As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”   Acts 9 : 3 - 4

Readings this week Psalm 27; Acts 9 : 1 – 22; Luke 24

Thoughts for this week

It’s getting quite noticeably lighter for longer each day. The birds are singing loudly and the snowdrops at the front of church look amazing. It has been a roller coaster of a week with questions and fears on the global scene and maybe in our own personal lives too.

Matthew, in his gospel, quotes the prophet Isaiah, by saying, ‘The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. ‘ it’s a reading that we usually hear around Christmas as we think of the Light of Christ coming into the world. As our days get that bit longer, we can often feel a little more hopeful- that perhaps things may not be as bleak as we perceive them to be in the dark.

One of the psalms set for today is number 27. It begins with the words, The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom then shall I fear?’ Wonderful words that reground us in the truth that we are never alone and God’s love is the truth of our reality. The psalm ends with the words, ‘I believe that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.’ When the world seems dark and hard let us look for the light that shines- the presence of Jesus here and now and keep ourselves grounded in this reality - God is the Light and Salvation of our lives. Amen. 

Rachel

Prayers for this week

Almighty God, who caused the light of the gospel to shine throughout the world through the preaching of your servant Saint Paul: grant that we who celebrate his wonderful conversion may follow him in bearing witness to your truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, Amen

God of all mercy, your Son proclaimed good news to the poor, release to the captives, and freedom to the oppressed: anoint us with your Holy Spirit and set all your people free to praise you in Christ our Lord. Amen

We praise the Lord and give thanks …

For the snowdrops at the front of church, and the signs of spring

For our fellowship with other Christians and churches in our communities