Easter Newsletter
An online edition of the Easter Newsletter is available here.
Sunday Worship
(updated 31 March 2021)
9.30am, Ormiston & Pencaitland (alternating)
For the next while we will continue the same pattern of a 9.30am service in one or other of the church buildings, plus an online meeting at 10.45am. Services last 30-40 minutes and the same requirements still apply: face coverings, use of hand sanitiser, social distancing and no singing. We’d love to welcome you if you’d like to come but, if not, please join us online if you can.
Booking is still a necessity. Please remember to do so by 1pm each Friday.
For Ormiston, please ring or email Margaret Jarvis: 01875 614506 – C4meg@aol.com
For Pencaitland, please ring or email Eileen Henderson: 01875 340482 – henders2@sky.com
Easter Day – 4th April
To enable each congregation to worship together in-person on Easter Sunday, there will be a service in both churches at 9.30am. John Hunter will lead one and David the other. The online service will continue at 10.45am. Each of these will include the celebration of communion. Those worshipping online are encouraged to set aside some bread and wine (or wine substitute) in their own home beforehand.
Services thereafter
In the weeks between Easter and Pentecost, we will resume a fortnightly, alternating pattern of services at 9.30am each Sunday, with an online service at 10.45am. People are welcome to worship online or in either congregation as they prefer. Please note, there will be a service in OPC on both 4th and 11th April.
April
Sunday 11th – 9.30 Ormiston, 10.45 online
Sunday 18th – 9.30 Pencaitland, 10.45 online
Sunday 25th – 9.30 Ormiston, 10.45 online
May
Sunday 2nd – 9.30 Pencaitland, 10.45 online
Sunday 9th – 9.30 Ormiston, 10.45 online
Sunday 16th – 9.30 Pencaitland, 10.45 online
All previous restrictions still apply
This means: face coverings / no singing / social distancing / limit on numbers / booking beforehand.
Please book for the following Sunday by 1pm each Friday.
For Ormiston, ring / email Margaret Jarvis: 01875 614506 – C4meg@aol.com
For Pencaitland, ring / email Eileen Henderson: 01875 340482 – henders2@sky.com
Holy Week
A series of daily reflections will be available each morning from Palm Sunday to Easter Day. These can be accessed through the Church of Scotland or via our own church website. Those without internet may listen on the phone by ringing 0333 340 9200 (charged as a local call). Each episode will be led by the Moderator (The Rt Rev’d Dr Martin Fair) and will include readings, prayers, reflections and music; with ministers, deacons, elders and others from across the Church taking part. New reflections can be accessed each day via The Church of Scotland YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb-SAGfEEgCe5C99SvVEzBQ
CofS: www.churchofscotland.org.uk
By phone: 0333 340 9200
A huge ‘thank you’ to everyone who has helped facilitate online or in-person services over the last few months. We’re grateful also to those who’ve been willing to take part. Although we look for brighter things in the new year, our national perplexities remain meanwhile.
Easter Activities
Younger people will each receive an Activity Bag with material from the Scottish Bible Society, for children to use over Easter weekend. If you would like one for any child not normally part of congregational worship, please speak to Lindsey Mainds.
People of all ages are invited to paint or otherwise decorate a stone, which can then be laid out in a cross shape on the paved area beside the church. To save looking for your own, a selection of stones are available from a container at the front of the church. Please contact Lindsey Mainds if you wish to know more.
The Guild is using grant monies for an Easter Art Project, with members variously knitting, painting eggs and decorating cards. Please be in touch with Margaret Jarvis for more information.
People new to the village – cards have been prepared and palm crosses purchased for delivery to the new housing area. We’re grateful to Lesley McConnachie, Agnes Brown, Jim Blane, Lindsey & David Mainds for arranging this. If you are aware of anyone else in any other part of the village who has moved in recently, please let one of the above know.
Sunday Devotions
10.45am, Every Sunday
To share with Ormiston & Pencaitland churches this weekend, please do so through one of the options below and follow the prompts. The link will ‘go live’ at 10.30am to give everyone time to join and get settled.
We look forward to welcoming you.
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As it is being hosted as a Zoom webinar, there are various ways to connect digitally
If using a PC, smartphone, tablet, or iPad
Please click on the following or enter it into your browser
https://zoom.us/j/97002208617?pwd=UWZBZEkzNXZPZVJJK2RQWGpIQWtYZz09
If this is your first time using Zoom, it is recommended to click on the link now to download the app and set things up beforehand. This will help avoid any delay in joining on the day.
Note: you do not need a microphone or webcam
Reflections for Holy week are available here
Starting Monday 6th April [please check back each day]
Try Praying – for those who don’t do church
As in previous years, there is an encouragement to pray this April. It is intended for ordinary folk who don’t see themselves as religious but want to try praying. East Coast Buses will carry a promotion, directing people to www.trypraying.co.uk - a website belonging to There is Hope.
Booklets and other resources for children and adults may be ordered free, or you can download a 7-day app to get you started.
Booklets are also available on the railings outside the Church. Anyone can help themselves. Please contact us if you want versions for children and teenagers.
Carols for Christmas
Remembrance
Due to current Covid restrictions, public events at War Memorials were not permitted this year. Ormiston's Act of Remembrance took place in the church building on Sunday 8th November. Wreaths were presented at the front of the church, at the communion table, and then discreetly placed at the War Memorials afterwards. Please click the image below to see photos. These include pictures of the church service, the placing of two wreaths at the WW1 Memorial beside the church, and the two wreaths placed at the village War Memorial for WW1 and WW2.
Remembrance Message
Please click below for a pre-recorded message from the minister. Entitled WHEN THE NATION PRAYED, it looks back to seven days of national prayer called by King and Parliament during WW2. The BBC also broadcast the chimes of Big Ben as a daily Minute of Prayer and Rededication each night at 9pm. This is followed by the UK Blessing, recorded in May of this year, during lockdown.
Lockdown Resources
Over the coming weeks we aim to post a number of links to particular articles, podcasts, videos etc which some have found interesting or helpful. These will be updated as and when there are new materials to post. These are available on the Lockdown Resources section of the website.
Church address: Ormiston Parish Church, 22 Main Street, Ormiston, Tranent, EH35 5HT