St Paul's, Colton

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK - From Rachel – 1st May 2026

Being part of Christ’s Story

It’s the 5th Sunday of Easter this weekend, and one of the Lectionary readings is from Acts 7, about the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Just like the crucifixion of Jesus, this all sounds pretty grim. And it would be grim, if it had ended there. But we know that the death of Jesus wasn’t the end, we celebrate his resurrection at Easter and he’s alive today, working through his church by the Holy Spirit to transform our lives so that we can be salt and light in society. And the death of Stephen is part of this story. Stephen made the (unconverted) Apostle Paul, then known as Saul, very angry, and a huge persecution followed. But this only led to more flourishing in the early church. Believers scattered, leaving the dangers of Jerusalem, and taking the precious message of the unstoppable Gospel with them. The next few chapters of Acts see the followers of The Way, as they were known then, preaching boldly, healing people and baptising new believers.

Many of us were at St Giles on Sunday 26th, to witness a baptism and four confirmations. It’s amazing that the message of the Good News about Jesus coming to seek and save the lost and show us what God is like, offering a way back to Him, is still the same today. God is still in the business of transforming lives and drawing people to himself. Let’s get excited to be part of Christ’s story, a story that is still being written on our hearts and that will never end.

It was a very moving moment when Bishop Flora laid her hands on the heads of each of the confirmation candidates, praying for them to be anointed by the Holy Spirit. In the silence, did you feel the weight of glory? I’m sure that for each person being confirmed, for Chris, Lisa, Chloe and Joanna, this was a mountaintop experience, and one to be cherished and treasured in memory.

Let’s be encouraged that we have a powerful Gospel to proclaim, that brings living water into parched lives, forming and moulding us, imperfect vessels, into people that God can use for his divine purposes.

Rachel

St Paul's, Colton

St Paul's, Colton

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Pints in the Pews

Pints in the Pews

Thought from Rachel

St Paul's, Colton

St Paul's, Colton

Get in touch

Pints in the Pews

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