Dear Friends,

As the Church Year enters the Sundays before Advent, we pause to observe Remembrance Sunday; a time to stop, to think of those who gave their lives in past conflicts, those who continue to work in pursuit of peace, and those in our world scarred by the consequences of war and violence.

Our readings for this week (links below) allow us to frame our remembering in the light of the eternal promises of God. In our epistle from Paul to the Romans, he lays down the daring claim, ‘if God is for us, who can be against us?’. As Christians we endure as much suffering, loss, pain and hardship as the rest of our brothers and sisters; however, we do so in the knowledge that nothing—not hardship, not persecution or even death—can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Firm in this promise, we can remember past hurt while looking to the future with faith and hope.

In our Gospel passage, Jesus turns the values of this world on their head. Jesus blesses the poor, the sorrowful, the hungry and calls us to love our enemies. These world challenge us to make our remembering something active a fruitful—to move into the hard work of ‘making peace’, of being people who wish to shape our world with God’s compassion and forgiveness.

As we meet to worship this week, let us renew our commitment to be peacemakers in the present.

Yours in Christ,

Ian

Worship this Sunday

Readings & Collect

Romans 8: 31-end

Luke 6: 20-31

Collect:

God, our refuge and strength,

bring near the day when wars shall cease

and poverty and pain shall end,

that earth may know the peace of heaven

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

BCP Collect:

Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord,

to thy faithful people pardon and peace;

that they may be cleansed from all their sins,

and serve thee with a quiet mind;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Your Prayers

God of love and faithfulness, we thank you that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus. At this time of remembrance, we hold before you all who have given their lives in the service of others in the world wars, in conflicts past and present, and in the quiet, unseen acts of courage that bring peace. May their sacrifice inspire us to seek your kingdom of justice and mercy.

God of peace, we pray for nations still torn by conflict and division. We remember those whose lives are shattered by violence, for refugees and the displaced, and for all who live in fear. Give wisdom to leaders and peacemakers, and soften hearts that seek revenge, that your vision of reconciliation may take root among us.

God of compassion, we remember before you all who suffer today …the wounded, the grieving, the lonely, and those who bear invisible scars. Surround them with your healing presence and comfort them with your everlasting love.

God of hope, as we remember the past, strengthen us for the work of peace in our own time. Teach us to love our enemies, to bless those who curse us, and to live as children of your kingdom. Grant us courage to be makers of peace and bearers of light in a broken world.

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