Dear Friends,

It was really good to be at service again with “full house” last Sunday after our recent minor covid disruption, and we trust that we shall all be kept safe and sound in the weeks ahead, especially of course during the times that are normally those of extra storm alertness. It has been interesting to see the Florida weathermen and women drawing the attention of their viewers again to the Saharan dust phenomenon, which they say provides some protection from hurricane development in this general region, and presumably from super-excessive temperature rise as well. 

We shall continue to stay alert.

The Collect for the Sixth Sunday after Trinity is

O God, who hast prepared for them that love thee such good things as pass man's understanding: Pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Collect is not declaring a sort of “prosperity gospel” in which believers (or those who pay up their tithes) may necessarily expect the best of what others might interpret as “the world, the flesh and the devil”. Rather, there is, first, an assurance that a genuine love for God will, irrespective of life’s difficulties, bring forth to the lover of God the good and heavenly things of God’s grace - “such good things as pass man’s understanding” - irrespective of whatever pains or perils may also be simultaneously present. And so we pray not merely that in a corner of our consciousness  we may love God, but that there may be an overbalancing towards us of His grace  - may such love toward God indeed be poured  into our hearts by God Himself! Then, whatever life experience we may be encountering, the love for God thus poured into our hearts will overwhelm “all that we can desire”, because by His grace we (1) love God above all else and (2) receive His “promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord.” 

Anglican “enthusiasm” at its very best!

For directions about the services this Sunday the 24th July 2022, the 6th Sunday after Trinity (also acknowledging S. James the Apostle), please see the website www.TruthWithLanguage.com .

In faith in the holy Name of our Lord Jesus, who will continue to provide guidance and joy by the Holy Spirit to all His people.

+ Nicholas