Dear Brothers and Sisters

As a young man Tom Moore fought in one of the most difficult campaigns of the Second World War. He came home and got on with his life, raising a family along the way. In what was to be the last year of his long life he set out to raise a modest amount for charity; his plan was to raise £1000 for the NHS. But he was taken to the nation’s heart and his daily walk round his garden raised almost £40 million. But more than that he raised the morale of our Nation as we all struggled in lockdown. He could not have imagined where his daily walk would take him, or us, but it is safe to say that the last year of his long life was the year that he will be remembered for. But that really isn’t the whole story. One of his favourite sayings was ‘tomorrow will be a good day’, and he believed this to be true because he felt that each day of his life was a good day. As we remember him let’s try to share that legacy to live each day of our lives as a good day. A day given to us by God, a day to be lived well. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

Lent is almost upon us. Our Ash Wednesday Service will be on Phone Church this year. We can’t impose ashes and it sems sensible not to drag you out of your homes on a cold February evening. Details of the service will be in next week’s bulletin.

Over the past year the Diocese has asked us to look at our lives and to consider ways that might help us live a more fruitful life. I’ve talked about this ‘Rhythm of Life’  programme a few times now and the how to get started guide is attached again in case you have mislaid it. The Diocesan Lent course this year is based on the Rhythm of Life programme. It is being offered online and it would be good if we could run a course in the Benefice. There will be six sessions each lasting 90 minutes. If you are interested in taking part could you let me know by next Wednesday (10th Feb). Could you also let me know what day/time would work best for you. Don’t worry if we don’t get enough of us to form a group as we can join the central course that the Diocese are running.

I hope that you have been able to make space at 6pm. To stop and pray for the Nation. Wednesday evening was a bit of a challenge praying and clapping at the same time but those of you who were at the last Phone Church will have had practice!

We are fortunate in being able to worship in person, thanks to the hard work of our Churchwardens. Don’t feel that you have to attend in person, please don’t come if you are feeling in any way unwell. Please don’t gather to chat at the beginning or end of worship. (I know it is hard not to). We are almost at the end of this terrible time let’s keep working hard to keep each other safe).

The weather for this weekend is not looking great so do please take care, err on the side of caution about going out and do check on each other.

Sunday Readings

A Reading from the Letter to the Colossians

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

(1:15-20)

The Gospel according to John

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.                                                     (1:1-14)

Services for Sunday 14th February               

  • Weston                            9.30am.
  • Fewston                           11am.
  • Leathley                           2.30pm.

Ash Wednesday 17th February                     

  • Phone Service                 7pm.

Services for Sunday 21st February               

  • Farnley                            9.30am.
  • Denton                             11am.

Please remember in your prayers: Give thanks for all those who have inspired us by the lives. Give thanks for all working so hard to make our national vaccination programme work. Give thanks for all who serve their local communities.Pray for our Government, praying for wisdom, and fortitude. Our children and all who care for them. All working in Education and social Care. The homeless and those who cannot feed their families. The sick, and the dying. Those who have died and all who mourn. 

God bless you all.                       

Stephen