Dear Friends,

This season of Lent invites us to slow down and be attentive to the work of God in our lives and in the world. We should make time to pray, to read and listen to Holy Scripture, and to ask for God’s forgiveness for the things which separate us from him.

Things which separate us from God is the theme of this week’s readings (links below). In Genesis we hear of humanity’s earliest encounter with temptation and our desire to define good and evil on our own terms. It is an ancient, familiar story whose meaning still echoes our daily struggles to trust God rather than to reach for quick satisfaction.

In our reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans, we are reminded that while sin and brokenness are part of the human story, these things do not have the final word. Although sin has marked our world, the grace of God has met it with even greater power. Lent, then, is not a season of despair! What is broken has been restored through God’s love shown to us in Jesus.

In our Gospel passage we meet Jesus in the wilderness where he is to spend 40 days and nights, facing temptation head-on. Starving, exhausted and lonely, he resists the lure of easy answers and misplaced power. Jesus shows us that the ‘wilderness’ is not only a place of testing, but a place where we can be formed and shaped. Times of great trial and temptation are often the times when our trust in God is deepened.

May these weeks of Lent open us to God’s truth, strengthen us for the road ahead and remind us that even in the wilderness, God is with us.

Yours in Christ,

Ian

Worship this Sunday

Sunday 22 February 2026

The First Sunday of Lent

FELTON St Katharine

9.00am Morning Worship

WINFORD St Mary & St Peter

11.00am Eucharist

NEMPNETT THRUBWELL St Mary

4.00pm Evensong

STOWEY St Nicholas & St Mary

6.30pm Evensong

Next Sunday: Sunday 1st March 2026 (The Second Sunday of Lent)

9.00am Eucharist (Winford); 10.30am Eucharist (Chew Stoke); 6.30pm Evensong (Stowey)

Readings & Collect

Genesis 2: 15-17; 3: 1-7

Romans 5: 12-19

Matthew 4: 1-11

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.

Lent Collect:

Almighty and everlasting God,

you hate nothing that you have made

and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:

create and make in us new and contrite hearts

that we, worthily lamenting our sins

and acknowledging our wretchedness,

may receive from you, the God of all mercy,

perfect remission and forgiveness;

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.

BCP Collect:

O LORD, who for our sake didst fast forty

days and forty nights; Give us grace to

use such abstinence, that, our flesh being

subdued to the Spirit, we may ever obey thy

godly motions in righteousness, and true

holiness, to thy honour and glory, who livest

and reignest with the Father and the Holy

Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Lent Bible Study

The Rector will be leading a series of five Bible Studies on Tuesday evenings during Lent in Chew Stoke Village Hall, 7.00–8.00pm:

Tuesday 24^th February

Tuesday 3^rd March

Tuesday 10^th March

Tuesday 24^th March

Tuesday 31^st March

(note: no Bible Study on 17^thMarch)

Each week we will be working through two short books in parallel: Joel (Old Testament) and Philippians (New Testament). The prophet Joel speaks to us of the need to turn back towards God and to take seriously his calling to repentance and renewal. It is a brief but fascinating book which moves from despair to hope. Similarly, St Paul’s letter to the Philippians (written while he was in prison) is a passionate plea to the church to press forward in the hope we have in Christ with joy and perseverance. ‘Rejoice in the Lord, always’ he insists (Phil 4:4).

The sessions are free and will include tea and coffee. You don’t need to attend all five sessions, so do come when you can.

For Your Prayers

In your prayers this week please remember:

The Church … guide us as we begin the Lenten journey … strengthen all who seek to follow Christ more faithfully, especially in times of trial and uncertainty … may we be a sign of repentance, hope, and grace in the world;

The nations of our world and their leaders … for peace among nations and within communities torn by conflict, injustice, and fear … turn hearts away from violence and toward understanding, compassion, and reconciliation, that your will for peace may be made known;

… all who are sick, anxious, or burdened in body, mind, or spirit … those who feel weak or alone, and those who care for them;

… those who have died, especially Henry … welcome them into the fullness of your presence, and comfort all who mourn with the promise of resurrection and new life in Christ.