Dear Brothers and Sisters

I woke up with a sore throat on Friday morning. Straight away I thought the worst and then remembered what I had been doing the day before. When I read the Bible each day I like to read it out loud, even if I am alone. I think that speaking God’s word out loud helps me to listen to what God is saying. I read some of the psalms every day but a friend had suggested to me that reading them all in one day was a really helpful discipline to do. So as I was on retreat I decided to give it a go. It takes about six hours; hence the sore throat. But I was able to see connections between psalms that I had never seen before. It is wonderful that after almost fifty years there is still so much to discover in the Bible. It is an ongoing adventure.

Now, I’m not suggesting that you all read the whole of the book of psalms, unless you have a spare six hours. But I am suggesting that we can all profit by reading the Bible more. And change can be really helpful. So if you usually read quietly to yourself, try reading out loud and see what you hear. Try a new translation and see what else God is saying to you. But above all else read, listen and have God’s word transform your life.

As always, if you would like to have a chat over the phone or for me to have a physically distanced visit please let me know. If you know of someone else who might like to talk let me know as well but do make sure that they are happy with this. Getting a ‘cold call’ from the Vicar doesn’t go down well with everyone!

Sunday’s Readings

A Reading from the book of Nehemiah

All the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. The scribe Ezra stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the purpose. So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’ So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, ‘Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.’ And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.                                                                                   (8: 1-4a; 8-12)

The Gospel according to Matthew

Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see “the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven” with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.                                                     (24:30-35)

Services next Sunday 1st November             

  • Denton                             9.30am
  • Blubberhouses                11am
  • Farnley                            2.30pm

Remembrance Sunday Services 8th November

  • Farnley (Holy Communion)       9.30am
  • Fewston                                     10.45am
  • Weston                                      10.45 am
  • Leathley                                     10.45am

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting for Leathley will be held after the 2.30pm service on 25th October.

Please remember in your prayers: Our public health workers and all battling Covid19. Those facing further restrictions on their lives. Our Government and all who have hard decisions to make. Those who translate the Bible and distribute it around the world. The sick and the dying and those who care for and love them.

God bless you all.                                 

Stephen