St Cuthbert’s Notes – Pentecost 12 – 16 August 2026
Today, we welcome organist Iain Mackinnon, who will play for us on two Sundays of each month.
Music:
Introit Hymn 769 – Through all the changing scenes of life
Gradual Hymn 273 – Great is thy faithfulness
Offertory Hymn 453 – Lord, enthroned in heav’nly splendour
Communion 83 – Bread of heaven, on thee we feed
Post-Communion Hymn 200 – Forth in the peace of Christ we go
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Collect
Almighty God, you have broken the tyranny of sin and send into our hearts the Spirit of your Son. Give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service, that all people may know the glorious liberty of the children of God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First Reading: Isaiah 56.1, 6-8
Thus says the LORD: Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed. And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it, and hold fast my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Thus says the Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them besides those already gathered.
Second Reading: Romans 11.1-2a, 29-32
I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.
Gospel: Matthew 15.21-28
Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, ‘Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.’ But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.’ He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ He answered, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.
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The Sign:
Today is the deadline for information and articles for the September 2026 issue of The Sign. Please send to: stcuthbertscolinton@gmail.com Thank you!
New Members Afternoon Tea Postponed:
Our ‘new members afternoon tea’ on Saturday 22nd August 22nd has had to be postponed. However, we will re-arrange this! Details to follow.
Playgroup:
St Cuthbert’s Playgroup restarts in our Church Hall on Monday 24th August. 10am – 11.30am each week during school term. Play, craft, snack and sing! Only £2 per family.
Epiphany Group Prayer Course – God’s Invitation to Relationship:
On Sunday 30th August, 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!
Evensong:
Our next Evensong service is in church at 5pm on Sunday 30th August. All Welcome.
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. If you have any changes to be made to your details currently published (in the November 2024 issue), please email stcuthbertscolinton@gmail.com by Sunday 27th September. Thank you.
Weekly Prayer:
Dear God, we are all your children and we know you love us. Help us to make the right decisions in life, to love not to hate, to forgive not to be resentful and to be compassionate and kind to everyone, especially those on the fringes of society. May everything we do or say be done in the name of Jesus, your son and our Lord and Saviour, who showed mercy and love wherever he went. Amen.
Scottish Charity Number: SC007578
www.stcuthbertscolinton.org.uk
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