Defend, O Lord, these your servants with your heavenly grace, that they may continue yours for ever, and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more, until they come to your everlasting kingdom. Amen.

Readings this week Ezekiel 37 : 1 - 14; John 11 : 1 - 45

Thought for this week

Our Gospel reading today is of Jesus arriving after the death of Lazarus. Jesus has been so close to this family, and He now enters fully into their grief. He allows Himself to be immersed in it. The Gospel writer tells us several times Jesus is disturbed to His spirit. He even weeps,

There are many forms of grief. For things no longer possible. Maybe opportunities missed. The many people no longer with us. Life becoming uncertain, fragile. Peace of mind broken. Yet Jesus brings comfort and hope.

Jesus comes to Mary and Martha, and transforms their situation. Yet it is not just about restoring Lazarus to life. Jesus is there to change our perspectives. To prepare His friends for something bigger. So huge it will change everything. To bring something new that is greater and more glorious than anyone could ever imagine. To offer a new relationship with him that is for ever. To reveal His victory over anything that we imagine can defeat us, even sin and death.

Jesus is preparing His friends for the events of Good Friday and Easter. Today is Passion Sunday, when we look to the Cross, and remember Jesus bringing His hope, His forgiveness and healing, and the invitationto new life with Him for ever. 

Rev Paul

Prayer for this week

Most merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ delivered and saved the world: grant that by faith in him who suffered on the  cross we may triumph in the power of his victory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, Amen

Gracious Father, you gave up your Son out of love for the world: lead us to ponder the mysteries of his passion, that we may know eternal peace through the shedding of our Saviour’s blood, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

People to pray for

Those being Confirmed today : Jenny Ball; Beth Clements; Daisy Clements; Keith Denny; Lorraine Dyson; Samantha Fiaz; Danielle Freeman; Leon Hubbard; Maria-Ashley Jones – Hubbard; Joseph Mason; Justin Smith; Charlotte Sturgess; Emmy Walton

For Jenny Hooker returning to Jordan