Dear Friends,

I suspect many of us come to church seeking rest and spiritual refreshment. In lives often marked by busyness, anxiety, and the weight of our own expectations, Sunday’s readings (links below) remind us that true peace is found not through our own efforts, but in Christ.

In our Old Testament reading, the prophet Zechariah paints a remarkable picture of God’s promised King arriving in humility, bringing peace and proclaiming freedom to those who feel bound or weary.

In the reading from Romans, Paul gives voice to the tension between what we long to do and what we actually do. His words remind us that we cannot free ourselves from our own brokenness, yet they also point us beyond ourselves to the God whose grace is sufficient and whose love never fails.

In our Gospel passage, Jesus speaks to a generation that struggled to recognise God’s work because it did not meet their expectations. Then, turning to those willing to receive him with humility, he offers one of the most beautiful invitations in Scripture, to come to him and find rest. This is not simply a pause from our labour, but the deep peace that comes from knowing we are loved, accepted, and carried by God.

Yours in Christ,

Ian

Worship this Sunday

Sunday 5 July 2026

Fifth Sunday after Trinity

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 12th July 2026 – Trinity 6

8.30am Holy Communion (BCP); 9.30am Eucharist (Nempnett Thrubwell); 10.30 Morning Worship (Bishop Sutton);

11.00am Eucharist (Felton)

Readings & Collect

Zechariah 9: 9-12

Romans 7: 15-25a

Matthew 11: 16-19, 25-end

Merciful God,

you have prepared for those who love you

such good things as pass our understanding:

pour into our hearts such love toward you

that we, loving you in all things and above all things,

may obtain your promises,

which exceed all that we can desire;

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 God, who hast prepared for them that love thee such good things as pass man’s understanding: Pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For your prayers

Please pray for…

… love and fellowship within God’s Holy Church throughout the world … that we may faithfully proclaim your peace and reflect your compassion to all who seek hope … for all those recently ordained Deacon and Priest … for our benefice as we prepare for a period of vacancy;

… our world … where there is conflict and division, bring healing and understanding … that the leaders of nations will be guided in the ways of justice, wisdom and peace;

… all who are in need …or all who are carrying heavy burden …: those who are anxious, grieving, ill, lonely, exhausted, or struggling with difficult decisions;

… those who have died and rest in the peace of Christ, especially Michael Patch (Winford), David Churchill (Felton), Alan Sutton (Felton) and those whose anniversary falls at this time … rest them in your eternal love, and bring comfort and strength to all who mourn.