Good News! 

Good News Stories for this week 28 May 2021
The Methodist Church, Stoke-on-Trent South Circuit
Collected by: Hil Hands (Local preacher)
Dear friends,
The sun is shining! And it promises to be a lovely Bank Holiday weekend – at last!
This Sunday is Trinity Sunday. I hope that you are living freely by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the love of God and as a part of the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. I hope that we are all making an effort to remain an important part of the living body of Christ – his Church here on earth. After all:
 
A Christian friend, who works in the NHS, shared a useful illustration with us recently: we all have a bucket of stress which is at certain times fuller than at other times. The Pandemic, which we are living through, has resulted in many buckets being full to overflowing. People within our communities are struggling under the weight of grief, stress, missed opportunities e.g. weddings, baptisms, special birthdays and anniversaries etc., loss of earnings, weariness, mental health and loneliness to name but a few pressures.
Yet at the same time, we know that, by the grace of God, our cup is overflowing? We have fellowship, shelter, food, vaccinations, health, prayer, worship, technology and so much more!
Let’s listen carefully to the prompt of The Spirit so that we can share God’s peace with all who are struggling:
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
God bless.
If you have good news, please let me know: email - hands.hilary@yahoo.com
Please send news to me by Friday 25tJune 2021 ready for that weekend.
 
From Hilary at Forsbrook and Blythe Bridge
Thank you to those who have asked how our grandson, Elijah is getting on. He’s recently celebrated his first birthday and has brought light into a sometimes-dark year!
 
The Prayer for Thy Kingdom Come (Methodist Church)
Almighty God,
your ascended Son has sent us into the world
to preach the good news of your kingdom:
inspire us with your Spirit and fill our hearts
with the fire of your love,
that all who hear your word may be drawn to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
Prayer by The Revd Catherine Dixon
God of the Covenant,
you set your bow in the sky
as a reminder that your desire
is not destruction,
but salvation for all people.
We long for that time when
your salvation is known
Prayers
in hearts and lives
to the ends of the earth.
Teach us to speak
with words full of grace;
Equip us to show
your glory in our lives;
Enable us to share
the fullness of your love;
And grant us, we pray,
a glimpse of your kingdom,
as we long for its coming among us.
Amen.