Please join in a show of solidarity for Ukraine this Saturday at the Godalming bandstand in Phillips Memorial Park. All political parties and local churches are coming together at this time, with speakers including Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Councillor Paul Follows (Lib Dem), Nick Palmer (Labour) and other local dignitaries. Prayers will be led by Rev Simon Taylor.
Blog
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# 6 Wednesday 9th March
come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him
1 Peter 2:2
# 5 Tuesday 8th March
…crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
1 Peter 2:2
#4 Monday 7th March
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
1 Peter
#3 Friday 4th March
With minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
1 Peter 1: 13
Notices for 6 March
Prime Time tea and pancakes in Busbridge Church on Shrove Tuesday. It was such a success it’s set to become an annual event! Living it out – Humility
Reading: 1 Peter 2: 11-25Part 3 of the sermon series The Character of Living Holiness, with readings from 1 Peter
THIS SUNDAY
9.15AM BUSBRIDGE Classic Service [Holy Communion]
Led by: Margot Spencer
Speaker: Philippa Baker
Busbridge Church & Online9.30AM HAMBLEDON Heritage Service
Leader: Patrick Samuels
Speaker: Simon Willetts
Hambledon Church & Online10.30AM MUDDY Church
Leaders: Mark Puddephatt and Suzie Lambert
The Old Rectory Garden10.30AM HAMBLEDON Contemporary Service
Leader: Patrick Samuels
Speaker: Simon Willetts
Hambledon Church6PM BUSBRIDGE Evening
Leader & Speaker: Simon Willetts
Busbridge ChurchNext Sunday 13 Mar
Living as witnesses – unafraid
Reading: 1 Peter 3: 8-17Part 3 of Living Holiness
9.15AM BUSBRIDGE Classic Service
Led by: Peter Shaw
Speaker: Simon Willetts
Busbridge Church & Online9.30AM HAMBLEDON Heritage Service [Holy Communion]
Leader & Speaker: David Jenkins
Hambledon Church & Online10.30AM BUSBRIDGE Contemporary Service
Leaders: Margot Spencer
Speaker: Simon Willetts
Busbridge Church & Online10.30AM HAMBLEDON Contemporary Service
Leader & Speaker: David Jenkins
Hambledon Church
We encourage everyone to continue to pray for peace in Ukraine, to to give financially to the DEC appeal which receives match funding from the UK government. Click above to give directly. 
Click the image above too find out about Lent and Easter events. LIVING LENT Letting the light shine
The BHC theme for Lent this year is “Letting the Light Shine”, and cultivating JOY, even in testing times. To accompany the journey through 1 Peter in the sermon series, there will be short daily reflections online. 40 key verses from 1 Peter have been shortlisted, and members of the church and the clergy team will shine their light in the reflections. You can access the Lent Reflections on the web site – why not add the page to the Home screen on your phone (use the forwarding function). Or on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Take your online pick!Living Lent challenge booklets are available for children, and were given to all children at Busbridge Junior School on at the BJS Ash Wednesday assembly.
World Day of Prayer 4 March. There will be a local service at St Nicholas Church, Peperharow, on Friday 4th March at 10.30am. The service this year is entitled ‘I know the plans I have for you’ and is compiled by the women of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Everyone is welcome – men as well as women, and children too.
Godalming Minster Evaluation of joining the benefices of Busbridge&Hambledon with St Peter and St Paul’s and St Mark’s.
Following the Bishop’s invitation to Busbridge&Hambledon Church, St Peter and St Paul’s Church and St Mark’s Church to evaluate the creation of a single parish, the PCCs have begun the process, coordinated by the Godalming Minster Evaluation Steering Group. Working groups have been created to look at different areas: Finance, Property, Services and Worship, Clergy, 0-18s, and Ops and Admin. The Steering Group will provide regular updates, the first of which can be found below:Godalming Minster Evaluation Update #1
Minster Evaluation Steering Group and Working Group people charts
CALL TO PRAYER for UKRAINE and Minster Evaluation Process:
9AM Wednesdays on Zoom
5PM Sundays 13 March and 10 April at St Peter and St Paul’s ChurchMembers of BHC, St Mark’s and St Peter & St Paul are called to pray together for both the situation in Ukraine, and to undergird the discussions regarding the Bishop’s suggestion that we become one parish with St. Peter and St. Paul and St. Mark’s Churches and form a Minster. Please join the special meetings at St Peter and St Paul’s on 13 March and 10 April.
Members of both parishes are also invited to join Busbridge Morning Prayer led by Andy Spencer on Wednesday mornings on Zoom. The group will use the following Minster Prayer each time:
Father of all,
we thank you for our oneness in Christ.
As we consider the way forward,
please guide our discussions
and enrich our understanding
of what it means to be your disciples
in this town, at this time.
Show us the path ahead,
with the clarity that only your Holy Spirit can give. Amen.For the Zoom link to join Monday Prayer on Wednesdays, please go the Prayer page.
The Yew Tree Café – Opening 16 March 2022
Yes, it really is! We are delighted to announce the appointment of the two assistant managers: Donna Rigby and Luke Taylor who started work to prepare for the opening this week. Welcome to Donna and Luke!
Sponsor an item
Thanks to all those who have generously bought an item for the café. You can still sponsor an item – everything from a mop and bucket to a coffee cup to a sofa! We want the café to be owned by the whole congregation and this is one very practical way of demonstrating this. View the YEW TREE items sponsorship list and go to Donate and either donate by BACS transfer or the donate function and use ref: YT[item].Volunteer! See the vacancies page.
Response to the call for café volunteers has be been great, but we’d like a few more people, particularly to help on Fridays and Saturdays. Training will take place next week, but If you would like to find out more, please contact us on: Yewtreecafe@BHCGodalming.org or talk to Lizzie, Karen Hart, Carol Jones, Chris Garner or Sarah Black at the end of services, or pop you details in the form below:Road Steward needed for Summerhouse road. There is a vacancy coming up for a road steward to be the church rep, pray for and deliver the Bridge magazine in Summerhouse road. Please contact David Brockman e: editor.atthebridge@gmail.com if you could take on this role.
Coming Up:
All welcome. Come along to hear about some of the brave local women who worked for the Special Operations Executive during World War II. Click here for more details. 
Prime Time presents … all welcome. See the list below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event for details and the location (online or on site).
Looking Ahead
The Big Spring Clean will take place on 23 April – in the morning at Busbridge and the afternoon at Hambledon. It’s a great church family event, with physical work rewarded by a BBQ lunch and/or afternoon tea.
Alpha @ Hambledon Contemporary. The Hambledon Contemporary congregation which meets at 10.30am on Sundays is planning to start the Alpha course in May to which anyone wishing to explore the Christian faith is invited. Watch this space for more details, and get in touch with Simon.Willetts@bhcgodalming.org if this is something you’d like to try.
Join the Electoral Roll / 2022 APCMs on 22 May: 10.30am Busbridge & 4pm Hambledon. To vote in the elections of church officers (church wardens) and other matters you must be on the electoral roll. If you have not already enrolled, please submit you application form ASAP – see Electoral Roll.
Please Pray for
-
The Ukraine crisis
-
The Bridge Magazine
-
Those facing divorce
-
The Fairway and road steward Lorna Sherwin
-
The Hydons
ELSEWHERE
Please see the March issue of Link Up HERE and info on other local church events:
Invitation from Chris Jagger: Dan Eley is one of my heroes with whom I have served in El Salvador and Colombia prior and after his tragic accident in the Amazon jungle leading to paralysis from the neck down. His love for young people at home and abroad is stellate and his passion for music and creative energy echoes in my heart. Please support the efforts of our gifted young people – you will be awe-struck if you have not attended this event before – I always come away humbled by the genius gifting and disciplined practicing that lies behind the heavenly outcome. I will be there to welcome you at the door, Chris HOWLING OWL at the Holloway Hill Recreation ground:
The bar is open:-
Sundays 12 – 6pm
Tuesday 7.30 – 10.30
Thursday 8.30 – 10.30The horse box is open:-
Saturday 9-5
Sunday 9-5COVID NOTICE
All legal restrictions are now lifted for churches and places of worship. This means that face coverings are no longer a legal requirement in services. However, The Church of England and the Bishop of Guildford suggest that churches consider maintaining some precautions for the care and consideration of all members, and that these are at the discretion of the incumbent.Busbridge&Hambledon church continues to welcome the use of face coverings in services, and a supply of masks and hand sanitiser is available in both churches and the Old Rectory. Neither church is large enough to guarantee social distancing, but we hope that those who wish to keep a little more space between themselves and others can do so. Communion will be celebrated in one kind until the end of February, when the decision to share the common cup (or invest in individual glasses) will be reviewed again. Thank you for your ongoing co-operation, and respect for each other.
Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer.
PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE
To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@bhcgodalming.org or call 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.#2 Thursday 3rd March
You believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.
1 Peter 1: 8
#1 Ash Wednesday
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
1 Peter 1:2
Power or strength? Ukraine and the muchness of God
Tuesday 1 March at 6pm. All are invited to join together for Prayers Across Europe for Peace in Ukraine. Stop and pray, or use the link to join the YouTube prayers led by: Bishop Robert Innes https://europe.anglican.org/…/1781-prayers-across….
Ash Wednesday – The Church of England is sharing the Pope’s call to all Christians to fast and pray for Ukraine. The traditional Ash Wednesday communion service at 8pm at Hambledon Church will also dedicate prayer to the situation. All welcome.
A reminder that Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer should you wish.
I once spoke to a weightlifter about what they noticed about people in the gym. She explained that it was broadly possible to identify two types of weightlifters. There were those who boosted themselves with additives. These weightlifters often had the ability to excel with short term bursts of power but they could become addicted to this power. There were other ‘lifters who took longer to develop muscle density because they did not take additives. Those who took time to build their muscles had long term strength compared to the power-lifters who soon lost power if they stopped taking the additives. The difference was what the ‘lifter called ‘power vs strength’. We see something of this when we see the incredibly enduring strength of peace-desiring Ukrainian resolve.
There is a great deal of difference between power and strength. Power is often external and derived from status and authority. Power can be legitimate but it can also be amassed through various means. The philosopher Plato made a distinction between power and strength back in 400BC. He noted that people make much of visible power, but what they really need is enduring strength. It is strength which provides resilience compared to power which has but a season until the burst of power has passed. In the Ancient World one of the best ways to be put in a place of power was to amble. Ambling was what Roman senators did if they wanted to get elected. They had to amble with the ordinary people to talk with them, hear their concerns and gain their vote. Ambling took time to do. You couldn’t rush it. It is why we say people are “ambling along”. Every year the senator had to do the same ambling, because power was temporary. Good temporary power comes from the people and it is earned, respected and used carefully. We know instinctively when power is being misused or abused. Something stirs in the soul. We cease to amble and our hearts quicken (Psalm 119:37). It is good to have hearts that are quickened – it means we care.
The source of Power
In the Bible God reveals that the source of true Power is located in Him and we are told what good power looks like. His is the enduring Power and Kings and all Rulers of this age answer to Him. Power when it relates to God is most referenced in terms of goodness, majesty, holiness, mercy and grace and this is the character of power which God expects of those who hold temporary, passing ‘bursts’ of power. The word most used for power is the same word in Hebrew as that which means to have authority or to hold responsibility.
Strength on the other hand is often associated with how we respond to God or our attitude to life’s situations. Like the weightlifter’s observation, we find in Scripture that strength lasts and is particularly visible in the hard times.
God is our strength and refuge, a very present help in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1).
Let the weak say I am strong (Joel 3:10).
Strength is usually revealed under much pressure. Strength in Hebrew is ‘me-od’. It is the word for “muchness”. We are reminded by God in His Word that his muchness (strength) is great; that His mercy is muchness. We are people of much strength because we are walking in holy step with the Living God of muchness of power.
Ukraine’s strength
When we look at Ukraine, or in a smaller way into our own lives, we may sense great power at work and we may wonder where this power is derived from. Sometimes things may appear so powerful that they might overwhelm us and our faith in Christ. When people act with power which is not in the way of God it will not last. The muscles that have been flexed too fast or the energy that has been consumed to create the power pass. As we approach Lent, we are called to remember that we are part of the enduring Power and strength of God, through the real resurrection of Christ from death. God who raised Christ Jesus is the God who sends His Spirit on us now.
We might feel that we have little to offer to the situation in Ukraine, but we do. Our strength right now is to stand with the people of Ukraine. We offer tangible signs of hope. There are practical ways to demonstrate standing with the people of Ukraine and the many peace-loving Russians for whom this is a terrible time. You may know Russians locally who cannot believe what they are witnessing and part of your strength may be to strengthen them. We offer strength in being bearers of peace. It is a peace which passes all human power. Only those who know Christ Jesus have this eternal peace – and it is something we offer to the whole world, in love. Each day we offer prayer. I personally kneel in prayer twice a day at the moment and pray for the Power and Strength of God to bring the invasion of a peaceful nation to a halt. Prayer is our strength in the Power of God to powerfully transform situations.
Prayer that intercedes is a power of strength beyond anything in any earthly arsenal. The Bishop of Guildford has asked that Christians in Surrey dedicate time to pray at 6pm on Tuesday 1st March. We have been asked by the Archbishop’s of Canterbury and York and by the Pope to dedicate time on Ash Wednesday for prayer for the people of Ukraine and its churches and fasting for peace. Please use these requests to strengthen your resolve in prayer.
Notices for 27 Feb 2022
Lent starts next Wednesday 2 March , and the Living Lent theme is Letting the light shine . The sermon series and daily reflections can help us grow our understanding and sense of JOY in this season, as described in 1 Peter. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent, and there will be a Communion Service at 8p.m. in Hambledon Church, to which all are welcome. Ash Wednesday focuses our hearts on repentance and prayer and is the start of our personal observance of the 40 days of Lent. Click the image above too find out about Lent and Easter events. living stones – Secure
Reading: 1 Peter 2: 4-10Part 2 of the sermon series The Character of Living Holiness, with readings from 1 Peter
THIS SUNDAY
9.15AM BUSBRIDGE Classic Service
Led by: Maggie Jagger
Speaker: Anto Ficatier
Busbridge Church & Online9.30AM HAMBLEDON Heritage Service
Leader and Speaker: Simon Taylor
Hambledon Church & Online10.30AM BUSBRIDGE Contemporary Service [Holy Communion]
Leaders: Abigail Hewlett & Patrick Samuels
Speaker: Suzie Lambert
Busbridge Church & Online10.30AM HAMBLEDON Contemporary Service
Leader and Speaker: Simon Taylor
Hambledon Church6PM Unplugged Youth Service
Led by: Anto Ficatier & the Unplugged Team
Busbridge ChurchASH WEDNESDAY 2 MAR
8PM Ash Wednesday Communion with ashing
Led by: Margot Spencer
Speaker: Simon Willetts
Hambledon Church and onlineNext Sunday 6 Mar
Living it out – Humility
Reading: 1 Peter 2: 11-25Part 3 of Living Holiness
9.15AM BUSBRIDGE Classic Service [Holy Communion]
Led by: Margot Spencer
Speaker: Philippa Baker
Busbridge Church & Online9.30AM HAMBLEDON Heritage Service
Leader: Patrick Samuels
Speaker: Simon Willetts
Hambledon Church & Online10.30AM MUDDY Church
Leaders: Mark Puddephatt and Suzie Lambert
The Old Rectory Garden10.30AM HAMBLEDON Contemporary Service
Leader: Patrick Samuels
Speaker: Simon Willetts
Hambledon Church6PM BUSBRIDGE Evening
Leader & Speaker: Simon Willetts
Busbridge Church
SHROVE TUESDAY / ASH WEDNESDAY
Prime Time are gathering next Tuesday afternoon to mark Shrove Tuesday and look ahead to the start of Lent the following day. As part of our celebrations the church bell will be rung at 3.30 that afternoon – a nod to The Pancake Bell tradition. This tradition dates back to the 16th century (so OK, we can’t claim that it’s a traditional happening in this parish as Busbridge Church doesn’t date back that far – but for the purposes of this exercise, we’re overlooking that fact!) In pre-Reformation times, the church bell ringing on the morning of Shrove Tuesday was a call for parishioners to attend church in order that the parish priest could hear their confessions in order to gain absolution ahead of Lent. After the Reformation however, Shrove Tuesday began to be seen as a holiday, especially for apprentices who were released from their duties for the day – usually signalled by the ringing of the church bell at 11am. As Prime Time are gathering in the afternoon, we will not be ringing the bell at 11am – but we will be ringing it at 3.30pm as a signal to the pupils and staff at Busbridge Junior School that they are released from their studies and are free to go home and eat pancakes!LIVING LENT Letting the light shine
The BHC theme for Lent this year is “Letting the Light Shine”, and cultivating JOY, even in testing times. To accompany the journey through 1 Peter in the sermon series, there will be short daily reflections online. 40 key verses from 1 Peter have been shortlisted, and it would be great if members of the church could shine their light in the reflections, along with members of the clergy team. If you’d like to contribute a short (30-60 seconds) thought or prayer on one or 2 of the days, or would just like to find out more, please fill in the form below. You can submit this in writing or ideally film it on your phone.Living Lent challenge booklets are available for children, and will be going out to all children at Busbridge Junior School on Wednesday too.
World Day of Prayer 4 March. There will be a local service at St Nicholas Church, Peperharow, on Friday 4th March at 10.30am. The service this year is entitled ‘I know the plans I have for you’ and is compiled by the women of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Everyone is welcome – men as well as women, and children too.
Godalming Minster Evaluation of joining the benefices of Busbridge&Hambledon with St Peter and St Paul’s and St Mark’s.
Following the Bishop’s invitation to Busbridge&Hambledon Church, St Peter and St Paul’s Church and St Mark’s Church to evaluate the creation of a single parish, the PCCs have begun the process, coordinated by the Godalming Minster Evaluation Steering Group. Working groups have been created to look at different areas: Finance, Property, Services and Worship, Clergy, 0-18s, and Ops and Admin. The Steering Group will provide regular updates, the first of which can be found below:Godalming Minster Evaluation Update #1
Minster Evaluation Steering Group and Working Group people charts
PRAYER for the Evaluation Process
Members of BHC, St Mark’s and St Peter & St Paul are invited to join Busbridge Morning Prayer led by Andy Spencer on Wednesday mornings on Zoom. Busbridge Morning Prayer is 9-9.20ish and follows a short opening liturgy (screen-shared), a short Bible Reading and reflection and then open prayer (not all pray out loud) followed by a collective Lord’s Prayer and a final prepared sending out prayer. The group will pray about the Minister discernment process but also about other issues both local and international. We will also use the following Minster Prayer each time:Father of all,
we thank you for our oneness in Christ.
As we consider the way forward,
please guide our discussions
and enrich our understanding
of what it means to be your disciples
in this town, at this time.
Show us the path ahead,
with the clarity that only your Holy Spirit can give. Amen.The best way to enter the Prayer Room is via the BHC website clicking on to ‘Connect’ at the top of the page, and then clicking on Prayer in the dropdown box. In the Prayer Section there is a coloured box ‘Join Busbridge Online Morning Prayer 9 am Wednesdays’. The password is 2022.
The Yew Tree Café – Opening March 2022
Decorating the Yew Tree Café is a family affair! Thanks to Carol and her sister for donning their overalls this week, and for everyone (paid and unpaid) who are pulling out the stops to get the café ready for opening. Sponsor an item
Thanks to all those who have generously bought an item for the café. You can still sponsor an item – everything from a mop and bucket to a coffee cup to a sofa! We want the café to be owned by the whole congregation and this is one very practical way of demonstrating this. View the YEW TREE items sponsorship list and go to Donate and either donate by BACS transfer or the donate function and use ref: YT[item].Volunteer! See the vacancies page.
Response to the initial call for café volunteers has be been great, but we’d like a few more people to make the team up to approx 20. If you would like to find out more, please contact us on: Yewtreecafe@BHCGodalming.org or talk to Lizzie, Karen Hart, Carol Jones, Chris Garner or Sarah Black at the end of services, or pop you details in the form below:Road Steward needed for Summerhouse road. There is a vacancy coming up for a road steward to be the church rep, pray for and deliver the Bridge magazine in Summerhouse road. Please contact David Brockman e: editor.atthebridge@gmail.com if you could take on this role.
Coming Up:
All welcome. Come along to hear about some of the brave local women who worked for the Special Operations Executive during World War II. Click here for more details. Prime Time presents … all welcome. See the list below or look up dates further ahead in the full calendar. Select the event for details and the location (online or on site).
Looking Ahead
The Big Spring Clean will take place on 23 April – in the morning at Busbridge and the afternoon at Hambledon. It’s a great church family event, with physical work rewarded by a BBQ lunch and/or afternoon tea.
Alpha @ Hambledon Contemporary. The Hambledon Contemporary congregation which meets at 10.30am on Sundays is planning to start the Alpha course in May to which anyone wishing to explore the Christian faith is invited. Watch this space for more details, and get in touch with Simon.Willetts@bhcgodalming.org if this is something you’d like to try.
2022 APCMs on 22 May: 10.30am Busbridge & 4pm Hambledon. To vote in the elections of church officers (church wardens) and other matters you must be on the electoral roll. If you have not already enrolled in recent years, please submit you application form ASAP – see Electoral Roll.
Please Pray for
-
The Ukraine crisis
-
The Bridge Magazine
-
Those facing divorce
-
The Fairway and road steward Lorna Sherwin
-
The Hydons
ELSEWHERE
Please see the February issue of Link Up HERE and info on other local church events:
DECISION MAKING AND THE WILL OF GOD Led by Andy Peck, Saturday 23rd April 2022, 9.30 am – 1 pm. (Coffee available from 9 am) at Godalming Baptist Church, Queen Street, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1BA
If you are looking to following in the ways of Jesus you will want to do what He says, but this is not always easy to figure out, especially when there is no chapter and verse on the topic.
Whether you have a major decision ahead or not, make the decision to attend, and all other decisions will be sorted!
Andy Peck is a Bible teacher, trainer, broadcaster and editor who has made his fair share of decision mistakes!
He hopes that sharing what God has taught him will benefit those who attend. He is married to Nic (his best decision) and has two teenage boys.
Please reserve a place, with payment of £5, by contacting Sally Pollard (email: pollard3@hotmail.co.uk) Tel-01483-428646 by Friday 14th April
There is a Spring ‘Naturally Supernatural Conference 2022’ being put on this year because of the volume of demand. It is on Wednesday 11th to Saturday 14th May at Soul Survivor Watford. The conference is all about spending time in God’s presence, with extended times of worship and ministry. We’ll be studying God’s word and hearing from some great teachers as we explore what it means to live biblical, naturally supernatural lives today. It’s only £76 as well. If you are interested in going, either book directly at https://naturallysupernatural.co.uk/ or chat with Julia Stubbs eashingstubbs@aol.com. if you want to know a bit more.
COVID NOTICE
All legal restrictions are now lifted for churches and places of worship. This means that face coverings are no longer a legal requirement in services. However, The Church of England and the Bishop of Guildford suggest that churches consider maintaining some precautions for the care and consideration of all members, and that these are at the discretion of the incumbent.Busbridge&Hambledon church continues to welcome the use of face coverings in services, and a supply of masks and hand sanitiser is available in both churches and the Old Rectory. Neither church is large enough to guarantee social distancing, but we hope that those who wish to keep a little more space between themselves and others can do so. Communion will be celebrated in one kind until the end of February, when the decision to share the common cup (or invest in individual glasses) will be reviewed again. Thank you for your ongoing co-operation, and respect for each other.
Busbridge and Hambledon Churches are open daily for private prayer.
PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM AVAILABLE
To contact the EMERGENCY prayer chain, email prayer@bhcgodalming.org or call 01483 421267.
Listening prayer is available mid-week.