Give us today our daily bread9 ‘This, then, is how you should pray: ‘“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. (Matthew 6:9-11)As we approach the season of Christmas our stores of food seem to expand with more and more lovely things to eat, so that we might celebrate. The celebration is that the Saviour has been given to the world and that we can come into the presence of Almighty God. In the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray – we are trained to ask for our daily bread. Let’s think what that means. Bread is not Bread Sauce for your turkey. It is just the bread. Jesus tells us to ask God for our necessities. But in England of 2025 why do we need to do this? We have local shops, and money, do we need to ask the Almighty for this tiny thing?Look at the Lord’s prayer “Our Father” tells us He is in a relationship with us. Asking for his name to be hallowed is telling our own soul that we want to respect and treat Him as holy – reminding ourselves of his holiness and therefore to honour Him throughout our lives. Asking for his kingdom to come tells us that regardless of our preferences and upbringing, we look to the Bible to see how God looks at the world, and we seek to bring about this kingdom. Asking for his will to be done tells our souls that what He wants comes first in our priorities – think of the Lord Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’ (Matthew 26:39). Now we have put our mind in order – God provides for us, we agree that He is the source of all we need. True food, wealth and happiness come from Him. In the book of Proverbs, we are taught “give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.” (Proverbs 30:8) Note that poverty might make us resent God, and that riches might mean we could forget God.So, Jesus in the prayer is teaching us how to get our mind properly arranged instead of flatly presenting God with a shopping list of requests that we seek. We can now ask for things without being anxious as we are confident that God wants our best – He will not give us things that are not good for us. There is a social element to the prayer too – for all to have daily bread we need a thriving economy, good employment and a just society. “Give us…” is not just me – it is for all of us. This is a prayer against wanton exploitation in business.Those who would crush the poor for their own gain are effectively being warned to beware the intercession of the Church, because in answering us, God brings down condemnation on those who exploit others. So, as you prepare for your celebration, remember you depend on God for all things, and that you are part of the wider movement for Global change which is the Church of God. For completeness I include the last part of the Lord’s prayer12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:12-13) Brian Leathers November 2025
Building the TempleAfter the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 he said to Nathan the prophet, ‘Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.’ (2 Samuel 7:1-2)In the heart of the Bible lies a profound truth: God is a builder. This theme is illustrated in 2 Samuel 7:1-11, where God establishes His covenant with David, promising to create a people for Himself. God expands on His covenant with His people in his dealings with Adam, Noah, Moses and David, but it is with David where the Kingdom is properly established. At this point in Israel's history, David has become king, and the nation is at rest from its enemies. It’s a moment of peace and prosperity, and David desires to build a house for the Lord, a majestic temple to house the Ark of the Covenant. However, God has a different plan. He responds through the prophet Nathan, revealing that David will not build a house for Him; rather, God will build a house for David, a dynasty that will endure forever.This story sets the stage for understanding God’s nature as a builder. David’s desire to honour God through a physical structure is noble, but God refocuses the narrative. He is not confined to a building; rather, He seeks to cultivate a relationship with His people that goes beyond physical spaces.In verses 8-11, God outlines His covenant with David, promising to establish his kingdom and ensure that his offspring will reign. This promise is huge. It signals the beginning of a royal lineage that will eventually lead to Jesus Christ, the ultimate fulfilment of God’s promise to David. Here, we see the multi-generational aspect of God’s building project. He is not merely concerned with immediate results; His vision holds eternity.This covenant reveals God's desire to dwell among His people. He chooses to establish His presence in the midst of a community that will worship Him, serve Him, and reflect His glory. As Christians, we understand that this promise is not limited to Israel but expands to all believers through Christ. We are now part of a spiritual house, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-22).God’s promise to David is a reminder that He is actively at work in our lives today. Just as He built a nation through David, He continues to build His church. This process involves not just individual believers but the whole body of Christ. Each one of us plays a unique role in this divine construction project.In 1 Peter 2:5, we are described as “living stones” being built into a spiritual house. This imagery conveys that every believer contributes to the overall structure and purpose of the church. Our gifts, talents, and experiences come together to create a vibrant community that reflects God’s love and grace.As we consider our role in God’s building project, we must ask ourselves: Are we willing to be shaped and moulded according to His design? Are we ready to step into the roles He has prepared for us? Just as the early church faced challenges and persecution, we too will encounter obstacles. Yet, it is through these experiences that God refines us and strengthens our faith.May we continually seek His presence, remain faithful to His calling, and actively participate in the building of His church, knowing that we are not just spectators but integral parts of His divine plan. God is building us—let us be ready to be used for His purposes.‘“The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you:” (2 Samuel 7:11) Brian Leathers October 2025
Meeting held 4pm on 23rd Sept 2025Churchyard: We would like to arrange a working party to sort some minor jobs in the Churchyard round the Church - do contact Linda (Churchwarden)The Churchyard extension (behind the war memorial) needs work and some kind folk in the village have offered to help. Do contact Linda.Ecumenical Fellowship: is proposed to start meeting monthly staring on Oct 24th at 2pm - contact Brian (Vicar) or Heather Hayward.Alton Advent Calendar is being planned – do tell Louie Young your ideas Boiler Saga is ongoing. There are no spare parts for the old boiler that has worked well for years and new government rules mean the ventilation is not considered adequate. We will need to make a hole in the Church wall once a replacement is obtained. We have a temporary grill in the West door as we cope with the changes – this will be reinstated as it was as soon as we can. We had to consider electric heating for the Church but have decided to stay with Gas, but now are finding quotes for the work hard to source. Please be patient with us.
https://www.youneedtotalkaboutgod.com/filmsFollow the link to five short films
