A very warm welcome to all
Refrain for Psalm 29:
“The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.”
First Sunday after Epiphany
Readings: Isaiah 43: 1-7; Acts 8: 14-17
Gospel: Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22
In our Gospel today
In the Isaiah reading we hear God’s call to us to ‘not fear’ but rest in God’s redeeming love. We read ‘I have called you by name. You are mine.’ This speaks of God’s personal care and attention to each one of us. How do we let go of the fears that hold us back from embracing our worth and loving boldly?
At his baptism Jesus is named ‘Beloved’ by God. We too are invited to live within the security of the call and identity that came to us at our baptism to be beloved children of God. How do we embrace our identity and let it shape how we see ourselves and treat others?
Three Cathedrals Service
This year’s Three Cathedrals Service, a part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, will be held at St Mary’s RC Cathedral, Huntly Street, at 4:30pm on Sunday 26th January. We are warmly welcome to join with worshippers from St Mary’s Cathedral and The Cathedral Church of St Machar as we celebrate and pursue our unity in Christ.
Thursday @ 7
Thursday @ 7 is re-starting from 30th January. For five consecutive weeks we will be looking at Luke’s gospel which is key book for this year’s lectionary. Bible and prayer in small group discussion for an hour followed by a cuppa if you have time to stay. Venue is the Crypt – enter church by side door, through kitchen, down the stairs. Each week’s material is free-standing so it is fine if you can only join us for one or more weeks. Revd Roger Dyer (Assistant Priest).
Advent to Candlemas Course
If you are looking for spiritual focus during Advent, Christmas and Epiphany you might like to try the Diocesan ‘Advent to Candlemas’ course that has been prepared by our friend Revd Canon Dr Jenny Holden the Diocesan Advisor for Christian Life. There is a little something to stimulate thought and prayer each day. The link to this from the Diocesan website is below. I warmly commend this to you. Revd Roger Dyer (Assistant Priest).
https://aoepiscopal.scot/diocesan-advent-to-candlemas-course-2025/
Tin Christmas Tree
Thank you very much to everyone that donated tinned food for our Tin Christmas Tree in 2024. We’ve decided to keep the tin tree going until Candlemas, so if you are still interested in providing a donation please do so up until 2nd February. Thank you!
St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Annual General Meeting
St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Annual General Meeting will take place after the 10am Service on Sunday 2nd February. Bishop Anne Dyer will be with us for the service and the AGM. Reports for the AGM should be available to send to the Diocesan Office about one week before the AGM.
New Ordinary Vestry Members Required
The Vestry are looking for a few new Ordinary Members as some existing members complete their period of service and because we’ve been running a little low on members for some time now. If you would like to know what’s involved or are keen to be nominated, please speak to the Vestry Secretary, David Rose. Nomination forms for Vestry membership and other Vestry offices are available at the back of church. Or please speak to David Rose if you would like an electronic copy.
Services and events commencing this Sunday and for the coming week
Sunday 12th January No 8am Service
Sunday 12th January 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Kate Gibson
Wednesday 15th January 10am Holy Communion: Revd Ferdinand von Prondzynski
Friday 17th January 6pm Compline: Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 19th January 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 19th January 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Kate Gibson
Next Sunday’s readings: Isaiah 62: 1-5; Psalm 36: 5-10; 1 Corinthians 12: 1-11
Gospel: John 2: 1-11
“To grow in holiness does not mean you now talk in hushed tones and every third sentence quotes the Bible. It means you live in more clear-minded hope.”
(David Powlison)
For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd Roger Dyer on 07719 458571 or revrogdyer@btinternet.com