Covid-19 

Dear Friends,
I hope you are all keeping safe and well as we continue in our national lockdown. This week we are slowly seeing some signs of improvement as the national number of new infections is gradually starting to reduce. We continue to hope and pray that the reduction in the transmission of the virus will continue so that we can start to again meet socially with friends and family over the coming weeks.
Many of you will know that the funeral arrangement for our dear friend Barbara Vaughan have now been confirmed. The funeral will be held at Trentham Methodist Church on Monday 30 November 2020 at 11.30am. Sadly due to the Coronavirus restrictions in place the number of mourners will be reduced and attendance will be by invitation only. Rev Linda has received notification that due to her health condition she is required to remain shielded at this time so unfortunately she will be unable to lead the service. The service will be taken by Rev John Palmer who as a former Minister at Trentham was well known to Frank and Barbara. The family have chosen that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Church funds. I am sure you will all continue to hold Frank, Sandra, Rosemary and families in your thoughts and prayers over the coming weeks and especially on the day of the funeral.
Last week I reported that Stuart Hickerman’s grandson Ashley was making good progress in hospital and preparations were in place for his discharge. He is now safely home after a prolonged period in hospital and is making good progress. Stuart and the family thank you for your love, thoughts and prayers that have surrounded them over the past few months.
Our bible reading this week comes from Matthew’s Gospel Chapter 25 v31-46 and is the Parable of the Sheep and Goats, sometimes known as the Judgement of the Nations.
Unlike most parables it does not purport to relate a story of events happening to other characters. It is obvious from its very beginning that it passes beyond the region of parable into that of divine realities, and that the sheep and goats form only a subordinate illustration. The parable concludes the section of Matthew’s Gospel known as the Olivet Discourse and immediately precedes Matthew’s account of Jesus’ passion and resurrection. The reading follows others we have recently considered and the three parables that precede this one (The Talents, Bridesmaids, Unfaithful and Faithful Slaves) all stress waiting for and preparing for the return of Christ.
“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. Before Him all the nations will be gathered, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. With reference to the Parable of the Good Samaritan the Lord commends the sheep for offering him food when hungry, drink when thirsty, clothing when naked, visits when sick and in prison, and taking him in when a stranger. But the righteous sheep are surprised as they do not recall their support to Him at these times. The Lord answers them “Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it for me”
 But to the goats he rebukes them for failing to recognise or respond to His need, but they deny this as they had not seen him in need. The Lord answers, “Most certainly I tell you, because you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it for me” The goats are sent to eternal punishment but the righteous into eternal life. The sheep are invited to inherit the kingdom that has been prepared for them but the reason for this reward is the way they treated Jesus Christ during their life, but they are confused since they don’t believe they have seen Jesus before.
The parable sometimes is used to call us to service and importantly to remind us to take action for others. It is sometimes used to suggest that taking such Christian actions for others is a sure way to salvation. Indeed whilst we may not see Christ in person, we can when we know Him, live our lives in His service, offering care, support and ministry to others who are all part of the body of Christ. If we do so with a willing heart we would be serving others as if serving Christ.
In this parable, we are in fact looking at man redeemed and saved, and man condemned and lost. At first glance the reading may suggest that salvation is the result of good works, with the sheep rewarded and the goats punished. The Bible however teaches repeatedly that salvation is by faith through the grace of God and not by our good works. In fact, Jesus Himself makes it clear in the parable that salvation of the sheep is not based on their works – their inheritance was theirs “since the creation of the world” (v34) long before they could every undertake good works!
The good works in the parable are not the cause of salvation but the effect of salvation. Good works in Christian life are the direct results of the fruits of the Spirit and are only acceptable to God because of the relationship that exists between servant and Master, the saved and their Saviour, the sheep and their Shepherd, The core message is that God’s people love others. Good works will result from our relationship as the sheep to the Shepherd. As Christians we serve others as if we were serving Christ Himself and the parable reminds us that the kingdom belongs only to those who love Him and love others. My command is this : Love each other as I have loved you (John 15:12)
 
You can join with friends from the Church and Circuit by joining the weekly Zoom Service at 11.30am each Sunday morning (by either computer or telephone) using the links below.
Topic: Sunday Service 11.30 am
Time: This is a recurring meeting
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4775422768
or just click here.
Meeting ID: 477 542 2768 (No password is currently required)
Dial by your location
0203 481 5237 United Kingdom
0203 481 5240 United Kingdom
0203 901 7895 United Kingdom
0131 460 1196 United Kingdom
0203 051 2874 United Kingdom
Meeting ID: 477 542 2768
Please do continue if you are able to pray at 6.00pm each evening and join with others from our Church so that we can unite in the power of prayer.
Please pray for those on our prayer list.: 
Barry, Linda and family
Ashley, Debbie and family
Frank, Rosemary, Sandra and families.
Ken & Pat
Malcolm, Anne and family
Paul and Moira
Val
Kevin
Arthur
Rev Alex
Don
Margaret B
Karen and Chris
Alan
Doreen
Pat
Jean
Danni
Beaulah
Alan and Heather
Linda and family
Pam
Carol, Dave and Logan
Janet, Steve and family
Les, Olga and family
Roy
Charles
Lorraine and Terry
Our Minister Rev Linda Catlow has written a letter with some important information about forthcoming Circuit events that you may wish to join.
 You can find reflections and biblical stories on our Circuit YouTube channel including new material added weekly from Rev Linda, Rev Jeff and others at
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBhbVptj0forVkUfmmsvd_w
or just click here.
Please continue to stay safe and know that you are surrounded by the love and prayers of your Church family.
With every blessing
Ian