2/2/25
Your weekly update from the Benwell & Scotswood Team.
Click below for the latest news and events in the parish and texts for Sunday worship.
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Dates for your Diary
5 March
1pm - Ash Wednesday service at St James
Services this week
Sunday 2 Feb - Candlemas
11am - Hub service (Parish Eucharist) at Ven Bede
1pm - Christening at Ven Bede
Sunday 6 Feb
10.30 am - Holy Communion at Ven Bede
News
Candlemas
11am, Sunday 2nd February 2025
at Venerable Bede Church, West Road, NE4 8AP
A service of celebration of all who have been christened in Benwell & Scotswood Team Parish.
(The parish includes 4 churches: St James' Benwell, St John's Benwell Village, St Margaret's Scotswood, and Venerable Bede West Road.)
You are invited
Those who have been baptised (christened) in our churches are invited every year to this special celebratory service along with their loved ones and Godparents.
Some useful info
This family-friendly service will last less than an hour.
There will be some light refreshments after.
If you still have your baptism candle then bring it with you to light them during the service (don’t worry if not, there will be some spare candles!)
There is no need to RSVP but if you would like to contact us for any reason: church@benwellscotswod.com or 07968 162067
p.s. Do you have photos of baptisms in our churches? However long ago or recent, we would love to show them in the service!
What is Candlemas?
Traditionally this festival 40 days after Christmas (or the nearest Sunday) was when candles were blessed to be used throughout the year- hence 'candlemas'!
It is when we read the story of how Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus' to the temple in Jerusalem 40 days after his birth and gave thanks to God.
Embrace - Gaza appeal
Conflict across the Middle East is unfolding with relentless intensity, devastating the lives of millions. Even as they live through these dark times, Embrace’s partners in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon are working tirelessly to bring the light of Christ amidst the suffering.
As Christmas approaches, please give what you can to help our partners keep the light of Christ shining amid the darkness.
You can click below to donate online. If you would rather donate by phone, please call 01494 897950.
Sunday Worship
Candlemas
Gold/White
Intercessions
Prayers for others:
John Nicholson
Malcolm Smith
John Peterson
Maria Hawthorn
Herbert Agbeko
Pauline Nelson
Michelle & Peter Wilson
Alan & Maureen Taylor
Irene Foskett
Pat Law
Moe and Mary
Christina Wilson
Diane Humphrey
Pavel
Rest in peace:
Ellis Nelson
Betty Collins
If you would like to add someone to the prayer list please email church@benwellscotswood.com
The name will stay on the list for 1 month unless requested to be long-term.
Malachi 3.1–5
3See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?
For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness.4Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
5 Then I will draw near to you for judgement; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.
Luke 2.22–40
22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), 24and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.27Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,29 ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word;30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’
33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’
36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, 37then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.
Children's talk
Marc Voase, ordinand
Today, we keep the feast of Candlemas, when we remember Jesus being brought as a baby to the temple at Jerusalem. It is a special feast day between the end of Christmas and the weeks before Lent when we begin to think about the start of Jesus’s work on earth, and all that that will mean for him and for humanity.
Candlemas comes 40 days after the feast of Christmas, when we remember the amazing fact that God becomes a human being – a baby – just like all of us. And this is a miracle: it is an action that God does because God loves the world and everything in it so much; that is good news for us and for everyone else.
But babies do not stay babies for long. Part of being a good parent means bringing up your children to be the people they are meant to be: good citizens; responsible adults. For Jesus Christ who we call ‘Saviour’, this begins today, when his human parents, Joseph and Mary, bring him to the Jewish holy place – the temple. And just like we here in church today are remembering the light of Christ given to us at our starting point – our baptism – for the eight-day old Jesus, this is the day when he too is welcomed into the ancient family of the Jewish people in the same way as happened to every eldest male child by law in biblical times.
Here in the Temple of Jerusalem – the very place where the Jews believed God lived – is the starting point of the baby-boy who will grow up to be our God. Jesus is no ordinary baby; but he is an extraordinary person. Jesus is God’s person – God’s self who comes into the world to show everyone – no matter their religion or nationality or beliefs – that he loves them and comes for them to be with them on this wonderful day as their Saviour and their God.
St Luke tells us in our Gospel-reading about Simeon and Anna. This special couple had prayed and waited for this day for so, so long. But now, Simeon, even though he is going blind from old-age, recognises that it has come. That he has come – the one whom God promised the land of Israel would make everything and everyone well again was here – Jesus called the Christ or ‘anointed one’.
Mary and Joseph have come to make him ready for the rest of his life on earth by showing him to everyone there. And he is also being shown to us as we read and hear everything that is being said about him through the scriptures.
Simeon says, “my eyes have seen your salvation.” He has not just seen an ordinary baby – but the human flesh of God himself presented “in the presence of all peoples,” says St Luke. And when Anna begins to tell others around who are also waiting for God’s promise to happen, there can be no going back. Jesus will grow up and become strong – strong enough to travel to the cross, to suffer and die to save the world that is beautiful, but broken, and that God loves so much that he shows us this baby – this human and divine Saviour.
On this Candlemas day, we see the light of Jesus too, with Simeon and Anna, and everyone that they told 2000 years ago. People are still looking for the light so much; the world is often so dark that it can be difficult to see. But the candles we receive as a symbol of our baptism remind us that he has been born as a baby for us all, and is given to us – to everyone - as God’s amazing gift of love.
We can also call this day the Presentation: Jesus is presented to us in the light of candles, in the words that we hear, in the bread and wine that is broken and offered that we take into our bodies in the Eucharist.
Jesus is God’s very best present to all people for all time. And no matter whether things in our lives are beautiful, broken or somewhere in between, he is the gift that nothing or no-one can ever take from us; the light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness never puts out.
God grant that we may be lights for him in our days, so that like Simeon in the story, all eyes may see his saving power - his salvation - in the face of Jesus Christ. And like Anna, “we would speak about the child to all who are looking for him.” AMEN
Reflection
Candlemas and Anna Chaplaincy by Shirley Irving (Anna Chaplain)
Candlemas reminds us that Jesus is the Light of the world.
Mary and Joseph being good Jewish parents bring Jesus to the Temple as was the custom. This was part of custom and fulfilment of Jewish Law. The Rite of purification. This was the last of the baby’s birth rite. It is an act of cleansing for the mother after giving birth.(33 days for a boy). Mary had to bring an offering to the priest. She was poor and could not afford a lamb so she brought two turtle doves. These were the least sacrifice permitted by Jewish Law. But she had brought the greatest sacrifice that God could ever make for purification – Jesus.
They brought the least and were given the greatest.
The day Jesus was present at the Tempe – Simeon was an old man. He was righteous and devout and was guided by the Holy Spirit to attend the Temple on that day. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
When he saw Jesus he took him in his arms and praised God using the words that are now referred to as the ‘Nunc Dimittis
Now Lord, you let your servant go in peace. Your word ahs been fulfilled. My eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all people; A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for the glory of your people Israel.
Anna is the next person Jesus is presented to. You cannot talk about Simeon without mentioning Anna. Anna was widowed in her early 20’s,she would not have had children as now she was 84 and spent every day in the temple. Approx 65 years living a life of patience and hope, faithfulness and expectation until the day of the Messiah.
She is one of the few women described as a prophet in the bible.
Anna shows us that old age can be rich in purpose. Her experiences and maturity give credibility to a life of loyalty and expectation. She is a role model to us all. The name Anna Chaplaincy is derived from Anna.
Anna Chaplaincy is a ministry to older people in care homes, sheltered housing complexes and the wider community.
Most importantly, an Anna Chaplain is appointed and authorised by, and sent out under the authority of, their church or local group of ‘Churches Together’.
My main purpose is to offer spiritual support not only religious support but support individuality. If someone is from a different faith and would like to reconnect then I would make enquires on their behalf if they wished it. This support would be provided to relatives or carer workers on their request. Promoting the spiritual welfare of older people in the wider community, particularly those facing challenges living independently.
Working with the older person helping them reflect on their spiritual journey, including healing of memories and dealing with outstanding issues such as guilt or lack of forgiveness. Offering spiritual support that the older person may live more peacefully in their last years and prepare to face the end of their earthly lives. Acting as an advocate for the needs of older people in church and wider community.
Supporting relatives and carers: Helping and supporting relatives to understand better the spiritual issues that older people face in the latter stages of their lives.
Helping and supporting relatives with the responsibilities of caring for older people in their family.
Supporting staff – helping them understand better the spiritual issues that older people face in the latter stages of their lives.
Offering spiritual support to staff working with older people in their care. They see residents as part of their extended family and may need support when that person is ill or has died. My last years in nursing was as Clinical Lead in a home for people with severe dementia and the staff sometimes found it quite difficult when one of the residents were ill or died as they had looked after them for many years.
Working with the Church – Helping inform and coordinate the church’s work with older people, Helping the church identify, recognise and appreciate the value of contribution that older people can make to church life. Calling on their wisdom in certain areas of the church. Encouraging the church to understand the needs of older people, using them in the best ways and supporting the work undertaking with them. Making the church a friendly Dementia place.
Helping volunteers to understand better the role of the Anna Chaplain and Anna friends. Helping them to know when and how to call upon the Anna Chaplain to support those living independently in the community.
Developing partnerships with local voluntary groups, and running joint events and activities.
Looking backwards, Jesus is the fulfilment of God’s promise.
Looking forward Jesus is the hope of the world, a light in darkness.
This is my first time being invited to do a sermon on this relevant day Candlemass which involved Anna. It has been a challenge and way out of my comfort zone. I kept changing my mind telling myself that I couldn’t do it but I have prayed a lot done lots of attempts to get it right and I feel my prayers have been answered. God Bless and Amen.