A very warm welcome to all
Psalm 19: “The commandment of the Lord is pure and gives light to the eyes.”
The Third Sunday in Lent
Readings: Exodus 20: 1-17; 1 Corinthians 1: 18-25
Gospel: John 2: 13-22
In our Gospel today
The Old Testament reading this Sunday includes the Ten Commandments. They include a lot of ‘nots’ and can, at first, make us feel as if we have failed as Christians or as human beings even. We are mistaken if we treat them as a tick sheet or a guide to living. We must see the bigger picture God is wanting to achieve by giving us them. Like any other good parent or teacher, he is giving us boundaries in which to live fuller lives. He is telling us that we must not focus on what we don’t have or the bad motives for the things we do but, instead, live in love with ourselves, each other and the world. That way, his heavenly kingdom can become an earthly one.
Jack and Peggy Connell
Jack and Peggy Connell would like us to know 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 congregation has sent a good luck message with a bouquet of flowers.
Easter Egg Appeal
We are beginning our Easter Egg Collection this Sunday and will carry on collecting until Palm Sunday. Donations will be given to our regular charity partners Barnardo’s and Aberdeen Cyrenians.
Fundraising and Social Events Calendar 2024
The Fundraising and Social Events Group met on 28th February and created a calendar of events for 2024. You’ll find copies of the Fundraising and Social Events Calendar posted up on our noticeboards and also on our website.
Diocesan Library Books Sale
The St Mary’s Vestry has decided that it is best to disperse the remainder of the Diocesan Library books and reference documents. We are arranging for interested clergy and other parties to view and purchase the books on Friday 22nd March (clergy only) and Saturday 23rd March (open to everyone). Opening times are likely to be 10am to 4pm on each day. Any books left over from these two open days will be presented for sale at the local book sale organised by Fountainhall at the Cross. We are keen to have many hands helping on a rota basis on the open days and to have traybakes available with teas and coffees. Please see the sign-up sheet at the back of the church.
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!”
Sidespersons Rota
We are planning to re-establish the Sidesperson’s Rota in the near future. The role involves greeting at the door for the Sunday 10am Service, collecting, counting, and banking the Sunday collection. Thank you to all those congregation members that have sign up so far. The new rota has been prepared and copies can be found at the back of the church.
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.
Services and events commencing this Sunday and for the coming week
Sunday 3rd March 8am Said Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Jason Hobbs
Sunday 3rd March 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Jason Hobbs
Tuesday 5th March 10am No Morning Prayer
Wednesday 6th March 10am Holy Communion: Revd Roger Dyer
Thursday 7th March 7pm Lent Group
Friday 8th March 6pm Compline: Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 10th March 8am Said Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 10th March 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Kate Gibson
Next Sunday’s readings: Numbers 21: 4-9; Psalm 107: 1-3,17-22; Ephesians 2: 1-10
Gospel: John3: 14-21
“Human life is created in God’s image, and that makes it sacred.”
(Colin S. Smith)
For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd. Roger Dyer on 07719 458571
or revrogdyer@btinternet.com