Royston Parish Church (Herts)

Royston Parish Church News - Sunday 22nd February 2026 (1st Sunday of Lent)

2026-02-22 Notice sheet.docx Download

ROYSTON PARISH CHURCH - where all are welcome and God's love is shared

You can download the paper copy of our news sheet from the link at the side of this page.

If you would like regular copies of the Notice Sheet emailed to you please email the parish office at admin@roystonparishchurch.org.uk.

Diary

Saturday 21st February 2026

10:00-11:30 1:30 Church Café (Tea / Coffee / Hot Chocolate only £2 - Free Biscuits)

Sunday 22nd February

09:00 - 09:45 Communion Service in traditional language (BCP) that is quiet and reflective

10:30 - 11:40 Communion Service with music/choir, children's groups/toy area, followed by refreshments

17:00-18:00 Deanery Choral Evensong

Monday 23rd February

09:00-`1:00 Safeguarding Training

Tuesday 17th February

09:00-09:30 Morning Prayer (incorporating prayer requests that have been left in church)

11:00-12:30 Visiting Bell Ringers

14:00-15:00 Funeral for the late Patricia Hoare

18:00-19:30 Sustainable Living Committee Meeting (in Church Vestry)

Wednesday 25th February

11:00-11:25 Communion Service that is quiet and reflective, followed by refreshments

12:00-13:00 Lent Lunches in Royston Catholic Church Hall

13:50-14:30 Memorial Service for the Turner Twins

18:00-19:15 Chorister Practice

18:30-20:00 Choir Practice

Thursday 26th February

09:00-11:00 Tots in Church

13:00-15:00 Church Cleaner

19:00-21:00 Bell Ringers Practice

Friday 27th February

14:00-16:00 World Day of Prayer Rehearsal

Saturday 28th February 2026

10:00-11:30 1:30 Church Café (Tea / Coffee / Hot Chocolate only £2 - Free Biscuits)

10:15-11:15 Events Committee Meeting

13:00-16:00 Visiting Bell Ringers

Sunday 1st March

09:00 - 09:45 Communion Service that is quiet and reflective

10:30 - 11:40 Communion Service with music/choir, children's groups/toy area, followed by refreshments

15:30-17:00 Tea Time Praise

Dates for the Diary/Upcoming Events

UPCOMING EVENTS :There are a number of events coming up over the next few months to look forward to.

18th April - Cheese and wine evening

2nd & 4th May - Book Fayre

19th June - Hymns and PIMM’s

20th June - Concert

Intercessions

We pray for all Christians worldwide:

For all Christians in France, Germany, Monaco
For all who worship at Barley, Barkway and Reed; the Revd. Mark Bridgen
For the work of our mission partners: The Orchid Project; Anne-Marie Wilson

We pray for the community of Royston:

For our local health centres
For all employed on our local farms and all land workers

We pray for our world and ECO projects:

We give thanks as Spring bulbs start to appear, and crops for summer harvest grow in local fields

We pray for the sick and suffering:

Lee Cockerill
Pat Pritchard
Jackson Herbert
Maria Turi
Chris Christou
Paul & Pat Tidey
Mike Brown
Marion
Val Brown
Angie & Ken Rushall
Paula Walker
Keith & Elaine Edwards
Peter Coates
Emma & Phil Heath
Peter Foster
Gwen Simmons
Laura O'nyamul (On-Ya-Mul)
Keith and Elaine Edwards
Katie
Margaret Green
Peggy Dawes
Janet McElney

We pray for those who have died in the faith of Christ:
Deceased Bereaved
Harry McDonald Ruth, family and friends
Ann Coburn Kay Blayney, Matt, family and friends
The Turner Twins Heather, Ross, family and friends
Morris Mordet Family and friends
Jennifer Jones Family and friends
Patricia Hoare Family and friends

We pray for those whose anniversaries fall at this time:

Arthur Blair, Graham Brown, Allan Moule, Thomas Krippner, Lilian Bysouth

NOTICES

LENT LUNCHES IN AID OF CAFOD AND CHRISTIAN AID: Starts Wednesday 25th February and continues on4th, 11th, 18th, 25th March

Venue - Roman Catholic Parish Centre, Melbourn Rd. - Entry for pedestrians and cyclists from School car park only. Lunches are served between 12 noon and 1pm

Donations for lunch: Suggested donation is £5pp. This will be distributed equally between Cafod and Christian Aid

ELECTORAL ROLL: If you would like to join the Electoral Roll this year, which enables you to vote at our annual meeting, please apply on this link:

https://roystonparishchurch.org.uk/electoral-roll

CHRISTMAS TREE: The Christmas tree is finally down, and a BIG thank you to all who made it possible this year. We have counted 1056 this year, which is a record. The cards will be prayed over before being cleared away.

DEANERY CHORAL EVENSONG on February 22nd at 5pm, our choir will be joined by choirs and singers from across the Deanery to sing Choral Evensong together. No other churches in the Deanery are having evening services as all the church leaders are taking part in the service, and we are also coming together with congregations across the Deanery to worship together in this service, which will be followed by wine and refreshments. If you would like to sing then please speak to Steven, otherwise, please do come along and worship together with our sisters and brothers from across the Deanery.

CARBON FAST FOR LENT: Traditionally, Lent is a time when Christians fast and focus on God. You might also be interested in adding a “Carbon Fast” to think about our carbon footprint and ask if there is any excess or unnecessary use in our lives, and if any of that excess is acting as a distraction to our relationship with God. You can sign up at the website climatestewards.org/resources/carbon-fast-for-lent to receive a weekly e-mail with suggested activities. With a different focus each week, you’ll learn more, ask questions, and focus on what God thinks about these areas of our lives:

Week 1: Delight in and responsibility for nature
Week 2: Consumerism and shopping
Week 3: Money and investments
Week 4: Food waste and meat and dairy consumption
Week 5: Transport and driving
Week 6: Energy, electricity, and gas
Week 7: Social media

CHURCH FLOWERS FOR EASTER: As usual, we will be arranging flowers in church for Easter. If you would like to make a donation towards the cost of the Easter flowers via a bank transfer, please contact Angela Sasoli or Clare Rice. Cash and cheque donations are also welcome if preferred. Cheques should be made payable to Royston PCC and can be given to either Clare Rice or Angela Sassoli. Your generous support for festival flowers is very much appreciated. Thank you.

LOOKING FORWARD We will also be looking for donations of Easter eggs for the egg hunt on Easter Sunday, 5th April and chocolate items for a chocolate tombola at the Book Fayre, 2nd and 4th May. We are happy to take these at any time from now on so we can take advantage of any offers.

Please leave all items in the kitchen. As always we ask that all food items have good dates on them as we cannot include out of date items!
Thank you so much, the Events Committee.

HELP NEEDED PLEASE: We are helping with Lent Lunch on Wednesday 11th March which is held at the Roman Catholic Church Hall. Lunches usually run from 12 until 1.30pm, consist of a selection of soups, bread, butter, cheese and fruit. Help is also needed to put out/put back chairs and tables (men please). There is a suggested donation of £5 per person. Profits after costs go to Christian Aid and CAFOD.

If you are able to help in anyway, there is a sign up sheet up at the back of Church, or please speak to Kay for any more information. Thank you.

BASIC AWARENESS SAFEGUARDING COURSE Three years ago, after the church re-opened, we ran a Basic Awareness Safeguarding Course for anyone who was unable to access the training online and would find it easier to come along to the church to do the training as a group. For some people it is now time to renew their training after three years, for others it will be the first time. This is a relaxed, non threatening way for everyone to join together and learn how we can, as a church, keep everyone safe whether it is children or vulnerable adults. If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity we will be running the course on Monday 23rd February 2026 at 9.30 am in church. Please let me know if you would like to join us.

Alison Bailey, Parish Safeguarding Officer, 01763 250637, [email protected]

SUNDAY MORNING READING SHEET 22nd February 1st Sunday of Lent

A Reading from Psalm 32

Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’, and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.
You are a hiding-place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you. Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart. Psalm 32

GOSPEL

Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’ Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up ,so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.”’ Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”’Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”’ Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him. Matthew 4:1-11

STAFF TEAM

Vicar: Revd Steven Sivyer (rest day MONDAY)

Telephone no. 01763 580242

Email: [email protected]

Curate: Jaime Roberts (rest day FRIDAY)

Telephone: 01763 580241

Email: [email protected]

Assistant Priest: The Reverend John Fidler

Telephone no. 01763 241886

Email: [email protected]

Reader: Emma Sivyer

Telephone no. 07851 688610