Dear friends,
Lionesses. Leadership. Leaving…& Love.
Emotions are funny things aren’t they. They can catch you totally unaware. Wasn’t it wonderful to hear and see the Lionesses at Wembley! I, for one, am incredibly proud of the Lionesses, who have won the Euro 2022 championship. They are credit to the nation and have inspired so many in the way they have endured the competition and finally ‘brought football home’. Elation. Joy. Awe.
Contrast that with another sphere entirely, as we are bombarded daily with promises of hopeful candidates seeking to become the Prime Minister, each promising one thing or another in how they would operate their government as they run their leadership campaign. Exasperation. Confusion, Doubt. Hope.
Further still, our hearts are broken as we continue to pray for Ukraine and especially those who have managed to leave and have joined our communities recently. Pain, sorrow, sadness.
This is not including all the ups and downs of life we have to contend with on top of all of these. It’s fair to say that emotions are running high at the moment. And that’s ok!
I love that in the scriptures we see Jesus, the Son of God, experience so many of the same emotions we experience today too. He was totally overjoyed at pleasing his father. He was completely exhausted from the demands of his ministry. He was furiously angry at the hypocrisy of the religious. He was disgusted at racism and oppression of the poor. He was completely full of sorrow when his friend passed away. He was full of apathy for those suffering and so full of agony as he himself suffered. This is the man who is so bent on loving us that he was willing to die for us. It’s fair to say he was a fairly emotional person.
This means that Jesus understands our struggles. He has been where we are, he has overcome the temptations we try and overcome. For that reason, we can come to him just as we are, without reservation, knowing fully that he understands, he sympathises with us in all that we face. What a lovely God we worship. One who is on our side. One who is for us. One who loves us no matter how we are feeling or whatever emotion we are feeling. For whatever it is, he is with you. May you know that this week. Let me encourage you to go to him with whatever you are facing, however you are feeling.
Why not join us this weekend as we continue to pray for all the issues we face in the world and to seek to know and feel God’s love and support as we do?
Love and blessings,
Grant
The Benefice Weekly Newsletter
SERVICES THIS WEEKEND
Around the parishes:
Next week’s services
Prayer Points
Please do continue to pray for the continued conflict in Ukraine. Many families are settling locally so do please pray for inspiration and wisdom how best to serve and welcome them during this time.
Please pray for the families who’s homes have been damaged due to fires in Basildon recently.
Please pray for the couples who are planning to get married in our churches, or from our villages this year. Some of whom have rescheduled quite a few times!
Please pray for those who are currently ill with covid. May they be protected and restored quickly.
Please pray for the NHS continuing to serve the nation with tiredness and fatigue featuring heavily.
Please continue to pray for those we know and love who are at this time unwell or recovering from various illnesses or operations.
Please pray for those within our parishes who have lost loved ones recently.
Please pray for those who are enjoying holidays and breaks this summer. After the difficulties of the past few years, we pray that true rest will be found.
