Dear friends,
Jesus says: “I am with you always, to the end of time.”
(Matt 28:20)
I write 10 days before Ascension Day on a date increasingly known as ‘Star Wars Day’. Ascension Day is as huge for Christian’s as May the 4th is for Star Wars fans.
At the Ascension we Remember Jesus returning to heaven after his glorious resurrection. At All Hallows with Woodall, this season of spring feels full of new life and hope.
As the world around us brightens, we’re reminded that the Ascension isn’t about Jesus leaving us, but about lifting our vision of what it means to be a good neighbour.
We are called to live well, treat one another with kindness, and play our part in God’s bigger story.
To quote Jedi Grandmaster Yoda “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”
Some of Jesus last words to his followers are, ‘Peace be with you.’ In a world that can feel far from peaceful at Ascension-tide we are called to raise our values and our behaviour towards one another: choosing patience over anger, generosity over fear, and compassion wherever we can.
You might even say it’s a bit like Star Wars: there is a light that guides us, a force that transforms us and each of us has a part to play in bringing the light of ‘New Hope’ into the world.
So as we step into these brighter days, may we stay connected to God, to one another, and to the new hope in Jesus which carries us forward.
We will be thinking about Jesus’ Ascension at our 10am Family Service on Sunday 10th May. Our Ascension Dsy Service is 7pm Thursday 14th May both at Wales Parish Church
May the Fourth be with you.
With every blessing and prayers
Reverend Gary
A Prayer
Loving God,
lift our hearts this Ascension Day
and fill us with new hope.
Help us to live with kindness and compassion,
bringing light into our world.
Keep us close to you and to one another,
now and always.
Amen.
Welcome to Wales Parish Church 