A very warm welcome to all
Psalm 107: “We give you thanks, O God, for your loving kindness.”
The Fourth Sunday in Lent
Readings: Numbers 21: 4-9; Ephesians 2: 1-10
Gospel: John 3: 14-21
In our Gospel today
The theme that links today’s scripture readings is salvation and grace, God’s steadfast love for us and the whole of creation, in spite of our grumblings and behaviour.
In our gospel reading (John 3:14-21) we break into a night-time conversation, a private and important Q & A for the religious leader Nicodemus, who comes to talk to Jesus by night. The text starts with Jesus referring to today’s Old Testament passage in Numbers, in which he explicitly links the ‘lifting up’ of the Son of Man to show God’s love (His crucifixion and resurrection, which early readers of the gospel will immediately have grasped) with the lifting up of the bronze serpent before the Israelites in the wilderness as God’s saving response to the people’s suffering.
Both these ‘lifting up’ demonstrate God’s love, and result in God’s people turning towards what is being lifted up and being radically changed: in Numbers the people look at the serpent and live, and in John, the people look up to the Son of Man, believe and have eternal life.
John 3 v16, one of the most well-known and most quoted verses in the Bible, tells us that “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”. This echoes Psalm 107: God’s promise of steadfast love. In verse 17 we read that God did not send the Son into the world to condemn it, but that the world might be saved.
Easter Egg Appeal
Our Easter Egg Collection is underway, and we will carry on collecting until Palm Sunday. Thank you very much to everyone who has already made donations. Donations will be given to our regular charity partners Barnardo’s and Aberdeen Cyrenians.
Fundraising and Social Events Calendar 2024
The Fundraising and Social Events Group met on 28th February and created a calendar of events for 2024. You’ll find copies of the Fundraising and Social Events Calendar posted up on our noticeboards and also on our website here: https://stmaryscardenplace.org.uk/social-fundraising-calendar/
Diocesan Library Books Sale
The St Mary’s Vestry has decided that it is best to disperse the remainder of the Diocesan Library books and reference documents. We are arranging for interested clergy and other parties to view and purchase the books on Friday 22nd March (clergy only) and Saturday 23rd March (open to everyone). Opening times will be 10am to 4pm on each day. All monies raised will go to the Diocesan Office and a decision on the use of the raised funds will be made at a later date. Any books left over from these two open days will be presented for sale at the local book sale organised by Fountainhall at the Cross. We are keen to have many hands helping on a rota basis on the open days and to have traybakes available with teas and coffees. Please see the sign-up sheet at the back of the church.
The Bishop’s Lent Appeal
Donations to the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal 2024 will be given to Al Ahli hospital in Gaza via the Jerusalem and the Middle East Church Association. The Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza, owned and sacrificially supported over many years by the Episcopal (Anglican) Diocese of Jerusalem, continues to serve the whole ‘family’ of human beings in Gaza. It provides a vital service in an increasingly desperate situation. If you would like to contribute, please give any cheques or cash to Lydia Ross, our Treasurer or a member of the Vestry.
Diocesan Lent Course: Way to the Cross
Way to the Cross. We will be using material from the Diocesan Lent Course for this year’s Lent Group. Thursdays 7-8pm in the Crypt 22/2, 29/2, 7/3, 14/3 & 21/3. Revd Roger writes “I look forward to meeting with others to consider Jesus’ journey to the Cross. My hope is that this will prepare our hearts for our Easter worship and help us as we seek to follow Jesus, living cross-shaped lives. All comers welcome. Tea, Coffee, chat after also available!”
Sidespersons Rota
We are planning to re-establish the Sidesperson’s Rota in the near future. The role involves greeting at the door for the Sunday 10am Service, collecting, counting, and banking the Sunday collection. Thank you to all those congregation members that have sign up so far. The new rota has been prepared and copies can be found at the back of the church.
Church Magazine
The Communications Group would like to canvas the congregations thoughts about our Magazine, which is currently published on a quarterly basis. Is this the best frequency for everyone? Is there anything else that you would like to see in it? Please provide your feedback to the editor, Nicola Mills, or anyone on the Vestry. Please note that the closing date for articles for the Easter Magazine is 25th March.
Services and events commencing this Sunday and for the coming week
Sunday 10th March 8am Said Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 10th March 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Kate Gibson
Tuesday 12th March 10am Morning Prayer: Revd Roger Dyer
Wednesday 13th March 10am Holy Communion: Revd Roger Dyer
Thursday 14th March 7pm Lent Group
Friday 15th March 6pm Compline: Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 17th March 8am Said Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 17th March 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Roger Dyer
Next Sunday’s readings: Jeremiah 31: 31-34; Psalm 51: 1-12; Hebrews 5: 5-10
Gospel: John 12: 20-33
“God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking God’s mercy.”
(Pope Francis)
For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd. Roger Dyer on 07719 458571
or revrogdyer@btinternet.com