to know, grow and show the love of God
We are each asked to follow our own particular call, to make the most of what we’re given and not waste it. To show the love & mercy of God to anyone we come across – even when we don’t feel particularly able. Because if we don’t then who will?
And it may not take many words on our part or even particularly clever ones or perhaps even terribly sincere ones, because we too can be messed up and conflicted just like Jonah.
I used to play the piano at a nursery school so that the children knew that music didn’t always come from a machine. There was a 3 year old who had major problems who called me Mrs. Piano and he was a gem.
We had been singing about sailing on the sea and I told the children that I had recently been under the sea in the channel tunnel. They asked me if I saw any fish to which I replied no and my friend asked if I got wet. When I said no he looked at me put his hands on his hips and said “no fish not wet – Flippin heck!”
For a long time at the nursery and at home any event which caused surprise was known as a “flippin heck” moment.
Our Advent Bible studies this year will be based on Rowan Williams’ book, ‘Being Disciples’.
The book was described by the current Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, as ”Here is quite the most beautiful writing on discipleship I know. I am grateful for the inspiration that I find in these pages. I commend it to those who have been on this journey a long time, as well as to anyone who wonders what on earth following Jesus is all about.”
If you come along to either of the churches in our Walmersley Road Benefice you can pick up a copy of our November magazine. We would love to see you!
For those who can only get to us online, the digital version is available here.
Inside this Remembrance edition of the magazine you’ll see prayers, Bible readings and meditations plus details on activities and services.
There’s also a letter from Margery Spencer who recently visited her uncle’s grave in Cambrai, France. Percy died aged 19 in 1918.
From the little bit we know about the lives of Simon and Jude we can find an example of what it means to love one another. They stuck it out, even when times got tough. They might have hesitated a bit on Good Friday, perhaps even like the others they ran away.
But Simon and Jude went on to be faithful witnesses of the saving power of Jesus. This was due to the support and love they received from their fellow Apostles, the wider community of disciples. And, if we believe that they travelled together for 30 years, the love they most certainly had for one another.
Here are the Bible readings for November. So if you can’t get to Church and want to follow the same scripture passages then here you go. Or if you just want to read up in advance for the Sunday to come, then please make use of below.