United Benefice of St.Mary, Higham Ferrers, and St. John, Chelveston
The United Benefice of St Mary the Virgin, Higham Ferrers with St John the Baptist, Chelveston-cum-Caldecott
A Pilgrimage through Lent
Sunday 22nd February 2026
First Sunday of Lent
Father Paul introduces our service and this 40 days and 40 night Lent series
HYMN
Who would true valour see,
let him come hither;
one here will constant be,
come wind, come weather;
there's no discouragement
shall make him once relent
his first avowed intent
to be a pilgrim.
Whoso beset him round
with dismal stories,
do but themselves confound;
his strength the more is,
No lion can him fright;
he'll with a giant fight,
but he will have the right
to be a pilgrim.
Hobgoblin nor foul fiend
can daunt his spirit;
he knows he at the end
shall life inherit.
Then, fancies, fly away;
he'll fear not what men say;
he'll labour night and day
to be a pilgrim.
Words: John Bunyan (1628-1688)
Music: English trad melody; Monks Gate
A reading – PSALM 121​
I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where is my help to come?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
He will not suffer your foot to stumble; he who watches over you will not sleep.
Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord himself watches over you; the Lord is your shade at your right hand,
So that the sun shall not strike you by day, neither the moon by night.
The Lord shall keep you from all evil; it is he who shall keep your soul.
The Lord shall keep watch over your going out and your coming in, from this time forth for evermore.
HYMN
Through the night of doubt and sorrow
onward goes the pilgrim band,
singing songs of expectation,
marching to the promised land.
Clear before us through the darkness
gleams and burns the guiding light;
brother clasps the hand of brother,
stepping fearless through the night.
One the light of God's own presence
o'er his ransomed people shed,
chasing far the gloom and terror,
brightening all the path we tread:
One the object of our journey,
one the faith which never tires,
one the earnest looking forward,
one the hope our God inspires:
One the gladness of rejoicing
on the far eternal shore,
where the one almighty Father
reigns in love for evermore.
.
A REFLECTION ON THE READING
AND A BLESSING
HYMN
(Hymn led by the author Graham Kendrick)
Jesus put this song into our hearts
Jesus put this song into our hearts
It's a song of joy no one can take away
Jesus put this song into our hearts
​
Jesus taught us how to live in harmony
Jesus taught us how to live in harmony
Different faces, different races, He made us one
Jesus taught us how to live in harmony
​
Jesus taught us how to be a family
Jesus taught us how to be a family
Loving one another with the love that He gives
Jesus taught us how to be a family
​
Jesus turned our sorrow into dancing
Jesus turned our sorrow into dancing
Changed our tears of sadness into rivers of joy
Jesus turned our sorrow into a dance
Graham Kendrick, Kingsway, Thankyou Music
​
1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh even from the LORD, who hath made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: and he that keepeth thee will not sleep.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel: shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD himself is thy keeper: the LORD is thy defence upon thy right hand.
6 O that the sun shall not burn thee by day, neither the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: Yea it is even he that shall keep thy soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in: from this time forth, for evermore.
Glory be to the Father: and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost
As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
MUSIC FOR MEDITATION
Psalm 121 sung in Cathedral chant
Material used in this service is copyright of its respective rights owners. Music and hymn words are reproduced under ONE LICENSE number A-633137, Church Copyright License 2148907 and Music Reproduction License 2216255. Material in this order of service is taken from Common Worship, copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000-2006 and is used here with permission. www.commonworship.com.
images by permission of www.christart.com