We went into church with pouring rain, but those of us who park by the Parish Rooms were met by a splendid view of mushrooms.  No idea of what kind, and probably not edible but amazing none the less.

The children's Harvest work was on display in the church.

As was the flower arrangers.

Fr Chris spoke to us based on the Gospel reading, which tells us of the repentant sinner and the boastful pharisee. I hope I have captured the gist of what he said. The parable goes much deeper. It addresses our perception of who we are in relation to God. God chooses us because he loves us, demonstrated by the sacrifice of his Son for us. We often resist his love and run from him. Maybe it is because we are scared of what God will ask of us. St Augustine famously said "God make me pure - but not just yet!"  God's love is unique to each of us. We are seen alone - not in comparison to others. We are loved equally. We may try to make ourselves feel better by comparing ourselves with another preceived to be worse than us. We need to see ourselves in the parables. It is folly to compare ourselves in faith. God sees all. We should concern ourselves with what we can do with the gifts he has given us. We are sinners who need God's mercy and forgiveness.

Today the Sunday School were busy making Bible Covers and obviously were so involved in the project that after church they went back to work.

During Communion, the sun came out and we left church in brilliant sunshine.

Don't forget the Requiem Service next Saturday 29th October at 6pm. If you would like someone to be remembered during this service there are sheets at the back of the church, add the name(s). Fr Chris will pray for these people during the service. The choir and singing friends will, as part of the service, perform Faure's Requiem, the first time we have been able to do so since 2019 due to Covid.

A reading from the book of the Prophet Jeremiah.

A reading from the second letter of Paul to Timothy.

As for me, 

I am already being poured out as a libation, 

and the time of my departure has come. 

I have fought the good fight, 

I have finished the race, 

I have kept the faith. 

From now on 

there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, 

which the Lord, the righteous judge, 

will give to me on that day, 

and not only to me 

but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

At my first defence no one came to my support, 

but all deserted me. 

May it not be counted against them! 

But the Lord stood by me 

and gave me strength, 

so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed 

and all the Gentiles might hear it. 

So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack 

and save me for his heavenly kingdom. 

To him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

Jesus also told this parable to some 

who trusted in themselves that they were righteous 

and regarded others with contempt: 

‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, 

one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. 

The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 

“God, I thank you that I am not like other people: 

thieves, rogues, adulterers, 

or even like this tax-collector. 

I fast twice a week; 

I give a tenth of all my income.” 

But the tax-collector, standing far off, 

would not even look up to heaven, 

but was beating his breast and saying, 

“God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” 

I tell you, 

this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; 

for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, 

but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’