From the Ministry team

I am writing this the day after our afternoon Benefice Worship service in Bob and Alex Pratt’s garden and what a joy it was to be there and celebrate together. It is always very encouraging to meet and worship together with others from across the Benefice and, while all our services are open to anyone from across the Benefice (and indeed from anywhere!), in August there are two further opportunities in particular for us to come together: Choral Evensong at Stonham Parva at 6.30 p.m. on Sunday 17th August, and then the Benefice Holy Communion service at Stonham Aspal at 10 a.m. on Sunday 31st August.

In the words of St Paul to the people of Ephesus: ‘Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Ephesians 5.19-20).

And St Paul also said something similar in his letter to the people of Colossae when he wrote: ‘Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.’ (Colossians 3.15-17)

August is also a time when many people are on holiday, and if you are fortunate enough to be going away then, I wish you safe travels, enjoyment and refreshment. And, as the summer is a time when many Christian holiday camps take place, let us pray for those leading, helping and attending them, that those who already trust in Jesus will be strengthened in their faith and that those who do not yet do so will come to understand what Jesus achieved on the Cross. We have a wonderful Saviour.

Henry Stanford Reader