Dear Brothers and Sisters

Some memories are not dimmed by the passage of time. Many decades ago, I stood in the Memorial to the Children, in Yad Vashem; the Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, and wept. The Memorial remembers the one and a half million children who were killed during the Holocaust. That figure is just too much to take in isn’t it? To understand the loss a little better think about just one child, perhaps Uziel Speigel, who was killed in Auschwitz when he was two and a half years old. His parents survived the war, and they funded the building of the Memorial. The Memorial is beautiful. It is set in a darkened cave where a single light is reflected through prisms in the ceiling so that in the darkness hundreds of thousands of bright lights shine.

Today’s feast of the Presentation, or to give it its old name, Candlemas, brings to an end our extended celebration of Christmas. Candlemas used to be the day when all the candles to be used in a church throughout the year were blessed. Light is such an important part of our understanding of Christmas. At this darkest time of the year, we hold to the promise of God that ‘the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.’ (John 1:5) As his followers we know that Jesus is the true light. His light is needed in our world more than ever. Our task is to share that light. So, ask yourself this week how do I share the light of Christ with those I meet?

This week we will all have struggled to comprehend the deaths of over 100,000 people in our country from Coronavirus. One way to deal with their loss is to remember that each of them were known and loved by so many, and to pray for them. Our Archbishops are calling on us all, no matter what our faith background is, to pray together each evening at 6pm. starting on the 1st of February. Prayer resources will be available, and I will send these out as soon as I can.

The phone service worked well for almost all who joined in. We are in the minority of Benefices now as most churches have shut and are on line. We plan to continue with physical services for the time being but all will depend on future regulations.

There are a variety of worship options available online or through Tv and radio. The Daily Hope phone line can be accessed on 08008048044. For those with smart phones the Church of England Time to Pray app is still free to download and use.

Sunday Readings

A Reading from the Letter to the Hebrews

Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.      (2:14-18)

The Gospel according to Luke

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’ Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’ And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’ There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.                                                                                          (2:22-40)

Services for Sunday 7th February                 

  • Denton                             9.30am
  • Leathley                           11am
  • Farnley                            2.30pm

Services for Sunday 14th February               

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

Please remember in your prayers: Our Government, praying for wisdom, and fortitude. The NHS and all who care for others. For all volunteering in our communities. Our children and all who care for them. The homeless and hungry of our nation. The sick, and the dying. Those who have died and all who mourn. 

God bless you all.                       

Stephen