A very warm welcome to all
Refrain for Psalm 34:
“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall ever be in my mouth.”
Fourth Sunday in Lent (Mothering Sunday)
Readings: Exodus 2: 1-10; 2 Corinthians 1: 3-7
Gospel: Luke 2: 33-35
In our Gospel today
Today is the fourth Sunday of Lent but can also be known as Laetare Sunday from the Latin word to rejoice. As in the period of Advent where Gaudete Sunday is represented by the colour rose or pink the same is true for today. So too we are given a brief period of respite from the solemnities of the season and is why we celebrate Mothering Sunday today. It can also be said that we have reached the mid-way point in our Lenten Journey and Easter is in sight or maybe that chocolate we have given up!
Traditionally Mothering Sunday was a time when Christians would visit their mother church to celebrate. This would be the Church where they were baptised and a reminder of their Christian journey.
Whist lent has been a time of self-reflection for us today we might remember our part in the wider church community and family and what it is that binds us together beginning with our baptismal vows and entry into that family.
Our readings remind us that this is not always an easy path to take, and we might argue that perhaps it should not be as our journey often encounters many obstacles that we may well have been considering in our own Lenten reflections.
However, today as we celebrate Mothering Sunday, we remember that if we have faith and trust in God we will travel with Christ through Lent and Holy Week and suffering on the cross to the joy of that first Easter morning.
Organ Recital at St James the Less
All are invited to a Recital of Lenten Organ music by Kamil Mika, organist at St James’s on Tuesday 1st April at 5pm. No entry fee, retiring collection for Kamil.
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?
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 started last 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 began last 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 28th March 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Reverend Roger Dyer
Sunday 28th March 10am Service of the Word (Mothering Sunday): Presiding Dr Nicola Mills and preaching Louisa Donaldson
Wednesday 2nd April 10am Holy Communion: Reverend Roger Dyer
Friday 4th April 6pm Compline: Iain Stewart
Sunday 6th April 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Reverend Roger Dyer
Sunday 6th April 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Reverend Roger Dyer
Next Sunday’s readings: Isaiah 43: 16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3: 4b-14
Gospel: John 12: 1-8
“Faith, mighty faith the promise sees and looks to God alone; laughs at impossibilities and cries It Shall be Done.”
(Charles Wesley)
For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd Roger Dyer on 07719 458571 or revrogdyer@btinternet.com