Dear friends,

A very warm welcome to this service, wherever you are worshipping with us around the Langtree Team Ministry area.

Bishop Steven has produced the material being used by the national church of England for the Lent campaign this year: Lent Pilgrim invites us to share 40 days of reflections and prayer focussing upon the Beatitudes. Find out more at www.churchofengland.org/lent

Here in Langtree we have been attempting to re-learn these key texts by heart. This week, we return to the Beatitudes, led by our bishop. Lent commences on Ash Wednesday, 6th March, with our Team Service at St Peter and St Paul, Checkendon, at 7.30pm. Why not see if you can learn the beatitudes by that date?

In your prayers, please also remember the families of Angela Griffiths, and Patricia Sweet, whose funerals were at Checkendon at Whitchurch Hill respectively this last week. Please also do pray for those planning to be married in our team churches this year. The second marriage preparation day for this year takes place at Checkendon School on March 2nd.

May God’s grace and peace be with us all

Your Rector                                                        Revd Canon Kevin Davies

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.