St Cuthbert’s Notes – Pentecost 2 – 7 June 2026
Music:
Introit Hymn 706 – The God of Abraham praise
Gradual Hymn 481 – Lord, thy word abideth
Offertory Hymn 246 – God is working his purpose out
Communion Hymn 65 – Be thou my guardian and my guide
Post-Communion Hymn 777 – To God be the glory!
Collect
O God, you have assured the human family of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Deliver us from the death of sin and raise us to new life in him, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First Reading: Hosea 5.15-6.6
I will return again to my place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face. In their distress they will beg my favour: ‘Come, let us return to the LORD; for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth.’ What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes away early. Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have killed them by the words of my mouth, and my judgement goes forth as the light. For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt-offerings.
Second Reading: Romans 4.13-25
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. Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become ‘the father of many nations’, according to what was said, ‘So numerous shall your descendants be.’ He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Therefore his faith ‘was reckoned to him as righteousness.’ Now the words, ‘it was reckoned to him’, were written not for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.
Gospel: Matthew 9.9-13, 18-26
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’ While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, ‘My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.’ And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.’ Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, ‘Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And instantly the woman was made well. When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute-players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, ‘Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report of this spread throughout that district.
~~~
Christian Aid 2026 ‘Thank You’:
£1050 was collected from St Cuthbert’s Christian Aid envelopes. A wonderful total, gratefully received. Many thanks, Wendy Pearson
Edinburgh Schools Singing Programme:
We look forward to welcoming the children’s choir and their families to our 10.30am service on Sunday 14th June. The children will join with our choir in singing two John Rutter pieces, and they will sing two pieces on their own during communion. Please come along and support this musical initiative.
Forget-Me-Notes:
Join us for an hour of music and memories, followed by refreshments, on Monday 15th June in the church hall. 2pm – 4pm. All welcome.
Church BBQ: Saturday 27th June 2pm – 4pm
Join us to celebrate refugee week in June. Tickets are available from Joan or Judith.
St Cuthbert’s, Colinton – Extraordinary General Meeting:
The Vestry has recently been reviewing the Constitution and believes that a number of small amendments are needed. As part of the required process, I would like to invite you to the first Extraordinary General Meeting on Sunday 28th June, immediately after the 10.30am service. Nicki
Evensong Service:
Our next Evensong service is on Sunday 28th June at 5pm. All Welcome.
Prayers for Peace: Tuesday 30th June at Noon in Church
Join us as we come together in prayer for peace in our hearts, our communities, and our world. All are welcome.
Other Dates for your Diary:
Tuesday 7th July – The first in Bishop Donald Allister’s series of talks -‘Introducing the Gospels’. 2pm – 3pm in church.
Sunday 19th July – Steven McLeish, representing The Leprosy Mission in Scotland will speak at the 10.30am service.
Weekly Prayer:
Father in heaven, we pray that our faith will be strong enough to withstand negative comments from other people about our beliefs; such comments are often hurtful and difficult to cope with. Help us to turn to you for strength in times of doubt, challenge and vulnerability, as did Abraham, knowing you are an unfailing source of comfort and support. Amen.
Scottish Charity Number: SC007578
www.stcuthbertscolinton.org.uk
Facebook: @stcuthbertscolinton
YouTube: St Cuthbert’s Scottish Episcopal Church