Dear friends,

This September and October, we have a new Sunday preaching series on the Book of Ecclesiastes.

It is a very helpful book if you are searching for meaning in life. There is no more relevant book of the Bible for many people in today’s world, who are disillusioned with life ‘under the Sun’, and who wish to discover worthwhile meaning in life and a wise approach to life. Ecclesiastes starts by saying “it’s all meaningless”, and then the search begins.

This is an Old Testament book and just as much a part of the Bible as the New Testament books. Jesus taught the Scriptures of the Old Testament because he knew their authority as the Word of God. So, as Christians, we are glad to follow Jesus in preaching the Old Testament.

The Old Testament was in three sections in Jesus’ times: the law, the prophets and the writings (or ‘wisdom’). Ecclesiastes is a book of wisdom literature. It helps us to be wise, in a godly way.

Come any Sunday from 1st September to hear thoughtful teaching from this wonderful book for our times.

I am glad to be the regular preacher and leader of services at St Luke’s, but I am also glad to share the leading/preaching ministry with others who have the necessary spiritual gifts. When I arrived four years ago, I was encouraged that Tim Fryer and Yvonne Janvier were keen to do the training courses for preachers and leaders of worship. Sadly, frustrations with the Covid restrictions and the Diocesan course leader meant the courses were not completed, but Tim and Yvonne have done a fruitful job in my place when I am away.

The last Sunday of August is Tim Fryer’s last time on the rota, for leading and preaching in our Sunday morning services. He is stepping back from his upfront ministry in order to devote his energies to overseeing the Sound/Vision team and also the Prayer ministry team and his Growth Group leadership. We thank Tim for his work in occasional leading and preaching in services.

After a long Summer holiday, do look out for the resumption of Church groups and activities. Our Weekday Morning Prayers on Zoom and our Thursday Coffee Mornings in the Church Hall have continued through the holiday, but most other groups have had a break. Make yourself aware of the restart of our Thursday Toddler Group ‘Early Birds’, our Wednesday Community Choir, our Tuesday Craft Group, our Sunday Genesis Children’s Group and our Tuesday Exodus Youth Group. Invite others from the community who may want to enjoy these community-minded groups.

And we pray for our children and teachers as they start a new school term, we pray for students and lecturers as they restart tertiary education and other training, we pray for our witness to Jesus Christ as the activities of St Luke’s Church crank up for the Autumn. See you soon.

Yours in Christ,

Rob