Sunday Focus

1st February 2026

 
Welcome to this weeks Sunday Focus, we pray you will be blessed.
 

In Church we will be hearing from members of the congregation about their time serving with the Mission Organisation, Operation Mobilisation or OM.

Here we will be thinking about Candlemas which is on 2nd February.



 

Hymn - Praise to The Holiest

 

Song - Light of The World

Reading

Malachi 3.1-5 3

 

See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, 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. 2But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness.4Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years. 5 Then I will draw near to you for judgement; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.

 

 

  Song -  Purify My Heart - Refiners Fire

Luke 2:22-40

Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.[f] 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon[g] came into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon[h] took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
    according to your word,
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31     which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the gentiles
    and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul, too.”

36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child[i] to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.
 

 

The Presentation of the Lord falls on 2 February, but may also be celebrated on the Sunday between 28 January and 3 February. The term "Candlemas" comes from the practice of the priest traditionally blessing candles on this day for use throughout the year. In the New Testament the event is described in Luke 2:22‐40 covering the presentation of the baby in the Temple to complete Mary’s ritual purification 40 days after his birth and to perform the redemption of the first born in obedience to the Law. Luke tells us that Joseph and Mary took the poorer option of presenting a pair of turtledoves rather than the offering of a lamb. On bringing Jesus to the temple, they encounter two venerable old people. Simeon takes the baby and prophesies over him in what is called the ‘Song of Simeon’ or ‘Nunc Dimittis. He also prophesies that ‘this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed’ (Luke 2:34‐35) An elderly prophetess called Anna is mentioned as also being in the Temple and waiting for the Messiah and telling everyone about this baby Jesus.

 

 Song - Nunc Dimittis - Song of Simeon

 

The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen. 

 

 

Hymn  - At the Name of Jesus

 

God of Glory,
Your love is a flame within
our hearts.
Give us grace to tend it
With gentle reverence.
So may your light
Shine with more beauty
Through the fragility of our lives.
Amen.