A very warm welcome to all
First Sunday of Lent
Readings:
Genesis 2: 15-17; 3: 1-7; Roams 5: 12-19
Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11
In our Gospel
In our Gospel today.
We can have victory over temptation if we will look underneath our temptations at the root of what the devil is putting in front of us. Every temptation ultimately challenges whether we believe that God is with us, that God will provide for us, that God is for our own good, and will deliver on his promises to us. Jesus had victory in the wilderness so that he could set us free from these enslaving temptations and sins. Jesus had victory so that he could stand before the Father on our behalf, interceding for us when we fail. His success shows that he is the King who has come to save us from our sins We must endeavour to pray for those who have been affected by the terrible earthquake that occurred in Turkey and Syria and pray also for the many charities and relief organisations who are assisting in the effort to recover survivors and those who may have perished.
Lent Course
Our Lent Course this year will concentrate on prayer. Each week, we will use a different prayer to talk about. We will adopt the ‘Lectio Divina’ method as per last year. We will use different types of prayer from different faiths to show that God is with us whenever we pray. The course will run every Thursday evening in the Choir Vestry at 7 pm and will last no longer than 45 mins – 1 hour, after which we shall have coffee/tea and cake/biscuits. I hope that you will find time to join me during our Lenten journey. Our first prayer will be the Lord’s Prayer in several of its formats, and it will take place next Thursday the 2nd of March.
Calendars
We have a few St Mary’s Calendars still available and in order to see that they all go to a good home, please feel free to take one for a small donation. Of course, if you wish to pay the full £10 then that would be welcome, but we would like to see them all gone and in the process, collect some donations towards our continued fundraising campaigns.
War in Ukraine
Please continue to offer prayers for our brothers and sisters caught up in Ukraine’s mayhem. Please think about what you can do to help in any way for those who continue to reach out to the rest of Europe and beyond for our assistance. Whatever method or organisation you use to make donations, please do it rather than think about it.
Easter Egg Appeal
Our annual appeal for donations of Easter Eggs is well up and running, with several donations already made. If you are out shopping, and only if you are able, please consider picking up an Easter Egg (or two), to put towards our appeal.
Curry Night
On the evening of Friday the 3rd of March, there will be a ‘Curry Night’, as part of our ongoing social events calendar. All of the food will be prepared and provided by myself, our People’s Warden, Mr Iain Stewart and one other. We ask that you consider making a donation (only if you are able) and that if you wish, ‘bring a bottle’ on the day. I also ask that you let me know that you will be attending in order that we can cater accordingly.
Diocesan Synod
On Saturday the 4th of March, the Diocesan Synod service will take place at Kings College Chapel at Aberdeen University, commencing at 9.30 am. All are welcome to attend this service. The Synod meeting will then follow and will take place at the Elphinstone Hall, directly across from Kings College Chapel.
Bottles
We continue to ask everyone to consider donating any unusual bottles for our ‘Bottle Appeal’. This is an ongoing fundraising initiative and I ask you to keep your eyes open.
Holy Week
Holy Week will commence on Sunday, April 2nd. I recently received an email from Bishop Dorsey McConnell (our Assisting Bishop) to confirm that he will be with us here at St Mary’s, for the Triduum (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday). +Dorsey will also be with us for Easter Sunday. We are blessed that +Dorsey will provide his ministry to us during this most intense part of our Christian Calendar. The proposed services for Holy Week are attached to this newsletter.
More volunteers needed
I am appealing for more people to volunteer to assist with providing coffee and tea after our Sunday worship. Please use the St Mary’s Calendar on the notice board in the Choir vestry to indicate when you would be free to help. Many hands etc…
Keep warm
During this current cold weather, please know that we have a good supply of woollen blankets at the rear of the church that you may wish to avail yourselves of in order to stave off the chill.
Poem Competition 2023
Just to remind everyone that our Short Poetry Competition was launched on the 4th of December. If you recall how successful our previous competition was it was a ‘no-brainer’ that we should do it again. So, get your artistic thinking caps on once more and let’s see if we can have some wonderful poems as we did the last time. You have until the end of March 2023 to submit your entries via email to stmaryscardenplace@gmail.com or if you do not have a computer, on a hard copy to either myself or Mr David Rose our webmaster. The rules can be found via the website on the following link to this year’s competition at https://stmaryscardenplace.org.uk/uncategorized/poem-competition-2023/ Further information will be updated and will soon be made available.
Services/Events Commencing Sunday the 26th of February 2023
Sunday 26th February – at 8 am – Holy Communion (Cn Terry)
Sunday 26th February at 10 am – Sung Eucharist (Cn Terry)
Monday 27th February – Cn Terry – Day Off
Tuesday 28th February at 10 am – Morning Prayer (Cn Terry)
Tuesday 28th February at 7.30 pm – Vestry Meeting
Wednesday 1st March at 10 am – Holy Communion – St David (Cn Terry)
Thursday 2nd March at 7 pm – Lectio Divina Lent Course in the Choir Vestry
Friday 3rd March – at 6 pm – Compline (Cn Terry)
Friday 3rd March at 7.15 pm – Curry Evening in Choir Vestry
Saturday 4th February – Diocesan Synod (All day)
Sunday 5th March- at 8 am – Holy Communion (Cn Terry)
Sunday 5th March at 10 am – Sung Eucharist – 2nd Sunday of Lent (Cn Terry)
Sunday the 5th March readings: Genesis 12: 1-4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4: 1-5, 13-17
Gospel: John 3: 1-17
“O Lord, make this Lenten season different from the other ones. Let me find you again. Amen”
(Henri Nouwen)
Cn Terry Taggart:
01224588776/07768219984