Have you noticed that there are fewer stiles on country footpaths these days? Over the years there’s been a concerted effort to replace them with gates, making the paths more accessible to those of us with stiffer joints and older legs than we used to have! Jesus likened the entering of his kingdom to passing through a gate – but, rather scarily, he implies it’s not as accessible as you might think. “Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it,” he said. “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7: 13-14). Perhaps I should say, rather, that the gate is perfectly accessible, but most choose to go their own way instead.

Talking of gates, we’re enormously grateful to Paul Rich, who for a couple of years has been unlocking church regularly but is now needing to step down. So we need a volunteer to open and lock the church, at least at weekends, so that visitors and locals alike can come in, look round, perhaps say a prayer, and enjoy the peace and quiet. If you’re able to help, please would you give me a ring on 01262 229503? Thank you so much.

We would love you to ‘enter through the narrow gate’ and come to our services at Barmston Church in February, which are as follows:

Sun 4th Feb at 9.30 am – Holy Communion

Sun 11th Feb at 4.00 pm – Family Service

Sun 18th Feb at 9.30 am – Holy Communion

There is online worship from our sister church at Emmanuel, Cardigan Road, Bridlington every Sunday, live on Facebook or in person at 11.00 am, or later in the day on our YouTube channel.