Welcome to this Service of Worship
Second Sunday in Lent
5 March 2023 at 10.45am
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GATHERS TO WORSHIP ALMIGHTY GOD
Organ Voluntary
Pastorella, 2nd movement, BWV 590
J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
Welcome & Church News
Eco Tip
The Peace
Preparatory Silence for Worship
Introit: If ye love me
Words: John 14: 15 to 17
Music: Thomas Tallis (1505 to 1585)
If ye love me, keep my commandments
And I will pray the Father, and he will gave you another comforter,
that he may bide with you for ever, even the spirit of truth.
Call to Worship
From Psalm 95: 1-2
Leader: O come, let us sing to the LORD;
All: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Leader: Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
All: let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
Hymn 57 The Lord doth reign, and clothed is he
(t. Stroudwater) Psalm 93
Prayer The Lord’s Prayer
Leader: We thank you for your mercy
All: and praise you for your love.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not
into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the
power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Hymn 489 Come down, O love Divine
(t. Down Ampney)
Reading John 11: 45 - 57
Read by Gillian Beeston (NT p102)
The Plot to Kill Jesus 45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with
Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them
went to the Pharisees and told them what he had done. 47 So the chief
priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the council, and said, ‘What
are we to do? This man is performing many signs. 48 If we let him go on
like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and
destroy both our holy place[a] and our nation.’
49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them,
‘You know nothing at all! 50 You do not understand that it is better for you
to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation
destroyed.’ 51 He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that
year he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation, 52 and not
for the nation only, but to gather into one the dispersed children of God.
53 So from that day on they planned to put him to death.
54 Jesus therefore no longer walked about openly among the Jews, but
went from there to a town called Ephraim in the region near the
wilderness; and he remained there with the disciples. 55 Now the Passover
of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem
before the Passover to purify themselves.
56 They were looking for Jesus and were asking one another as they stood
in the temple, ‘What do you think? Surely he will not come to the festival,
will he?’ 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that
anyone who knew where Jesus[b] was should let them know, so that they
might arrest him.
Anthem Geisitliches Lied
Words: Paul Fleming (1609-1640) translated by John Rutter
Music: Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Let no sad thought oppress thee, distress thee.
Fear nothing, trust God’s own will, and be thou still, my spirit.
Heed not with care and sorrow, the morrow.
Our Father who all doth see shall give to thee thy portion.
From righteous paths then range not.
Be steadfast for God is just; give him thy trust for ever
Amen
Reading Matthew 26: 57 – 64
Read by Gillian Beeston (NT p29)
Jesus before the High Priest 57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to
Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had
gathered. 58 But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the
courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in
order to see how this would end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole
council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might
put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses
came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, ‘This fellow said, ‘I am
able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’’ 62 The
high priest stood up and said, ‘Have you no answer? What is it that they
testify against you?’ 63 But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to
him, ‘I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the
Messiah, the Son of God.’ 64 Jesus said to him, ‘You have said so. But I tell
you, From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of
Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.’
Hymn 385 Here hangs a man discarded
(t. 382 Passion Chorale)
Sermon
Revd Alex McAspurren
Pause for Reflection
Hymn 527 Lord, make us servants of your peace
(t. O Waly Waly)
Prayer for Others
Hymn 509 Jesus call us! O’er the tumult
(t. St Andrew)
Closing Responses
Leader: Blessed are you
All: when you loose the bonds of injustice.
Leader: Blessed are you:
All: when you give freedom to the oppressed.
Leader: Blessed are you:
All: when you share your bread with the hungry.
Leader: Blessed are you:
All: when you give shelter to the homeless.
Leader: Blessed are us all, when we do these things:
All: for we will be called God’s children!
Benediction
Threefold Amen
Organ Voluntary
Fanfare: Olivet
David Blackwell (b. 1961)
THIS MORNING’S CHOIR MUSIC
The introit, a gem of elegant simplicity, was composed in around 1552. It
became popular with the Elizabethan reformist clergy. During the reign of
King Edward VI (1547-1553) it was mandated that the services be sung in
English, and that the choral music be brief and succinct ‘to each syllable a
plain and distinct note.’ The motet is in two sections with the second
section repeated.
The anthem was written by Brahms partly as an exercise in contrapuntal
writing, composed as a double canon with the second entry a tone lower
than the first. As an academic exercise it shows brilliant mastery. The result,
however, is a beautiful work of great serenity. In three verse, the outer two
are similar, with amore sombre middle section, and with an extended
amen. Originally in German, John Rutter has devised an English version
based on the original.
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NEWS AND INTIMATIONS
1. OPEN TO ALL Coffee and tea are served in the McDonald Hall at the
close of the Sunday morning services. Everyone is very welcome.
2. EVENING COMMUNION SERVICE TONIGHT (5 MARCH) AT 7.00PM –
our regular contemplative communion service in the evening of the first
Sunday of the month will take place tonight in the south transept of the
church at 7pm. It will be led by our Pastoral Assistant, Kay McIntosh, and by
Sandy, our minister. All are welcome.
3. UPCOMING CONGREGATIONAL PILGRIMAGE WALK – FRIDAY 24
MARCH You will recall the two congregational pilgrimages in Autumn 2021
and Easter 2022, when we had very enjoyable days walking the first and
last legs of the Fife Pilgrim Way. This year, we will be walking on the Forth
to Farne Way. We will be doing so alongside the congregations of the
Parish of Traprain in East Lothian. Everyone is very welcome, including
friends and family beyond Mayfield Salisbury. The first two walks are on
weekdays for those who can make it, and the final one to Lindisfarne is on
a Saturday, as a full ‘congregational pilgrimage’.
The first walk will take place on Friday 24 March from East Linton to North
Berwick, via Whitekirk (approx. 7miles). We will travel to East Linton and
return from North Berwick by public bus. On the way out, the X7 bus is
from Waterloo Place at 9.38am, due East Linton 10.32am. The bus home
back to Edinburgh (X5 or 124) will be at about 5pm. Please sign up for the
first walk, and indeed the latter two, by emailing Pamela Molyneaux -
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For your diary, the other two walks are:
• Monday 8 May 2023 – Circular walk from Coldingham Priory, via St
Abbs’ Lighthouse (approx. 7miles)
• Saturday 10 June 2023 – Beal Farm Cafe to Lindisfarne (approx. 5miles)
4. LENT 2023 – an ecological mission No-one can be unaware of the
ecological challenges we face. As Christians, the fifth mark of mission
encourages us to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain
and renew the life of the earth. On each of the six Sundays of Lent, the
services will be preceded by a brief commentary by a member of Mayfield
Salisbury’s Eco Group on one aspect of these ecological challenges,
focussing on what we can do to help. The 6 themes will be heating,
clothing, food, biodiversity, transport and climate justice.
5. JOINT CONGREGATIONAL GATHERING: VISION FOR MISSION An
important stage in developing the new union is to agree the mission/vision
of the new congregation. This will be worked on over the coming months
by the Union Teams but we also wish to provide an opportunity for the
congregations to feed into that process. It may also be helpful for those in
the congregations to gain further understanding of what ‘mission’ and
‘pioneer ministry’ might mean in the context of the union.
Consequently, there will be a meeting of the three congregations on
Saturday 25 March at the Greyfriars Charteris Centre on the Pleasance.
Coffee and tea will be available from 10.00am with the meeting ending at
1.00pm. Please keep the time free if possible so you can take part. The
meeting will be in person only as there will be further opportunities to
reflect on the future mission. However, this is a key stage in framing the
discussion and young people and families will be very welcome. More
details about the event will follow in the next week or so.
6. FUNERAL OF MR BEN ARKOFUL There will be a Service of
Thanksgiving to remember Ben in Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church on
Wednesday 8 March at 1.00pm. This will be followed by a committal at
Morningside Cemetery (2.00pm) and then refreshments at Mortonhall Golf
Club. All are very welcome. Ben attended Mayfield Salisbury Church
together with his wife Fiona up until her death in 2018. Please keep their
daughter Salome and the family in your prayers.
7. AFTERNOON SERVICE The first Short Afternoon Service of 2023 will
be held on Tuesday, 7 MARCH at 2.30pm followed by refreshments and
chat - until around 3.45pm. Everyone always made most welcome - please
join us! Our bi-monthly mid-week services are especially appreciated by
the less mobile in our parish community and those for whom Sunday
Services are rather more challenging to attend. We all remain seated at
our tables throughout the afternoon and there is time for conversation and
exchange of news. For further information please contact our
Pastoral Assistant, Kay McIntosh, your own Pastoral Visitor (PV) or Anne
Sturrock. Names would be appreciated in advance (nearer the time) so
that we can set up tables allowing plenty of space, and to allow us to cater
for all. Please contact Kay on 0758 704 3191 if you are coming. We will
also take leave - as this will be Kay and Hillary’s last mid-week Service.
Note: The following Afternoon Service will be held on Tues 16 May
8. YOUTH GROUP - SUNDAY 5 MARCH: Tonight we will be having our
Science and Faith discussion night with guest visitor Prof. Peter Brand! P6-
S1 from 6.15-7.15pm and S2-S6 from 7.15-8.30pm in the Youth Room. If
you haven't yet signed up for our observatory outing on Tues. 14 March,
get in touch with Hillary by the end of today.
9. GIVING – QR CODE Our Quick Response code is a handy way of
using your smart ‘phone or tablet’s QR app to link you to our Giving Page.
Once you have joined the Giving Page safeguards are still operative.
PLATES: Those who would have wished to use it may make use of the
offering plates situated in the vestibule and halls entrance, at the close of
the service. Regular and one-off donations are possible online at
www.give.net/20311853 (scan the QR code) or please contact our Freewill
Offerings Treasurer, Hugh Somerville on 0131 466 2446 or
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
10. THURSDAY CLUB takes place every Thursday at 2.00pm in the Bill
McDonald Hall. This week, Roy Johnston dwill give a talk titled – Down
Memory Lane, followed by tea and fellowship. All are very welcome!
11. ECO BOOKS There will be books on various environmental themes
available during coffee in the Bill McDonald Hall. Please feel free to browse
and borrow.
12. The SOUTHSIDE GUILD meets on Tuesday 7 March at 2.00pm. The talk
is from one of the Guild projects and is titled ‘Chocolate Heaven’.
13. LIBRARY Thanks to a considerable amount of work in particular by
Alison Bogle with help from Diana Tudhope we now have a much tidied
library in the Halls entrance area. You are free and indeed encouraged to
borrow books, so please do have a look.
14. CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY Breaking the Glass
Ceiling Inspiring women explore the topic of how women can overcome
the barriers to senior positions of authority within faith communities. By
Edinburgh Interfaith Association. When and where Mayfield Salisbury
Parish Church 18 West Mayfield Edinburgh EH9 1TQ Date and time Thu,
16 March 2023, 5.30pm to 7.00pm, This event will also be live streamed on
the Edinburgh Interfaith Association YouTube page. More information at
www.edinburghinterfaith.com
15. PASTORAL CARE If you would like to have a regular home visit or
telephone call from one of our pastoral care team, please contact me and I
will arrange that for you. If you would like to be held in prayer, or would
like us to pray for someone you know, please make your request to Kay. If
you would like to participate in our confidential prayer chain praying for
these requests, please get in touch; prayer chain emails are sent out once a
week. You can email Kay on 07587 043 191 or
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
16. MARMALADE SALE Christian Aid’s marmalade sale will be held in the
Newington Room after the joint service on 19 March. Every jar you buy will
help Christian Aid pursue its aim: to create a world where everyone can live
a full life, free from poverty. If you have marmalade to contribute, we’d be
very grateful! You can hand it in to the Newington Room between 2 and
4pm, on Saturday 18th March, but if you’re unable to do so, please contact
Kate O’Brien on 667 4362 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make another
arrangement. Please label your jars on the lid. THANK YOU!
The Christian Aid Team
17. FAIRTRADE STALL TODAY Despite Traidcraft going into administration
and no longer trading some items are still available. So please bring cash
with you to buy coffee, tea, biscuits, and chocolate etc, with thanks, Jean & Alastair.
18. COLLECTIONS I am very grateful to those who so far have donated
online to me or to William in cash to mark Hillary’s departure and Kay’s
retirement. These donations are very much appreciated.
In either case, if you indicate H&K - or there is no specific reference - I will
divide the amount equally between the two. With Hillary’s last service on
19 March and Kay’s on the 26th it would be very helpful if any
contributions could be with William or myself by Monday 13 March.
www.mayfieldsalisbury.org
Scottish Charity Number SC000785
www.give.net/20311853