Cheddington Methodist Church
Minister Rev Noreen Daley-Lee tel no: 01525 240083
A MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER
The Day of Pentecost. I will be on sabbatical from June to August, so I thought of reflecting on one of my favourite liturgical seasons, the day of Pentecost where the last day of Easter is like the last piece put into the jigsaw. The coming of the promised Holy Spirit upon the Christian community signifies the completion of the paschal mystery. Christ has died, has been raised and has ascended and now the Father has sent the Spirit.
Luke gives a pictorial view of the coming of the Holy Spirit:
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. (Act 2:1-14)
The remarkable thing about this phenomenon is that people from all over the world heard them and understood them, Peter spoke powerfully and many came to faith. Though the Acts story is the principal story about the coming of the Holy Spirit each year, John 20:19-23 advocates that the Holy Spirit was already at work some weeks before Pentecost.
Therefore, it is noteworthy that we exercise care when we speak of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. This was the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Christian community, but it was not the first experience of the Holy Spirit as if there had been no Holy Spirit before. Genesis speaks of the Spirit hovering over the waters when the world was created (Genesis 1.2). The Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary at the annunciation (Luke 1:35) and inspired Elizabeth when Mary visited her (Luke 1:41). God’s Spirit is at work in the world; however, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit on the faith community and for this reason it is known as ‘the birthday of the Church’. I yearn for a fresh outpouring of the Spirit on the Church and on the world.
So may the Spirit of God, who hovered over the waters when the world was created, breathe into us the life it gives.
May the Spirit, who overshadowed the Virgin Mary when God the Son came among us, make us joyful in the service of the Lord.
May the Spirit, who set the Church on fire on the day of Pentecost, set me on fire for my sabbatical and bring the world alive with the love of the risen Christ.
Amen.
Noreen
SERVICES FOR 2025
Good Friday, 18 March at 9.15 am ‘Raising the Cross’ – a short service of reflection will take place on the forecourt of the Methodist Church.
We welcome everyone to come along to our church to share in our worship and other activities. Services begin on Sundays at 10.30 am unless otherwise stated.
| Sunday 6th April |
3pm Rev Noreen Daley-Lee |
| Sunday 13th April |
Mr David Neville – Palm Sunday
3.30 pm Messy Church |
| Sunday 20th April |
Rev Noreen Daley-Lee – Easter Sunday - Family Communion Service |
| Sunday 27th April |
Mr Peter Baker |
| Sunday 4th May |
3pm Rev Richard Atkinson |
| Sunday 11th May |
Mr Ken Harris |
| Sunday 18th May |
No Service at Cheddington – Joint Service at Wingrave Methodist Church – Rev Noreen Daley-Lee
3.30 pm at Cheddington – Messy Church |
| Sunday 25th May |
Rev Hayford Ofori-Attah – Service of Holy Communion |
"THE TOAST” – FOR PARENTS, CARERS and LITTLE ONES
For all parents/carers of pre-school children and babies, join us in the Chapel schoolroom on Monday mornings 9.30 – 11.00 during term time for a gentle start to the week. There are toys, activities and refreshments (including toast!) and a warm welcome. Contact Cathy Craft email:
OPEN DOORS – Friday morning 10.30 a.m – noon at the Methodist Chapel.
This is an opportunity for all to meet/socialise each Friday morning and have a cup of tea/coffee and a biscuit/cake. Contact Stuart Minall email: for more information.
MEN’S GROUP: This usually meets on the first Friday of each month at 10.45 am to noon. Contact: Chris Shepheard on 661849.
The Singalong Café. Please note there will be no Singalong during May. It will resume on 10th June 2.30 – 4.30 pm.
BOOKS and JIGSAWS: A collection of paperback books and jigsaws for buying or borrowing; if you are able to make a small donation that would be appreciated. Do come and have a look to see if there is anything of interest to you. The schoolroom is usually open 9.30 – 11 am on Monday mornings during term time or Friday mornings 10.30 – 12 noon. If you have paperback books, in good condition, or jigsaws that you would like to pass on do bring them along.
WARM SPACES: The Methodist Schoolroom will be open on Fridays 12 noon to 2.00 pm for a soup lunch for all those who would like to meet together. Donations of tins of soup or bread, tea/coffee or biscuits can be dropped off at the Chapel on Fridays from 10.30 am. This is a Churches Together initiative in conjunction with the Parish Council to whom we are most grateful for their financial support. All enquiries to Cathy Craft email:
LOOP SYSTEM
For those people with hearing aids, we have an induction loop system installed and working in the chapel.
Schoolroom Bookings: A projector and screen are available. For all enquiries, please contact Janet Banham, Tel. 660205 or email .