Dear Friends,

We are still in the season of Eastertide and so we continue to rejoice in the light and hope of Our Lord’s Resurrection. Our readings for this week (links below) remind us that the risen Christ is not distant or hidden, but alive among his people. The living Jesus calls us into deeper faith, trust and love.

In the reading from Acts, the Apostle Paul is speaking to the people of Athens about the God they do not yet fully know. He talks passionately about God the creator, the one who gives life and breath to every person; the one who is never far from us. Paul explains that God cannot be contained by temples or by the limits of our human understanding.

Then in our Gospel passage from St John, Jesus gives his disciples the promise that they will never be alone because of the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, who will remain with them always. In this foretaste of Pentecost, the disciples are taught that Christ will continue to dwell with them and all his people, bringing peace and new life through his Spirit.

As we gather to worship this week may our hearts be open to that same Spirit.

Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Ian

Worship this Sunday

Readings & Collect

Acts 17: 22-31

John 14: 15-21

Collect:

God our redeemer,

you have delivered us from the power of darkness

and brought us into the kingdom of your Son:

grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life,

so by his continual presence in us

he may raise usto eternal joy;

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:

O Lord, from whom all good things do come: Grant to us thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration we may think those things that be good, and by thy merciful guiding may perform the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Ascension Day

Holy Communion will be celebrated on The Ascension Day, Thursday 14th May at 10.30am in St Mary & St Peter’s, Winford.

Visit by Bishop Michael Beasley

We look forward to welcoming the Bishop of Bath and Wells, The Rt Revd Michael Beasley to our group of parishes on Sunday 17th and Monday 18th May. On Sunday, Bishop Michael will be preaching at our services at 8.30am (Regil) and 10.30am (Chew Stoke). Bishop Michael will return to the benefice on Monday afternoon when he will spend time with the Rector, visit our schools, and meet some of our treasurers, safeguarding officers, churchwardens and PCC members. The Rector and Bishop will pray a short service of Evening Prayer together in St Katharine’s, Felton at 5.15pm on Monday to which you would also be most welcome.

Do join us for worship next week and meet one of your bishops!

Contact

Revd Dr Ian Mills, Rector & Area Dean

The Rectory

4 Parsonage Lane

Winford

BS40 8DG

Telephone: (01275) 474504

chewvalleywest@gmail.com