Sunday, February 22, 2026 The First Sunday of Lent

 This past week has marked a number of beginnings: we began the season of Lent on Wednesday, the season of Ramadan in the Muslim faith began Tuesday night as we were celebrating Mardi Gras (or Pancake or Waffle Tuesday) and it was also the lunar New Year this week, marking the year of the horse. Many reasons to pause, to reflect, and also to celebrate. 

Hymn       Take Time to be Holy #672

Prayer:  Teach us, O God, so to use this season of Lent that we may be drawn closer to our Lord, and in fellowship with him may learn to hate sin, to overcome temptation, and to grow in holiness, that our lives may be strengthened for your service and used for your glory. We ask this in Christ’s name. Amen. (a prayer by Frank Colquhoun and printed in Contemporary Parish Prayers, edited by Frank Colquhoun.)

Scripture Lessons:        Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7

                                      Psalm 32 p.759 VU

                                      Matthew 4:1-11

Message

Prayer/ Reflection:  The desert waits, ready for those who come, who come obedient to the Spirit’s leading; or who are driven, because they will not come any other way. 

       The desert always waits, ready to let us know who we are— the place of self-discovery. 

       And whilst we fear, and rightly, the loneliness and emptiness and harshness, we forget the angels whom we cannot see for our blindness, but who come when God decides that we need their help; when we are ready for what they can give us. 

Hymn        On Jesus I Have Promised

This Sunday’s services are Ormstown at 9:30 and Howick at 11:00. Howick will be combining its annual meeting with the Sunday service, a time to look back at what has been done, is being done, and what we might be planning to do in the future. 

Many thanks for all who helped and supported our Waffle Dinner on Tuesday, a profit of $1447 was made, which will be a help in the coming months. If you have any feedback, please let one of us know. Thanks again! 

The annual meeting for St Paul’s will be Sunday, March 8th, beginning at 11:00, combined with the Sunday service. Annual reports are now available for review.