Dear Friends,

When you head into church on Sunday, keep an eye out for our brand new Bibles! They are a gift, left in her will by Cicely Green, the mother of Liz Simpson and grandmother of Emily Cross.

We are so grateful for them! They are the NIV 2011 translation, and they find a great blend of Biblical scholarship, and being easy to read.

For those doing the readings in church, you can find the same translation on a website called Bible Gateway . And if you want to listen to it being read by Hercule Poirot actor David Suchet you can do so here!

Let’s give thanks for these new Bibles and pray that God’s word would be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our heart.

We meet twice this coming Sunday morning at Loxwood Church. Where we will be in Luke 22:1-38 as we join Jesus and his disciples in the upper room for the last supper. If you get the chance, please do read through beforehand.

8.30am | BCP Morning Prayer
10am | Holy Communion | with Kid’s groups and followed by coffee.

We also meet at 6pm in Alfold Church for Evensong. Where Scott Bilthouse will be preaching on Psalm 145.

I won’t be with you in the morning, as I am preaching at Emmanuel Chapel, on Spy Lane in Loxwood on Sunday morning. Please pray for a growing gospel partnership across the churches.

Everyone is welcome & we’d love to see you there!

With love in Christ,

Revd. James Forward

Read on Below the Line!

Parish Mag Photo Competition

As some of you will know by now, the Parish Mag will undergo a major redesign from the April edition. It will be printed professionally and will be distributed to every home in the parish, every month. I am the new editor and Filip Wach is in charge of advertising.

The new design will feature a strong photo, normally of somewhere in our beautiful villages, on every front cover. We very much hope that members of our congregation, as well as the children in the school and the community in general, will contribute.

So if you would like to send some to me I would be delighted to consider them. Photos taken on a decent mobile phone should be fine. The only rules are that they must have been taken by someone locally (but not a professional photographer) and have not appeared in print elsewhere. And they must be given free and without any copyright complications!

Please send them through to me at parish.mag.editor@alflox.org, saying where and when they were taken.

I can't wait to see how good they are!

Many thanks

Iain Taylor

Lent Course - The Unfolding Story of Easter

The story of Easter is laden with meaning beyond itself. As Jesus went to His cross, He was binding together various strands of God’s salvation plan, and bringing them to a glorious conclusion!

In this season of Lent, as we prepare to worship our risen Saviour, we’re going to come together in our Pilgrim Groups to focus in on three days of Holy Week:

11th March – Maundy Thursday – The Lamb. Christ our Passover lamb.
18th March – Good Friday – The Curtain. Separation and reconciliation with God.
25th March – Easter Sunday – The Firstfruits. The offering and the promise of more.

Please do mark those dates in your diary.

And if you’d like to read the invitation letter, sent out to Pilgrim Groups, you can do so here.

Tora Bray’s Funeral

I am sad to announce that Tora Bray died last week at home. Revd. John Bundock had been able to visit her that day and share communion with her. Tora’s funeral is arranged for Tuesday the 24th March at 2.30pm in St John the Baptist Loxwood.

Maundy Thursday Bring and Share Meal

As is fast becoming traditional, we will gather together in Loxwood on Maundy Thursday (2nd April) at 5.30pm for a bring and share dinner. We eat together to remember the last supper, and there will be a simple communion served afterwards. Sign up sheets will be at the back of church, please sign up to bring mains, puds or drinks.

Women’s Breakfast

Saturday 28th February 09:00-10:30

Women's breakfasts take place every other month in Loxwood Church and everyone is welcome. It is a time to get together, enjoy a delicious continental breakfast with unlimited tea and coffee and listen to gifted speakers talk about a variety of different subjects.

The next breakfast will be on Saturday 28th February. We are welcoming Clare Heath-Whyte to speak about 'The Life of Elizabeth Fry' who was an inspirational Christian as part of the Quaker movement in Victorian times.

The cost is £7.00 per person. We accept cash or card payment on the door.

If you would like to come please sign up using the sign up sheets at Church during Sunday services, the online registration form (https://forms.gle/X56aDNVZRxvTLS5v6) or email alflox.womensbreakfast@gmail.com

Church Weekend Away(ish)

This Summer we are going to spend a weekend away together at Loxwood’s North Hall. We will have a guest speaker, activities for young and old, a BBQ & entertainment in the evening. And most importantly of all, the chance to spend some quality time together in God’s word and with each other. For the brave there is a chance to camp on the playing field. For the formerly brave - the chance to sleep in your own bed! Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st of June. Please save the date!

‘Souper’ Saturday Open Garden

All are invited to a Souper' Saturday Open Garden event at Ewan and Rosemary’s garden in Ifold. Saturday 14th March (weather permitting) from 11.30am-3pm. To help raise funds for Little Angels toddler group. Admission is £ what you think, to include homemade soup, bread, and a drink. Parking is limited so please car share where possible. Sandalwood, The Ride, Ifold.

Little Angels

Is a group for parents and toddler to come & play, have fun, sing songs, learn about God, and make new friends. It meets every Thursday in Loxwood Church 10-11.30am. All are welcome!

Pilgrim Groups

Pilgrim Groups are a place of deeper fellowship, where we support one another in prayer, and go deeper into God's word together. If you are not already in a Pilgrim Group and would like to join one, please email Richard Allan or speak to him in church. richard@alflox.org

Prayer Central

Our 1st Wednesday of the month Prayer Meeting is coming up next on Wednesday 4th March. We will meet in Loxwood Church Room. We meet at 7.30pm for refreshments, 8pm to sing and pray, and we always finish by 9pm. There is never an obligation to pray out loud. God hears the prayer of our hearts just as well! Please do join us.

Year of Prayer

Psalm 127 says ‘Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.’ Monday Morning | Alfold or Loxwood Church Room | 9am-Midday | Drop in Drop Out | Come and pray for God to build.