Dear Friends,

When we come together to worship each week, we do so not as a way of escaping the world, but as a way of learning how to see it more truthfully, through the eyes of the God who made us for himself, and (in the words of this week’s Collect) in whom alone ‘our restless hearts can find their home’.

Our readings for this Sunday (links below) reflect this. Paul, writing from the confines of his prison cell, urges Timothy to ‘remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead’. Even in Paul’s suffering, he finds a strange freedom; even in the narrowest places, the vastness of God’s love abides with him. To remember Christ is to remember that our identity, our labour, even our endurance, all find their meaning in him.

And then, in Luke’s Gospel, the lives of ten lepers are touched by healing, but only one turns back to Jesus with words of gratitude. He sees not just the gift, but the giver! Gratitude becomes his doorway into wholeness as Jesus speaks those words, ‘Your faith has made you well’.

As we gather we will pray in the words of this week’s Collect: ‘Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you’. May our restless hearts find rest and peace in Jesus as we learn to see the world and one another through the eyes of thanksgiving.

Yours in Christ,

Ian

Worship this Sunday

Sunday 12th October 2025

Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity

NEMPNETT THRUBWELL St Mary

9.30am Eucharist (Harvest Thanksgiving)

FELTON St Katharine

11.00am Eucharist

BISHOP SUTTON Holy Trinity

4.00pm Choral Evensong (Harvest Thanksgiving)

Next Sunday: Sunday 19th October – Trinity 18

8.30am Holy Communion (Regil); 10.30am Eucharist (Bishop Sutton);

6.30pm Evensong (Chew Stoke)

Readings & Collect

2 Timothy 2: 8-15

Luke 17: 11-19

Almighty God,

you have made us for yourself,

and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you:

pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself,

and so bring us at last to your heavenly city

where we shall see you face to face;

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, we pray thee that thy grace

may always prevent and follow us,

and make us continually to be given to all good works;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

For your prayers

We remember your Church, O God, called to bear witness to the Word that cannot be chained. Strengthen your people in faith and patience, that in times of struggle or weariness we may remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, and speak your truth with gentleness and integrity. Bless all who lead and serve in your Church, especially Archbishop of Canterbury-elect Sarah, that their words and lives may point to your freedom.

We pray for the world you love, for nations divided by fear or pride, for communities scarred by poverty, injustice, or indifference. Pour your reconciling Spirit upon all in authority, that they may seek what makes for peace, and serve the common good with humility and courage.

We remember those who cry out for healing in body, mind, or spirit. As Jesus turned toward the lepers in compassion, turn toward all who wait for mercy today. Grant them healing, hope, and the grace of thankful hearts.

We pray for all who have gone before us and now rest in your nearer presence, especially Harley, Wendy and Rita. Draw us, with them, into your heavenly city, where our longing will find its rest and our eyes shall see you face to face.

Contact

Revd Dr Ian Mills, Rector & Area Dean

The Rectory

4 Parsonage Lane

Winford

BS40 8DG

Telephone: (01275) 474504

chewvalleywest@gmail.com

Revd Fran Smettem, Curate

Telephone: (01934) 340682

curatechewvalleywest@gmail.com