This week Revd. Dominic writes:
In this week’s Gospel, we read from Luke 4:14-21, when Jesus returns to Galilee in the power of the Spirit and begins his public ministry. He enters the synagogue in Nazareth, his hometown, and reads from the prophet Isaiah. The passage he reads is one of profound hope:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour." (Luke 4:18-19)
When Jesus finishes reading, he declares: “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” He is announcing that the prophecy of Isaiah is coming true in him, in his presence and ministry. This moment is a declaration of Jesus' mission: to bring hope to the marginalized, to heal, to free, and to proclaim God’s favour and salvation.
The Gospel invites us to consider the nature of Jesus' mission and what it means for us today. Jesus’ message is not one of condemnation or judgment, but of healing, restoration, and liberation. His ministry is deeply concerned with justice, compassion, and the transformation of society. By reading from Isaiah, Jesus is pointing us toward a God who is actively working to bring about a world where the broken-hearted are healed, the oppressed are freed, and the blind are given sight—both physically and spiritually.
As disciples of Jesus, we are called to join in this mission. It’s a call not only to receive God’s good news but also to share it with others. Are we, like Jesus, willing to reach out to those who are in need, who are suffering, or who are marginalized? How can we proclaim good news to the poor, bring freedom to those who are imprisoned by circumstances, or help those who are spiritually blind see the light of God’s love?
Jesus begins his ministry by saying that today, the year of the Lord’s favour, the time of God’s grace, has arrived. It’s a reminder that God’s kingdom is not something distant or delayed—it is breaking into the world now, through Jesus and through us as his followers.
Minster Closure this week
Please note that the Minster will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday this week due to a private event. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
The Wednesday 12.30am Holy Communion Service will be at St Mary’s Lowgate.
The Welcome Cafe will take place this Thursday at Jubilee Central. Come along as usual to enjoy fellowship, warmth, and community. Everyone is welcome!
SAD NEWS
A former stalwart of our churches, Joan Whittaker has died aged 92 in the Care Home where she has been for the last four years. With no next of kin, Marianne Tansey and her daughter Tracey with her husband Chris have been acting for Joan, and Marianne just rang to say Joan died Sunday evening about 8 p.m. They had been with her a lot over the weekend, so the end was not a surprise when it came. For many years Joan and Marianne were "deputy wardens" and looked after all that went on at Holy Apostles. Joan lived on the estate. Sam
JUNIOR CHURCH
This week they ‘built’ Luke Chapter 4, using Lego and Minecraft! We had towers, wilderness, baptisms, temptations of Christ and more. Katie
GIRLS BRIGADE
We do some amazing things at Girls Brigade.
Last Tuesday we had our very own private viewing of the big light show. It was immense.
WE NEED HELP!
WANTED! 600 knitted angels for our 600th anniversary! Can you knit or crochet a small angel to hang on a tree? These are need for Easter – all contributions are welcome! Please drop them off at the Minster shop. Use your own pattern, or here’s a couple of suggestions:
https://ow.ly/kIlc50ULMXK
A LESSON FROM HISTORY
Monday 27th January is Holocaust Memorial Day. When I saw this, it brought back a very poignant memory. In the 1980s, we were visiting friends in Hamburg, and one day they said they were taking us somewhere very special. When we arrived at our destination I saw the sign for BERGEN BELSEN. We spent a long time in the ‘round house’ where there many photographs and reports of when British forces liberated the camp on 15 April 1945. Thousands of bodies lay unburied around the camp and some 60,000 starving and mortally ill people were packed together without food, water, or basic sanitation. Many were suffering from typhus, dysentery, and starvation.
The following year, David and I were visiting the Imperial War Museum in London and during our tour had the opportunity of listening to an eye-witness report or the liberation by Richard Dimbleby.
He recollected seeing the trucks with British soldiers bringing supplies into the camp with prisoners lining the road. As the lorries moved along the road, a loaf of bread fell off and one of the inmates quickly went and grabbed it. Expecting the man to start eating it he was surprised to see him breaking pieces off the loaf and giving them to those around him.
What an incredibly selfless act from someone who was literally starving to death!
When teaching about WW2, I always made a point of telling the pupils this story so they could see that even amongst terrible evil, hope and humanity could survive.
It also reminds us that Jesus is the Bread of Life who allowed himself to be broken on the cross that we might have eternal life. Val
SCIENCE TALK
Our friend Prof. Mark Lorch will be providing a FREE science talk in the Trinity Room to coincide with 'Science' on Saturday 25th January, 7pm. Hear about how the Earth's eco system hinges on the workings of one protein; Rubisco.
Show tickets here: https://ow.ly/R5gT50UJJtl
NEW OFFICE LOCATION
The Minster office is now located at Carmelite House, Posterngate
COLLECT FOR THIRD SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY
Lord Jesus Christ,
Light f the nations and glory of Israel
Make your home among us,
And present us pure and holy to your heavenly Father,
Your God, and our God
AMEN
READINGS FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY
Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-10
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Luke 4:14-21
PRAYERS FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY
· For the Minster: We pray for Hull Minster and all those who gather to worship here. May we be a welcoming and supportive community, rooted in faith, hope and love.
· For those who are unwell: We lift up all who are suffering physically, emotionally, or spiritually. May God bring healing, comfort, and peace to them.
· For our community: We pray for the ongoing work of the Welcome Cafe and all those who serve and support it. May it continue to be a place of connection, support, and compassion.
· For the United States following the inauguration of President Donald Trump. For peace in the Holy Land.
· For those who mourn: We remember Joan Whittaker, a long-standing member of Holy Apostles Church on the Great Thornton Estate. Joan’s funeral will take place on Friday, 14th February at 1:30pm at Hull Minster. We pray for those who mourn her passing. May they find strength in God’s presence and the hope of eternal life.
Prayer:
Lord, we thank you for the fulfilment of your promises in Jesus Christ. Help us to live out his mission in our own lives, bringing hope, freedom, and healing to those around us. Open our eyes to the needs of those who are suffering and guide us as we seek to proclaim your good news in a broken world. May we be instruments of your love, justice, and peace, and may we faithfully follow the example of Jesus, who came to bring light into the darkness.
Amen.
DIARY FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS
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DIARY FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS