Our Sunday Service

Dear All

 I hope you are keeping well- whatever the weather! As I write today, there was a welcome reprieve of sunshine for a whole day, after so much rain and grey skies.

Our lectionary this week includes the creation story in Genesis and Jesus’ teaching about trusting and seeking God in Matthew’s Gospel.

One commentator (Catherine Williams) writes that in both readings, time is measured in the steady rhythm of days:

…[in Genesis 1] we hear God undertaking the work of creation day by day, with tasks on each day and recognition and delight in each days’ work. God completes the initial work of creation on the sixth day and then on the seventh day God stops, and rests. God draws a line because the work, for the time being, is completed. God doesn’t rush on the next task but pauses, taking time out to bless creation and enjoy it, allowing creation to be a blessing in return…

Speaking into the rush of life, the pressure to prioritise other things over God and the temptation to worry about tomorrow, in Matthew 6, Jesus encourages us to live fully in the moment….to focus on today, on the here and now and enter fully into the time, to have trust and faith as we seek God as first and above all: 

This is God, the Lord of time and eternity in whom all things hold together: yesterday, today, tomorrow and for ever…Our every breath is a prayer that witnesses to God’s creative love within us…Let’s relax and enjoy God’s goodness and provision…and be a God’s blessing to others.

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Genesis 1:1- 2:3

Romans 8:18-25

Matthew 6:25-end

THIS WEEK

Sunday 8th Feb     2nd Sunday before Lent 

8am        Holy Communion (traditional language)

10am      Parish Communion- with coffee afterwards

Weds 11th

9am Parish Prayer 

10am-12 pm St Greg’s Coffee Morning at the British Legion Hall, Sodom Lane. Everyone welcome. Donation £2.

10.15am  (nb time) School Ash Wednesday service 

NEXT WEEK

Sunday 15th      Sunday before lent 

8am        Holy Communion (traditional language)

10am      Parish Communion with coffee afterwards

Weds 18th  Ash Wednesday

11am    Ash Wednesday Eucharist with imposition of ashes 

Thurs 19th 

2.30pm Thanksgiving Service for Barrie Jenks, with parking available at Seniors Farm, New Street and followed by refreshments at Marnhull Village Hall. 

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. We are providing lunch.Donations welcome.Just turn up- no need to book.

LOOKING AHEAD

Weds 25th 

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

7pm PCC meeting at the Rectory- matters include finance and APCM preparation.

Sat 7th March

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 by contact Gordon Amery (below) or online at: https://wegottickets.com/event/689597

Tues 17th March 

12pm Music for Lent: A 30 minute organ recital given by our local and very talented Stephen Binnington. Admission is free but donations to church funds are very welcome. Part of our Music at St Greg’s series.

OTHER NEWS

• Candles for Candlemas (Ukraine) Please bring any candles/ stubs to church any day before Shrove Tuesday.Thank you!
• Lent Bible study group starts Weds 25th Feb. For more information speak to Revd Gaenor. 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

PRAYERS

• Please pray for our Diocesan link with the Sudans, especially with Sudan experiencing now over 1000 days of conflict, with millions displaced- for impact and long lasting support 
• https://www.salisbury.anglican.org/supportforparishes/communications/news/1000-days-of-sudan-conflict 
• Please pray for all Christian initiatives that encourage care for God’s creation, locally and internationally- like Caring for God’s Acre, A Rocha, creationcare.org.uk
• Pray for those who are affected by over-anxiety and worry- for God’s peace and perspective
• Pray for the school community as they break for half term this coming Friday- for rest and recuperation
• Please pray for all in or from our parish who are currently ill in body, mind or spirit, especially Margaret Cheeseman currently in hospital – 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