Holy Communion for the Second Sunday of Lent: celebrant the Revd Tola Badejo.
Junior Church takes place at the same time in the hall.

First reading: Philippians 3.17–4.1
Gospel: Luke 13. 31–35

In different ways, today's readings involve multiple time scales or perspectives. Luke begins the Gospel account in a clearly defined 'present': 'At that very hour' - he narrates the story as though it is a clearly-remembered historical event, that happened at a precise time and place, and involves the radical and somewhat controversial preacher Jesus; we cannot tell whether the Pharisees are sincerely worried about his safety, or just trying to worry him so he will go away. Jesus replies in a way that looks beyond the present, making a transition that some would see as that between the Jesus of history and the Jesus of faith: he begins by apparently outlining his plans for the next three days (though in a way that foreshadows his passion) but later describes his future return in terms that suggest the events of Palm Sunday, the Resurrection, and the Second Coming.