Dear Friends
Christ is risen!
It is easy to focus all our attention on a problem—this is what is pressing, I must concentrate on it until it is done. The Apostle Peter was faced with a problem, but had a different response in this Sunday’s reading from Acts.
In those days, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, rise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
Acts 9:32–42
Peter was faced with a problem, a challenge: we would say a hopeless cause. He was surrounded by mourners—those who could do nothing save weep over the situation. And it is good to weep: not, though, a weeping of pity but of repentance.
Yet Peter knew that, even in the hopelessness of this situation, he could turn to the Lord. How often, my dear brothers and sisters, do we turn to the Lord only as a last resort? Only when we have exhausted all other avenues we come before the Lord and ask for his help? Not Peter. This was not his last attempt, it was his first. He heard those weeping but put them outside that he might turn aside, kneel down and pray. And the miracle happened.
My dear brothers and sisters, let us turn to the Lord before our attempts at a challenge and not only after we have failed with our own efforts. Let us take the Holy Apostle Peter as our example and our guide.
Services this week
Friday 21st May
Discussion on the book of Genesis, 8 pm
Online only
Saturday 22nd May
Vespers, 3.30 pm
At St Francis’ Hall, Eastleigh
Sunday 23rd May
Liturgy, 9.30 am
At St Francis’ Hall, Eastleigh
You must register in advance before attending services because of Covid regulations, we are presently limited to 10 families (bubbles) being present for each service (see below).
Online session is via Google Meet, please get in contact for the details.
Attending Church
We will be meeting at St Francis’ Hall, Nightingale Avenue, Eastleigh, SO50 9JA. You must register beforehand. This is for two reasons, we must limit the number of people in the hall and this will facilitate NHS Track and Trace. We will restrict attendance at any service to 10 families (bubbles) and ask that you stay together in the service. Registration by email to [email protected] (please state to which services you would like to go and the names of those in your family). I will send confirmation of your registration by email: regretfully it is possible some may not be able to attend if we have reached the maximum number.
There will be a signed one-way system, entrance by the car park. You must wear a mask at all times when inside unless you are exempt. We must ask that we do not socialise at all inside in the current regulations, though we may do so outside in groups no larger than 6 (or containing only 2 bubbles). On entry we ask that you sanitise your hands and there will be sanitiser available for your use.
We do not yet have banking facilities. Please do not give cash as a donation nor for candles. When we have the details we will circulate the details and ask that you give by bank transfer or standing order.