One thing never changes
It is the middle of the year already! So much has happened, and there are so many more things to look forward to.
The summer is a time of changes, beginning of course with the General Election. We can pray that our leaders will be instilled with wisdom and integrity and put the needs of the people as their priority.
It is a time of changes, too, as our Pre-School and local schools and colleges all close for the summer break. (We also have a break in the production of this Bulletin: the next one will be for September).
Many of our church-based groups also go on hold for a few weeks – see dates and details further on.
There are so many changes, but we know that one thing never changes and that is God’s love for us all: “O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever,” says Psalm 136, v1. We are also reassured that God’s love has no limits: “Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens.” (Psalm 36, v5). Many people, at this time of the year, go away on holiday or visit other people. Even if we are travelling away from home, we know God’s love travels always with us.
For those who are staying in the area throughout the summer there are still opportunities to meet and gather together as a church family. Our regular services continue on Sundays and Thursdays; also, our Coffee, Tea and Chat afternoons take place on the first Tuesdays of both July and August, so people from church and neighbourhood can get together socially.
If you are away and visiting other places of worship and see or experience something that inspires you, bring back the idea to St John’s. We are always happy to try new ways to worship and praise God. His love is unchanging, but our worship needs to be dynamic and can change if something appropriate presents itself!
Our worship during the summer holidays is a special family service. We all stay together for the whole service, and the format is slightly shorter than usual, with one Bible reading before the Gospel, while the preaching team try also to ensure their talks are all-age orientated.
I hope to see you all throughout the summer.
Best wishes and blessings,
Reverend Debra