In some of our small groups recently we have been reading and discussing the Gospel of Luke. This week we were reading Luke 5, and I have always loved the story of Jesus healing the paralysed man. I love in particular verse 20; 'When Jesus saw their faith, He said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."'
Jesus saw the faith of the paralysed man's friends, who brought their friend on a mat. When they couldn't take him into the house because of the crowd it would have been easy for them to say "Oh well, we tried. Let's go back." But their love, care, determination, and faith to see their friend healed made them think of alternative ways. To go up onto the roof, to go and get ropes and tie them to the mat and lower him down, exactly in front of Jesus. And when Jesus saw THEIR faith things completely changed for the paralysed man. We don't know how far they travelled, how tired they were from the journey, or how heavy the man on his mat was, but what we know is their faith in Jesus was astonishing. Jesus didn't just heal the body of the paralysed man but healed his soul and forgave his sins. My prayer this morning is to be surrounded by such friends when we can't carry ourselves any longer because of whatever difficult circumstances we may face, and that their faith and trust in the Lord would carry us. And may we be like these friends to others around us when their journey gets tough, our faith, hope and love will carry them.
Amal Moore
Pioneer Community Minister
This Sunday, 18th October, we'll be looking into the book of Ruth across our morning congregations. Our preacher at 9am, and 11am and CTK is Alistair Magowan, with Peter Madley at HTBV. The evening congregation are having their "Focus" service with Ian Budd speaking. Trinity Youth will be meeting at the same time, upstairs in the Trinity Centre.
Start Course
We are so pleased to be hosting the Start Course. This six week course, on Wednesday evenings from the start of November, gives space to ask and begin to answer some of the big questions about life and what it means to follow Jesus. If you would like to come, then please do sign up via the website or have a chat with us. And please do be thinking who you know who might be interested in coming along.
For those who were expecting Alpha this term, we are offering that after Christmas.
Fi's Licensing Service
Please come to this very special and long awaited service next Wednesday 21st October at 7pm at Holy Trinity. It will mark the start of Fi's new role as our Vicar! We will be welcoming her and asking God to bless her as she leads us and serves the Parish. We will be celebrating afterwards with light refreshments in the Bradbury Hall.
Men's Breakfast
One of our much loved events. The Men's Breakfast is returning on 7th November at the Harvester starting from 9.15am. Our Guest Speaker this time is Rob Davies from the Christian Motorcyclists Association. Tickets are £12 per person and includes your full English Breakfast and Tea/Coffee. We would love to see you there, please do sign up via the website by 31st October.
Christmas Stalls
Dare we say the C word! We promise not to talk too much about Christmas yet, but we would love to mention that we will be welcoming our usual Christmas stalls a little earlier this year, next Sunday between the 9am and 11am services. Please do come along and get ahead with some Christmas shopping!
Service of Thanksgiving for John Abbott
Those of us who would like to remember our dear friend John Abbott are invited to gather at Holy Trinity at 11.30am on 22nd October for a service of thanksgiving. All are very welcome.
Remembrance Sunday
A reminder that Remembrance Sunday is coming up on 8th November. As usual, our 11am service will start a little earlier at 10.45am.
Trinity Life
The latest edition of Trinity Life is available on the website, and in all services on Sunday.