Scripture & Reflection: Sunday 12th July & for the week ahead: Scripture: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” (Romans 8:1-2)Reflection: These verses are a very efficient summary of what it means to be a Christian. The laws of sin and death would mean that without Christ, we would all go to hell for eternal punishment and see no redemption, but that has now all changed. We will live on after death and be free from sin. But this can be a bit distant for us to imagine, and we may not feel connected to sin as a concept. We may not go around stealing, committing extra marital affairs or murdering people. But can you think of a time when you’ve felt embarrassed, sad, disappointed or cheated out of something, like life isn’t fair. The emotions of the men’s football world cup have certainly displayed as many negative emotions as it has positive ones. But imagine being able to share all of those horrible feelings with God. He understands and tells you that you don’t have to feel that way. He can take the pain and hurt you feel and exchange it for freedom and happiness. Imagine that weight off your mind, that sigh of relief. It’s available to everyone, at any time. We only have to ask, and believe. Victoria Bray
Reflection: Sunday 21st June - The Third Sunday after Trinity - and for the week ahead:Scripture: 'I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do'. (Romans 7.18-19)Reflection: We all know the problems of getting our bodies to conform to our ideals. In this season of sporting competitions we can admire the dedication and concentrated training and self-discipline of the winning athletes. Human mistakes and weaknesses are also on display. St Paul encourages us to focus on our own best intentions and (while accepting how easy and natural it is to do the wrong thing) to keep believing that we are not condemned to fail. Love brings hope.David Harmsworth
Reflection: Sunday 21st June - The Third Sunday after Trinity - and for the week ahead:Scripture: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. ‘Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven. (Matthew 10:29-33)Reflection:Did you hear Jesus words – when speaking about God knowing every sparrow, and you being of more value to God than many sparrows? “Everyone who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father.” Everyone! You! Jesus will acknowledge you when he speaks to his Father! Awesome!So, when was the last time you acknowledged Jesus?! Knowing that God, that Jesus, loves you should make a huge difference in your life. We should all be so joyful about that – that God knows us, loves us, and cares about us! Perhaps you have acknowledged that in your prayers – which is great - but we also need to live with God in our daily lives. And also share that, so others can know the joy of relationship with God too! (We should also take heed of the warning in the last verse.)Revd David
Reflection: Sunday 14th June - The Second Sunday after Trinity - and for the week ahead:Collect (Special prayer) for Trinity 2:Lord, you have taught us that all our doings without love are nothing worth: send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the true bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whoever lives is counted dead before you…Reflection:‘Love’ can mean so many things. I love chocolate. I love Christmas. I love the books of Jane Austen. I love the colour purple. I love my friends.The love ‘poured into our hearts’ by God is something different. In the older versions of this prayer it is calledcharity, though in recent years the word charity has come to mean giving to good causes, which is very right andcommendable, but not what is meant here.The love we pray for is selfless, unconditional love in action, not dependent on our feelings, but a reflection of God’s love for all humanity, however undeserving. This is not something we can generate by our own efforts, whichis why we pray that God will pour it into our hearts. And for this to happen we need to open our hearts to receive it.Revd Rosemary
