Friday 2nd October 14.35

w/c Sunday 4^th October 2026

Dear Friends,

Thought for the week:

Should Christianity be defined as a system of belief?
It certainly involves beliefs, but the problem is, it is possible to believe and not do anything about it.
As the Letter of James says, “Faith without works is dead”.

Or perhaps going to church, and being part of the ritual is the key thing? Again, that is part of the picture, but it can be empty, perhaps done out of habit more than anything else.

Or perhaps Christian morality is central? Again, it’s important, but morality can easily become censorious, critical, unforgiving, unloving, like some of the Pharisees Jesus met, and sadly some Christians today.

All of the above are important, but they mean little if they are not based on a commitment to Jesus as saviour and lord.
At Gina’s farewell service last Sunday we sang the hymn “Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?”
The words are easily sung, but they are deeply challenging, reflecting as they do Jesus’ call to his disciples, and so to us.
(It is worth getting hold of the words of the hymn and reading them through thoughtfully).

One thing that strikes me is that that call means being part of God’s story.
The Bible can be seen as a Big Story, God’s story.
The first couple of pages of the Bible tell of the start of it all, the creation, while the last couple of pages at the end of the Book of Revelation tell of the new creation – cosmic stuff!
But in between those two ends comes all of human history, and in particular the story of God at work in and through those who trust in him.

There is the Old Testament – a very mixed bag, but essentially the story of the Jewish people from Abraham to some while before the coming of Jesus.
The New Testament then takes us through the story of Jesus – his life, with his ministry of love, teaching and healing, his death, resurrection and ascension, and then we are into the early years of the story of the Christian Church.
And we today are part, even if a small part, of that story.

For me, as I reflect on my own Christian life and faith, seeing it in terms of being part of God’s story is very central.
That gives a sense of perspective, in contrast to so much of modern life that seems to be so me-centred. And it gives purpose and meaning. It’s good if we all see ourselves as being part of God’s Big Story.

Similarly we as a mission community are part of his Big Story.
We have greatly valued Gina’s ministry, but now that chapter is over, and so what comes next?
God has his purposes for us, and we look to him for his leading and the help of his Holy Spirit.

Lord, as we live out the story of our individual lives, help us to walk with you in trust and true faith.
And as we as churches and a mission community embark on whatever the next chapter brings, help us to play our part in your Big Story.

George Day

Notices and Diary

• Harvest Service – donations of any tinned or dry goods for Buckfastleigh Food Bank are very welcome
• Harvest Supper – 10^th October 6:30pm 2 course meal £10 adult/£5 child.

Tickets available from Emma 01364 72828 or Mary 07395 027479

Wed 7^th Oct                          St Petroc’s Morning Prayer at 8.30am

Thought for the week at 10am by zoom and telephone

St Petroc’s Parish Lunch 12.30-1.30pm

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