Third Sunday after Epiphany – The theme for this, the Sunday before Candlemass, was light.

Father Stephen Drakeley, priest-in-charge, in his address identified two kinds of light – the physical light which lightens the darkness and enables us to see the world around us and the spiritual light, which lightens the darkness of the soul. This spiritual sight not only makes us aware of the spiritual part of life, but enables us to be in touch with it.

The sung mass began with the processional hymn, Thy kingdom come O Lord, followed by prayers of penitence and confession. The Old Testament lesson, Isaiah chapter 9 v 1-4, was read by James Davies. This contains the familiar words “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light”.

Doreen Barnicoat read part of the first chapter of the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians v 10-18. Just as there are divisions in the church today, by way of denomination, it appears that there were similar divisions in the early church. Here the apostle appeals for unity in Christ. Fr Stephen proclaimed the gospel of Matthew chapter 4 v 12-23. The writer repeats the words of Isaiah, the people who walked in darkness, claiming they had now been fulfilled. It also records the calling of the first four disciples.

Prayers were led by James Davies and Barbara Martin; Barbara Jenkins and Jane MacLennan were chalice administrators when Fr Stephen celebrated at the eucharist; Jacob Clarke and Jane were servers for the mass; Maureen Roberts and Paul Jenkins were sidespersons and church organist, Matthew Seaton, officiated at the organ.

The mass ended with the singing of the hymn, praise the Lord ye heavens adore Him.

On Sunday Candlemass or the presentation of Christ in the temple there will be sung mass beginning at 10am.