“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”         Matthew 6 : 33 - 34

This week’s reading : Matthew 6 : 25 - 34

Thought for the week

We have all seen the scenes of desperation and shock caused by the earthquake this week on the Turkish – Syrian border. So much suffering and heartache.

Yet also the jubilation when one more survivor emerges from the rubble. One among tens of thousands. Each life is precious. Each life so much more than a number.

This Sunday is Racial Justice Sunday, a reminder that the Lord’s love spans the diversity of the human race. We each have so much to learn from one another. Without question each life is so precious to Jesus.

He speaks to us today from our Gospel reading. ‘Do not worry about your life’, when so much pre-occupies us that just doesn’t matter. Jesus came to call us to focus on the Father’s heart of love for the world. To step away from all that hurts and damages us in our sin. And to respond to His call in love in Jesus, made real in the clearest way through the Cross and Jesus’ sacrifice, calling each of us to Him.

We are called to respond to His love. To set our hearts and lives on Jesus, to whom every life is treasured, full of gift, deeply loved, and full of hope.

Rev Paul

Prayer for this week

Remembering those hurt by the earthquake

God of the shadows
sharing our pain and our tears and our struggle
draining the cup of what it is to be human
- we watch with you.

God of the night
sharing our fears and our prayers and our restlessness
measuring the road between living and dying
- we watch with you.

God of the dawn
sharing the questions we never dare ask you,
yearning in us for the light of your glory
- we watch with you.

from Praying for the Dawn, ed Burgess & Galloway, www.ionabooks.com

Almighty God, you have created the heavens and the earth and made us in your own image:

teach us to discern your hand in all your works and your likeness in all your children;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns supreme over all things, now and for ever.  Amen