Christine Wilson, Dean Mark Hocknull, Chancellor John Patrick, Subdean
Philippa White, Succentor
Picking up from the reflection of Luther in the last chapter letter, here is another little gem from the Reformer. It comes from
his commentary on Genesis. God’s people please God even in the least and most trifling matters. For God will be working all things through you; God will milk the cow through you and perform the most servile duties through you, and all the greatest and least duties alike will be pleasing to God.
There are two elements of Luther’s theology that I think are most important. The first is that we are justified – that is, considered by God to be righteous and holy and worthy and all the rest – by grace though faith, which means that God justifies us not because of what we have done but completely and simply because God loves us. This is demonstrated most clearly in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. This message of absolute and unconditional acceptance is so incredibly important and is, or at least should be, the heart of the church’s preaching and teaching.
The second critical element, is Luther’s sense of vocation – that we are called to serve God by serving our neighbour in whatever situation or station we find ourselves. This, in a sense, is the flip-side of justification. God doesn’t need our good works, but our neighbour does, and since God has taken care of the trifling matter of our ultimate destiny, we should have a little more time on our hands to take care of those around us.
Which is why Luther believes that any work done in good faith and for the sake of the neighbour is valuable and God-pleasing. That doesn’t mean it’s always interesting, or esteemed by the culture, or lucrative, but it is pleasing to God and valuable and has a measure of dignity to it that we may otherwise miss because it is through our efforts – our work, our time, our expertise – that God cares for the world and people God loves.
In an increasingly isolationist and protectionist world, I think vocation, along with justification, is not only one of the two most important parts of Luther’s theological legacy, but also part of the message we should be – or, better, are free to be – sharing with the world!
Living the Christian life takes great courage and great faith because this message is deeply counter-cultural and to resist the prevailing culture whilst loving our neighbours entails great risks and many challenges. We can only do it if we are sure that God really does love us.
Mark Hocknull, Chancellor
From City of Lincoln Council: “For your information” Works will be done on Westgate 1 and Westgate 3 car park from Monday 6th February until Friday 24th February 2017. This will involve tree felling, removing tree stumps and tarmacking. A maximum of 9 spaces will be fenced off on Westgate 1 but Westgate 3 (the small car park on the corner of Westgate and Union Road) will be closed for the whole 3 weeks.”
Antic Disposition presents HENRY V by William Shakespeare, Monday 13 – Tuesday 14 February 2017 at 7.30pm – Marking the centenary of the First World War, award-winning theatre company Antic Disposition present their critically acclaimed adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry V in Lincoln Cathedral for two special performances. Performed by a talented cast of British and French actors, this uplifting production celebrates the rich historical relationship between our two nations – from the Hundred Years War to the Entente Cordiale. Tickets: £25-£35 (Under 18s £10 off). Box Office: 0333 666 3366. Book online: www.anticdisposition.co.uk
The Subdean writes: For those seeking to be confirmed this Easter please be in touch on subdean@lincolncathedral.com to discuss details.
Last year the evensong collections gathered more than £6000 so enormous thanks to our regular community members who contribute and to visitors who do likewise. -M Philp
Messy Cathedral – Many thanks to all who supported Messy Cathedral on the 7th January: to those who helped, who brought friends and family, and who prayed for us. We had about 110 people attending (adults and children) which was fantastic – lots of fun was had (and mess was made!) as we explored the stories and themes of the Epiphany season. It was wonderful to be able to welcome lots of families who hadn’t visited the cathedral before, and to offer hospitality to those who had returned after coming to previous events.
faith@lincolncathedral – faith@lincolncathedral will start again for the new term on Wednesday 25th January, 7 for 7.30 pm. We will meet in the Victoria on Union Road and will discuss: “What does the week of prayer for Christian unity have to do with us?” faith@lincolncathedral will be continuing on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, but after this meeting we will be moving again – please keep an eye out for the programme up to Easter, which will soon be on the choir aisle tables.
Shrove Tuesday Social – 28th February 2017– You are cordially invited to this year’s Shrove Tuesday Social Evening, organised by your LCCA Committee. Please make a note in your diary for 28th February 2017 at 7.00 p.m. We have booked the Chapter House and are currently finalizing the menu and entertainment for the evening. Pancakes with some really nice sauce are included. Further details will follow in early February as arrangements are confirmed.
Passiontide Concert, Saturday 1 April 2017 at 7pm. Join the Lincoln Cathedral Choir as they perform St. John Passion by Johann Sebastian Bach in the Nave. This masterpiece is the older of two surviving Passions by Bach. Compared with the St. Matthew Passion, the St. John Passion has been described as more extravagant, with an expressive immediacy, at times raw and unbridled. Tickets from £8 on sale now www.LincolnCathedral.com
Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical, Tuesday 22 August to Friday 1 September 2017. Theatre in the Nave is back with this epic piece of musical theatre. Jekyll & Hyde explores questions of good and evil, of redemption and punishment. The company, made completely of volunteers, has blown audiences away for two years running with the breath-taking performances they have given. Tickets go on sale Tuesday 14 February 2017. To buy tickets visit www.LincolnCathedral.com
Hallé Orchestra, Saturday 9 September 2017 at 7pm, please note that the date has changed from 8 September. We are pleased to welcome back to the Cathedral for the eighth consecutive year the prestigious Hallé Orchestra. This year the Orchestra will be conducted by Ryan Wigglesworth with the following programme; Strauss: Four Last Songs and Bruckner: Symphony No.9. Tickets go on sale in spring 2017.
Charter of the Forest Dinner, Friday 22 September 2017. 2017 marks the 800th anniversary of the Charter of the Forest. Celebrate the sealing of this historic document by attending a special dinner for 800, set within the Nave of the Cathedral. Tickets go on sale in spring 2017.
The Retired Volunteers and Staff Group – After starting the year with an excellent talk by Josie Moreton entitled ‘Walking the streets of Jerusalem with Jesus Christ Superstar’, the group is now looking forward to the February meeting on Thursday 9th February 10.30 at the Cathedral Centre. Michael Newstead is to give a talk on ‘Lincoln in Photographs’ so why not join us. We start with coffee at about 10.15. New members are always welcome or join us on a more casual basis for £2.00 a visit. On 9th March, the Dean has kindly offered to have us at the Deanery for our meeting, as we are unable to meet at the Cathedral Centre, so we will be looking forward to that and the speaker for that day will be Ruth Andrews ‘Weird and Wonderful’. If you would like more details, please get in touch: katehellen@btinternet.com or Rita Simpson on 01522 685884
Staff vacancies – Please contact the Volunteer & HR Officer on 01522 561618 or volhrofficer@lincolncathedral.com or visit https://lincolncathedral.com/get-involved to download the application pack. Visitor Services Team Leader – Lincoln Cathedral is looking for a dynamic Visitor Services Team Leader to lead the team responsible for welcoming visitors and pilgrims to the Cathedral. The closing date for applications is 23 January 2017. Education Outreach Officer – Lincoln Cathedral is looking is looking for a dynamic Education Outreach Officer to realise its vision that its educational offering actively supports the interpretation of Lincoln Cathedral as a place of Christian worship to children and young people. The closing date for applications is 30 January 2017.
Bible Readings
Sunday 22 January 3rd Sunday of Epiphany
Sung Eucharist Isaiah 9.1-4; Psalm 27.1, 4-12; 1 Corinthians 1.10-18; Matthew 4.12-23
Mattins Psalm 113; Amos 3.1-8; 1 John 1.1-4
Evensong Psalm 33; Ecclesiastes 3.1-11; 1 Peter 1.3-12; HC Luke 4.14-21
Sunday 29 January 4th Sunday of Epiphany
Sung Eucharist 1 Kings 17.8-16; Psalm 31.19-end; 1 Corinthians 1.18-end; John 2.1-11
Mattins Psalm 71.1-6, 15-17; Haggai 2.1-9; 1 Corinthians 3.10-17
Evening Prayer Psalms 72, 76; Genesis 17.1-22; Matthew 27.1-10
Sunday 04 February 4th Sunday before Lent
Sung Eucharist Isaiah 58.1-9a[9b-12]; Psalm 112.1-9; 1 Corinthians 2.1-12[13-end]; Matthew 5.13-20
Mattins Psalm 5,6; Jeremiah 26.1-16; Acts 3.1-10
Evensong Psalm [1.3] 4; Amos 2.4-end; Ephesians 4.17-end; HC Mark 1.29-39
