St Cuthbert’s Notes – Second Sunday of Lent – 1 March 2026
Music:
Introit Hymn 19 -All my hope on God is founded
Gradual Hymn 334 – I heard the voice of Jesus say
Offertory Hymn 364 -It is a thing most wonderful
Communion Hymn 367 -Jesu, grant me this, I pray
Post-Communion Hymn 556 – O Jesus, I have promised
Collect
God of patience and humility, in your love you gave your Son to be rejected and raised up on a cross. Gather us under its shadow and open our eyes to its mystery, that we may share even now in the life that is from above; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First Reading: Genesis 12.1-4a
Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him.
Second Reading: Romans 4.1-5, 13-17
What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.’ Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness. For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, ‘I have made you the father of many nations’)—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
Gospel: John 3.1-17
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? ‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
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Bishop’s Lent Appeal: www.aberlour.org.uk
This year’s Bishop’s Lent Appeal is for Aberlour Children’s Charity. Aberlour Children’s Charity works to provide tailored support to families facing poverty, disadvantage and discrimination. It provides support at the earliest opportunity by offering a range of services across Scotland, utilising the voices of those impacted to create and implement tools for change. The charity has been in operation for just over 150 years, with a long and varied history, although giving every child the best possible start in life has always been at the heart of what they do. Please bring any donations to church before the end of March in a separate envelope, marked ‘BLA’. Thank you.
The Sign – March Issue:
The March issue of ‘The Sign’ has now been sent out this week by email in the usual way, is available to read on our website, and is ready to collect (subscribed paper copies) from the back of church, if you have not already done so. The deadline for the April issue is Sunday 15thMarch please.
St Cuthbert’s Feast Day – Gift Month:
As we did last year, we are pleased to celebrate St. Cuthbert’s Feast Day throughout March as a Gift Month. Your generous offerings during this time are most welcome and deeply appreciated. If you would like to make a cash or cheque donation, please put it in an envelope, mark it ‘St. Cuthbert’s Gift’, and drop it into the office or in the collection plate on a Sunday. If you would prefer to use the contactless card machine, please speak to Nicki. All gifts help care for the church and support its mission and ministries serving our local community.
Forget-Me-Notes:
Come along tomorrow, Monday 2nd March from 2pm – 4pm in the Church Hall for an hour of music and memories, followed by refreshments. All Welcome.
Thursday Afternoon Service: ‘March 5th and Lenten Values’
Please join us on Thursday, 5th March for our informal afternoon service at 2.30pm in church, followed by refreshments. All welcome.
Sale of Cards:
I plan to sell notelets and Easter cards on the next few Sundays – with all profits going to our church funds. Thank you, Louise Stobie
The Phoenix Group’s Quiz:
In the church hall – Monday 9th March 2pm – 4pm. All welcome. Please see noticeboards, The Sign, our Website or speak to Caroline Seville for further details if required. This is a free event, but donations to church funds on the day would be very welcome.
Bake Sale: Sunday 22nd March
Please support our bake sale on Sunday 22nd March, following the 10.30am service. All money raised will go to church funds. Donations of baking most welcome. Please speak to Joan for more information.
Weekly Prayer:
Dear Lord, on this second Sunday in Lent, help us, as we struggle with our shortcomings, to fix our minds on the sufferings of your beloved son, Jesus Christ. Help us, in this world where so much selfishness, pride and unkindness abound, to face up to our limitations and to bring our lives back to Christian ways. Strengthen our faith, we pray, so that we, like Abraham, believe in the presence of God and strive towards righteousness. Amen.
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Scottish Charity Number: SC007578
www.stcuthbertscolinton.org.uk
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