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Dear friend,

Welcome to the April newsletter from St Peter's Church. In this newsletter you'll see the dates and times of our services - both in the building and online - in April, and details about what else we're up to as a church family.
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Back in church

After what seems like a very long and hard winter, last Sunday saw many of us gather in the church building once again for an in-person service.

The restrictions we have all had to get used to over the last year - such as the mandatory wearing of face coverings, social distancing, and lack of communal singing - meant that church is a different experience than we all remember. However, it's good to be together again, and good to be back in the building which holds so many memories for so many of us.

Online services continue, and will do for a while to come.So if you don't feel able to join us in the church building at 10AM each Sunday morning, you can still join us online on Facebook or YouTube.

We continue to look forward with hope, and to give thanks that the vaccination programme is helping protect so many. We pray for all those involved in our NHS, and all key workers, and for those for whom the last year has been a difficult and traumatic time. And we continue to look for ways we can share what we ave with those who need it most.
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Birstall food share

The team at the Cobbles in Birstall is still doing an amazing job with their weekly foodshare, supported by many from the local community, including members of St Peter’s.

Before the latest lockdown we asked members of our fellowship if they would bring just one tin or packet of food to each service; together making a welcome addition to what the Cobbles can offer. It would be good to start this again,so please consider bring something with you on a Sunday.

If anyone has more than just a tin to donate, Andy Rhodes has offered to call and collect. Call or text him on 07305 861050
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Advertising for a new vicar

The advert for our new vicar has been published by the Diocese, so we'd like to remind you that the "Parish Brochure" is available to view on our website. The Brochure is like an advert for a house being sold - glossy, lots of pictures, it is designed to paint a good picture of us as a church!

If you have questions about the process of advertising or choosing a new vicar please get in touch - we'd be happy to answer anything we can.

A painless way to help our church funds

We all need to take out home insurance. When the time come for you to renew yours, if you take out a home insurance policy with Ecclesiastical – one of the UK’s most trusted home insurance providers – and they will donate £130 to St Peter’s .

Find out more at ecclesiastical.com/trust130 or call 0800 7830 130 and quote TrustP21.
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What's on in April

Each SUnday we will be having a service in church at 10AM, and also online. You are very welcome to join us for either - or both, as you can watch the online service at any time!
Prayer Ministry Team members will be available every Sunday to pray with anyone should the need arise. If you aren't in church for the Sunday service but would like prayer, please contact us - the Holy Spirit can cope with a telephone call. Please don't worry or suffer alone.
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Did you know?

The website for Francis Frith, a publisher of old photographs for many years, has a section about Birstall. In it they have many old photographs and maps of Birstall which are available to purchase - but you can see them online for free.

Speaking of maps, you may like this wonderful website which puts old maps side-by-side with modern satellite photos so you can see what used to be located where modern buildings and roads now stand!
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Do you have any old photographs of Birstall, particularly our beautiful church? It would be great to collect these and share them through our own website and possibly other means. Please feel free to contact us.

Prayer for April

Almighty and everlasting God,
who in your tender love towards the human race
sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
to take upon him our flesh
and to suffer death upon the cross:
grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility,
and also be made partakers of his resurrection;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

And finally

If you need support in any way - prayer, or practical help - please contact us on our special email address: support@stpetersbirstall.co.uk.

We hope you enjoyed this newsletter. If you have suggestions for things we can put in it please do get in touch.
Thanks for reading. God bless you all this Easter.

St Peter's Church, Birstall