Welcome words:

We have gathered together

to worship God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit 

and to learn about the time that the baby Jesus met Simeon and Anna in the temple. 

Today we are thinking about the value Hope.

Candlemas

Today, 2nd February, Christians celebrate 'Candlemas' during which they remember the day when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to dedicate him to God.

 The Bible tells us what happened in the book of Luke in the New Testament which you can read below. 

God had promised Simeon that he would meet Jesus in his lifetime. Simeon was very old, but finally all his hopes and dreams had been fulfilled.  

Snowdrops are also known as Candlemas Bells as they flower around the same time of year and they are also seen as a symbol of hope.