The holy communion service held Sunday, second Sunday of Lent, was celebrated by the Rev Andrew Stevenson, priest-in-charge, who in his sermon said that all successful relationships are based on faith and trust; it is true in inter-personal relationships and it also holds good in spiritual matters too.

The story of Abraham shows us that it is faith and trust in God which defined Abraham’s relationship with God and not, as later came to be the focus, who you were, where you came from and whether you conformed to the rules! The fact that God had to send his son, Jesus, to nudge humanity back to the simple faith relationship of Abraham should be a lesson for us today, just as much as it was for the Jews of Palestine 2000 years ago.

We, none of us, can claim any righteousness by virtue of our good deeds, our conforming to the Law of Moses or whether our face fits or not. All of us get things wrong and all of us need God’s grace. That grace is accessed in one way and one way only, faith in Jesus.

The Old Testament lesson taken from Genesis chapter 12 v 1–4a was read by Margaret Chapman and the New Testament lesson, taken from Romans chapter 4 v 1-5 and 13–17 was read by Guy Dodd. John Savage wrote and read the intercessions and Joan Treloar played the organ and keyboard. During the taking of communion, Mary and James Stevenson sang the hymn “Father, I place into your hands” and also led the singing.

After the service the church held its annual Parochial meeting when John Ollerenshaw and Roger Hygate were re-elected as church wardens. This was followed by the annual Parochial church meeting when Mr Stevenson thanked everyone, including his family, for all their help and involvement in the church. He also said that the church had a very good working relationship with the village C of E school and the children attended a service every term. The officers and members of the PCC were duly re-elected.

Churches Together Lenten lunches continue in St Peter’s Church every Wednesday, noon, during Lent. Proceeds are for Christian Aid.