10 February 2008

Welcome to St Alban’s Anglican Church 

Today's Scripture (HC) : Genesis 2: 15-17; 3:1-7     Romans 5: 12-19     S. Matthew 4: 1-11

Today's Liturgy: 8.35 a.m. BCP Matins;  9.00a.m. Holy Communion;   9.45 a.m. Children’s Service;  EP 6.00 p.m. 

This Week: Tues - Fri: Midday Prayers 12.30 p.m.;   Sat: Ministry of the Word at Northward Prison.

1^st in Lent

O Lord, who for our sake didst fast forty days and forty nights; Give us grace to use such abstinence, that, our flesh being subdued to the Spirit, we may ever obey thy godly motions in righteousness, and true holiness, to thy honour and glory, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.

FAITH IN FOCUS: PLENTY OF TIME?

One day the devil called a meeting in hell with all his demons. Top of the agenda was the question of how to get people to stop believing in God and end up ignoring sin and being forever at each others’ throats. This would then swell hell’s numbers.

One of the chief demons said, "I have a plan. Let’s tell the people that there is no God and they’ve been tricked." Another demon said, "No, that’s too obvious. Of course, there’s a just and holy God. Anyone except a fool knows that."

"Well then," another demon said, "Let them believe that he is a just and holy God, but tell them that they are so sinful that they’ve had their last chance and now he won’t accept them. That will demoralise them."

But another said, "No, that won’t work. Everyone knows he’s also a God of mercy, and anyone who recognises their sinfulness and repents is assured of his forgiveness." "I know exactly what we can do!" another demon exclaimed, "Let them believe there is a God - a just and holy God, full of mercy, but let’s just tell them that there’s plenty of time."

Lent is the season of penance and self-denial. It’s six weeks when we take stock of our lives and see whether they are taking us closer to God or further away from him. Is there any rush? Should we get urgent about it? Should we begin looking to see if there is a pattern about the way we fall into situations that we know are sinful and do us no good? Are there aspects of our lifestyle that need checking? Are some of our desires questionable? Are we genuinely trying to purify our motives? Do we do enough for others, close to home or those abroad who are in need?

Lent is about action, about opening ourselves to the working of God’s grace, about having a change of heart, a U-turn in the normal pattern of our behaviour. It’s a holy season of self-denial. But don’t worry; there’s plenty of time. Or so the devil says.

 WORD OF GOD

Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

(Matthew 4:1)

WORD FOR TODAY

No one escapes temptation. Fortunately temptation is not sinful; but giving in is. Are we aware of where temptation lies in wait? What are the occasions, the places and the people who pose the biggest threat to us? And what do we do to avoid them?

WORDS FOR WORSHIP

Lord Jesus, you resisted temptation to show us the way to true happiness: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Christ Jesus, you invite us to self-denial that our hearts may be renewed. Christ, have mercy.Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you call us to share your paschal meal in purity of heart: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

May almighty God have mercy on us, confirm and strengthen us against all temptation, forgive us our sins and lead us to everlasting life. Amen.

THE PENSIONER’S VALENTINE (February 14th)

I didn’t marry you because you were perfect. I didn’t even marry you simply because I loved you. I married you because you gave me a lifelong promise. That promise made up for your faults. And the promise I gave you made up for mine. Two imperfect people pledged themselves before God and it was the indissoluble promise that made the marriage. And when our children were growing up, it wasn’t a house that protected them; and it wasn’t our love that protected them: it was the grace that came from that promise.

LENTEN RESOLUTIONS

Give up complaining: focus on gratitude. Give up pessimism: become an optimist. Give up harsh judgments: think kindly thoughts. Give up worry: trust Divine Providence. Give up discouragement: be full of hope. Give up bitterness: turn to forgiveness. Give up hatred: return good for evil. Give up negativism: be positive. Give up anger: be more patient. Give up pettiness: become mature. Give up gloom: enjoy the beauty that is all around you. Give up jealousy: pray for trust. Give up gossiping: control your tongue. Give up sin: turn to virtue. Give up giving up: hang in there!

IT IS NOT REPENTANCE that saves me; repentance is the sign that I realise what God has done in Christ Jesus.

(Oswald Chambers)

BEING A CHRISTIAN is more than just an instantaneous conversion; it is like a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.

(Billy Graham)

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE READINGS:

Mon: Genesis 41:25-45, Galatians 3:23 - 4:7, John 5: 1-18

Tues: Gen 41:46 - 42:5, Gal 4:8-20, John 5:19-29

Wed: Gen 42:6-17, Gal 4:21 - 5:1, John 5:30-end

Thur: Gen 42:18-28, Gal 5:2-15, John 6: 1-15

Fri: Gen 42: 29-end, Gal 5:16-end, John 6: 16-27

Sat: Gen 43:1-15, Gal 6, John 6: 16-27

NEXT SUNDAY (2^nd IN LENT): Gen 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, S. John 3: 1-17