The holy communion service held on Sunday, the last Sunday of Epiphany, also known as Candlemass, was celebrated by the Rev Andrew Stevenson, priest-in-charge, who in his sermon said that the season of Epiphany closes as it starts, with a revelation.

As Jesus is presented in the Temple, as Torah required, he is revealed not only as the Messiah, the anointed one of God, but also the Messenger of the Covenant about whom the Prophet Malachi wrote “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”.

Jesus is at once the climax of the old covenant of Abraham and Moses and the author of the new covenant sealed not with the blood of a ram but the blood of a lamb, the Lamb of God, Jesus himself. That is the final and complete revelation of Epiphany, that the way of salvation goes directly through the Cross. Through it, we are redeemed and made whole, through baptism, we are made a part of the story of God and so are caught up in the mystery of God.

The Old Testament lesson taken from Malachi chapter 3 v 1–5, and the New Testament lesson, taken from Hebrews chapter 2 v 14–18 were read by Helen and Mark Syrett. The gospel reading was taken from Luke chapter 2 v 22-40 and read by Mr Stevenson. The organist was Joan Treloar and Mary and James Stevenson led the singing.