Communion Service Led by Rev Matt Churchouse

11.00am at St Bede’s Brandwood

Mothering Sunday

• A prayer for the week from Matt

  Faithful God, who walks with us through Lent, as indeed through our times of weakness as well as our strength, fill us with your Spirit. Would your holy presence pervade us and make clean and renew our hearts. Help us to take courage in the example of Jesus, who remained faithful in the face of temptation, and may this time of discipline be edifying and help us to worship you more truly in accordance with your will. Amen

  Please also pray for

  Matt as he prepares the service for us this Sunday.

  Residents of Moss Grove and Denshaw Road

  Remember in your prayers Mothers throughout the world, remembering especially those living in fear for their children’s safety

  
  

  Parish Update

  Remember our ACM was postponed (not cancelled and will now take place on Sunday

  May 11^th)

  Don’t forget to put your clocks forward on Saturday night

  
  

  Easter Services and events Come and join us at this - the most precious season in the church calendar

  Palm Sunday (13^th April): All-age guest service

  Tuesday 15^th: Easter Stay-and-play (for parents and 0-5s), 10-12am

  Thursday 17^th: Seder (taster) meal*, 5.30pm

  (* Having an idea of numbers for this would be helpful-please contact Matt or Val)

  Friday 18^th: Contemplative Good Friday service, 2pm at St. Bede’s

  Saturday 19^th: Easter Saturday fayre, 10-12.30 at St. Bede’s

  Saturday 19^th: Easter Vigil, 8pm at St. Bede’s

  Easter Sunday: Light breakfast followed by all-age Easter celebration service, 9.45 (at Hazelwell)

  Reflection on God’s role as a loving parent taken from the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) (Compilation from a variety of sources)

  This story is one of the most powerful depictions of God's role as a loving parent. In it, Jesus illustrates God's boundless love, grace, and willingness to forgive, even when we stray far from Him.

  At the heart of the story is the relationship between the father and his two sons. The younger son, after demanding his inheritance and squandering it in reckless living, finds himself destitute and decides to return home, repentant and hoping for a place as a servant in his father’s house. However, his father, seeing him from a distance, runs to him, embraces him, and welcomes him back with open arms, throwing a feast in his honour.

  This act of forgiveness and unconditional love mirrors God's relationship with us, His children. The father doesn’t hold the son’s mistakes against him or scold him for leaving; instead, he rejoices that his lost son has returned. It is an expression of love that is not based on the son’s worthiness but on the father's deep, unshakable love.

  The father's actions reflect God's desire to restore and heal broken relationships. Even when we fall short, make mistakes, or stray from the path, God remains ever-present, ready to embrace us. This reflects the divine nature of God as a parent—one who does not give up on us, but instead continually calls us back with open arms.

  The older son, however, who stays behind and dutifully serves his father, struggles with feelings of injustice when the younger son is welcomed back. His reaction echoes the human tendency to measure worthiness, but the father reminds him that everything he has is also his. The message here is that God's love does not operate on a system of merit or deserving; it is simply grace.

  God’s role as a loving parent in the parable demonstrates his unwavering love, compassionate, and restorative. No matter how far we may wander or how many mistakes we make, God's arms are always open, ready to receive us back into His embrace with joy.                                                                                                                                                                                     

Hope anchors the soul.

No God or Know God?

Have patience in all things, starting with yourself

Have patience in all things, starting with yourself

Have faith, Jesus will calm the storms in OUR lives

Have faith - That Jesus will calm the storms in OUR lives

Weekly Contact 16th February 2025

Hazelwell Communion Service

Led by Revd. Tony McClelland

3^rd Sunday before Lent

Please pray for

All who work for the City’s Children’s services currently facing major cuts to their budget.

Residents of Topsham Croft and Kings Terrace.

Give thanks for all who will attend classes or groups at the Hub or in church this week

Reflection on Luke 6 17- 26,

As Jesus delivers what is commonly known as the "Sermon on the Plain"

He addresses His disciples and speaks blessings over those who are poor, hungry, weeping, and persecuted. These are the people who might be overlooked or despised in the world, but Jesus assures them that their reward in heaven will be great.

He doesn’t condemn poverty but explains that those who are poor in spirit or material resources are blessed because they rely on God’s provision, and they will inherit the Kingdom of God.

He promises that those who experience hunger, whether physically or spiritually, will be filled by God and that those who mourn now, whether over personal losses or the brokenness of the world, will laugh in the future joy of God's Kingdom.

Jesus assures those who suffer for His sake that they will be rewarded in heaven, (just as the prophets were).

Each of these blessings flip worldly expectations—those who seem most unfortunate are, in fact, the recipients of God’s Kingdom.

In contrast, Jesus pronounces woes upon those who are rich, full, laughing, and well-spoken of, highlighting the dangers of comfort and worldly success. He speaks first of the Rich. Wealth can lead to self-reliance, complacency, and a lack of concern for others. Jesus warns that those who place their trust in material wealth will face spiritual emptiness.

He goes on to warn those who are “well fed now”. Physical satisfaction can mask the deeper spiritual hunger we have. Jesus emphasized that temporal comfort will eventually give way to spiritual longing.

He next condemns those who experience joy now without concern for others or for the deeper truths of God’s Kingdom will eventually face sorrow.

Finally he warns against taking satisfaction in being Well-spoken of. The praise of others, especially when based on superficial values, is fleeting. The world may commend those who are influential or admired, but true honour in God’s eyes comes from living according to His will.

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And Finally

Do YOU believe in miracles come and hear the argument

Old ways won't open new doors