Our Sunday Service

This week we focus in our Sunday readings on Scriptural mountain experiences and especially the Transfiguration of Christ, revealing His true nature to his disciples and encouraging them-and us- to both seek God in the present moment and be transformed by the presence of God.

For our 10am All Age Service our particular focus will be preparing for Lent, in the light of God’s love for us.

Lent is a 40-day, self-reflective and penitential season focusing on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to help us detach from selfish desires and grow in sacrificial love, mirroring Christ’s love. It is a time that re-orders our relationship with God and our human relationships toward selfless service and ‘dying to self’ for the good of others. 

Some ways that connect Love and Lent: 

• https://www.churchofengland.org/faith-life/what-we-believe/lent-holy-week-and-easter/draw-near-life-giving-habits-lent
• Observing Lent helps us to move from a superficial, self-centred affection to a deeper, God-centred love. 

Lent is not just about ‘giving something up’ but also about using the time to intentionally build habits that reflect God’s love, mercy, compassion and grace. And we are enable to do this through the presence of God’s Holy Spirit within us, transforming us day by day into the likeness of Christ.

A prayer for the season of Lent

Holy God,

our lives are laid open before you:

rescue us from the chaos of sin

and through the death of your Son

bring us healing and make us whole

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

From: Common Worship

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Exodus 24.12-end

2 Peter 1.16-21

Matthew 17.1-9

THIS WEEK

Sunday 15th      Sunday before Lent 

8am        Holy Communion (traditional language)

10am      All Age Worship’ Love and Lent” -with coffee afterwards

Weds 18th  Ash Wednesday

9am  Parish Prayer

11am  Ash Wednesday Eucharist with imposition of ashes 

Thurs 19th 

2.30pm   Thanksgiving Service for Barrie Jenks, followed by refreshments at the Village Hall.Parking is available at Seniors Farm.

Fri 20th

12pm Churches Together weekly Friday Lent Talk 1/6 Theme: Exploring the meaning of the hymns we love to sing. 12.30pm Followed by soup lunch at Marnhull Methodist Church, Burton St.Just turn up- no need to book.Donations welcome.

NEXT WEEK

Sunday 22nd Feb Lent 1

8am        Holy Communion (traditional language)

10am      Parish Communion with coffee afterwards

Weds 25th 

9am Parish Prayer

2.30-4pm Journeys and Resting Places Lent Study group at the Rectory 1/6. Please sign up/speak to Revd Gaenor.

7pm PCC meeting at the Rectory.

Sat 28th

9am-11am Church and churchyard working party. Coffee and bacon rolls provided. 

LOOKING AHEAD

Weds 4th March 

11am Monthly Holy Communion 

Fri 6th

2pm    Funeral Service for Joan Gaddes

Sat 7th 

7pm Music at St Gregs 2026: our first event will be a live organ improvisation to the classic silent movie The Phantom of the Opera (1925), presented by David Bednall (Organist & Choral Director at Clifton Cathedral). Appropriate costume is optional! Tickets (£12) can be ordered via Gordon or online at: https://wegottickets.com/event/689597

Fri 13th 

Distribution of posies for both primary schools’ mums. Please sign up on sheet in church if you can make posies.  

Sun 15th 

10am All Age Mothering Sunday Service with posies

Tues 17th

12pm Music for Lent: A 30 minute lunchtime organ recital given by Stephen Binnington. Admission is free- donations to church funds are very welcome.

OTHER NEWS

• Our November 2025 Gift Day raised an amazing £6953 including Gift Aid towards general funds. Thank you again! 
• Please consider leaving a legacy to St Greg’s.There are new leaflets from the PCC explaining what difference a legacy can make.
• Candles for Candlemas (Ukraine) Please bring any candles/ stubs to church any day before next Tuesday 17th.Thank you.
• The new 2026 Music programme leaflet is now available!
• Do you have any unused children’s fancy dress? The school are looking for costumes in advance of World Book Day on Thursday 5th March. Please drop off at the school office.Thank you.
• Lent Bible study group If you can’t make the afternoons you can download the material for personal use: https://www.salisbury.anglican.org/whoweare/making-jesus-known-/journeys-and-resting-places/journeys-and-resting-places-lent-2026
• Calling all creatives! it would be great to have a few more flower arrangers for Easter this year. Previous experience not necessary as advice and help is given! Please contact Eileen Woodward 01258 820537

PRAYERS

• Pray for the global witness of the Christian Church in this season of Lent- to model the mercy, compassion and humility of Christ.
• Pray for this year’s village Lent lunches and our church Bible study group- that people would be built up in faith 
• Please pray for all those who have been bereaved recently- especially the families of Barrie Jenks (7th Jan), Joan Gaddes (6 Feb) and Ann Persson (2nd Feb)- for Christ’s peace and hope in grief
• Please pray for all in or from our parish who are currently ill in body, mind or spirit, for healing and wholeness

CONTACT US

Rector Revd Gaenor Hockey    

01258 821605  [email protected] 

Judith our LLM is on holiday until March 24th

Parish Safeguarding Officer   Miriam Gaston 

01258 821573   [email protected] 

Organist   Gordon Amery

07817 379006     [email protected]

Singing Group Louise Cousins

                         [email protected] 

ONLINE

Parish: www.stgregorysmarnhull.org.uk

Facebook: ‘stgregschurch’ & ‘musicatstgregs’

Diocese: www.salisbury.anglican.org

Church is open daily:  9am – 4.30pm