Alleluia! Christ is risen!
As we reach the second week of May, we celebrate the Sixth Sunday of Easter. Following our reflection on the True Vine, our liturgy now draws us deeper into the commandment of love. We are reminded that we are not merely servants, but friends of Christ, chosen and appointed to go and bear fruit that will last.
We continue to lift Reverend Steven Young in our daily prayers. We ask for the Holy Spirit's sustaining power over his health and recovery, and we keep Father Matthew and Christian close in our thoughts and hearts.
We pray for John Auton and John Winter, who remain in our thoughts.
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." — John 15:12–1
Our Sunday Services: May 10th
The Sixth Sunday of Easter
9:15 am: Service of the Word at St Nicholas
9:30 am: Service of the Word at Holy Cross
9:30 am: Holy Communion at St Michael and All Angels
11:15 am: Holy Communion at All Saints
Dates for your Diary
Monday, May 11th at 7.30 pm: The Installation and Induction of Revd Sharon Ejinkonye at St James, New Barnet
Thursday, May 14th, is Ascension Day. Our 7.30 pm evening Parish Service will be at Holy Cross—a celebration of Christ's return to the Father.
Sunday, 17th May APCM, followed by a PCC Meeting, at All Saints, after the Parish Service of Holy Communion at 10 am. The APCM will start at 11 am.
A Moment of Reflection
1 John 4:7–8 "Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love."
Last week, we spoke of "abiding" in the vine. This week, Jesus defines what that abiding looks like: Friendship.
It is a profound shift from a relationship of duty to one of choice and love. Friendship with Christ isn't a passive state; it is active and outward-facing. When we love one another in "truth and action," as our reading from 1 John reminds us, we prove that we are connected to the source.
Consider this week:
How does viewing yourself as a "friend of Christ" change the way you pray?
In what tangible way can you show "greater love" to someone in Elstree or Borehamwood who might be feeling isolated?
May we walk in the joy of the Resurrection, confident that God is greater than our hearts and knows our every need.
With every blessing,
Alana Davenport
On behalf of The Parish of Elstree and Borehamwood
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”. Romans 15:13