St Cuthbert’s Notes – Third Sunday of Lent – 23 March 2025
Music:
Introit Hymn 186 – Firmly I believe and truly
Gradual Hymn 43 – As the deer pants for the water
Offertory Hymn 321 – How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
Communion Hymn 166 – Faithful shepherd, feed me
Post-Communion Hymn 275 – Guide me, O thou great Redeemer
Collect
Father of mercy, alone we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves. When we are discouraged by our weakness, strengthen us to follow Christ, our pattern and our hope; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First Reading: Isaiah 55.1-9
Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10.1-13
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness. Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not become idolaters as some of them did; as it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play.’ We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents. And do not complain as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.
Gospel: Luke 13.1-9
At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, ‘Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.’ Then he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, “See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?” He replied, “Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig round it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.” ’
Bishop’s Lent Appeal 2025:
All donations to be made via St Cuthbert’s – please put your cash donation in an envelope clearly marked ‘Bishop’s Lent Appeal’ and hand to one of the welcome team, or pop through the Rectory letterbox. More information on the ‘Abraham’s Children in Crisis’ charity can be found on the Diocese website. Thank you.
Thank you!:
Thank you to all those who baked for the Sale last Sunday – your contribution is very much appreciated. Also thank you to all who bought the baking. We were able to give £98 to church funds. The Events and Fund Raising Team
Saturday 29 March 2025: An Afternoon of Tea… & Games!
Tickets, £10 per person, available now from the Fundraising Team. Please support this event if you can. All Welcome – come on your own or bring a friend! Please speak to Joan or any of the team if you would like to purchase a ticket (or two!). Thank you.
Thursday Afternoon Service:
Informal and welcoming – Thursday 3rd April at 2.30pm. The Theme is ‘Laetare or Mothering Sunday?’ Refreshments are served in the church hall after this service.
‘Let These Things Be Written’ By Fiona Whyte:
For every copy of this book purchased, using the discount code ‘COLINTON’, St Cuthbert’s, Colinton will receive a £3 donation. Please see the forthcoming Sign magazine or noticeboards for further information – or speak to Nicki. Thank you.
Colinton & Merchiston Community Choir: Spring Concert
Monday 31st March – all are welcome to come along to this concert in the Memorial Hall at Merchiston Castle School, Colinton. We will be singing Parts 2 and 3 of the glorious HANDEL’S MESSIAH. Tickets are £10 or £5 for under 18’s, available from Choir members or at the door on the evening – cash only please. The concert is at 8pm, with doors open at 7.30pm. For more information about the Choir, please see the website – www.colintonchoir.org Thank you! Margaret Kieran, on behalf of the Choir
Diocese of Edinburgh – The Big Day
Saturday 10th May 2025 10.30am – 3pm
More details in The Sign Magazine and on our noticeboards
Weekly Prayer:
Dear Lord, King of love and shepherd to all, we thank you for always being there when we call upon you. Help us to know that even if we fail, you will forgive us if we try to do better, as the Landowner gave a second chance to the gardener whose fig tree failed to bear fruit. Your goodness will never fail. We pray that we may worship you with gratitude, reverence and praise. Amen.
Facebook: @stcuthbertscolinton
Scottish Charity Number: SC007578
www.stcuthbertscolinton.org.uk