Sunday, Lent One – Lent does not feature the joyful carols of Christmas or the joyous alleluias of Easter, nevertheless, it presents the opportunity to arrive on Easter Day, as disciplined disciples, having endeavoured to walk in the footsteps of Jesus during His last days on earth, very much like a mini pilgrimage.

The Sunday mass began in the traditional All Saints’ manner, namely the singing of the Litany in procession around the church. This requires an experienced cantor and once again Father Stephen Drakeley, priest-in-charge, carried out this duty with aplomb.

The lesson was taken from Paul’s letter to the Romans chapter 5 v 12-19 which was read by James Davies. The apostle tells his readers that as in Adam all sinned and died, so in Christ all can be redeemed.

The gospel message proclaimed by Fr Stephen was Matthew chapter 4 v 1-11. This describes the temptation of Jesus by Satan. This was the theme he took up for his address. He suggested the temptation took three forms, all of which would be familiar to us: 1, the comfort zone; 2, self doubt; 3, worship of Satan ; he was able to combat successfully all of these.

Fr Stephen then led the congregation in declaring our faith in the words of the Creed. Frances Martin led the pre and post-communion prayers; chalice administrators at the eucharist when Fr Stephen celebrated were Helen Bancroft and Sally Maynard; servers for the mass were Jane MacLennan and Jacob Clarke; Maureen Roberts and Jill Pardon were sidespersons; Matthew Seaton was organist and after the singing of the final hymn, Newman’s famous “Praise to the holiest in the height”, concluded the mass with music from The Royal Fireworks by Handel.