Collect for 5th Sunday of EasterRisen Christ, your wounds declare your love for the world and the wonder of your risen life: give us compassion and courage to risk ourselves for those we serve, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.Message from Nick - Today’s Scripture Readings: Genesis 22:1-18, John 13.31-35 - Those known by love What is a Christian? If you had to define what a Christian person was, how would you do it? Would they believe certain creeds, worship in particular ways, or would they have a certain spiritual model or belief system? Jesus tackles this question in our reading today from John's Gospel. Christians may have a particular set of beliefs, a body of doctrines, membership of a certain church or denomination, or adherence to the Bible. But Jesus tells his disciples that ‘everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another’. Loyalty to our church, knowledge of scripture, religious devotion, all of this is incidental to the importance of being loving people. A Christian is recognized not by their creed but by their ability to reflect the love of God in their life. “What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.” – St Augustine “Intense love does not measure, it just gives.” - Mother Teresa Practical help for the CommunityThank you for your charitable support which has continued throughout the year! Please provide a little extra if you can for Azalea, Noah and the Food Bank at Christmas time. Packed lunch items fruit, crisps, biscuits, cake bars, etc. are requested by Noah to fill lunch boxes for about 50 people daily. Items may be dropped off at Nikki West’s home, 43 Summer Street. Call Joan Duncombe on 01582 404988 to enquire about particular food needs for Azalea. Joan extends thanks to those who leaving food on her doorstep. Last week 12 bags were delivered to the Food Bank, thanks to everyone supporting our ongoing effort. Sue Sturgeon plans to drop our items off at the Food Bank on Tuesday 15th February. Please leave your offerings in church or with David Kingston at 7 Crawley Close.Joan is collecting crisp packets for a friend who makes them into groundsheets! Given they are not easily recyclable this is a fantastic initiative.Wanted PCC Members!If people think they might be called to this, please speak to Susan or Joyce. There are about 6 evening meetings a year lasting a couple of hours.Church Diary - May 2022Sunday 15th May 10:30am Holy CommunionSunday 15th May 4:00pm Churches together in Caddington, Christian Aid ServiceWednesday 18th 10:30am Little Stars, doors open at 10Sunday 22nd May 10:30am Morning PraiseTuesday 24th 2:00pm Craft & Co. Wednesday 25th 10:30am Little stars, doors open at 10 Thursday 26th 9:30am 2:00pm 7:30pm Bible Study on Zoom Craft & Co Ascension Day 7.30 Saturday 28th Sunday 29th 10-12 10:30am Queen’s Jubilee Celebration Weekend Family Service
