Covid-19 

Dear Friends
Another week has passed and generally in the UK we continue to make good progress with reductions in new cases of Coronavirus. Some areas of the UK are starting to see a slight increase again as some restrictions are lifted. It is important that we all play our part to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus by continuing to maintain social distancing, wearing face coverings and washing hands. Over the next few weeks further restrictions will hopefully be lifted and we hope and pray that the virus remains under control.  We hope to be able to meet together again in Church towards the end of May and have updated our risk assessment to ensure we can do so as safely as possible. As we know many parts of the world continue to face extreme challenges with new cases of the virus affecting many people and resulting in a significant number of deaths. Please hold in your thoughts and prayers all those affected by Coronavirus throughout the World. Many countries and charities are supporting the response efforts in the countries affected and we hope their support will shortly help make a huge difference.
As we think of the support provided to others, we think of the worldwide work of Christian Aid. Christian Aid week this year commences on 10 May and due to Coronavirus, fundraising opportunities are seriously limited and house to house envelope collections are unable to occur. Christian Aid needs our help so that they can support many vulnerable people throughout the world with resources and relief programmes. Climate Change is hurting us all, but people living in poverty fight the worst of this every day. From drought to flooding, climate change robs people of control over their lives. Extreme weather means people are struggling to survive without a reliable source of water. If you can, please do make a donation to support the vital work provided by Christian Aid. Your gift could help a community build an earth dam, so when the rains do come, they will have water they need to live. A reliable source of water will help families withstand long drought or relentless rainstorms. You can make a donation online or make a donation to Marg Dodd who has envelopes available.
The funeral for Les Reaney has occurred this week and Olga sends the following message:
‘I would like to thank my church family for the thoughts and prayers during Les’ illness.  I am grateful for the letters, sympathy cards and flowers that Chris and I have received following his passing, these have given us great comfort. Due to the Covid restrictions a service conducted by Father Graham of Swynnerton was held at Bradwell Crematorium, the area where Les and I had our first home when we married in 1960. God Bless Olga’
Please continue to hold in prayer the family of Pat Hargreaves as they make preparations for her forthcoming funeral. We think of her stepson David and family, and cousins Wendy and June.
 
Our bible reading this week is from the Gospel of John, Chapter 15 v1-8 and is the parable of the Vine and Branches. In this account Jesus uses the vine and vineyard, both would have been common features of Palestinian life that would have been familiar to the disciples. He uses these in order to teach them the importance of the believers relationship with Christ.
In John’s gospel the opening of the reading is familiar – I AM. This is used to provide clarity, purpose and authority and is used to state the importance of the message. In Johns Gospel we encounter I AM bread of life, light of the world, the door of the sheep, the resurrection and the life. In the reading we find a two fold promise of Jesus. I AM the vine, you are the branches. These words are intended not as a command or judgement, but as an invitation, summons and promise. It reminds us that God is the vine grower and that our relationship with him requires a two way exchange to enable this to develop and become more fruitful.
The reading continues our Easter journey and follows readings in previous weeks where the resurrected Lord comforts and encourages those he meets, they are not abandoned or left alone. We can be confident of the Lord’s continuing presence with us in the world. Whilst the parable provides us with an image of the vine it is developed in a new direction by it’s association with the theme of “abiding” The word appears with frequency in John’s gospel perhaps as an alternative for believe. The words abiding and believing both point to the reality of “life in Christ” not just in heaven, but a life that can be abundant in the here and now. In this lesson we are reminded of a home where we establish a relationship with God as the Father. The resurrected Lord promises “I am the Vine” and in that promise something happens. An event occurs where we become something new as spiritual growth occurs.
It is important that we gain a proper understanding of the “True Vine” because there are many “false vines” in the world today. Man-made substitutions to God and a focus on wealth or personal possessions could be likened to false vines. Truth is a key aspect of the description of the vine, this Truth comes from the relationship with the Father. In the account Jesus likens the disciples to branches. Just as Jesus is related to the Father, so the branches can do nothing unless they abide in relationship with their resurrected Lord.
He refers to two types of branches, the fruitful and the fruitless. We are connected to the true vine the moment we receive Christ as our saviour. Believers are responsible for bearing fruit, but Jesus warns that God the farmer will cut off any fruitless branches.
Fruitful branches are pruned so that they become more fruitful. The pruning here implies the removal of any hindrances to the believers spiritual growth. In this example Jesus promises for us a dynamic and changing relationship. Vines are pruned and cleaned. Branches that wither and die are removed. This implies a changing community with a purpose to be called up and do. It is a relationship of purpose and power. In the parable Branches can’t bear fruit apart from the vine. Likewise Christians can’t bring glory to God through life and witness unless they remain in Christ. In order to remain in Christ we must treasure God’s word in our hearts and minds and ensure this guides our actions, but we must maintain constant communion with him in order to draw strength from him. We need to remain in his love and love one another. The reading reminds us that there are rewards for remaining in him as well as consequences for not remaining in him.  Remaining in Christ is the secret to answered prayer, as we become closer to Christ the more our relationship develops and the more fruitful we become.
 
You are invited to 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 – Our Service this week will be led by Norman Prophett
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 required)
Dial by your location
0203 481 5237
0203 481 5240
0203 901 7895
0131 460 1196
0203 051 2874
Meeting ID: 477 542 2768
We also have a telephone service each week using WhyPay at 10.00am on Sunday morning.
If you wish to join this the number is 0333 0110 946 and the Room Number is 47927697# and the Pin is 1145#
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 also pray for those on our prayer list:  
Ashley, Debbie and family
Stuart and Sylvia
Barry, Linda and family
Thelma, David, Elizabeth, Helen and family.
Olga, Chris and family
Frank
Ralph
Kevin and family
Beryl
Karen
Ken and Pat
Chris and Dianne
Malcolm, Anne and family
Arthur
Eileen and Carl
Rev Alex
Don
Margaret B
Alan
Doreen
Jean
Beaulah
Alan and Heather
Linda and family
Carol, Dave and Logan
Janet, Steve and family
Charles
You can find reflections and biblical stories on our Circuit YouTube channel including new material added weekly from Revs Linda, Jeff and Pam 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.
Ian