Sunday 12^th March

Second Sunday in Lent

Peace and grace be to each of us this Sunday ,as we continue our walk in Christ on this second Sunday in Lent. Christ did not promise by word or example that the walk to Godliness would be soft and easy.

These Sundays in lent should be our inspiration to renew our resolve and be refreshed in his Spirit.

“Take up thy cross, the saviour said, if thou

wouldst my disciple be” Final hymn.

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Opening hymn 426 Praise to the Holiest in the Height

First reading Psalm 22: 22-30

Praise the Lord, you that fear him; stand in awe of him, O offspring of Israel; all you of Jacob's line, give glory.
For he does not despise nor abhor the poor in their poverty; neither does he hide his face from them; but when they cry to him he hears them. All the ends of the earth shall turn to you, O Lord.

My praise is of him in the great assembly; I will perform my vows in the presence of those who worship him.
The poor shall eat and be satisfied, and those who seek the Lord shall praise him: 'May your heart live for ever!' All the ends of the earth shall turn to you, O Lord.

All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall bow before him.
For kingship belongs to the Lord; he rules over the nations. All the ends of the earth shall turn to you, O Lord.

To him alone all who sleep in the earth bow down in worship; all who go down to the dust fall before him.
My soul shall live for him; my descendants shall serve him; they shall be known as the Lord's for ever.
They shall come and make known to a people yet unborn the saving deeds that he has done. All the ends of the earth shall turn to you, O Lord.

'

Around the Gospel 276 Jesus Remember Me

Gospel : Mark 8:31-38

Jesus began to teach his disciples that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, 'Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.'
He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, 'If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.
For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?
Indeed, what can they give in return for their life?
Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.'

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 Offertory Hymn: 346 My Song is Love Unknown

Communion / Eucharistic Prayer:

Sung responses can be found on page 8

If you would like to receive blessing at the altar rail you are very welcome, and if you

would like a special prayer or a prayer for healing please indicate that to the priest

when he comes to you

Communion hymn: 359 O Dearest Lord

(sung quietly and prayerfully)

O God, keep us steadfast in our faith with our eyes fixed on Christ our Lord who himself bore the cross to Calvary for our sake that we may grow strong in his living spirit, and that through all the challenges we may come to know your presence with us. Through Jesus Christ our lord Amen.

Recessional hymn: 465 Take Up Thy Cross

Sunday Lunch. The next Sunday lunch will be on the third Sunday of the month as usual, 19^th March. Please sign on the list at the back of the church. Volunteers are needed to cook, recipes will be given and all expenses reimbursed.

A.G.M. The AGM of the church will be held on Sunday 26^th March directly after the morning service

Bishop’s visit. Bishop David Hamid, assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Europe, will be visiting St. John’s on Sunday 2^nd April. Put this date in your diary and be sure to be here so that we can give him a good welcome. We would like to offer a Vin d’Honneur after the service and would be grateful if you could bring a plate of finger food to accompany the aperitif. Please sign up at the back of the church indicating what you will bring. Many thanks.

Maunday Thursday 13^th April 18.00 On the night that Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with his disciples Ben and Anne invite you to their home to celebrate a “Passover meal” similar to the one Jesus would have shared with his disciples. Sign up sheet later but save the date.

Centenary Appeal. If you look at the thermometer at the back of the church you will see that the total is now 57000 euros. Thank you to everyone! Only 18000 euros to go! There are yellow envelopes to be found at the back of the church. These are of special interest to those of you who would like to make a donation in Sterling. If the outside of the envelope is filled this is accepted by the UK inland revenue and enables the church to claim back the tax at a rate of 28p for every pound given. This is a simple tax efficient way to give. Please remember St John’s receives no funding from outside sources

Retreat for churches of the Riviera. 17^th – 19^th March at Notre Dame de Laghet. Speaker Rev Martin Draper. Speak to Margery for more information. Names must be in by Monday.

St. John’s Church The Reverend Canon Ben Eaton

Avenue Paul Doumer

St Raphael 04 94 40 48 61

www.sjevar.com revbeaton@aol.com