The holy communion service held on Sunday, First Sunday of Lent, was celebrated by the Rev Andrew Stevenson, who in his sermon said that Lent, with its forty day period mirroring that of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, offers us a glimpse of how life might be.

Jesus came that we might be reconciled to God and He began that reconciliation by symbolically righting the wrongs of the past - forty days in which he was tempted to take the easy way out and shortcut the redemptive work of God. Jesus did not duck out and neither should we, no matter where we find ourselves; the prospect of change and with it redemption is always there if we would but reach out and grasp it. At his baptism, Jesus was recognised as God’s son; in the desert he showed that he was who he truly said he was and began the righting of past wrongs and it is through our baptism and the faith that it symbolises, that we gain access to the fruits of Jesus’ redemptive work. His whole life and mission were about opening up a way back to God, a way for those of us who either, in spite of or because of our actions, would be closed off under all normal circumstances, which is each and everyone of us! No one is irredeemable, no one is beyond hope and all we have to do is trust and believe.

The Old Testament lesson taken from Genesis chapter 2 v 15-17 and chapter 3 v 1-7 was read by George Ellison and The New Testament lesson taken from Romans chapter 5 v 12-19 was read by Denise Stannard. The gospel reading was Matthew chapter 4 v 1-11 and read by Mr Stevenson. Helen Syrett wrote and read the intercessions and the organist and keyboard player was Joan Treloar. Mary Stevenson sang the hymn “To Be In Your Presence” during the taking of communion and led the singing.

There are not any Thursday morning services at present.

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING: This will take place on Sunday after the 10am service.

CHURCHES TOGETHER LENTEN LUNCHES: Lunches continue at noon every Wednesday during Lent in St Peter’s Church.