Sometimes it’s easy to get completely overwhelmed in a world that seems to demand easy, quick answers to every situation. The story of Jesus temptations in the wilderness suggests that this is not new: all Jesus temptations were for the quick, instant, easy solution. But each time, he refuses. This is the invitation of Lent: to follow in Christ’s footsteps, to move through the wilderness of self-deception – and to live in the truth of Christ.
Notices for Sunday 1st March – with details of our upcoming services and events.
A month of wintery weather, as we look back at the recent Holocaust Memorial event – and forward to Ash Wednesday, and the start of Lent.
Our focus today as we start Lent is on the ash in Ash Wednesday. What is the significance of ashing? Why does it matter that we adorn ourselves in an ash cross? And how can we reflect our faith in Christ with more than a mark on our skin for others to see in the weeks to come?
Our Morning Praise service from Sunday 23rd February – where today, as we think ahead to Lent, we also consider Fairtrade Fortnight: how can we all ensure that those who produce the goods we take for granted – in today’s service, we’re thinking of chocolate – are rightly paid for the effort they undertake to provide for us?
Notices for Sunday 23rd February, with details of our upcoming services and events.
“I feel like there are parts of myself that have been lost along the way, and I don’t know if I can go back and find them again.” Is this how the woman who lost a coin or the shepherd who lost a sheep felt; for these in the parable, this was more than a coin, more than a sheep – without what we’ve lost, we’re less than the whole and want ourselves back.
How many of you wonder if the reading from Matthew 6 doesn’t apply to you? Don’t worry, be happy? If we’re honest with ourselves, do we wonder if this inspirational stuff is fine if you’re young – but for adult modern life, doesn’t apply? After all – this isn’t going to pay the rent, repair the car, overcome the concerns of our lives. Yet Jesus knew about worries, he knew about life – he tells us to stop worrying and asks us to notice the moment. To give our attention to what God has for us now – as He will help us deal with tomorrow when it comes.
Notices for Sunday 16th February, with details of our upcoming services and events.
On Sunday 9th February 2020, at 4pm, members of St Mark’s church joined Anne’s new church family from St Andrew’s in Tiptoe and All Saints in Hordle – as together, we celebrated Anne’s welcome as associate priest for St Andrew’s church.
