Dear Brothers and Sisters
As a schoolboy in the 1970s I was firmly convinced that Lent came from the Latin word for slowly (lente) as the season always seemed to drag on. Of course, I was wrong, though Lent does sometimes seem to go very slowly. In fact, Lent comes from the Old English word for Spring and after the recent ‘blast from the East’ we are certainly starting to experience the first signs of the new season. It is lighter, warmer, our gardens are tentatively coming back to life and lambing is in full swing around the Benefice.
Spring holds so much promise for us all and after this past winter with all its restrictions I imagine that the whole nation will be focused on the Prime Minister’s announcement next week, as we find out what we can do and when. As always, the devil will be in the detail. All of us have so many plans on hold but could I ask that we keep all couples who are preparing to get married in our prayers. So many of them have had plan after plan dashed so let’s hope and pray that there is good news for them next week.
Like all charities we have been badly affected by the pandemic so we will need to look long and hard at our finances over this coming year. Later on, in the year we will be running a Stewardship campaign which will help us all to think about how we support our parishes both financially and personally. Meanwhile Lent is always a good time to give some thought to this!
There is still time to join either the Wednesday evening (starting 24th Feb) or the Thursday morning (starting 25th Feb) Diocesan Lent course. Both run for six weeks. You can join via the Diocesan website, or I can email you the link.
We continue to stop at 6pm. each evening to pray for the Nation and to remember those who have died.
Sunday Readings
A Reading from the book of Genesis
Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, ‘As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.’ God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.’ God said to Noah, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.’ (9:8-17)
The Gospel according to Mark
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’
And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’ (1:9-15)
Services for Sunday 28th February
Leathley 9.30am.
Fewston 11am.
Weston 2.30pm.
Services for Sunday 27th March
Fewston 9.30am.
Farnley 11am.
Denton 2.30pm.
Please remember in your prayers: Our Government praying for wisdom as they work out the details of how our lives can return to normal. Our schools and teachers and the children and young people they care for as they work towards a return to school based education. Our farmers as the work round the clock caring for their flocks. Our Front-line services, that we don’t take them for granted. All involved in the national vaccination drive. Couples planning to be married this year. The homeless and those who cannot feed their families. Our friends and neighbours and all who live in this Benefice. The sick, and the dying. Those who have died and all who mourn.
God bless you all.
Stephen