A very warm welcome to all
Psalm 22: “All the ends of the earth shall turn to you, O Lord.”
The Second Sunday in Lent
Readings: Genesis 17: 1-7, 15-16; Romans 4: 13-25
Gospel: Mark 8: 31-38
In our Gospel today
In our reading from Genesis, we hear how God tested Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice Isaac, his beloved son. At the moment of sacrifice, an angel stopped him, providing a ram instead. Abraham’s obedience led to God’s promise of countless descendants and blessings for all nations. In Paul’s letter to the churches in Rome we hear his reflections on the story of Abraham and Isaac, thinking about faith, belief and grace. In the Gospel reading, Jesus is teaching his disciples about what will happen to him. Peter challenges this and Jesus teaches the crowd about what following him might mean for them.
Jack and Peggy Connell
Jack and Peggy Connell would like us to known that they have recently moved to Perth. They have been a steady and faithful part of St Mary’s for over 50 years. We will miss them. They have already made contact with St John the Baptist, Perth and will reconnect there with Very Rev Graham Taylor. Rev Roger has their new address for any that would like that.
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!”
The Epiphany Group Reflective Day
The Epiphany Group Reflective Day will take place on Saturday 24th February at Cults Kirk centre. The group will gather from 10am for coffee and then a 10:30am prompt start and will close with lunch (please bring your own packed lunch) at around 12;30pm. The theme the leaders have chosen for the day is The Cornerstone.
World Day of Prayer 1st March
“I Beg You… Bear With One Another in Love”, prepared by the WDP Committee of Palestine. The service will take place on March 1st at Fountainhall Church Centre Aberdeen at 2pm. All are welcome. Please note there will be an offering with gift aid forms available. If you require any further information, please contact Jenny Tait, Jennifer.tait1955@gmail.comor telephone 01224 630996 or our own Nick Mills.
Sidespersons Rota
We are planning to re-establish the Sidespersons Rota in the near future. The role involves greeting at the door for the Sunday 10am Service, collecting, counting, and banking the Sunday collection. Please sign up on the sheet at the back of church if you would like to be on the rota.
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. The current Magazine can be viewed on our website. If you hover over the News tab in the navigation bar the drop-down list appears, and you’ll see the link to the Christmas newsletter there. If you click on the News tab, you’ll also find a lot of past Magazines going back to Harvest 2019.
Vestry Meeting 27th February
The Vestry will meet on Tuesday 27th February. Please let a member of the Vestry know if you’d like to bring anything to our attention. Vestry Members are: John Cooke (Rector’s Warden), David Rose (Vestry Secretary), Lydia Ross (Treasurer), Iain Stewart (People’s Warden and Alt Lay Rep), Nick Mills (Lay Representative), Graham Thomson (PVG Officer), Louisa Donaldson (Ordinary Member), Allison Brown (Ordinary Member) and Marin Matsuzaka (Ordinary Member).
Services and events commencing this Sunday and for the coming week
Sunday 25th February 8am Said Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Canon Dr Jenny Holden
Sunday 25th February 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Canon Dr Jenny Holden
Tuesday 27th February 10am Morning Prayer: Revd Roger Dyer
Wednesday 28th February 10am Holy Communion: Revd Roger Dyer
Friday 1st March 6pm Compline: Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 3rd March 8am Said Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Jason Hobbs
Sunday 3rd March 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Jason Hobbs
Next Sunday’s readings: Exodus 20: 1-17; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1: 18-25
Gospel: John 2: 13-22
“Christians must lean on the Cross of Christ just as travellers lean on a staff when they begin a long journey.”
(St. Anthony of Padua)
For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd. Roger Dyer on 07719 458571
or revrogdyer@btinternet.com