๐๐
Lent Lunches start this Friday 4th March
Every Friday starting this Friday, 4th March and concluding on Friday April 1st, we will be holding our Lent Lunches at 12 noon in the church hall. This will be a simple soup lunch and we welcome donations at each lunch, which will go to the Andover foodbank. Come along and join us for lunch and a chat, and raise money for a good cause at the same time.

Ash Wednesday Service at 7:30pm
Lent is approaching, and Ash Wednesday offers us the opportunity to prepare ourselves and mark the beginning of Lent with a special Ash Wednesday evening service on Wednesday 2nd March at 7:30pm at St James. The service includes traditional ashing and Holy Communion and will be led by Revโd Tim and Revโd Wenda. All are welcome to join this special midweek time of prayer and preparation.

Easter Vigil – Saturday 3rd April 8pm
Join us online on our Facebook page to hear readings and prayers as we retell each other God’s promises of salvation while we await the joy of Easter Day at our video Easter Vigil. The service will last about 50mins. https://www.facebook.com/StJamesLudgershall
Alternatively, there is also an in person Easter Vigil in the churchyard around the Easter fire, also at 8pm. Please dress warmly as the forecast is dry but cold.

Holy Week
Friends, here is a quick reminder of the Holy Week services and events here at St James:
All week: our Stations of The Cross in the Churchyard
Maundy Thursday: in addition to our published programme, an outdoor Holy Communion service at 10:30am. There will also be online services available from the Cathedral on Thursday throughout the day.
Good Friday: a video led Stations of The Cross contemplation will be broadcast on this page at 1pm
Holy Saturday: an in person outdoor Easter Vigil and Service of Light in the churchyard around the Easter fire, and also an online broadcast Easter Vigil here on this page, all at 8pm.
Easter Sunday: Dawn Service broadcast on this page from Sidbury Hill at 6:30am, followed by an in person churchyard service or Holy Communion and an online service also broadcast by Castledown FM at 10am.
Revโd Tim and Revโd Jimmy will also be distributing Communion on your doorstep, if you live in our parish and would like them to do this and are unable to come to our in person Communion on either Thursday or Sunday. If you would like to have your name added to their list, please message us. Thank you.
