Dearest friends,
This Sunday is set apart as the ‘Sunday of the Word of God’. We are encouraged to consider how scripture has impacted our lives and faith. How has the Word of God altered our day-to-day life?
Each Sunday, as we get to the Gospel Reading we set it apart as important. We sing, we process the Gospel Book from the Altar into the throng of the congregation, we surround it with incense. Our senses are assaulted by sound, movement, smell.
This all happens to bring our attention to a vital part of our time together – hearing the Good News. Jesus tells us to ‘repent and hear the Good News’. We often spend time on the former, but how much time do we spend on the Word of God?
Do we read it each day at home? Do we pay much attention as it is read at mass or do we allow our minds to wander?
There is a trick in opening yourself to the Good News – especially at mass. It’s built into our liturgy and I suspect we all do it without thinking.
It’s as we cross ourselves when the Priest says ‘hear the Gospel of Our Lord according to…’
There is a prayer to say as you do it… ‘Lord, please let your Word be in my head, on my lips and in my heart’.
Try it at mass, and each time you read your bible.
In love,
Fr. Matthew
Notices
New Mass Setting
On Sunday we’ll be launching our new Mass Setting. It’s a very easy one and uses the words we’ve now grown used to since November. You can see the music and listen to the new setting on our website at www.slsj.co.uk/newmass/
Bread of Life Lent Course
Please sign up for the Lent Course at www.slsj.co.uk/bread or let me know directly as I need to order books. The first evening is on 19th February, 7pm and Wickham Hall. It runs for 6 weeks across Lent. It’s the ideal way to learn about the Eucharist and how it forms the model for everyday Christian Living.
History of the Anglo-Catholic Movement, Talk in Exeter.
The Devonshire Association History Section is delighted that Father Matthew is to give a talk at our AGM on ‘The Anglo-Catholic Movement in England and how Devon plays a distinctive role’.
This is to take place on Monday 26 January at the MINT Methodist Church Centre, Fore Street, Exeter starting at 2 pm.
The Committee extends a very warm invitation to anyone who wishes to attend. Entrance is free for members and £4 for non-members
Dates for the diary
Looking further ahead a few dates for your diary.
10th April, Bingo at St. Luke’s – eyes down 7pm.
2nd May, Quiz with fish & chips, 7pm, St. Luke’s.
5th September, Glastonbury Pilgrimage
Lent Course
Our Lent Course this year will be “Bread of Life’ – a six-week look at the Eucharist and why it forms the model of a good Christian Life. It’s great if you want to know WHY we do certain things at mass, and WHY they are important to your life everyday, not just Sundays. Starts 19th February, 2026 www.slsj.co.uk/bread
Easter Dates
On the back of this pew sheet you’ll find the full list of confirmed dates for the coming term. Please make a note of them, take a pew sheet home, and put it somewhere you can refer to it.
Sunday 25th January
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 🟢
9am – Sung Parish Mass [SJ]
11:15am – Sung Parish Mass [SL]
Psalter Week 3, A(II), Epiphany 3
Upcoming Dates
February
7th – Chorals, Coffee, & Cake, 10am [SL]
8th – Explorers, 3pm [SC]
18th – Ash Wednesday, Mass, 10am [SL], 6pm [SJ]
19th – Lent Course, Bread of Life, 7pm [WH]
21st – Table Top Sale, 10am [WH]
22nd – Stations of the Cross, Adoration & Benediction with Evening Prayer, 4pm [SL]
26th – Lent Course, Bread of Life, 7pm [WH]
March
5th – Lent Course, Bread of Life, 7pm [WH]
Stations of the Cross, 6pm [SJ]
8th – Explorers, 3pm [SC]
Stations of the Cross, Adoration & Benediction with Evening Prayer, 4pm [SL]
12th – Lent Course, Bread of Life, 7pm [WH]
15th – Solemn Evensong with Adoration & Benediction, 6pm [SJ]
19th – Stations of the Cross, 6pm [SJ]
Lent Course, Bread of Life, 7pm [WH]
21st – Table Top Sale, 10am [WH]
22nd – Stations of the Cross, Adoration & Benediction with Evening Prayer, 4pm [SL]
26th – Oswestry Chrism Mass, Exeter Cathedral, 11am – 3pm
Lent Course, Bread of Life, 7pm [WH]
28th – Easter LIVE!, 2pm [SL]
29th – Palm Sunday Processions 10am [SL & SJ]
April
2nd – Maundy Thursday, 6pm Joint Mass [SL]
Watch at both churches until 10pm
Light arrives and Watch begins at St. John’s, 8:30pm
3rd – Liturgy of Good Friday, 3pm [SL & SJ]
4th – Vigil Mass of Easter, 7:30pm [SJ]
5th – Dawn Mass of Easter & Breakfast, 5:30am [SL]
Easter Sunday Mass, 10am [SL & SJ]
18th – Table Top Sale, 10am [WH]
25th – Oswestry Regional Festival, Truro Cathedral
St. Luke’s Women’s Group meets first Wednesday of every month.