Dear Friends and Neighbours,

In our readings this week (links below) we are reminded again that we are called to love God and our neighbour as ourselves.

God’s message through Isaiah to the people of Israel, who would have recognised that the vineyard refers to them, His chosen people, clearly contrasts His generous love with their failure to follow His way.  “He looked for justice, but behold, oppression; For righteousness, but behold, a cry for help”.  Paul reminds us that we have to rely on God’s grace, not just on our own efforts, to become more like Christ “forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”.

Jesus again uses a parable about a vineyard to help us to understand the essential features of the Kingdom of Heaven, in contrast to our human tendency to focus on earthly values. Jesus makes it clear that we need to receive His generous grace in order to enable a good harvest in His Kingdom on earth.  We need to listen to His voice, often through other people, to know what is His will for us.  If we reject God’s Word, we will miss the opportunity to receive the unconditional “gift of God, which is Eternal life”.

Yours in Christ,

Rev’d Victor Barley

Worship this Sunday

Sunday 4th October 2026

Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity (Green)

REGIL, St James

8.30 am Holy Communion (BCP)

CHEW STOKE

10.30 am Harvest Thanksgiving

FELTON, St Katharine

11.00 am Harvest Thanksgiving

STOWEY, St Nicholas & St Mary

6.30 pm Harvest Choral Evensong

Next Sunday:

Sunday 11th October 2026 (Trinity 19) (Green)

8.30 am Holy Communion (BCP), Stowey;

11.00 am Harvest Thanksgiving, Winford.

Readings & Collect

Isaiah 5: 1-7

Philippians 3: 4-14

Matthew 21: 33-46

The Collect of the Day

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us your gift of faith that,

forsaking what lies behind and reaching out to that which is before;

we may run the way of your commandments and win the crown of

everlasting 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.       Amen

Collect from the Book of Common Prayer:

 

Lord, we beseech thee, grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow thee the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.       Amen

For your prayers

Please pray for…

… the Church, that all may be one in Christ, our risen Saviour.  We pray for Bishops Michael and Fiona, our Archdeacon Charlie, our Asst Area Dean Nigel, all clergy, lay readers and ministers in this Diocese that they may be faithful ministers of your truth and grace. Father God, grant that every member of the Church may grow in knowledge of you and faithfully serve you that your Kingdom may come and your will be done.

… Rev’d Dr Ian Mills as he takes up his responsibilities in these early days of being Rector of Bath Abbey.

… our Benefice, especially during this interregnum that our faith stays true and strong.  Father God, give us grace to do your will in all that we plan and do that our works may bring glory to your Name.

… the world, for all war torn areas, conflicts, situations of violence, hostility and racial prejudice. We pray for our King and all who hold authority in the nations of the world that there may be justice and peace on the earth.

… our community, for the people among whom we live and work; for our families who need our time and affection, for any friends who feel hurt or let down, for our neighbours; for those who suffer from any grief or trouble that they may be delivered from any distress

…  the sick and suffering, for all who are burdened by worry or pain, or undergoing treatment, may they know your comforting presence, receive healing and rest, and find strength in the care of those around them.

… the departed….we remember with thanksgiving those who have died.  May light perpetual shine upon them and rest in your eternal peace. We pray for all who mourn, that they may be comforted by the sure hope of your everlasting mercy.

Amen.

Contact

Mrs Sandra Edgerton, Licensed Lay Reader,

Holy Trinity Church, Wick Road,

Bishop Sutton, BS39 5XD

Telephone: (01275) 331617

sandra.edgerton@gmail.com