Week commencing 22nd April 2024

Engegård Quartet - Music on Mondays concert

Time: 7:30 pm 9:30 pm

Location: St Mary's Church, Luton (map)

About: ‘I’m not sure I’ve ever appreciated how lovely the saxophone can sound until hearing this. Warmth, character and joy abound.’ Michael Beek – BBC Music Magazine

We welcome back Norway’s Engegård Quartet for another recital of thrilling music for string quartet. The Mozart and Bartók may perhaps be more familiar and it will be fascinating to hear Fanny Mendelssohn’s quartet as we look to increase our knowledge and understanding of historically under-appreciated work by female composers.

In our pursuit of the season’s theme of The Relationship between Literature, Art & Music it is however Maja Ratkje’s A Tale of Lead and Light that is the most immediately arresting. As the following note from the composer suggests, the links between the various ideas that can inspire a piece are often very layered and part of an overall aesthetic that can defy simple analysis.

‘The backdrop for this commission was to complement music by the great Ludwig van Beethoven. Beethoven’s scores for string quartet is a cornucopia of techniques and musicality. They were certainly not meant for pure entertainment. Ending up with Beethoven’s quartet Op 59 No.1 as a reference for this piece, I even used elements from this quartet in my own composition.
Beethoven’s position as a free artist has been of great importance to all following composers. This is of equal inspiration as his music. As a free artist, one has to reflect upon our own time, and not be afraid of allowing reality affect our work. When I was in the middle of writing this piece something horrible happened in my neighbourhood. A bomb exploded in Oslo and a killer shot teenagers on an island summer camp. My nation’s reputation as a peaceful country to live in was drastically and forever changed. It was hard to compose. Papers and online media were soon filled with horrible pictures from the events. The lead-coloured skies being a recurring sight.
The ambiguity in the title reflects both hope and dread. Beethoven’s light shines through, strong and full of life!’

Richard Sisson (Chair of Luton Music)

Zoom Prayer

Time: 4.30pm - 5pm

Location: Digitally on Zoom

Leading: Ulrike Hunt

About: We pray together for St Mary's on a Tuesday afternoon. You are more than welcome to join us. For more information or to get the zoom link, please email the office.

Bible Study Group

Time: 8pm - 9.30pm

Location: Digitally on Zoom

Leader: Angela Symonds

About: This week we will continue our study of Hebrews as our Small group. You are very welcome to join us on Zoom on Tuesday nights at 8pm prompt. We finish at 9.30pm also prompt.

Email the office for the login details.

Welcome Wednesday

Time: 10.30am-1.30pm

There will be a service at 11 am

Location: St Mary’s Church, Luton

Devotional service (11am): Cathy Nobles

Youth Minecraft Project

Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm

Location: In the new youth Bedrock Minecraft Server

About: The Youth Minecraft Project is back! We have a new server and are ready to go. The Youth server is open to all young people that are school aged year 6 - year 13. To join, please contact our Youth Minister, Adam by clicking the button below.

Deeper Impact

Time: 4.30pm-5pm

Location: In the Underground @ St Mary’s Church, Luton

About: Want to learn more about scripture and what it means to us today? Deeper Impact is for those in school years 7-13* that want to delve into the Bible. In this group we take a piece of scripture and discuss in a safe manner the meaning and impact of this on our lives.

Contact: youth@stmarysluton.org

*year 6’s are invited from the easter term.

Bible Study Group

Time: 7.30pm - 9pm

Location: Small meeting room @ St Mary’s Church, Luton

Leader: Angela Symonds

About: This week we will be continuing our study of Hebrews as our Small group.  You are very welcome to join us  - REAL PEOPLE in a REAL PLACE. We meet in the small meeting room at church at 7.30pm. We finish promptly at 9.00pm. 

Thanksgiving Service

Time: 10.30 am

Location: St Mary’s Church, Luton

Service Leader: Revd. Joseph Adewale

Preacher: Revd. Andy Pike

Sunday Youth

Time: During the 10.30 am service

Location: Starting in the hall before moving to the Underground @ St Mary’s Church, Luton

Session leader: Casper Muller

About: The youth are currently looking at a multi-denominational resource, ‘Your faith, your online world.’ Youth is for young people ages 11-18.

*year 6’s are invited from the Easter term.

Young Church

Time: During the 10.30 am service

Location: Hall @ St Mary’s Church, Luton

About: Young church is for children aged 3-10.

Session leader: Angela Symonds & Katie Smith

Crèche

Time: During the 10.30am service

Location: In the meeting room @ St Mary’s Church, Luton

Age range: 0-3 year olds

Note: Parents must remain with their Children during crèche. A live stream of the service is shown here so you will still be able to watch what is happening in the Church. Holy Communion will be brought to crèche during the service.

Church at 4

Time: 4 pm

Location: In the church Hall @ St Mary’s Church, Luton

About: Our newest service, in partnership with the university chaplaincy, The TreeHouse, Church at 4 is a cafe-style service with excellent worship and a beautiful message. All are welcome but targeted at 20’s - 30’s.