Sunday, Third before Lent – President of the mass was Father Stephen Drakeley, priest-in-charge.

Prayers were said for all who have suffered hardship because of the recent storms, especially those homes and businesses which have been flooded, also the efforts of the rescue service were also recognised.

The mass began with the processional hymn “Songs of praise the angels sang.” After the Kyrie and Gloria were sung and the prayers of penitence and confession said, Hazel Bennett read the Old Testament lesson taken from the Book of Deuteronomy chapter 30 v 15-20. The writer sets out the choices made by the Israelites as commanded by God.

Jan Cunningham read part of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians chapter 3 v 1-9. The apostle reminds them that both and Apollos who brought them the gospel were the servants of God.

The gospel proclaimed by Fr Stephen was again part of the “Sermon on the Mount.” Matthew chapter 5 v 21-37 when Jesus teaches His disciples what the ten Commandments were and should be the basis on which their lives should be set, not the total.

Fr Stephen took this up in his address pointing out the choices to be made. Chalice administrators when he celebrated the eucharist were Sally Maynard and Barbara Jenkins; Jane MacLennan and Jacob Clarke, servers for the mass; sidespersons were Goff and Sally Maynard; prayers were led by Ann Hill and Helen Bancroft; David Cunliffe was organist who brought the mass to a conclusion after the singing of the recessional hymn “Christ triumphant ever reigning” by playing Nun Danket by Karg-Elert.