8th March 2026 at 10.30am – The Third Sunday of Lent Eucharist

Posted on March 8, 2026 by St Mary's

The Readings.

Romans 5.1-11

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

John 4.5-42

So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.” Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come back.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!” The woman said to him, “Sir, I see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.” Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who is speaking to you.”

Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you want?” or, “Why are you speaking with her?” Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” They left the city and were on their way to him. Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, “Rabbi, eat something.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples said to one another, “Surely no one has brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. Do you not say, ‘Four months more, then comes the harvest’? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.”

Scripture quotations are from: New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

The Sermon
Prepared by The Revd Canon Dr Alan Billings.

Last Friday was International Women’s Day. And I thought of my grannie. I
spent a lot of time with her as a child, because both my parents worked.
Sometimes she had visitors. While I sat in a corner of her kitchen, pretending
to read a book, women would come and have a cup of tea with her. Then for
a shilling, she would read their tea leaves. This involved swirling the last
dregs of the cup of tea around, tipping the liquid out, leaving the leaves
sticking to the side of the cup.

Grannie would then turn the cup this way and that, peering at the leaves until
gradually she saw a pattern emerge. She would then tell the person whose
cup it was, what the pattern meant for their lives.

She could be very bold. She would say to the women that there was
something troubling them. She might name what it was. You have been
stealing from work. You are being unfaithful to your husband. Then she would
tell them they had got to go away and sort their life out – and if they did they
would be a whole lot better for it. The tea reading session was a cross
between the confessional and therapy.

Afterwards she would take me to the sweet shop to spend the money on
sherbet dabs or coils of black liquorice.

Grannie’s career came to an end when they invented tea bags.
The women were always amazed at how accurate the leaves were in
revealing why they had come, what was bothering them.

So how did grannie do it?

Well, I don’t think there was anything magical about the leaves. The answer
wasn’t the leaves, but grannie. She read the women not the leaves. From the
moment they came into her kitchen, she took in everything about them. Every
word they said, every movement of their hands. The way they stood, the way
they looked at her. What they said and the way they said it.

Above all, she was interested in them. She never pushed her own agenda.
She put herself in their shoes. She felt their emotions. She understood. She
sympathised and wanted the best for them. The very best for them. I would
say she really loved them. She had all the skills of a great pastor.

Now why do I mention all this? Because what I saw in my grannie I see in
Jesus in today’s gospel. Jesus may not be reading tea leaves, but he is
reading the woman at the well.

Scholars who comment on this passage will tell you that what Jesus did was
morally hazardous. Men did not go to wells and meet with women - except for
one dubious purpose. So this was not without reputational risk for both Jesus
and the woman.

And it was unusual. Men did not talk to women in that society. Men would not
believe that women’s lives were remotely interesting or that women had
opinions worth hearing.

Again, Jewish men – and Jesus was a Jew, of course – Jewish men would
not talk to Samaritan men, never mind Samaritan women. And this must be
one of the longest conversations Jesus has with anyone in any of the
gospels. They have a deep conversation about spiritual resources – living
water Jesus calls it – about the relationships between Jews and Samaritans,
about what is true worship, and so on. All of that is unusual.

But to my mind the most interesting thing of all, is what this passage tells us
about Jesus as a pastor. He reads people. He focuses on them. He listens to
what they say.

This is something for us to think about in Lent, when we try to grow a little
more like the Lord. Well, here are clues about how we get better at being
pastors to our fellow Christians, to our families, friends, and neighbours. We
do it by learning to read them, as my grannie learnt to read the women who
came to her kitchen. And I stress learnt. People are not born pastors. Being a
good pastor comes with time and practice. And there is no great secret to it.
We read people by being attentive to them.

How do we know whether we are being attentive? We need to be conscious
of what is going on when we talk to others. Are we doing all the talking and
none of the listening? And if we are listening attentively, are we trying to
figure out what lies behind what is being said to us?

And one final thing. Being a good pastor, a good friend, means not being
afraid of learning the truth about one another. Yet still being supportive. After
all, Jesus, our shepherd, our pastor, knows the truth about us and yet he
loves us, as my grannie loved the women whose leaves she read.

The Prayers
Prepared by Joe, Reader at St Mary's.

Heavenly Father,
in this season of Lent, we come before you aware of our need
of you. Like the woman at the well, we come with our thirst, our
questions, our weariness, and our hope. Meet us where we are,
and give us again that living water which only Christ can give.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for your Church throughout the world.
Renew your people in faith, hope and love.
Where the Church has grown tired or fearful, breathe your Spirit
afresh. Help us to reach across divisions, to welcome those
who feel excluded, and to speak of Christ with honesty, humility
and joy.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for the world, with all its conflict, confusion and
suffering. We pray for places where there is war, injustice and
deep mistrust. Grant wisdom to those in positions of power and
responsibility, and a real desire for peace and truth. Teach us
all to be people of reconciliation, remembering that your love
reaches out even to us in our weakness and sin.
At this time we pray particularly for the people of Iran and the
surrounding countries, and pray that wisdom and compassion
can be granted to the leaders of all countries involved to
prevent the region further descending into bloody chaos.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for our communities, our neighbours, our friends and
our families. We remember those who feel on the outside;
those who feel forgotten, ashamed, lonely or overlooked. We
pray for all whose lives feel dry, burdened or joyless at the
moment.
May your grace refresh them, and may we be ready to show
your love in practical and generous ways.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for those who are sick, anxious or struggling, in body,
mind or spirit.
We remember especially those known to us now…
Be close to them in their need. Give strength to those who care
for them, and patience, skill and compassion to all who support
them. Where hope is faint, let your presence be known.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We remember those who have died, and those who mourn
them.
Rest the departed in your peace, and comfort all who grieve.
Hold before us the hope that is ours in Christ,
that nothing can separate us from your love.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

And so, Lord, in these Lenten days, lead us from dryness to
renewal, from fear to trust, and from distance to deeper faith.
We lay before you our burdens this Lent, and in a few moments
of silence we open ourselves to you.
May we, like the woman at the well, be ready to receive your
grace and to share the good news of Christ with others.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

1st March 2026 at 10.30am – The Second Sunday of Lent Eucharist

Posted on March 1, 2026 by St Mary's

The Readings.

Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.

For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”) —in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

John 3:1-17

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus* by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’* Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.* Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You* must be born from above.”* The wind* blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you* do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.* And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.*

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

The Prayers
Prepared by Kath.

God our Father, hear us when we pray to you in faith.

We give you thanks for this day and the many gifts you give to us every day of our lives. May we take time to realise what we have, especially all the beauty that is in the world and to appreciate it with heartfelt gratitude.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for your church throughout the world, giving thanks for all who keep it going, especially those in places where faith in you is opposed or persecuted or derided.
We give thanks for all who give of their time, talents and resources to make St Mary’s, St Mark’s and St John’s the special places they are and we pray for our respective communities that we seek to serve. Especially we pray for all our local businesses, service providers and societies who make our communities what they are.
We pray for everyone including ourselves on our Lenten journey, that it may be a meaningful time drawing us closer to you in both our prayers and in the stuff of everyday life.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our very troubled and turbulent world, for all peoples, communities and nations who face injustice and great distress through war, oppression, disaster or need. As we mark the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, we pray especially for the peoples of both nations who are suffering so greatly and pray that a way to attain a just and lasting peace will soon be found. We pray for all, especially those in positions of leadership and influence who are working for justice and genuine peace in all parts of the world. Lord give them strength, wisdom, courage and humility and look kindly on their efforts.
We give thanks for the truly uplifting and inspiring way in which the Winter Olympic Games have taken place. May this spirit be an encouragement for all involved in similar future events be they local, national or international.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are ill or unwell at this time. May they be lovingly supported as they navigate the changes and challenges they face as a result of their illness. We pray also for those who will be alongside them that they too will be supported and cared for. By name let us pray for Viv, Nic & Sue. In a few moments of quiet we call to mind anyone known to us who is in particular need of our prayers and let us also bring before God our own needs and concerns.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We remember those who have died, some recently and some long ago. May they rest in peace and may all who mourn and miss them be comforted and find their own peace.
Especially may we pray for
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ,
Amen

22nd February 2026 at 10.30am – The First Sunday of Lent Eucharist

Posted on February 22, 2026 by St Mary's

The Readings.

Romans 5.12-19

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned— sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come.

But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin. For the judgement following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

Matthew 4.1-11

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written,
“One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” ’

Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,
“He will command his angels concerning you”,
and “On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’
Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
“Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.” ’
Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

The Sermon
Prepared by Kath, Reader at St Mary's.

I can hardly believe it but here we are at the start of Lent already; a period when traditionally many Christians decide to abstain from something they like or enjoy, focus more on their prayer life and/ or give more for the benefit of others be that with money or time or in other ways, or perhaps even a combination of all three of these elements. Very unusually, Lent this year coincides with Ramadan so our Muslim friends and neighbours are doing much the same things. Even many non-religious people use Lent as a prompt to give something up either to improve their health or test their willpower. This notion of serious self control brings us very neatly to the theme of our reading from Matthew’s gospel, namely temptation. Always an interesting subject!

The reading is one that many of us will be familiar with but I wonder, when you’re reading it to yourself, what tone of voice do you imagine the devil using in this exchange with Jesus? Is he assertive or commanding, insisting that Jesus answer him or is he quietly sussing him out? Maybe he already knows the answers he’s likely to get and he’s even amusing himself by toying with a starving and exhausted man. Some cruel people do enjoy seeing the suffering of others. I don’t know why but I tend towards this latter interpretation of what he’s doing. “If you are the Son of God” in other words, prove it, let’s see what you’re made of.

The devil’s first test is pretty basic. As we are told in the passage, Jesus has fasted for forty days and nights and he is “famished”. We’re so used to hearing the information quoted in this reading that perhaps it doesn’t have the impact it should. Just think about it for a moment. That’s a very long time to go without food and no doubt Jesus would not be in a good state. And here is the devil saying “If you are the Son of God” you can satisfy your need for food so easily by turning these stones into bread and proving yourself into the bargain. Did he actually wonder if Jesus would be so easily bought? And what would it have said about Jesus if he had done so?

The devil’s second attempt to test Jesus is more serious. He’s trying to get him to test his Father’s love and value for him. Placing him on top of the highest point of the temple he’s saying “If you are the Son of God” he won’t let you get even slightly hurt if you throw yourself off and that will really prove that you are who you say you are. Again try to imagine the scene. I don’t know how you are with heights but I’d be absolutely terrified. But Jesus simply answers him “It is written, Do not put the Lord your God to the test”. Whatever our circumstances, that is something we all have to bear in mind. We shouldn’t expect God to jump through hoops to satisfy our need for certainty.

The Devil’s third attempt is perhaps more subtle. He takes Jesus to a high mountain and shows him “all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour” and says he will give them all to him if he will fall down and worship him. This sounds very much like an appeal to human desires for wealth, status and power.

Any of these tests or offers could tempt most human beings but Jesus isn’t just a human being. Even so, he chooses to trust in His Father as to who and what he is and chooses not to give in to the temptation in order to demonstrably prove it to himself or to anyone else. How does Jesus feel after the encounter is over? Is the human part of him relieved that he passed the test? When the devil is sent away I wonder, is he angry, put out, frustrated, or is he intrigued? “Who is this I’m dealing with?”

As human beings we often have to deal with temptation and there’s an awful lot of it around in our world these days. Depending on our circumstances at any given time it can be easier or harder to resist, even when we know we should. From food that isn’t good for us to situations that are morally questionable or even legally perilous we need to be aware of what we are doing and the possible consequences of giving in to temptation. The devil doesn’t always show up in an easily recognisable form. People can be compromised by accepting seemingly inocuous gifts or favours that are later used to manipulate them, gradually drawing them into doing things they would not under normal circumstances have chosen to do. They can find themselves hooked on whatever they are receiving or trapped by a desire to not be found out. I’m sure we all know how the tentacles of corruption work.

In the news for some time now we have been seeing a lot of chickens coming home to roost, so to speak. Some people who, knowingly or unwittingly were tempted by their desire for luxuries, wealth, drugs, improper relationships, status, power and influence without questioning or caring where these things came from, are now having their, careers, reputations and lives wrecked and bringing others down with them. Some of them probably assumed that they would never be held accountable for their deeds because of who and what they are. Others will be deeply regretting ever meeting those who lured them into the mess they now find themselves in. Was it worth the very high price they are now paying? Did they ever stop to think or care about those who have suffered because of their choices? Do they take responsibility for their actions or do they put all the blame on others?

The people we are seeing in the news may seem very far removed from the lives we lead. We don’t move in the kind of circles that they do so we may feel safe from what is happening to them. But none of us are immune from temptation, even Jesus. The passage in Matthew’s gospel specifically states that the Spirit took him into the wilderness to be tempted. So we can know that our struggles to deal with temptation are understood. From his responses to the temptations set before him Jesus shows us how to see them for what they really are and how we can lean on our beliefs and God given values and stand strong when it matters.

At first I thought this was pretty much where my sermon would end. I’d put my iPad away thinking, well that’s the first draft written, bar a little fine tuning. But later I couldn’t help feeling that it was a bit of a somber and downbeat place to end. More was needed. I couldn’t help thinking it would be nice to be able to preach a sermon that was all sunshine and roses and uplifting but sadly that wouldn’t be a very honest reflection of how life is for many people throughout the world at the moment. Then I listened to someone talking about the Revd. Jesse Jackson who had just died. I think we would all agree that he was a very great and inspiring man. But he was nearly always dealing with incredibly difficult situations, some of which seemed intractable and hopeless for many years. What was so impressive about him was that in spite of all the difficulties and setbacks and prejudice he faced, he never gave up. He kept on working and trying to make the world a better place for everyone. The world he left is far from perfect and there is still a lot to do to put it mildly, but he achieved a huge amount that so many of us have benefited from. When he spoke to his congregations and audiences, Jesse Jackson didn’t sugarcoat anything and I got the impression they appreciated his honesty and still felt hopeful of better times.

This got me wondering where the hope is in the corruption and abuse situations I described earlier. Then I realised that hope is indeed there. It is in the victims who have bravely spoken up and refused to be silenced. Their courage has in turn given others the courage to speak out. At long last they are beginning to be listened to and taken seriously. Hope is in the people who thought they were untouchable, starting to be held to account. Those in positions of power can no longer turn a blind eye. Hope is in the populations who have been oppressed for decades, starting to fight back and their oppressors are getting scared.

Hopefully temptation to make the wrong choices or take the wrong paths will be a lot less appealing from now on, for all of us, and when we do fall short and mess up, as we inevitably will, may we have the courage and humility to say sorry and seek opportunities for redemption.

Amen.

18th February 2026 7.30pm – Ash Wednesday – Eucharist

Posted on February 22, 2026 by St Mary's

The Readings

Isaiah 58.1-12

Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God.

“Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?” Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.

Matthew 6.1-6, 16-21

‘Beware of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

‘So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

‘And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Scripture Quotations are from: New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

15th February 2026 at 10.30am – Sunday next before Lent Eucharist

Posted on February 15, 2026 by St Mary's

The Readings.

Exodus 24.12-end

The Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.’ So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. To the elders he had said, ‘Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.’

Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

Matthew 17.1-9

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

The Sermon
Prepared by Catherine, Reader at St Mary's.

The book of Exodus is one of my favourite books in the Bible. The overarching
narrative tells of Israel’s rescue from slavery in Egypt, her time in the
wilderness on their way to the land of Canaan, and finally her instructions from
God on how to live and how to worship.

But it’s full of smaller stories along the way, any one of which could derail
God’s wider plan for Israel. And it’s told by a master storyteller, which makes
it a really gripping read.

Some of these stories are told in great detail – for example the plagues and the
escape from Egypt.

And some stories are so brief, that if you’re not careful, you’ll miss important
information. Today’s is one such story.

The Israelites have now been in the wilderness for some time. Sustained by
manna and quails, they have moved from place to place, guided by a pillar of
cloud during the day and of fire by night. There have been grumbles and
squabbles but the people are still reliant on Moses, their leader. Moses, in turn,
has been reliant on God, going up and down the mountain for instruction.

Now God calls Moses to the mountain again. Moses must wait there. Then he
will receive the tablets of stone on which will be written the law for the
instruction of Israel. Moses goes, taking Joshua with him. He appoints Aaron,
his brother, and Hur as deputy leaders, telling the elders that they will sort out
any disputes. There’s a certain irony dropped casually into the story here, but I
won’t spoil things – read on into chapter 32 if you want to find out why...
Moses goes up onto the mountain and is covered by cloud. The glory of the
LORD settles on the mountain for six days. Moses has to wait. Meanwhile, all
the people of Israel see from afar is a devouring fire on top of the mountain.

I wonder what they are thinking?

On the seventh day God calls Moses from the cloud. Moses enters the cloud
and continues up the mountain. He’s there for a very long time – forty days
and nights.

And that’s where today’s reading ends.

I’d love you to read the whole book. I hope you find it as exciting and
dramatic as I do. But let’s focus on today’s section.

Moses must wait. For six days he stands on the mountain; God takes his time
to speak. Only when God is ready, does he call Moses further up the mountain,
into the cloud. Moses knows something of what will happen next and trusts
that all will be well. But I imagine it must have been pretty awesome and
terrifying for him regardless. He’s only had to wait 6 days. The next 34 days
he’s kept busy listening to God.

The Israelites must wait. It’s harder for them. Their wait is almost 7 times
longer. They can only see things at a distance. They’ve seen Moses and Joshua
go up the mountain. They’ve seen a devouring fire at the top of the mountain.

They can’t see Moses. They don’t know what is going on.

The wilderness is already a tough place to live. The Israelites have been
struggling. And now their leader has vanished. Forty days and nights is a long
time when you don’t know what is going on. Has that strange and terrifying
fire devoured him? Will he ever come back? Gradually, things are becoming
less and less certain. It’s not comfortable.

What can we take away from this passage?

Well, times of waiting and uncertainty have been a part of human existence
throughout history. It’s no different today. Times of waiting and uncertainty
happen in any family, workplace, community, church, country and globally.
They are nearly always unsettling, especially for the majority who are not in
leadership roles. Much of the time we can relate far more to the everyday
Israelite than we can to Moses.

So what can we do in times of waiting and uncertainty?

Well, God revealed his plans to Moses only a step at a time. Moses kept open
and alert to God and was ready to respond when God called him. He didn’t
know what was coming next, but trusted that God would show him the next
step. Let us do the same.

And whenever any of us are in leadership positions in our lives, let us also be
open and alert to the voices and needs of those who are not. Let us be mindful
that for others, things might be very uncertain indeed. Let us pray for God’s
guidance to help us communicate effectively and in love.

And, as we move towards Lent, let us pray for growth as individuals and
community during such times of waiting and uncertainty.

8th February 2026 at 10.30am – 2nd Sunday before Lent Eucharist

Posted on February 8, 2026 by St Mary's

The Readings.

Genesis 1:1-2:3

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

And God said, ‘Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.’ So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.

And God said, ‘Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.’ And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, ‘Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.’ And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.

And God said, ‘Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.’ And it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.

And God said, ‘Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.’ So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them, saying, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.’ And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.

And God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.’ And it was so. God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good.

Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.’
So God created humankind in his image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.’ God said, ‘See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.’ And it was so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.

Matthew 6: 25–end

‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

‘So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

The Prayers
Prepared by Kath.

God our Father, hear us when we pray to you in faith.

We give you thanks for the many gifts you give to us each and every one of us every day of our from the ordinary that we might easily miss to the extraordinary that stops us in our tracks. May we take time to realise what we have and to appreciate it with heartfelt gratitude.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for your church throughout the world, especially for our fellow believers who are not able to worship you freely and for whom the situation seems to be getting harder rather than easier. We think of Christians in Iran. We ask God to keep them strong in their faith and protect them from those who would do them harm and we pray for better times when they too can worship freely.

We pray for our new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally as she begins her ministry as head of the Anglican Church. We pray that she will receive all the goodwill and support she will need to navigate justly all the issues the church faces. We ask God to give her wisdom, courage and grace, empowering her to lead with strength, humility, love and compassion.

We give thanks for all who give of their time, talents and resources to make St Mary’s, St Mark’s and St John’s the special places they are and we pray for our respective communities that we seek to serve.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our very troubled and turbulent world, for all peoples, communities and nations who face injustice and great distress through war, oppression, disaster or need. Especially we pray for good outcomes to the peace negotiations for the peoples of Ukraine & Russia and in Gaza & Israel for the Palestinian & Israeli peoples who have suffered so much for so long. We pray also for an end to the distressing situations on the streets of Minnesota and other parts of the United States where people are being assaulted, mistreated and even killed. We pray for all victims of abuse in whatever form it takes.

May we all have the wisdom to learn the lessons of the past and recognise the abuses of power and extreme wealth that we so often see for what they really are and to understand that are causing so many of the world’s worst problems. Father, give us the courage and confidence to confront these ills and to hope and work for a better and more just world for everyone.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are ill or unwell at this time. May they be lovingly supported as they navigate the changes and challenges they face as a result of their illness. We pray also for those who will be alongside them that they too will be supported and cared for. By name let us pray for Viv who is coping with a very serious illness and we pray for Nic in her recovery. In a few moments of quiet we call to mind anyone known to us who is in particular need of our prayers and let us also bring before God our own needs and concerns.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ,
Amen

1st February 2026 at 10.30am – Candlemas Eucharist

Posted on February 1, 2026 by St Mary's

The Readings.

Hebrews 2.14-end

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.

Luke 2.22-40

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 turtledoves 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 seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped 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 favor of God was upon him.

The Prayers

Let us pray to the Father through Christ who is our light and life.

Father, your Christ is acclaimed as the glory of Israel:
look in mercy on your Church, sharing his light.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Father, your Christ in his temple brings judgement on the world:
look in mercy on the nations, who long for his justice.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Father, your Christ, who was rich, for our sakes became poor:
look in mercy on the needy, suffering with him.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Father, your Christ is the one in whom faithful servants find their peace:
look in mercy on the departed, that they may see your salvation.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Father, your Christ is revealed as the one destined to be rejected:
look in mercy on us who now turn towards his passion.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Lord God, you kept faith with Simeon and Anna,
and showed them the infant King.
Give us grace to put all our trust in your promises,
and the patience to wait for their fulfilment;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

25th January 2026 at 10.30am – Conversion of Paul Eucharist

Posted on January 25, 2026 by St Mary's

The Readings.

Acts 9.1-22

Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” All who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem among those who invoked this name? And has he not come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah.

Matthew 19.27-end

Then Peter said in reply, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

The Prayers

Encouraged by our fellowship with all the saints,
let us make our prayers to the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Father, your Son called the saints to leave their past behind
them and to follow him as his disciples in the way of the cross. Look
with mercy upon those whom he calls today, marks with the cross
and makes his disciples within the Church.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Your Son is the Prince of Peace.
Strengthen the bond of peace among us and in our troubled world.
Disturb the hearts of all who would make war; touch the wounds of all who are afflicted by war.
Let the light of your love shine in all the dark places of our world,
and hasten the day when all peoples may dwell in peace with justice.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Your Son formed around him a company who were no longer
servants but friends, and he called all those who obeyed him his
brother and sister and mother. Look with mercy upon our families
and our friends and upon the communities in which we share.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Your Son sent out disciples to preach and to heal the sick. Look with
mercy on all those who yearn to hear the good news of salvation,
and renew among your people the gifts of healing.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Your Son shows us how to be patient with one another in humility and gentleness.
May the light he shines on our path lead us towards unity
and help us heal the wounds of division and indifference
that often break communities apart.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Your Son promised to those who followed him that they would sit
on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel and would share the
banquet of the kingdom. According to your promise, look with
mercy on those who have walked with Christ in this life and now
have passed through death.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Almighty God,
you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
with Jesus Christ himself as the chief cornerstone:
so join us together in unity of spirit by their doctrine,
that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

18th January 2026 at 10.30am – Second Sunday of Epiphany Eucharist

Posted on January 18, 2026 by St Mary's

The Readings.

1 Corinthians 1.18-end

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,
‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.’
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’

John 2.1-11

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Sermon
Prepared by The Revd Canon Dr Alan Billings.

We’ve just read about Jesus’ first miracle.

And I wondered if you thought there was anything strange about it?
What I mean is this.

When we think about the miracles we think of something amazing, but also
something that is done to meet a need, often a desperate need. A blind man
receives his sight. A woman, plagued by continuous menstrual bleeding, is
cured. Loaves and fishes are multiplied and hungry people are fed.

A miracle is something astonishing, but also something that meets great
need.

But this miracle is not like that.

There’s a wedding reception. They run out of wine. It’s an embarrassment but
hardly a desperate need. Yet Jesus turns water into wine and John records it.
So what is going on?

Some years ago, I went to a conference of theological college tutors in the
Holy Land. We were invited to attend Christmas midnight mass in the Greek
Orthodox Church in Bethlehem.

The service began at 9 o’clock in the evening and carried on for the next four
hours.

Bethlehem is not in modern Israel. No Jews live there now. It’s a Palestinian
town, with an Arab population of Christians and Muslims, but it’s under Israeli
occupation.

When we were there, the Arab population had been holding protests and all
Palestinian towns were under a night time curfew, enforced by the army.
Every night of the year, that is, except this one, Christmas Eve.

So all the Arab Christians had come out, by night, into the church, for these
four precious hours. The church was packed: children, teenagers, mothers
carrying babies, there were grandmothers and grandfathers, some barely
able to walk.

If you have ever been to an Orthodox service you will know that they are long.
Priests disappear for long stretches of time behind a screen at one end called
an iconastasis. There is nowhere to sit; people mill around, chatting and
talking until the priests reappear for the next piece of the action – to give out
blessed bread or light candles, or kiss a crucifix, or chant something in their
rich and deep bass baritone voices.

For those Arab Christians in Bethlehem living under curfew, the four hour
service gave them the chance to catch up on news of friends and neighbours
that they hadn’t seen for a while. It gave teenage boys the chance to chat up
teenage girls – which they were doing in every dark corner.

There was a lot of talk; a lot of laughter; almost a day out atmosphere. And
into this every so often a small procession of priests and nuns would appear;
the gospel would be read; the holy book would be kissed by as many as
could get to it. This is religion Orthodox style – very different from our more
solemn midnight mass.

We tend to make a separation between things that are religious – like this
service – and things that are not. But the Orthodox Christians don’t see it that
way. For them, everything is potentially religious, because religion is
everything that makes human life good and wholesome and worthwhile.

So walking about the church, talking with your neighbour, building up your
friendships, that is religious. For the older girls, chatting with boys,
discovering who is going to make a good life partner, that is religious. For the
old men and women, being greeted and made a fuss of, that is religious. All
these things are religious because they are all about enabling people to
flourish.

And this surely is why the miracle of the water made wine at Cana in Galilee
is recorded in John’s Gospel.

We might find this miracle frivolous. We might not see it as meeting a great
need, only sparing someone’s blushes when the wine runs out. Yet Jesus
turns water into wine, so the party can go on.

We forget that Jesus said: ‘I have come that they might have life.’

Whatever enables us to flourish is true religion. So for us, yes, what we do in
here is important – the prayer and the sacrament put us in touch with God.
But what we do afterwards is just as important – building friendships, forgiving
one another, rejoicing with those who rejoice, weeping with those who weep.

Which is what we do Sunday by Sunday as a congregation over coffee as
much as in the service.

And in the light of this miracle, our vocation is to go from here and understand
what it means in a thousand different situations to turn water into wine.

The Prayers
Prepared by Joe.

Lord of grace and truth, as we gather in your presence, we
remember the words spoken over the early church: that you have
called us, enriched us, and will sustain us to the end. Help us to
hear again the invitation of Jesus: “Come and see.”
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

We pray for your Church: for integrity in our worship and
welcome; for generosity of spirit when we disagree. We pray for
our archbishops, bishops, and all who serve the Church in St
Mary’s and our sister Churches. Give us, each in our own way, the
grace to say, like John the Baptist, “Look — here is the one who
matters.”
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

We pray for all nations, especially those gripped by war and civil
unrest. We pray for those with power that they may use it for
peace with wisdom and compassion. We pray for those living with
and dying from the consequences of that power being misused.
May those who lead do so with wisdom, restraint, and
compassion, and speak the truth to all.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

We pray for those who may find themselves coming to Christ for
the first time in their lives, and we pray for those returning to Him
after being separated. We welcome these people into the Church
and our hearts and help them in their search for Christ.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

We pray for our Walkley, our city of Sheffield, and our country. We
pray for workplaces, schools, and families. We pray that where
relationships are strained, we give patience and the courage to
apologise. Where people feel lonely or overlooked, make us
attentive and kind. Bless those who volunteer, care, teach, heal,
build, serve, and keep things running — often unseen, often tired.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

We pray for anyone living with illness of body, mind, or spirit; for
those waiting for test results; for those in pain; for those who
cannot see a way forward. We remember those who are grieving,
especially when grief is private and the world has moved on.
Bring your peace where there is anxiety, your steadiness where
there the urge is to feel overwhelmed, your hope where there is
despair. In a moment of silence, we name before you those on
our hearts…
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

We commend to your loving care all who have died, trusting your
faithfulness. May they rest in peace and rise in glory. And may
those who mourn find comfort, support, and, in time, gratitude
for shared love. We remember those important to us who we see
no more.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

And in a few moments of silence, we bring before you any
concerns or worries that we have in our own lives at this time.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our
Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

11th January 2026 at 10.30am – Baptism of Christ – Eucharist

Posted on January 11, 2026 by St Mary's

The Readings.

Isaiah 42.1-9

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching.

Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.

Matthew 3.13-end

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’

The Prayers

Jesus calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light.
Washed clean by the waters of baptism,
let us pray that we may live the life to which he has called us.

Lord Jesus, eternal Word,
proclaimed as the Christ by John the forerunner,
hear us as we pray for all who proclaim your word
praying especially for Beth as she takes up her new role
Lord of truth,
hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, baptizing with the Spirit and with fire,
strengthen us to withstand all the trials of our faith.
Lord of truth,
hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, bringing forgiveness to all who repent,
teach your Church dependence on your grace.
Lord of truth,
hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, fulfilment of the promises of old,
give hope to all who suffer or are ignored.
Lord of truth,
hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, beloved Son of the Father,
anoint us with the gifts of your Holy Spirit.
Lord of truth,
hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, bringer of hope,
share with all the faithful the riches of eternal life.
Lord of truth,
hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus Christ,
in you the Father makes us and all things new.
Transform the poverty of our nature
by the riches of your grace,
and in the renewal of our lives
make known your heavenly glory.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

St Marys Walkley

The Church on the Road: inclusive, eucharistic, a safe place to be with God

Category: Sermons

8th March 2026 at 10.30am – The Third Sunday of Lent Eucharist

1st March 2026 at 10.30am – The Second Sunday of Lent Eucharist

22nd February 2026 at 10.30am – The First Sunday of Lent Eucharist

18th February 2026 7.30pm – Ash Wednesday – Eucharist

15th February 2026 at 10.30am – Sunday next before Lent Eucharist

8th February 2026 at 10.30am – 2nd Sunday before Lent Eucharist

1st February 2026 at 10.30am – Candlemas Eucharist

25th January 2026 at 10.30am – Conversion of Paul Eucharist

18th January 2026 at 10.30am – Second Sunday of Epiphany Eucharist

11th January 2026 at 10.30am – Baptism of Christ – Eucharist