Bowland Benefice
Pews News 18 February 2024
First Sunday of Lent Collect
Almighty God,

whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days

in the wilderness,

and was tempted as we are, yet without sin:
give us grace to discipline ourselves in
obedience to your Spirit;
and, as you know our weakness,
so may we know your power to save;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
This Week in the Benefice

Sunday
18 February

10.30am Benefice Holy
Communion in
Upton
Snodsbury
2.00pm Baptism of
Jake Oliver
Linsey in
Peopleton

Tuesday
20 February

7.00pm Lent Course at
The Crown Inn
(see later)

Sunday
25 February

9.30am Holy
Communion in
White Ladies
Aston
10.30am Songs of Praise
in Upton
Snodsbury
11.00am Holy
Communion in
Peopleton
A thought for the Benefice Service today
May you be at home here.
For this is a place where the love of God

is made known.
Here you can bring Him your needs,
especially your need for His forgiveness

and His power.

Here you can pray for the needs of the world. Amen.
Baptism We send best wishes to Rosie and Matthew
as they bring their son to St Nicholas on Sunday for

baptism.

We wish them, their relatives and friends a happy
day as we welcome Jake into the family of the church

in Peopleton.
Be with Jake –

may he know the light and love of Jesus. As he begins
the amazing journey of life and faith, lead him in the
right path and keep him safe. Amen.

At the start of Lent – here is the first of a set of little
meditations which it is hoped will be food for
thought during the Lenten journey…..
It is customary, Lord
to give something up
during the season of Lent.
What would you have me do without?
I who have so much.
Chocolate?
Cream cakes?
Cigarettes?
Sweets?
Swearing?
The list is endless
and I could give up all those things
for the span of 40 days
quite easily and almost painlessly.
But what difference would it make
other than making me feel 'holier'
that my friend who makes no such sacrifice?
What would you have me do without?
I who have so much
Selfishness?
Conceit?
Envy?
Pride?
I fear before I ask,
that the answer might be 'yes'
and the giving up
would be all too real, Lord.
It would be difficult,
painful,
sacrificial,
a real cross to carry for 40 days,
and more?
The Bowland Benefice Lent Course – begins this
Tuesday at 7.00pm and continues weekly until
Tuesday 26 March. This week’s first session will be
held in The Crown Inn, Peopleton. (heating problems

at the Rectory!)

Claire writes: ……Join us when you can for our 6 weeks
course following a book by Paula Gooder called The
Joy of the Gospel. We will be looking at how we can
share our faith and apply what we learn to our own
contexts in this modern world. The evenings are
informal and a good opportunity to learn from others.
The book is available from Amazon at £7.99 for a new
hard copy, £3.59 for a second-hand copy or £7.50 on a

Kindle.

Offers to host the group in homes across the benefice
during the course will be very welcome. Please do put
the dates in your diary and come along even if you
can’t commit to all the evenings!
If you have any questions or can offer to host a
meeting, please contact me (07921 101320 or
[email protected] )