Quoniam tu Dominus al ssimus super omnem terram

THE PARISH MAGAZINE of St Saviour Ravensthorpe and

Holy Innocents Thornhill Lees

February 2015

50p

2

Parish Priest

Father Paul Atkinson SSC

The Vicarage,

Church Street,

Ravensthorpe,

Tel: 01924 672103

Email: fr.paul.atkinson@live.co.uk

For all the latest informa on about services and events within our Parishes please see the Parish Website:

www.stsaviourwithholyinnocents.weebly.com 

 

 

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Fr Paul writes In one of the shops not long a er Christmas I came across some sale DVD’s and although I didn’t buy one I did no ce that one of the films was a personal favourite a film called Groundhog Day. Now before you dismiss the film as being a second rate cheap comedy good for a few cheap laughs and nothing more, let me tell you there is a lot more. The film is actually very moral, telling the story of a superficial, spiritual cripple of a man who knows nothing about life, people, rela onships and perhaps most importantly of all himself. The film is set in the town of Punxsutawney and focuses on their annual celebra on of Groundhog Day, the day when Phil the most famous Groundhog in the world ventures out of his winter home. When he does, if he casts a shadow there will be six more weeks of winter, if not then it will be an early spring. Groundhog Day falls on the 2nd February the same day as Candlemass and there are many connec ons between the two, although Candlemass tells us things in a far more ra onal and theological way. Today, we call Candlemass the feast of the “Presenta on.” So why is it known as Candlemass? The answer is very simply because candles were blessed on this day, the day when Jesus is proclaimed to be the light of revela on, the light of the world, a light to lighten the Gen les, therefore the candles blessed on the Feast of Candlemass would be tak-en home and used to provide light for the rest of the year. Centuries ago, people said that if the sun was shining brightly on Candlemass day, there would be six more weeks of winter and this is where Groundhog Day has its origins, however, the thing that always puzzles me about this is why in the middle of winter did people conclude that a sunny day was a bad thing? The winter is so o en dreary, dark, and cloudy therefore I personally think that a cloudy day would be a bad sign, a er all, don’t we usually think of sunshine and light as being posi ve. So why anyone would think that bright sunshine in winter would be a bad thing? Maybe it’s all about the shadows. As we know if the sunlight shines brightly on us, we see our shadow and if the light of the Son shines on us, we also see shadows, showing us a lot more than we actually want to see. Because when the light of Christ shines in your life, you see all the things that you were trying keep hidden. When the light of the His love washes over you, you have no choice but to look at the dark things in your lives, the things that separate us from God and that should be unse ling. On the Feast of Candlemass, we are told, that Mary and Joseph take the infant Jesus into the Temple. An old man, Simeon takes the baby in his arms and declares, “...Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, for my eyes have seen your salva on, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revela on to the Gen les, and glory for your people Israel.”

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Mary and Joseph might have been startled and bewildered by all this, what did Simeon mean when he said that Jesus was the LIGHT, but it doesn’t end there, Simeon goes further telling Mary that; this child is des ned for the fall and rise of many in Israel. He will be a sign that will be contradicted, and you, a sword will pierce your heart so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. A very big statement and one every parent will be able to understand, because as parents we know that our children have the ability to break our hearts. However, you do not need to be a parent to understand this; you just have to be human, but that’s not all that’s happening here, because Simeon is a prophet and he is actually helping Mary to see that the shadow hanging over her Child is Cross shaped and that this will in the future pierce her heart like a sword. I’m sure Mary remembered those words as she stood in the shadow of that Cross on Good Friday. So what does all this mean to you and me in the here and now? It means that Jesus was, is, and always will be the light of the world the light that enables everyone to see and have a rela onship with God, that is of course if they choose to. In wri ng this my hope is that not only do you choose to , but that you also choose to grow in faith as you journey through this life. How we do this is of course is down to us as individuals and as a loving com-munity of people who love and follow Jesus Christ and again we have a choice. However, in conclusion, I suggest there really is no choice and that we let the Feast of the Presenta on remind us of the light who came into the world, and in His light we should move forward recognising ourselves and the shadows of our lives and our faith, which prevent us from becoming the people we were truly born to be. Remember the film Groundhog Day it is about a man who knows nothing about himself, people, rela onships. We cannot keep living the same day un l we get it right but we can use the forthcoming season of Lent, because Lent is a season of repentance and forgiveness it is a season of courage and hope and we should use it wisely because when Jesus shows us what needs to change in our lives, he is also the one standing by us saying, “My grace is enough for you. My spirit is alive in you. My love will heal you.” God Bless you and may the light of Christ shine brightly upon you. With love and prayers

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Editor’s Notes

This is the first magazine of 2015 and I hope you have all enjoyed the edi ons of the new format which were produced in 2014. As you will see some regular pages are missing due to the end of the year where some monthly series ended or there has been no input.

I hope you will like the replacements.

Michael

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PARISH OFFICERS

St Saviour Church Wardens Miss Pauline Denton 495136 Mr Michael Lister 468812

PCC Secretary & Deanery Synod Representative Miss Anne Blackburn 498387 PCC Treasurer Mr Tony Longstaff 462647 Stewardship Recorder Mr Tony Longstaff 462647 Electoral Roll Officer Miss Kathleen Thornton Sunday School & Safeguarding Officer Mrs Tracy Atkinson 672103 Organist Mr Tony Longstaff 462647 Church Flowers Miss Kathleen Thornton

Dewsbury West Community Centre Bookings: Anne Thornton 493551 Uniformed Organisations Group Scout Leader Sarah Haigh 07926 291877 Beavers -Charli Laverick 07919 0847862 Cubs - David Laverick 524490 Scouts - Paul Hadley - 457725

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PARISH OFFICERS

Holy Innocents

Church Wardens Mrs Mavis Idle 490457 Mrs Sharon Parker 488538 PCC Secretary & Deanery Synod Representative Mrs Linda Carruthers PCC Treasurer & Deanery Synod Representative Mrs Sylvia Dudding 460111

Stewardship Recorder Mrs Sylvia Dudding 460111

Electoral Roll Officer Linda Windle 506392

Safeguarding Officer Mrs Tracy Atkinson 672130 Organist Mr Tony Longstaff 462647 Church Flowers Mrs Marion Coy 464743 Uniformed Organisations

Brownies Linda Windle 506392

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The Presenta on of Christ in the Temple (Candlemass) In bygone centuries, Chris ans said their last farewells to the Christmas season on Candlemass, 2 February. This is exactly 40 days a er Christmas Day itself. In New Testament mes 40 days old was an important age for a ba-by boy: it was when they made their first ‘public appearance’. Mary, like all good Jewish mothers, went to the Temple with Jesus, her first male child - to ‘present him to the Lord’. At the same me, she, as a new mother, was ‘purified’. Thus we have the Fes val of the Presenta on of Christ in the Temple. So where does the Candlemass bit come in? Jesus is described in the New Testament as the Light of the World, and early Chris ans developed the tradi on of ligh ng many candles in celebra on of this day. The Church also fell into the custom of blessing the year’s supply of candles for the church on this day - hence the name, Candlemass. The story of how Candlemass began can be found in Luke 2:22-40. Simeon’s great declara on of faith and recogni on of who Jesus was is of course found in the Nunc Dimi s, which is embedded in the Office of Evening Prayer in the West. But in medieval mes, the Nunc Dimi s was mostly used just on this day, during the distribu on of candles before the Eucharist. Only gradually did it win a place in the daily prayer life of the Church.

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ASH WEDNESDAY

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, but why 'Ash' Wednesday? The reason has to do with ge ng things right between you and God, and the tradi on goes right back to the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, the Israelites o en sinned. When they finally came to their senses, and saw their evil ways as God saw them, they could do nothing but repent in sorrow. They mourned for the dam-age and evil they had done. As part of this repentance, they covered their heads with ashes. For the Israelites, pu ng ashes on your head, and even rending your clothes, was an outward sign of their heart-felt repentance and acknowledgement of sin. (See Genesis 18:27; 2 Samuel 13:19; Job 2:8, 30:19; Isaiah 58:5; Jeremiah 6:26; Jonah 3:6) In the very early Chris an Church, the yearly 'class' of penitents had ashes sprinkled over them at the beginning of Lent. They were turn-ing to God for the first me, and mourning their sins. But soon many other Chris ans wanted to take part in the custom, and to do so at the very start of Lent. They heeded Joel's call to 'rend your hearts and not your garments' (Joel 2:12-19). Ash Wednesday became known as either the 'beginning of the fast' or ‘the day of the ashes’. The collect for today goes back to the Prayer Book, and stresses the peniten al character of the day. It encourages us with the reminder of the readiness of God to forgive us and to renew us. The Bible readings for today are o en Joel 2:1-2, 12 – 18, Ma hew 6: 1-6,16 – 21 and Paul’s moving catalogue of suffering, "as having nothing and yet possessing everything." (2 Corinthians 5:20b - 6:10) The actual custom of 'ashing' was abolished at the Reforma on, though the old name for the day remained. Today, throughout the Church of England, receiving the mark of ashes on one’s forehead is op onal. Certainly the mark of ashes on the forehead reminds people of their mortality: "Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return..." (Genesis 3:19) The late medieval custom was to burn the branches used on Palm Sunday in the previous year in order to create the ashes for today.

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Ash Wednesday: a good me to admit you are sorry Have you done something which haunts you? Which makes you feel restless and defensive, every me you think of it? Why not deal with it this month, and put it behind you? Whatever your mistake has been, consider what the Bible has to say to you: ‘I have not come to call the virtuous but sinners to repentance’ (said Jesus). (Luke 5.32) ‘Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55.7) ‘Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fas ng, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.’ (Joel 2:12-13) God is invi ng you to come to him this Ash Wednesday. What a wonderful offer! Make the most of it, and remember how the prodigal son was welcomed back by his compassionate father.

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True Fas ng

This month sees the beginning of Lent, the 40 days of prepara on leading to Easter. Although fas ng is one of the neglected disciplines associated with this period, it occupies an important place in the Chris an life. Jesus began his earthly ministry with fas ng in the wilderness for 40 days and he also taught his disciples to fast (i.e. not if but when), ‘when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fas ng, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.’ (Ma hew 6:17/18). We don’t fast to manipulate God into doing what we want or to impress others. It is not a command, but a choice we have to make to develop our rela onship with God.  What is fas ng?  Fas ng is voluntarily abstaining from food etc. to focus on God and give me for prayer. Prayer and fas ng usually go hand in hand, as together they glorify God. ‘So we fasted and pe -oned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.’ (Ezra 6:23).

 What are the benefits of fas ng?  Fas ng gives us space to humbly focus on God for his strength, provision, and wisdom and results in a more in mate rela onship with Christ. As Isaiah points out, it’s not self-centred, but part of our care for the poor: ‘Is not this the kind of fas ng I have chosen: to lose the chains of injus ce and un e the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?’ (Isaiah 58:6). Fas ng enables the Holy Spirit to reveal our true spiritual condi on, leading to brokenness, repentance, and a transformed life, with a heart more a en ve to God.  How do we fast? Most commonly fas ng involves missing one or two meals as part of a day for seeking God. Of course, some can’t abstain from food for medical reasons. Fas ng might also include refraining from TV, alcohol, sex (cf 1 Corinthinians 7:1-5) or whatever may be ge ng in the way of us being fully focused on God. ‘Jesus takes it for granted that his disciples will observe the pious cus-tom of fas ng. Strict exercise of self-control is an essen al feature of the Chris an's life. Such customs have only one purpose - to make the disciples more ready and cheerful to accomplish those things which God would have done.’ (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

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HOLY DAYS IN FEBRUARY

Monday 2nd February The Presenta on of the Lord

Solemn Mass Holy Innocents 7pm

Wednesday 18th February ASH WEDNESDAY

Low Mass Holy Innocents 10am Solemn Mass St Saviour 7:30pm

Sunday 22nd February

1st Sunday of Lent Solemn Mass St Saviour 9:30am

Solemn Mass Holy Innocents 11am

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What is the shape of your Bible?

The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.  (John 1:9)  The shape of the Bible is like that of an hour-glass, in which thou-sands of sand grains sink down from its wide top, trickling through the tapered centre, only to fill out once again at the bo om. At the top – with Jesus as ‘The Word’ behind crea on, the dimensions are enormous:  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made  (John 1:3) But quite quickly the glass begins to narrow down. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. (John 1:4,5)). At the fall of humanity and the darkness that followed, a divinely provided way of restora on is pledged. The hour-glass tapers down to a single con nent in the middle-east. It narrows s ll further to a par cular country measuring li le more than 250 miles long and 70 miles wide – and even more - to a family – the children of Israel. Surely, the hour-glass cannot become any narrower? But it does. For Israel – called to be God’s light to the na ons – fails in her mission. She meets with exile at the hands of the Babylonians. Despite her eventual restora on, the Old Testament ends with a faithful Remnant of ‘those who feared the Lord and honoured his name’ (Malachi 3:16). The glass narrows further s ll. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. In a remote town of Galilee a promised Child is born. Twelve disciples join him. Thirteen men! Surely the hour-glass is down to its narrowest width. But no. One disciple turns traitor, another turns coward; the rest are sca ered. At this narrowest point of the hour-glass, we are down to a solitary grain – none other than the original Being who inhabited eternity. He became flesh and lived for a while among us. As Lamb of God in his suffering on the Cross, this single Person is all that Israel could never be – the solitary fulfilment of the divine Cov-enant, at the centre of God’s saving purposes. T hen the widening process begins, with the once-descended Child now ascended, higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe. (Ephesians 4:10). Pentecost drives his salva on in ever widening dimensions…. to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth’ (Acts 1:8). Be a part of this, where we are now - at the widest other-end of history’s hour-glass!

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On the peculiari es of ordina on candidates

The Rectory St. James the Least My dear Nephew Darren I was quite happy to see the young person from your church whom you are encouraging to get ordained – even though we did not en rely see eye to eye. When I answered the door to someone dressed in T-shirt, jeans and trainers, I naturally assumed he was the gardener; it was only a er I had given him the wheelbarrow and shown him where the spades were, that I found out who he really was. His assurance that this is how Jesus would dress, were he to visit in person again, jarred somewhat. I think that a three-piece suit and stout pair of brogues would be far more likely. We agreed to differ. I moved on to ask him about the Sunday Services he a ended and was interested to hear that he was a church musician. Wan ng to know if he sang tenor or bass, or even played the organ, he told me that he was the drummer in the worship band and provided backing vocals. I felt obliged to comment that I was not sure how that would fit in with Ma ns, but he told me that he had never heard of that Service and only a ended Mega Rock Praise. Since I suspected it would not have been wri en by Cranmer, we moved on.

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I had hoped we may have been on safer ground when I asked him whether he preferred early perpendicular or Victorian gothic, but as he had apparently only ever worshipped in your converted cinema, he was unable to offer any opinion. His reac on to my offer to show him round our late Norman church, prompted him to tell me that he believed all churches should be closed and people should gather in each other’s homes, like the early Chris ans. In a last despairing a empt to find common ground I asked him if he had ever preached. He was slightly apologe c to admit that he had done so very rarely, as he found it took such a long me to write an hour-long sermon. When I men oned that I did not think I had ever exceeded eight minutes in my en re life, he gave me such a look of withering astonishment that with heroic Chris an charity, I did not beat him over the head with the Bible he was carrying. Your loving uncle, Eustace

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Across 8 Interrogated (Acts 12:19) (5-8) 9 ‘Burn it in a wood fire on the — heap’ (Levi cus 4:12) (3) 10 Tobit, Judith, Baruch and the books of Esdras and the Maccabees are part of it (9) 11 Science fic on (abbrev.) (3-2) 13 Clay pit (anag.) (7) 16 Went to (John 4:46) (7) 19 ‘Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to — your bodies as living sacrifices’ (Romans 12:1) (5) 22 David’s plea to God concerning those referred to in 14 Down: ‘On — — let them escape’ (Psalm 56:7) (2,7) 24 Royal Automobile Club (1,1,1) 25 How the book of Ezekiel refers to God more than 200 mes (Ezekiel 2:4) (9,4) Down 1 Seas (Proverbs 8:24) (6) 2 One of the sons of Eli the priest, killed in ba le by the Philis nes (1 Samuel 4:11) (6) 3 Specialist in the study of the Muslim religion (8) 4 ‘Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but — him as if he were your father (1 Timothy 5:1) (6) 5 One of Esau’s grandsons (Genesis 36:11) (4) 6 Taking a chance (colloq.) (2,4) 7 God’s instruc ons to the Israelites concerning grain offerings: ‘ — salt to — your offerings’ (Levi cus 2:13) (3,3) 12 Confedera on of Bri sh Industry (1,1,1) 14 ‘All day long they twist my words; they are always — to harm me (Psalm 56:5) (8) 15 The crowd’s reac on to Jesus bringing back to life a widow’s son in Nain (Luke 7:16) (3) 16 Disappear (Psalm 104:35) (6) 17 How Jeremiah was likely to die if he wasn’t rescued from the cistern where he was imprisoned (Jeremiah 38:9) (6) 18 What the prophets do to a wall, with whitewash (Ezekiel 13:10, RSV) (4,2) 20 Made by a plough (Job 39:10) (6) 21 Noah was relieved when the flood waters con nued to — (Genesis 8:5) (6) 23 Jesus gave the Twelve the power and authority to do this to diseases (Luke 9:1) (4)

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Soduko

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A Word search for February

Find the following words in the grid below once you have found them

all check your answers on page 25.

Forty, Days, Baby, Boy, Public, Appearance, Mary, Jewish, Mothers, Temple, Jesus, Purified, Present, Lord, Fes val, Presenta on, Light, World, Candlemass, Simeon, Nunc Dimi s, Office, Evening, Prayer, West

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SMILE LINES Li le Teapot Our new curate had young children and they insisted he choose for his screensaver a picture of a dancing teapot, playing the children's song ‘I'm a Li le Teapot’. When the earnest young HR officer for the diocese came to call, she sent back a message to the bishop: “The curate may be suffering from an iden ty disorder." Answer to prayer A small boy badly wanted a baby brother, so his dad suggested he pray every night for one. The boy prayed earnestly, night a er night, but his prayers seemingly weren't answered. So a er a few weeks, he didn't bother to ask anymore. Some months later, his dad said they were going to see Mum in the hospital and he was going to get a big surprise. When they got to the room, the li le boy saw his mother holding two babies. The li le boy stood s ll for a moment, and then cau ously observed: "It's a good thing I stopped praying when I did." With Valen ne’s Day and romance in mind… Marriage is…. - not always just a word; some mes it is a sentence. - a very good way to promote civilisa on – according to Socrates, if you get a good partner you will be happy, if you get a bad one you will become a philosopher. - the only permanent cure for love. Marriage license - the only permit taken out a er the hunt is over. Valen ne Dreams A young woman woke up one morning and told her husband, "I just dreamed that you gave me a pearl necklace for Valen ne's Day. What do you think it means?" "You'll know tonight," he replied with a smile. Sure enough, that evening the man came home with a small package and gave it to his wife. Delighted, she opened it, only to find a book en tled ‘The Meaning of Dreams’.

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YOU SAY GOD SAYS BIBLE VERSES

You say: "It's impossible" God says: All things are possible

(Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too red" God says: I will give you rest

(Mat.11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me" God says: I love you

(John 3:16 & John 3:34)

You say: "I can't go on" God says: My grace is sufficient

(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out" God says: I will direct your steps

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it" God says: You can do all things

(Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able" God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it" God says: It will be worth it

(Roman 8:2)

You say: "I can't forgive myself" God says: I Forgive you

(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

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PARISH NOTICES

Valen nes Supper Quiz Monday 16th February

6pm Dewsbury West Community Centre

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Readings for February

February 1st ‐ 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Deuteronomy 18:15-20 I will raise up a prophet and I will put my words into his       mouth. 

Psalm Psalm 94:1-2, 6-9 O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your     hearts. 

Reading 2 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 An unmarried woman can devote herself to the Lord's affairs;     all she need worry about is being holy. 

Gospel Mark 1:21-28 He taught them with authority.   February 8th ‐ 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Job 7:1-4, 6-7 Restless I fret  ll twilight                            Psalm Psalm 146:1-6 Praise the Lord who heals the broken-hearted.  Reading 2 1 Corinthians9:16-19, 22-23

I should be punished if I did not preach the Gospel. 

Gospel Mark 1:29-39 He cured many who suffered from diseases of one kind or  an other 

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February 15th ‐ 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Levi cus 13:1-2, 44-46 The leper must live apart: he must live outside the camp. 

Psalm Psalm 31:1-2. 5. 11 You are my refuge, O Lord; you fill me with the joy of sal-va on. 

Reading 2 1 Corinthians 10:31–11:1 Take me for your model, as I take Christ. 

Gospel Mark 1:40-45 The leprosy le  him at once and he was cured.

February 22nd ‐ 1st Sunday in Lent Reading 1 Genesis 9:8-15 God's covenant with Noah a er he had saved him from the       waters of the flood. 

Psalm Psalm 24:4-9 Your ways, Lord, are faithfulness and love for those who keep      your covenant. 

Reading 2 1 Peter 3:18-22 That water is a type of bap sm which saves you now. 

Gospel Mark 1:12-15 Jesus was tempted by Satan, and the angels looked a er                      

                     him. 

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QUIZ ANSWERS

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RECIPE

Salmon with Len ls and Orange‐Basil Dressing Serves: 4 Total Time: 40 min, Prep Time: 25 min, Cook Time: 15 min, Oven Temp: 400

Ingredients 2 1/4 cup(s) water 1 cup(s) brown len ls Salt and ground black pepper 4 piece(s) (about 6 ounces each) salmon fillet , with skin 1 (to 2) navel oranges 1 teaspoon(s) Dijon mustard 2 tablespoon(s) olive oil 1 teaspoon(s) olive oil 1/2 cup(s) (loosely packed) fresh basil leaves 2 medium shallots, finely chopped 1/2 cup(s) (loosely packed) fresh parsley leaves, chopped

Direc ons

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In 2-quart saucepan, combine water, len ls, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 20 to 30 minutes or un l len ls are tender. Drain. 2. Meanwhile, spray 13" by 9" glass baking dish with nons ck cooking spray. Arrange salmon in prepared dish, skin side down. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Roast salmon 15 to 20 minutes or just un l opaque throughout. 3. While salmon is roas ng, prepare orange-basil dressing: From oranges, grate 1 teaspoon peel and squeeze 1/3 cup juice. In small bowl, whisk orange peel and juice with mustard, 2 tablespoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. S r in basil. 4. In nonstick 10-inch skillet, heat remaining 1 teaspoon oil over medium heat. Add shallots and cook 2 minutes, stirring. Stir in lentils. Remove skillet from heat; stir in parsley and half of dress-ing (about 1/4 cup). Spread lentil mixture on platter. Arrange salmon on top of lentils and drizzle with remaining dressing.

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The Meaning of Numbers: The Number 12

Twelve can be found in 187 places in God's word. Revela on alone has 22 occurrences of the number. The meaning of 12, which is considered a perfect number, is that it symbolises God's power and authority, as well as serving as a perfect governmental founda on. It can also symbolise completeness or the na on of Israel as a whole. For example, Jacob (Israel) had twelve sons, each of which represented a tribe begun by a prince, for 12 princes total. Ishmael, who was born to Abraham through Hagar, also had twelve princes.

God specified that twelve unleavened cakes of bread be placed every week in the temple with frankincense next to each of the two piles that were to be made. The priests were commanded to change the bread every Sabbath day (Levi cus 24).

Christ called and choose twelve men to bear witness to what he did and to spread the good news of the gospel to the en re world. A er he was raised from the dead, Jesus told the eleven disciples (Judas had killed himself) that God had given him ALL power and authority in both earth and heaven (God's divine authority - Ma hew 28:18).

Twelve thousand from each tribe of Israel (144,000 total) will receive salva on during the end me's Great Tribula on (Revela on 7). Another set of 144,000 (12 x 12,000) will be taken from earth in or-der to serve and follow the Lamb of God (Revela on 14:1 - 5). Christ's bride in Revela on 12, the church, wears a crown containing twelve stars.

New Jerusalem, which is made in heaven and brought to the earth by God himself, contains 12 gates made of pearl which are each manned by an angel. Over each gate will be one of the names of Israel's twelve tribes. The walls are 144 cubits high (12 mul plied by itself Revela on 21:16 - 17), with the city itself being 12,000 furlongs square.

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Funny motor insurance claims (part 1)

"I was driving along the motorway when the police pulled me over onto the hard shoulder. Unfortunately I was in the middle lane and there was another car in the way.." (Thanks M Robson) "Going to work at 7am this morning I drove out of my drive straight into a bus. The bus was 5 minutes early.." (Thanks N Bradley) "I was driving along when I saw two kangaroos copula ng in the middle of the road causing me to ejaculate through the sun roof." (from an Australian claim form - Thanks N Shepherd) "The accident happened because I had one eye on the lorry in front, one eye on the pedestrian and the other on the car behind." (Thanks Sharon Burrows) "I started to slow down but the traffic was more sta onary than I thought." "I pulled into a lay-by with smoke coming from under the hood. I realised the car was on fire so took my dog and smothered it with a blanket." Q: Could either driver have done anything to avoid the accident? A: Travelled by bus? The claimant had collided with a cow. The ques ons and answers on the claim form were - Q: What warning was given by you? A: Horn. Q: What warning was given by the other party? A: Moo. "I started to turn and it was at this point I no ced a camel and an elephant tethered at the verge. This distrac on caused me to lose concentra on and hit a bollard." "On approach to the traffic lights the car in front suddenly broke." "I was going at about 70 or 80 mph when my girlfriend on the pillion reached over and grabbed my tes cles so I lost control." "I didn't think the speed limit applied a er midnight"   

  

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Service Rotas   St Saviour 

Sunday 1st February Joint Mass at Holy Innocents

Sunday 8th February

Sidespersons: Pauline Denton, Valerie Derry Readers: David Thornton, Anne Thornton Prayers: Ann Blackburn Coffee: Moyra Walker, Valerie Derry

Sunday 15th February Sidespersons: Maureen Rawson, June Lightowler Readers: Keith Rawson, Gloria Faller Prayers: David Thornton Coffee: Anne Thornton, Gloria Falller

Sunday 22nd February Sidespersons: David Thornton, Anne Thornton Readers: Ann Blackburn, Kathleen Thornton Prayers: Father Paul Coffee: Maureeen Rawson, Kathleen Thornton

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Service Rotas Holy Innocents

Sunday 1st February

Sidespersons: Carol, Jeff Readings : Sylvia , Michael Coffee : Served in Church Hall

Sunday 8th February Sidespersons: Sylvia, Mary Readings: Michael ,Linda (C) Coffee : Served in Church Hall

Sunday 15th February Sidespersons: Carol, Chris ne Readings: Sylvia, Michael Coffee : Served in Church Hall

Sunday 22nd February Sidespersons: Marion, Pat Readings: Michael, Linda (C) Coffee: Served in Church Hall

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This well-known picture, painted by the Edinburgh ar st A E Borthwick in 1910 has an intriguing history. The scene is the Cathedral itself, where communion is being distributed to the faithful in the distance at the High Altar. In the foreground though, a kneeling penitent is comforted by the presence of Christ behind her, bathed in radiant light. The pain ng was the subject of a celebrated legal ac on a er it was illegally sold while being exhibited in Europe during World War I. The pain ng was eventually returned to Scotland and Borthwick presented it to the Cathedral in 1944. It now hangs alongside another pain ng of the same tle (but set in St Paul’s Cathedral, London) and painted by Borthwick in 1940.

This pain ng is hung in the Lady Chapel, at St Saviour, in a frame which is

wai ng for repair or replacement.

This picture means a lot to the television presenter Alexander Armstrong. He

was a chorister in the cathedral.

The Presence

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Regular Weekly Service Times

St Saviour Ravensthorpe

Sundays except for the first Sunday in the month Solemn Parish Mass 9:30am

Tuesdays Low Mass 7pm

Saturdays Mass of Our Lady 10am

Confessions 10:30am

Parish Office for those wishing to book Bap sms or Weddings 10:30am

Holy Innocents Thornhill Lees

Sundays except for the first Sunday in the month Solemn Parish Mass 11am

Wednesdays Low Mass 7pm

On the first Sunday of every month there will be a joint

Solemn Parish Mass, this will alternate between our Churches, the next one will be on:

Sunday 1st March 10am St Saviour Full details of all our Mass Times  will be published  on our weekly pew 

sheet and the Parish Website: 

www.stsaviourwithholyinnocents.weebly.com