Dear Friends,

Our readings for this Third Sunday of Easter (links below) remind us that encountering the risen Jesus is transformative, personal, and often disruptive to life as we know it. In our passage from the Acts of the Apostles, Saul’s encounter on the road to Damascus is a dramatic moment of conversion. He is blinded by the glory of Christ, forced to confront the violence of his past, and humbled by the command, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting’. This moment strips Saul of his power and replaces it with vulnerability and dependence. Jesus meets him not in judgment but in invitation—a call to rise, enter the city, and wait for further instruction. The risen Christ calls Saul not just to believe, but to be changed.

Similarly, in our Gospel from John, Jesus appears to his disciples after His resurrection in a quieter yet deeply restorative way. He meets them where they are—back in their boats, returning to familiar routines. Through a miraculous catch of fish and a simple meal of bread and fish, Jesus re-establishes trust and communion with them. For Peter, this encounter is especially redemptive. Having denied Jesus three times, Peter is now asked three times, ‘Do you love me?’. Each answer is met with a command to care for Jesus’ flock, reaffirming his calling.

Both passages reveal that witnessing the risen Jesus is not merely about seeing, but about responding. Whether through dramatic confrontation or quiet restoration, Jesus invites us to new life, service, and a deeper understanding of grace. His resurrection calls us to follow Him, wherever He leads.

Yours in Christ,

Ian

Worship this Sunday

Sunday 4 May 2025

The Third Sunday of Easter

WINFORD St Mary & St Peter

9.00am Eucharist

CHEW STOKE St Andrew

10.00am ‘Sunday First’

STOWEY St Nicholas & St Mary

6.30pm Evensong

Next Sunday:

Sunday 11th May 2025, The Fourth Sunday after Easter

8.30am Holy Communion (Stowey); 9.30am Eucharist (Nempnett Thrubwell);

10.30am Morning Worship (Bishop Sutton); 11.00am Eucharist (Felton)

Readings & Collect

Acts 9: 1-6

John 21: 1-19

Almighty Father,

who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord:

give us such knowledge of his presence with us,

that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life

and serve you continually in righteousness and truth;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

BCP Collect:

Almighty God,

who hast given thine only Son

to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin,

and also an ensample of godly life:

Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive

that his inestimable benefit,

and also daily endeavour ourselves

to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life;

through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For your prayers

As we pray for the CHURCH this Eastertide we pray that we might encourage one another on our journeys of faith and know Christ’s presence as we open the scriptures and break bread together … we pray for those who have recently discovered the reality of the risen Jesus … strengthen the church, Bishop Michael and all ministers that our faith may be nourished and deepened;

We pray for our WORLD, for those experiencing the horrors of war, brutal persecution or lonely exile from their homeland … guide the leaders of the nations in the paths of peace;

We pray for those known to us in SPECIAL NEED … for those who, like Peter, have suffered personal failure, criticism and a loss of self-confidence … for those suffering ill health or caring for loved ones … keep hope alive when the burdens of life grow heavy;

We pray for the faithful departed, among them Brian, Eric, Rosemary, Sonia and Simon … strengthen those who mourn with faith that nothing, not even death, can separate us from Christ’s love. Amen