October Message

“Harvest Festivals”

This month our churches will all be celebrating HARVEST. There will be three Harvest Holy Communion services and three less formal Harvest services. All of these services will be opportunities for us to come together to thank God for his faithfulness and goodness, but also to think a bit about the responsibilities we all have to help those less fortunate than ourselves.

Do not worry about your life - what you will eat or drink or about your body, what you will wear. (Matthew 6:25)

Most of us, I suspect, do worry from time to time and become anxious about life … perhaps about the cost of living, about health and ageing, for ourselves and for those we love. We also know that millions of people in our world have every right to worry about food and clean water, clothing and shelter … and we try to get our heads around what it must be like for people living in countries that are torn apart by wars and conflicts. Closer to home we know there are people who have to rely on food banks to feed their families. As we thank God for all that he provides for us let us remember to pray for those in need and also consider what practical steps we can take to assist them, perhaps by supporting disaster appeals or donating to local food banks.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

In this passage St Paul encourages us to move beyond worry to a place where we trust that God will supply our needs and the needs of others that we pray for. Then our worry will be replaced by God’s peace coming into our lives.

Brian Turner … Churchwarden St Mary’s Knockin.