Dear All Saints and St Mary’sThis Sunday’s reading from the Letter to the Hebrews completes the story of the Old Testament heroes of faith. Last week we heard of Abraham’s faith and how he trusted in God’s promise. This week, having skipped over the epistle’s recounting of the stories of Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses, we have a whistle stop tour of the rest of the Old Testament. The fortunes of these people varied. Some were great kings, warriors, and judges. Some were saved from lions or enemy soldiers. Others, however, suffered mocking, poverty, imprisonment, or execution. However, all of them, through good and bad, kept their faith in God.The letter then goes on to encourage its readers to follow the example of all those heroes that they had heard about. Whether things are going well or badly, we should persevere in the way that Jesus has set before us. We look to him, who is our example and our leader. He endured the cross, never giving up his faith in his Father or his love for all people.We have a couple of opportunities to think more about this on Sunday:10.00 am St Mary’s Holy Communion10:30 am All Saints Holy CommunionWe have our usual midweek services. Next Sunday follows our usual fourth Sunday format. This gives the following services for the coming week:Wednesday 20th August 9:00 am All Saints Celtic morning PrayerThursday 21st August 10:00 am St Mary’s Holy CommunionSunday 24th August8:00 am All Saints Holy Communion (said)10:00 am St Mary’s Holy Communion10:30 am All Saints Café ChurchIn addition, the bible book club will be looking at Nehemiah in St Mary’s parish rooms on Wednesday 20th August at 2:00 pm.So let us pray that the faith described by the letter to the Hebrews may be seen in us:Lord God,your Son left the riches of heavenand became poor for our sake:when we prosper save us from pride,when we are needy save us from despair,that we may trust in you alone,through Jesus Christ our Lord.Yours in ChristMark
