Lord God our Fatherwe pledge ourselves to serve youand all humankind inthe cause of peace,for the relief of sufferingand for the praise of your name.Guide us by your spirit;give us wisdom;give us courage;give us hope;and keep us faithful now and always.Amen.

(A prayer for VE Day 2020)

ARLE VALLEYBENEFICE

St John's Church, New Alresford ♦ St Mary's Church, Old AlresfordSt Peter's Church, Ovington ♦ All Saints Church, Bighton

IMPORTANT NOTICEYou will be aware of the financial difficulties that all organisations arefacing and this includes not just individual churches but whole dioceses.In order to make a substantial saving which means there will be lesspressure on us all in the long run, and becausechurch can hardly function at the moment, theDiocese of Winchester (along with much of thenational church) is taking advantage of theGovernment’s Furlough scheme and hasasked all Curates to agree to be on Furlough,initially for May and June. They will receivetheir full stipend and no changes to their usualhousing etc. Tasha has agreed to this and so,although she will be continuing to study and dothe online training sessions for Curates, she ISNOT ALLOWED TO DO ANY WORK ASCURATE in the Benefice or Diocese. She continues of course to be apart of the community and neighbourhood that she lives in. I thereforerespectfully ask that no work emails or phone calls or requests aredirected to Tasha until further notice. Please do contact me or theWardens instead.Please pray for Tasha as she approaches the end of her formal study,and hands in her work portfolio.Thank youJulia

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Carbon footprints:God has created us to look after all he has made -

"Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy,whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in oneof your towns. Pay them their wages each day before sunset,because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they maycry to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty of sin.”(Deuteronomy 24:14-15)“God loves those who are fair and just” (Quran 49:9)“On average, the non-Fairtrade worker gets only 5-9% of the price ofa banana.” (Ruth Valerio – “L is for Lifestyle”)

To consider:-• Always buy Fairtrade goods (fairtrade.org.uk).

Remember the five Rs:Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Rot, Recycle.

At this time when our community is unable to come together andthere is little to cheer us we thought it would be a good idea to havea section of this notice sheet where we share good and positivenews...It must be something in the Alresford water....... but this week two of our local residentscelebrated their 100th birthdays...

Meg Russell, who has lived in Alresford for over50 years, enjoyed a surprise social distancingbirthday gathering on Tuesday, and ...

Margerie Harley, who has lived here for over 30years, celebrated hers on May 9th.

Congratulations to them both.

There are small socially distancing gatherings celebrating VE Daygoing on throughout our communities at the moment.Councillor Sarah Cavell arranged for local residents over theage of 75 to receive a cream tea on the day. Thank youSarah, it’s a lovely gesture and thanks to Arlebury Cafe,Tiffins Tea Rooms and all those others who made the teasand to Alresford Pigs who delivered them.

Test your IQ !!1. You are a participant in a race. You overtake the second person. What

position are you in?2. If you overtake the last person, then you are in what place?3. Very tricky arithmetic! Note: this must be done in your head only. Do

not use paper & pencil or a calculator. Take 1000 and add 40 to it. Nowadd another 1000. Now add 30. Add another 1000. Now add 20. Nowadd another 1000. Now add 10. What is the total?

4. Mary’s Father has five daughters: 1. Nana, 2. Nene, 3. Nini, 4. Nono,and ? What is the name of the fifth daughter?

Answers on next page.....

The Good News Slot...

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Roger and Kathryn Lockyer’s 15 year old grandson, James, is cycling30Ks for 30 days to raise funds for ‘NHS Charities Together’. If you feel youwould like to help and encourage James as he sets about this challengeyou can google ‘Just Giving’ and search for James Philp, and his page willcome up. Alternatively I am sure that Kathryn and Roger will gladly pass onany donations.

Scarecrow competition:Some of our churchmembers live in FourMarks where there is ascarecrow competitiontaking place. Theycertainly add some cheerto the local streets andthere are obviously somevery creative people livingthere.

Points to Ponder...• Why do they call it the Department of Interior when they are in charge

of everything outdoors?• Why do scientists call it research when looking for something new?• If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat?• When I erase a word with a pencil, where does it go?• If "con" is the opposite of "pro," then what is the opposite of progress?• Why is lemon juice mostly artificial ingredients but dishwashing liquid

contains real lemons?• How much deeper would the ocean be if sponges didn't grow in it?

IQ test answers...1. If you answered that you are first, then you are wrong. If you overtake

the second person & you take their place, you are in second place.2. If you answered that you are second to last, then you are wrong. Tell

me sunshine, how can you overtake the last person?3. Did you get 5000? The correct answer is actually 4100. If you don’t

believe it, check it with a calculator.4. Did you answer Nunu? Nope. Her name is Mary. Read the question

again.If you have something good you would like to share please email it to:

jackie.connell@btinternet.com or notices@stjohnsalresford.org.ukAlternatively leave a message on 01962 732056.

The Good News Slot...

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Prayer requests: If you would like the Prayer team to pray for you, yourfamily, friends or any other situation, please contact Rosie Waring Green -rosie@22rwg.co.uk or 01962 733237. We of course always respect theconfidentiality of your requests.

Thank you for the many donations that we have received to help us withour finances at this difficult time.

Hefin & Peter Tudor would like to let everyone know we currently have nolandline telephone. Have been without it for 3 weeks & advised by BT thatit will be next week after they have dug up the front lawn! We would prefernot to give out our mobile number so....email or call by with a note..sorry.

Archbishop Justin has launched Daily Hope, a free national phone lineoffering music, prayers and reflections aswell as full worship services by telephone. Asmuch of our ministry has moved online dueto the closure of churches, we know thatmany of you have concerns for thosemembers of our communities who do nothave access to the internet, and may bemost isolated at this time.

The new free phone line – which is available 24 hours a day on 0800 8048044 – has been set up particularly with those unable to join online churchservices during the period of restrictions in mind. Callers will hear a specialgreeting from the Archbishop before being able to choose from a range ofoptions, including hymns, prayers, reflections and advice on COVID-19.

Funerals:Not being allowed to go to the funeral of a loved one is very hard, we canfeel excluded and helpless, unable to process our grief or offer comfort toothers. The Church of England has created a resource pack including areflective service for people in this situation. A few of us have made use ofthis recently and found it helpful when used at the same time as the actualfuneral service. It has allowed us to feel connected to the close family. Thematerial can be downloaded using this link. If you do not have access to acomputer we do have some paper copies which are available from SueClarke on 733597.

• Please pray for David Ottley at 2pm on Friday 15th May when Wyn’sfuneral will be taking place in Ropley church graveyard.

• The funeral of June Gregory will take place on Wednesday 20th Mayat 11am. Julia will be taking the service.

This week's notices...

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This week's notices...

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As we are all painfully aware, this is currently a very difficultand worrying time financially for many individuals, families,businesses and charities.There are various funds being set up locally and relief efforts beingorganised to support those most in need e.g. the Alresford PigsAssociation has already received many generous donations but theneed is great and they would welcome help from anyone who is ableto provide it. Details of how to contribute are on their website.Similarly, as a result of closure, our churches across the beneficehave also lost many of their usual sources of income, such asweddings, hall hire, fund-raisers and regular Sunday collections and,as a result, we will be significantly in deficit whilst our buildingsremain closed.If anyone feels that they are in a position to contribute in any way,and especially those who would usually put envelopes or cash intothe collection plate, we would be so grateful if you could please getin touch with your treasurer or one of your churchwardens to discusshow you can do this direct (please see below).Some of you, I know, have already very kindly responded in this wayand any further help would be greatly appreciated.With our prayers for you all at this time and always.Rev Julia

Treasurer / churchwarden contacts in each parish:St John’s:Alistair Beecher 732063 treasurer@stjohnsalresford.org.uk

All Saints:Bob Ellis 773427 robert.sally120@gmail.com

St Mary’s:Roger Parsons 734561 rwjparsons@gmail.com

St Peter’s:Pip Stevenson 733055 stevenson71@btinternet.com

Please direct:▸ Material for notices: email to notices@stjohnsalresford.org.uk

Deadline: Noon Friday.▸ Information about those in hospital to Sue Greenway 732406 or

Patricia Todd 738408 or Keith Sweetland 735255.▸ Information for Intercessions to the churchwardens.

Beware of new email scam

We were recently made aware of a particularly clever email scam currentlymaking the rounds. An initial email, with the name of your church’sTreasurer shown, enquires whether you are free to chat briefly about animportant matter. If you reply, you receive a response that asks you to makea bill payment on their behalf as they are away at a conference, orsomething similar, and they’ll make it up to when they get back. This leadsto the provision of a payment link that ultimately sends money to thescammer.

What’s clear is that some research has gone into these emails, where thecorrect Treasurer’s name is being used by the sender.

But, as with all email scams, there will be small tells that the email is fake:

• One or two very small spelling or punctuation mistakes – capital letterswhere there shouldn’t be, missing apostrophes or letters, etc.

• Although the Treasurer’s name is used by the sender, the email addresswill be very different. Always check the sending email address with yourown contact list.

• That the Treasurer would be away at a conference during a time when thecountry is in lockdown and all of these kinds of events are cancelledshould be a big giveaway, but sometimes the wording can be lesssuspicious.

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This week's notices...

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Collects & Readings for the Fifth Sunday of EasterOur on-line worship today will be led by Rosie and Ian Waring Greenand will be a “Second Sunday” service. The service can be found on theBenefice website - arlevalleychurches.org.uk.We have included below the normal collects, readings and psalm for theFifth Sunday of Easter although only the Gospel is used in today’s on-line worship.

CollectRisen Christ,your wounds declare your love for the worldand the wonder of your risen life:give us compassion and courageto risk ourselves for those we serve,to the glory of God the Father.Amen

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First Reading: Acts 7.55-60To be announced as a Reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Standing before the high priest and the council, Stephen, filled with the HolySpirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing atthe right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and theSon of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ But they covered their ears,and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they draggedhim out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid theircoats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoningStephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down andcried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When hehad said this, he died.

At the end the reader will say: This is the Word of the LordThe response is: Thanks be to God

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Psalm 31.1-5,15-161 In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge;

let me never be put to shame; ♦deliver me in your righteousness.

2 Incline your ear to me; ♦make haste to deliver me.

3 Be my strong rock, a fortress to save me,for you are my rock and my stronghold; ♦

guide me, and lead me for your name’s sake.

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4 Take me out of the netthat they have laid secretly for me, ♦

for you are my strength.5 Into your hands I commend my spirit, ♦

for you have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.15 ‘My times are in your hand; ♦

deliver me from the hand of my enemies,and from those who persecute me.

16 ‘Make your face to shine upon your servant, ♦and save me for your mercy’s sake.’

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Second Reading: 1 Peter 2.2-10To be announced as a Reading from the First Epistle of Peter

Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you maygrow into salvation – if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen andprecious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into aspiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrificesacceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture:

‘See, I am laying in Zion a stone,a cornerstone chosen and precious;

and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe,

‘The stone that the builders rejectedhas become the very head of the corner’,

and‘A stone that makes them stumble,

and a rock that makes them fall.’They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s ownpeople, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who calledyou out of darkness into his marvellous light.

Once you were not a people,but now you are God’s people;

once you had not received mercy,but now you have received mercy.

At the end the reader will say: This is the Word of the LordThe response is: Thanks be to God

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Gospel: John 14.1-14When the Gospel is announced we respond with:

Glory to you, O LordJesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe inGod, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a placefor you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and willtake you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And youknow the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, wedo not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus saidto him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Fatherexcept through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. Fromnow on you do know him and have seen him.’Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesussaid to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do notknow me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say,“Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and theFather is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; butthe Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in theFather and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me becauseof the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in mewill also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these,because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name,so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me foranything, I will do it.’

At the end the reader will say: This is the Gospel of the LordThe response is: Praise to you, O Christ

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Post CommunionEternal God,whose Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life:grant us to walk in his way,to rejoice in his truth,and to share his risen life;who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.Amen

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Copyright Acknowledgement:The readings in this service are copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches ofChrist, USAPost Communion (5th of Easter) © The Archbishops' Council 2000Psalm 31.1-5,15-16 © The Archbishops' Council 2000Collect (5th of Easter, Additional) © The Archbishops' Council 2004

For Prayer

Please pray for:• Those who are in hospital• Those who are ill at home or recovering from being in hospital• Those receiving on-going care• Those in Nursing and Rest Homes• Home Communicants• R.I.P. Those who have recently died. We pray too for their families.

Please pray for ...Our government and their advisers as they wrestle with decisions aboutcoming out of the lockdown. Grant them wisdom, sound judgement andcompassion in all their decision making.The sick, for those suffering from Covid-19 and from other illnesses.We hold before you the dying and those who have died recently. We bringthe bereaved to you praying that at this especially difficult time they will findcomfort and consolation as they deal with the heartache of their loss.We give thanks for the dedication and commitment of medical staff,carers, hospital chaplains and key workers. We pray for their safety andthat they will have all the protective clothing and equipment they need fortheir work.Pray for scientists as they discover more information about the virus andwork towards finding a vaccine and an effective cure.Those who are anxious, lonely or fearful in these difficult days, for thosewho are struggling to work from home and those who fear they will have nowork in future. We hold before you families under stress, those living incramped conditions and those in abusive relationships.Our world leaders in these unrecognisable times that they will recognisetheir responsibility for the care, health and well-being of their citizens aswell as the importance of working closely with other nations in order tocontrol the spread of the virus.Our church leaders as they consider ways of opening up churches again.Pray for the curates who are being furloughed at this time, especiallyremembering Tasha as she completes her time of training.Please pray for the Mar Elias Educational Institute in Ibillin, Israel whichis currently closed and for Arab-Israeli towns which have been hit hard byCovid-19.

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