Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”     Matthew 22 : 37 - 40

Readings this week :  Leviticus 19 : 1 – 2, 15 - 18, 1 Thessalonians 2 : 1 – 8, Matthew 22 : 34 - 40

Thought for this week

Today we are gathering our completed shoeboxes to be sent to Eastern Europe. They will be given to families and individuals to receive who live in such poor and deprived conditions. We hope and pray the shoeboxes will bring them joy, and will remind them they are valued and loved by God.

It is also Bible Sunday. It could not be more appropriate as we remember that God’s word to us is a gift that shows we too are so greatly valued and loved by God Himself, such that He sent Jesus, the living Word, into our lives. Many Christians read even just a couple of verses each day. God’s word has this divine ability to speak the Lord’s joy and hope into our lives whenever we turn to it. To speak powerfully into everything that’s happening in our lives.

Amidst the conflict and chaos in the world, the Lord is the true sovereign over this world, He is also with us in this world, and so often we see Him at work in the very smallest of acts of kindness, or the humblest of gifts.

We praise and worship the Lord who is all powerful, and yet comes in the most gentle, most humble of ways. The Lord who alone can bring real change in this world, and uses all those whose hearts are turned to Him in faith.

Prayers this week

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:

help us so to hear them, to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them

that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word,

we may embrace and for ever hold fast the hope of everlasting life,

which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ,

who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen

Merciful God,

teach us to be faithful in change and uncertainty,

that trusting in your word and obeying your will

we may enter the unfailing joy of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

The people of peace in the Middle East

Those waiting for hospital treatment at this time