A very warm welcome to all
Refrain for Psalm 27:
“The Lord is my light and my salvation.”
Second Sunday in Lent
Readings: Genesis 15: 1-12, 17-18; Philippians 3:17-4:1
Gospel: Luke 13: 31-35
In our Gospel today
Today’s passage from the Gospel of Luke we have the Pharisees warning Jesus that Herod wants to kill him. We know that Herod can be dangerous as he executed John the Baptist (Luke 9: 7-12). Why did the Pharisees warn Jesus? It could have been a genuine concern or to get him out of their territory. We see connections to Jesus, Jerusalem and death – what will happen as we reach Holy Week. The passage ends with Jesus speaking about wanting to gather people in under protective, sheltering wings like a Mother Hen. Promises of God to God’s beloved people are a thread through the readings.
Lent Course
For this year’s Lent Course, we are invited to take a deeper dive into the Bible readings from the previous Sunday. Meeting in the crypt at 7pm on Thursdays. Our Sunday preachers will have highlighted some things for us but what more could we mine together from these passages as we seek to keep a holy and fruitful Lent?
Sandy Hamilton
We give thanks to God for the life of Sandy Hamilton, husband of Jean, who died peacefully at Roxburghe House on Wednesday 26th February. A gentle and wise man who was respected and loved by many. Please pray for Jean, Gillian, Dougal and all their family at this time of loss. Funeral to be held at the West Chapel, Aberdeen Crematorium, on Tuesday 18th March at 1:15pm.
SEC Net Zero Action Plan
Following our use of the SEC Heat Hack Programme we are now focusing on taking some actions to make our energy usage more sustainable and efficient. We are hoping to reduce our energy bills, do less damage to the planet and make St Mary’s a more comfortable place to meet, worship and socialise. Please see the noticeboard at the back of church to see what we’ve already been doing. Please let us know what you think about the options for aligning with our Three C’s targets and feel free to add your own ideas.
Fundraising and Social Events Calendar
The Fundraising and Social Events Group met at the beginning of the month to plan fundraising, donation and social events for 2025. Please see the noticeboards for the calendar of activities. There are spare copies of the calendar in the Choir Vestry which you can take home to update your own calendars.
Sunflower Competition starts this Sunday
Last year we had some fun with tomato and other plant seedling sales, even if we didn’t all harvest ripe tomatoes! This year we thought it would be fun to have a sunflower growing competition. We’ll provide the seeds, compost and pots for a suggested donation of £5. In the autumn we’ll see who has grown the tallest sunflowers and award some prizes. In the process we can keep the pollinators happy!
Easter Egg Collection
Our Easter Egg Collection begins next Sunday through to Easter Sunday. Our charitable donation initiatives have been very well supported and successful and very much appreciated by the recipients. Thanking you in advance for your generous gifts!
Services and events commencing this Sunday and for the coming week
Sunday 16th March 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Reverend Canon Dr Jenny Holden
Sunday 16th March 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Reverend Canon Dr Jenny Holden
Wednesday 19th March 10am Holy Communion: Reverend Kate Gibson
Friday 21st March 6pm Compline: Iain Stewart
Sunday 23rd March 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Reverend Roger Dyer
Sunday 23rd March 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Reverend Kate Gibson
Next Sunday’s readings: Isaiah 55: 1-9; Psalm 63: 1-8; 1 Corinthians 10: 1-13
Gospel: Luke 13: 1-9
“Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine.
Whoever I am, Thou knowest, O God, I am thine!”
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd Roger Dyer on 07719 458571 or revrogdyer@btinternet.com