A very warm welcome to all
Refrain for Psalm 91:
“Keep me as the apple of your eye.”
First Sunday in Lent
Readings: Deuteronomy 26: 1-11; Romans 10: 8b-13
Gospel: Luke 4: 1-13
In our Gospel today
As Lent begins, today’s readings give an opportunity to reflect on power and change. We are invited to recognise and respond to the saving power of God and contemplate the renunciation of conventional worldly power, which brought Jesus ultimately to his death on the cross.
The Old Testament readings point towards the character of God as liberator and protector. What then are the implications, we are asked, of being God’s people who have experienced liberation and who are now being asked to liberate and include others? This theme continues in our reading from the epistle to the Romans.
The gospel account of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness prompts us to think how we might similarly be tempted to misuse power, even in pursuit of good ends, and asks us to think about how power can be used for good.
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 last week. 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.
Services and events commencing this Sunday and for the coming week
Sunday 9th March 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Reverend Roger Dyer
Sunday 9th March 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Reverend Kate Gibson
Wednesday 12th March 10am Holy Communion: Reverend Roger Dyer
Friday 14th March 6pm Compline: Iain Stewart
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
Next Sunday’s readings: Genesis 15: 1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17-4:1
Gospel: Luke 13: 31-35
“The last temptation is the greatest treason: to do the right deed for the wrong reason.”
(T. S. Eliot)
For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd Roger Dyer on 07719 458571 or revrogdyer@btinternet.com