St Cuthbert’s Notes – Pentecost 14 – 30 August 2026
Music:
Introit Hymn 706 – The God of Abraham praise
Gradual Hymn 800 – We love the place, O God
Offertory Hymn 329 – Lord of the Dance
Communion 79 – Blest are the pure in heart
Post-Communion Hymn 804 – We sing the praise of him who died
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Collect
Author and Giver of all good things, graft in our hearts the love of your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us in all goodness, and of your great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First Reading: Jeremiah 15.15-21
O LORD, you know; remember me and visit me, and bring down retribution for me on my persecutors. In your forbearance do not take me away; know that on your account I suffer insult. Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts. I did not sit in the company of merrymakers, nor did I rejoice; under the weight of your hand I sat alone, for you had filled me with indignation. Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Truly, you are to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail. Therefore, thus says the LORD: If you turn back, I will take you back, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall serve as my mouth. It is they who will turn to you, not you who will turn to them. And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, says the LORD. I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.
Second Reading: Romans 12.9-21
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Gospel: Matthew 16.21-28
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.’ But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’ Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘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 will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? ‘For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.’
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Evensong Service – This evening, Sunday 30th August. 5pm All Welcome.
The Sign:
The September issue of our monthly magazine, ‘The Sign’, is now available – subscribed copies can be collected from the back of church, it is on our website, and it has been sent out by email in the usual way.
Thursday Afternoon Service:
Creation in Literature and Art – Thursday 3rd September at 2.30pm. Please join us – all welcome. Refreshments will be served after the service.
New Members Afternoon Tea:
If you are a new member here at St Cuthbert’s, please give your name to one of our Welcome Team. If you have not completed a membership form, they can provide one for you – please return it ‘for the attention of the Church Administrator’. We will then re-arrange our new members afternoon tea. Thank you.
Playgroup:
St Cuthbert’s Playgroup has restarted! 10am – 11.30am every Monday during school term. Play, craft, snack and sing! Only £2 per family. All welcome!
Epiphany Group Prayer Course – God’s Invitation to Relationship:
Today, Wendy Pearson will be speaking in church about this autumn course. The course starts on Tuesday 13th October at 1.30pm in our church hall. Please see our noticeboards for more details, or pick up a leaflet from the back of church. Thank you!
A Date for your Diary: Phoenix Group Quiz
The quiz will take place on Monday 14th September in the afternoon, in our church hall – more details to follow in the Sign, and on our noticeboards. All welcome!
St Cuthbert’s Membership Booklet:
We will be updating our membership booklet, to be ready for this year’s AGM in November. If you have any changes to be made to your details currently published (in the November 2024 issue), (and have not already done so), please email stcuthbertscolinton@gmail.com by Sunday 27th September. If you have no changes to make, you do not need to email – your details will be repeated in the new booklet. Thank you.
Forget Me Notes:
Dates for Forget Me Notes in September are – Monday 7th September and Monday 21st September. Join us for an hour of music and memories, followed by refreshments. All welcome.
Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, we acknowledge your son Jesus Christ as our Lord, Master and Friend. Forgive us for forgetting that and for going our own thoughtless ways, as we often do. Help us to be mindful of you and Christ’s commandments every day, not just when we attend church. Lead us, heavenly father, in the ways of love, justice, kindness and peace. Amen.
Scottish Charity Number: SC007578
www.stcuthbertscolinton.org.uk
Facebook: @stcuthbertscolinton
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