I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.
Ephesians 1:17-19
As we come to the end of the Church’s year we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. It is a reminder of God’s majesty and power as King. A king who we will in just a few short weeks come to recognise as the baby in the manger. A King who at Easter is vulnerable and bruised and crucified.
It is perhaps the greatest paradox of all faith language, that Christians hold together, without tension, that Christ is King, and yet that same King is known in the most earthly, normal and tangible ways that we experience as humans. This Sunday we will hear the final Kingdom season Parable, that of the sheep and the goats. It is accompanied by a passage from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. The above few verses are some of the most encouraging drawing us into a community which believe in that immeasurable greatness and power of Christ the King. What I think I like about it is the all expansive language. I like to measure things, quantities to cook with, length of time, distance of hikes walked and miles run. Yet, God’s power we are assured is immeasurable. Infinite. Eternal. These are the all encompassing words that we are met with at the end of this Kingdom season. I pray that they will be an encouragement and blessing as we move towards Advent.
This week we have a variety of services – everyone is welcome at all of them. Cafe church brings us to the conclusion of the Book of Jonah. We also end November at All Saints with Christingle – so a glimmer of Christmas on our horizons.
SERVICES ON CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY – 26th NOVEMBER 2023
8am – HOLY COMMUNION – ALL SAINTS – REVD DIANE
10am – FESTIVAL SUNG HOLY COMMUNION – ST MARYS – REVD LIZZIE
10.30am – CAFE CHURCH – ALL SAINTS – CAFE CHURCH TEAM
4.30pm – CHRISTINGLE – ALL SAINTS
THIS WEEK
Tuesday 28th November
- 10.30am – Music for Toddlers – St Marys
- 7.30pm – 9pm – Advent Group
Wednesday 29th November
- 9am Celtic Morning Prayer – All Saints
- 2pm – 3.30pm – Advent Group
Thursday 30th November
- 10am – Holy Communion – St Marys
Saturday 2nd December
- 11am – 2pm – St Marys Christmas Fair
Sunday 3rd December
- 10am – Toy Service with the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides – St Marys
- 10.30am – Holy Communion with Junior Church – All Saints
- 6.30pm – Advent Carol Procession – St Marys
Christmas Cards are ready for delivery at both churches so please pick up a set and help distribute them in the parishes. Also starting this week are Advent groups – please speak to Diane, Mark, Kester or Lizzie about details.
Blessings
Revd Lizzie
St Mary's, Fishponds 