St Petri people of God,

Lent has begun. around 130 people received the imposition of ashes last night and shared God’s holy meal to begin this 40 days of “Taking Stock”.

We have been praying for a Listening Heart these last weeks and now in lent we are being called to engage in some ‘active listening’ by practicing the three great streams or disciplines of the Christian life that have held the church in good stead for these last 2000 years. You can hear them in Matthew 6:1-21. They are Giving, praying and fasting.

We have committed to practicing these in some way for these 40 days of Lent as a way of listening to the Word of the Lord in our life. (These are not ways to earn God’s favour – we already have his favour. These are not ways to be “more spiritual” than someone else, they are ways to listen to Jesus and find new understanding, new depth of relationship with God and others, new insight and new vision for our own vocation and our church’s mission.

Use this weekly gris to actively listen to the Lord by giving, praying and fasting in the way that fits you…..   Taking Stock bulletin insert

The essenial Lent things to do?

Listen to the Word Mon, Tuies, Thurs and Fri – use the grid to hear God in his Word 4 days a week – (2-3 mins)

Pray and Midday – set your watch or alarm of whatever to pray for 5 minutes at Midday for 40 days of Lent – pray the Lord’s prayer or for you family by name or a person in need by name of St Petri

Leave Out Wednesday – leave something you like (food, TV, alcohol, etc, etc….) on Wednesdays in some way.

God give you a holy Lent that helps you Take Stock of who your are and how your relationship with the Lord is and listen ot his voice for your life.

Lord, give us a listening heart. Amen