We are a group of 8 rural parishes in the beautiful Norfolk countryside, who enjoy living, working and worshiping together.
The Group was founded in 1964. This was a pioneering and visionary step taken by Bishop Launcelot Fleming to revitalise and enrich the church in an area of thinly populated villages.
This has been our experience. Since then, the parishes have grown together and continue to share resources and benefit from opportunities for collaboration in numerous ways. We have discovered that can do more together than we can alone.
This is abundantly evident in these difficult times, where a network of practical support and help has emerged in our villages. Thank you to those who have a share in this. We all have different needs and there are those who can assist. Let’s continue to cope with this crisis with a spirit of kindness and loving service to those around us. Please don’t hesitate to contact someone to help or just for a chat.
If I can be of help, I am only a phone
call away 01508 482366.
The Reverend Liz Billett
Team Vicar
May your unfailing love be with us, LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33:22
To contact us please call The Hempnall Group office, 9am-1pm Mon-Thurs 01508 498157
To receive Weekly Thoughts and Prayers please email: hempnallgroup.office@btinternet.com
To receive monthly Village News please email: hempnallgroup.office@btinternet.com
During this current national lockdown it has been decided in our Group of Parishes not to hold services in our churches on Sundays.
Sunday Morning Service at 10.00am
Group Eucharist at Topcroft Church
Family Praise Service - Sunday at 4.00pm
Meeting ID: 424 564 8959 | Passcode: Hempnall
Thoughts and Prayers for the Week
Sunday 18th April Third Sunday of Easter
Prayer for the Week
Risen Christ,
You filled your disciples with boldness and fresh hope:
strengthen us to proclaim your risen life
and fill us with your peace,
to the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
Thought for the Week
After Easter the disciples were together and all the doors were locked. They were together to support and comfort each other. The doors were locked because they were afraid. They dreaded the sound of heavy footsteps on the stairs. But instead, they felt a presence with them, and a soft voice “Peace be with you” what joy Jesus was with them.
But one of the twelve Thomas was not there we don’t know why. Perhaps he needed to be quiet to try and understand how Jesus could have died. As soon as they meet up again the disciples rush to tell him “We’ve seen the Lord, he’s alive!”
Thomas, still in mourning, is met by this joyous group telling him something he can’t believe,
Instead of responding with joy he is angry “Unless I see his scars and touch them I will not believe”.
Maybe his actions were prompted by guilt; when Lazarus was ill the disciples discussed going to Bethany but felt it was too dangerous. Thomas said “Let us all go, so that we may die with him” - Brave words but Thomas hadn’t died, Jesus had died, Thomas with all the others had run away!
A week later the disciples and, Thomas, were again together - Jesus speaks “Thomas touch my wounds, stop your doubting and believe.”
Thomas is overwhelmed “My Lord and my God.”
My friends we all have our doubts,
We don’t always understand why things happen
But in our hearts he comes to us “Peace be with you".
~From June Cutting~
Let us continue to support and strengthen each other
~ Daily by saying the Lord's Prayer together, morning and evening
~ Lighting a candle at home 10.00am on Sunday
Readings for the week:
Acts 3: 12-19 | Psalm 4 | 1 John 3:1-7 | Luke 24:36b-48
