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The Christian season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday - The date of Ash Wednesday varies each year according to the date of Easter. It is always six-and-a-half weeks before Easter.

What is Ash Wednesday? - Ash Wednesday is a day of penitence to clean the soul before the Lent fast. Christians use ash as a symbol of being sorry for things they have done wrong and want to get rid of forever.

Why is it called Ash Wednesday? - Ashes are something that are left when something is burned. Ashes were used in the past as a symbol of being sorry. Christians rubbed ashes on their foreheads. They wanted to show God that they were sorry for the wrong things they had done in the past year.

 What happens on Ash Wednesday today? - Some Christians have a tiny smudge of ashes put on their foreheads as a sign of sorrow at not having been good over the last year.

What are the ashes made from? - In churches the priest first burns the palm crosses that have been kept from last year's Palm Sunday and then mixes the ashes of these crosses with holy water (which has been blessed) to make a greyish paste. When people go to church on Ash Wednesday, the priest dips his thumb in the paste and uses it to make the sign of the cross on each person's forehead.

Why are last years Palm Crosses recycled? - Palm Sunday celebrates Jesus's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, so when the crosses used in the last years Palm Sunday service are converted to ashes, worshippers are reminded that defeat and crucifixion swiftly followed triumph.

What do the ashes symbolise? - Using ashes to mark the cross on the believer's forehead symbolises that through Christ's death and resurrection, all Christians can be free from sin.

Processional Hymn                   

Collect of the Day
Almighty Father, whose Son was revealed in majesty  before he suffered death upon the cross: give us grace to perceive his glory, that we may be strengthened to suffer with him and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

First Reading                 2 Peter 1.16-21                                     (p.92)
16We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received honour and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ 18We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain. 19So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Gradual Hymn                             

GOSPEL                         Matthew 17.1-9                                    (p.92)
1Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4Then 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.’ 5While 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!’ 6When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ 8And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.  9As 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.’

Amazing love, oh what sacrifice
The Son of God, given for me
My debt He paid, and my death He died
That I might live, that I might live

INTERCESSIONS
Please pray for
- The sick and suffering: especially Felix Okike, Lucilda Bernard, Joan Andrew, Elizabeth Dorsett, Ivy Smith, Susie Leach, Norbert Edwards, Brother Paul Anthony, Sylvia Steed, Caroline Nevill, Tracey Davies, Esmay Young, Roger Cox.

Offertory Hymn                           

Communion Hymn                    

Post Communion Prayer
Holy God, we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ: may we who are partakers at his table reflect his life in word and deed, that all the world may know his power to change and save. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.

NOTICES

THIS WEEK:

NEXT SUNDAY:            10 February 2008         First Sunday of Lent

10 am SUNG EUCHARIST
Celebrant and Preacher – The Reverend Dr Bob Mayo
Romans 5.12-19 (p 107), Matthew 4.1-11 (p 108)

Ash Wednesday is February 6th! There will be an Ash Wednesday Mass in Church at 7pm.

There will be a Lent Course for any who are interested at the house of Mary Rodney (99 Godolphin Road). This will be a five part study course looking at the Lord’s Prayer. These will be on Thursdays during Lent – February 14th, 21st, 28th, March 7th, 14th.

Easter day is on March 23rd!! The Easter day service will be a Hat’s Service – come dressed in your finest. We are then planning a big celebration for afterwards.

Don’t Forget St Stephen’s Quiz Night to be held at St Michael’s Church next Saturday 9th Feb  opening at 6.30 – quiz starts at 7 pm  Entry to quiz - £2 per person (4-6 people in a team) with a bring and share supper. People who want to walk up from St Stephens to St Michaels can meet at St Stephens at 6.30

Next Month

• Confirmations at St Paul’s,  22 March at 7pm

Home Communion – Available to any unable to come on a Sunday.  Talk to Father Bob (8743 3166) if you or anyone else might be interested.

Any enquiries about pastoral concerns, baptisms, weddings or funerals please get in touch with Father Bob. The only time that Bob will be unavailable is between Friday pm and Sunday am.