Pew News - 22 Mar 2026
“Expect a Miracle”
God is sometimes very quick to act.
At the inspiring meeting we had about building the future of St Mary's, many positive suggestions were made for activities which we could introduce or develop further.
One, close to my own heart, was the ministry of healing and another was to have more opportunities for testimony.
A day later, at the 10am service, both of these occurred for me. During the final hymn I watched the arthritic joints of my left hand straighten painlessly and as soon as the singing ended, I leapt to my feet again without pain, to testify and give thanks for what had happened.
Maybe we should add these words to our seven-year plan..."Expect a Miracle".” - HILARY
Thank you, Hilary for sharing your experience with us.
What might Hilary’s testimony mean for us, as a church, to expect God to heal today?
God’s kindness encountered in the midst of worship. It is a gift to us all. But perhaps it is also an invitation.
For many of us, healing can feel like something distant, something belonging to the pages of the Gospels rather than the life of the Church today. We may quietly hope for it but rarely expect it. And yet, when we look at the ministry of Jesus, healing is not presented as rare or exceptional, but as a natural expression of the Kingdom of God breaking in. Jesus did not only proclaim good news; he demonstrated it. The sick were restored, the burdened were lifted, and lives were changed, not occasionally, but regularly. And when he sent out his disciples, he did not tell them simply to speak, but also to pray for the sick and expect God to act.The same Spirit at work in Jesus has been given to the Church. This means that healing is not something we manufacture, nor something we can control, but it is something we are invited to participate in, through prayer, faith, and openness to God’s presence.
So perhaps the question for us is not, “Why does this happen so rarely?” but “What might change if we began to expect it more?”
Expectation is not presumption. It is not a demand that God must act in a certain way. Rather, it is a posture of trust: a willingness to believe that God is still at work among us, still compassionate, still powerful, and still desiring to bring wholeness. As a church, we may be invited to grow in this gently, prayerfully, and without pressure. To pray more readily for one another. To listen more attentively to the Holy Spirit. To create space in our worship and our life together where God’s healing presence can be recognised and received.
And when we do see God at work, as we did last week, we give thanks, not only for what has happened, but for what it points to: a God who is near, who cares, and who is still moving among his people.
May we be a community that not only celebrates such moments but learns to expect them. “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.” - GARRY
THIS WEEK PLEASE PRAY FOR:
Margaret R, Lucy, Yancy T, Heather W, Jake C, Stella O, Annie G, Juliet G, Ann J, Cathy E.
The prayer team continues to pray for all who have requested prayer.
To request prayer: Email: prayer@sholing.church
REMEMBERING
Julie, praying for Krystal, Harper, Mike and family.
Pat, praying for his wife Val, sons Darren & Alan and all the family.
Joan K, praying for her family and friends.
MARCH SERVICES
FOOD BANK – HOW YOU CAN HELP!
This week, the food bank urgently needs:
· Easter Eggs
· Carrier bags
If you’re able to donate, could you please place them in the basket in the parish hall. Thank you!
APCM
Meeting: Mon 27 April, 7.15pm | Parish Hall
You can now join the electoral roll (if not already on it – please check with Sue Clarke).
From 13th April – nominations open for joining PCC and becoming Churchwarden.
The Parish Giving Scheme
A simple and efficient way to support your church regularly. The Parish Giving Scheme makes giving easy, secure, and tax-efficient - helping your gift go further and reducing administration for the parish. If you’d like to know more, please speak to Ben or Garry.
SHARE YOUR STORIES
We’re really surprised not to have received many of your stories of St Mary’s. We’d really love to hear from you.
As part of our Heritage 160 celebrations, we are collecting stories, memories, and treasures that make up the living history of our parish.
We’d love to hear about your connections to St Mary’s Church Sholing or the wider Parish of Sholing. Your contribution will help preserve our shared heritage for future generations. There are forms and envelopes available in the Hall or you can speak to one of our team or email us at Heritage@Sholing.Church
EASTER EGG APPEAL
If you’re able to donate, please bring them along to the hall.
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