| February 2012
Dear friends,
Keeping Lent
Wednesday 22nd marks the beginning of Lent. But before that
comes the big party.
Shrove Tuesday is celebrated all over the world, and there is usually food
involved.
In times before refrigerators existed, the idea was to use up all the
perishable goods that were going to be off the menu during lent.
So, in Britain, it is customary to make pancakes, to use up eggs, milk and
butter.
The word ‘shrove’ comes from the old word ‘to shrive’,
which meant going to confession and having your sins forgiven. If that sounds an
old-fashioned word, think of it as of spiritual detox, a day for clearing you
spiritual and literal fridge, ready for the rigours ahead.
If we put together
the idea of eating up provisions and wiping the personal slate clean, the
main emphasis of Lent begins to come out. This is a time for new beginnings.
Ash Wednesday is then
the logical next step. The sign of the cross is made on our foreheads with
ashes that come from the last year’s palm crosses, now burned.
Although this is a
sombre time, it is also full of hope.
The ash symbolises
the dust from which God made us in the beginning, and to which all human
beings returned. But it also symbolises God’s re-creative action in the
cross. Death may be inevitable for us, but it has no power over God.
So in Lent we are
signalling that we want to walk with Jesus through this season to his death
on the cross.
As we do so, we will
gradually be examining and discarding - putting to death - all the habits of
mind and body that keep us bound to our old life without Jesus, so that we
are ready for his new resurrection life at Easter.
A Day in Lent
This year, as last,
we will bless our Lenten Cross during the Ash Wednesday Service as it begins
its journey through our Parish.
The crosses will move
from home to home for a period of 24 hours in each home. It is hoped that
they will become a focus for contemplation /prayer etc.
There is still time
to participate - either sign the sheet at the back of church, or for those
who cannot get to church, please let Sue or I know and we will make sure
that you are included.
Lent Housegroups
We will be setting up
some housegroups that will meet weekly during Lent. Look out for the sheet
at the back of church and sign up to the one that suits you best.
Lent Prayer time
I will be leading a
45 minute prayertime on each Saturday in Lent commencing 9am. It will be a
quiet time using music, scripture and prayerful reflections. The first
service will be Saturday 25th February.
with every blessing
Graham
Services for February 2012
Sunday 5th
February
3rd Sunday before Lent
9.15am Holy Communion
Thursday 9th
February
10.00am Holy Communion
Sunday 12th
February
2nd Sunday before Lent
9.15am Holy Communion
Thursday 16th
February
10.00am Holy Communion
Sunday 19th
February
Sunday next before Lent
9.15am Holy Communion
Wednesday
22nd
ASH WEDNESDAY
7.00pm Holy Communion, Imposition of Ashes & Blessing of
the Lent Cross
Thursday 23rd
February
10.00am Holy Communion
Sunday 26th
February
1st Sunday of Lent
9.15am Holy Communion
1.00pm Baptism
Thursday 1st
March
10.00am Holy Communion
Sunday 4th
March
2nd Sunday of Lent
9.15am Holy Communion
Thursday 8th
March
10.00am Holy Communion
Readings:
5th February 3rd
Sunday before Lent
1
Corinthians 9
:16-23
Mark 1 : 29-39
12th February 2nd Sunday before
Lent
Colossians 1 1
:15-20
John 1 : 1-14
19th February Sunday next
before
Lent
2 Corinthians 4 :
3-6
Mark 9 : 2-9
26th February 1st Sunday in
Lent
Genesis 9
:8-17
Mark 1 : 9-15
4th
March
2nd Sunday in
Lent
Genesis 17:1-7,15-16
Mark 8 : 31-38
Parish Prayers
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm
119:105
Private study and prayer
Heavenly Father, advance and nourish us in our study of
your bible, help us to understand it in our minds and apply it in our lives,
and know the wonder of your love for us in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Teach us to silence our own thoughts that we may receive
the guidance of the Holy Spirit within us and experience new depths of
comprehension as we read.
May your word strengthen us when we are weak, be at our side when we are
lonely, comfort us when we are in need of you and be our constant guide,
companion and support .
Parish Concerns
? All study of
the bible at home and in Lent meetings
? For all who
pray at home, especially those who can no longer get to church
? For the Vicar,
Assistant Priest, Reader and Lay Assistants and their need for personal
prayer and study times
Wider Concerns
? The work of
bible study classes and groups
? Those who
prepare and publish, prayer and bible reading guidance
? For all in trouble who seek the Lord
Burns Night
The annual Burns’
Night Supper and Dance was held in the school on Saturday 21st January.
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Garth Fell and the music for
dancing was provided by the ‘Caller’ who led everyone through all the
various Scottish country dances.
Just before the interval
the haggis was paraded in by Frank Jackson resplendent in his kilt, various
poems were read and the toasts made. It was then time for supper and after
Jeff Hain read the Selkirk Grace, everyone sat down to enjoy the potato pie
supper.
Our thanks go to all those who helped
make the evening such a success and to Derek and Christine Hambler who
kindly organised the licensed bar.
Copyright © 2012 St Thomas' Church, Newhey
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