The first Sunday in Lent and the Morning Eucharist was well attended. The service began with the choir singing the Introit 'O Lamb of God'. The first hymn was 'Forty days and forty nights'. The Rector, Canon David Jenkins, welcomed one and all and thanked those who had supported the coffee morning in aid of Plant Dewi. Mrs. Alison Cale gave the first reading from the Book of Deuteronomy. We are reminded of the time when the Lord led the Israelites out of Egypt to a land 'flowing with milk and honey'. When you gather the first harvest from this land you shall set it down before the Lord your God and bow down. Mrs. Heidi Griffiths gave the second reading from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans. 'Confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord . . . no one who believes in Him will be put to shame. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved'. Rev. Michael John gave the third reading from the Gospel of Luke. The spirit led Jesus into the desert and for 40 days, he was tempted three times by the devil. 'If you are the Son of God change this stone to bread; I will give you all the glory and authority over all the kingdoms of the world; throw yourself from the pinnacle of the Temple of Jerusalem, your God will surely save you'. Jesus replied to the first temptation 'Man doesn't live by bread alone', to the second 'Worship the Lord your God, serve only Him' and the third 'Do not put the Lord your God to the Test'. The sermon was given by Rev. Michael. Saint Luke begins his Gospel not with the miracles that Jesus performed, but with His 40 days in the wilderness. Why doesn't Luke begin with the crowd-pleasing miracles? Why does he take us straightway to the desert? Because this time in the wilderness was a pivotal point in Jesus' life and we need to know why. The same Spirit that came to Jesus at the time of his baptism also led Him into the wilderness in order that Jesus could be sure of who he was. Earlier in life he had been sure, in the Temple he had said "I am in my Father's house." At his baptism, God had said "You are my beloved son," but Jesus now had to be certain - heart and soul. Michael continued that the reason for all ministries, his - and - ours is not about our skills but about our identity - knowing that we are the children of God. At our baptism, at our confirmation and at the Eucharist we are reminded that we belong to Jesus Christ. When we are afraid, when we have doubt, when we are anxious about whom we are, when we need to be right, the devil (Diabolos - the one who parts and separates things) moves in. Our true calling is not to be right, our true calling is to be faithful, serve the way of truth and light. When we are not sure and tempted to worship the 'small truths', let us remember who and whose we are. May we come through our own desert this Lent - knowing who we are and remember that we are Christ's own. The prayers were led by Rev. John Potter. He asked that God help us to inspire universal Christianity in every land and denomination with the spirit of truth and concord. He asked for a blessing on Canon David as he comes to the end of his ministry. May his final three months with us at St. Mary's be a joyful climax to his fellowship and work among us. The offertory hymn was 'Jesu, Thou joy of loving hearts'. The Eucharist was in the caring hands of Canon David. He asked all to join with him in communion with our risen Lord. During communion, the choir sang 'Lord for thy tender mercy's sake' by Farrant. The final hymn was 'Jesu, lover of my soul'. Today (Friday), all are welcome to Women's World Day of Prayer at Holyrood and St. Teilo's Church at 2 pm. On Sunday, there will be a Gymanfa Ganu at St. Johns Church at 8 pm.
