Pentecost Sunday

Hello Everyone, Are you enjoying the beautiful weather? Are you able to get out much? How are you feeling with this newest change?  Are you feeling happy and buoyant? Have you been using those prayer journal booklets we delivered? Well this week I have had a huge range of emotions going on. Some days I have felt that this is a lovely time of quietness and warmth, great for walking and outside jobs. Other days I have felt quite low, not quite frightened, but concerned at the visitors in the area – though I haven’t felt worried about the virus, just that people aren’t following the rules (I have a deep sense of following rules!!). The Psalms I have written out this week have really spoken deeply of my emotional journey: Psalm 55:6-7 “Oh that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness.” I went to bed that night thinking about that desire to “Fly away”; it is so very comforting to know that David the Psalmist felt that same emotion in the midst of the turmoil he was in. Despite all that is going on he then continues saying, “I will call on God and the Lord will rescue me. Morning, noon and night I cry out I distress, and the Lord hears my voice.” (55:16-17) and then comes to the amazing conclusion… “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you.” (22) In Psalm 56 again the same kind of thoughts continue amidst the turmoil the psalmist faces… “But when I am afraid I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?” (56:3-4) He is so convinced by what he is saying, he says it again… “This I know: God is on my side! I praise God for what he has promised, yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised. I trust God, so why should I be afraid?” (56:9-10) And concludes… “For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence O God, in your life-giving light.” (56:13) I have been able to get out and go for beautiful walks in the sunshine and have met several of our church family. Also Roger and I have continued to work on the church fence and we are finding that it is a great opportunity to engage with local people whom we don’t know. As a result of that I have been able to go with another lady on a walk and was able t talk about faith with her. Please pray for this lady “P” that she will listen to the Holy Spirits prompting to seek more from Jesus. The fence has been filled and sanded ready for the top coat as soon as the paint arrives. We have also sanded down all the outside doors and I have so far painted the front door hinge plates and the letter box in the porch with Hammerite. This week’s playlist is available here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHnJn7EgQjAx1t6fH2VcUjYzRMxUkHvTz Here is a great event we can all join together in praying with and for our area. SouthWest Prays - Pentecost Sunday Christians across the region uniting in prayer at this time of national crisis On Sunday 31st May (Pentecost Sunday) at 8pm thousands of Christians across the region are taking part in South West Prays which will be an historic online prayer event. This could be the biggest prayer event the South West has ever seen! We are inviting Christians across the region to take part for this powerful time of unity and seeking the face of God. We have over 25 South West church leaders taking part - including: • Bishop Nick McKinnel – Diocese of Exeter • Martin Rees – Mayor of Bristol • Bishop Karen Gorham – Diocese of Salisbury • Bishop Peter Hancock – Bath and Wells Diocese • Sarah Yardley – Creation Fest in Cornwall • Simon Jarvis – One Church, Gloucester • Mark Pugh – Rediscover Church Exeter • Carl Smethurst – South West Baptist Association • Jim Ware – North Devon House of Prayer, Barnstaple • Luke Mansfield – Hope Baptist Church, Plymouth • Tiva Daka – The Engine Church, Cornwall And many more! On YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM6w-ev7vwc May the unfailing love of the Lord, which is a high as the heavens, be with you this coming week Blessings to each one of you Jacquey