St Peter’s Church is now 126 years old, so Happy Birthday to us all.

Also, on Thursday, which was the Feast Day of St Peter, I celebrated the 50th year of my Ordination as a Deacon. I was ordained by Bishop Kenneth, Lord Bishop of Oxford in Christ Church, Reading.

These Anniversaries are steps along the way of our lives. Looking back, how could I perceive the good, the bad and the ordinary that makes up my life and indeed yours as well?

I have much to be thankful for not least the slow growth in my faith and understanding of what it is to believe in God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The fact that Christ died for me, a sinner so that I might be saved.

Have I finished that journey? Certainly not! Whether there is a lot or a little time ahead of me I continue to trust in God and hope I will allow him to guide me in his way in whatever time is left.

All of us share this journey supported by this very building, which has witnessed so much in its 126 years of existence.

All of us are supported by our fellow members here at St Peter’s or if you are a visitor by the members of the Church you attend.

All of us are supported and carried by our God in the days and weeks ahead.

It doesn’t matter if our Christian journey is at the beginning, the middle or the end, we can all join together in giving thanks to God for his love, care and compassion, sinners that we are.

God bless us in our journey through life.

Amen.

Andrew SSL