Welcome to Trinity Church, Newport
Trinity Church is a friendly welcoming community which seeks
to enable people to explore the Christian life of faith, worship and service.
Our next services are planned for Sunday 18th April, and May 2nd at 10.30am.
Rev David Lavender will lead both services. Advance booking is essential
Please book your attendance with Lyn (01952 825586)
Notice Sheet for the week commencing April 18th 2021
Reflection by Revd Fiona Brown
April 18th 2021
The two disciples who had been on their way to Emmaus have just returned to Jerusalem and are excitedly telling the other disciples that they have seen the Lord. Suddenly Jesus stands among them.
Read St Luke’s Gospel Chapter 24 verses 36b – 48
Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.
He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.
Reflection
The two from Emmaus are not the first people to tell the others that they have seen Jesus and that he is alive. The women had met him in the garden earlier with the same story. However they are still frightened and don’t know what to believe. Remember, they know what happened over the weekend, how Jesus was crucified, died and was laid in a tomb with an enormous stone rolled in front of it.
Now, here is Jesus. They have to believe now, even if it doesn’t seem to make sense. But who says that what God does has to make sense to our human minds? Jesus reassures them, telling them that what they are experiencing is real, not a ghost or their imagination.
When we experience God in our lives, often in unexpected ways and at unexpected times which we do not understand it does not make the experience any less real. Sometimes not understanding makes it all the more real – it has to be God.The disciples did not expect Jesus to stand among them; the friends going to Emmaus did not expect to meet Jesus; John Wesley did not expect his heart to be “strangely warmed” when he went to a service in Aldersgate. Maybe we should have more expectation of “God experiences” and not think of it as exceptional!
Prayer
Dear Lord
Thank you for the times when we are so sure of your presence with us, especially in dark or difficult times. Help us to remember that even when we can’t feel your presence that you are with us because you have promised to be with until the end of time.
Today we pray especially for those who are grieving – for John and family; for Diana and her family and for the Royal family.
Amen.
Read STF 296 Christ has risen while earth slumbers
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