FEBRUARY 2026 NEWSLETTER

Julie Writes...

Dear friends,

Sunday 1st February will see us celebrating the Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas) and will signal the end of Epiphany. I have had a feeling of a repeating theme, and some might say I’ve been a bit repetitive in my preaching as we’ve shared our Bible reading each week during the Epiphany season.

I’ve felt we were being called to draw closer, to know Jesus at a deeper level. That wonderful encounter in John’s Gospel when Jesus invites those first disciples to ‘Come and See’, and to spent time with him. That encounter transformed them, as they took up that invitation for the rest of their lives.

Last Sunday we thought about the conversion of Saul. We heard about the intervention of Jesus in his life and the time he spent praying and coming to know Jesus more. It transformed him from a man determined to bring an end to the followers of Jesus, into Paul the great evangelist of the early church, spreading the message of Jesus’ love far and wide.
So, what is Jesus inviting us to do now?

Lent lies ahead for us. Is this a good time to aim to spend more time in Jesus’ presence?
I know many of you have very busy lives, so what about the Lectio 365 app (lectio365.com)? Simple to install and easy to use (better to catch it in the shower or in the car on the way to work rather than miss it!)

I’m hoping we can set up some Lent groups (watch this space for more details) and we can grow and learn together.
When I came to you, a lovely member of the congregation gifted me a small book of Iona prayers. One really speaks to me. It’s called ‘We bring you everything and tip it out in front of you’. It’s written by Roddy Cowie. At the end of a long list of all the things we might being to God, it draws them all together with this prayer:
Lord, light up the things we need to see,
brush to one side the things we need to put out of our minds,
show us the door we need to open
and the paths we need to take,
and be beside us as we go
so that the work we do is your work,
and the roads are your roads,
leading to your presence.
we ask this in the name of your Son,
our brother,
Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Other items:
Note for your diary:
Ash Wednesday 18th February, there will be the usual Wednesday morning services with an additional joint service at St. Stephen’s Hightown at 7.30pm.
Churches Together in Formby, Altcar and Hightown.
Following our last meeting it has been decided to join together for morning prayer on the 3rd Saturday of each month.
The first of these will be at St Stephen’s Church, Hightown on Saturday 21st February at 10.30am.
World Day of Prayer 2026 – A service for everyone,
prepared by the women of Nigeria.
‘I will give you rest, come’.
Friday 6th March 2pm at St Stephen’s, Hightown.
With God’s Love