Friday 8th May 16.30pm 

w/c Sunday 10^th May 2026

Dear Friends,

This week we celebrate Ascension Day on Thursday 14^th May with a service at St Luke’s at 10am.
In addition, Thy Kingdom Come, a global wave of prayer between Ascension and Pentecost, is taking place from the 14-24 May 2026. 
There are a number of free resources available on the Thy Kingdom Come website  https://www.thykingdomcome.global/resources

Thought for the week:  John 14 v15-21

In our Gospel reading Jesus tells His disciples “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.”
It’s a promise that reminds us that God can be trusted. Jesus said this on the night He was to be betrayed.
By the end of the night the disciples would be scattered, scared, feeling abandoned. Judas will betray Him, Peter will deny Him and the others will run away.
Jesus however promises not to abandon them.

He wants to reassure them ahead of the most awful time that they will experience that even when they have no idea what is happening, when their world seems turned upside down, God can be trusted, we are not alone.
It is first a reference to the resurrection.
Jesus is promising that they will see Him again, as they were to do so after that first Easter.
But Her also promises “another Advocate”, a comforter who will remain with them forever.
Jesus has been with them physically for so long, teaching guiding loving them.
But He cannot stay with them in human form.
The risen Christ is to ascend, but then the Spirit is given, to be with them forever.

This is the Spirit who will give them confidence, courage and wisdom as they spread the good news of Jesus.
This is the same Spirit we have each received as Christians.
The Spirit who shapes our inner lives to reflect the life and love of Jesus.
The Spirit who brooded over creation, brining order out of chaos.
The same Spirit whose hallmarks are love, joy and peace.
The Spirit who is our Parakletus –  our helper. Comforter, helper and counsellor, who stands alongside us no matter what. 

Whoever we are, whatever demands life place on us, the resurrection of Jesus and the gift of the Spirit open up new possibilities – new life for all of us.
A share in the very life of God.
God is with us, God is in us, abiding forever, offering strength, wisdom, comfort and love.
We are not alone. God keeps His promise “I am coming to you.”

Marantha – come Lord Jesus, come

Notices and Diary

• Joint PCCs meeting on Sat 9^th May 10am-12pm at St Luke’s church, Buckfastleigh. Please park in the public car park and not at St Luke’s
• Christian Aid ecumenical Coffee Morning followed by act of worship on Wed May 13^th from 10am at the Methodist Hall
• South Brent Mothers’ Union quiz in the Church room at 10am on Thursday 28^thMay.

Sat 9^th May                           Ministry team at 9am

                                                      Joint PCCs meeting at 10am at St Luke’s

                                                      St Petroc’s wedding at 1pm (Noronha/Kelly)

Sun 10^th May                       Dean APCM after morning service

Wed13^th May                       St Petroc’s Morning Prayer at 8.30am

Thought for the week at 10am by zoom and telephone

Christian Aid Coffee Morning at the Methodist hall from 10am

St Petroc’s Parish Lunch 12.30-1.30pm

Thurs 14^th May                   Mission Community Ascension Day service at St Luke’s Buckfastleigh at 10am

Fri 15^th May                          Morning Prayer at 9am by zoom and telephone

                                                      St Petroc’s funeral at 1.30pm (Rev Kingsley Cross)

Mission Community Services

 Know you are in my heart and in my prayers.
Rev Gina