Week 4 - God in who we are

God in who we are

Our theme for the third week of Lent is God in who we are

Bible reading: Psalm 139.13-16

For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.

My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes beheld my unformed substance.

In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed.

Prayer

Thanks be to Thee, by Lord Jesus Christ,

For all the benefits that Thou hast won for us

For all the pains and insults that Thou hast borne for us.

Most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,

May we see Thee more clearly,

Love Thee more dearly,

And follow Thee more nearly.

Amen

Reflection by Anthony Everitt

It is as though the penny has finally dropped for the psalm-writer; “I am fearfully and wonderfully made”, and he ascribes this to God; “you knit me together in my mother’s womb, my frame was not hidden from you when I was being made in secret”. However we view science or creation, the world, the universe in which we dwell is wonderfully constructed. The fundamental building blocks of physical existence are indeed wonderful; the complexity that is built up from such simplicity at the core of basic physics and chemistry. We could sit for hours simply beholding the wonder of the universe, and of what it is to be human. Observe, remember that we are living beings with more independence, sheer will and freedom than any animal on earth. Maybe it is that independence, that freedom, that will, that makes us in the image of God? It is that freedom and will that are an especial gift to humankind, that makes us human.

Then wonder all the more that God blessed our humanity by becoming human in Jesus. He shared in what we are, that we might share in what He is; so humankind is restored to be fully what it should be; for we are what God made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared to be beforehand to be our way of life.

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Sermon on Sunday,10th August 2025

By matthew.buckmaster • August 10, 2025

Preached by the Revd Laura Verrall-Kelly, Associate Vicar

Interregnum Information

By Laura.Verrall-Kelly • August 7, 2025

Keeping You Updated During the Interregnum As I prepare to go on maternity leave at the end of August, I want to share some important updates regarding our Sunday Services and communication during the Interregnum period. We’ve taken time to consider what is sustainable and meaningful in this season of transition, and while some of the changes have been difficult, they are intended to ensure we can continue to worship together well. Service Changes 8am BCP Eucharist We’ve made the difficult decision to pause this service during the vacancy, following a PCC vote (with 3 votes against). This is due to the limited availability of clergy to cover two Eucharist services on a Sunday. We’re grateful that this decision has allowed us to secure strong cover for the other services. If you’re looking for an early service, the Cathedral offers Morning Prayer at 7.40am and BCP Eucharist at 8am. This change to the 8am will happen from the beginning of October. Mattins & Evensong These will continue with support from a growing team of Lay Leaders. If you're interested in helping lead, please speak to Simon Goodman. Please note: bespoke online orders of service will no longer be produced weekly. Instead, we will use a standard booklet and hymn book in church. Online viewers will receive a standard order of service plus a document with Bible readings and hymns. 10.30am Sung Eucharist Some small changes are being made to simplify things for visiting clergy: Notices will be read by a Church Warden, Duty Warden or Church Representative Communion distribution will return to queue formation A Gradual Hymn will replace the Responsorial Psalm - there is simply not the resource to produce a weekly or termly Psalm hand out in church. We’ll use a standard “Eucharist during the Vacancy” order of service (in booklet form), with hymn books provided in church. As with other services, online resources will mirror this setup. These changes to the 10.30am will happen from the 17th August. Christingle Service Due to the scale of this service and the planning it requires, we’ve made the difficult decision to pause it this year. Without full-time clergy to oversee preparations and lead the service, we don’t believe we can deliver it safely or well. We know this will be disappointing, but this service will be back. Ongoing Communication Thanks to Chris Duncan and Sam Love, we will continue to send out a weekly email during the Interregnum. I’m very grateful to both of them for stepping up to support in this way. We know some of these decisions may not affect everyone, while others may feel them more deeply. We don’t expect universal agreement, and that’s okay — your questions and thoughts are welcome and valued. All we ask is that feedback is offered with kindness and respect for those who have worked hard to make these plans in a short space of time. Thank you for being part of this community and for your ongoing support as we navigate this together.