Dear Friends,

This week’s readings (links below) from Ecclesiastes, Paul’s letter to the Colossians, and the Gospel according to St Luke warn us about the emptiness of worldly pursuits and call us to reorientate our lives toward God.

In Ecclesiastes, the writer laments the futility of labour and the fleeting nature of earthly accomplishments. Despite wisdom and toil, all ends in vanity; wealth and achievements are ultimately left behind, often to someone who did not earn them. This sobering view invites us to question what truly endures.

Our passage from Colossians responds to this emptiness by directing believers to ‘set your minds on things above, not on earthly things’. Paul reminds the church that their lives are now hidden with Christ, and in him, they find true identity and purpose. Earthly distinctions and desires—greed, impurity, anger—are to be put to death, replaced by a life shaped by Christ.

Similarly, in Luke, the parable of the rich fool illustrates the danger of placing trust in material wealth. The man who stores up goods for himself, thinking he has secured his future, is called a fool because he is not ‘rich toward God’. His death reveals the ultimate futility of possessions.

Together, these readings challenge the pursuit of wealth and success as an end to itself. They call for a spiritual reorientation—toward God, toward eternal values, and away from the illusion of security in things that will fade away.

Yours in Christ,

Ian

Worship this Sunday

Sunday 3rd August 2025

The Seventh Sunday after Trinity

WINFORD St Mary & St Peter

9.00am Eucharist

CHEW STOKE St Andrew

10.30am Eucharist

STOWEY St Nicholas & St Mary

6.30pm Evensong

Next Sunday: Sunday 10th August 2025 – The Eighth Sunday after Trinity

8.30am Holy Communion (Stowey); 9.30am Eucharist (Nempnett Thrubwell); 10.30am Morning Worship (Chew Stoke);

11.00am Eucharist (Felton)

Readings & Collect

Ecclesiastes 1: 2, 12-14; 2: 18-23

Colossians 3: 1-11

Luke 12: 13-21

Lord of all power and might,

the author and giver of all good things:

graft in our hearts the love of your name,

increase in us true religion,

nourish us with all goodness,

and of your great mercy keep us in the same;

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:

Lord of all power and might,

who art the author and giver of all good things:

Graft in our hearts the love of thy name,

increase in us true religion,

nourish us with all goodness,

and of thy great mercy

keep us in the same;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

For your prayers

Let us pray to the eternal God, whose kingdom shall never pass away.

Heavenly Father, we lift before you a world consumed by things that perish. In a culture chasing wealth, status, and fleeting pleasures, awaken in us a longing for the things that endure. Teach us to seek first your kingdom, and to find our peace not in possessions, but in your everlasting love.

We pray for the Church: preserve her from all that distracts from Christ. May your Word convict and comfort, leading hearts from vain ambition to the hope of glory. Strengthen your servants to proclaim the truth of eternity with courage and grace.

We remember those who suffer: the poor, the grieving, the anxious, and the lost. Remind them—and us—that though this life is fleeting, your promises are firm. Be their rock, their refuge, and their joy.

Grant us wisdom to number our days aright, that we may live for what is eternal, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

National Online Service

The Rector has been asked to put together the National Online Service for the Church of England to be broadcast on Sunday 17th August 2025. As part of our contribution from across all seven churches in our group of parishes, we will be recording three hymns in Winford Churchon Wednesday 6th Augustat 7.00pm. Please come along if you are able and lend your voice!

You can sign-up to receive the Weekly Online service here. The service will also be shared on the Church of England’s social media platforms.