For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.    John 17 : 1 – 3

Readings this week Acts 1 : 6 - 14; 1 Peter 4 : 12 – 14, 5 : 6 - 11; John 17 : 1 - 11

Thought for the week

We have reached the last Sunday in Easter. In our Gospel reading Jesus has been speaking with His disciples at the Last Supper. But now He turns His attention heavenwards, and addresses His Father. This is a very rare moment, and we are led into the privilege of witnessing the heart of the love between the Father and the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is holy ground. We do not deserve to witness this moment, yet we are invited anyway.

Some might see this as the heart of the Gospel. As frail and faltering human beings we are invited into God’s heart of love. We are offered forgiveness and new life, and to live in eternal life which is this present, wonderful awareness of God’s love surrounding us and filling us.

Jesus prays in the Father’s presence for us as Jesus’ disciples in our world today. The Lord’s face has always been turned towards our world, and we are called to share Jesus’ love, and draw others to Him. Today marks the end of Christian Aid week. We celebrate all that is achieved through the love and compassion of Jesus in the hardest places. And that the Father is present, listens to us, goes with us, is always attentive to us, welcomes us, through the grace of the Son and in the power of the Holy Spirit. How truly blessed we are, and all believers in Jesus! 

Rev Paul

Prayer for this week

O God the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: we beseech you, leave us not comfortless, but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Risen, ascended Lord, as we rejoice at your triumph, fill your Church on earth with power and compassion, that all who are estranged by sin may find forgiveness and know your peace, to the glory of God the Father. Amen

We give thanks for…..

The work of Christian Aid

Sean and Charlotte’s wedding

St Ed's Annual meeting on 18th May