from the
Vicar . . .
February sees the start of Lent, when many people – churchgoers or not
– decide to give up something. Post-Christmas the most popular targets
would seem to be alcohol and chocolate! The after-effects of the former are
probably still fresh in our minds and the signs of the latter still visible...
My daughter has recently acquired a kitten called Lottie. Kittens are great
fun because they are easily occupied – Lottie’s favourite game is chasing
a spot of light around the carpet. It’s ironic really, because compared to
the cat-nip smelling toy mouse, it has less to offer. At least you catch a toy
mouse! But the spot of light remains resolutely un-catchable.
Temptations are a bit like that – and we are surrounded by them.
Advertising seems to have made a virtue out of what was previously seen as
a sin – trying to tempt someone.
But the point is, the more glitzy and distracting something it, the more
likely it is to distract us from our real objectives in life.
Jesus’ objective was enormously challenging – saving mankind! To be
able to do that he had to be able to withstand the distracting temptations
of power, self- aggrandisement, vanity and envy. That is what the story of
the temptations in the wilderness is about – and of course the source of our
tradition of giving up things in Lent.
For most of us our objectives are more moderate! Nevertheless, being
able to resist temptation and practising doing that during Lent, is a way of
demonstrating that we are in control of ourselves and our appetites, not the
other way around.
Geoffrey
arts festival
Arlesey will be having a Music and Arts Festival this year, with performances
and contributions from our local schools and many other groups and
organisations, including:
• Jazz musical production
• Drama
• Dance
• Choral concert
• Instrumental groups
• Organ recital
• Art exhibition
These will take place at various locations in the village including:
• St Peter’s Church
• Etonbury Academy
• Edgeworth House
For further information please see the
website http://www.arts.arlesey.org.uk/
To be included in our mailing list
please email; [email protected]
If you are interested in sponsoring
the festival in any way please email;
[email protected]
Church Services
St. Peter’s church
Some dates for your diary in February
Sunday 7th
9.30 am Parish Communion (St Peter’s)
11.15 am Parish Communion
(St Guthlac’s, Astwick)
ednesday 10th 7.30 pm Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes
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unday 14th 10.00 am ‘AAWsome Worship’; theme:
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unday 21st
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unday 28th
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Temptation Informal worship for all ages
9.30 am Parish Communion
9.30 am Parish Communion
Weekday
Tuesdays
Wednesday
Thursday
10.00 am Coffee Morning – all invited
5.00 pm ‘Pebbles’ for 5 to 10 yr olds
12.30 Lent Lunch (Soup & Roll) from
10th onwards
1.30 pm ‘Little Fishes’ for 0 to school age,
accompanied
7.30 pm Joint Lent Study at the Methodist
Contacts
Church – from 12th
Vicar Reverend Geoffrey Boult
t: 01462 731227 e: [email protected]
Churchwardens
Helen Frost 07982 614028
Linsey West 07930 410164
Arlesey Methodist Church
February Sunday Services at the Methodist Church are as follows
Sunday 7th February – Preacher at 10.30 a.m. Mr Frank Needham of
Clifton
unday 14th February – Preacher at 11.00 a.m. Rev Bob Forrest
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unday 21st February – Preacher at 10.30 a.m. Mr Ken Bamberough
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of Hitchin
Sunday 28th February – Preacher at 11.00 a.m. Rev Bob Forrest. This
will be a service of Holy Communion and will
incorporate the annual Covenant Service
Other Events
There will be a series of Lent Studies beginning on Thursday 18th
February at 7.30 p.m.led by Rev Bob Forrest. These will take
place weekly at the Methodist Church for 5 weeks and will be joint
with St. Peter’s
On Ash Wednesday, 10th February, there will be Holy Communion +
Ashes at St Peter’s to which the Methodist Church is invited
On Friday 4th March, at 10.45 a.m., (an early notification), the
Women’s World Day of Prayer Service will take place at
St. Peter’s Church. This will be followed by a light lunch.
The Vicar, Rev Geoffrey Boult will lead the service.
Stewards
Walk4Health–February/March
Feb 4 – Arlesey -Station
Feb 11 – Etonbury Wood (meet at entrance to wood by the School)
Feb 18, 25, March 3 – Corner of Hospital Rd/High St, Arlesey
March 10, & 17 – Scout Hut, Baldock Rd, Stotfold
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February 2016
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Minister at the church is Rev Bob Forrest. Tel: 01582 727880
Mrs Doreen Archer Tel: 731392
Mrs Betty Joyce Tel: 731647
Miss Ann Archer Tel: 731392
Bookings should be made with Mr Jim Webb Tel 731309
Everyone is welcome at all these events, of course
on the button, 32 Stotfold Road, Arlesey. Bedfordshire. SG15 6XT www.onthebuttonarlesey.co.uk