Welcome to St. Nick’s on Sunday 15th and 22nd February
Dear Friends
A Commendation of the Commination!
As we approach one of the most sacred days in the Church Calendar… Pancake Day! Our hearts and minds turn not only to those delicious golden fried batter circular treats, but as Christians, to higher and greater things (and I don’t mean the one stuck on the kitchen ceiling after an unfortunate toss attempt!). Traditionally, the day before the start of Lent, is known not only as our beloved Pancake Day, but also as Shrove Tuesday. I am pleased to hear that even on the radio, Pancake Day has not fallen out of our national psyche as we live in a seemingly secular (though increasingly less so, thank God) and multi-faith country, featuring on several supermarket adverts boasting the best pancake toppings and cheapest ingredients to help celebrate this national Christian feast.
But why Shrove? To ‘Shrive’ is to confess one’s sins and to receive absolution, or forgiveness. Shrove is the past tense and preoperational act of confessing the wrong we have done to prepare for our ultimate forgiveness through Christ’s love as proclaimed on Ash Wednesday (whereby we are Shriven!), our start of Lent and 40day waiting and preparation period for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. So just as we traditionally used up the remaining eggs, milk, flour etc. from the winter store before the 40 day fast, so too do we prepare the larders of our hearts for the season of Lent as we learn and grow in appreciation of our need of Christ in our lives, and how He only has the power to save and to give us life in all its fullness, in this world and the next. All through His mighty work, earmarked as the ultimate symbol of God’s love for us His Children since the world began, exemplified through His sacrifice on the cross, and sharing His gift of resurrection from the dead unto life eternal for all who simply believe in Him.
But why so much repentance? Why so much sin?? Surely in a world of ‘you do you’, going astray and the idea of sinning is a bit ‘old hat’?! This is why I love the old Commination service for Ash Wednesday in the Book of Common Prayer – the ancient liturgy of the Church of England. It firstly acknowledges that we have ALL sinned, no-one is has led a perfect life. Which is both condemning and liberating, none of us have lead a perfect life, so think on! But also, none of us have lead a perfect life, the King, or the neighbour who seems to live the squeakiest clean life with the perfect social media accounts and holidays. WE HAVE ALL FALLEN SHORT OF PERFECTION. This is symbolised in the service by the priest not standing up the front as usual, but in the body of the church with everyone else. We all need God’s help in our lives. But what is wonderful, after we have been broken down, like a spiritual roller coaster, through the love of God we are zoomed up into the Heavens ‘O Most mighty God, and merciful Father, who hast compassion upon all men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made; who would not the death of a sinner, but that he should rather turn from his sin and be saved’! God loves all his creation, and freely offers his saving grace to all! And then we end with the promise of his blessing. This Shrove Tuesday, after you’ve feasted on chocolate spread, lemon and sugar or whatever rightly floats your boat, why not dust off your old Prayer Books and flick through the Commination? You’ll find it tucked in just before the Psalms of David and your second helping of pancakes.
Reverend Joshua Gaskell
Sunday morning service new start time of 10.45am.
Sunday 15th February
We look forward to welcoming back Rev Josh Gaskell to preach and Mark Vermes from St. James and Emmanuel to preach at our Eucharist service to celebrate the Sunday next before Lent. Music will be played by our Organist and Music Director, Christian Fields with readings, prayers and refreshments delivered by St. Nick’s team. #Everyone is welcome #Refreshments 
Sunday 22nd February
To celebrate the first Sunday of Lent we’ll welcome Rev Josh Gaskell to preside and preach at our 10.45 Eucharist service. Music will be provided by our organist and MD, Christian Fields with readings, prayers and refreshments delivered by the St. Nick’s team. #Everyone is welcome #Refreshments
LIVE BROADCASTS:
Our 10.45 am service is broadcast live every Sunday. View the service via our website www.st-nicholas-church.org.uk or via our You Tube channel #Everyone is welcome, #inclusivechurch
A prayer for Sunday 15th February
Holy God,
you know the disorder of our sinful lives:
set straight our crooked hearts,
and bend our wills to love your goodness and your glory
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
A prayer for Sunday 22nd February
Heavenly Father,
your Son battled with the powers of darkness,
and grew closer to you in the desert:
help us to use these days to grow in wisdom and prayer
that we may witness to your saving love
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
