Covid-19 

Dear Friends
I hope that you continue to keep safe and well. We have certainly had a varied week with the weather – on some days we have seen all the seasons in a day and sadly it looks like more rain to come. This may mean a little more time indoors for now, but certainly the gardens will benefit from the rain, although it may prevent us from undertaking any gardening for now and for some this may be a welcome enforced rest!
Again this week the Coronavirus situation in the UK continues to improve and we hope and pray this will continue. Over the next few weeks some of the national lockdown restrictions will be reduced and we will again slowly begin to resume some of the activities we may have perhaps in the past taken for granted. As we move forward we need to reflect on the many challenges that have occurred over the last year and how by working together in faith as a community we have pulled together to support others. Whilst the events of the worldwide pandemic have been tragic and indeed many areas of the World are still enduring significant anguish and distress, we must not forget the many vital lessons that we have learned during this time. For many as the pace of the life has been forced to change, they have appreciated the importance of family and friends and the joy of nature and outdoor spaces. We have benefited from the support of others and the kind words from neighbours or the smile from a stranger. These gifts of kindness and compassion are the core of our Christian faith and hopefully we as a Church will find ways to work with our community to ensure the kindness and compassion for others continues. Over the last year many people have given their time and talents selflessly to help others. We have seen remarkable gifts of kindness and society working for a common good. In some ways we have seen the love for others demonstrated in action and we hope and pray that this will continue.
Please hold in though and prayer the family of Pat Hargreaves as they prepare for her funeral on Tuesday afternoon at Carmountside Crematorium. We think of her step son David and his wife Karen and children Luke and Beth and her cousins Joan and Wendy. Rev Linda will be taking the service and I know the family will appreciate the love and support from Pat’s church family.
 
This week our bible reading reminds us about the importance of Love and how we should remain in the love of the Lord. The reading comes from John Chapter 15 v 9-17.
If we set the passage into context, Jesus is talking with his disciples in the upper room on the night before His crucifixion. Last week we heard about Jesus explaining that He was the true vine. This week the theme of remaining in the vine is reiterated as well as a command to bear fruit. Love is first defined in the passage by Jesus stating that the Father loves the Son. But Jesus moves to make a radical application by saying that His love for the disciples is similar to the Fathers love for the Son. Here Jesus calls the disciples “friends” which raises them to a level previously only reserved for Abraham who was called a “friend of God” The reading provides a reflection of the difficult conversation Jesus was having with his friends to help prepare them for his death but this conversation is also meant for us. Jesus is clear
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you” Jesus then explains that the love is so deep He is willing to give up his life for his friends and for us. Jesus gave his all in Love – the love for His Father and His love for us. Jesus then invites us to remain in His love (John 15:9) Here He invites us into a relationship of love between the Father and Jesus himself.
Love is perhaps one of the most misused words in the English language. Love has been given many definitions. Poets and writers have made many claims including Love is like a red, red rose, Love is a many splendored thing, All you need is Love. We might often say we love objects, possessions or even food or chocolate.  We may express our love to others and may have and show love to a partner, spouse and our wider family. The Bible reminds us that God is Love. Duke Ellington famously commented that “God is a three-letter word for love, and love is a four-letter word for God” In our reading today we are invited to remain in the love of God. The reading provides us with a command “Love each other as I have loved you” but continues that greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friend” Jesus continues by telling the disciples you are my friends if you do what I command. He tells them they are no longer servants, because a servant does not know the masters business. Instead he calls them friends and reminds them that everything He learned from His Father He has made known to them.
It could be argued that John repeats himself in the text with the commandment to love one another, but the message is so important it is indeed repeated. The message is clear there is no greater love than God’s love for us and we are called to bear the fruit that lasts as a result of God’s love in our lives. The reading reminds us that Jesus came to us and by his death and resurrection he shows us how much God loves us. As we live and work in the world we should love kindness, make justice and walk humbly with our God. When we love as Jesus loves us, we see all through God’s eyes. We see past the faults, see past the differences and see past the things that separate us from each other. Instead we see the image of God in everyone and find a connection with them. As we do so this love can be life changing. The Bible tells us love is patient, kind, it is not envious or rude. Love does not insist on its own way. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things. It is this love that creates the community of faith in the Church and the world and binds us together.
As we focus on the reading, Jesus moves to a direct use of language, Jesus illustrates the depth of God’s love for us, he will give us all we need but he asks in return we keep God’s commandments and remain in God’s love. Our Commandment is to Love one another – in the same way Jesus loves us. This is a central aspect of the Christian faith and we are left with no room for manoeuvre. It is not a gentle request or an optional part of our faith, it is a commandment from God. Something that is so important it is at the heart of our faith.  We are called to show the world we are Christians by the love we show to others. We are called to show God’s love by our actions, thoughts and words.
As we turn our love into action for others we help to make a difference – we start to bear fruit. When God’s love drives us, urges us and inspires us all things are possible.
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 11.30am – Our Service this week will be led by Glenn Parkes
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