Reflection: Sunday 10th October and for the week ahead: Scripture: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one (Jesus) who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace. (Hebrews.4.15-16) Reflection: There are few things more annoying than well-meaning people who say: ‘I know just how you feel’! A mother of four once said this to a childless friend of mine. How could she pretend to know the pain and disappointment of my friend? To stand alongside people in their grief or need, to offer comfort and support, is the work of a good friend; but we are all different, and can never know what it is like to be the other person. But God created each one of us in his own image, and knows us through and through. We can come to him boldly, without pretence, confident that even knowing us as he does, he still loves us, and from him we ‘receive mercy and find grace’. Revd Rosemary
Services Sunday 3rd October 8am Holy Communion at St George's- led by Revd David Commander10am Holy Communion at St Nicholas- led by Revd David Commander & Vicki Young
Reflection: Sunday 3rd October and for the week ahead:Scripture:'Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known,' (Luke 12 v2) …. 'And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.' (Luke 12v8-9)ReflectionThe tension between the Pharisees and Jesus is escalating. To Jesus, the Pharisees are those who 'talk the talk' but do not 'walk the walk', and he refers to them as hypocrites. The Pharisees, though, are not much different to us, Christian or not! Inside all of us is a deep desire to be liked, to be thought well of by others, to be considered a 'nice person'...I'm sure this was the intention of the majority of the Pharisees too, but Jesus issues a stark warning - everything we do to try and 'look the part' will one day come to nothing. 'Looking the part' is a natural human inclination, but it is false. Looking to please others instead of God is futile. Our maker, who knows us so intimately that he knows how many hairs we have on our head, is the only one that our thoughts and actions should look to please. Instead of asking ' What would he/she think of me if I did that', the only question we need to be asking is 'what would God think of me if I did that'? They may be very different answers!Vicki Young
Services Sunday 3rd October 8am Holy Communion at St Nicholas - led by Revd David Commander11am HARVEST Holy Communion at St George's- led by Revd Ylva Blid-Mackenzie
