Sunday 29th December 2024
1st Sunday of Christmas
Collect
Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us through your Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as he came to share in our humanity, so we may share the life of his divinity; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First reading from 1 Samuel 2.18-20, 26
18 Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy wearing a linen ephod. 19 His mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year, when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
20 Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, ‘May the Lord repay you with children by this woman for the gift that she made to the Lord’; and then they would return to their home.
26 Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favour with the Lord and with the people.
This is the Word of the Lord All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 148.7-end
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps; 8 fire and hail, snow and mist, tempestuous wind, fulfilling his word; 9 mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars; 10 wild beasts and all cattle, creeping things and birds on the wing; 11 kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the world; 12 young men and women, old and young together; let them praise the name of the Lord.
13 For his name only is exalted, his splendour above earth and heaven. 14 He has raised up the horn of his people and praise for all his faithful servants, the children of Israel, a people who are near him. Alleluia.
Gospel reading from Luke 2.41-end
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
41 Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival.
43 When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44 Assuming that he was in the group of travellers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him.
46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, ‘Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.’ 49 He said to them, ‘Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’ 50 But they did not understand what he said to them.
51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favour.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
Incarnate God, we love you and need you.
Father we rejoice, for you love us with a great love.
Thank you for the whole Church, for our little churches, all our clergy,
especially our Rector and all our Worship Leaders.
Incarnate God: we love you and need you. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for all with power and influence in our world.
We ask for a widespread desire for compassion and integrity in their decision making.
Please bless our Country, our King and Royal Family, our Government and our Armed Forces, especially those away from home at this time of year.
Incarnate God love you and need you. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for our families, friends and neighbours wherever they may be.
We pray for all parents and their children; for all who work with young people, in schools and colleges.
Incarnate God: we love you and need you. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for those who are finding life difficult; the lonely and unloved, the homeless and hungry, those who are depressed and feel without hope.
We remember those known to us who are sick..
May they feel your loving, healing touch.
Incarnate God: we love you and need you. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for those whose earthly lives are ending, those who have died recently and those whose year's minds we recall.
May we meet together, one day, in your heaven.
Merciful Father..
Reflection from Rev’d D’ Fyfe
The Blessing for this Sunday.....
Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into one, things earthly and heavenly, fill you with peace and goodwill and make you partakers of the divine nature; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen
Today’s reading from Luke’s gospel tells us about Jesus when he was 12 years old. His parents had taken him to Jerusalem and they lost him. We can imagine how frightened they were. 12 was a reasonable age in those days, but to lose a child in a huge crowd would be terrifying. Not a subject for Christmas. Well, in this world today, it probably is, but I am not going with it.
We talk about the grace of God. Phrases like “by God’s grace I managed to do such and such.” It could be said casually and half meant. We aren’t taking the credit for something, but in a way we are. We managed to do something that we hadn’t the time for, or that was particularly difficult and we want you to know it and be impressed.
But don’t belittle it. God’s grace does pick us up and hold us and help us. We don’t have to boast about it. So, in our way we acknowledge it. Christmas is a time for acknowledging what God does do for us. The babe in the manger is the same as the man on the cross and the risen Christ. We just can’t get our heads around it. And we find a prayer that will encompass all of the glory and the love, the pain and suffering and the true wonder of his birth: A prayer that will speak for us; As he came to share in our humanity, so we may share the life of his divinity. It is a prayer, a request for his continual help.
And the blessing for today bundles us up in a cocoon of his love; Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into one, things earthly and heavenly, fill you with peace and goodwill and make you partakers of the divine nature;
May God bless us all. Amen.
Christmas Reflection by Canon In Gibson
“And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth” John 1:14)
Christmas is often portrayed as a magical time. We receive cards depicting stunning scenes of snowy landscapes: peaceful, still and free from any sign of the disruption which is usually associated with even the slightest amounts of snowfall. We are delighted by nativity plays where all the animals are clean and sweet smelling, and baby Jesus is always well behaved and silent. We watch TV adverts of beaming families sharing succulent feasts around enormous tables. They show no stress about how they are going to pay for this incredible banquet. Neither is there any sign of tension over all the cooking and washing-up involved: TV mums are delighted to take on these tasks. Such images of Christmas seem a million miles away from our everyday experience. Does the festive season have anything to say about the realities of life, or is it simply a bit of fairy-tale escapism: a short break from the humdrum realities we will all face again in January? The answer to that question lies in today’s Gospel reading: the profound words which introduce the Gospel of John.
In our reading, Jesus is referred to in a way that will seem strange to us – as “the Word”. At the time this was written, however, this would have been an expression familiar to both Jews and Greeks. The simplest way of explaining it is to think of words as the way we communicate with the outside world; how people understand who we are and the things we stand for. To call Jesus “the Word” is a way of saying he reveals to us what God is like. And Jesus can reveal God to us for a number of reasons. Firstly, he has been with God from the very beginning. He didn’t simply come into being at a set point in time like the rest of us, but has always existed and been in the closest of relationships with God. Indeed, the passage states that it was through Jesus that God created the world. Even more significantly, he can show us what God is like because he shares God’s divine nature. As verse one famously says, “the Word was God”. The passage also goes on to say that Christ is a light in the world, enlightening us about God.
These are massive claims about Jesus. However, the passage states something else equally staggering: not only was Jesus one with God, but he gave up his place in heaven to live among us as a real human being and show us what God is like in the flesh. “He pitched his tent among us,” is how the Greek puts it. The divine Son of God came and dwelt with us and, as the passage suggests, was spared none of the pain of human existence. Verses 10 to 11 hint at some of the sadness he endured: he who had brought all things into existence was not welcomed to the earth he had made; he was rejected. Even the nation prepared by God to expect the Messiah through centuries of prophetic utterances did not recognise him as the chosen one.
So in what way does this link our Christmas celebrations with the realities of life? Well, Christmas is not just about a cute baby born a long time ago in a faraway land. Christmas reminds us that the Son of God dwelt among us, not only sharing our human nature but also our pain.
Through Christ, God truly understands the troubles we all experience, for Jesus endured every pain that we do: he was abused and bullied (soldiers mocked, hit and teased him); he was let down by his friends and lonely (the disciples ran away when he was arrested, and Peter denied knowing him); he knew what it was like to lose someone close (he wept when his friend Lazarus died); he was tempted; he knew fear (in Gethsemane before his arrest he was terrified); he knew pain (he was scourged) and, of course, he knew what it was like to die.
So while Christmas may be presented as a time of glitter and sparkle, its true heart can be found in the nitty-gritty of life. When we are struggling and wondering where God is and why he has allowed suffering into our lives, we can take comfort from the knowledge that, through Jesus, God has suffered with us and knows exactly what we are going through. In Christ we are never alone for he is Immanuel: God with us.
Christmas Day - Emmanuel - God with us.
Light 5th and central Candle and pray …….
A candle burns, the last marker of our Advent journey.
As we arrive at our journey's end, may we arrive with wonder and worship. Amen.
COLLECT
Lord Jesus Christ, your birth at Bethlehem draws us to kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth: accept our heartfelt praise as we worship you, our Saviour and our eternal God. Amen.
Isaiah 9.2 & 6 The Messiah Prophesied
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Hebrews 1.1-4 God Has Spoken by His Son
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3 He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Luke 1.6-7 The Days were accomplished
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
John 1.1-14 The Word Became Flesh
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
Prayers
As we gather to celebrate Christmas, let us pray to our living God.
Blessed are you, Lord our God. In you and in your love, heaven and earth are one. You come among us, to be one with us.
Lord, we welcome you into our hearts and lives. We ask your blessing upon the church as it worships you throughout the world.
Bless and guide all preachers of the word and ministers of the sacrament, remembering our own clergy and all who lead worship in our churches locally, but they may lead us to you.
Holy God, come among us: hear us and help us. Lord, in your mercy…
We rejoice with the shepherds and pray for peace on Earth and goodwill amongst all the nations.
We ask your blessing upon all areas where there is conflict and oppression.
Bless our country, our King and Government, the members of our armed forces who are away from home this Christmas, and all who seek to bring unity and fellowship between the nations.
Holy God, come among us: hear us and help us. Lord, in your mercy…
Lord, born into an ordinary home, come into our homes, that they may reflect your peace and your glory. May we know that our homes and loved ones are all part of your Kingdom.
Bless our families, friends and neighbours, those with whom we will share Christmas and those not able to be with us.
Holy God, come among us: hear us and help us. Lord, in your mercy…
We give thanks that nothing can separate us from your love.
We ask your blessing on the world’s poor, those who are deeply in debt, those who are lonely, and those who are ill at home or in hospital.
We bring to you… give each one peace and hope and healing.
Holy God, come among us: hear us and help us. Lord, in your mercy…
Lord, we rejoice that you came down to earth as a human, that we might share in the joys of the Kingdom of Heaven.
We remember friends and loved ones departed, those who have died recently and those whose anniversaries we recall… we rejoice in the fellowship of Mary and Joseph and all your Saints and Angels. May we share with them in your glory. Merciful Father…
CHRISTMAS BLESSING
May the Father, who has loved the eternal Son from before the foundation of the world, shed that love upon you his children. Amen.
May Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into one, things earthly and heavenly, fill you with joy and peace. Amen.
May the Holy Spirit, by whose overshadowing Mary became the Godbearer,
give you grace to carry the good news of Christ. Amen.
And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be upon you and remain with you always. Amen, Amen, Amen.
Christmas Eve
“Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth.”
Luke 2:1-7 The decree of Caesar Augustus
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2.8-15 The Angels and the Shepherds
And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.
And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
Luke 2.16-20 The Shepherds go to the Stable
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Matthew 2.1-11 The Magi and the Star
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him."
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him."
When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
PRAYERS AND LORD’S PRAYER
We have shared together in the wonderful story of Mary and Joseph, with angels, shepherds and Wise Men. As we celebrate this special night in which God joins heaven and earth, let us offer our prayers.
Lord Jesus, on that holy night, you were born in a stable because there was no room at the inn. Give courage to all who have no home - looking for safety, food and shelter - and those who live in poverty. Protect them with your love and give them hope.
Jesus, Light of the world: ALL hear our prayer.
Your mother, Mary, in the pain of labour, gave birth to you. Hold close all who are in pain or fear, or suffer in any way. In their need may they sense you, reaching out to comfort and heal.
Jesus, Light of the world: ALL hear our prayer.
As Mary and Joseph held you in their arms, we thank you for our own families. Strengthen us in love and commitment, that our homes might be places of joy and peace.
Jesus, Light of the world: ALL hear our prayer.
The shepherds were surprised by news of your birth, which would turn the world upside down. We pray for those facing change, and coming to terms with unexpected news. In all the challenges we face, we ask for your strength.
Jesus, Light of the world: ALL hear our prayer.
The Wise Men followed the star and knelt before you, recognising you as King. Give wisdom to all who lead and govern. Guide them with your light, that they may seek truth, justice, peace, freedom and respect, for every human life.
Jesus, Light of the world: ALL hear our prayer.
The angels were overjoyed to share the great news for all people. Thank you for coming for us, and help us to tell the world the good news that you are still with us, and will never leave us.
Jesus, Light of the world: ALL hear our prayer.
ALL God of light and hope, of stars and surprises, open our eyes and our hearts to your presence, that we may respond with joy, this Christmas-time, to the birth of your Son Jesus, our Saviour. Amen.
Our Father, which art in heaven.....
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES – PRAYERS
Sunday before Christmas Light 4th Candle and pray...
(or to be lit at any time in the week .17th – 23rd Dec)
A candle burns, the fourth marker of our Advent journey.
As we continue, may we travel joyfully.
As we continue, God of journeys, draw us to our journey's end. Amen.
Sunday 22nd December 2024
4th Sunday of Advent
Collect
God our redeemer, who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son: grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour, so we may be ready to greet him when he comes again as our judge; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First reading from Micah 5.2-5a
2 But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. 3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labour has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. 4 And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; 5 and he shall be the one of peace.
If the Assyrians come into our land and tread upon our soil, we will raise against them seven shepherds and eight installed as rulers.
This is the Word of the Lord All Thanks be to God.
Magnificat (The Song of Mary, Luke 1.46-55)
(in place of the Psalm of the day)
1 My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.
2 From this day all generations will call me blessed; the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.
3 He has mercy on those who fear him, from generation to generation. 4 He has shown strength with his arm and has scattered the proud in their conceit, 5 casting down the mighty from their thrones and lifting up the lowly.
6 He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.
7 He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, to remember his promise of mercy, 8 the promise made to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children for ever.
Gospel reading from Luke 1.39-45
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
As we share in Mary and Elizabeth's joy at the coming of our Saviour, let us quieten ourselves in the presence of God.
Lord God, as we pray for the while Church, for our little churches, all our clergy, especially our Rector and all our worship Leaders.
We can only marvel at the way you are happy to work with us.
Help us to be the people you want us to be.
Lord, guide our journeying: be with us always. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord God, we ask your blessing upon all leaders of nations and peoples. May they look to your guidance in the decisions they make thus week, concerning the well being of the world.
Please bless our Country, our King and Government.
Lord, guide our journeying: be with us always. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord, God, we thank you for all who have taught us the way of truth and shared their faith with us.
We ask your blessings on our families, friends and neighbours and ask that our homes may show your abiding presence.
Lord, guide our journeying: be with us always. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord God, we bring to you all who are confused about life, all who have lost their way, and all who are despondent.
We pray for those who are sick, in body mind or spirit.
We remember all who are sick or fearful of the future...
Give each one peace and hope and healing.
Lord, guide our journeying: be with us always. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord God, in your Son you have prepared for us a place in your Kingdom.
Bless our loved ones departed, remembering...
May each one rejoice with your saints in glory.
Merciful Father...
Reflection from Rev’d Brian Adams
We come to the last Sunday in Advent, the last Sunday before Christmas Day itself when we celebrate the birth of a Baby. As a great-grandfather now I have been privileged to experience afresh the joy of seeing these little ones, born into the world, perfect, with all that they need to get through life, all except for their teeth which have to be replaced after a few years. I have watched with wonder as they have quickly put on weight and are soon beginning to crawl, to stand, to smile to talk. I know that some children are born with disabilities, and this is a great challenge to their parents but even then there can be joys of a different sort.
We celebrate Christmas in a few days’ time along with millions across the world. For this short period, it seems we are allowed to be Christians by the myriads who pay scant regard, it seems, to the message of the Church. Is there something of the truth the season brings that still lurks in the consciousness of our fellow Britons?
Admittedly a lot of it is Santa Claus based with bright lights, Christmas trees and songs about reindeer and snowmen but it all blends in with the news of the Baby in the manger in Bethlehem. It is a festival that reaches beyond the bare facts of the Christmas story so that even the hardest sceptics can’t resist joining in the celebrations.
We have an illustration of this underlying feeling in the remarkable rebuilding of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. France is not a noticeably Christian country, yet the repairs were paid for by donations so generous that the work was completed in five years, an achievement that was thought too ambitious all those years ago.
Yet we live in a sick society. Thousands surviving on anti-depressants and still more it seems suffering the effects of coming off them. We have a message which is not just for Christmas but for the whole year. We have churches which stand open for all to go in. A hymn puts it like this; ‘We have a gospel to proclaim, good news for all throughout the earth, the gospel of a Saviour’s name, we sing his glory, tell his worth.” Well, we may sing of his glory and worth, but we are not at all good at talking about them. I know how difficult this is, but it is the message that the world needs to hear.
Our society is wracked by depression, despair, mental illnesses which were not heard of years ago. It is distressing to hear gentlemen of a certain age saying they don’t go to Church because they had too much of this preached at them when they were at school. We have a faith which is centuries old and has passed through many generations, so it is not surprising that it has acquired signs of wear which need to be seen to. In particular the Church of England as the established Church carries with it traces of class structure which is off-putting to some. There were parishioners in my benefice who had been employed by the people in the ‘big house’. Pay day was Monday but they did not get their money if they were not in Church on the Sunday! This sort of thing is remembered, especially in rural communities.
But it’s not all bad news. The number of Bibles sold last year was 34% higher than in 2019 with prices ranging between £200 and £3-99. The word of God is not bound and has various ways of getting through to people. The Church of England is uniquely placed by having buildings and parochial structures in place, and perhaps the example of Notre Dame should make us realise what a blessing they are as ways of making the gospel of Jesus known.
The Christmas message has it all. From the start, Mary bursts into song as she shares with Elizabeth the privilege God has granted to her. She rejoices in the fact that God has chosen her, a woman of no social standing, to be the mother of a child who will be called Son of the Most High. The mighty are to be put down and the lowly exalted. The joyful message continues when the time came for the birth. Humble shepherds are the first to hear about it as they spend the night caring for the sheep while everyone else is asleep. A heavenly choir brings a message of joy and peace to all who will hear it. John, in the prologue to his gospel, states its significance as he says, ’The Word became flesh and made his home among us, full of grace and truth’
It is not long before the shadow of suffering appears. Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the temple to present him to the Lord and are told that the child will be a sign that is rejected, and that Mary’s heart will be pierced with sorrow. Christmas and Easter, the two great facts of Christianity we need to keep in constant view for thereby is all we need to know about God’s salvation of the world.
These two pillars of the faith are presented well in the last verse of Charles Wesley’s ‘Hark the Herald Angels sing’, as follows:
Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by. Born that msn no more may die,
Born to raise us from the earth, Born to give us second birth.
This should give us plenty to talk about. May God help us so to do.
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES – PRAYERS
Sunday before Christmas Light 4th Candle and pray...
(or to be lit at any time in the week .17th – 23rd Dec)
A candle burns, the fourth marker of our Advent journey.
As we continue, may we travel joyfully.
As we continue, God of journeys, draw us to our journey's end. Amen.
Sunday 15th December 2024
3rd Sunday of Advent
Collect
O Lord Jesus Christ, who at your first coming sent your messenger to prepare your way before you: grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight; for you are alive and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First reading from Philippians 4.4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
This is the Word of the Lord All - Thanks be to God.
Psalm 146.4-end
4 Happy are those who have the God of Jacob for their help, whose hope is in the Lord their God; 5 who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them; who keeps his promise for ever; 6 who gives justice to those that suffer wrong and bread to those who hunger.
7 The Lord looses those that are bound; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind; 8 the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous; 9 the Lord watches over the stranger in the land; he upholds the orphan and widow; but the way of the wicked he turns upside down.
10 The Lord shall reign for ever, your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Alleluia.
Gospel reading from Luke 3.7-18
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
All - Glory to you, O Lord.
7 John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’
10 And the crowds asked him, ‘What then should we do?’ 11 In reply he said to them, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’ 12 Even tax-collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ 13 He said to them, ‘Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.’
14 Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.’
15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’
18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. All - Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
Our Heavenly Father is here with us. Let us pray to Him.
Father, we want to be ready to receive you.
Give us hearts that long for you and worship you.
We ask you to bless your whole church, our little churches, all our clergy, and especially our Rector and all our Worship Leaders.
Come, O come: Emmanuel, God with us. Lord, in your mercy...
We open to your love the spiritual journeys of all who walk your way.
Please protect each one.
We bring to you the troubled areas of our world; for all suffering the effects of war, poverty and homelessness.
Give all leaders the wisdom to work towards peace for all places.
Please bless our Country, our King and Royal Family and our Government. Come, O come: Emmanuel, God with us. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for those who give us support, encourage us and listen to us. Bless their lives and give them joy.
We pray for our children and young people and all who work them, remembering especially our own local schools.
Come, O come Emmanuel: God with us. Lord, in your mercy...
We bring to you those whose lives are filled with pain or handicap, those who mourn for loved ones departed.
We bring to you...
We ask for the healing that only God can give.
Come, O come: Emmanuel, God with us. Lord, in your mercy...
We call to mind those who have died recently and those whose anniversaries we recall...
We give thanks for the way none of us is beyond God's healing love.
Merciful Father...
Reflection from Canon Ian Gibson
“John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptise you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’” (Luke 3:16)
The wounded on the First World War battlefields were not transported directly for hospital treatment. A wounded soldier’s first port of call was the Regimental Aid post for immediate attention. Further back from the line, his wounds were treated again at the Advanced Dressing Station. This prepared him for the CCS or Casualty Clearing Station, where surgeons worked long hours under difficult conditions. Only after that might the soldier be sent on for care in hospital.
An immediate and effective response to a wounded soldier’s injuries was vital in keeping him alive for deeper surgery and longer-term care. There was no time to spare for the niceties of complex consultations and meticulously devised treatment plans. Urgent action was needed if lives were to be saved.
In our passage, the River Jordan has become something of a spiritual Casualty Clearing Station, with John the Baptist overseeing the operation of baptism for the arriving crowds.
God’s people at this time did not live in peaceful contentment: Judaea was under the sway of Roman rule. The local puppet “King” Herod lorded it over a populace who longed to be delivered from oppression and restored to favour as God’s nation.
Hope for the arrival of the long-prophesied, liberating Messiah was wearing thin when John’s unconventional ministry suddenly sprang up from nowhere. No wonder so many sought him out in the desert. Perhaps this was the moment of a divine breakthrough; perhaps, at last, the breath of God’s renewing presence was near. So the people flocked to hear John.
But rather than comforting the crowd, John challenged them. If they wanted the Messiah to change their situation, they would need to change their own ways to be ready to meet him. Lives needed to line up with longings. God whose goodness pours forth in love and mercy is also the God whose holiness judges wrongdoing and impurity wherever he finds it – even in his own people. The Jews could not rest on spiritual credentials inherited from Abraham; they needed to make their own authentic response of faith and obedience to the living God.
John’s call was urgent: as the Messiah’s forerunner, he proclaimed the imminent coming of Christ himself. But he did not leave God’s people in a state of vague alarm – they could prepare for the Messiah’s coming by repenting and submitting to baptism. But baptism, John warned, was not to be just a ritual gesture. A cleansing plunge into water brings no more healing to the spirit than a surgical dressing to a physical wound. No, the fruits of this repentant turn were to become obvious in subsequent action.
John did not debate with the crowd the theological niceties of what constituted virtuous behaviour. Time was too short. Instead, he gave them practical examples of renewed living: the tax collector was not to extort money beyond his due; the soldier was not to make false accusations for personal gain. Honesty and generosity rather than exploitation and greed were to characterise behaviour.
These actions did not constitute the grand overthrowing of a system, nor even great acts of heroism. They were simply the putting right of what theologian Tom Wright has called, “the small-scale injustices which turn a society sour”.
By willingly setting their lives in holier order, God’s people were preparing to receive a deeper spiritual surgery: Christ’s baptism of the Holy Spirit and refining fire that were just around the corner.
John the Baptist’s message can be uplifting and unsettling in equal measure. We may long for Christ to come close, enfold us in his love and put the world to rights, but how do we respond when it is we who are being challenged to change?
God does not ask the impossible of us, and it may even seem that what is required are very ordinary acts: to gossip less and encourage more; to share more and hoard less; to keep a promise; to listen to someone in need; or simply to offer a lift. These are not vague, good intentions – they are specific, practical and immediate.
In doing the ordinary things we begin to develop holier habits that start to mould our character into a more Christ-like shape. This makes us more open and able to receive his Holy Spirit.
John’s message carries an urgency. We do not know when we will meet Christ, but we do know that the day is coming, and that he calls us to be ready.
Sunday 8th December 2024
2nd Sunday of Advent
Collect
Almighty God, purify our hearts and minds, that when your Son Jesus Christ comes again as judge and saviour we may be ready to receive him, who is our Lord and our God. Amen.
First reading from Malachi 3.1-4
3 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight - indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.
2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3 he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
This is the Word of the Lord All reply: Thanks be to God.
Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah Luke 1.68-79)
(in place of the Psalm of the day)
1 Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, who has come to his people and set them free. 2 He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour, born of the house of his servant David.
3Through his holy prophets God promised of old to save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us, 4T o show mercy to our ancestors, and to remember his holy covenant.
5 This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies, 6 free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
7 And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, 8 to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins.
9In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, 10 to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Gospel reading from Luke 3.1-6
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
3 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.
3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, ‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. All reply: Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
We know that God is here with us and hears our prayers.
We pray for the whole Church, throughout the world and for our little churches, for all our clergy, especially our Rector and all our Worship Leaders.
We ask for a real longing for God in our lives, a longing that is not satisfied by anything else.
Holy God: we want to know you better. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for the World, especially those places torn apart by wars and threats of wars.
We pray for the different countries and those who hold power and influence to use them with honesty and integrity.
Please bless our Country, our King and Royal Family, and our Government. Holy God: we want to know you better. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for those we love and those who love us.
We specially pray for those we find it hard to relate to.
We pray for more understanding and forgiveness.
Holy God: we want to know you better. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for those in pain, for those in hospital or hospices or retirement homes.
We bring to you those we know who are sick...
We pray for healing and wholeness and freedom.
Holy God: we want to know you better. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for those who have died recently and now see you, face to face.
We specially pray for those who miss them.
We thank you for forgiving us for all that is past.
Merciful Father...
8th December - Second Sunday in Advent - Reflection
Author - Rev’d Gerry Reilly
“John went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (Luke 3, 3)
Isn’t it incredible that we can read and hear something thousands of times, and yet not realise the enormity of what is being said, because of our inner deafness? Luke is talking about God’s fundamental strategy for the salvation of the human race, and the beginnings of a new creation in tune with its Creator. Luke mentions the awesome worldly power known to the early Christians, Gentiles and Jews: the vast, crushingly powerful Roman Empire, with its “Divine Emperors” and the omnipotence of its armies. For the Jewish Christians, he names the Jewish religious leaders, past and present, who determined the orthodoxy of belief for the People of God. And then he dismisses them, and says that God chose, in the ministry of John and Jesus, to reveal and bring his plans to fruition, not in powerful Rome or in elitist Athens, or even in the Temple, through the preaching of a wild prophet and the ministry of the son of a carpenter, in the least orthodox part of the land of Israel, Galilee of the Gentiles. And the people who listen and act upon the preaching are the ‘anawim’, the poor of the Land.
This continues throughout John and Jesus’ ministry: both are rejected by the civic and religious leaders, and die at their whim. After his resurrection Jesus does not seek to win over the rich and the powerful but the weak and wavering disciples, and these are the ones he sends out to proclaim his message to the world. It is clear from Acts and later writings that the wise and the wealthy remain unconvinced, on the whole, and that the early Church in the Jewish and Gentile world is mainly recruited from the bottom of society, as illustrated in the story of St Laurence the Deacon of Rome. As Paul puts it: “We proclaim Christ Crucified, a stumbling to Jews and a scandal to the Gentiles...Not many of you were wise by human standards, nor were many of you of noble birth. We have become the rubbish of the world, the dregs of all things, to this very day.” (I Corinthians 4.)
That is the wisdom of God, the Kingdom revealed in the Beatitudes and the Sermon of the Mount, in Christ’s giving of himself as our food in the Last Supper, and the meaning of the Cross. Tertullian said that the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians. So why, since the time of the Emperor Constantine, has the church forgotten this, and become obsessed with power, numbers, and success? Why have we forgotten that the seed must die to produce food. The church may say that it hasn’t, but one only need to look at its symbols, titles of honour, gigantic buildings, lots of money and influence, and its obsession with success, to see otherwise. That is why, in the so-called civilised world, the church has lost the poor and the rejects of society, and prospers among the comfortable. Could that be the reason that one rarely hears sermons on the Sermon on the Mount, except to de-fang it?
So let us take advantage of this Advent season to ask God to return his church to its original simplicity of heart.
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES – PRAYERS - you may wish to have your own Advent Candles at home, so you could use these prayers (a new one each week) to light each candle on each of the four Sundays before Christmas, with the fifth and final one being lit on Christmas Day.
2nd Sunday of Advent Light 2nd Candle and pray...
A candle burns, the second marker of our Advent journey.
As we continue, may we travel faithfully.
As we continue, God of journeys, speak to us.
Sunday 1st December 2024
1st Sunday of Advent
Collect
Almighty God, as your kingdom dawns, turn us from the darkness of sin to the light of holiness, that we may be ready to meet you in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The first reading from 1 Thessalonians 3.9-end
9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.
11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 13 And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
This is the Word of the Lord All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 25
1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies triumph over me. 2 Let none who look to you be put to shame, but let the treacherous be shamed and frustrated.
3 Make me to know your ways, O Lord, and teach me your paths. 4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you have I hoped all the day long. 5 Remember, Lord, your compassion and love, for they are from everlasting. 6 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions, but think on me in your goodness, O Lord, according to your steadfast love.
7 Gracious and upright is the Lord; therefore shall he teach sinners in the way. 8 He will guide the humble in doing right and teach his way to the lowly.
9 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
Gospel reading from Luke 21.25-36
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
25 ‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in a cloud” with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’
29 Then he told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
34 ‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you expectedly, 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
As we begin the new Christian year, let us pray to our God, who has made us and knows us and comes to us.
Father God, you are our Maker; you give us love. You give us yourself. Help us to give our lives, our love and our selves to you.
We ask your blessing on all preachers and ministers, our own clergy, especially our Rector and church family.
Keep us alert and aware of your presence, that we may meet you each day.
Come Lord God, make yourself known to us. Lord in your mercy...
God of hope, who brought love into this world, be the love that dwells between all people.
God of hope, who brought peace into this world, be the peace that dwells between all people.
God of hope, the rock we stand on, be the centre, the focus of our lives.
We thank you for this world - your gift to us.
We ask you to bless our Country, our King and his Government.
Come Lord God, make yourself known to us. Lord in your mercy...
We thank you for our homes and loved ones, especially those we rarely see; for the freedom and peace that is ours. May we be sensitive to the needs of others around us and be of help when we can.
We especially remember those who feel unwanted and unloved.
Come Lord God, make yourself known to us. Lord in your mercy...
As we give thanks for our own well-being we remember those who are struggling with doubt or despair.
We bring to you those who are sick, at home or in hospital...
May each one feel your loving, healing touch.
Come Lord God, make yourself known to us. Lord in your mercy...
God our Father, your grace has been given to us in the gift of eternal life.
We pray for those whose earthly lives have ended and those whose anniversaries we recall...
May light perpetual shine upon them, as they share in the glory of your kingdom.
Merciful Father...
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES – PRAYERS
Advent Sunday Light 1st Candle and pray...
A candle burns, the first marker of our Advent journey.
As we set out, may we travel hopefully.
As we set out, God of journeys travel with us. Amen.
Reflection from Rev’d D’ Fyfe
Last Sunday we celebrated Christ the King: God’s son in all his glory. It was the end of the Church Year. It is also called Stir Up Sunday. The Sunday when we look back at the year that has gone and perhaps remember where we went wrong - or didn’t go right.
Today is the first Sunday in Advent. We are at the beginning again. In four weeks time, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Lord. The light will shine in the darkness for us. But for the next four weeks we are waiting, waiting for his coming. Are we ready? What did we learn last week that we could use this year?
Luke writes about waiting for the second coming. Jesus tells the disciples that there will be terrible events. The sun, moon and stars will be knocked off course. The seas will roar. People will be frightened because the powers of heaven are shaken.
We are not talking about the odd tsunami or earthquake here, or dread storms that wreak havoc. They are indeed fearsome and frightening; but Jesus was talking about the fundamental things of the world: of the sun not rising, or the moon not following its course. The people of Jesus’ time could see that the stars moved in their courses, as did the moon and the sun. That was normal. Even earthquakes and floods were normal. Jesus is talking about the abnormal that will herald his coming.
He pointed out that normal disasters do not forecast the end of the world. That would come when there was a serious break in the physical state of the world. He told that at that time the church could rejoice because the end would be near. Both Luke’s gospel and the letter to the Thessalonians list things for people to do to prepare themselves for that time. Which brings me back to us.
What preparations do we make in Advent? Lists loom large. Cards and presents and turkey and too much stuff. So this evening let us just take the time to think. What is Christmas really about? What are we really waiting for?
Abraham journeyed because God told him to move on and God made him a promise. But he didn’t know where he was going. Moses took the Children of Israel out of Egypt. He tried to teach the people God’s ways. The prophets tried to make people get things right. John the Baptist prophesied too. He said prepare the way of the Lord. Get ready! Then, as he stood by the Jordan, he realised that Jesus was the one they were waiting for.
If we think back to when John was a baby…..Mary was on her way to Bethlehem with Joseph. They were going there for the Census. She was a young girl wondering just what it was all about.
As Mary travels perhaps we can travel with her: preparing ourselves for this new life. We know what happened. We can think our way through our lives to this point - and make ourselves ready for the light coming into the world.
Sunday 24th November 2024
Christ the King / Sunday next before Advent
(Stir up Sunday)
Collects
God the Father, help us to hear the call of Christ the King and to follow in his service, whose kingdom has no end; for he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, one glory. Amen.
or....
Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by you be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The first reading from Daniel 7.9-10, 13-14
9 As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took is throne; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire.
10 A stream of fire issued and flowed out from his presence. A thousand thousand served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him. The court sat in judgement, and the books were opened.
13As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. 14 To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 93
1 The Lord is king and has put on glorious apparel; the Lord has put on his glory and girded himself with strength. 2 He has made the whole world so sure that it cannot be moved. 3 Your throne has been established from of old; you are from everlasting.
4 The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their pounding waves. 5 Mightier than the thunder of many waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea, the Lord on high is mightier.
6 Your testimonies are very sure; holiness adorns your house, O Lord, for ever.
The Gospel reading from John 18.33-37
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
33 Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ 34Jesus answered, ‘Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?’
35Pilate replied, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?’ 36Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’
37Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
As children of the Kingdom, let us pray to our Father God, who loves us.
We pray for your Kingdom to come worldwide communities, remembering
especially worshipping in our little churches, all our clergy, especially our Rector.
Spirit of the living God: may your Kingdom come. Lord.in your mercy...
We pray for your Kingdom to come in all the nations of the world and in their leaders; for God's values to take root and grow; for each person to be respected as a beloved child of God.
Please bless our Country, or King and Royal Family, our Government and Armed Forces.
Spirit of the living God: may your Kingdom come. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for your Kingdom to come in our homes, families, our neighbourhoods, and our places of work: in all thinking and speaking and in all action.
Help us to treat each other with respect, affection and encouragement.
Spirit of the living God: may your Kingdom come. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for your Kingdom to come for those who are sick, at home, in hospitals and hospices, for every place of pain and sadness.
We bring to you...
Give each one hope and peace and healing.
Spirit of the living God: may your Kingdom come. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for your Kingdom to come to those in the final stages of earthly life and in the awakening in eternal life.
We remember... thank you for making and us and redeeming us, opening wide for us the gates of heaven.
Merciful Father...
Sunday 24th November 2024
Christ the King / Sunday next before Advent
(Stir up Sunday)
If we are born and bred British, we have grown up with the existence of Royalty as part of the national landscape. History lessons at school were dominated by the reigns of successive monarchs and we grew up respecting the Royals as in some respects being not of this world, but shedding a benevolent glow of stability over affairs, which was quite reassuring. Not so in the ancient world. We see in the Christmas story the alarm created when King Herod heard that the Wise Men were looking for ‘him that is born King of the Jews’ which led to him ordering the massacre of the innocents, all boys under two years of age. Kings were unelected, their authority stemming from heredity and imposed by force.
Pilate finds himself, much to his annoyance, faced with what to do about this troublesome preacher whom the Jews have brought to him just before the Passover, when tensions always run high. His first instinct is to dismiss the charge, as he has not done anything wrong, but when the Jews press their case by saying that Jesus claims to be a King he has to take it more seriously. There is no room for a King in the Roman set-up of government, and they already had one anyway in the person of King Herod (not the same as the child murderer Herod the Great but his son known as Herod Antipas).
It is at this point we see a critical moment in the Passion story. Pilate wanted to release him, and Jesus could have been released if he had said something like, ‘Well there’s been a misunderstanding, I am not a king in the normal sense of the word, and I'm no threat to you politically’. Instead he says, ‘My kingdom is not of this world’, still using the offensive word ‘kingdom’ and so Pilate has had enough of it and allows the demands of the Jews to be satisfied. Jesus says his task is to bear witness to the truth which is so easily lost in the competing pressures of life in this sinful world. The truth Jesus is talking of is in the realm of morals and human behaviour, the principles laid down in Commandments and his reinterpretation of them in the Beatitudes.
I write this with the results of the USA election and our own still prominent In the news. All the campaigning that has preceded them begs the question ‘Where is the Truth?’ Claims and counterclaims, promises and accusations became evermore intensified, causing confusion and ill-feeling when the situation calls for calmness and analysis. Policies and people in our society are rated as either left, right or centre with no one stopping to ask where the truth lies. When all is said and done, we have to go on living together, working positively for the good of all. Jesus stood outside the tensions of his day. He came and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth, telling us to love our neighbours and even love our enemies. In his hours of greatest need Jesus dealt graciously with the thief crucified with him, he cared for his mother by giving her into the care of John. He prayed, ‘Father ,forgive them, they don’ t know what they are doing’. We as his disciples are called upon to follow in his footsteps; to honour truth and justice before all else, showing discernment and wisdom in all we do and say.
Today’s service is the last in the Church’s calendar for this year, entitled; ‘Christ the King,’ and with it we move on to Advent. So let us pause and look back over the year that is past, thankful for God’s presence with us for another year and looking forward to the year to come. In October I was privileged to go on a cruise to the Aegean Sea which took me, amongst other places to Patmos, the island where John wrote the Book of Revelation. He is thought to have lived and worked in a cave high up on the island where he was given the ‘Revelation’ which brings the Bible to a close. He finishes his book with “He who gives this testimony says,’ Yes, I am coming soon! Amen, Come Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.” As I sat quietly in the cave for a few precious minutes I thought of the courage and faithfulness of those Christian Apostles who boldly carried the Christian message to that part of the world, enduring persecution and martyrdom for their faith and passed on the message in their writings. And then of course there were those who brought the faith to our shores in the centuries that followed. John finished his writing by looking forward to Jesus returning as King and we can echo his words by praying ’Even so, Come Lord Jesus’.
Matthew Bridges magnificent hymn gives us words to express our worship and thanksgiving as we come to the end of the Church’s year:
Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne,
Hark, how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own,
Awake my soul and sing, of him who died for thee,
And crown him as thy matchless King through all eternity.
Crown him the Lord of Years, the Potentate of time,
Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer hail! for thou hast died for me.
Thy praise shall never, never fail throughout eternity
‘Even so, Come Lord Jesus’.
Sunday 17th November 2024
2nd Sunday before Advent
The Collect of the Day
Heavenly Lord, you long for the world’s salvation: stir us from apathy, restrain us from excess and revive in us new hope that all creation will one day be healed in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Reading from Daniel 12.1-3
12‘At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. 2Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
This is the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 16
1 Preserve me, O God, for in you have I taken refuge; I have said to the Lord, ‘You are my lord, all my good depends on you.’ 2 All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, upon those who are noble in heart.
3 Though the idols are legion that many run after, their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, neither make mention of their names upon my lips. 4 The Lord himself is my portion and my cup; in your hands alone is my fortune.
5 My share has fallen in a fair land; indeed, I have a goodly heritage.
6 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel, and in the night watches he instructs my heart. 7 I have set the Lord always before me;
he is at my right hand; I shall not fall.
8 Wherefore my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices; my flesh also shall rest secure. 9 For you will not abandon my soul to Death, nor suffer your faithful one to see the Pit. 10 You will show me the path of life; in your presence is the fullness of joy and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
The Gospel Reading from Mark 13.1-8
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
1 As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!’ 2 Then Jesus asked him, ‘Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.’
3 When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4 ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?’
5 Then Jesus began to say to them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and they will lead many astray. 7 When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
As God's love has drawn us here, let us pray.
As we pray for the whole Church, for our little churches, all our clergy, especially our Rector, we ask that God's love may be brought into places of darkness and offer many the light of hope.
Lord, our God: show us the path of life. Lord, in your mercy...
As we pray for our world, with all its problems, we ask that there might be a fresh appreciation of one another's cultures and that we may encourage one another in goodness, peace and love.
Please bless our Country, our King and Royal Family, our Government and all who serve their local communities.
Lord, our God: show us the path of life. Lord, in your mercy...
As we pray for those we love and those who love us, we bring to you our families, friends and neighbours, that they may feel loved and cherished.
We thank you for the blessings we receive each day.
Lord, our God: show us the path of life. Lord, in your mercy...
As we pray for those in need today, the lonely and unloved, the homeless and hungry and those who are sick at home, in hospitals, retirement homes and hospices; and those close to despair.
We bring to you...
May they know your peace and healing.
Lord, our God: show us the path of life. Lord, in your mercy...
As we pray, we ask that God's love may surround those whose earthly lives have ended, remembering...
Bring them safely into your heaven.
Merciful Father...
Reflection from Canon Ian Gibson
“When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed.”
(Mark 13:7)
“It’s not fair!” Lottie was bright pink as she stamped her foot. She might only be five years old, but she knew what was fair and what was not, and she was the victim of a massive injustice. Her big brother Tom was going to a party, and she had not been invited. Dad said he would take her to the swings instead, but that was not the same. Tom would get to play games, there would be crisps and cake, and presents to bring home, and Lottie was missing out. She was very cross. She had been a good girl all week, even when Tom had been nasty to her, and she was the one who deserved to go to the party.
Children develop a sense of fairness at quite a young age. They protest when they think they are being treated unfairly, and they soon begin also to protest on behalf of others unjustly treated. It seems that the principle of fairness is a fundamental part of our human nature. We want everyone to get what they deserve. We want the world to be a rational and fair place. We continue as adults to protest when justice is not done.
That is what gives an edge to what Jesus tells his disciples in today’s Gospel reading. The Messiah has come. The disciples have left everything to follow him. It is the dawn of a new age, with God’s representative finally on earth. This time has been prophesied and dreamt of for many centuries, a time when God would rescue his people from all oppression and reign over them in Jerusalem.
So what Jesus says seems really unfair. They have waited so long and so patiently. They have committed themselves to the vision. They have taken the chance of believing that Jesus is indeed the promised one. They have good reason to expect that the fulfilment of all their hopes is imminent.
But there is still a long way to go, Jesus tells them. There will be no reign in Jerusalem, not yet anyway. The precious Temple will become a heap of rubble, not a Messiah’s throne. The nations will not flock to Jerusalem to worship the God of Israel; instead there will be “wars and rumours of wars”. There is to be no peaceful messianic kingdom, where wolves will lie down with lambs; rather the natural world will turn against them with earthquakes and famines.
“Do not be alarmed,” Jesus tells the disciples. But how could they not be? What could be more alarming than “rumours of wars”? The prospect of enemy armies turning up, who knows when. The possibility of conflict breaking out at any time. Whispers in the streets. Not knowing which way to look to protect against the next threat. Jesus’ words are enough to strike terror into the disciples’ hearts. Just when they thought better days must come, when they believed Jesus would sit on the throne of his ancestor David and rule with justice on God’s behalf, they are faced instead with “wars and rumours of wars”. They have endured enough of that. It is really not fair.
And so it has been, down the centuries since the days of Jesus. We are approaching the season of Advent, when we think about Jesus’ final coming. Jesus talks of “the beginnings of the birth pangs”, and we cannot help thinking that it has been a very long beginning. Jesus’ coming was meant to herald a new age, when God’s justice and peace would spread over all the earth. So where is it?
We have our own “wars and rumours of wars”, brought into even sharper relief when we see the dead bodies on our television screens and understand that there is no escape from conflict and terror anywhere in the world. We have our own earthquakes and famines, and the threat of the effects of climate change. The world can feel a dangerous place. God’s world should be better than this, we might well think, echoing the words of Job. It isn’t fair.
This is a dark time of the year, when we are allowed to think dark thoughts. Soon we will be faced with heaven, hell, death and judgement, the Advent themes. But there is light at the end of the tunnel, the light the world has not overcome. However long it takes, we have faith that, in the end, love and justice will triumph, the Lord will reign and the world will be fair.
The Gathering
Service of Remembrance: for those who have died as a result of conflict.
God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46.1)
Across the nation, the people & clergy gather in silence.
Remembrance Day and the Two Minute Silence have been observed since the end of the First World War, but their relevance remains undiminished.
When we bow our heads in reflection and prayer, we remember those who fought for our freedom during the two World Wars. But we also mourn and honour those who have lost their lives in more recent conflicts.
Today, our Armed Forces operate 35 Operations in 30 countries around the globe with approximately 11,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen deployed at any time. With many more on standby ready to meet any threat or disaster from any direction. Remembrance, and today’s two minute tribute of silence, are as important as ever.
Let us pray:
Ever-living God we remember those whom you have gathered from the storm of war into the peace of your presence; may that same peace calm our fears, bring justice to all peoples and establish harmony among the nations, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Reading from Scripture & A Reading from war memoirs (See below)
Let us pray:
Let us pray for all suffer as a result of conflict, and ask that God give us peace.
For the service men and women who have died in the violence of war, each one remembered and known to God. God give us peace:
ALL God give us peace
For those who love them in death as in life, offering the distress of our grief and the sadness of our loss. God give us peace:
ALL God give us peace
For those whose injuries, physical and mental, have altered their lives, and for those who love and support them. God give us peace:
ALL God give us peace
For all members of the armed forces who are in danger this day, remembering family, friends and all who pray for their safe return. God give us peace:
ALL God give us peace
For civilian women, children and men whose lives are disfigured by war or terror, calling to mind in penitence the anger and hatreds of humanity. God give us peace:
ALL God give us peace
For all who bear the burden and privilege of leadership, political, military and religious; asking for gifts of wisdom and resolve in the search for reconciliation and peace. God give us peace:
ALL God give us peace
O God of truth and justice, we hold before you those whose memory we cherish, and those whose names we will never know. Help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this broken world, and grant us dignity as we pray for those who wish us harm. As we honour the past, may we put our faith in your future; for you are the source of life and hope, now and for ever. Amen.
The Lord's Prayer: Gathering our prayers and remembrance into one, let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us ...
At the Memorials; a remembrance of the past and a hope for the future
As we pray for all who in bereavement, disability and pain continue to suffer the consequences of fighting and terror. We remember with thanksgiving and sorrow, those whose lives, in world wars and conflicts past and present, have been given and taken away.
The Kohima Epitaph: When you go home tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today.
A short silence is kept
ACT OF REMEMBRANCE
They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old: age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning
And all repeat
We will remember them.
we will remember them.
(The Last Post)
The Silence.
(The Reveille).
The Names of the Fallen may be read out, wreaths are laid.
PRAYERS
For the Departed.
Almighty and eternal God, from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted, either by death or life: Hear our prayers and thanksgivings for all whom we remember this day; fulfil in them the purpose of your love; and bring us all, with them, to your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Peace of the World
Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all, the true love of peace and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen
For all the Armed Forces of the Crown
Almighty God, stretch forth your mighty arm to strengthen and protect the armed forces: grant that meeting danger with courage and all occasions with discipline and loyalty, they/ we may truly serve the cause of justice and peace; to the honour of your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ACT OF COMMITMENT
Let us pledge ourselves anew to the service of God and our fellow men and women: that we may help, encourage, and comfort others, and support those working for the relief of the needy and for the peace and welfare of the nations.
Will you strive for all that makes for peace?
ALL We will
Will you seek to heal the wounds of war?
ALL We will
Will you work for a just future for all humanity?
ALL We will.
Merciful God, we offer to you the fears in us that have not yet been cast out by love: may we accept the hope you have placed in the hearts of all people, and live lives of justice, courage and mercy; through Jesus Christ our risen Redeemer. Amen.
Let us commit ourselves to work in peace and faith for reconciliation between the nations, that all people may, together, live in freedom, justice and peace.
All say together .....
Lord God our Father,
we pledge ourselves to serve you and all humanity, in the cause of peace, for the relief of want, an end to suffering, and for the praise of your name. Guide us by your Spirit; give us wisdom; give us courage; give us hope; and keep us faithful now and always. Amen.
The Blessing
May God grant to the living, grace; to the departed, rest; to the Church, the King, the Commonwealth, and all humanity, peace and concord; and to us and all his servants, life everlasting. And the blessing...
Hymn: The National Anthem
Readings
John 15:9-17
9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
12 ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.
17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. This is the word of the Lord - thanks be to God.
The Voice of Sergeant-Major Richard Tobin,
Hood Battalion, Royal Naval Division
In the summer of 1918 the breakthrough came. We had left the trenches behind, those mud sodden trenches that we had hated for so many years. We were out in the open country. We almost felt victory in the air. Admittedly the Germans were standing and fighting here and there, but then going back and we were following them. The breakthrough had come. It was open warfare. We were in green fields once again. However, open warfare brought its difficulties. This was the test of the trained soldier and junior officer leadership. The battalion commander had to watch his flanks wondering when to stop, when to dig in, went to go on. We also had our ration problems. But it looked like the end and the peace we had longed for.
The armistice came, the day we had dreamed of. The guns stopped, the fighting stopped. Four years of noise and bangs ended in silence. The killings had stopped.
We were stunned. I had been out since 1914. I should have been happy. I was sad. I thought of the slaughter, the hardships, the waste and the friends I lost.
The Voice of Mabel Lethbridge,
Munitions Worker, 1916
When my father and brothers, uncles, relatives and friends came home on leave and were staying at or visiting our house, I noticed a strange lack of ability to communicate with us. They couldn’t tell us what it was really like. They would perhaps make a joke, but you’d feel it sounded hollow, as there was nothing to laugh about. They were restless at home, they didn’t want to stay, they wanted to get back to the front. They always expressed a desire to finish it.
Sunday 3rd November 2024
All Saints’ Sunday
Collect
Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: grant us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that we may come to those inexpressible joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
or
God of holiness, your glory is proclaimed in every age: as we rejoice in the faith of your saints, inspire us to follow their example with boldness and joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Reading from Revelation 21.1-6a
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; 4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’
5 And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ 6Then he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.
This is the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 24.1-6
1 The earth is the Lord’s and all that fills it, the compass of the world and all who dwell therein. 2 For he has founded it upon the seas and set it firm upon the rivers of the deep. 3 ‘Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord, or who can rise up in his holy place?’
4 ‘Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, who have not lifted up their soul to an idol, nor sworn an oath to a lie; 5 ‘They shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a just reward from the God of their salvation.’
6 Such is the company of those who seek him, of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob.
Gospel Reading from John 11.32-44
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
32When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ 33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved.
34He said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ 35Jesus began to weep. 36So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’ 37But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?’
38 Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, ‘Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead for four days.’ 40Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’
41So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upwards and said, ‘Father, I thank you for having heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.’ 43When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’
44The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
Let us still our bodies and open our hearts and minds to pray.
We pray for all the saints on earth, all those walking as friends of Jesus, through the light and dark shadows of life.
We pray for our little churches, all our clergy, especially our Rector, that we may persevere with joy, supporting each other along the way.
Not our will, Lord: but yours be done. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for all the kingdoms and nations of the earth, for their leaders and their peoples; their policies and their needs.
We pray for our own Country, our King and Royal Family and our Government, that under God's overarching love, they may learn his ways and his will.
Not our will, Lord: but yours be done. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for those we love and care for, and those who love and pray for us; for the wisdom to learn from all the experience in this life, so that we are not be damaged but rather grow from the difficult times.
Not our will Lord: but yours be done. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for those who are suffering and those too weak to pray; for those who find it hard to believe that they are loved and cherished by the living God.
We bring to you...
May each one feel your loving, saving presence.
Not our will, Lord; but yours be done. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for those who have died recently and those we remember with love.
We give thanks for the shining lives of the saints and ask that, with them, we may come to share in the endless joy of your heaven.
Merciful Father...
Sunday 3rd November 2024
All Saints’ Sunday
Reflection from Rev’d D’ Fyfe
Just what are saints? What is the instant mental picture when you hear the word? Do you think of someone with a halo? Or perhaps a saint like Francis, with a beard, a brown robe and lots of animals looking up at him; with butterflies and birds whirling round about.
(Sadly, my first thought as I wrote that last line was the limerick of the old man with a beard, who said it was just as he feared, Two owls and a hen, three larks and a wren, have all made a nest in my beard.
Sorry. Not a great deal of help that!)
Paul referred to the people he wrote to as saints He would write something like Greetings in the name of the Lord to the saints of whatever place he was addressing. To the Romans he wrote, To all God’s beloved in Rome who are called to be saints. In other words, for Paul, all those called to be Christians are saints.
It is only later that we get an official list of people who have done such incredible things that they are called saints. (Perhaps doers of miracles and people in whose names, miracles have been done, although they themselves are dead.) I don’t think we have official living saints. But there are countless unofficial ones. People who do great things in a small way – or you could say do small things in a great and saintly way. When we sing hymns like “for all the saints” we are remembering the countless people who have been called to Christ and lived that life.
But the reading today is not about saints. It is about Lazarus and what his death means to us. Jesus has arrived at Bethany. Martha has already met him as he came towards the village. She is upset, perhaps cross. “If you had come earlier he wouldn’t have died.” Jesus re-assures her that her brother will rise again. She tells him that she knows he will rise on the last day.
And then Jesus says the words that we know...
I am the resurrection and the life.
Those who believe in me, even though they die will live
and everyone who believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?
She answers yes, she knows he is the Messiah, but she doesn’t realise what is going to happen.
Martha calls Mary, who rushes up to meet Jesus at the entrance to the village. And Mary is followed by “the Jews” who had come, as was the custom, to weep with her at the tomb. Jesus is visibly upset. Jesus wept, it says in the King James bible. They take him to the tomb. Lazarus has been in the grave four days and Martha, ever practical, points out that the body stinks.
Jesus prays out loud to God, his Father. This is not a prayer of request, but a prayer of thanksgiving that these people will see something of God’s glory in what is done. Then in a loud voice he commands Lazarus to come out. The dead man comes out: his hands and his feet wrapped with strips of linen and a cloth covers his face. Take off the grave clothes and let him go. And that is it. “The Jews” see what has happened. “Many believed in him”, but some take the news back to the powerful in Jerusalem.
What does it say to us? We are being offered a glimpse of God’s power to heal, to resurrect, to mend on this earth. It is a foretaste of what is to come. Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem. Very soon he himself will be laid in a rock tomb with a stone at the entrance. And on the third day the stone will be found rolled away, and the grave clothes will be left in the tomb.
Lazarus was brought back to life in this world. Someone had to roll back his stone. He came out clothed with this world’s cares. He will still have to die. But Jesus rose again and heaven’s door was opened to us.
In Christian writings there is a phrase which is universal. Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. I lived in the Soviet Union at a time when Christianity was still frowned on. Most months, Alastair and I spent a week away from Moscow “travelling”. It was part of his job. We went all over the place. On one occasion I saw a huge hoarding with this message on it in Russian. It was a good communist slogan. Lenin buil, Lenin buit, Lenin budet. Which is Lenin was, Lenin is, Lenin will be. It struck a chord with me. I liked to think that in those dark days it was a quiet reminder to all the secret saints that Christ was still with them. Xristos buil, Xristos buit; Xristos budet.
Christ who lived for us, died for us and rose again, offers us hope in the face of death. Humankind can live and understand the promise of new life. We are offered new life in God’s kingdom. And to quote Revelations: They will be his people and God himself will be with them and be their God.
There, the saints, with angels and archangels and all the glorious company of heaven, may feast at his table; the great messianic feast. And the best bit, if Paul is to be believed: Saints are ordinary people, who try to get it right, you and me.
Sunday 27th October 2024
Last Sunday after Trinity
Collect
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
help us so to hear them, to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them
that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word, we may embrace and for ever hold fast the hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The first reading from Jeremiah 31.7-9
7 For thus says the Lord: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel.’
8 See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame,
those with child and those in labour, together; a great company, they shall return here.
9 With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
This is the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 126
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
then were we like those who dream.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter
and our tongue with songs of joy.
3 Then said they among the nations,
‘The Lord has done great things for them.’
4 The Lord has indeed done great things for us,
and therefore we rejoiced.
5 Restore again our fortunes, O Lord,
as the river beds of the desert.
6 Those who sow in tears
shall reap with songs of joy.
7 Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed,
will come back with shouts of joy,
bearing their sheaves with them.
The Gospel reading from Mark 10.46-end
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
46 They came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’
48 Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ 49 Jesus stood still and said, ‘Call him here.’ And they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take heart; get up, he is calling you.’ 50 So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.
51 Then Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said to him, ‘My teacher, let me see again.’ 52 Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
As children of our Heavenly Father, we bring to Him our needs and cares, knowing that He cares for each one of us.
Father, please bless the whole Church, and all our little places, all our clergy, especially our Rector.
We pray for all pastoral care in the Church, for the ministries of listening and counselling. We pray for your grace to accompany those on their journey of life.
Give us the grace: to hear your word with joy. Lord, in your mercy...
Father, we pray for the healing of the nations, for a recognition of our needs of your peace and a turning away from all that is evil.
We pray for those in authority and power that they may be guided along the right paths.
Please bless our Country, our King and Royal Family and Government.
Give us the grace: to hear your word with joy. Lord, in your mercy...
Father, we pray for the increase in love for one another, that we may be better at recognising needs and responding to them.
We bring to you our families, friends and neighbours, wherever they may be.
Give us the grace: to hear your word with joy. Lord, in your mercy...
Father, we pray for those who are sick, at home or in hospital....
May each one feel your loving, healing touch. Remembering bind artimaeus, we pray for the opening of our eyes to see your way, and faith to trust in you as you guide us through our lives.
Merciful Father...
Sunday 27th October 2024 - Last Sunday after Trinity
Reflection by Rev’d Brian Adams
Bartimaeus
Most of us will have known the story of blind Bartimaeus since childhood and may wonder what more we can learn from it. So let us just read the story through again imagining the scene, step by step.
Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus. We aren’t usually given the names of people Jesus encountered on his journeys but here it is underlined. “Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus”. Was Timaeus a person of standing in the community, an early Christian perhaps? We are in Jericho, very much a place to pass through rather than stay. Not a place Jesus frequented, and now he was nearly gone, he was on his way to Jerusalem. But what’s happening? There’s an interruption, on the other side of the road, someone’s shouting and making a disturbance. ‘How embarrassing‘ we think. People are trying to shut him up, but it only gets worse. But wait, Jesus has stopped. He’s calling for him to come. He’s been shouting ‘Son of David’, the name of the Messiah… He is showing amazing insight if he perceives Messianic character in Jesus. He’s asking for his sight to be restored! Isn’t that a bit much? Get your sight back just like that?…. Well, he’ s gone back for his cloak… and is actually joining Jesus’ entourage... Amazing. His place by the roadside is empty and he has passed from our sight.
Bartimaeus wanted his sight back, we are told. The word in the original can mean ‘lookup’ or ‘look again ‘, so it is possible that he had been born with normal sight, so he knew what he was missing. The thought of being blind fills me with terror. I remember being told by a trainee physiotherapist that they had to spend time experiencing what it is like being disabled so they spent days in wheelchairs and with legs in plaster and so on. I don’t know whether they spent days with their eyes covered and so being unable to see but the thought of it is, as I have said, terrifying. How dependent one would be on other people to do absolutely everything. It is interesting in the Bartimaeus story that the bystanders, after telling him to shut up, told him to get up as Jesus was calling him! They had their part to play in the story after all.
So where is Jesus in our lives? Are we at all like Bartimaeus, have become ‘blind’ spiritually? We have found life difficult and have become worn down by events as they have come along; perhaps the loss of a loved one, finding day-to-day living difficult with the pains and problems advancing age brings and so on. There is much to pull us down in the world we live in. The news each day seems to get worse on a daily basis with thousands killed in wars, millions of refugees not knowing where to go and so seeking asylum in other countries. There is an air of restlessness in the world today and we can feel fearful of the future. We feel we are in a sense ‘blind’ and don’t ‘see’ the way ahead.
In our story Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem, knowing that each step he takes brings him nearer to the ordeal of his rejection by Jews and Romans and his humiliating death on the cross. We read that Bartimaeus found his sight restored and then followed Jesus on the way. We may wonder what happened to him in the days that lay ahead when Jesus got to Jerusalem. As I have suggested earlier, it is possible that he came through those events as remaining faithful to Jesus and being part of the disciples who were members of the early Church.
Blindness occurs in both Old and New Testaments as an illustration of a lack of understanding and insight. Isaiah speaks of the One who is to come, ’He will open blind eyes. And bring them that sit in darkness out of the prison house’. In John’s Gospel chapter 9 we have the account of Jesus healing a man who was born blind and the miracle led to a row with the Jewish leaders, the Pharisees. They couldn’t believe that the man was blind in the first place, accused him of lying and cast him out of the synagogue. When Jesus found him he said rather cryptically, ‘I am come to give sight to the sightless and to make blind those who see’. The Pharisees asked, ‘ Do you mean that we are blind? ‘If you were blind’, says Jesus, ’you would not be guilty, but because you claim to see, your guilt remains’.
In the book of the Revelation at the end of the Bible the writer rebukes the Church members in Laodicea for being ‘lukewarm’. ‘You say ‘How rich I am. I have everything I want’. In fact, though you don’t realise it, you are a pitiful wretch, poor, blind and naked’
In the confused world of today, where it is claimed by some pollsters that Atheists are now in a majority in this country, we need to make sure we maintain our spiritual eyesight. It is not surprising that society is losing its focus and fake news, climate change deniers, astrologers, and a wide variety of irrational ideas and superstitions proliferate. The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews put it so powerfully, ‘Let us run with patience the race that lies ahead, our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay ahead, endured the cross, ignoring its shame and has taken his seat at the right hand of God.’ Let us make sure our eyes are fixed on Jesus and keep faithful to him as we continue on our journey through life.
Words of a hymn for us to meditate on: (Tate & Brady, 1696 based on Psalm 34)
Through all the changing scenes of life, in trouble and in joy,
the praises of my God shall still, my heart and tongue employ.
O make but trial of his love; experience will decide
how blessed are they, and only they, who in his truth confide.
Sunday 20th October 2024
21st Sunday after Trinity
Collect
Grant, we beseech you, merciful Lord, to your faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First Reading from Hebrews 5.1-10
1 Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; 3 and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. 4 And one does not presume to take this honour, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
5 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’; 6 as he says also in another place, ‘You are a priest for ever,
according to the order of Melchizedek.’
7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; 9 and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10 having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 91.9-end
9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge and the Most High your stronghold, 10 there shall no evil happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your tent. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. 12 They shall bear you in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
14 Because they have set their love upon me, therefore will I deliver them; I will lift them up, because they know my name. 15 They will call upon me and I will answer them; I am with them in trouble, I will deliver them and bring them to honour.
16 With long life will I satisfy them and show them my salvation.
Gospel Reading from Mark 10.35-45
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’ 36 And he said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’ 37 And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’ 38 But Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptised with the baptism that I am baptised with?’ 39 They replied, ‘We are able.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptised, you will be baptised; 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.’
41 When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. 42 So Jesus called them and said to them, ‘You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognise as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 43 But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
In humility and love, let us pray together to the God who loves us all.
We pray for the whole Church, that all Christians may fulfil their vocation, to be a servant, caring for the needs of others, obedient to their Lord and supportive of one another.
We ask you to bless our little churches, all our clergy, especially our Rector and all who worship in our little churches.
Into your hands, O Lord: we commit our prayers. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for our world, that those who govern and advise may seek out God's will and the good of all in each crisis.
Please bless our country, our King and Royal Family, our Government and all who serve the communities in which they live.
Into your hands, O Lord: we commit our prayers. Lord in your mercy...
We pray that we may develop the habit of rejoicing in the opportunities to serve our families, friends and neighbours. We pray for our children and young people as they deal with the confusions of today's society.
Into your hands, O Lord: we commit our prayers. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for those who suffer in body, mind or spirit, remembering...
May each one sense that God is beside them and resting in his healing love.
Into your hands, O Lord: we commit our prayers. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for those who have died recently and those we still miss...
That they may be welcomed into the light of heaven and that all who have lost their way, may find their true place in your heaven.
Merciful Father...
20th October - 21st Sunday after Trinity
Reflection from Canon Ian Gibson
“For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
On reading the final verse of today’s Gospel, which song of praise comes to mind? Two obvious candidates are very different. In 1983, Graham Kendrick published what has become one of the most popular worship songs of the past thirty years: “The Servant King”. It’s written around those memorable words “not to be served but to serve”, woven into the context of a God who came down from heaven as a helpless baby, to share our human life, with its joys and its suffering; to be our king and yet our servant.
A more traditional hymn about a heavenly king reminds us of the effects of Christ’s saving sacrifice, echoing the image Jesus himself used, of ransom. In the 1834 hymn “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven”, Henry Francis Lyte urges us to praise God because we are “ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven”.
When James and John ask to sit either side of the heavenly throne, it isn’t simply because they want to be close to Jesus! The image is of senior officials, advising the king. The brothers want power, status, superiority. By the time Matthew’s version was compiled, it was their mother who asked, as if to shift the blame. But Mark’s Gospel, generally accepted as the earliest and possibly based on Peter’s eyewitness accounts, pulls no punches. Peter would have known James and John from their time as fishermen together. So Peter was fully aware of his friends’ shortcomings… and his own! Here in Mark’s Gospel, James and John bear full responsibility for their request.
But rather than being angry with them, as their fellow disciples were, Jesus characteristically uses the mistakes of his followers as an opportunity to teach them, and us, about his mission and purpose. In so doing, he teaches something about discipleship itself: that following Jesus doesn’t bestow some kind of superior status. Quite the opposite. It gives us a responsibility to care for others, to serve. Jesus has come to serve and to save, to heal and restore broken people, to show us a better way, the better way, of living with our neighbours: not seeking our own greatness but serving God in our fellow human beings.
By following the advice and example of Jesus in his earthly ministry, we can serve God in the here and now, and enjoy a closer relationship with our Creator and Saviour. But it would take the ultimate sacrifice, his death (which he had just, yet again, predicted) to deal with the problem of sin. We were all made in God’s image, the image of a God who loves and cares for us like a Father (as Lyte’s hymn reminds us) and yet somehow we have gone astray. The cross would ensure our collective forgiveness for the mistakes of fallen humanity.
It is precisely because those “hands that flung stars into space” were indeed “to cruel nails surrendered” (as Kendrick wrote) that our salvation (our healing, our restoration, our forgiveness, in Lyte’s words) can be achieved. The miracle of the cross only works if Jesus is both God and human. Sin is real, a gulf between God and humans. Justice is offended if it goes unpunished. In Jesus, God came into the world to live and die as a human being, to take our sins upon himself, bearing the punishment on our behalf. In Jesus, the breach is healed, humanity is restored, sins are forgiven. The ransom is paid, and we are saved.
James and John made a mistake. Don’t we all? Isn’t it reassuring to read stories about the disciples getting things wrong? They seem so human, so normal. And yet Jesus chose them, and chooses us, with all our faults and failings, “calls us now to follow him” – because he also sees our strengths, our gifts, our potential to serve him in whatever way is right for us. For some it might mean training for a recognised ministry, one with a label, as reader, elder or priest. But, as today’s Gospel reminds us, that doesn’t convey rank or privilege. That, too, is about service. Indeed, the very word “ministry” means service.
Jesus gave his life for us. We can give our lives, dedicate our lives to serving God, ministering to one another. Perhaps we can use gifts of encouragement or prayer, of organising or fund-raising, listening or visiting, flower-arranging or making really good coffee. And we can thank God that some have the gift of music, to help us worship the king of heaven, the servant king.
Sunday 13th October 2024 - 20th Sunday after Trinity
Collect
God, the giver of life, whose Holy Spirit wells up within your Church: by the Spirit's gifts equip us to live the gospel of Christ and make us eager to do your will, that we may share with the whole creation the joys of eternal life; trough Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Hebrews 4.12-end
12 Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.
14 Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 90.12-end
12 So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. 13 Turn again, O Lord; how long will you delay? Have compassion on your servants. 14 Satisfy us with your loving-kindness in the morning, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. 15 Give us gladness for the days you have afflicted us, and for the years in which we have seen adversity.
16 Show your servants your works, and let your glory be over their children. 17 May the gracious favour of the Lord our God be upon us; prosper our handiwork; O prosper the work of our hands.
Gospel Reading from Mark 10.17-31
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ 18 Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19 You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honour your father and mother.” ’ 20 He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ 21 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ 22 When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
23 Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ 24 And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ 26 They were greatly astounded and said to one another, ‘Then who can be saved?’ 27 Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’
28 Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’ 29 Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age - houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions - and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
Let us bring our prayers - all our thanks and needs - to our Father God.
We pray for all who are seeking God and working to bring his will alive in the Church.
We pray for all who are looking for Him, and for nurturing process in this parish. We pray for all our clergy, especially our Rector and all our little church families.
Your will be done: on earth as in heaven. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for those fighting against evil for goodness, truth and justice, both those who make the world news and those whose battles are known only to God.
We pray for our Country, our King and Royal Family, our Government and our Armed Forces.
Your will be done: on earth as in heaven. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for our families and friends; for those we love and those who love us.
We pray that our homes and communities may respond to God's love and may sparkle with God's glory.
Your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for the disillusioned and depressed; all who feel unloved and unwanted; for the transforming of these lives.
We bring to you those who are sick, at home, in hospital or nursing homes..
We ask that each one may feel your transforming love.
Your will be done: on earth as in heaven. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for those whose earthly lives have ended and for those who mourn
their going. We remember...
May the dead rest in the joy and peace of your heaven. Merciful Father...
13th October - 20th Sunday after Trinity - Reflection
Author - Rev’d Gerry Reilly
Jesus looked at him, loved him and said: “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this he was shocked, and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. (Mark 10, 21-22)
This is one of the most revolutionary and disturbing passages in the whole Gospel. It separates the talkers from the doers! All of us who say we wish to follow Jesus must be prepared to give up whatever can separate us , or hinder our journey with Jesus, for he wants us to travel light. This is an acknowledgement that all that we are and have is a gift from God, to be used only to further the Kingdom, not our own advancement. Our Dear Lord Jesus sacrificed everything, and died naked on the Cross, to show his love for his Father and us. We are his members, his Body on earth.
Jesus’ words were not a threat to the young man, but an invitation to friendship and discipleship. The Gospel tell us that Jesus looked at him and loved him; he saw into the young man’s heart, saw his dangerous attachment to his life, status, things, world, and wanted to save him from that, to make him truly happy. And the young man proved Jesus right: he became sad because he had many possessions, and could not give God an undivided heart. At least not then; maybe in time he might feel able to fall fully in love with Christ, and embrace a different mode of life.
Because that is what it is all about: being loved, even at the cost of the life of God’s Son, and being prepared to love back with the same selfless generosity. Those who have been truly loved by parents or partner will have an inkling of this! The Kingdom of God, the following of Jesus, is not about rewards, or following rules, or doing the right thing. It is about allowing oneself to be loved, abandoning oneself to love, the most powerful force in the universe, and allowing God to use us to restore the universe to God’s original image.
The disciples, and the bystanders, and those who maintained and enforced the Law, were perplexed: their reward system had been destroyed in one foul swoop! Their future, and the future of their people, is not in their hands, achievable by power, money, friends in the right places, or even their piety. These are all impediments to giving up, surrendering to God, and allowing God to use them! It is only when they are like little children, or like the poor,, helpless, with nothing, that they will be able to allow God to shape them and use them. Jesus used very vivid language to drive this home: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” And Jesus refused to water it down; he said: “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible”. Some wonderful and imaginative gymnastics have been used by theologians and preachers ever since to make this statement of Jesus more palatable, but they don’t work! Jesus is not referring to a small entrance in the wall of Jerusalem; he is stating very clearly the danger of riches and attachments. They become our idols and priorities. The Church has had serious problems with this since the time of Constantine.
Helping us to live with and make sense of this is the teaching of God’s bias towards the poor. The world in which we live and work out our salvation, does have riches, gross inequalities, exploitation. Jesus is making clear that the preference for that kind of society cannot be ours: as members of his Body we have to share in his preference for the poor and the outcasts, the unloved of our world. We must express in our lives the priorities of God; and that will make us unpopular. This explains the addition in verse 30, of the phrase “with persecutions”, before the prize of eternal life. The Prophet Amos clearly express this in the first reading, Amos 5, 10-15: Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate.
Today we are called to make our choices; Following Jesus, or doing well in the world. Do we want to go away grieving, because we have so many possessions?
Sunday 6th October 2024 - 19th Sunday after Trinity
Collect
Faithful Lord, whose steadfast love never ceases and whose mercies never come to an end: grant us the grace to trust you and to receive the gifts of your love, new
every morning, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Reading from Hebrews 1.1-4 & 2.5-12
1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3 He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
5 Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. 6 But someone has testified somewhere, ‘What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them? 7 You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned them with glory and honour, 8 subjecting all things under their feet.’
Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, 9 but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
10 It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12 saying, ‘I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.’
This is the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 8
1 O Lord our governor, how glorious is your name in all the world! 2 Your majesty above the heavens is praised out of the mouths of babes at the breast. 3 You have founded a stronghold against your foes, that you might still the enemy and the avenger.
4 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have ordained, 5 What is man, that you should be mindful of him; the son of man, that you should seek him out?
6 You have made him little lower than the angels and crown him with glory and honour. 7 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands and put all things under his feet, 8 all sheep and oxen, even the wild beasts of the field, 9 The birds of the air, the fish of the sea and whatsoever moves in the paths of the sea.
10 O Lord our governor, how glorious is your name in all the world!
The Gospel Reading from Mark 10.2-16
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
2 Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?’ 3 He answered them, ‘What did Moses command you?’ 4 They said, ‘Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.’ 5 But Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. 6 But from the beginning of creation, “God made them male and female.” 7 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.” So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9T herefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.’
10 Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 11 He said to them, ‘Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.’
13 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ 16 And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
Let us come to our Father God with our prayers.
We pray that the Church may be alive to God's call, quick to obey his will and always ready to act in his loving service, for the good of all.
We ask you to bless all our clergy, especially our Rector and all our church families.
Lord of heaven: let your will be done. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for all the people of the world, especially their leaders, that they may take wise advice and act responsibly.
Please bless our Country, Our King and Royal Family, our Government and all who serve at local levels.
We pray for God's help in the care of this planet, its resources, riches and peoples.
Lord of heaven: let your will be done. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for our families, friends and neighbours, wherever they may be.
We pray for all in close relationships that there may be mutual love and respect.
Help us to be good neighbours to all we meet.
Lord of heaven: let your will be done. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for all who are suffering through illness, accident or deliberate cruelty; all refugees and those who feel unloved, that they may experience, through human caring, the caring hands of our God.
Lord of heaven: let your will be done. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for those who have died recently, and those we remember with love.
Thank you for all they brought to our lives, and we hope that, one day, we may meet together in your heaven
Merciful Father...
Reflection from Rev’d D’ Fyfe
“People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them.”
I am not sure whether the disciples were fed up with children milling around their feet, or whether they thought that Jesus had enough to do, without them underfoot. Whichever was the case, they got it wrong.
Jesus was happy to bless the children, whoever they were and however scruffy or grubby they were. Suffer the little children to come unto me and do not rebuke them. It was made quite clear that children were acceptable.
We find it quite acceptable to bless children and in general we regard them as a blessing. Most people approve of them, albeit sometimes at a distance. Parents continue to regard their children as children. However, we all get older and so do they. When do they stop being little? It is a good question and it depends on the children and to an extent on the parents.
At Christmas children seem to take poll position and you may have noticed that Christmas is getting nearer. I was reminded of this when I received an e mail today mentioning that an eight-year-old had said that Christmas was exactly three months away and the Christmas list was already written! One can only applaud his or her forethought, while being slightly alarmed at the expectations. Or perhaps I am being unfair. I don’t know what was on the wish list!
When is a child not a child? Or rather when do we stop being children? In today’s reading from Hebrews, the writer mentions that Jesus suffered to bring many children to glory. That is us. We are children in God’s eyes. We are people who need to be taught and led into the right paths. As people of God we need to separate what we need from what we want. And at Christmas time we want an awful lot. I quake at the amount of money that is spent at Christmas. However, at the same time I do acknowledge that there is a lot of money given to charity at Christmas too. I haven’t worked out in my mind whether this is guilt money or genuine charity. When I read the carefully crafted charity letters we receive, they are not destined for the “average” person: for which read: ‘you are not average, I am telling you this because you are special.’ An awful tale of suffering is told, followed by, ‘Someone else will have torn up this letter, but I hope you haven’t….’ and they go on. The suffering is real, but it offends me to be addressed that way. And yet if I don’t give money, someone doesn’t get it. I have taken to sending money (not cheques) in envelopes without name or address. How else to stem the paid scribes, who are fund raisers on salaries? Perhaps I am misjudging them. I don’t know.
Children are often hugely indulged at Christmas. We want the best for them. And I worry that we are teaching them to want: to want in commercial quantity. Schools are making an effort to show them the other side of the coin. Television spectaculars like Children in Need and Comic Relief are also showing them where need is - and we must too. I do think this generation of children are far better at understanding need than we give them credit for…… while still wanting stuff! Who doesn’t?
‘Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, will never enter it.’
How are we supposed to receive the kingdom of God? Like children, with open hearts and arms outstretched, running towards our Father: to tell him what we have done: sometimes coming forward ashamed and cross with ourselves and the world: crying and hoping for comfort and understanding. We want to show him the star we have been given for good work, or good manners, or whatever it is. We know that we are loved and are ashamed. But, although we are children in the eyes of God, we are adults in this world. It is difficult to admit failure and fault.
Take heart (an old-fashioned phrase!). Yes, we will be judged for our faults, but I hold to one thing. He is a loving Father. He understands.
Sunday 29th September 2024
Trinity 18 (& Michael and All Angels)
Readings & Prayers
Collect
Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted the ministries of angels and mortals in a wonderful order: grant that as your holy angels always serve you in heaven, so, at your command, they may help and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The first lesson from Genesis 28.10-17
10 Jacob left Beer-sheba and went towards Haran. 11 He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. 12 And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 And the Lord stood beside him and said, ‘I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; 14 and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. 15 Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.’
16Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place - and I did not know it!’ 17 And he was afraid, and said, ‘How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.’
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 103.19-end
19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom has dominion over all.
20 Bless the Lord, you angels of his, you mighty ones who do his bidding
and hearken to the voice of his word. 21 Bless the Lord, all you his hosts, you ministers of his who do his will.
22 Bless the Lord, all you works of his, in all places of his dominion; bless the Lord, O my soul.
The Gospel lesson from John 1.47- end
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ 48 Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ 49 Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ 50Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’
51 And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
All our needs are God's concerns. Let us pray to him now.
Lord Jesus, we pray for the Church as she proclaims your gospel of love and truth. Today we remember your archangel Michael.
We bring to you our little churches, all our clergy, especially our Rector.
Give us the grace and openness to hear your message and allow your word to abide in us.
God, in mercy; hear us as we pray. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord Jesus, we pray for our world, for all nations and leaders. Let there be a new spirit of yearning for unity and peace.
Please bless our Country, our King and Royal Family, and those who govern both nationally and locally.
God of mercy: hear us as we pray. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord Jesus, you are the living Word of God, who came to dwell among us. Help us to see each other through your loving and compassionate eyes. Help us to be open to the possibilities of meeting you in unexpected places. Please bless our families, friends and neighbours.
God of mercy: hear us as we pray. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord Jesus you brought comfort and healing to all who came to you in distress.
We bring to you those who are suffering in any way, remembering...
We pray that you will meet their needs with your love and compassion.
God of mercy: hear us as we pray. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord Jesus, you are the Living God, but you faced death and overcame it, rising to a new and eternal life.
We remember those we have known and love who are now at rest...
Strengthen us with faith and hope of new life in your eternal kingdom.
Merciful Father...
Reflection, by Audrey West.
Slow to believe
Nathanael’s skepticism foreshadows several episodes in John where people come to Jesus, on the way to believing, with questions firmly in tow.
Nicodemus approaches at night (frightened, perhaps, by the implication of his questions?) and shares his confusion that Jesus’ ability to do signs must mean that Jesus comes from God, and how could such a thing be (John 3:1-10)?! Later, however, he defends Jesus (even if obliquely) to the temple police, chief priests, and Pharisees (7:50-52), and he joins Joseph of Arimathea in giving Jesus a proper burial after the crucifixion (19:39-42).
The woman at the well returns to her village after meeting Jesus and wonders aloud, “He can’t be the Messiah, can he?” Her question leads many to follow him (4:28-29). Even Thomas, who had proclaimed his willingness to die with Jesus before the final entry into Jerusalem (11:16), demands proof of resurrection just as his fellow disciples received. Seeing the evidence, Thomas confesses, “My Lord and my God!” (20:24-28).
In the narrative world of John’s Gospel, a questioning faith may well lead to believing that Jesus is the one who has come from God.
What God has given
When Jesus refers to Nathanael as an Israelite in whom there is no deceit, the referent is Old Testament stories about Jacob, namesake of Israel, known for using deception and guile in order to grasp after the things he desires. Nathanael’s frankness stands in contrast to Jacob’s duplicity.
However, Nathanael’s declaration that Jesus is Son of God and King of Israel echoes Jacob’s amazement following a dream about angels ascending and descending upon a ladder to heaven - a dream that sounds very much like the image Jesus paints at the end of our passage (Genesis 28:12, 16; John 1:51). Jacob exclaims, in words we might also imagine coming from Nathanael, “Surely the Lord is in this place - and I did not know it!”
Nathanael’s name in Hebrew means “God has given,” a fitting appellation.3 Jesus has given Nathanael a promise to see “greater things than these” - greater than his skepticism, greater than Jesus’ prescient knowledge, greater even than the titles he has attached to Jesus.
Tomorrow (in narrative time) at a wedding in his hometown of Cana in Galilee, Nathanael and others will be given the first of Jesus’ signs, through which Jesus “revealed his glory and his disciples believed in him” (John 2:11).
Come and see.
Sunday 22nd September 2024
17th Sunday after Trinity - Readings & Prayers
Collect
Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you: pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself, and so bring us at last to your heavenly city where we shall see you face to face; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The first lesson from James 3.13-4. & 4.7-8a
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.
4.1 Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? 2 You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 54
1 Save me, O God, by your name and vindicate me by your power. 2 Hear my prayer, O God; give heed to the words of my mouth. 3 For strangers have risen up against me, and the ruthless seek after my life; they have not set God before them.
4 Behold, God is my helper; it is the Lord who upholds my life. 5 May evil rebound on those who lie in wait for me; destroy them in your faithfulness.
6 An offering of a free heart will I give you and praise your name, O Lord, for it is gracious. 7 For he has delivered me out of all my trouble, and my eye has seen the downfall of my enemies.
The Gospel lesson from Mark 9.30-37
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; 31for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, ‘The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.’ 32 But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
33 Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’ 34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’ 36 Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, 37 ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
As the children of God, let us be still and pray together.
God of glory, may your light shine in our church communities, as you work among us and bless us with your presence.
We thank you for our little churches, all our clergy, especially our Rector and our church families.
We offer you ourselves in the areas you have placed us.
Holy God: may we live your life in us. Lord, in your mercy...
God of glory, may the whole world come to know you and give you honour and praise.
We ask you to bless our Country, our King and Royal Family and our Government and all those who serve you locally.
May your kingdom come and your will be done.
Holy God: may we live our life in you. Lord, in your mercy...
God of glory, may our homes, schools and workplaces become places where your glory is seen and experienced in the ordinary, everyday things of life.
Holy God: may we live your life in us. Lord, in your mercy...
God of glory, we bring to you the weak and vulnerable, those who find life a struggle, those who live with constant pain or depression.
We bring to you those who are sick today...
Support each one, bring them healing and reassurance and touch them with the gentleness of your peace.
Holy God: may we live your life in us. Lord, in your mercy...
God of glory, welcome with your merciful love those who have died recently and those whose years minds are at this time...
Shelter them under the shadow of your wings.
Merciful Father...
Reflection from Canon Ian Gibson
“Then he took a little child and put it among them.” (Mark 9:36)
We live in the age of the celebrity – people who have made names for themselves in sport, TV, fashion, films, music. Celebrity status is such that it has grades, A, B or C, each grade commanding its own commercial value. Jesus had no commercial value, but in his own time and place, he was certainly a celebrity. He was known and welcomed by the people who had high hopes of him. He was equally hated and feared by the religious authorities who wanted to get rid of him.
Aware of the conflict surrounding him and the pressures upon him, Jesus often sought space for himself and the disciples. He also needed the opportunity to teach them, so, as we see in today’s Gospel, as he passed through Galilee, “he did not want anyone to know it”. His message this time was especially important. He wanted the disciples to know that his ministry would end in death, but after that would follow resurrection. They failed to understand – not only that, they were afraid to ask him. It was not what they had expected. They had thought that he was a celebrity, and that some of his celebrity status would rub off on them.
So as they walked along, they argued as to who would be the most important, though none of them would admit to it when Jesus asked them. They were like a group of guilty children, knowing they were at fault, but no one willing to own up. So Jesus confronts them on this same level: “He took a little child and put it among them.”
There is nothing sentimental in this gesture. Jesus takes the child as a dramatic attempt to get through to the disciples. If he can get through to them, he can also get through to us. We need, though, to exercise caution as to how we approach this gesture of Jesus. Too many of our children are damaged by their experience of life. However, at best, as Jesus wanted to convey to the disciples, children can point to essential elements in our lives as Christians.
The first of these is openness. Children have the ability to receive and to respond openly to what they see, hear and observe. The ability develops at an early age, and often remains. The disciples, as we see, were far from being open in their response to Jesus’ message. Our willingness to respond, or our refusal to respond, and our recognition of the choices we are making, form the building blocks of our Christian faith, our response to God in Christ.
The second “child-like” quality is simplicity, in the best sense of that word. Our lives and our relationships are often so complicated, in contrast to those of our children. The disciples were no exception. They were called to follow Jesus and live a simple life, but they were distracted by side issues: they wanted to know who would be the most important among them. The question complicated the disciples’ relationships with each other and with Jesus. Similar complications emerge in our relationship with God. It is said that a nun, after many years of discipline, had reduced her prayers to just four words: “God, what a mess.” Perhaps she speaks – and prays – for many of us in those words.
It can be good to revisit and reclaim hopes, ideals and qualities from our childhood years, but simplicity and openness do not come without a cost (as sadly many of our children have discovered). This was what Jesus was trying to teach his disciples as they travelled through Galilee. The cost of his own simplicity and openness was his impending death and resurrection.
The whole episode serves as a parable for our lives as Christians. Jesus’ taking a child in his arms reminds us of qualities we left behind us in our childhood. We see the importance of simplicity and openness in our faith and witness but, like the disciples, we are not willing to bear the cost. We are taken up with the more immediate concerns of our lives.
Jesus does not condemn or reprimand us, any more than he did his disciples, but in the final words of today’s Gospel reading, he sets out the full meaning of taking a child in his arms: “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” This child is no celebrity, but represents something much more essential and lasting.
Sunday 15th September 2024
16th Sunday after Trinity - Readings & Prayers
Collect
Lord of creation, whose glory is around and within us: open our eyes to your wonders, that we may serve you with reverence and know your peace at our lives’ end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The first lesson from James 3.1-12
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. 4 Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.
How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8 but no one can tame the tongue - a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God.
10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 116.1-8
1 I love the Lord, for he has heard the voice of my supplication; because he inclined his ear to me on the day I called to him. 2 The snares of death encompassed me; the pains of hell took hold of me; by grief and sorrow was I held.
3 Then I called upon the name of the Lord: ‘O Lord, I beg you, deliver my soul.’ 4 Gracious is the Lord and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
5 The Lord watches over the simple; I was brought very low and he saved me. 6 Turn again to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has been gracious to you. 7 For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears and my feet from falling.
8 I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
The Gospel lesson from Mark 8.27-end
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
27 Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ 28 And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ 29 He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ 30 And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’
34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
As children of our Heavenly Father, let us bring to Him our needs and concerns.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the Church, for our little churches that we love, all our clergy, especially our Rector. Increase our faith so that everyone may be more ready to trust you and move forward wherever you may lead us.
In the spirit of obedience: we wish for your guidance. Lord, in your mercy...
Heavenly Father, give to all our leaders and advisors the courage be honest and the will to be just, the greatness to be humble and the openness to learn.
We ask you to bless our Country, our King and Royal Family, the members of our Armed Forces and all who serve in their local community.
In the spirit of obedience: we wish for your guidance. Lord, in your mercy...
Heavenly Father, at the door of each home place your welcome; in the rooms of each home your love; in the eyes of each person your truth.
We thank you for our families, friends and neighbours wherever they may be. In the spirit of obedience: we wish for your guidance. Lord, in your mercy...
Heavenly Father, we bring to you those who are sick today, remembering by name...
Give comfort and healing to those who are ill, peace to the anxious, and comfort to the afraid. May each one feel your loving presence.
In the spirit of obedience: we wish for your guidance. Lord, in your mercy...
Heavenly Father, may the dying be prepared to meet you, and those who have died, live in the joy of your presence. We remember those who have recently died and those whose year’s mind falls at this time... and hope that, one day, we may meet together again.
Merciful Father...
15th September - 16th Sunday after Trinity - Reflection
From Rev’d Gerry Reilly
Peter took him aside, and began to rebuke Jesus. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said: “Get behind me, Satan!” (Mark 8, 32-33)
Today’s Gospel is a sharp reminder to us that we should try to look at God’s world and our lives and plans through the eyes of God and not our own, for we have no vision. In Isaiah 55 God tells Israel: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord”. Peter has just proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, but his kind of Messiah. It isn’t only Peter that makes that mistake; for centuries we, the Church, have ignored or played down this Gospel passage, told God what to do, and chastised God when He didn’t, and could not see that the Cross, not the imposition of victory, is the path to eternal life and the victory of God. “If any want to be my disciples, let them deny themselves, and take up their cross, and follow me.” Hard words indeed! But Jesus led the way!
The Jews, including the disciples of Jesus, were an oppressed people, looking forward to liberation at the hands of God. For them, the Messiah will be their liberator. That meant crushing the enemy, the Romans, with as much power and violence as the Romans had used against them. In their perception, as in ours, there are victors and vanquished, victory and vengeance. The path chosen by Jesus, of suffering and love, of non-violence, was as alien to them as it is to us! That is why Peter took Jesus aide, and began to rebuke him. Peter saw that Jesus was about to lose followers by this message, as he did in his sermon on the breads of life. But Jesus did not, and could not, give way: “Those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the Gospel, will save it.” Jesus will not be the kind of liberator the Jews, and we, want. He teaches another way.
This message is as real today as it was then. But as we can see from our own hearts, as well as from the prevailing message from the world around us, including the so-called Christian nations, and even the church, it is not a message we are happy about, or like to proclaim to prospective disciples. We have tended to make the Cross glorious and attractive, not the instrument of torture and disgrace that it really was. We are uncomfortable to proclaim with Tertullian, that the blood of Martyrs is the seed of Christians.
Jesus is not talking of blind passivity in the face of evil, or of dressing up evil as good and necessary. On the contrary, he is uncompromising in exposing evil and hypocrisy, especially in power, in religion, and in the human heart. That is why he was so hated by those in authority in the state and the church of his day. He didn’t promise riches (at the expense of others!): he promised justice; he didn’t promise instant success, but apparent failure. Self-effacing and self-sacrificing love are what he offers, rather than domination.
He loves all, but has favourites: the poor, the forgotten, the sick, the outcasts, the powerless. And these are definitely not the preferred options of our world, or our churches. And later, at the Last Supper, when he offers himself as our food, he says: “Whoever sees me sees my Father.”
These are God’s preferences, not just those of a Messiah or a liberator. Are they ours?
If so, then we had better recognise that the world will hate us as much as it did Jesus, and that we too belong to the world of dangerous untouchables, and will be treated as Jesus was.
Sunday 8th September 2024
15th Sunday after Trinity
Accession of King Charles III, 2022 - Readings & Prayers
A Prayer for the King's Majesty (taken from the Prayer Book, 1662)
O Lord our heavenly Father, high and mighty, King of kings, Lord of Lords, the only Ruler of princes, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth; most heartily we beseech thee with thy favour to behold our most gracious Sovereign Lord, King Charles; and so replenish him with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that he may alway incline to thy will, and walk in thy way: endue him plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant him in health and wealth long to live; strengthen him that he may vanquish and overcome all her enemies; and finally, after this life, he may attain everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Collect
O God, who in generous mercy sent the Holy Spirit upon your Church in the burning fire of your love: grant that your people may be fervent in the fellowship of the gospel that, always abiding in you, they may be found steadfast in faith and active in service; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The first lesson from James 2.1-10, 14-17
1 My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favouritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? 2 For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, 3 and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, ‘Have a seat here, please’, while to the one who is poor you say, ‘Stand there’, or, ‘Sit at my feet’, 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonoured the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? 7 Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?
8 You do well if you really fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ 9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill’, and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? 17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead..
This is the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 146
1 Alleluia. Praise the Lord, O my soul: while I live will I praise the Lord; as long as I have any being, I will sing praises to my God.
2 Put not your trust in princes, nor in any human power, for there is no help in them. 3 When their breath goes forth, they return to the earth; on that day all their thoughts perish.
4 Happy are those who have the God of Jacob for their help, whose hope is in the Lord their God; 5 Who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them; who keeps his promise for ever; 6 Who gives justice to those that suffer wrong and bread to those who hunger.
7 The Lord looses those that are bound; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind; 8 The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous; 9 The Lord watches over the stranger in the land; he upholds the orphan and widow; but the way of the wicked he turns upside down.
10 The Lord shall reign for ever, your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Alleluia.
The Gospel Lesson from Mark 7.24-end
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
24 From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, 25 but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. 26 Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 He said to her, ‘Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ 28 But she answered him, ‘Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’ 29 Then he said to her, ‘For saying that, you may go - the demon has left your daughter.’ 30 So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32 They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. 34 Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, ‘Ephphatha’, that is, ‘Be opened.’ 35 And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36 Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37 They were astounded beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
Let us pray to our loving and Merciful Father.
Lord, we thank you for the richness and diversity of each unique identity.
We pray for each member of the Church and our corporate nature, that we may be filled with the loving breath of God.
We pray for the Church, for all our little places, for all our clergy and especially our Rector.
Father of mercy: let your Kingdom come. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord, embrace this fragile world with your loving arms and protect it from all harm. We pray for those who would destroy it.
Please bless our Country, our King, especially on this day of his accession to the throne, all the Royal Family and our Government.
Father of mercy: let your Kingdom come. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord we thank you for the hope each new born child brings.
We thank you for all our children, enjoying their summer holiday. We thank you those we love and those who love us.
Father of mercy: let your Kingdom come. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord, we remember those in need today; the homeless and the hungry, the lonely and unloved and all those who are sick, at home or in hospital or in nursing homes.....
We pray that each one may feel your upholding and healing.
Father of mercy: let your Kingdom come. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord, we thank you for the promise of mercy and commend to your love those whose earthly lives have ended..
We thank you for all your blessings and pray that we commit ourselves to live out our thanks each day.
Merciful Father...
15th Sunday after Trinity - Reflection
From the “Working Preacher”.
The exposition in last week’s passage, James 1:17-27, can strike readers as abstruse and random; this morning’s lesson, however, is clear and pointed as broken glass.
James poses a hypothetical situation to his readers - or perhaps describes a situation he knows already to be going on. This focal example takes up the themes that James has already flagged up as pivotal for his theology, and shows how a scene from everyday life illustrates exactly the failings against which he had warned readers.
In the first chapter, James has drawn out a vision of faithfulness to God in which we demonstrate our fidelity by reflecting God’s character in our human lives. Whereas life apart from God succumbs to desire, leading people to sin and thence to death, James urges his readers to adopt their identity as true children of God by living in the Father’s way. They need to keep their faithfulness to God whole-hearted and consistent, lest they waiver and turn away; and their steadfast faithfulness should be manifest in their action on behalf of widows and orphans, the needy for whom God has shown particular care.
“That’s all very well in theory,” says James, “but let’s look at what actually happens in your congregations.” When an elegantly-dressed man - “gold-fingered and in radiant clothing” - visits your church, is he treated as more special than the homeless beggar in filthy rags? James suspects that you give the snazzy dresser a more prominent place, and the fragrant vagrant a more inconspicuous place (“Stand over there, or sit on this kneeler”).
It does not take an advanced degree in theology to tell that such behaviour doesn’t go well with what James has put forward as God’s way. In James 1:27, he has reminded readers that “religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is … to care for orphans and widows in their distress”; by the same token, he says, “God [has] chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom” (2:5). Whatever we might say about cultivating benefactors whose (hypothetical) gifts might provide sustenance for ministries and programmes, James recognises the temptation to favour people like us, or whom we wish we were, over against people whose affliction reminds us of how contingent our good fortune may be. This is just the half-hearted discipleship that submits to desire: the desire to be comfortable, the desire to be upwardly mobile, the desire to experience only life’s ups, and to be insulated from life’s downs. Such desire fuels efforts to secure our well-being at the expense of others, regardless of their own circumstances. By contrast, whole-hearted faithfulness to God will always require of us whole-hearted faithfulness to the least of Jesus’ brothers and sisters: to orphans and widows, to our naked, hungry neighbours, to wounded and broken left-behind bystanders.
No one wants that kind of life, unless they have been overwhelmed by a different sort of desire. No one wants to look into the true mirror and see a scarred face which hardship has scribed with the seams and wrinkles graven by years of endurance. Yet James insists that this face of one who has known sorrows, who is acquainted with grief, is our birthright. He twice invokes the images of kingship in these verses: the royal law obliges us to love our neighbour as ourself, and the destitute have been chosen to inherit God’s kingdom. James sees in the faces of beggars the resplendent visages of celestial queens and kings; he recognises that true beauty comes not from the use of costly creams to moisturise our skin, but from our similarity to God’s hungry, chilled children.
There is no integrity, no integration to a faith that cosies up to privilege and turns its back on need. Faith that is not joined-up with consistent action, it is no faith at all. While James is often characterised as anti-Pauline, his emphasis on active faith coheres perfectly with Paul’s own insistence that those who have received the Holy Spirit in being baptised into Christ’s death in order to share his resurrection should jolly well manifest the Spirit’s guidance in the conduct by which their lives reflect the Spirit working through them.
The last paragraph of today’s reading thus sums up James’s point that faith involves more than affirming theological formulas, but a thorough reorientation of one’s life. Faith makes a difference in us. More importantly (in these verses), faith makes a difference in our relations with our sisters and brothers: just as God has chosen needy, broken, bereft brothers and sisters as the visible embodiment of Jesus’ good news among us, so faith reorders our own desires away from securing our well-being by our own efforts, from enhancing our image by associating with glittering celebrities, and summons us to make our friends among the shabby poor, and to trust the provision of God who gives freely to all.
Sunday 1st September 2024
14th Sunday after Trinity - Readings & Prayers
Collect
Almighty God, whose only Son has opened for us a new and living way into your presence: give us pure hearts and steadfast wills to worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The first lesson from James 1.17-end
17 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 In fulfilment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
19 You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. 21 Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; 24 for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. 25 But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act - they will be blessed in their doing.
26 If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
This is the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 45.1-2, 6-9,
1 My heart is astir with gracious words; as I make my song for the king, my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
2 You are the fairest of men; full of grace are your lips, for God has blest you for ever. 6 Your throne is God’s throne, for ever; the sceptre of your kingdom is the sceptre of righteousness.
7 You love righteousness and hate iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows. 8 All your garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes and cassia; from ivory palaces the music of strings makes you glad.
9 Kings’ daughters are among your honourable women; at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.
This is the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God.
The Gospel Reading from Mark 7.1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
1 Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, 2 they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. 3 (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; 4 and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) 5 So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, ‘Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?’
6 He said to them, ‘Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, “This people honours me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 7 in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.”
8 You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.’
14 Then he called the crowd again and said to them, ‘Listen to me, all of you, and understand: 15 there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.’ 21 For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, 22 adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
Our Lord is the source of all holiness. Let us pray to the only one who can renew and redeem.
Father, we are only too aware of our temptations to place our trust in rules and traditions, and we long for you to release in the Church, such a desire to serve the living God, that nothing is allowed to get in the way of that. We ask you to bless our little churches, all our clergy, especially our Rector.
Into your hands, O Lord: we commit our future. Lord, in your mercy...
Father, may the kingdoms of this world soak up the values of your Kingdom; that rulers and peoples uphold what is right and just, and establish a social order which is rooted in Godly love. We ask you to bless our Country, our King and Royal Family, our Government and all who serve in our local communities.
Into your hands, O Lord: we commit our future. Lord, in your mercy...
Father, may our homes, schools and churches reflect and engender the Godly values of mutual care, respect and responsibility, integrity and forgiveness.
Into your hands, O Lord: we commit our future. Lord, in your mercy...
Father, we stand alongside all who are hurting in body, mind or spirit and all who need support and practical help. We bring to you those who are sick...
Help us all to care for them.
Into your hands, O Lord: we commit our future. Lord, in your mercy...
Father, we commit to your Kingdom those who have died recently and those whose anniversaries we recall....
May each one live on in the peace and joy of your heaven.
Merciful Father...
14th Sunday after Trinity - Reflection
Taken from, “The Working Preacher” by Craig Koester
This Sunday is the beginning of a series of readings from the book of James.
Although Martin Luther made critical remarks about this book, calling it an “epistle of straw” in his preface to James, the book retains a significant place in the canon of Scripture. The author is traditionally identified as James, the brother of the Lord (James 1:1; cf. Galatians 1:19), though this is disputed. More important is the basic perspective the author brings to Christian proclamation. The driving questions concern the shape of Christian life.
The author is aware that people sometimes confine their understanding of faith to a simple series of truth claims–something limited to their heads or their words. For James, this is inadequate. Throughout this letter, the faith that counts is the faith that is actually operative in a person’s life. People might say they believe one thing and yet do something completely different. Therefore, James will insist that true faith is whatever is actually operative in your life. Faith that is not active is not faith at all. And in this, James agrees with both Paul (Galatians 5:6) and Luther.
The passage for this week explores at least two questions. The first is, “Who is God?” The response that James presents is pure gospel. God is identified by what he gives. Every perfect gift comes from above, the gifts come down from the Father of lights (James 1:17a). The author will later turn to questions about human giving, but will not do so without speaking first about God’s giving. The people to whom James writes are those who have received life from God. Without this, there would be nothing further to say, since people have something to give precisely because they have received from God.
God is called the Father of lights, with whom there is no shadow or variation due to change (1:17b). This recalls that God is the Giver because God is the Creator. In the beginning he brought light into being and put all the particular lights in the heaven (Genesis 1:3, 14-17). What is more, this Creator or Father of lights has no “shadow side.” This distinguishes “God” from “the Force” depicted in Star Wars films. You may recall that the Force is said to be an energy field comprised of all living things; and the Force has a dark side. The lives of major characters in Star Wars are shaped by whether they draw on the bright side or the dark side of the Force. In James, however, God does not have this kind of dark side. And God is not simply an energy field that people tap into at their will; God is the Giver who conveys life to them by his will.
God does this by his word of truth, which in this context is the gospel. The word of truth is God’s creative agent. It gives birth to new life in a person (James 1:18a). Birth language is life language. It points to a life that has a bodily dimension, yet this new life is not limited to the beating of the heart or breathing of the lungs. It means new life in relationship with God. James says that those who are given new birth become a “first fruits” (1:18b). In biblical tradition, the first fruits are the first ripe sheaves of grain or the first fruits that appear and ripen on a tree. They are signs of a greater harvest yet to come. And the first fruits were regularly offered to God as a sign that the entire harvest belonged to God. To be a first fruit is to belong to God, to be claimed by God, to be wanted by God.
The second question James considers is, “Who are you?” It would seem as if the question was answered by what has already been said, yet James recognizes that people do not necessarily live as the people they are in God. In 1:22-24, he speaks about a lack of correspondence between hearing and doing, between who one is and what one does.
He asks us to picture ourselves standing in front of a mirror. We are to pause there as James asks, “Do you see who you are?” Ordinarily, standing in front of a mirror might mean that we see ourselves as thin or overweight, blemished, disheveled, wrinkled, or scarred. But that is not what James is getting at. Instead, we are to think about ourselves in light of what has just been said. Do you see you who are? You are someone who has been blessed by God’s gifts, someone who has been brought to new life through God’s word–a person who is a first fruit, set aside as someone who belongs to God.
What happens when you forget who you are? Life typically takes another course. If you forget how much you have been given, why would you give anything to others? If you forget how much you have received, then life is reduced to a quest to get what you can while you can. You may find the situation of the orphan and the widow to be regrettable (1:27), but conclude that this is the way the world is, and you need to get what you can while you can. Or what if you forget that God’s word has given you new life, bringing you into renewed relationship with the God who made you and wants you as his own? If you forget what God’s word gives you, then what you do with your words seems to matter little (1:26).
So James says, “Look at yourself again, in the perfect law of liberty,” and tell me what you see (1:25). The law of liberty is the law of love that is mentioned in 2:8. And the law of love brings liberty–it is freeing–because love both frees us and constrains us. To know that one is loved is the most freeing thing imaginable, even as this same love holds us in a relationship of love. This is where we see ourselves, James says. Look into the law of love. This is who God creates you to be. Is there some reason you don’t want people to know who you are?
Sunday 25th August 2024
13th after Trinity
Readings & Prayers
Collect
Almighty God, who called your Church to bear witness
that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself:
help us to proclaim the good news of your love,
that all who hear it may be drawn to you;
through him who was lifted up on the cross,
and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
The first reading from Ephesians 6.10-20
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 34.15-end
15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to root out the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry and the Lord hears them and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and will save those who are crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the troubles of the righteous; from them all will the Lord deliver them. 20 He keeps all their bones, so that not one of them is broken.
21 But evil shall slay the wicked and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. 22 The Lord ransoms the life of his servants and will condemn none who seek refuge in him.
The Gospel reading from John 6.56-69
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live for ever.’ 59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.
60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’ 61 But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, ‘Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But among you there are some who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. 65 And he said, ‘For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.’
66 Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. 67 So Jesus asked the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’ 68 Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
We have chosen to serve the Lord; let us pray to him now.
Loving God, as we pray for the whole church, we bring to you our bishops and ministers, our own clergy, especially our Rector and our church families.
May your word be spoken with passion and heard with humility and joy.
Holy God, we believe: help our unbelief. Lord, in your mercy...
Loving God, we thank you for our world, your gift to us, help us to treat it with respect and gratitude.
We bring to you all peoples and their leaders, as we all struggle to cope with the many problems of today.
We pray for our own Country, our King and Royal Family and Government and those whose authority and decisions affect the lives of many.
Holy God, we believe: help our unbelief. Lord, in your mercy...
Loving God , we pray for our loved ones; for those who lift our hearts.
We pray for those we instinctively warm to and those we find it difficult to like.
We thank you for our opportunities of forgiveness.
Holy God, we believe: help our unbelief. Lord, in your mercy...
Loving God, we bring to you those in need today; the hungry and homeless, the lonely and unloved, the anxious and the bereaved.
We remember those who are sick, at home or in hospital... bring your healing into their lives and give us the energy to serve and help them.
May we all sense your loving healing presence and know that you are with us always.
Holy God, we believe: help our unbelief. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for those approaching death, that through our prayers they may that they are accompanied with love on that last journey.
We remember those who have died recently and those whose anniversaries are this week....
We thank you, Holy God, for making yourself known to us.
Merciful Father...
Reflection from Rev’d D’ Fyfe
I don’t know how many people read these reflections, nor who they are. I don’t know their ages. What you have seen in life makes a difference to how you view things.
The oldest generation has lived through war and the threat of war, has seen life and death in many guises. Global warming is an issue. There is a real concern for the future of the world and future generations. They have coped, because that is what you do
The middle group has seen wars play out in other countries. They have known the same fear as their parents. They are concerned for their children growing up in this difficult world. Global warming is an issue. There is a real concern for the future of the world and future generations. They are coping, because that is what you do.
The younger group comes from a generation that has seen a huge escalation in state control; an enormous change in how we communicate. Global warming is an issue. There is a real concern for the future of the world and future generations – and they are working out how to cope, because that is what you do. So not too much difference there then!
Paul is writing about how to arm ourselves against the world, the flesh and the devil. He talks of putting on the whole armour of God, so that we may be able to withstand on the evil day. More than ever, we need to heed Paul’s advice to arm ourselves with truth and honesty. Our armour should be the armour of love.
Perhaps Paul was looking at a Roman soldier as he wrote. The Roman Army was a killing machine, putting its enemies to death wherever, whenever they wanted to do so. Opposition was to be crushed relentlessly, ruthlessly. Paul uses the weapons of this terrifying war machine, turning them not into a war cry, but into a call for peace, for love. We can liken their weapons to current military equipment.
We must stand with our feet shod, not with yomping boots but flip flops for peace; not Kevlar body armour or a Kalashnikov, but faith. Not a helmet that can resist armour piercing bullets but one of salvation - and for the sword of the Spirit perhaps a laser of love, cutting through the evil of hatred. In fact, not star wars so much as spirit wars. Our body armour is Faith. Faith, in this case, is a belief in what we are striving for: be it country, family, religion or a proper life. Paul presents a contrast between the might of a disciplined army and the strength of God, which is in weakness. We are to go fully equipped – with love and peace.
When Paul writes of what we fight against, we meet something else. Principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world; spiritual wickedness in high places. In general, we are fighting the strengths of this world with our weak prayers. We are not against enemies of flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities and cosmic powers of this present darkness.
What are they, nowadays?
People are flesh and blood, but rulers and authorities can acquire a momentum of their own: can become something else; malign, dark, with immense power. Think of the Ukraine. They struggle against raw power. They fight back, but what might happen if they just run out of people and weapons? And what about the Middle East? One act of war has been followed by others. All sides claim the high moral ground. History shows us acts of amazing wickedness in the name of God. We fight not so much against the forces of (perhaps) supernatural evil, but against the power of corruption and sleaze, the rulers of darkness of this world. Bribery and sleaze are nothing new, but they corrupt. Misappropriated power is nothing new. Men have taken power for themselves since time began. Now, more than ever, we need to heed Paul’s advice to pray
With prayer we will be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all - to stand. Prayer is essential, for ourselves and for what the world holds. It comes back to having faith!
We have all asked for things at one time or another: have felt that we have not been answered: then realised that our faith is a bit wobbly. Miracles seem rare. They do happen but we don’t always recognise them.
Jesus says to us Except ye see signs and wonders ye will not believe. Give us a sign, we say! The point here, I think, is that we have had a sign. God sent us his only begotten Son to the end that all who believe in him should not perish but have eternal life. So, when belief is hard, remember these words. I believe, help thou mine unbelief. Hang on to that when prayer seems unanswered. We need to have our body armour of faith. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.
Paul speaks to all people of all generations and at all times. His message to the Ephesians is also for us, so many centuries later. He told them “Put on the whole armour of God.” “Be strong and courageous”.
And then suddenly he says “Pray also for me” Paul, as a weak man, is asking us to pray with him. so that he can be strong in the Spirit. He is a man calling for help in his weakness,
Which is where we end, in prayer. Amen.
Sunday 18th August 2024
12th after Trinity
Readings & Prayers
Collect
Almighty and everlasting God,
you are always more ready to hear than we to pray
and to give more than either we desire or deserve:
pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy,
forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid
and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask
but through the merits and mediation
of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
The first reading from Proverbs 9.1-6
1 Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her seven pillars. 2 She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine, she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls from the highest places in the town, 4 ‘You that are simple, turn in here!’ To those without sense she says, 5 ‘Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. 6 Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight.’
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 34.9-14
9 Fear the Lord, all you his holy ones, for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 Lions may lack and suffer hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack nothing that is good. 11 Come, my children, and listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Who is there who delights in life and longs for days to enjoy good things? 13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from lying words.
14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
The Gospel reading from John 6.51-58
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’ 52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’
53 So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; 55 for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me.
58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live for ever.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
As we gather, conscious of our need of wisdom, let us pray to our wise God.
Father, in all the decision making, problems and challenges of our church, we ask your counsel and encouragement.
Please bless our little churches, all our clergy, especially our Rector and all our church families.
Wise and loving God: quieten us to hear your voice. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for your world, for your people that you love, bringing to you those who lead their nations and are struggling to find the way to peace and understanding between peoples.
Please bless our Country, our King and Royal Family, our Government and those who serve the communities in which they live.
Wise and loving God: quieten us to hear your voice. Lord, in your mercy...
We bring to you our families, friends and neighbours, praying that you will make us effective channels of your love and forgiveness.
We pray for our young people as they enjoy their summer holidays.
We pray for our close neighbours that we may have a better awareness of their needs.
Wise and loving God: quieten us to hear your voice. Lord, in your mercy...
We bring to you those known to us who are suffering in any way; those who are aching in body, mind or spirit, remembering... give courage and hope to the chronically sick and respite to those who are exhausted.
Wise and loving God: quieten us to hear your voice. Lord, in your mercy...
We remember those people who have died recently, especially those that we have known and love, and those whose anniversaries we recall...
Thank you for them and for your promise of eternal life and peace.
Merciful Father...
Reflection from Rev’d Brian Adams
Where are we to turn in the confused state of our world today?
In our Proverbs reading, Wisdom is presented as a wealthy woman who opens her home to those struggling outside and treats them to a banquet as a result of which they will gain understanding. It is an attractive picture, wisdom is something lovely, as opposed to the foolishness of so many. Two chapters further on wisdom is still a woman and she is like an open-air preacher at the crossroads, at the top of a hill or at the city gate saying, ’Listen for I shall speak clearly, for I speak nothing but truth and my lips detest wicked talk’. We could do with a lot more of this in our public and private lives, where ‘disinformation (which used to be called ‘lies’) is spread far and wide on the internet and we are often challenged to say what we really think because it is not ‘acceptable’ in today’s world.
In the Gospel reading, we find ourselves in a difficult passage. Jesus is telling his disciples that he is the Bread of life. They have to eat his flesh if they are to have eternal life. Not surprisingly they found this difficult and as we read on we are told that quite a number of them, who were less committed gave up and left the group. Jesus turned to the Twelve and said, ’Do you also want to leave?’ Simon Peter replied, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life’.
I have found this a helpful scripture. I remember a Christian, whose son-in-law, a gifted youth worker, died in mid-life. He was asked, ‘Are you going to give up?’ He replied, “No, where else is there to go?”
Where are the grieving parents of the little Southport girls, so cruelly murdered, to go for comfort? Humanly speaking we have nothing to offer to heal the mothers’ broken hearts. One thinks at this point of Mary , the mother of our Lord, hearing Simeon, the aged priest telling her when she brought Jesus to the Temple to be presented to the Lord, that the child was ‘destined to be rejected’ and ‘you too will be pierced to the heart’. Words which were again fulfilled as Mary stood with others seeing him die in agony on the Cross. Where else can we go but to the Christ who died a cruel death but who three days later rose again and is now alive to bring wholeness and healing to mankind? He alone has the words of eternal life. We pray that the Southport mothers may find here their consolation
We now come to a subject where we have to tread carefully. What should be conveying comfort and strength has at times been a point of deep disagreement leading to schisms and even violent deaths. The Eucharist or Holy Communion is the centrepiece of Christian worship as it is inaugurated by Jesus when meeting with his disciples the night before his crucifixion. John does not give an account of the institution of the Last Supper, but it occurs in the other three gospels. Luke writes, ‘He took bread and gave thanks, and broke it and gave unto them saying, ‘ This is my body, which is given for; do this in remembrance of me’. Similarly with the wine, ’This cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you.’ These words are straight forward enough, one would have thought. Clearly it was not his body in the literal sense as he was there with them in the room, but no one took it up with him as to how this could be. This is where we stop trying to interpret the situation further. We accept Jesus at his word and see the bread and wine in the same sense as Jesus’ disciples in the Upper Room and as our liturgy says, ‘feed on him by faith with thanksgiving.’
In the later New Testament writings, the Church is described as the Body of Christ and in his Corinthian letter St Paul uses different parts of the body as illustrating the functions of church members contributing to the working of the whole. We all have a part to play as members of the Body of Christ even if it is only giving someone something to drink in his name.
Earlier in the chapter Jesus had made one of his seven “I Am” declarations. “I am the Bread of Life”. Just as wisdom is important for our mental well-being so bread is important for our physical needs. Bread features a lot in Jesus’ ministry. He feeds the five thousand with it. He declares himself “The Bread of Life”. Bread is not showy or exotic but a basic ingredient of life. But it is not just there, like a vegetable or fruit. It has to be made by human hands and baked in an oven. Is Jesus presenting himself as bread because he too is going into the ‘oven’ of suffering and then emerges as the risen Christ who is there for mankind to feed on?
Wisdom and Bread – essentials for human life to prosper. We find them both in Jesus...
Break thou the Bread of Life, Dear Lord, to me,
As thou didst break the bread beside the sea.
Beyond the sacred page I seek thee Lord,
My spirit longs for thee, Thou Living Word
(Mary Lathbury)
Sunday 11th August 2024
11th after Trinity
Readings & Prayers
Collect
O God, you declare your almighty power
most chiefly in showing mercy and pity:
mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace,
that we, running the way of your commandments,
may receive your gracious promises,
and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
The first reading from Ephesians 4.25-5.2
25 So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbours, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not make room for the devil. 28 Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labour and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. 29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. 31 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, 32 and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.
5.1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 34.1-8
1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall ever be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall glory in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look upon him and be radiant and your faces shall not be ashamed.
6 This poor soul cried, and the Lord heard me and saved me from all my troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the Lord is gracious; blessed is the one who trusts in him.
The Gospel reading from John 6.35, 41-51
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
35 Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
41 Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’ 42 They were saying, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, “I have come down from heaven”?’ 43Jesus answered them, ‘Do not complain among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day.
45 It is written in the prophets, “And they shall all be taught by God.” Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. 46 Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life.
49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
Let us pray to our God, as we worship him in Spirit and in truth.
Heavenly Father, we pray for all who are called to work as ministers and leaders of your Church, especially our own clergy and our Rector.
We pray for a greater discernment of your presence and your will in our Christian communities.
Open our eyes: to see your glory. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for your world and the people you love.
Wherever injustice stifles human growth and selfish ambition distorts leadership, bring about right and good government for all peoples.
We pray for our Country, our King and Royal Family, our Government and all who serve the communities in which they live..
Open our eyes: to see your glory. Lord, in your mercy...
As we watch our children growing, remind us of our calling to grow more loving in the ways we deal with each other.
We thank you for our families, friends and neighbours, for those we love and those who love us.
We ask you to bless our schools and colleges, all the young people and those who dedicate their lives to work with them.
Open our eyes: to see your glory. Lord, in your mercy...
We bring to you those in need today, those suffering the effects of natural disasters, those who are refugees, the homeless and hungry, the unloved and abandoned. We remember those who are sick, at home or in hospital or hospice...
We ask that they may have the peace and healing that only you can bring.
Open our eyes: to see your glory. Lord, in your mercy...
We remember with thanks those we have known and love who are now at rest with you in your heaven.....
Merciful Father...
Reflection from Canon Ian Gibson
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)
Bread, as one of the oldest and most popular prepared foods around the world, comes in many shapes and forms: chapattis, rotis and naans from South Asia; tortillas from South America; flat and unleavened breads, like the Jewish matso; and the wide variety of wheat and other grain breads of the North. Other ingredients can be added to the basics of flour and water, and entire meals can be based on bread, like pizza, bagels and sandwiches, or accompanied by bread in some form.
English-speaking cultures have attributed more than nutrition to bread, seen in phrases like “breadwinner” for the family wage-earner; “putting bread on the table”, meaning providing the necessities of life; and “bread” as a synonym for money. Latin-based languages have derived the word “companion” from com panis (“with bread”), turning a mere acquaintance or fellow traveller into one who comes into and participates in our lives.
What does it mean that, in John’s words, Jesus called himself the bread of life? What is John trying to tell us about the person of Jesus and what Jesus means in our lives? John’s Gospel gives us Jesus’ description of himself in seven “I am” statements: the light of the world (8:12; 9:5); the door (10:7, 9), the good shepherd (10:11, 14); the resurrection and the life (11:25); the way, the truth and the life (14:6); the true vine (15:1, 5), and the bread of our passage today.
Some of these are linked to miracles, like today’s “I am”, which builds on the theme of Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand at the start of this chapter. Some of them pick up on the themes of light and darkness, or “life” and “living”, both of which are regular themes in this Gospel. Some of them appeal to memories of God’s mighty acts for Israel in the past. Symbols of the Jewish journey and feasts are taken beyond the original meaning and now identified with Jesus. For Jesus to take the name of the bread of life, the living bread, is to remind first-century and twenty-first-century readers of the Jewish Exodus story of the manna provided in the desert, and the bread broken at Passover. Jesus’ claim is that he is now better, greater, more vital than these great witnesses to God’s power.
At the start of chapter 6, before today’s reading, Jesus had broken bread to feed the crowd, and he had walked on water to be with the disciples. He had surely done enough to prove that he is the one who provides for people’s needs, and to earn the understanding and respect of the people. Surely they should see him as Son of God and king? But somehow, they do not. They mutter and complain and look back to the past, refusing to see the similarities between what God has done and what he is now doing in Jesus.
Now, as he describes himself as the bread of life, he is asking his hearers to recognise him as more than all they had ever felt they needed. This bread is for life. Not a life centred round our needs, but rather a life of dependency only on God, the life that Jesus has shown us. This is a life in which God is God and nothing will be lost that God has given to Jesus. To find our life in Jesus is to receive life, eternal and real. In Jesus, all the life that has been lost in our living in this world will be gathered up by him on the last day.
Finding God in the ordinary things of daily life is recognising God with us in simplicity, meaning and beauty. How many times will we touch and eat bread today? It may be the bread which breaks our night fast, the bread that accompanies other meals, nourishes and satisfies our need, or the bread of the Eucharist that speaks of mystery, sacrifice and holiness to our lives.
Even if just for today, allow God to speak and be with you as you take these breads. Ask for bread for others. Reflect on the goodness and provision of God. Thank God for all that you enjoy today. Note areas where you feel unsatisfied, and need to hear Jesus say again, “I am the bread of life.” As you take the Eucharistic bread offered today, take a moment to remember the meaning of this event, and your part in it.
Sunday 4th August 2024
10th after Trinity
Readings & Prayers
Collect
Lord of heaven and earth, as Jesus taught his disciples to be persistent in prayer,
give us patience and courage never to lose hope, but always to bring our prayers before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The first reading from Ephesians 4.1-16
1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
7 But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it is said, ‘When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; he gave gifts to his people.’
9 (When it says, ‘He ascended’, what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) 11 The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.
14 We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15 But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knitted together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 78.23-29
23 So he commanded the clouds above and opened the doors of heaven. 24 He rained down upon them manna to eat and gave them the grain of heaven. 25 So mortals ate the bread of angels; he sent them food in plenty.
26 He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens and led out the south wind by his might. 27 He rained flesh upon them as thick as dust and winged fowl like the sand of the sea.
28 He let it fall in the midst of their camp and round about their tents. 29 So they ate and were well filled, for he gave them what they desired.
The Gospel reading from John 6.24-35
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
24 So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ 26 Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’
28 Then they said to him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ 29 Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’ 30 So they said to him, ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” ’
32 Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ 34 They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’
35 Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
Let us pray to the God who loves us, knows our needs and provides for us.
We pray for a deepening hunger for the things of God and a loosening of those things which prevent us from moving forward in God's way.
As we pray for the whole church, we bring to you our little churches, all our clergy, especially our Rector and all our church families.
Feed us, Father: with the Bread of Life. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for our world, being torn apart by wars and poverty and man's selfishness.
Please bless our Country, our King and Royal Family, our new Government and all who serve their local communities.
Feed us, Father: with the Bread of Life. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for our families, friends and neighbours.
We give thanks for all those who provide for our daily food - those who grow it, those who manufacture it, those who sell it, and those with whom we share it. Build us up with your spiritual feeding, which sustains us for ever.
Feed us, Father: with the Bread of Life. Lord, in your mercy...
As we ask for our daily bread, we pray for those who are starving, and those are sick today, at home or in hospital... give each one your hope and healing.
Feed us Father: with the Bread of Life. Lord, in your mercy...
As we remember with love those who have journeyed through physical death, we remember particularly... and we pray that, nourished with the Bread of Life they may move into the brightness of eternal life.
Merciful Father...
Reflection from Rev’d D’ Fyfe
We spent most of June in Scotland. It was a lovely break and apart from leading two services in the little local church I didn’t do much. We visited old friends and saw some new places. ‘Old’ friends could be described as long-standing friends and also ‘of a certain age’. It was good to catch up and hear all their news. It was also glorious to relax, to read and to do nothing, or very little: to be still! I remember when we were noisy as children, my father would sometimes ask for a bit of P and Q. Peace and Quiet. It is definitely something to be enjoyed!
Today’s reading shows us Jesus trying to escape, briefly, from the crowds. He had been teaching on the other side of the Lake. (and feeding the 5,000). At the end of a long day he had gone up a hill to pray and be still. He was exhausted. The disciples had rowed back across the lake without him. Early in the morning Jesus had joined them, walking on the water!
Next day, the people of Capurneam did not know how Jesus had reached their side of the lake. When they crossed back from the other side, they were amazed to see him. They asked him how he got there. They knew that he had not left with the disciples. Jesus remarked that they were looking for him because he had provided bread!
The crowd had understood that feeding so many people with bread was a miracle. What they had not understood was that the miracle did not mean free food and no work. Jesus is telling them that they still have to work for a living, but also work on their discipleship, their religious life. It is not enough to have been given bread and eaten it. The people must try to understand what he taught, to live through the words of Jesus. And we have to translate that for ourselves.
We must ask ourselves why Jesus died and rose on the third day and what it is that we are made for. What other work are we called to do, apart from the daily grind? We are asked to love God and love our neighbour, and to do so in a generous and loving way. Hard work sometimes.
The people had demanded a sign. After all, in the wilderness the people had demanded bread and Moses had prayed to God, asking for bread for the people. They had been given manna. Yes, said Jesus, but it wasn’t Moses who gave them manna. Moses prayed and God provided manna! Now God has provided you with true bread from heaven. It gives light to the world.
‘Sir, give us this bread always,’ they said. Jesus told them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’
He is explaining that he was sent from heaven; from God the Father, who is everlasting. His words are life and if you believe his words you will live. He is the bread of life.
John is highlighting what Jesus offers the world; spiritual life. Jesus had provided daily bread for physical need and his teaching supplied spiritual ‘bread’. The people received the word of God through God’s Son. This is spiritual ‘bread’ to meet spiritual need.
At churches on Sunday bread will be taken, broken, blessed and distributed. Priests/Lay Readers distribute it, but it is not their gift to you. It is God’s gift to you through his Son. We are spiritually fed by the Son of God. And we receive the word of God through his Son, spiritual food from God. Jesus, the Son of God is the bread of life.
A passing thought: if you are tired and need to find a bit of P and Q…Psalm 46 v 29 has the words; ‘Be still and know that I am God.’
Sunday 28th July 2024
9th after Trinity
Readings & Prayers
The Collect
Almighty God, who sent your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of your Church: open our hearts to the riches of your grace, that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in love and joy and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The first reading from Ephesians 3.14-end
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.
18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 145.10-19
10 All your works praise you, O Lord, and your faithful servants bless you.
11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your mighty power, 12 To make known to all peoples your mighty acts and the glorious splendour of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; your dominion endures throughout all ages.
14 The Lord is sure in all his words and faithful in all his deeds. 15 The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all those who are bowed down.
16 The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, and you give them their food in due season. 17 You open wide your hand and fill all things living with plenty.
18 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving in all his works. 19 The Lord is near to those who call upon him, to all who call upon him faithfully.
The Gospel reading from John 6.1-21
1 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3 Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples.
4 Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5 When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ 10Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.
12 When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ 13 So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’
15 When Jesus realised that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 got into a boat, and started across the lake to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The lake became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. 20 But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ 21 Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land towards which they were going.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
Knowing that our Loving God supplies all our needs, let us pray to him on behalf of the Church and the World.
Loving God, we give you thanks for the Fellowship of the Church and for all who have taught us in the faith.
We pray for all our clergy, especially our Rector and those who minister alongside him.
We ask you to bless our little churches that we love.
We remember all who are seeking to know you.
God of love: hear us and help us. Lord, in your mercy...
Loving God, we give thanks for all who reveal your love through dedicated lives.
We ask your blessing upon those who work among the deprived and underprivileged people in our world.
We pray for our Country, our King and Royal Family and Government, and for all who seek for peace and unity in communities and nations.
God of love: hear us and help us. Lord, in your mercy...
Loving God, we give thanks for all who have shown us love and care.
We ask you to bless our homes and loved ones, wherever they may be.
We pray for the lonely and those who feel unloved.
God of love: hear us and help us. Lord, in your mercy...
Loving God, we thank you for those who reveal your love through their work in the healing professions.
We bring to you those who are sick today, especially those who have nobody to care for them.
May each one feel your peace and hope and healing.
God of love: hear us and help us. Lord, in your mercy...
Loving God, we give you thanks for the gift of eternal life.
We rejoice in the Fellowship of all your saints and ask your blessing on our loved ones departed this life, remembering...
May we, one day, share with them in the fullness and glory of your Kingdom.
Merciful Father...
Reflection from Rev’d Brian Adams
‘WHERE THER IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERISH’, this verse from the Book of Proverbs came to me as I was pondering what to say for this week’s service. The General Election is still in the news and Parliament is getting organised to cope with all its new members. They are all winners, all with visions and aspirations for the future. Pledges and promises have been made for the wellbeing of our country and they set out with a clean sheet to face the challenges of government .
I then read the passage from Paul’s letter to the Christians in Ephesus, set for this week. It is in effect his vision for his readers but expressed in the form of a prayer. His whole letter begins and ends with prayer and is one of four that he wrote in prison in Rome. He calls himself at the end of the letter an ‘Ambassador in Chains’. Prison can’t have been too bad as he had the wherewithal to write his letters for his supporters to take to their destinations. He was there, in Rome, as he had used his Roman citizenship to ‘appeal to Caesar’ when arrested by the Jews in Jerusalem and lived under the threat of being put to death by their courts, so he seems to have been under house arrest pending his trial.
As we read this passage slowly and carefully, we have a breathtaking view of Paul’s vision for the world…. He kneels in prayer…. He embraces all the families of the earth in his orbit.... He speaks of the ‘treasures of the Father’s glory’ that out of them his readers may have power and strength, a faith with deep roots and firm foundation so that they may be able to look at the world around them with love. It is an all-encompassing love which is immeasurable, a love which has height and depth, breadth and length, whichever way you look there is the love of Christ reaching out to the world. It is reminiscent of Jesus looking at Jerusalem from the top of the Mount of Olives and saying, ‘How often would I have gathered you as a hen gathers her chicks, but you would not’.
So where are we in all of this? Where is our vision without which we perish? Do we feel to a degree to be ‘in prison’, limited in what we can do by the restraints of getting older or some physical condition, unable to see beyond the limits of our environment and perhaps lamenting the problems we face in our everyday lives?
Paul’s imprisonment did not limit his vision for the future, he rather seems to have thrived on it. He was using the time to pray and write letters, which form an essential part of the New Testament. One of the great Christian leaders of the twentieth century, Archbishop Desmond Tutu used to spend long hours in prayer early in the morning, and at other times he would pause and pray when faced with new situations.
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians continues with teaching about how these new Christians were to behave. The first Christian outreach has been to Jews, but they found them largely resistant, but they were getting a good response from Gentiles. Paul is excited about this, seeing that God’s grace was extended to all peoples, but they do need basic teaching, mostly about family and personal relationships in what was a largely pagan society. He ends with likening the life of a Christian to that of a soldier requiring armour to cope with the outside world. He lists all the items needed: truth, integrity, knowledge of the gospel, faith as a shield, the word of God as a sword and then finishes again with his stress on prayer. ’Constantly ask God’s help in prayer, pray always in the power of the Spirit. Keep watch and persevere, always interceding for all God’s people. Pray also for me, an ambassador in chains, that I may speak boldly as is my duty’.
We have to go to Paul’s letter to Timothy to find the fulfilment of his vision. ‘I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there awaits me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge will award me on that day.’
Being a Christian is tough, it involves conflict and endurance, but its reward is great.
We like to think we are a Christian country, but we are told that our new Parliament is the least godly in history, judging by the numbers that did not take their oaths on the Bible. Nevertheless, we have four frontbenchers who have declared themselves Christians. Reasons here for thanksgiving and prayers.
So WHERE IS OUR VISION? I cannot do better than direct you to the inspiring Irish hymn/prayer dating from the eighth century translated by Mary Byrne and Eleanor Hull. It has five verses in all of which I quote three:
BE THOU MY VISION O Lord of my heart,
naught be all else to me save that thou art
Thou my best thought in the day and the night
waking or sleeping thy presence ,my light .
Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight,
be thou my armour and be thou my might .
Thou my soul’s shelter and thou my high tower,
raise thou me heavenward ,O Power of my power.
High King of heaven, when battle is done,
Grant heaven’s joy to me, O bright heaven’s sun
Christ of my own heart, whatever befall
STILL BE MY VISION, O Ruler of all.
May it be so for us all. Amen.
Sunday 21st July 2024
8th after Trinity - Readings & Prayers
The Collect
Lord God, your Son left the riches of heaven and became poor for our sake: when we prosper save us from pride, when we are needy save us from despair, that we may trust in you alone; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The first reading from Ephesians 2.11-end
11 So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called ‘the uncircumcision’ by those who are called ‘the circumcision’ - a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands - 12 remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. 15 He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, so that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, 16 and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. 17 So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; 18 for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father.
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 21 In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling-place for God.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd, therefore can I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.
3 He shall refresh my soul and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; you have anointed my head with oil and my cup shall be full.
6 Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
The Gospel reading from Mark 6.30-34, 53-end
30 The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.
33 Now many saw them going and recognised them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. 54 When they got out of the boat, people at once recognised him, 55 and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the market-places, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
Knowing his love for us all, we bring our Father, our concerns and anxieties.
When we were lost in sin you sent Our Lord as the Good Shepherd to bring us home. We give you thanks for all called to be shepherds of your people; remembering our own clergy, especially our Rector and all our church families.
The Lord is my Shepherd: I shall fear no evil. Lord, in your mercy...
With the news of global conflicts and human suffering filling our days, we pray for your shepherding of our world and its people.
We ask you to bless all nations and their leaders, our own Country, our King and Royal Family and Government.
We remember all those who are working for the relief of poverty and suffering among the poor.
The Lord is my Shepherd: I shall fear no evil. Lord, in your mercy...
We give thanks for the safety and comfort of our homes.
We ask you to protect our loved ones and guide them in the ways of peace.
Give wisdom and sensitivity to those working in social services.
We pray for our children and young people and for those who dedicate their lives to serve them.
The Lord is my Shepherd: I shall fear no evil. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for those who are stressed or overwhelmed by their work and we remember those who are unemployed.
We remember those involved in accidents, those who have been undertaking painful and worrying treatments, bringing to you... we ask for the peace and love of your healing presence.
The Lord is my Shepherd: I shall fear no evil. Lord, in your mercy...
Good and gracious God you have rescued us from the darkness of death and opened for us the way to eternal life.
We bring before you our loved ones who are now with you in your heaven, remembering... Lord, grant them your love and light.
Merciful Father...
Reflection from Canon Ian Gibson
“Come away to a deserted place.” (Mark 6:31)
Some of you may know the musical ‘Singing in the rain’ – well Lina Lamont is the angel-faced villain of that classic. Lina has the voice of a corncrake, the tongue of a viper and a butcher’s way with grammar and syntax; she is doomed. Like so many stars of the silent screen she will not feature in the “talkies”. One silent movie star who did make the transition was Greta Garbo. With her smouldering looks and her often parodied catch phrase, “I want to be alone; I just want to be alone,” Garbo became a screen icon.
Today’s Gospel reading book-ends Mark’s account of the feeding of the five thousand. It is not, however, the feeding that links the two passages, but Jesus’ desire to find peace and space with the disciples and his failure to do so.
In Mark 6:7 and onwards we read that Jesus calls the twelve, gives them authority over unclean spirits and sends them out, two by two, to exercise his ministry in the surrounding countryside. We read that they proclaim repentance, cast out many demons, and anoint with oil many sick people and cure them. Our Gospel opens with their return, excited, elated and eager to tell Jesus what they’ve done. His response is, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.”
But a large and needy crowd has other ideas; for while Jesus and the disciples sail across the lake, the crowd runs around the shore and gets there before them. Jesus’ compassion is endless, he sees them as sheep without a shepherd, and he begins to teach them many things. There is no opportunity for the disciples to tell Jesus what they’ve been up to, or for him to question them. They have been proclaiming Jesus’ message, but they are unable to simply be with him and to recharge their batteries. Coping with the demands of people is, perhaps, another lesson in their apprenticeship.
Today’s reading omits Jesus’ feeding of five thousand, his retreat into the mountains to pray and his appearance to the disciples, walking on the water. We go straight to Gennesaret, where Jesus’ presence triggers off an avalanche of sick, troubled and needy people, and Mark tells us that they “begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed”. Wherever Jesus goes he brings hope and people flock to him, his compassion is boundless and he spends himself on behalf of people who are sick and needy.
Greta Garbo pleaded to be alone, to escape from public attention and find peace and quiet. It would be easy to focus on the inability of Jesus and his disciples to “come away to a deserted place”, and to stress the need for Christians to make time to be with Jesus. It is true that busy Christians seem to be kept busy, for the advice, “If you want a job done, ask a busy person,” is based on experience.
The constant stress on the importance of making time to be with Jesus is not necessarily helpful for the many Christians who struggle with prayer. It is more likely to make them feel worse about themselves than feel encouraged. It also ignores a paradox at the heart of modern life.
For every would-be Greta Garbo figure, who wants to find windows of peace and seclusion in a busy life, there is at least one other person who is alone, but who longs for company, human contact and the warmth of friendship. The Church often addresses itself to the busy seeking peace, rather than to the lonely seeking companionship.
A parish retreat might offer a way to bridge the gap between the busy and the lonely. We need to remember that being alone with Jesus is also being alone with ourselves and that is often painful, and threatening beyond words. But an imaginatively organised and sensitively led retreat offering worship and silence, time for practical self-expression (perhaps a choice of art, creative writing, singing, and drama) and a good meal at the end of each day when talking is encouraged, could work wonders. An essential ingredient would be choice, when the busy could choose to escape and the lonely choose group activity.
The Church needs to find ways to address the lonely, the “sheep without a shepherd”, who look to us to be Christ for them today. The people who do not “want to be alone” but who, by force of circumstance, are.
Sunday 14th July 2024
7th after Trinity
Readings & Prayers
The Collect
Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: graft in our hearts the love of your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of your great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The first reading from Ephesians 1.3-14
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5 He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14 this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 85.8-end
8 I will listen to what the Lord God will say, for he shall speak peace to his people and to the faithful, that they turn not again to folly. 9 Truly, his salvation is near to those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other; 11 Truth shall spring up from the earth and righteousness look down from heaven.
12 The Lord will indeed give all that is good, and our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness shall go before him and direct his steps in the way.
The Gospel reading from Mark 6.14-29
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. Glory to you, O Lord.
14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, ‘John the baptiser has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.’ 15 But others said, ‘It is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.’ 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.’
17 For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. 18 For John had been telling Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20f or Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22 When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.’ 23 And he solemnly swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.’
24 She went out and said to her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the baptizer.’ 25 Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, ‘I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’ 26 The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her.
27 Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
In humility and love, let us draw near to our God and pray to him now.
As we give thanks for our faith, we pray that our lives may be upright and holy; that our church communities may shine with goodness and love, humility and truth.
We ask you to bless all our clergy, especially our Rector and all our church families.
Lord, in our weakness: hold us and keep us. Lord, in your mercy...
As we give thanks for the world and its beauty, we remember before you all areas of conflict and disaster.
We ask for your blessing upon all who are suffering the results of war or natural disasters.
We thank you for those who are working for the good of humankind.
Please bless our Country, our King and Royal Family, and Government.
Lord, in our weakness: hold us and keep us. Lord, in your mercy...
As we give thanks for our homes and loved ones, we pray for those who are suffering from the breakdown of relationships; where there is tension or discord.
We pray for all who have taught us and all who have provided for our needs. Lord, in our weakness: hold us and keep us. Lord, in your mercy...
As we give thanks for those who dedicate their lives to those who are ill, we bring to you those who are sick at, home, in hospitals or in nursing homes... and we also remember the lonely and unloved, the homeless and hungry.
May each one feel your loving presence.
Lord, in our weakness: hold us and keep us. Lord, in your mercy...
As we give thanks for those we love who are now at rest, we remember those who died recently, and those whose memories still fill hearts... we pray that each one may be rest in your peaceful loving heaven.
Merciful Father...
Reflection from Emerson Powery
The report of John’s death, Jesus’ mentor (see Mark 1:9), was the end of innocence for Jesus’ mission. Placing this account between the commission and the return of the twelve disciples (during the heart of the expansion of the Jesus movement), Mark relayed the story of John and Herod as a foreshadowing of Jesus’ own death by the hands of a political, though sympathetic, figure. Immediately before Mark told this story - the only one in which Jesus was not the primary subject - he told the story of the rejection of Jesus at home.
Mark chose this opportunity, after Jesus sent out his disciples on their first formal mission, to report the death of John the Baptist. Mark hinted at this political death earlier in the story when John was arrested (1:14), but saved the full report until chapter 6. Interpreters who choose to think that Jesus’ life and mission were disconnected from the socio-political affairs of his first century context must view this account (John’s death by Herod) as an aside. Using intercalation (i.e., the “sandwich” technique) once again, Mark placed this account between the commission and the return of the disciples to intimate its significance for the expansion of Jesus’ mission.
The manner of John’s death was intimately tied to the mission of Jesus. This story showed Markan narrative technique at its best. Not only did John’s message meet with political obstacles, so would Jesus’ and so would his followers’ (cf. Mark 13). John’s declaration of the unlawfulness of Herod’s marriage to Herodias would probably have been shared by Jesus as well (cf. Mark 10). In addition, marriages of this type already had huge political implications attached to them.
At the beginning of the section, Mark offered transitional verses (verses 14-16) in order to express Herod’s views of the Jesus’ movement. Unlike others who thought that Jesus was a “prophet” (cf. 8:28), Herod thought that Jesus was a resurrected John (6:16). Herod’s assessment made a close link between the missions of Jesus and John. Not only was Jesus’ mission initiated only after John’s arrest, according to Mark, but Jesus’ continual activity was viewed by the “powers that be” as intimately associated with John’s. These close ties would appear again later in the story (cf. Mark 11:27-33).
The length and detail of this account were also significant. There is not enough space here to explore in depth Luke’s omission of this story or Matthew’s abbreviated version, but a few words are in order. Mark’s version was filled with detail and intrigue. Only Mark’s audience would have discovered other views of Jesus (besides Herod’s), Herodias’s grudge, and the specific conversation between Herodias and her daughter.
In addition, there was a relevant disagreement between Mark and Matthew on Herod’s view of John. In Matthew, Herod feared the people, who considered John to be a prophet (Matthew 14:5). In Mark, Herod feared John himself, considering him a “righteous and holy man” (dikaion kai hagion). Herod, in Mark, “protected” John (6:20) until the request came for his head. In Matthew, Herod wanted him killed (Matthew 14:5). Even after his agreement to fulfill his oath, Herod “deeply grieved” in Mark’s account (6:26). This word, perilupos “deeply grieved, sadness”), was used only here and to describe Jesus’ feelings in Gethsemane (14:34)!
We should assume, in light of the description of Herod’s attitude towards John (in verse 20), that this was a sincere contrite feeling. Mark’s Herod was a sympathetic figure, whose public oath became his own demise. In the biblical tradition, oaths were not easily dismissed among Jews. The tension was depicted clearly at the end of 6:26.
Finally, Mark’s portrayal of women in this chapter deserves mention. Mark’s more sympathetic depiction of Herod did not carry over to Herodias. Her grudge against John finally found its satisfaction - by means of her daughter’s entertainment value - as she became the person most responsible for John’s death in Mark’s account.
While most of the positive examples of women in the story were unnamed, this woman of high standing received her name, as well as her “prize” on a platter. Yet, her reward halted the work and mission of the messenger sent by God. So, her overall role would have been viewed in a negative light. To be fair to Mark, the author bracketed this portrayal of two negative female characters with two positive female images (cf. 5:24-34 (haemorrhaging woman) and 7:24-30 (Syrophoenician woman)).
Many scholars have imagined a highly charged sexual event in the dance, partly due to Western scholarship’s interpretive views of the “Orient.” A number of feminist biblical scholars have rightly challenged this interpretation. Mark simply writes that she “came in and danced, (and) she pleased Herod and his guests” (6:22). Mark described Herodias’ daughter as a korasion (verse 22), which was used only here and for the 12-year old “little girl” in 5:41-42.
It seems that their daughter (since she was Herod’s daughter, too; 6:22) was young. At the same time, John could not have died a more ignominious death in the culture of the first century … at the instigation of a woman. As Janice Capel Anderson stresses: “(T)o die in battle at the hands of enemy soldiers is honourable. To be executed or to die at the hands of a woman is a mark of shame.”
However one understands the relationship between John and Jesus, one thing is certain: agents of God who challenge those in power usually suffer significant consequences.
Sunday 7th July 2024
6th after Trinity - Readings & Prayers
The Collect
Merciful God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as pass our understanding: pour into our hearts such love toward you that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The first reading from Ezekiel 2.1-5
1 He said to me: O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you. 2 And when he spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard him speaking to me.
3 He said to me, Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this very day. 4 The descendants are impudent and stubborn. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’
5 Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 123
1 To you I lift up my eyes, to you that are enthroned in the heavens.
2 As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, or the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, 3 so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until he have mercy upon us.
4 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt. 5 Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of the arrogant, and of the contempt of the proud.
The Gospel reading from Mark 6.1-13
6 Jesus left that place and came to his home town, and his disciples followed him. 2 On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, ‘Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?’ And they took offence at him.
4 Then Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honour, except in their home town, and among their own kin, and in their own house.’ 5 And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. 7 He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 10 He said to them, ‘Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11 If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.’ 12 So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13 They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
Drawn by the Holy Spirit, we pray together for the Church and for the world.
Heavenly Father, we pray for this place that we love, for our Bishops and ministers, for our Rector and for all who worship here.
We ask for the gifts we need, for the work you need us to do.
Give us your grace: to hear your word with joy. Lord, in your mercy...
Heavenly Father, all the kingdoms of the world are answerable to your authority. Much evil is allowed through the silence of good people. Helps us to speak out against wrong, where-ever we meet it.
We pray for our Country, our King and Royal Family and for our new Government.
We pray for a deeper understanding of our universe and of one another.
Give us your grace: to hear your word with joy. Lord, in your mercy...
Heavenly Father, we pray that our homes may be the centres of love, acceptance and welcome.
We pray that you will make your home among us.
Please bless those we love and those who love us.
Be with our children, at home, in school and in colleges.
Give us your grace: to hear your word with joy. Lord, in your mercy...
Heavenly Father, we pray for those weighed down with doubts and fears; those anxious about loved ones and those waiting for results of medical teats.
We remember... and pray that they may be aware of your constant, healing presence.
Give us your grace: to hear your word with joy. Lord, in your mercy...
Heavenly Father, prepare us all during this life, for the life to come.
We commend to your keeping those who have died recently and those whose anniversaries are this week... may they live in the peace and joy of heaven.
Merciful Father...
Reflection from Rev’d Brian Adams
Many preachers can remember the time when they were called upon to preach in front of their parents. It’s not the same as playing a musical instrument or playing in a football match because preaching is something public that emerges from something essentially private. Parents may wonder what you are going to say and are sitting there hoping that nothing embarrassing is going to come out.
In today’s Gospel Jesus makes his first visit to Nazareth since he started his public ministry, and this created a great deal of interest. News had been getting around that Jesus, son of Mary and Joseph whom they had seen grow up in their town and learn carpentry was now doing amazing things. They couldn’t wait to see what was going on and so were there to hear him preach in the synagogue on the Sabbath Day.
‘Where does he get all this from? they are saying. ’Isn’t he the handyman who mended my broken chair? His brothers and sisters who are still here with us are not like this. Who does he think he is?’ He wasn‘t just preaching the normal sort of sermon about some aspect of the Jewish law but proclaiming the establishment of God’s kingdom which was centred in himself!
The result was very disappointing; he was unable to do any miracle there except that he put his hands on a few sick people and healed them, resulting in Jesus saying, ‘A prophet never lacks honour except among his own town and family.’ As we look at ourselves in the light of this story, how often do we find ourselves making judgments about people or situations which turn out to be false. The clothes they are wearing, the way they speak, even where they come from can lead us to make assumptions about people which may prove to be grievously wrong. As you read this on July 7 you will be reflecting on the result of the General Election. In casting your vote, you had to assess the worth of the candidates and their parties and make a decision. I personally found it quite challenging as there are several factors to take into consideration. One hopes one made the right choice. The people of Nazareth made the wrong choice because of their presuppositions and prejudice. Actually, we read in John’s Gospel that when Nathaniel, recruited to Jesus’ cause by Philip, heard where Jesus came from he exclaimed ‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from Nazareth?’ Philip said, ‘Come and see’. He soon changed his mind, saying after he had met Jesus, ‘You are the Son of God ,you are King of Israel’. It looks as though Nazareth had a bad reputation.
In the course of reading this story we get a glimpse of Jesus’ family. He had brothers and sisters. We don’t hear any more about them except that Paul says in his letter to the Corinthians that he appeared to James after his resurrection. Jesus now moves on from Nazareth, fulfilling the ministry to which he is called and sends his disciples out in pairs to bring healing and blessing to the villages around. It was all in preparation for the time that he knew was coming when after his resurrection they would be the basis on which his Church was to be founded and the Jews banished from their land.
We in our generation are called upon to forward his work in whatever way we are called. We may feel if we are older there is not much we can do. The most precious thing we have is the message of the Gospel of peace with God through faith in Christ Jesus which we are called to be ready with, ’in season and out of season’.
One thing we can all do is to pray. Pray for family and friends, for those we know are distressed; for people we have lost contact with who might welcome a call. Praying for people can lead to us doing something to help them, and there is much we can do by supporting Christian work to relieve suffering in the world by supporting Christian charities. I remember a lady years ago who was confined to her bed but had spent much of her time praying for people the world over. She had a vast correspondence. It was a joy to visit her, and you came away feeling the blessing. ‘Occupy till I come’ were Jesus’ parting words to his disciples and that we can do even if we feel its like the children’s hymn ‘you in your small corner and I in mine’!
‘There’s a work for Jesus ready at your hand,
‘Tis a task the Master just for you has planned.
Haste to do his bidding, yield him service true,
There’s a work for Jesus none but you can do.
(Elsie Duncan Yule)
Sunday 30th June 2024
5th after Trinity
Readings & Prayers
The Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people, that in their vocation and ministry they may serve you in holiness and truth to the glory of your name; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The first reading from Lamentations 3.23-33
(The Lord’s ... compassions never fail, ) 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’
25 The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. 26 It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. 27 It is good for one to bear the yoke in youth, 28 to sit alone in silence when the Lord has imposed it, 29 to put one’s mouth to the dust (there may yet be hope), 30 to give one’s cheek to the smiter, and be filled with insults.
31 For the Lord will not reject for ever. 32 Although he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; 33 for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 130
1 Out of the depths have I cried to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice; let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication. 2 If you, Lord, were to mark what is done amiss, O Lord, who could stand? 3 But there is forgiveness with you, so that you shall be feared. 4 I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him; in his word is my hope.
5 My soul waits for the Lord, more than the night watch for the morning, more than the night watch for the morning. 6 O Israel, wait for the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy; 7 With him is plenteous redemption and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.
The Gospel reading from Mark 5.21-end
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. Glory to you, O Lord.
21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered round him; and he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet 23 and begged him repeatedly, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.’ 24 So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him.
25 Now there was a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 for she said, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.’ 29 Immediately her haemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.
30 Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ 31 And his disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, “Who touched me?” ’ 32 He looked all round to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth.
34 He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’
35 While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?’ 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.’ 37 He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
38 When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 When he had entered, he said to them, ‘Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.’ 40 And they laughed at him.
Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha cum’, which means, ‘Little girl, get up!’ 42 And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. 43 He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
God has drawn us by many different routes to share our worship today.
Lord, may your church be an accepting and loving Church.
May it help to free those who are paralysed by fear and doubt.
May it reach out to those who do not know of your love and bring them to you.
We ask you to bless our little churches, all our clergy, especially our Rector, who are working to spread the Good News.
Holy and strong one: let us rejoice in your saving power. Lord in your mercy...
We remember in your presence all who are struggling to survive, from drought or flood, from wars and man's inhumanity.
Bless all who work for the relief of the poor and homeless and underfed.
We ask you to bless our Country, our King and Royal Family and our Government.
Holy and strong one: let us rejoice in your saving power. Lord in your mercy...
We give you thanks for our friends and families, especially those who brought us to know you.
We thank you for those who love us and those we love.
We bring to you our young people who must find the world a troubling place.
We thank you for those who dedicate their lives to our children and young people.
Holy and strong one: let us rejoice in your saving power. Lord in your mercy...
Lord, we bring to you those who are in need today, especially the chronic sick, those having operations and enduring painful treatments.
We bring to you... please may they feel your loving healing touch and find peace and comfort in your presence.
Holy and strong one: let us rejoice in your saving power. Lord in your mercy...
We give thanks for the power of the Resurrection, and that you offer us life eternal.
We remember those who have died recently and those we miss... may we, one day, meet together in you heaven.
Merciful Father...
Reflection from Canon Ian Gibson
‘He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well.’” (Mark 5:34)
Working in several of the shack settlements around Durban, South Africa, there is a man called David. His job, with a local Christian NGO, is to support small projects in these communities which are quite literally at the side of the rubbish dumps of the wealthy. When asked what the main issues were, he didn’t have to think twice: it was the frequent burning of the shacks. The fumes from the decaying rubbish cause dangerous emissions for the safety of the seven thousand who live in this one place.
He was visiting forty-eight people (thirteen of whom are children) whose shacks had burnt three months earlier and who now shared one room as a place for sleeping and cooking while waiting for new government housing. Below this room was an old garage space where preschool age children played together, barred in as if in a cage because no adult was there at that time to care for them. In front of these children was an open tent space where more men and women slept and waited too. The hopelessness was tangible, but David was there, living his faith and being who he is, with a message of “let’s figure out what we can do”, “let’s get through this”. And people smiled as he chatted.
In today’s reading, we hear about both a death in life and a life in death story. The woman with haemorrhages was not only in physical discomfort, embarrassment and weakness, but socially isolated by her condition from the normal communal and religious life of her time: more like a death in life. Her faith that she had only to touch the edge of Jesus’ cloak to know healing may have lacked theological sophistication or cultural rightness, but she received commendation and assurance from her healer that replaced her shame with his encouragement and her weakness with his strength and life.
Jairus has a similar faith in Jesus’ power to heal. Jesus was delayed on the way to lay hands on Jairus’ daughter, as Jairus has asked. When the message came that his daughter had died, we do not know Jairus’ response – did he hear the words of the men or of Jesus, who ignored the men, and told Jairus, ”don’t be afraid; just believe”? Did he hear neither, but, in his sad numbness, simply keep following Jesus even up to that most difficult place for any parent, the deathbed of his own little daughter? When Jesus spoke to this little girl, he simply held her hand and life came to death. She stood, walked and came back to her family and their care, where life’s normality is seen in eating.
With Jesus, a whole new view of life and death is possible. Jesus’ love stands in the middle, holding both death and life with his presence. His love has the power to transform weakness and grief.
We do not have the power of the Son of God in life and death, but we do have the presence of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, it is only through Jesus’ grace-filled Spirit, that many faithful followers of Jesus can bear the life and death experiences all around them. Even in places of deep hopelessness, glimpses of God’s presence through our words, our touch, and the recognition and smiles of human life and being are signs enough for the way forward through those times when we know no way through, those times that turn out later to have been “between-times” in the death-life circle of our lives.
In our lives, we find encouragement through the faith of others who’ve gone that way before, who pray for us, who help and advise us, give us something of themselves just when we needed it. For those around us, or those whom we meet even briefly, to see something or someone being a sign of God’s love is a power that encourages and moves. Even if all we have is the courage to smile, as others see that smile, it may be what helps them to survive at that moment. The power is not ours, but that of God’s Spirit active in the world, as much present as we are.
Take courage today to ask for the help or prayer of another. Look around you. Who needs encouragement and a hand up? How can you be that for them, today?
Sunday 23rd June 2024
4th after Trinity
Readings & Prayers
The Collect
O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that with you as our ruler and guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not our hold on things eternal; grant this, heavenly Father, for our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The first reading from Job 38.1-11
38 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: 2 ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me.
4 ‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements - surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone 7 when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?
8 ‘Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb - 9 when I made the clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band, 10 and prescribed bounds for it, and set bars and doors, 11 and said, “Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stopped”?
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
The Psalm 107.23-32
23 Those who go down to the sea in ships and ply their trade in great waters, 24 These have seen the works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep.
25 For at his word the stormy wind arose and lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They were carried up to the heavens and down again to the deep; their soul melted away in their peril. 27 They reeled and staggered like a drunkard and were at their wits’ end. 28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.
29 He made the storm be still and the waves of the sea were calmed. 30 Then were they glad because they were at rest, and he brought them to the haven they desired.
31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his goodness and the wonders he does for his children. 32 Let them exalt him in the congregation of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.
The Gospel Reading from Mark 4.35-end
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. Glory to you, O Lord.
35 On that day, when evening had come, Jesus said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ 36 And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37 A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’
39 He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm.
40 He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ 41 And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
Let us pray to our loving Creator God.
Lord of Truth and Goodness, we pray for the Church throughout the world, for those worshipping in great cathedrals, those worshipping in little churches and those worshipping you alone.
We thank you for our little churches that we love, for all our clergy, especially our Rector.
May we be enables to hear God's calming voice and deepen our trust in Him.
Calm our fears: and teach us your peace. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord of great power and majesty, we pray for those with earthly powers, whose decisions affect many lives.
Bless our Country, our King and Royal Family and Government and those who hold authority in their local communities.
Calm our fears: and teach us your peace. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord of Life, we pray for all people, remembering especially our families, friends and neighbours.
Help us to be thoughtful and caring to those we meet day by day.
Thank you for our children and young people as they struggle to understand everyday life.
Calm our fears: and teach us your peace. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord of Healing, we pray for those whose hearts and minds are in turmoil, those whose lives are in crisis, those who feel unloved and isolated.
We bring to you those who are sick, at home or in hospital... give each one hope and peace and healing.
Calm our fears: teach us your peace. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord of Eternity, we thank you for your reassurance of life beyond physical death.
We pray for those whose earthly lives have ended and those whose anniversaries we recall... we commend them, and us, to your merciful forgiveness.
Merciful Father...
Reflection from Reverend D’ Fyfe
A Reflection for Ss Peter and Paul
Next Saturday (29th June) we remember Ss Peter and Paul; ordinary, fallible people, called by God. They were ordinary people, who with God’s help did extraordinary things. They proclaimed the message that all might hear it. They made mistakes and were still acceptable to God! Both were called to follow Jesus, but in different ways. And we too are ordinary people, called by God.
After Jesus’ death, Peter the Rock, a fishermen from Galilee, led the Christians in Jerusalem. Paul, a highly educated Jew and a Roman citizen, brought the story to the gentiles. They disagreed often, but found a way to work together, carrying the faith to the world.
Peter had been fishing with his brother Andrew when Jesus walked past. “Follow me”, he said, and leaving their, nets they followed him. It was a steep learning curve. Rough and ready fishermen are not theologians! Peter was an enthusiast, plunging into things without thought. If something seemed right he did it, regardless of the consequences. He followed Jesus, bumbling along here or striding out there. When Jesus asks Who do you say I am, It is Peter, the spokesman, who says The Messiah, the Son of God. Peter’s heart tells him what others stop to think about first. But it was Peter who denied him, slipping away in misery as the cock crowed. He was forgiven. The change in him after the Resurrection was remarkable. He was the spokesman at Pentecost/Whitsun when the Holy Spirit tipped the disciples out on to the street. It must have been quite a sight. Peter roaring at the crowd “No, these men are not drunk, they are filled with the Holy Spirit” ! Once he was arrested and held in prison overnight. He was bound in chains and helpless, awaiting a similar fate to James, He was rescued by an angel. Wake up, get dressed, follow me. He thought he was dreaming until outside and safe. Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.
Paul, a Roman citizen. had held the coats of the men stoning Stephen! He had been harassing Jesus’ followers, taking them to Jerusalem in chains. Paul received his call in a blinding flash of light on the road to Damascus. Who are you, he asked. I am Jesus whom you are persecuting! Blind, he was led to Damascus, where Ananius restored his sight and baptised him. Paul travelled widely to bring the good news. He baptised and taught, then moved on to a new area. He wrote letters, epistles, which were passed from hand to hand and sent on to neighbouring areas, (And it must be said, they were probably added to by other hands.)
Paul followed the Roman trade routes, so the Roman world heard the good news. He lost no opportunity to teach, to write, to argue his case. He offered advice on morals, on how to live, on Christian duty. There was very little that he did not cover. He was beaten, tortured, near drowned, but battled on, glorying in the Cross. Nearing Rome he probably knew that he was coming to the end: but he still hoped to go on to Spain, to continue telling the world about Jesus.
Peter and Paul point the way for us. Well, no, Jesus points the way and Peter and Paul point to him, make him known to us. What message do they bring to us, the Christians of today?
Jesus calls Peter the Rock. He recognised Peter’s future solid reliability. And on this rock I will build my church and gates of hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
Keys were held by teachers and housekeepers. Peter’s keys were the keys to knowledge. A fisherman with knowledge? He grew into it. He was the church- keeper, the housekeeper. It was to him and the others in Jerusalem
that problems of the church were taken. They were, with Paul, arbiters of what was acceptable or not. There had to be one rule for the Christians, Gentiles and Jews. What should or should not be eaten? What about circumcision? Was it for everyone? They struggle over the questions it raises, over all the quirks of the Law. Both must have suffered a lot, giving up their traditions to this new way.
There are countless examples in their lives - and ours. We are constantly being forgiven; washed and brushed up and sent out again: slightly wiser, possibly a bit more humble; ready to try again. Peter and Paul were called because God wanted them. They were called as they were. Thank God for examples like them.
God calls us as we are. Jesus chose ordinary people to tell the story. We are all chosen. Each of us has been selected to do something and our failures don’t matter. We are forgiven and we crash on again!
Paul’s final words show us his journey. As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Sunday 16th June 2024
3rd after Trinity
Readings & Prayers
The Collect
God our saviour, look on this wounded world in pity and in power; hold us fast to your promises of peace won for us by your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
The first reading from Ezekiel 17.22-end
22 Thus says the Lord God: I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of a cedar; I will set it out. I will break off a tender one from the topmost of its young twigs; I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23 On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it, in order that it may produce boughs and bear fruit, and become a noble cedar.
Under it every kind of bird will live; in the shade of its branches will nest
winged creatures of every kind. 24 All the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord. I bring low the high tree, I make high the low tree; I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I the Lord have spoken; I will accomplish it.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 92.1-4, 12-end
1 It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to your name, O Most High; 2 To tell of your love early in the morning and of your faithfulness in the night-time, 3 Upon the ten-stringed instrument, upon the harp, and to the melody of the lyre.
4 For you, Lord, have made me glad by your acts, and I sing aloud at the works of your hands. 12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, and shall spread abroad like a cedar of Lebanon.
13 Such as are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be vigorous and in full leaf; 15 that they may show that the Lord is true; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
The Gospel Reading from Mark 4.26-34
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. Glory to you, O Lord.
26 Jesus also said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, 27 and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. 28 The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’
30 He also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32 yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’
33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34 he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
Let us pray to our God for the growth of the Kingdom.
May the Kingdom grow all over the world by personal encounters with the living God, nourished by private prayer and public worship.
We pray for the Church, for our little places, for all our clergy, especially our Rector.
Lord of Heaven: let your Kingdom come. Lord, in your mercy...
May the Kingdom grow in states and empires, in the crowded streets of cities, and in scattered rural communities.
We pray that those in authority may use their influence wisely and fairly.
Please bless our Country, our King and Royal Family, our Government and all who commit themselves to the service of the communities in which they live.
Lord of Heaven: let your Kingdom come. Lord, in your mercy...
May the Kingdom grow in every human home, every place of work and education, in our mutual care for one another. Bless those we love and those who love us.
Lord of Heaven: let your Kingdom come. Lord, in your mercy..
May the Kingdom grow to bring peace and healing wherever there is pain or sadness.
We bring to you those who are sick today... for reassurance, comfort, courage and hope.
Lord of Heaven: let your Kingdom come. Lord in your mercy...
We bring to you those whose earthly lives have ended, that they may be welcomed into your heaven, remembering... and hope that one day we may meet together in your heaven.
Merciful Father..
Reflection from Reverend Brian Adams
We have reached the Third Sunday after Trinity, the liturgical colour is green, symbol of growth. Growth Is a dominant topic in the rhetoric of the political parties seeking our votes and in a different sense is the subject of today’s readings, spiritual growth.
As we pass through life’s different stages, we have to accept the cycle of growth and decline, but spiritually there should be no barriers to us continually growing in God’s grace, becoming better Christians by nourishing the ninefold fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. St Paul says in his letter to the Corinthians, “Though our outward humanity is in decay, yet day by day we are inwardly renewed”
Both readings today are parables. We don’t normally think of parables when we read the Old Testament but they in fact are there and so we read of their way of sending encrypted messages to encourage the Jews held in captivity. We are more aware of the parables of Jesus in the New Testament which again carry a hidden message to encourage his hearers about the establishing of his kingdom.
The prophet Ezekiel is one of the least known of the Old Testament prophets, but he is a remarkable man writing in the depths of the Jews’ captivity in Babylon, holding on to his faith, keeping in close touch with God, and recording the messages he received from him. His parable is presented as God speaking and saying, “I God take the place of the king of Babylon, and then take a branch from the top of the cedar tree (a descendant of David) and place it on top of a lofty mountain (Mount Zion in Jerusalem) and it will grow into a majestic tree in the shade of which all kinds of people will come to live. The mighty are brought low and the humble are lifted up”.
The Jewish captivity did come to an end in the time of Nehemiah, the temple rebuilt and the nation continuing under the government of the priesthood.
The New Testament sees the fulfilment of the prophecy in the coming of the Christ and we can see Ezekiel’s bringing down the high tree and raising the lowly tree expressed in Mary’s song, “He hath cast down the mighty from their seats and exalted the humble and meek”.
Jesus lived in a similar situation. The Jews were now living under Roman rule which was going to come to a disastrous end with destruction of the temple in 70 AD, crushing a Jewish rebellion. The priests are now in charge and as we know he runs into trouble with what they see as his teachings being the breaking of God’s laws. In our reading Jesus tells two parables, the first about the man who sows his seeds, goes to bed day after day, and finds his seeds growing steadily (he knows not how) until they come to harvest time. This seems to be illustrating the work of God in the growing of his kingdom, independent of the man who planted the seeds.
The second emphasises the contrast between the smallness of the seed and the size of the resultant tree. Trees are fascinating, both in the time they take to grow and their longevity. The world’s oldest tree is believed to be in California, a 4000 plus years old Bristlecone Pine which has been named Methuselah. The kingdom of God is for the long-term, not to be hurried, and a blessing for the whole creation symbolised by the birds coming to shelter in its branches.
So as we seek to a apply these truths to our lives today we come back to the one area we can control, our inner being or what we call our soul; our soul is not going to die. In the account of the raising of Lazarus Jesus says to the grieving Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life: whoever lives and has faith in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”; “I do, Lord” she replied. This is the most important question we have to answer in the whole of our lives, and if we can truly say, ”I do, Lord”, we have the key to producing the inner renewal St Paul talked about, allowing the fruits of the Spirit to grow.
“God is working his purpose out as year succeeds to year,
God is working his purpose out and the time is drawing near,
Nearer and nearer draws the time, the time that shall surely be,
When the earth shall be filled with the glory of God
As the waters cover the sea.”
Ezekiel from the constraints of his captivity in Babylon all those years ago saw hope for the future in his vision of the twig growing to a tree. Jesus taught it to his disciples through his parables while living under fierce opposition from Jews and Romans. We in our generation are called to work and pray for his kingdom to grow in a hostile world: may God help us so to do. Amen.
Sunday 9th June 2024
2nd after Trinity
Readings & Prayers
Collect
Lord, you have taught us that all our doings without love are nothing worth: send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the true bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whoever lives is counted dead before you.
Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The first reading from Genesis 3.8-15
8 They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ 10He said, ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.’ 11He said, ‘Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?’ 12The man said, ‘The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.’
13Then the Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this that you have done?’ The woman said, ‘The serpent tricked me, and I ate.’ 14The Lord God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, cursed are you among all animals
and among all wild creatures; upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. 15 I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.’
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 130
1 Out of the depths have I cried to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice; let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication. 2 If you, Lord, were to mark what is done amiss, O Lord, who could stand? 3 But there is forgiveness with you, so that you shall be feared.
4 I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him; in his word is my hope. 5 My soul waits for the Lord, more than the night watch for the morning, more than the night watch for the morning.
6 O Israel, wait for the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy; with him is plenteous redemption and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.
The Gospel Reading from Mark 3.20-end
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. Glory to you, O Lord.
20 Then Jesus entered a house and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. 21 When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, ‘He has gone out of his mind.’ 22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, ‘He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.’
23 And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. 27 But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered.
28 ‘Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin’ - 30 for they had said, ‘He has an unclean spirit.’
31 Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, ‘Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.’ 33 And he replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ 34 And looking at those who sat around him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
As members of God's family, let us pray together to our Father God. That as family members of the Church we may show his likeness by doing his will; that we may be open-hearted and loving to those we meet.
Please bless our little churches and all our clergy, especially our Rector.
Father: let you will be done. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for the whole world, for all peoples and their leaders.
As members of the human race, may we work together, share resources, respect and learn from one another.
We especially remember those places still suffering from wars, natural disasters and human selfishness.
Please bless our Country, our King and Royal Family, our Government and those who serve their local communities.
Father: let your will be done. Lord, in your mercy...
May we always give our love and support to those we cherish; our families, friends and neighbours.
We bring to you our children, all our schools and places where young people may grow and flourish.
Father: let your will be done. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for those in need, asking for forgiveness, healing and wholeness of mind, body and spirit.
We bring to you those who are sick today... and those known only to ourselves and to you. Give each one hope and peace and healing.
Father: let your will be done. Lord, in your mercy...
We bring to you those whose earthly lives have ended recently and those whose anniversaries we recall... that they may be welcomed in the eternal home, prepared for them by our loving Father God.
Merciful Father...
Reflection from Canon Ian Gibson
“And the crowd came together again so that they could not even eat.” (Mark 3:20)
We don’t much like crowds. They make us feel uneasy, and sometimes with good cause. Football crowds have that mix of happiness and anger that can kick off in more ways than one. Clusters of hooded teenagers are mistrusted, unruly groups of people in a train have spoilt many a journey, and too many children in a sweet shop sometimes require number policies. Even a cheerful event such as a town parade requires masses of planning to be sure that traffic, audience, people, children – and for the very brave – animals – all come together harmoniously and without harm to anyone. And seemingly free and easy festival gatherings are heavily managed with wristbands and wire fencing. Crowd control is enshrined in our law and deeply embedded in our hearts, as it is in all societies – whether enforced by police, home-grown signs, or those spoken and unspoken rules that make up the fabric of our society.
So it’s not really a surprise to read that there were similar feelings in first-century Palestine. As Jesus travelled around Galilee, healing and preaching, he drew crowds in the town, crowds by the lake and crowds in any home he entered. He had to preach from a boat to avoid being crushed. People had to cut holes in a roof to bring a sick friend to him. He had to climb a mountain just so that he could focus on appointing a small band of more dedicated disciples. And when he arrived home he couldn’t even eat, the crowds had got so demanding.
Not surprisingly, this generated uneasiness both with the law and from more personal quarters. Jesus was making a mockery of the authorities, openly criticising them and actually addressing real needs. In occupied territory there was also the possibility that he would bring the Romans down on everyone’s heads. He was disturbing the peace. The powers that be had already begun plotting to destroy him, and here they try discrediting him too. They spread the word that Jesus’ power is a dark thing, coming from the prince of demons. That’s why, they say, he has such success in casting them out. Jesus condemned as the most serious sin of all this deceitful and persistent declaration that God is the opposite of what he truly is.
His family deployed the “it’s for your own good” technique. He can’t eat, he can’t rest; he’s clearly become a bit deranged. Jesus’ response to this echoes down the centuries and into our own places of worship: my family – the people who have the right to determine my actions – are those who do the will of God. Ouch, what a rebuff!
We have the benefit of hindsight and so we know that Jesus was goodness personified. But given our heavily crowd-controlled society – even in a society where we are lucky enough to enjoy relative freedoms and an attempt at democratic government – which side would we really be on if we were right there in Palestine? Crowds make us uneasy and crowd control is the stuff of life.
We need to see that even the good things – the laws that give us order and peace, our families and wider community, all those spoken and unspoken rules and codes that are the fabric of society; even those we love and trust – can operate a kind of control that takes the sting out of the Gospel message and renders it powerless but respectable. You could see our smart and beautiful church buildings as designed specifically to manage numbers, and our songs and hymns as a nifty way to channel emotion and radical thoughts into more harmless and personal pastimes.
Ah, but, we know of course that these are good things with sound purpose. They really are. But here’s where the gospel won’t let us rest or be comfortable, where the Spirit of God hassles our respectably managed existence with the ideas and practice of that uncomfortable Palestinian outsider.
Let’s treasure our buildings, the people with whom we worship and our controlling families. But we also need to hear those words that Jesus directs over the shoulders of the crowd and right into this room here: “Who is my family?” Who are the people who have the right to determine my actions? Who are the people I should be hanging out with? Are they here? With the insight and the support of the Spirit of God, let’s go and find them.
Sunday 2nd June 2024
Trinity 1
Readings & Prayers
Collect
God of truth, help us to keep your law of love and to walk in ways of wisdom, that we may find true life in Jesus Christ your Son. Amen.
The first reading from 2 Corinthians 4.5-12
5 For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 8We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. 11 For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.
This is the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 139.1-5, 12-18
1 O Lord, you have searched me out and known me; you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
2 You mark out my journeys and my resting place and are acquainted with all my ways. 3 For there is not a word on my tongue, but you, O Lord, know it altogether.
4 You encompass me behind and before and lay your hand upon me. 5 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, so high that I cannot attain it.
12 For you yourself created my inmost parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 13 I thank you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are your works, my soul knows well.
14 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was made in secret and woven in the depths of the earth. 15 Your eyes beheld my form, as yet unfinished; already in your book were all my members written, 16 As day by day they were fashioned when as yet there was none of them.
17 How deep are your counsels to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! 18 If I count them, they are more in number than the sand, and at the end, I am still in your presence.
The Gospel reading from Mark 2.23-3.6
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
23 One sabbath he was going through the cornfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, ‘Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?’ 25 And he said to them, ‘Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? 26 He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions.’ 27 Then he said to them, ‘The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; 28 so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.’
3.6 Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3 And he said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Come forward.’ 4 Then he said to them, ‘Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?’ But they were silent. 5 He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
Through Jesus we are shown God's compassion and mercy; let us pray to Him now.
Let compassion and mercy be the hall mark of our church life and all its activities.
We pray for the whole church, for our little churches, for all our clergy, especially our Rector.
May we be quiet enough to hear your voice, humble enough to move your way and excited enough to spread the good news.
Lord of love: let your will be done. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord of heaven, bless all who lead, with integrity and respect for others.
Bless all in positions of authority with humility and a sense of right.
We bring to you our Country, our King and Royal Family and Government; and all who serve in their local communities.
Lord of love: let your will be done. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord of heaven, make our homes places of loving acceptance and developing faith. Teach us, in all our friendships, to grow in generosity of spirit.
We ask you to bless those who serve our children in schools and colleges.
Lord of love: let your will be done. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord of heaven, we bring to you those whose lives are filled with long and painful illnesses, remembering... bring healing to each one and give them the assurance of your presence.
Lord of love: let your will be done. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord of heaven, welcome into your eternity those who have died recently and those whose anniversaries we recall... comfort those who mourn them and reach into their pain with your love.
Merciful Father...
Reflection by Rev’d D’ Fyfe
For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
We first hear about light in Genesis - in the beginning:
God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good:
Throughout the Old Testament the Glory of God is often mentioned. There are masses of references to Light and descriptions of the Glory of the Lord. It was probably the only way to explain the brightness of light that shone when God revealed himself to people. Think of Moses on the mountain receiving the ten commandments. The bible tells us that there was a lot of smoke because of the burning light surrounding Yahwey. The psalms too tell us of the light of God. Psalm 27 begins: the Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear.
The New Testament carries on this theme of the Light that shines in our darkness. Luke tells us how the shepherds were told of the birth of Jesus. An angel of the Lord stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them - and not surprisingly they were terrified. (The King James bible said they were sore afraid!!) As we know, the shepherds went to Bethlehem to see what it was all about and came home rejoicing.
It is later in Jesus’- life that we hear more of the Light that shines. Light has come to mean more than the physical fact of bright light outshining darkness. It is another way of speaking of God and it is also a way of describing truth. When we understand something, we often say “I see”, We understand what has been said or shown to us. Light has been shed on it. This is in much the same way as turning on a light in a dark room sheds light on the things in the room.
People use the phrase “see the light” descriptively.. They understand something. It has been made clear. It can indicate understanding some problem or perhaps some hidden fact that has become obvious. It is also used when people turn to Christianity. They have seen the light - or maybe the error of their ways.
Being practical, “seeing the light” could simply mean that someone has seen a distant light. (Then I get fanciful! Perhaps they have seen a light- house in a stormy sea. In that case it is not just a light, but it is a sign that tells us where we are: or maybe where the danger is!)
I know that without light we could not see the beauty around us, or the squalor. I am quite sure that we value light. We need it to enable us to understand things, to see how they work. We need light for the joy it gives us; for the pleasure of sharing what we see with others.
Those who are blind have a different form of comprehension. They feel their way and they listen and use their senses more than we do. Their “view” of the world is different to ours. They feel the warmth of the sun on their faces. They too can understand the warmth of love.
John spoke about Jesus as the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. He interpreted light for us in a new way. The Father blazed through the Old Testament in his glory. In the New Testament, Jesus bathed us in the light of his love. Then the Spirit was sent to us to teach us how to see; how to understand the light of love.
There is a modern hymn; The Spirit lives to set us free, Walk in the light. The first time I heard it was probably more than fifteen years ago. It was the last hymn of the morning service in South Petherton. I was standing by the altar, next to a priest of many years standing, (not the Rector.) It wasn’t the sort of hymn that either of us were used to, with its a strong beat and catchy tune. We were rather startled to find ourselves swaying to the beat! I think the congregation were quite surprised too. It is amazing what the Spirit will do!
We all have dark days, when the light doesn’t seem to be there and the world is dark and frightening. We should remember what John said at the beginning of his gospel: the Light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it. Or perhaps we should turn to the beginning of Genesis: And God said let there be light and there was light. And God saw that it was good.
Sunday 26th May 2024
Trinity Sunday
Readings & Prayers
Collect
Holy God, faithful and unchanging: enlarge our minds with the knowledge of your truth, and draw us more deeply into the mystery of your love, that we may truly worship you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The first reading from Romans 8.12-17
12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh - 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption.
When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ 16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ - if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
This is the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 29
1 Ascribe to the Lord, you powers of heaven, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; the Lord is upon the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is mighty in operation; the voice of the Lord is a glorious voice.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon; 6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord splits the flash of lightning; the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
8 The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe and strips the forests bare; in his temple all cry, ‘Glory!’
9 The Lord sits enthroned above the water flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king for evermore.
10 The Lord shall give strength to his people; the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
The Gospel reading from John 3.1-17
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’
3 Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ 4 Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ 5 Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ 9 Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ 10 Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
11 ‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
16 ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17 ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
Let us pray to the Father, through the Son and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Blessed are you Lord our God, Father of all creation. Through your grace and goodness, help us to reveal your love in all the world.
Bless the Church, all your servants; all our clergy, especially our Rector and all our little church families.
Holy, holy, holy God: hear us and help us. Lord, in your mercy...
Father we give thanks for the wonders and mystery of creation. We thank you for life and for your love.
We ask you to bless the nations of the world as they strive for unity and peace. We remember all who work in conservation and safe keeping of our planet.
Please bless our Country, our King and Royal Family, our Government and those who take responsibility for the communities in which they live.
Holy, holy, holy God: hear us and help us. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord God, may there be love and respect for one another in every home, may there be mutual support and thoughtfulness, consideration and trust. We ask you to bless our families, friends and neighbours.
Surround our loved ones and ourselves with your love and protection.
Holy, holy, holy God: hear us and help us. Lord, in your mercy...
Holy God, you are always ready to help us. We ask your blessing upon all doctors, nurses and those who dedicate their lives caring for those who are sick. We remember our loved ones who are ill today... may they feel your loving, healing touch.
Holy, holy, holy God: hear us and help us. Lord, in your mercy...
Holy God, giver of life and life eternal, we rejoice in your presence and ask your blessing on our loved ones now departed this life...
May they share with your saints in the fullness of your glorious Kingdom Merciful Father...
Reflection by Rev’d Brian Adams
Today is Trinity Sunday, the day that marks the end of our journey through the great events of the Christian faith from our Lord’s birth at Christmas to the birth of the Church at Pentecost. It was not until the fourteenth century that Trinity Sunday became established in the Church’s calendar and differs in that it does not celebrate an event, but makes a statement about the nature of the Godhead, a Trinity of three persons Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
For us it can be compared to a visit to a site of grandeur with breath-taking views of the natural world or a masterpiece of art. We experience it and seek to take it in but find it overwhelming. ‘O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the works thy hand hath made’ says the hymn. ‘Awesome wonder’, words to ponder as we dwell on the majesty of the Creation. ‘I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, thy power throughout the Universe displayed’. The hymn responds, ‘Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to thee, how great thou art, how great thou art’. The Psalms are full of expressions of praise about the greatness and majesty of God.
It is tempting to try and explain how one God can be three persons but such efforts carry little conviction. Best to accept the statements as they stand and pray for a deeper understanding of their truth. The creeds assert God as Father and Son, but say little about God as Holy Spirit. The Bible has a lot to say about the workings of the Holy Spirit and exploring these truths is vital to our understanding of His work.
Taking up the illustration of a visit to a beauty spot or an art gallery, I suggest we look at some of our hymns and approach this subject from different angles. ‘Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes‘ stresses the ‘otherness’ of God, but we can also address him as ‘Dear Lord and Father of mankind’, a much softer expression of his nature.
There are many wonderful hymns about God the Son: ‘Thou didst leave thy throne and thy kingly crown when thou camest to earth for me,’ ‘When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died’. ‘Alleluia sing to Jesus, his the sceptre, his the throne’. Handel’s Messiah is of course written solely in praise of Jesus with the great Hallelujah Chorus as its centrepiece.
When it comes to the Holy Spirit, we need to imagine ourselves on the top of the hill looking at the landscape below where there are views of trees and green fields with a breeze gently blowing the foliage and ripening crops about, or of course there may be a gale with very different results. ‘The wind blows where it wills, you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes’ says Jesus in today’s Gospel reading in reply to Nicodemus’ question.
The Holy Spirit is seen working in Old and New Testaments inspiring judges kings prophets and writers. Prominent among these instances is the prophecy made by Isaiah, ‘There shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him….‘ In Luke‘s gospel we read that Jesus began his ministry in his home town of Nazareth by taking the scroll of Isaiah and reading this same passage; he then sat down and said ‘This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears’.
Last Sunday we celebrated the feast of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came in a special way upon the disciples: ‘Suddenly there came the sky what sounded like a strong, rushing wind, and there appeared flames like tongues of fire coming to rest on each one and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit’. So was the Church of Jesus Christ born and the work has been going on ever since, inspiring its members with gifts and fruits, and bringing the Good News of the Gospel to the world. ‘All over the world the Spirit is moving, all over the world as the prophets said it would be’ is a modern hymn reminding us of what the Spirit is doing now. When you read this you might be saying ‘O really?’ but there is a lot more Christianity about than our secular society wants to acknowledge. We are called upon to play our part in making this good news known, praying that we may be kind to everyone we meet, and being ready for opportunities to share with others the reason for the hope we have in us.
I have deliberately used hymns in my reflection today. They are of course meant to be sung and singing cannot be part of our online service but most of the hymns I have mentioned are well known and can be ‘sung’ silently in our hearts. If you can raise your voice by all means do so! Singing is good for us in every way, helps physically by using our lungs, and raising our spirits heavenwards
As we think about the awesome wonder of the Holy Trinity we can praise God in the words of the hymn, ’ O Lord my God, How great Thou art, How great Thou art’
Then as we go forward into the long season of ‘After Trinity’ Sundays we can pray each day with Charles Wesley:
Jesus, Confirm my heart’s desire to work and speak and think for thee
Still let me guard the holy fire and still stir up the gift in me.
We finish with St. Paul’s last words to the Christians at Corinth:
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen
Sunday 19th May 2024 - Pentecost - Readings & Prayers
Collect
Holy Spirit, sent by the Father, ignite in us your holy fire; strengthen your children with the gift of faith, revive your Church with the breath of love, and renew the face of the earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The first reading from reading Acts 2.1-21
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs - in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.’ 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ 13 But others sneered and said, ‘They are filled with new wine.’
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
17 “In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20 The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. 21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
This is the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 104.26-36, 37b
26 O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. 27 There is the sea, spread far and wide, and there move creatures beyond number, both small and great. 28 There go the ships, and there is that Leviathan which you have made to play in the deep. 29 All of these look to you to give them their food in due season. 30 When you give it them, they gather it; you open your hand and they are filled with good. 31 When you hide your face they are troubled; when you take away their breath, they die and return again to the dust. 32 When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.
33 May the glory of the Lord endure for ever; may the Lord rejoice in his works; 34 He looks on the earth and it trembles; he touches the mountains and they smoke. 35 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will make music to my God while I have my being. 36 So shall my song please him while I rejoice in the Lord. 37 Let sinners be consumed out of the earth and the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Alleluia.
The Gospel Reading from John 15.26-27, 16.4b-15
26 ‘When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. 27 You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning. 4 But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them.
‘I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement: 9 about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11 about judgement, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.
12 ‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
In the power of the Holy Spirit, let us pray.
Blessed are you Lord God, for you have made us for yourself and for your love. May your presence be revealed through your Church.
We ask you to bless our little places that we love, all our clergy, especially our Rector. Fill us and make us a holy people - a missionary people.
Bless your church that it may grow in outreach, in holiness and in number.
Holy Spirit of God: refresh us and renew us. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord God, you have given us a wonderful world, let us not spoil it through greed or lack of respect. We remember all oppressed people and those suffering through lack of the basic necessities of life.
Guide the leaders of nations and all who are in positions of authority into ways of peace.
Please bless our Country, our King and Royal Family and Government.
Holy Spirit of God: refresh us and renew us. Lord, in your mercy...
Holy and joyful, bless us in all our relationships, strengthen our love for each other and give joy to us, our families, friends and neighbours.
We remember those who are lonely and unloved and all who are fearful for the future.
Holy Spirit of God: refresh us and renew us. Lord, in your mercy...
Holy Spirit of God be with those who are sick today, at home or in hospitals, those who are isolated because of disability.
By name we remember... bless each one that they may feel your healing presence.
Holy Spirit of God: refresh us and renew us. Lord, in your mercy...
We thank you for those we have known and love who are now at rest. We remember those who have died recently and those who anniversaries are this week.
We pray that each one may know the fulness of life in the joy of your presence. Merciful Father...
Reflection from Canon Ian Gibson
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”
(John 16:13)
The old warehouse was being converted into luxury flats. The architect had drawn up the designs, providing this heritage building with all the conveniences of modern living. The owner had appointed the construction company, and all the subcontractors were lined up. The scaffolding went up, and work began.
But soon the building ran into difficulties. The bricklayers maintained that the scaffolding was in the wrong place. The plasterers complained that delayed bricklaying was affecting their schedule. The electricians thought the architect’s designs were impractical. The bank saw time going by and costs escalating. The owner called a meeting. Round the table, the architect, the project manager, and the trade union representatives argued all day. Eventually the bricklayers’ representative stood up. “It’s no good,” he said, “I’m not staying here any longer. We’re just not talking the same language.” And he walked out. Work stopped, and the project was abandoned.
The Old Testament tells a similar story. The first human beings decided to build a tower. But they were overreaching themselves, trying to build bigger and better that God himself. So God made it so they could no longer communicate with one another. They stopped being able to speak the same language, and their project was abandoned.
No project can be completed without good, effective communication, and that includes the early Christian Church’s project, the spread of the Gospel throughout the world.
Jesus speaks of the Spirit as an advocate, someone who understands the issues and argues for the truth, someone who helps with communication. There will come a time, Jesus tells his disciples, when he will no longer be there to speak to people about himself and about God. That task will then belong to his followers. But they will not be on their own.
The first disciples’ understanding of the Gospel was necessarily limited. Imagine if you left your job to become a follower of an itinerant rabbi. You listened to him and watched him at work. And imagine he made extraordinary claims for himself and his mission. Imagine he said that being with him meant being in the kingdom of God, and you came to the conclusion that he was more than an ordinary person, that somehow God was present when he was present, that he was the one promised and longed for by people of faith for many centuries. You have three short years for the truth to dawn, and then he is gone. The message he has taught in his words and demonstrated in his life is so revolutionary, and so true, that you have no choice but to keep proclaiming it. How do you find the words? Jesus tells his disciples not to worry about it. When he has gone, God will be with them in another way. They will have help, help to understand and help to communicate.
The story of the day of Pentecost shows this working in practice. The disciples have lived through momentous events, and experienced strong emotions. They are exhausted, confused, and a little afraid. But then something miraculous happens that turns their world upside down once again. And the result is communication. Suddenly they have words. They can go out into the street with confidence and tell the crowds what has happened, and the crowds can hear them. The Church has found its voice, a voice that has reverberated down the centuries, telling of the overwhelming love of God shown in Jesus.
Communication in our world today is sophisticated and incessant. In that context, it is even more important that we are careful in how we talk about God, and in how we listen to those around us.
We are in a better position than the first disciples. We have easy access to the words of many Christian thinkers and scholars. We have the New Testament, the earliest testimony to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and reflections on its meaning. We can listen to the Spirit of God in the scriptures and the Church as well as in our own experience. We have the resources to help us communicate well in our time and place. But it is still easy for Christians to fail to listen, to communicate badly, and to end up not speaking the same language as the world around. Our message is extraordinary, but our language needs to be understood. Thank God for the gift of the Spirit, our advocate, who helps it to be so.
Sunday 12th May 2024
7th Sunday of Easter
Sunday after Ascension Day
Readings & Prayers
Collect
Risen, ascended Lord, as we rejoice at your triumph, fill your Church on earth with power and compassion, that all who are estranged by sin may find forgiveness and know your peace, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The First reading from Acts 1.15-17, 21-26
15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred and twenty people) and said, 16 ‘Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus - 17 for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.’
21 So one of the men who have accompanied us throughout the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us - one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.’
23 So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
This is the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 1
1 Blessed are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the assembly of the scornful.
2 Their delight is in the law of the Lord and they meditate on his law day and night.
3 Like a tree planted by streams of water bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither, whatever they do, it shall prosper.
4 As for the wicked, it is not so with them; they are like chaff which the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked shall not be able to stand in the judgement, nor the sinner in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish.
The Gospel Reading from John 17.6-19
6 ‘I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; 8f or the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them.
11 And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves.
14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
18 As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
Let us pray together to our Holy Father who loves to hear us.
Blessed are you Lord our God, for in the Ascension of your Son you have raised us on high and given us a glimpse of eternal life.
Please bless your Church, all our little places, our clergy, especially our Rector, and all our church families.
Help us to rejoice in your presence and proclaim your saving power.
Lord, with us always: hear us and help us. Lord, in your mercy...
Father, we want our nations and kingdoms to display your love, truth, justice and mercy. May we, in faith, see the world through your eyes, touch the world through your hands and bless the world through your grace.
We bring to you our Country, our King and Royal Family and Government.
Empower your world, live in us, transform us.
Lord, with us always: hear us and help us. Lord, in your mercy...
As we rejoice in your love, we remember our loved ones; our homes and families.
We ask your blessing upon all who strive to brighten each day by their dedication and goodness.
Lord, with us always: hear us and help us. Lord, in your mercy...
As we rejoice in your loving power, we remember all whose powers are waning; the elderly and infirm, those who are ill today, at home or in hospital...
May they find courage and hope in you and in your abiding love.
Lord, with us always: hear us and help us. Lord, in your mercy...
Risen and ascended Lord, you have opened for us the gate of glory.
We rejoice in the fellowship of your saints and bring to you those who have died lately and those whose anniversaries we recall...
We commit this world, each other and ourselves to your unfailing love.
Merciful Father...
Reflection
Reflection for Ascension Day Thursday 16th May (Canon Dean Fostekew)
On Ascension Day, I always think an appropriate anthem should be that unforgettable song from the finale of the ‘Sound of Music’: “So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, adieu; to you and you and you and you and you …” It would be an appropriate anthem because it speaks of leaving, of farewell but also gives us just the possibility of return. Adieu is not as final as farewell.
Jesus leaves his disciples, or more correctly, 40 days after his resurrection he leaves this earthly realm for his Father’s heavenly Kingdom. If we were being chronological about the Ascension then we should really read the Gospel portion before the Acts reading. As the Gospel reading ends Luke’s first book about the life of Christ and the Acts begins his second book about what happens to Jesus’ followers once he has returned to heaven.
No other human being, that we know of, has ever disappeared after a resurrection, as he did. Quite how he ascended is a bit vague and those paintings and stained glass windows that show his feet dangling below the clouds don’t really help to solve the mystery either. Suffice to say (and this is an act of faith) in some way Jesus departed from us on earth but with a promise to return.
Jesus was born into our fleshly life and he makes or takes his leave of us in this earthly, fleshly form. He was born as we are but was both God and human at the same time. The hymn writer Graham Kendrick says in one of his hymns: “From heaven you came helpless babe, entered our world, your glory veiled. Not to be served but to serve, and give your life, that we might live…”
Jesus came to us in flesh, both human and God. He came ‘God incarnate’ to prove God’s love for us, his creation, and he did so by atoning for our sins on the cross. In doing so he cleansed each and every one of us for all eternity and by the example of his life we are shown the path to eternal life in God.
When we die, we in our turn and in our own way ascend to God. Our souls return to our Creator, the One who made us of his very self. Throughout our lives our souls are restless and yearn for God - we desire to be one with him again. This in part explains our restlessness in life, we are forever seeking to return to God as Jesus did.
Like Jesus, when we die, we die in the hope of and with the promise of new life at the end of time. Quite what this means is unclear but we hope, we have faith, that it will be a glorious restoration of all whom we love into one new Kingdom of God. That is our Christian hope and it is this that Jesus affirms for us in his ascension. That is also our hope for all who have died recently during this pandemic time.
By his ascension, Jesus shows us that by taking his leave of us, he will and can return at another time. Just as we hope that we too will return at the day of the final resurrection. BUT in order to return you do have to leave in the first place. Once you’ve gone you can come back and to do so in the knowledge that those who love you will be glad to see you again is important. Perhaps we will have said or heard this many times in relation to ourselves and those we love. In letting our loved ones go, we hope to see them again because we will always leave the door ajar for them to push open. This is what we are doing when we say “Au revoir” to Jesus and hoping that we will see him return one day in this life or the next.
We are letting him go free, we are not clinging on to him, or trying to stop him; we are letting him go knowing that he has promised to return. Amen
Sunday 5th May 2024
6th Sunday of Easter
Readings & Prayers
Collect
Risen Christ, by the lakeside you renewed your call to your disciples: help your Church to obey your command and draw the nations to the fire of your love, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The First reading from Acts 10.44-48
44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, 46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, 47 ‘Can anyone withhold the water for baptising these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ 48 So he ordered them to be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.
This is the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 98
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous things.
2 His own right hand and his holy arm have won for him the victory.
3 The Lord has made known his salvation; his deliverance has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.
4 He has remembered his mercy and faithfulness towards the house of Israel, and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
5 Sound praises to the Lord, all the earth; break into singing and make music.
6 Make music to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the voice of melody.
7 With trumpets and the sound of the horn sound praises before the Lord, the King.
8 Let the sea thunder and all that fills it, the world and all that dwell upon it.
9 Let the rivers clap their hands and let the hills ring out together before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
10 In righteousness shall he judge the world and the peoples with equity.
The Gospel reading from John 15.9-17
9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
12 ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.
17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayers
Knowing God's love and affection for us, let us bring our payers to you now.
We give you thanks for all who have loved you and revealed your love to us.
We thank you for all our clergy, especially our Rector and all our church families.
May the Church reveal your love and your glory to the world.
Help us Lord: to love one another. Lord, in your mercy...
We give your thanks for our world; for all who dedicate their loves to bringing freedom and prosperity to the all nations.
Please bless our Country, our King and Royal Family and Government and the members of our Armed Forces.
Help us Lord: to love one another. Lord, in your mercy...
We give you thanks for our families, friends and neighbours.
We thank you for your presence in our homes and that you are always with us.
Be known among our friends, and neighbours, especially those who feel unloved and friendless.
Help us Lord: to love one another. Lord, in your mercy...
We give you thanks for those who have dedicated their lives in the healing services. We ask your blessing upon those who are ill or injured, at home or in hospital... remembering ... let each one feel that you are always with them.
Help us Lord: to love one another. Lord, in your mercy...
We give you thanks for your saving love and that you have called each of us to eternal life.
We thank you for those we have known and love who are now at rest... remembering... we pray that they may know you as their friend in your eternal Kingdom.
Merciful Father...
Reflection from Reader Jayne Hinds
It’s our central belief in Christianity that when Jesus died on the cross, it wasn’t just a meaningless tragedy, but a part of God’s great plan to save us. In a mysterious sense, the great barrier of sin that stood in between God and the human race was broken down forever when Jesus died. There were no limits on the love that Jesus showed for us, so that we could receive God’s forgiveness and new life.
But the power of Easter lies not just in the life it offers us, but also in the way we’re called to bring that life to others. If we long to follow Christ, we have the privilege and responsibility of being people of love - it’s both a gift and a task. Love is the way to live and we’re reminded to spread it around us, without boundaries or exceptions, as we’re invited to be part of God’s plan and to bring others to share in his life and love.
It sounds so easy. As Christians we ought to be able to love - it’s a defining mark of who we are and fundamental to the faith we proclaim. So why is it often hard to practice the far-reaching and inclusive love by which Jesus says people will recognize us as his followers? What is it about love that is sometimes so difficult?
Maybe the answer is found by looking at when and where love seems easy. Love is easy when we love people who think like us, live like us and love us. It’s easy when we can talk about it, read about it and think about it. Love is appealing. Romantic love is very special and captivating. When we look at love in these ways, it is do-able and pleasing.
But human nature is considerably messier, and even the most self-aware and selfless among us can find love to be hard to do in practice. True love is tough. It’s about being honest and prepared to admit we’re struggling with people that we don’t really get on with. It’s about listening and responding with compassion and forgiveness, as we have been forgiven. Love is about admitting when we are wrong, seeing and accepting each other for who we are, with all our faults and failings. True love takes courage, persistence, humility and prayer.
Yet the Spirit urges us to love - and not just those nearest and dearest to us, but everyone. In our Acts reading, Peter realises that God’s saving love is not confined to the Jewish people alone, but freely available to all, however distant in years or miles that may be. Barriers crumble and when it works, something new is created, and bringing others to share in the love of God will make us more loving. Our love and God’s grace is a key which can unlock what Jesus so clearly desires.
Sometimes, to help me remember important things (and there seem to be more instances of needing these nowadays!) I use a mnemonic. You may know that F A S T is used to help us remember what to check for if someone may be having a stroke - Face, Arms, Speech, Time. So here’s something using the word ‘L O V E.’...
To love is to Listen - intently - to the one or ones we are called to love, to hear what he or she has to say, attentive to their feelings and thoughts. Listening also requires a willingness to quietly think about and understand what is spoken... and to commend those people to a loving God.
To love is to be Open to others and to new possibilities. The minute we close ourselves to the possibility of change and growth we also smother our capacity to love. Love is not static. It seeks the good of others and we are called to open our minds, hearts and lives to the new, the strange, and even the uncomfortable, trusting in the Spirit’s guidance and praying for help to avoid judgement and prejudice in the process.
To love is to be Visible. Love does not hide its light. It goes out into the world and risks being seen with those who are both easy to love and those who push us beyond our comfort zones. Jesus never shrank from being seen and interacting with those on the margins or unacceptable in the eyes of the established religious traditions and institutions of his day. Much of love takes place quietly in unseen ways, but it also does not hesitate to enter life’s difficult places and being Christ’s hands, feet, and eyes in the world.
To love is to Engage in life fully, to enter into relationship with others in a spirit of hope and joy. We risk pain, but we also risk wonder, light, peace, renewing and healing.
Sometimes familiar passages like our gospel reading today, are the most difficult to hear and do. We don’t always get it right but try we must. Jesus tells us to love, anchored in his love, and when we live like this, we find ourselves in that wonderful land of mercy and grace we call the kingdom of God.
28th April 2024 - 5th Sunday of Easter - Readings & Prayers
The First reading from Acts 8.26-40 Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
26 Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Get up and go towards the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ (This is a wilderness road.) 27 So he got up and went.
Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over to this chariot and join it.’ 30 So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ 31 He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him.
32 Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: ‘Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer,
so he does not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.’
34 The eunuch asked Philip, ‘About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?’
35 Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus.
36 As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptised?’ 38 He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptised him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
Psalm 22.25-31 Turn to the Lord
25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will pay before those who fear him. 26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord. May your hearts live for ever!
27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord; and all the families of the nations shall worship before him. 28 For dominion belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.
29 To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, and I shall live for him. 30 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord, 31 and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, saying that he has done it.
The Gospel reading from John 15.1-8 Jesus the True Vine
15 ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.
5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
Prayers
Our Father God is with us, waiting for our prayers.
We pray for the Church, for all our little churches, all our clergy, especially our Rector.
Thank you that you have called us to know you and to love you; in calling us you give our lives direction and purpose, to reveal your love to the world.
Holy God: may your will be done. Lord, in your mercy...
We give thanks for all who are called to govern and guide the nations of the world.
We ask your blessing on our Country, our King and Royal Family and all in authority.
We pray for all who are called to bring peace and to maintain peace, throughout the world, especially those risking their lives for others.
Help us to be mindful of the way our actions can affect our planet.
Holy God: may your will be done. Lord, in your mercy...
We give thanks for all who have shown us love and care, remembering our families and friends and all our loved ones.
Clear our minds of all that hurts ourselves and others, sharing your love in the simple things that make this world a better place.
Holy God: may your will be done. Lord, in your mercy...
Healing God, we bring to you the aches and pains endured each day within our bodies, that slow us down, restrict movement and cause distress.
We bring to you...
Pour your Spirit into these muscles, bones and joints.
We thank you for all called to minister to the sick, at home or in hospital.
Holy God: may your will be done. Lord, in your mercy...
We give thanks that you love us with an everlasting love.
When we forget you, you do not forget us.
We rejoice in the promise of eternal life and remember those whose earthly lives have ended....
Lord, grant them, your love and light.
Merciful Father....
28th April 2024 - 5th Sunday of Easter - Reflection by Rev’d d’ Fyfe
‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ (We all say that, but probably not so politely!) We do need someone to guide us, to advise us. So, what is it that Luke is telling us in this passage from Acts?
We hear about an Ethiopian eunuch returning from Jerusalem, from worshipping at the temple. But, in Jewish eyes he is unworthy to enter the main area of the temple. He is a eunuch, incomplete, and therefore in their eyes he is disabled. He may not enter. So how can he learn what to believe?! Here is a high-status, civil servant, who is effectively banned from church!! He has travelled a very long way to worship in Jerusalem; but he is still a second-class citizen, disdained, an outcast, incomplete.
Isaiah has said in scripture that God will gather in the outcasts who do not profane the Sabbath. They will come to his holy mountain! This includes eunuchs and foreigners. No wonder this Ethiopian is reading Isaiah on his road home. When Philip asks him does he understand what he is reading, he recognises God’s intervention is his life. The Spirit has sent Philip to be his guide.
And the rest, you might say, is history. Philip tells him about Jesus: explains it all. The Ethiopian asks for baptism and is baptised by Philip in a convenient lake or river. And then the Spirit whisks Philip away; in rather the same way that it caused him to be there.
The Ethiopian represents those who seek God. Luke is telling us that we too are acceptable. We are not Israelites; we are gentiles and yet, we are all welcome. Jesus has opened the door for us as well as for the Ethiopian. I think this is Luke’s way of describing how the Spirit works. It leads us to ask the questions and to learn from scripture, or in some other way. We often need an interpreter. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’
The gospel passage from John comes directly after the last supper. There are countless arguments as to whether it is in the right place; or whether the text has got muddled up! Whatever! It is what is said in that passage that matters; not where it is placed in the gospel.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. The true vine is the Messiah; Jesus, who died for love of us. We are part of the vine, the branches; because we love one another in Christ and he loves us.
Isaiah had called Israel the vine. He told of a vineyard planted where only wild grapes grew. Jesus is saying he is the vine: the true vine. We are the branches, and God is the gardener. God decides where to grow and where to prune!
Vines needs to be pruned to produce good fruit. The weak branches need a bit of a snip; useless branches are cut back. We certainly need some pruning; some help to grow. Not the whole branch, but those weak bits at the end, that stop us loving one another. Community needs love if it to grow well and bear fruit. If we are to spread God’s word, we need to spread His love. See how these Christians love one another is the ideal….but It is usually said as a joke when we are really being unpleasant! (Perhaps we need a snip, a quick word in the ear to remind us to behave; or a real talking to!)
In fact, love usually does make life easier. John said that the best way to live was to love one another. Forgive one another. Be community, live community.
How do you show that you are a Christian? There are countless ways to show our love. Some people volunteer to help in church or in charity shops. Some people stand up on street corners and preach. Some people knock on doors, spreading the word. (I have an immense admiration for Jehovah’s witnesses; although I run a mile and hide if I can! But they do try to tell the world of their beliefs.) There are so many ways to spread love; just smiling at people is a good start!
We can’t all speak our faith, but we can show it. Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves, is born of God and knows God. In these terms loving is bearing fruit! And Jesus tells us: This is my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. The fruit from this vine is love.
I could use another vine analogy. It is different, but it is practical advice for gardening. If you prune fruit trees and roses too low, cutting them off below the graft, they revert to the old wild stock. You lose the gifts of the new slip. In other words, don’t be too brutal with your advice!
We are all grafted on to the true vine at baptism and we do need a little pruning to hold our extremes in check. However, if we stay grafted to the true vine we are nourished by the Spirit. It is the Spirit that moulds us and leads us.
The Spirit led Philip to run after the Ethiopian and to ask the question ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’
21st April 2024 - 4th Sunday of Easter - Readings & Prayers
The First reading from Acts 4.5-12 Peter and John before the Council
5 The next day the rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, ‘By what power or by what name did you do this?’
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. 11 This Jesus is “the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.”
12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.’
Psalm 23 (Authorised Version) A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
The Gospel reading from John 10.11-18 Jesus the Good Shepherd
(Jesus said,) 11 ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.’
Prayers
The Lord is our Shepherd; knowing that he cares for us let us bring our prayers to Him.
For all who shepherd others; our bishops and ministers, especially our Rector, we give you thanks.
Bless all who teach us the faith and help us to care for one another as you care for us.
Thank you for our little churches that we love so much.
The Lord is our Shepherd: I shall fear no evil. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for all in positions of leadership and influence in our world, that they may use their power for good and out of concern for one another's well-being, across all borders.
Please bless our Country, our King and Royal Family, our Government and all who serve in their own communities.
The Lord is our Shepherd: I shall fear no evil. Lord, in your mercy...
We ask you to protect our loved ones. Let there be peace in our homes, and in our hearts.
Give wisdom and love to all who work with our children and young people
The Lord is our Shepherd: I shall fear no evil. Lord, in your mercy...
We bring before you all who doubt or despair; all surrounded by darkness or illness remembering..
May they come into the light of your love, knowing that you are with them. May the light of your love transform their lives.
The Lord is our Shepherd: I shall fear no evil. Lord, in your mercy...
Good and gracious God, you have rescued us from the darkness of death and opened for us the way to eternal life.
We bring before you those we remember those who are now with you in your kingdom and hope that they will recognise the Good Shepherd leading them home.
Merciful Father....
21st April 2024 - 4th Sunday of Easter
Reflection by Rev’d Brian Adams
As we move on from Easter through the forty days to Pentecost, we pass through weeks of which there is no record of what the disciples were actively doing. What they were actively doing was waiting! Jesus had told them to wait in the city until they were filled with the ‘power from on high’, the ‘Coming of the Holy Spirit’. God gave them time to recover from the awesome events of Holy Week and then the wonder and rejoicing of the Resurrection.
Our reading from Acts today describes events after Pentecost and shows that the disciples have been transformed by the coming of the Holy Spirit. Here they are in danger in Jerusalem where Jesus had been killed, when they could have gone back to Galilee and resumed their previous activities. The Jews must have been perplexed. They thought they had got rid of the troublesome preacher but to their annoyance they find they have got him back again in the form of his dedicated disciples.
As we move through these weeks we do well to reflect on the work of the Holy Spirit in the world God created. In the first chapter in Genesis we read that ‘the Spirit of God moved over the surface of the water’. All was darkness and chaos but at God’s word his Spirit moves to separate the land from the sea and so the work of creation begins to unfold. We may assume that this was achieved through the power of the. Wind and the working of the Spirit are frequently linked
Another time when the will of God is fulfilled through the wind is when the children of Israel were delivered from slavery in Egypt by passing through the Red Sea. We read in the book of Exodus that ‘the Lord drove the sea away with a strong east wind all night long and turned the seabed into dry land through which the Israelites walked.
The prophet Ezekiel living during their exile in Babylon is given a vision of a valley of dry bones. In obedience to God’s word he prophesied over the bones and as they came together, breath came into them and they became a mighty army.
The thought of the connection between wind and the Spirit of God, is brought together in the story of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus a Jewish leader. When told he must be born again to enter the kingdom of God Nicodemus asks how this can come about. Jesus says, ”The wind blows where it wills. You hear the sound of it but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born from the Spirit”.
This is something we can readily identify with. Air is essential for our existence. We inhale and exhale it all our lives. Sometimes the air is whipped into storms of destructive power, at other times it can be just a warm gentle breeze gracing a summer’s evening. We can’t see it, but we can feel it and see the effect it has on the world around us. Jesus says this is like the work of the Holy Spirit. We cannot see him but we can experience the work he undertakes in the world and in our lives. There are many forces at work in the world, some things for good and some for evil. Wonderful inventions can be turned into damaging tools for evil. We see this in the use of smart phones; they can be invaluable in enabling communication, but they can be the source of harm and corruption.
In his Epistles St Paul talks about the work of the Spirit in terms of gifts and fruit. In his letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor 12 v4-11) he speaks of the gifts of the Spirit to Church members, such as words of wisdom and knowledge, faith, gifts of healing and discernment. In his letter to the Galatians (ch.5 v16-24) he speaks of the fruits of the Spirit which are love, joy , peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control. He contrasts them with the work of what he calls ‘the flesh’ including indecency, quarrels, a contentious temper, selfishness, fits pf rage, intrigues, envy and the like.
As we move through these weeks we can meditate on this saying of Jesus as it affects our lives. We are living, breathing human beings sustaining our physical lives day after day by the air in which we live. We also live in a spiritual world which can be ruled by ‘the flesh’ or by the Holy Spirit. The works of the flesh are all too evident in the world around us and in our own hearts. Jesus also spoke about water as well as the Spirit. We need to be cleansed of the works of ‘the flesh’ as expressed in Baptism so that the work of the Spirit can grow in our lives.
The account of the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost speaks of there coming from the sky, what sounded like a strong driving wind, a noise which filled the whole house where they were sitting and there appeared to them flames like tongues of fire distributed among them and coming to rest on each one. The foundations of the Church were laid and the disciples empowered to witness, as we have seen.
The workings of God are a mystery but as we in our times set out in faith so we find its truth unfolds. To help focus our thoughts and prayers I have chosen two verses of hymns which convey different aspects of the Spirit’s work, first in our hearts and then in the Church.
Breathe on me breath of God, fill me with life anew,
That I may love what thou dost love, and do what thou wouldst do.
(Edwin Hatch 1835-1889)
O Breath of life come sweeping through us
Revive your Church with life and power
O breath of life come, cleanse, renew us
And fit your Church to meet this hour.
(Elizabeth Head 1850-1936)
14th April 2024 - 3rd Sunday of Easter - Readings & Prayers
The First reading from Acts 3.12-19 Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico
12 When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, ‘You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him.
14 But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus[d] has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.
17 ‘And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out,
Psalm 4 Confident Plea for Deliverance from Enemies
1 Answer me when I call, O God of my right! You gave me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer. 2 How long, you people, shall my honour suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? 3 But know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. 4 When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent. 5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.
6 There are many who say, ‘O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord!’ 7 You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound. 8 I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.
Gospel reading from Luke 24.36b-48 Jesus Appears to His Disciples
36b Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ 37 They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
41 While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence.
44 Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you - that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
Prayers
As we are gathered, let us bring our prayers to the God who loves us.
Blessed are you, mighty God; by the Resurrection of your Son you have destroyed the darkness and fear of death.
Help us Lord Jesus, to turn away from sin and to follow you. Help your Church to reveal your glory to the world.
Bless our little churches, all our clergy, especially our Rector, and all who worship here.
Lord God, you are Light: in you is no darkness. Lord, in your mercy...
We remember peoples and nations who feel drained and lacking energy.
We bring to you the people in places suffering from war and man's inhumanity, especially remembering the Holy Land and Ukraine.
Bless our Country, our King and Royal Family, our Government and all working for justice and peace.
Lord God, you are Light: in you is no darkness. Lord, in your mercy...
We rejoice in your love and the love of our families and friends.
We remember lonely people, those who feel rejected, and those who cannot cope alone. Lord, make our villages be loving and caring communities.
Lord God, you are Light: in you is no darkness. Lord, in your mercy...
We give thanks for the healing power of faith.
We ask you to bless all who serve the sick, remembering our own doctors and nurses, carers and support staff.
We pray that the sick and weary may know you as their companion and helper. We bring to you..
May each one feel your loving, healing presence.
Lord God, you are Light: in you is no darkness. Lord, in your mercy...
We give thanks that in you, all ills come to an end and all pain taken away.
We give thanks for the gift of eternal life. We remember those who died recently and those whose anniversaries are this week...
We thank you for all that they brought to our lives, and hope that one day, we might meet together in your heaven.
Merciful Father....
14th April 2024 - 3rd Sunday of Easter
Reflection by Canon Ian Gibson
“You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:48)
The Isenheim Altarpiece, the work of 16th century artist Matthias Grünewald, is a triptych depicting significant events from the Bible and from Church history, with an image of Christ crucified at is centre. It is a world away from the mystical beauty of many depictions of the passion; here there are no angels hovering above the cross, no beatifically resigned-looking Jesus staring up to the heavens. Here, an emaciated, grimacing Christ, covered in plague sores, stands bleeding and twisted on a cobbled-together cross, under a dark, brooding sky. The picture graphically depicts death and pain, and many people recoil from it in disgust.
Artists have regularly been taken to task for emphasising Christ’s humanity. To take a rather different example, composer Tim Rice, co-writer of Jesus Christ Superstar, was widely criticised by Christian groups for his comment that Christ was “simply the right man at the right time at the right place”. Writers and artists have always been fascinated by the humanity of Christ, and the idea that he too had human desires and motivations.
This desire to bring Christ to our level, or to see him as one of us, can seem blasphemous or sacrilegious, but it is absolutely vital that we remember Jesus’ humanity. The cross forces us to acknowledge the painful, messy reality of Jesus’ human death. This is the same Jesus who “wept” when he heard of his friend’s death, who cried out, “I thirst!” when dying on the cross. “The word made flesh” he may be, but flesh he is nonetheless, with all the humiliation, hurt and pain that comes with it.
In today’s Gospel reading, he seems to be begging his disciples to realise this; “Look at my hands and my feet,” he says, “see that it is I myself.” He presents himself to his disciples, demanding that, above all, they acknowledge his physical presence. He insists he is not a ghost, asking them to use their eyes and see that he has flesh and bones; he is solid, he is there. He asks if there is anything to eat, and the disciples watch in wonder as he digests without difficulty, perhaps talking them through the Law of Moses with his mouth full of fish.
In this reading, Jesus demands basic human requirements; he needs food, he needs company, he needs recognition of the fact that he exists, of his overwhelming there-ness. When he “opens the disciples’ minds” so they understand the scripture, he emphasises the fact that “the Messiah is to suffer, and to rise again”. What Jesus seems to be trying to highlight for the disciples is the fact that, although he is the Son of God, he is also a human being; he is undeniably, tangibly present, and understanding this is key to understanding the genuine, human suffering he experienced on the cross, and therefore key to understanding God’s overwhelming love for the human race - to save us, God shares our pain.
And just as it is theologically important to acknowledge Jesus’ humanity, so it is important to remember it ourselves, personally. Jesus suffers with us in his ongoing mission to understand and heal us; in the words of William Blake, “He becomes a man of woe/ he doth feel the sorrow too.” The Christ who came to save us is a Christ who weeps, who is hungry and thirsty, who has flesh and bone. This means that when we suffer, we are never suffering alone; God, who knows what it is to feel physical pain and loss, through his Son, the “man of woe”, understands our suffering, and feels it with us. To use another line from Blake, “Think not thou canst weep a tear/ and thy maker is not near.”
In the same way, when we comfort someone who is sorrowful, ill or bereaved, our first step towards trying to help them must be to try and understand their suffering. Before we rush out the usual platitudes and “there there”s, we must take a moment to really think about the nature of the other person’s sadness, to acknowledge their humanity in relation to their suffering. In many ways, the most comforting thing that we can say to each other is “I understand”. This is what God says to us each day, that he understands, that he knows what we are feeling, and that we are not alone.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples, “You are witnesses to this.” And as the disciples are witnesses to Jesus’ painful, touchable humanity, so must we be witnesses to each other’s, and in so doing, try to be able to say, as God does, “I understand.”
7th April 2024 - 2nd Sunday of Easter - Readings & Prayers
The First reading from Acts 4.32-35 Believers Share Their Possessions
32 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. 33 With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. 35 They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
Psalm 133 The Blessedness of Unity
1 How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord ordained his blessing, life for evermore.
The Gospel reading from John 20.19-31 Jesus Appears to the Disciples
19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’
Jesus and Thomas
24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’
26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 27 Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ 28 Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ 29 Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’
The Purpose of This Book
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
Prayers
Knowing that the Risen Christ is here among us, let us pray to Him now.
Lord bless your Church that it may reveal your presence and the power of the Resurrection.
May each church community show signs of new life and joy in you.
We thank you for our little churches, for all our clergy, especially our Rector and all our church families.
Lord, be known among us: make haste to help us. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord, bless the world with your peace; the peace that it cannot achieve on its own.
We pray for peace between nations and peoples. Please bless all peacemakers.
We bring to you those places where lives are torn apart by war and famine.
Please bless our Country, our King and the Royal Family and Government.
Lord, be known among us: make haste to help us. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord, bless our homes and families with the joy of your presence. Make our homes places where you are welcomed.
We bring to you those who are homeless; those who live among strife and fear.
We thank you for the care of those we love.
Lord, be known among us: make haste to help us. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord, we pray for those who wake up to the prospect of another day of pain and anxiety. We bring to you those who are sick in body, mind or spirit, remembering...
Give them courage and hope and healing.
Lord, be known among us: make haste to help us. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord of life, and life eternal, bless our loved ones departed, remembering those who have died recently and those who anniversaries we recall...
that in fellowship with your saints they may rejoice in the fullness of your presence and glory.
We thank you for the new life opened up to us through Jesus our Redeemer.
Merciful Father....
7th April - 2nd Sunday of Easter - Reflection
I wonder if you’ve ever been in the company of a group of people who’ve had a shared experience of which you haven’t been part? Perhaps a holiday or a trip to the cinema, a book or some sporting event? As it’s being discussed you may feel rather excluded. Maybe you’ve no idea what happened and have nothing to contribute. You might lapse into silence or hope that the subject will change, or you might be rather irritated or even envious. We see how Thomas reacted on his return in our reading today, when he was told by all the other disciples that they had seen the risen Jesus. They must have been overjoyed and naturally couldn’t wait to tell Thomas who, for some reason hadn’t been with them - perhaps because of all the trauma, loss and grief since the crucifixion, he’d gone to be by himself. On returning, he just couldn’t accept it. ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails, and my hand in his side, I will not believe!’
Poor Thomas - with those words he was destined to be forever known as ‘doubting’ and to lend his name to any who doubt things they are told to be true. But it does Thomas a great disservice if all we remember about him is the moment he doubted the resurrection, because he seemed to be one of Jesus’ most loyal and faithful disciples.
The first mention of Thomas is after Lazarus has died. Jesus had been asked to go to Bethany and though he delays his journey, it’s clear that he intended to go to the tomb where Lazarus has been buried. Some of the disciples think that travelling back into Judean territory is really dangerous under the circumstances - the Jewish leaders were seeking an opportunity to put Jesus to death. It’s Thomas who realises Jesus has made up his mind to go to his friends. It’s Thomas who says to the others, ‘Let us go to die with him!’ Fearless, loyal, courageous Thomas.
A few chapters later, John records Jesus’ prayer at the Last Supper. He is preparing the disciples, telling about his coming suffering and resurrection, but they find difficult to understand at the time - he seems to be talking in riddles. We can imagine Thomas, brows furrowed, trying to follow the implications of everything Jesus is saying and finally blurting out, ‘We don’t know where you’re going. How can we possibly know the way?’ The others must have been just as perplexed, perhaps afraid to call attention to themselves by asking. Yet Thomas is not silent.
He doesn’t understand and he wants to. He can’t follow Jesus unless he knows where and how. Straightforward, realistic, faithful Thomas.
Back to today’s reading - eight long days after Jesus had appeared to the other ten disciples, he came again, and this time it was for Thomas. He went straight to the heart of Thomas’ need - to touch and to believe: ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands…’ There is no record that he actually did what Jesus invited him to do, but he had no need to touch the wounds.
At that moment, all doubt vanished and his response was simple, yet profound: ‘My Lord and my God!’
No longer ‘doubting’ Thomas, but truly, deeply-believing Thomas, expressed in words of worship.
The gospels are not afraid to let doubt sit alongside the resurrection appearances just as many of the psalms let faith and doubt interact. Even at Jesus’ final appearance to the disciples, as they worshipped him, ‘some doubted’. (Matthew 28: 16.) We sometimes regard doubt as if it’s the opposite to faith, with the implication that it is some kind of fault. And you can’t doubt, it seems, without a sense of guilt. But doubt is not the same thing as lack of faith. Doubt actually refines faith and we should embrace it. While it may be uncomfortable, doubt sets us on the path that leads to truth. Doubt is normal, uncertainty is natural and searching questions are right.
It can, of course, be quite painful when we realise that we have doubts about various Christian ideas. It’s not easy to wrestle with impossible dilemmas and unanswered questions when we look at our world. But God is not afraid of our questions. He welcomes them and focuses his attention on each one of us, according to our own individual needs, in our own time. Just as he did with Thomas, God in Christ reaches out and meets us, engages with us and changes us - where we are and as we are.
I’m reminded of that wonderful hymn, ‘Just as I am’ by Charlotte Elliott:
Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fighting and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come.
What matters is responding to that remarkable, healing and transforming presence, and accepting his peace when we need it.
Revd. Canon Rosalind Brown says, ‘Thomas sets us an example of Easter alleluias that embrace doubt.’ As we encounter him individually and together, as we follow him on our journey of faith, and as we learn to trust, despite our doubts, we can also say, like Thomas: ‘My Lord and My God!’
Lord God, you hear my questions and know my doubts – they are all part of me seeking you; lead me to a deeper understanding of who you are and where we are going together, and grant me your peace.
31st March 2024 - Easter Sunday - Readings & Prayers
The First reading from Acts 10: 34-43 Gentiles Hear the Good News
34 Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ - he is Lord of all. 37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’
Psalm 118.14-24 The Lord is my Strength
14 The Lord is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. 15
There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: ‘The right hand of the Lord does valiantly; 16 the right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.’
17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord. 18 The Lord has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. 23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
The Gospel reading from Mark 16.1-12 The Resurrection of Jesus
1 When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.
3 They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’
8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
The Longer Ending of Mark Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
9 Now after he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went out and told those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.
Jesus Appears to Two Disciples
12 After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.
Prayers
As we celebrate the Risen Christ, let us pray to the God of Life, in whom we live.
We give you thanks and praise for the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and for his appearance to his loved ones. May we rejoice with the whole church in the joy of the risen Lord.
As we give you thanks for our little churches, all our clergy, especially our Rector, may we who know the Good News be happy to tell others that he is risen.
Grant that your Church may help to bring peace and hope to a troubled world.
Lord, we are an Easter people: let 'Alleluia' be our song. Lord, in your mercy...
Risen Lord, we seek your peace: peace for our war-torn world; peace between nations and people; peace in our dealings with each other.
Please bless our Country, our King and the Royal Family, our Government and all working for the good of their communities.
Make us a blessing today that through our words and in our actions something of your love might be discerned, which will be encouraged to grow.
Lord, we are an Easter people: let 'Alleluia' be our song. Lord, in your mercy...
Risen Lord, as you appeared to the disciples in the house, come enter our homes; come enter our fear and darkness.
Help us to to show your presence in our homes.
Bless our families, friends and neighbours.
Let us walk confidently in your presence.
Lord, we are an Easter people: let 'Alleluia' be our song. Lord, in your mercy...
Risen Lord, we remember all those who are ill today, at home or in hospital.
Those who find life difficult, those without hope for the future; those mourning the loss of a loved one. We bring to you... may each one feel your loving healing presence.
We thank you for the work of the healing services.
Lord, we are an Easter people: let 'Alleluia' be our song. Lord, in your mercy...
Risen Lord, we come with all who weep for the loss of a loved one and we remember... we thank you for all that they brought to our lives. May all who mourn find new hope and joy in you.
You are the giver of new life. We remember the saints in glory. May we all, one day meet together in your heaven.
Merciful Father....
31st March 2024 - Easter - Reflection by Rev’d D’ Fyfe
Do you think Mary Magdalene was at the Last Supper? I think she probably was. The women had followed Jesus round the country and finally to Jerusalem. They had to be somewhere. Why not in the house where their Lord was having supper? Maybe they were in the kitchen; serving, listening and being a part of Jesus’ extended family. An important part of it. When Mary ran back to where Peter and John were hiding, she had known where to go.
Mary went down early in the morning to the tomb, in her own right as a follower and friend of Jesus. She was probably carrying more spices and oil. She would have known that a body stinks after a few days. She had warned Jesus about Lazarus’ tomb. She must have been both upset and brave. It was brave to go to up to the tomb, wondering how she could pull back the stone: brave to venture out of the city early, on her own. I can visualise her with her head covered, a scarf half over her face, as she passed the soldiers at the city gates. Modesty showing and fear hidden!
Then horror, followed by fear! The stone had been pulled away. She went running back to the disciples. ‘Quick, the stone has gone, they have taken him.’
Peter and the beloved disciple, whom we will call John, ran all the way to the tomb. John was younger and fitter and got there first. But he hesitated at the tomb entrance. Peter came up panting. And Mary probably arrived a few minutes after that. She had already been on this road three times that day!
As always, Peter went straight in without thought. He saw that the tomb was empty, but that the death wrappings were lying as if Jesus was still there. Then John also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, ‘ that he must rise from the dead.
I don’t know what John believed. Believing is having faith in something that you cannot necessarily prove. I think he just knew that Jesus was alright: was there, but not there. John believed. We aren’t told if Peter believed too.
Nor does the writer speculate as to what they believed. Then somewhat surprisingly they returned to the city! Nothing more to do here. Jesus wasn’t there but he was probably alright.
Mary stayed there, weeping. She stood outside the tomb and bent down to look again. There were two angels there, shiny white so definitely angels.
“Woman, why are you weeping?” Daft question! “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him”. They give her no answer and she turns away. Through her tears she saw someone standing there. ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ She thought he was the gardener; and said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’
Jesus spoke one word. He called her by name. Mary. And she knew. She knew his voice, the way he said her name, everything about him. She makes a move to touch him, to hold him. She must have longed to do so, to feel that he was real. And he says not ‘don’t touch me’, but, ‘Do not hold on to me’. ‘Go and tell the others that I am alive, that I am going to my Father’.
I think that is probably best put as, ‘Do not hold me back, do not try to make me stay. My journey is complete when I am one with my Father again. My Father, your Father, my God and your God’. And she understands. She leaves Jesus and goes back to the disciples and tells them, “I have seen the Lord.”
It is one of the most moving parts of the gospels and one of the most telling.
It is Mary who sees Jesus first. She is the one who tells the others about the resurrection. Mary, the apostles to the apostles, told the world that Jesus had risen from the dead. Jesus had called her by name. We are all called by name.
John had looked into the tomb and he had seen the grave clothes. He could see evidence that Jesus had been there, but he couldn’t see Jesus. Which is roughly where we are. We have all sorts of written evidence, but we can’t see Jesus. We have no visible testimony of our own. But John saw and believed that Jesus had risen from the dead. What convinced him? He didn’t see Jesus. He just knew.
Most of us find it harder than that. We don’t see, so we don’t find it easy to believe. We struggle. We try to believe. But today, perhaps, like John, we can see and believe. We too are called by name
Alleluia. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia
Collect
Lord of all life and power, who through the mighty resurrection of your Son
overcame the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him:
grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, may reign with him in glory; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and honour, glory and might, now and in all eternity. Amen.
Short reflections for Holy Week
Author - Rev’d Gerry Reilly
Palm Sunday Luke 21.34-36
34 ‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’
Reflection - Palm Sunday is the slightly upbeat calm before the storm. Jesus finally accepts publicly his Messianic role, and enters Jerusalem in triumph, riding on a donkey, and being lauded by the multitudes, albeit the poorer ad despised members. Those in power try to stop him, without success.
But it is clear from Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem that Jesus sees this as a Pyrrhic victory, and he weeps for the people, and for the consequences of their choices. He knows that the Kingdom he came to declare and inaugurate is nothing like the one they want him to, and that they will kill him to get their way. He will struggle through words and actions to help them see, but those in power will not listen. And eventually the mob will fall in behind them. What a fall: from being praised and feted, to being crucified!
Monday in Holy Week Luke 21.37-38 & 22.1-2
21.37 Every day he was teaching in the temple, and at night he would go out and spend the night on the Mount of Olives, as it was called. 38 And all the people would get up early in the morning to listen to him in the temple. 22.1 Now the festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was near. 2 The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death
Reflection - The positive effect of the Palm Sunday procession continues, but again only among the ordinary people, who are spellbound by what they hear and see. The religious leaders of the people feel very threatened by Jesus’ message, and they look for ways to get him out of the way. They hate the Romans, and they want to be free and exalted, and all their enemies crushed. But that is not the message they are picking up from Jesus, nor are they praised for their piety and patriotism, and they are furious! And they definitely do not like the Parable of the Wicked Tenants, but they fear the reaction of the common people. So they may have to form alliances with their traditional enemies, and use Roman power to their advantage.
Tuesday in Holy Week John 12.36b-43
36 Jesus...departed and hid from them. 37 Although he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfil the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ‘Lord, who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?’ 39 And so they could not believe, because Isaiah also said, 40 ‘He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might not look with their eyes, and understand with their heart and turn - and I would heal them.’
41 Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke about him. 42 Nevertheless many, even of the authorities, believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God.
Reflection - Opposition to the message of Jesus is creating strange alliances. The different religious groups feel threatened by Jesus unorthodox approach, and so they come together to plat his downfall. The ultra-nationalist and ultra-orthodox Pharisees and scribes link up with the Sadducees, and try to trick Jesus into treasonous statements about Roman occupation and taxation, and thus lose credibility with the ordinary people. But he turns their attempts on their head, and makes them reveal their true allegiances. Jesus is so frustrated with their blindness and arrogance that he rails against the scribes to his disciples, but in the hearing of the crowds. The situation is deteriorating rapidly, and a showdown is increasingly inevitable.
Wednesday in Holy Week Luke 22.3-6
3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve; 4 he went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers of the temple police about how he might betray him to them. 5 They were greatly pleased and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and began to look for an opportunity to betray him to them when no crowd was present.
Reflection - Today used to be called Spy Wednesday, with reference to the treason of Judas Iscariot, the treasurer of the group of disciples. He seems to have become disillusioned with Jesus after the prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem and the foretelling of persecutions. That was not what he had signed up for! So he may have been trying to shock Jesus into changing his tactics faced with death and ignominy. So he approaches the authorities and offers to deliver Jesus up to them, but only out of sight of the crowds, as he doesn’t want to be lynched himself! The devil makes him believe that it is all in a good cause! And so unwittingly, the ultra-nationalist disciple and the ultranationalist Jewish leaders plan to collaborate with the hated Romans to get their way!
Maundy Thursday Luke 22.14-20 & 52-53
14 When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 He said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I tell you, I will not eat it[c] until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ 17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ 19 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ 20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
(later in the Garden of Gethsemane).....52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? 53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!’
Reflection - I visualise today as being divided vertically into two halves; one side is in total, smothering darkness, the other in warm, comforting light. In the dark, cold side the enemies of Jesus labour away at plans to get rid of him, permanently, and remove the challenge to their vision and authority, and plot with Judas and the High Priest in order to do it with a modicum of legality. They even plan to use the power of the occupying Romans, which to them should be anathema.
In the kingdom of God’s light, Jesus is planning his departure and prepare his disciples for a new phase in their discipleship. He tries to encourage them to survive the apparent failure of his ministry and the shock of his humiliation. To do this he calls them together in loving unity at the Last Supper, reveals to them the loving plans to his Father, and devises a way to remain with them in the midst of their desolation, in a very real and earthy way, in the form of bread and wine. This he bequeaths to all his followers until the end of time, when he shall raise them up to join him in heaven. The day finishes with Jesus in agony in the garden of Gethsemane, where his poor disciples are bereft and scandalised by Jesus’ anguish, and unable to accompany and console him; he, instead, consoles them. And when he is captured, they all flee.
Good Friday
The Jewish Leaders - 2 They began to accuse him, saying, ‘We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.’ (Luke 23.2)
Pilate - ‘You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death’ (Luke 23 14b-15)
The Criminal - ‘we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ 42 Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ (Luke 23.41-42)
The Centurion - When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, ‘Certainly this man was innocent.’ (Luke 23.47)
The Crowds - 48 And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. (Luke 23.48)
Reflection - The darkest day for humanity, the day that evil apparently triumphs! The one who came to save the world is rejected by the apparent powers of the world, and put to an ignominious death. It is very revealing who stayed with him, publicly, throughout his terrible ordeal: his mother, some women (the powerless ones in society), one disciple, and a thief crucified with him. And at the end it was a gentile, a Roman centurion, who recognised Jesus’ status: ”Truly this man was God’s son!” (Mark 15.39).
God, the Creator and Sustainer of life, in the person of his Son, went through the torments of an ignominious death for love of us, and by that death destroyed the awful finality of death, and made us capable of entering into life. In Jesus Christ the whole of creation is renewed: “For the creation awaits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God....in hope that creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay, and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God”. (Romans 8, 19,21)
Holy Saturday Luke 23.52-54
52 (Joseph a member of the Jewish Council) went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning.
A day of waiting, a day of living in hope, a day of trusting in the power of God to change and redeem!
24th March 2024 - Palm Sunday - Readings & Prayers
The First reading from Isaiah 50.4-9a Humiliation and Vindication
4 The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens - wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. 5 The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backwards. 6 I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.
7 The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; 8 he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me.
9a It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?
Psalm 118.1-2, 19-29 A Song of Victory
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever! 2 Let Israel say, ‘His steadfast love endures for ever.’
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. 22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success! 26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord.
27 The Lord is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar. 28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you. 29 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever.
The Gospel reading from Mark 11.1-11 Jesus’ Triumphal Entry
11 When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, “Why are you doing this?” just say this, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.”’
4 They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5 some of the bystanders said to them, ‘What are you doing, untying the colt?’ 6 They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it.
8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9 Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’
11 Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
Prayers
As we face up to the costly loving shown by our God, let us come to Him in humility.
Father God, give us, in your Church, undivided hearts to love you and one another, in the sure knowledge that you are our Lord.
We ask you to bless our little churches, all our clergy and especially our Rector.
Lord, we ask your blessing upon our lives that we may be the people you want us to be.
Make us strong: to do your will. Lord, in your mercy...
Father God we give thanks for all who have served you in their vocation.
We bring to you our Country, our King and Royal Family, our Government and all who hold responsibility in the communities in which they live and who influence the lives of others.
Bless all who are carers and those who are good examples for us to follow.
Make us strong: to do your will. Lord, in your mercy...
Father God, as we give thanks for our homes and families, make us aware of the quiet sacrifice and love that is often given unheeded.
We ask you to bless our children as they embark on their school holidays. We thank you for those who have been benefactors in our lives.
Make us strong: to do your will. Lord, in your mercy...
Father God, draw alongside all who suffer, that they may know the comfort of your presence and the healing power of your forgiving love.
We bring to you... give each one hope and peace and healing.
Make us strong: to do your will. Lord, in your mercy...
Father God, we pray for all who are making that last journey, that they may be surrounded with your peace and rest in your love forever.
We remember those who have died recently and those whose anniversaries we recall... Lord, make them, and us, be numbered saints in everlasting glory.
Merciful Father...
24th March 2024 - Palm Sunday
Reflection by Canon Ian Gibson
“He answered, ‘I tell you, if these [people in the crowd] were silent, the stones would shout out.’”
Crowds can be a potent force, both for good and for evil. Politicians have always been aware of this, and of their own ability to influence the crowd in either direction. Old newsreels show us quite clearly how Hitler worked on the crowds gathered to hear his words at massed rallies. His oratory skillfully worked them up into outbursts of frenzied enthusiasm. He was the great leader they had been looking for. Guided by him, the people would achieve the heights of patriotic greatness. Churchill refused to be intimidated by Hitler’s rhetoric. “We shall not flag or fail,” he growled. “We shall fight on the beaches and we shall fight in the fields and in the streets and we shall never surrender.” His words served to rally a nation standing alone and facing disaster.
On Palm Sunday, we remember the significance of the part played by the crowd in the unfolding events of the last days of Jesus’ earthly life. From what Mark tells us, it seems that the demonstration grew from fairly small beginnings: as he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks in the road. It was a spontaneous gesture, rather than a response to anything that Jesus had said, or any attempt on his part to stir up the crowd. The movement grew as he neared the city: as he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude began to praise God joyfully for all the deeds of power they had seen.
Jesus is tried before Pilate. Pilate can find no wrong in him and wants to release Jesus, but is prevailed upon by the crowd who demand his crucifixion, an act which involves at least three other people: Simon of Cyrene, the penitent thief, and the centurion who stands guard by the cross.
We can have some idea of the impact on the tightly enclosed walled city. Visitors to Jerusalem cannot help but be struck by the narrow dimensions of the Old City, with its labyrinth of small shops and stalls, each displaying their wares in the confined space outside. Even now, there is barely room for visitors to pass, let alone a crowd following a man sitting astride a donkey, probably with a will of its own, and reluctant to move ahead without constant prodding. Add to that a wildly enthusiastic following crowd, chanting slogans loaded with Messianic expectation, and we get some idea of the impact of the moment.
It was an explosive situation in which the leader was expected to respond to the crowd by fulfilling their hopes and delivering their aspirations. Jesus did nothing of the sort. He had come to Jerusalem, the city of God’s peace, to claim the city and the hearts and minds of its people in the name of his heavenly Father. It is a mission which will end, and perhaps can only end, in death and apparent failure. The crowd which had welcomed Jesus with wild enthusiasm on Palm Sunday would, within a few days, be calling for his crucifixion. Jesus was well aware of this and knew what the end would be.
The crowd were an unknown quantity, and not to be relied upon. So he makes this enigmatic response to the Pharisees when they tell him to silence the crowd: “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would cry out.”
Being part of a crowd can be a powerful feeling. We can leave behind usual restraints and inhibitions. We can dare to be ourselves and express our true feelings. This can be especially true when we are part of a religious crowd. We feel uplifted, experience a great surge of enthusiasm as we sing hymns together, pray together, worship together. But, as Carl Gustav Jung, one of the founders of modern psychology warned, idealism, in which he would have included religion, can become an addiction.
As we think of the crowds surrounding Jesus on Palm Sunday, and the part they played in the events of those days, it can be a good time to step aside from the crowd. We need to examine our own faith, our own commitment to the crucified and risen Lord.
We need to be satisfied within ourselves that with all our imperfections and failures, we can still hold our personal faith with integrity. Then there will be no need for the stones of Jerusalem to cry out on our behalf.
17th March 2024 - 5th Sunday of Lent (Passiontide begins)
Readings & Prayers
The First reading from Jeremiah 31.31-34 A New Covenant
31 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant
that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt - a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord.
33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
34 No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord’, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
Hebrews 5.5-10 A Priest Forever
5 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’; 6 as he says also in another place, ‘You are a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’
7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; 9 and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10 having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
Psalm 119.6-18 The Pure Way
6 Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous ordinances. 8 I will observe your statutes; do not utterly forsake me. 9 How can young people keep their way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you; do not let me stray from your commandments. 11 I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes. 13 With my lips I declare all the ordinances of your mouth.
14 I delight in the way of your decrees as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on your precepts, and fix my eyes on your ways. 16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. 17 Deal bountifully with your servant, so that I may live and observe your word.
18 Open my eyes, so that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
The Gospel reading from John 12.20-33 Greeks Wish to See Jesus
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ 22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.’
Jesus Speaks about His Death
27 ‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say - “Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’
30 Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.
Prayers
Let us pray to our God who loves us and understands us.
As we pray for the whole Church, we ask you to bless our little churches, all our clergy, especially our Rector and all who our church families.
We pray that there will be a renewed commitment to live out our faith and worship in our daily lives.
Let your Name be glorified; and your will be done. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for our world - your gift to us - for all nations and their leaders.
We pray for our own Country, our King and Royal family, our Government; that all having authority and power in our nation and in the world, may use it for good, upholding and instigating what is right and fair for every person.
Let your Name be glorified; and your will be done. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for our families and friends wherever they may be.
We pray that within our homes and communities there may be a new awareness of one another's gifts and needs, and more sensitivity and respect in our relationships.
Let your Name be glorified; and your will be done. Lord, in your mercy...
We bring to you those in need today - the oppressed, the downtrodden, the lonely and unloved, the hungry and the homeless.
We bring to you those who are sick - at home or in hospital... and those known only to ourselves. May each one feel your loving, healing touch.
Let your Name be glorified: and your will be done. Lord, in your mercy...
God of life, we bring to you those whose earthly lives have ended; those who died recently and those whose anniversaries we remember... that in your mercy, they may have your everlasting peace. Merciful Father...
17th March 2024 - 5th Sunday of Lent - Reflection by Rev’d D’ Fyfe
Last Sunday was Mothering Sunday. Possibly a lie-in for mums with breakfast in bed, carried in by small children with unsteady hands. Translate that as toast crumbs in bed and other sticky or smelly gifts - and a lot of love! The readings were about Mary and Joseph taking Jesus to the Temple as a baby. Simeon had held Jesus in his arms and foretold that he would be a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of his people Israel. Mary was warned that a sword would pierce her soul. Some 30 years later, when Jesus was baptised by John, a voice said This is my beloved Son. The years have passed. Now Jesus has come to Jerusalem for the last time. In one week we have turned from Jesus’ birth to his predicted death. This is Passion Sunday. It is part of the story that leads up to the Crucifixion and Resurrection.
Jeremiah tells us that one day there will be a new Covenant between God and his people. I will be their God, and they shall be my people. He doesn’t say when. Then in the passage from Hebrews we are given a partial explanation of Jesus’ title ‘Great High Priest of the order of Melchizidec’. In some ways it explains Jesus’ relationship with the Old Testament: almost where he stands in their history.
The senior priest in Jerusalem was called The High Priest. Every year he went to the Temple and offered a sacrifice for his sins. Then he went into the Holy of Holies and offered a sacrifice for the sins of the people. Jesus was described as our Great High Priest. He offered prayers for the people. And He offered himself as a sacrifice on the Cross.
From where does King Melchizidec come? He appears briefly in Genesis (Ch 14) and in Hebrews. He was a King and a priest; King of Salem, Jerusalem. Melchizidec brought bread and wine to Abraham after a particular battle. Abraham gave him a tenth of the booty that he had won in battle; the first tenth, the best bit – a sort of tithe. As a priest and King, Melchizidec appears to be more high ranking than Abraham. Abraham was the Father of the Nation; from whom the Children of Israel were descended and with whom God made the Covenant. The link is that Jesus heralds the New Covenant of the people with God. He gives us bread and wine. In this way He is a king and priest of the order of Melchizedec.
The passage from John tells us that some foreigners, these Greeks, thus gentiles, wanted to see Jesus. Philip and Andrew leave to tell Jesus and He says The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. What sort of glory has he in mind? The Cross and all that it brings. All that it offers. Philip and Andrew both brought disciples to Jesus. Andrew was called by Jesus, “Come and see”. Philip called Nathaniel, “Come and see.” ‘These Greeks’ are the first gentiles who wish to be disciples. They had heard the call and they came to see; perhaps to become disciples too. Thus, the first Jewish disciples led the first Gentile disciples to meet Jesus. The good news that Jesus brings us, is that his message is for the Gentiles too. We are made part of the promise, part of the New Covenant. We are included. Jesus will die for love of us and he will bring us, gentiles, and the Jews into fellowship with him. His death will bring life to a whole family of faith: the Christian family - us.
Jesus continues, Those who love their life lose it and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. That is a bit stark! I don’t think it is quite as it sounds. Jesus isn’t saying that loving life is wrong. He is saying that to give up one’s life for the sake of others is right. In most cases you don’t have to die for someone. But you should put others’ needs before your wants. You should love your neighbour. I believe that you still need a love of life for the offer to have value. It is easy to give up something you don’t like. Lent has its moments! You give up something you value for the greater good.
We have been given life by God, to live it, but also to give it to God for his use. We have a promise of forgiveness and a better life – the Kingdom of Heaven.
When Jesus said “Now my soul is troubled” I think perhaps he was awed rather than frightened. It is very human. Sometimes we stand on the brink of something and think, this is just huge. I find it comforting that the Son of God should pause as we do. He talks to his Father; is this really the way? Don’t we all do that? And his answer comes from his own heart. No, that is not the way out. Let me do it the way you see it, to your greater glory.
He calls out,“Father glorify your name” and there is a roll of thunder or a voice from heaven: it is an affirmation that the hard choice is right. “I have glorified it and I will glorify it again”. The Father’s glory is seen in his Son’s birth and life and it will be seen again in his death and life. This is stern stuff.
And the final piece of this puzzle is - When I am lifted up I will draw all men to myself. It is not really a puzzle – he is referring to the Cross. The Cross that is our symbol because it was on the Cross that Jesus died. He was ‘lifted up’ on it, shamed and humiliated. But we know that he rose again and drew humankind to him. Jews and Gentiles, everyone is called. Jesus knew what human life was like. He understood all of it, the price of love ; the blood and toil and tears and sweat.
This is the real point. Jesus lived and died as a human – and then rose again. God is with us in all our troubles and our joys. He has been through it. He could party with the best, as he did at Cana. He died - and so do we. He was deserted by his friends, betrayed - and he forgave them and took them back. It should be us saying “Now my soul is troubled.” But we know the end of the story. We have the new Covenant. We are wrapped up in God’s love.
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Amen.
10th March 2024 - Mothering Sunday & 4th Sunday of Lent
Readings & Prayers
The First reading from Numbers 21.4-9 The Serpent Symbol
4 From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. 5 The people spoke against God and against Moses, ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.’
6 Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. 7 The people came to Moses and said, ‘We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord to take away the serpents from us.’ So Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.’
9 So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.
Psalm 107.1-3, 17-22 Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Troubles
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures for ever. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble 3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
17 Some were sick through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities endured affliction; 18 they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. 19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress; 20 he sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction.
21 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. 22 And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices, and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.
The Gospel reading from John 3.14-21 Christ to be lifted up
14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
17 ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
19 And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20 For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed.
21 But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.’
Prayers for Mothering Sunday
As children together in the family of God, let us pray together to our Father in heaven.
We pray for the whole Church, for this place where can meet together, for all our clergy, especially our Rector and all our church families.
We give thanks for our mothers, those who have been like a mother to us and all they have done for us. We remember all who have cared for us in our church, all who have shared in our learning and loving.
Lord, as we are loved: help us to love. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for our world, for all peoples and leaders, for those who influence and encourage others. We pray for our Country, our King and Royal Family and all who serve their neighbours.
We pray for those places where war and man's selfishness is damaging so many. We bring to you all who are vulnerable or in danger today.
Lord, as we are loved: help us to love. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for our homes and loved ones.
We thank you especially for our mothers and for all loving relationships.
Let us show our gratitude by returning that love in the way we live and in our dealings with others.
Lord, as we are loved: help us to love. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for those who are separated from those they love through illness or handicap.
We bring before you the needs of the homeless and refugees, especially remembering our children. We bring to you any who are sick today.....
May each one feel your loving, healing presence.
Lord, as we are loved: help us to love. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for those who have lost loved ones this year, especially those who have lost mothers. We remember.... whose anniversaries are this week.
We look forward in faith and in hope for the time when we can be at home with you in your heaven.
Merciful Father...
10th March 2024 - 4th Sunday of Lent - Reflection by Rev’d Brian Adams
A bronze snake raised up on a wooden pole. It does not immediately strike us as being particularly significant, but it forms the centrepiece of today’s readings.
The reading from the Book of Numbers tells the story of the children of Israel complaining about their sufferings in the desert to such an extent that God sent a plague of snakes to punish them, and then in response to their plea for rescue, instructs Moses to make a likeness of a snake in bronze, lift it high in their encampment, and all who look at it in faith would be cured of their snake-bite.
The Gospel is part of the conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee and Council member, who came to him under cover of darkness to question the purpose of his mission. “No one could do all that you are doing without God’s help “, he says. In reply, Jesus quotes the Numbers story saying that just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, even so must he, the Son of Man, be lifted up so that everyone who believes may have eternal life.
Today is the halfway point of Lent known as Refreshment Sunday, also known as Mothering Sunday; it is good that we should thank God for mothers and show appreciation of all that they mean or meant to us. Refreshment Sunday invites us to relax the disciplines we may have imposed upon ourselves for the duration of Lent, and so feel renewed to prepare ourselves for the celebration of Easter.
Snakes in the Bible have contrasting messages. It was the snake in the Garden of Eden that led Eve to disobey God’s command not to eat the forbidden fruit, whereas in Numbers it is also the means whereby the people are healed. As spring becomes ever more evident in the world around us, refreshing itself, it is to nature that we look for the understanding of today’s readings.
It is significant that the logo of the British Medical Association, is a snake wrapped around a stick, based on the rod of Asclepius, the Greek god of healing. The ancients looked to nature for cures for illness. Hippocrates, originator of the oath taken by doctors, used willow cuttings to heal bruises and until recently willow cuttings from National Trust properties were used for medicinal purposes. Poison and medicine are like two sides of a coin. Just as dock leaves are the antidote for stinging nettles and can often be found nearby, so the principle can be found in other situations. In the case of the snake, it may be that its ability to shed its outer skin is seen as a symbol of resurrection. It is both a conveyor of death and a sign of new life
Jesus applies this scripture to himself. The cross is both a conveyor of death and resurrection life. We need to tread carefully as we explore these thoughts. Jesus is revealing to Nicodemus the reason for his being here. He has come to a world which he created and loves but which has gone badly wrong, choosing darkness rather than light. He is here to bring light to the world but is going to be rejected and suffer a horrendous death, like a common criminal, and it is going to be widely seen. Just as Moses put the bronze snake on display for all Israelites to see, so he, the Son of Man, is going to be put on public display. Just as the snake represents poison and new life, so he on the cross is going to display human sinfulness and resurrection life. As St Paul puts it, ‘He who knew no sin was made sin for us so that we might be put right with God (2 Corinthians 5 v21)’. He takes upon himself the sins of the world so that we may be forgiven and enter into new life. As all the Israelites had to do was to look for healing to the snake lifted high in faith and obedience, so we are look to him on the Cross in faith and receive eternal life. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, a prominent Baptist minister of the 19th century said, “When I heard that word ‘Look’ what a charming word it seemed to me. Oh, I looked until I could almost have looked my eyes away and I could have sung with the most enthusiastic of them, of the precious blood of Christ, and the simple faith that looks alone to him”.
On this Refreshment and Mothering Sunday, let us give thanks for our mothers and refresh ourselves by looking again at Jesus lifted on the cross for us, to see clearly our sins borne away by him and then enter afresh into the eternal life he freely gives us. Let the new life that we see burgeoning all round us in nature be assurance of God’s faithfulness and so bring us to a joyful Easter Day.
O my Saviour lifted from the earth for me,
Draw me in thy mercy nearer unto thee.
Lift my earthbound longings, fix them, Lord, above,
Draw me with the magnet of thy mighty love.
Bringing all my burdens, sorrow, sin, and care,
At thy feet I lay them, and I leave them there.
William Walsham How, (1823-1897)
Imagine the difficulties of trying to make a mother!
Specifications:
She needs to be completely washable - but not made of plastic.
She needs 180 moveable parts and be able to run on tea or coffee and leftovers.
She needs a lap that is big enough to cuddle the largest child.
She needs a kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair.
She needs six pairs of hands to do all the jobs that need doing.
She needs three pairs of eyes - one that can look through closed doors so that she can ask, 'what are you doing in there?’ when she already knows!
She needs another pair at the back of her head that can see what she shouldn't see - but what she has to know.
And of course a pair in front that can look at a child when he gets into trouble and say, ‘I understand and love you' without uttering a single word.
They have got to heal themselves when they are sick, feed a family of six on half a pound of mince and get a nine year old to have a bath!
She has to be able to reason and compromise.
The list is never ending!
So she deserves love - not only on one special day - but every day.
3rd March 2024 - 3rd Sunday of Lent - Readings & Prayers
The First reading from Isaiah 60.1-6 The Ingathering of the Dispersed
1 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. 2 For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. 3 Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4 Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you. 6 A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
Psalm 19.7-14 God’s Glory in Creation and the Law
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring for ever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. 13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
The Gospel reading from John 2.13-22 Jesus Cleanses the Temple
13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money-changers seated at their tables.
15 Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 He told those who were selling the doves, ‘Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a market-place!’ 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’
18 The Jews then said to him, ‘What sign can you show us for doing this?’ 19 Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ 20 The Jews then said, ‘This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?’ 21 But he was speaking of the temple of his body.
22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
Prayers
As the Church of God: Let us bring our prayers to you.
Son of God, you love each one of us as if there were just one of us.
Those who have striven hard to obey your commands, those who have ‘drifted’ here, unsure of the path they trod, who are here simply because of your Grace; individuals, all of us.
Son of God, you love each one of us as if there were just one of us. How can we not sing your praises.
We thank you for our Church, for all those who minister to us, especially our Rector and all our church family.
Holy God: may we live with your life in us. Lord, in your mercy...
God of all, we come to you for comfort. We are beyond weary at the dark mood of our world; help us to see the signs of hope, the revival of spring and your miracles which surround us. Help us to reach out to others to support and encourage them.
We are grateful to our Government and to those who are dealing with the problems of today – and tomorrow.
We ask you to bless our King and his Government as they cope with the needs of our wonderful country.
Holy God: may we live with your life in us. Lord, in your mercy...
We are a chosen people – a family people.
Chosen for love – to share love.
Chosen for joy – to spread joy.
Chosen for friendship - and for befriending.
Chosen for blessing and to bless.
We are a chosen people – a family people – our family - your family – our world.
Holy God: may we live with your life in us. Lord, in your mercy...
When the journey through each day becomes a struggle and we wonder how much further there is to go, your gentle voice can still be heard; ‘Sit where you are, for I am there. Rest once more in my embrace.’
We bring to you those who are in need today, especially remembering the sick. For your presence along life’s road, wherever we might be, we thank you Lord.
Holy God: may we live with your life in us. Lord, in your mercy...
God of glory, teach us to understand death in the context of your eternity, so that our fears are calmed, as we too approach that time.
Welcome with merciful love those who have died recently and those whose
anniversaries we recall. Shelter their loved ones, too, in the shadow of your wings. Merciful Father....
3rd March 2024 - 3rd Sunday of Lent - Reflection by Canon Ian
“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19)
Throughout its history, the human race has built monuments to whatever it held sacred. Some have survived the ravages of war and weather – Stonehenge, Greek and Roman temples, the Pyramids. In cities of the great christian centres of Rome and Constantinople we still see buldings built at the start of the christian faith in the world. And in cities all over the world there are glorious cathedrals, reminding Christians, and all other faiths at that - of the presence of God in the bustle of our daily lives. I worked in the shadow of a great cathedral an ever present reminder of the place that our forebears built to the glory of God in this small part of christendom. We are reminded of God’s faithfulness when we consider how old the buildings are, and yet, paradoxically, we know that even in these massive cathedrals we have “no abiding city”. We know from bitter experience that these inspirational buildings have no intrinsic permanence, and can be destroyed in times of war or conflict– witness Coventry and Dresden cathedrals. So too, once the Israelites had left their nomadic life, they built their Temple, a truly magnificent place, dedicated to worship, and reminding God’s people of their special relationship with him.
But rules began to take precedence over the Spirit of the place. Flawless animals had to be sacrificed, and Roman coinage wasn’t allowed. So livestock was sold and money changers provided the Temple currency. Business flourished on the back of religion. Yet housed in this same Temple were the commandments, given by God so that his people could rightly order their lives. The contrast between the life envisaged by these commandments, a life of love and respect for God and neighbour, and the life being demonstrated by the guardians of the Temple, shocked Jesus.
He was surely more angry about the abuse of people by the shady dealings of the traders and money changers than he was by the misuse of the Temple. He knew his religion should be life-giving and liberating, not bound up by rules that gave easy opportunities for exploiting people. In John 4:21, we hear Jesus telling the Samaritan woman at the well, “the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem”. Jesus knew that true religion was not practised on pagan volcanoes nor in sacred temples, but in one’s heart, through the Spirit of God. The Temple that Jesus cleansed could and would be destroyed, but the temple of God within the human soul will not, and cannot, perish.
People often mistakenly refer to Coventry’s two cathedrals, the old and the new, but there is in fact only one cathedral in Coventry, one cathedral that is a witness to hate and pain and is an equally potent witness to love and forgiveness. Prayers of forgiveness are found on its shattered walls, and nails from the burned-out roof have been made into crosses that are in churches all over the world – symbols of reconciliation.
To walk through Coventry’s one cathedral, from the bombed part to the new, is to experience death and new life. Likewise, as we walk through our own lives, we experience death and new life. We share the same potential for hate, fear and a lust for power that possessed the people who crucified Jesus – the human characteristics that always try to kill God. But always there is the possibility of putting our dark side behind us and seeing Christ, risen from the cross, beckoning to us. As St Paul says (Romans 6:8): “But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.”
God is not contained in temples, churches or cathedrals, so he is not destroyed by the death of those buildings. Whatever we try to do to God, he rises again and he lives in human hearts. This is the power of the Easter story, that it tells and retells this truth so dramatically, so pictorially and in a way that penetrates all the superficial differences of generation and culture. The crucifixion and all the events of Easter are evidence that people may abuse and kill each other; they may even abuse and try to kill God, but ultimately they and their hateful efforts will fail.
Perhaps that is one of the sobering, and yet at the same time inspiring, lessons of Good Friday and Easter: our lack of real power. We can destroy whole cities with one bomb, including their cathedrals, but we cannot destroy God. We can’t destroy the love he pours into the world; we can’t destroy hope or a sense of justice and compassion. We are the indestructible temple of God. In the sanctuary of our temple he lives and will never die. We are the living stones of God’s Church, housing the commandment to love and taking that love to others.
Collects
Almighty God,
whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain,
and entered not into glory before he was crucified:
mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross,
may find it none other than the way of life and peace;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
(or)
Eternal God,
give us insight to discern your will for us,
to give up what harms us,
and to seek the perfection we are promised
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
25th February 2024 - 2nd Sunday of Lent - Readings & Prayers
The First reading from Romans 4.13-25 God’s Promise Realised through Faith
13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.
16 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, ‘I have made you the father of many nations’) - in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become ‘the father of many nations’, according to what was said, ‘So numerous shall your descendants be.’
19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 Therefore his faith ‘was reckoned to him as righteousness.’
23 Now the words, ‘it was reckoned to him’, were written not for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.
Psalm 22.23-31 Plea for Deliverance
23 You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him; stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! 24 For he did not despise or abhor the affliction of the afflicted; he did not hide his face from me, but heard when I cried to him.
25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will pay before those who fear him. 26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord. May your hearts live for ever!
27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord; and all the families of the nations shall worship before him. 28 For dominion belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. 29 To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, and I shall live for him.
30 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord, 31 and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, saying that he has done it.
The Gospel reading from Mark 8.31-38 Jesus Foretells His Death
31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’
34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life?
38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’
Prayers
Let us pray to our God, in faith, knowing that he understands what is best for us.
Heavenly Father, increase our faith, that everyone in your Church may be more ready to trust you and allow you to lead us.
Please bless all our clergy, especially our Rector, all our church families and the little churches where we come together to worship you.
You speak what is true; and the faith can set us free. Lord, in your mercy...
Heavenly Father, give all leaders and rulers the courage to be honest, the will to be just and the openness to learn. We especially ask you to bless our Country, our King and Royal Family and our Government.
We long for the time when the Kingdom of the world will become the Kingdom of Our Father.
You speak what is true; and the faith can set us free. Lord, in your mercy...
Heavenly Father, we thank you for our homes, families and friends. We give thanks for all they mean to us in our daily lives.
At the door of each home place your welcome, in the rooms of each house your love, in all our relationships your care for each of us.
You speak what is true: and the faith can set us free. Lord, in your mercy...
Heavenly Father, give comfort and healing to those who are ill, peace to the anxious and reassurance to those who are afraid.
We bring to you... we ask for them, your constant presence and the courage to place their hands into yours.
You speak what is true; and the faith can set us free. Lord, in your mercy...
Heavenly Father, we remember those whose earthly lives have come to an end; those who died recently and those whose anniversaries are this week.. We pray that they, and we, in our time may recognise you in your heaven, and live in the light of your love forever.
Merciful Father...
25th February 2024 - 2nd Sunday of Lent - Reflection by Rev’d D’ Fyfe
Today’s Old Testament reading tells us that God promised Abram that Sarai would have a child and that Abram would be the father of nations. His children would be as the stars in the sky. That was quite a promise. How does that passage connect with Paul - and with us?
Paul tries to explain. Abraham had enough faith to believe, that what God promised, God would fulfil. This was accounted to him as righteousness: as a good thing. In other words, when all things were added up, both good and bad, Abraham had shown himself to be a faithful man. The promise made to him was that his descendants would be numerous; too many to count. He would be the Father of all nations. As usual, we must go back to the past to bring sense to our present and to help us understand the future. Paul tells us our past is from Abraham. Since we belong to all nations and believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and have the Spirit to guide us: we can say that we are children of the promise. Through faith, we call God, Father, Abba, Daddy.
Faith is a belief, a trust, a hope in someone or something. Our faith looks forward to a future with God, through his Son. We need to hold on to it when times are hard, but that is what faith is about: believing and trusting when all the world tells you that you are wrong. We try to believe, as Abraham did, that God’s promise was to be trusted. The promise of a future with God was given to Abraham. It is there for us too, both now and in the future.
Mark’s gospel was reckoned to be the first, written at a time when the people who had known Jesus were becoming fewer. AD 60, if it was then, was a time when people of faith were being threatened. Mark tells us of Peter struggling with something that happened to him as he followed Jesus. Poor Peter, poor us, we do struggle to understand.
Peter had been congratulated for recognising that Jesus was the Son of God. Then, shortly afterwards, when Jesus began to speak of his coming death, Peter could not bear it. He took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him. Peter did not understand. How could the Son of God, be killed, and in such a way? He was the Messiah. Jesus as the suffering servant of Isaiah was not part of Peter’s understanding or vision. He must have been appalled when Jesus turned round saying Get thee behind me Satan and accusing him of temptation. But behind, of course, is where followers are; following. Peter had literally stepped out of line.
Jesus called the disciples together and explained. The people who followed him must expect to find life hard: must put aside their earthly instincts. That was the human impact of Jesus on people. He changed the way they looked at the world as it was then. We are challenged to carry our metaphorical cross along the road of life. It does concentrate the mind.
It is comparatively easy to be Christian in our country. You get the odd snide remark; the slightly patronising, oh yes, of course. But there are people in the world now, who know just how hard and painful it is to take up ones Cross. For them it is a great test of faith. For us it is a test of principals. How do we react to the other?
Who are we at the Cross? Someone’s son, who carried the Cross; Judas, whose dream turned sour, the rabble rousers, the people carried along with the crowd, the disciples hiding away in shame? We all meet at the Cross. We stand here, hoping that our faith is sufficient, hoping that the promise of forgiveness is for us, hoping perhaps that it is for all humankind.
Mark didn’t mince his words. Those who gave up their lives for God, for the good news of the Kingdom; would find life in the hereafter. However, the rest would not. For Mark you are either in or out. It is scary! The disciples had not understood. We have read Mark. Have we understood? The Son of man must suffer. Why should we expect anything different? Where does this leave us?
Even on the Cross, Jesus understands humanity. I find comfort in his capacity for forgiveness. And very briefly, this is where I try to stand.
God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit are the Trinity. One, as well as separate. The Father sees us with the same tortured eyes as his Son on the Cross. They are one. Jesus speaks from the Cross in all his pain and says Father, forgive them, they know not what they do. He is speaking for everyone, not just the few. We are forgiven. All of us. And the Spirit, who is with us, has the same compassion on us. Thank God.
The light shining from the cross shows us the way.
Amen
Collect
Almighty God, by the prayer and discipline of Lent
may we enter into the mystery of Christ’s sufferings,
and by following in his Way come to share in his glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
18th February 2024 - 1st Sunday of Lent - Readings & Prayers
The First reading from 1 Peter 3.18-22 Christ’ Suffering
18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, 20 who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight people, were saved through water.
21 And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you - not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
Psalm 25.1-9 Prayer for Guidance and for Deliverance
1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me. 3 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. 5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.
6 Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!
8 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
The Gospel reading from Mark 1.9-15 The Baptism of Jesus
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’
12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’
Prayers
As we begin the season of Lent, may we move off to the desert, to communicate with our Father God.
Lord God, we come to you with our muddled priorities and conflicting agendas.
We pray for the Church, for our little places that we live, all our clergy, especially our Rector. Help us to use this season of Lent to draw closer to our Father God.
With our God all things are possible. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord God, we come to you, filled with anxieties about the problems of the world, where injustice, and the ugliness of man's cruelty, fill the news.
We come for the world's healing and for an end to all deceit and lying.
Please bless our Country, our King and Royal family and the members of the Government.
With our God all things are possible. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord God, we bring to you our families, friends and neighbours; our homes and workplaces.
We bring to you those whose relationships are fractured which gives so much sadness and worry.
We thank you for those we love and those who love us. We bring them and ourselves to you, asking for your patience when we fail you.
With our God all things are possible. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord God, we come to you with the needs and sorrows, pain and suffering of our brothers and sisters all over the world, who are aching physically emotionally and spiritually.
We remember those who are sick today, at home or in hospital... asking for your comfort and healing love.
Merciful Father...
18th February 2024 - 1st Sunday of Lent
Reflection by Rev’d Brian Adams
What do you feel when you hear or read the word ‘Lent’? I have to confess that my first reaction is to arouse in me negative thoughts of dreariness and gloom. This I suppose comes from childhood when all that people seemed to talk about was what they were going to ‘give up’. I don’t remember any convincing reasons being given to me as to why ‘giving up’ was a good thing so I chose to ignore it. With the passing of time, I have acquired a more adult view of what Lent is about and can see it is really a lovely word full of hope and expectation. It is derived from the Old English word ‘lencten’ which means ‘spring’ and gives rise to the word ‘lengthen’, and so the lengthening of the hours of daylight which accompanies springtime. Hooray, bring it on !
The snow drops are doing their wonderful displays as a sort of overture before the whole orchestra of crocus, hellebores, daffodils, tulips, and the whole floral array start to display their beauty. Flowers respond to the increasing amount of light spring brings and we can see here a lesson for ourselves. During this season of Lent we can let the light of God’s truth shine more brightly on our path and so bring forth in our lives something beautiful for him. It may mean we have to root something out, a bad habit we’ve got into or a relationship that needs repairing. This can be seen as part of the ‘giving up’ part of Lent and so make room for us to pursue something to make us better Christians.
‘Well done, I am very proud of you’ How often did we hear this from our parents when we were growing up or how often have we said it to our children? A word of encouragement or appreciation goes a long way in helping us to face the challenges and opportunities life brings. As Jesus emerged from obscurity and joined the crowds who were flocking to hear John the Baptist and be baptised, what an encouragement and affirmation it must have been to hear the voice from heaven saying, ’This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased’. As the road he had to tread became clearer with the passage of time what a help it must have been to know he had his Father’s blessing each step of the way. The voice from heaven was heard again at his Transfiguration saying, ‘This is my beloved Son…. Listen to Him’.
We all have different experiences of fatherhood, or in some cases lack of it, and so we come at this from different standpoints, but it is central in the life of Jesus and is at the heart of his ministry. We are invited to address God as Our Father and have before us the picture of the father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son where he welcomes back his wayward son unconditionally. The elder brother saw his father in a different light and complained of unfairness, but compassion and forgiveness carry the day over resentment and jealousy. The family is back together and that is the most important thing.
Now let’s look at the role of parents. Have we told our children, if we have any, how much we love them and how much we appreciate them and their achievements? I say ‘told’ because it is easy to think we can just assume they know we love them. In fact we are too embarrassed to come out with it whereas making our feelings for them known may be just what they need. This can be particularly relevant where there are several children and we can unwittingly favour one more than another and so make others feel unloved. And conversely, it can be true the other way round; sons and daughters letting their parents know their love for them and appreciate all that they have done for them.
So as we enter Lent in the light of today’s Gospel containing the account of Jesus’ baptism with its symbolism of water’s cleansing power and that of death and resurrection, so we can apply these things to our lives and as the days lengthen and the flowers spring to life around us we can ‘give up’ those things which are unworthy and allow the Holy Spirit to produce in us something lovely, which may bring glory to his name.
A chorus comes to mind from my formative years which says it all:
Let the Beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All his wondrous compassion and purity,
O thou Spirit Divine, all my nature refine
Till the Beauty of Jesus is seen in me.
Let us Explore and Enjoy the Loveliness of Lent.
Ash Wednesday Liturgy - 14th February 2024
The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart you will not despise. (Psalm 51.17)
Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all All and also with you.
Brothers and sisters in Christ: since early days Christians have observed with great devotion the time of our Lord's passion and resurrection. It became the custom of the Church to prepare for this by a season of penitence and fasting.
At first this season of Lent was observed by those who were preparing for Baptism at Easter and by those who were to be restored to the Church's fellowship from which they had been separated through sin. In course of time the Church came to recognize that, by a careful keeping of these days, all Christians might take to heart the call to repentance and the assurance of forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel, and so grow in faith and in devotion to our Lord.
I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy word.
Lord have mercy All Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy All Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy All Lord have mercy
Almighty and everlasting God you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent. Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that, lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, we may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect forgiveness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
The Litany
God the Father, All have mercy on us. God the Son, All have mercy on us. God the Holy Spirit, All have mercy on us. Holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, All have mercy on us.
From all evil and mischief; from pride, vanity, and hypocrisy, from envy, hatred, and malice; and form all evil intent, All Good Lord, deliver us.
From sloth, worldliness, and love of money; from hardness of heart and contempt for your word and your laws, All Good Lord, deliver us.
From sins of body and mind; from the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil, All Good Lord, deliver us.
In all times of sorrow; in all times of joy; in the hour of death, and at the day of judgement, All Good Lord, deliver us.
By the mystery of your holy incarnation; by your birth, childhood, and obedience; by your baptism, fasting, and temptation, All Good Lord, deliver us.
By your ministry in word and work; by your mighty acts of power; and by your preaching of the kingdom, All Good Lord, deliver us.
By your agony and trial; by your cross and passion; and by your precious death and burial, All Good Lord, deliver us.
By your mighty resurrection; by your glorious ascension; and by your sending of the Holy Spirit, All Good Lord, deliver us.
Grant us true repentance; forgive us our sins of negligence and ignorance and our deliberate sins; and grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to your holy word.
2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2 (King James Version)
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
11th February 2024 - The Transfiguration
Readings & Prayers
The First reading from 2 Kings 2.1-12 Elijah Ascends to Heaven
2 Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.’ But Elisha said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So they went down to Bethel. 3 The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, ‘Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?’ And he said, ‘Yes, I know; keep silent.’
4 Elijah said to him, ‘Elisha, stay here; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.’ But he said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So they came to Jericho. 5 The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, ‘Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?’ And he answered, ‘Yes, I know; be silent.’
6 Then Elijah said to him, ‘Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.’ But he said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So the two of them went on. 7 Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. 8 Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.
9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.’ Elisha said, ‘Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.’ 10 He responded, ‘You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.’
11 As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. 12 Elisha kept watching and crying out, ‘Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!’ But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
Psalm 50.1-6 The Acceptable Sacrifice
1 The mighty one, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.
3 Our God comes and does not keep silence, before him is a devouring fire,
and a mighty tempest all around him. 4 He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people: 5 ‘Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!’
6 The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge.
The Gospel reading from Mark 9.2-9 The Transfiguration
2 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ 6 He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’ 8 Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Prayers
Let us pray to the God of Glory, revealed in our Lord Jesus.
We pray for the Church throughout the world, for our little churches, for our clergy, especially our Rector and all our church families.
Deepen and lengthen our attention span as we, your children, listen to your beloved Son and share his longing for the world to be saved.
Let us worship the Lord: in the beauty of holiness. Lord, in your mercy...
Father, you entered our world to save it through Love's giving.
Increase our desire to enter into those places where lives have been destroyed or are suffering such pain because of man's inhumanity.
As we bring to mind those places suffering natural disasters.
Please bless our Country, our King and Royal Family, and our Government.
Let us worship the Lord: in the beauty of holiness. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for our families, friends and neighbours. Let us not take one another for granted but wake each morning, ready to notice Christ in each person we meet and to reverence vour hidden presence in all creation
Let us worship the Lord: in the beauty of holiness. Lord, in your mercy...
Father, we stand alongside all who are suffering from illness; those too weak to pray, or too confused to persevere and feel peace of mind and spirit.
We bring to you... may each one sense your love and comfort, be given strength, and feel your loving spirit.
Let us worship the Lord: in the beauty of holiness. Lord, in your mercy...
Father, we commend to your eternal presence those who have recently died, remembering... and those whose anniversaries we remember this week.
Thank you for always providing the encouragement and inspiration we need for the work you would have us do. Merciful Father...
11th February 2024 - The Transfiguration - Reflection by Canon Ian
“This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”
An over-exuberant party leader, his face radiant with enthusiasm, once told delegates at their annual conference: “Go back to your constituencies and prepare for government.” Carried away by the glory of the moment, buoyed up by the atmosphere, and sure of the rightness of his cause, he issued that famous rallying cry. It was to backfire badly, when the election results came in, and to cause much amusement among his opponents and humiliation among his followers. Nevertheless, those words of encouragement from their leader revitalised his despondent troops, galvanised them into action and probably kick-started the transformation of the party into a credible voice in British politics.
Today’s gospel reading shows us another party conference. We might call it the Kingdom Party. The party leader speaks from his platform in heaven, rallying the members around his chosen deputy! Senior advisers support the appointment; he is just the person they had been looking for and writing about ... for ages. Now they consult with Jesus about the coming campaign, working out the finer details of the manifesto, while the disciples (sorry, party members) look on. And as they watch, they see Jesus transfigured, become radiant, as he assumes the role of leader given to him by his Father, and written about in the Law and the Prophets, represented by Moses and Elijah.
The Hebrew Scriptures cast light on Jesus, and he, in turn, casts light on them. Jesus, transfigured, dazzling, and a voice from heaven. A special time, for Jesus and for the disciples with him. A real awareness of the presence of God. Perhaps Jesus needed that moment, to strengthen him for what was to come. Certainly the disciples would need to recall the glory of that special time in the weeks that were to follow, just as those party members needed the encouragement of their leader for the campaign. Because this event comes at a turning point in the gospel story. From now on, Jesus heads towards Jerusalem and the cross.
For the three disciples present, the experience was so intense that it was frightening. But at the same time, they would not have wanted to be anywhere else. “It is good to be here,” Peter said. And he wanted to capture that moment, to pin it down. He wanted to put up shelters for Jesus, and Moses and Elijah, so that they could stay. But God had other ideas. It wasn’t enough for the disciples just to bask in the reflected glory of their master. They had to do something. “Listen to him,” said the divine voice.
The instruction loses something in the translation! The full sense of the Greek, and of the underlying Hebrew or Aramaic, is “Listen and obey.” Do what he tells you.
We are not told exactly what Jesus said next. But one instruction he gave is evident from the fact that we soon find ourselves at the foot of the mountain: “Go back down from this holy mountain, and prepare for ministry.” Get on with the business of tending the sick and troubled. Help to spread the good news of God’s kingdom, in the face of mounting opposition, grumbling discontent, danger and betrayal.
And that still applies to us today. We can’t stay on our mountain tops of spiritual experience. We must not cling to those moments of glory when God felt so close that we could reach out and touch him. No, we have to come back down to earth. Nor must we try to confine God to worship, to Sunday, and to church. We are sent out from here. But we carry with us the energising power of that intense encounter with God. Power which enables us to do what he tells us in our everyday lives. The power of the Holy Spirit who enables us, in our words and in our actions, to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
God is truly with us, not only in those moments of glory, not only in the glory of worship, but in every moment of our lives. In dark valleys, just as much as on those dazzling mountain tops, God is here, with us. And his rallying cry will not backfire. We can believe him when he tells us, “Go back to your homes and workplaces and prepare for the kingdom.”
4th February 2024 - 2nd Sunday before Lent
Readings & Prayers
The First reading from Proverbs 8.1, 22-31 Wisdom’s Part in Creation
1 Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice?
22 The Lord created me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of long ago. 23 Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
24 When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains had been shaped,
before the hills, I was brought forth - 26 when he had not yet made earth and fields,
or the world’s first bits of soil.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there, when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28 when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, 29 when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, 30 then I was beside him, like a master worker; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, 31 rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the human race.
Psalm 104.26-35 God the Creator and Provider
26 There go the ships, and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it. 27 These all look to you to give them their food in due season; 28 when you give to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. 29 When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. 30 When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground.
31 May the glory of the Lord endure for ever; may the Lord rejoice in his works - 32 who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke.
33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. 34 May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.
35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more.
Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord!
The Gospel reading from John 1.1-14 The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
Prayers
Let us pray to our God, who made us and our universe and delights in us.
We pray for the godly wisdom that is touched by the beauty of creation and warms us to the possibilities of co-operative prayer and work for the coming of the Kingdom.
We pray for the Church, our little churches, all our clergy, especially our Rector and all our church families.
Wise and Holy God: we are your children. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for godly wisdom that, in observing symptoms, and discerning causes, we may respond to real needs.
We pray for those nations and people struggling to cope with war, poverty and homelessness.
We pray for all leaders as they try to find ways forward towards peace for all peoples.
We ask you to bless our Country, our King and all the Royal Family, and our Government.
Help us al to work in co-operation with those who have dedicated their lives to the service of their communities.
Wise and Holy God: we are your children. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for the godly wisdom that gives others space and support, encouragement and guidance.
We pray for our families, friends and neighbours, for those we love and those who love us.
We ask you to bless our children, their schools and colleges, all teachers and helpers and governors as they make provision for each child.
Wise and Holy God: we are your children. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for the godly wisdom for those who dedicate their lives to the healing and caring professions.
We bring to you those who are sick today, remembering... may the feel your loving, healing touch.
Wise and Holy God: we are your children. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for the godly wisdom that sees time in the context of eternity.
We remember those whose earthly lives are coming to an end and bring to you those who have died recently... and those whose anniversaries we call...
We give thanks and rejoice in all that God does for us.
Wise and Holy God: we are your children. Lord, in your mercy...
Merciful Father...
4th February 2024 - 2nd before Lent
Reflection by Fr Harry Lewyar
This passage from John’s gospel, gives us something very like a confession of faith, a statement of belief about the incarnation of God: God made man. John is concerned about what people believe about Jesus, and from the start John balances and compares two themes: the eternal cosmic sphere from where John makes a point of stressing Jesus came, and the day to day world of John the Baptist into which Jesus came. There’s also a sort of witness testimony towards the end “We have seen his glory….”
It’s as if in this short passage John is anticipating - or possibly responding to – confusion about who Jesus was: not merely a teacher; not merely a prophet or a role model; not merely a miracle worker or a man of great compassion but God himself in human form. It’s as if John is saying, “Let’s get something clear from the outset. Everything that follows is to be seen in the light of Jesus, The One God, The Almighty, The Yahweh of Judaism - Jehovah - coming among us in human form.” It is the belief that he existed before creation and he comes and lives among us now as he came and lived among them then.
So, the word “word”, Logos in Greek, can sometimes feel very theological and deep... John takes us back to the beginning. He echoes words from the book of Genesis: In the beginning God created; God moved over the chaos and darkness and said, Let there be light. The God who moved over the face of the deep, over the darkness, this same God who was from the beginning and spoke that Word, is the God who became flesh and blood and dwelt among us. The word of God is seen as powerful and active throughout scripture: God creates with speech. Jeremiah compares God's word to fire and to a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces; in Isaiah, God's word is rain that waters the earth, making it sprout and bring forth and it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
When Jesus is described as the Logos, The Word, it’s John’s way of describing Jesus as the revelation of God. Throughout the Old Testament God chooses to allow himself to be known in quite limited and restricted ways as he reveals aspects of himself to key people such as Abraham, Moses and the Prophets, who interpret that understanding of God to the people. Their visions and experiences of God showed many of the characteristics of God as we understand him today – King, Judge, Almighty, All-powerful, All-knowing, all-present, etc., but rather distant and unknowable, certainly not personal in the way that we understand him today. But through the incarnation the God who wanted to be in relationship with his people becomes known and knowable in human form, to be spoken to face-to-face, walked with, eaten with, laughed with and wept with, and with those experiences came a knowledge of his love, his justice and his compassion. It doesn’t get more personal than that and later in this chapter John re-emphasises this idea when he writes, No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known. Not God’s son but God the Son, God in human form. In him we have a permanent glimpse of God, and in him we’ve come to know more about God than was ever known before. In this man Jesus, they saw, and we see, the face of God.
This is what many who come from other faith backgrounds struggle with because their understanding of God remains at the level of the distant, the impersonal and the unknowable. The Quran itself says, “God forbid that He Himself should beget a son” and Jews still await the coming of The Messiah. It’s inconceivable to these faith groups and to others that God can be so knowable, so personal. And yet today’s passage from John talks about this revelation having been received by humanity and you can’t receive something that’s not been freely given. This incarnation is God’s gift to us – to us all.
This brings us back to the deeper meaning of the word “word”. Do you remember when your children were infants, before they could speak? How we wished they could tell us what was going on inside of them. They would cry. We would ask, "Are you hungry? Do you hurt? What's wrong?" They didn't answer our questions with words. We had to guess the answers. Some form of communication was needed for us as parents to know what was going on inside that small child, what they were thinking, what they were feeling, what they wanted. That’s still true even now they’re adults. Without the sharing of words in some way: face-to-face, phoning, e-mailing, texting, we don't know what they’re doing, thinking, or feeling. We need words to understand what’s happening in each other’s’ lives. Words have power. Everything we say or write, however trivial is designed to evoke a response in someone else.
Jesus, as the Revealer of God, is like that. He communicates to us the thoughts, feelings, and desires of God. Yet, he doesn't just talk about what goes on inside God, he is God. His life reveals God to us. In order to know God, we need to look to Jesus, to listen to Jesus, to try and understand Jesus. So, if words are designed to evoke a response, what is the response that Jesus as The Word is supposed to evoke in us? The answer, surely, is belief. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.
The intended outcomes of God speaking to the world in this way are eternal life and salvation as John outlines later in chapter 3.16-17, For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Our task as disciples is to speak and live a language that has the same intended effect among our hearers. John talks of Jesus as the life and light of all people.
Our response is surely to bring that same life and light to those we encounter in our own pilgrimage of faith.
28th January 2024 - The Presentation
Readings & Prayers
The First reading from Malachi 3.1-5
1 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight - indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3 he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
5 Then I will draw near to you for judgement; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.
Psalm 111
1 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. 2 Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. 3 Full of honour and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures for ever.
4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful. 5 He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant. 6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. 7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. 8 They are established for ever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and awesome is his name. 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practise it have a good understanding.
His praise endures for ever.
The Gospel reading from Luke 2.22-40
22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’ 33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.
34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed - and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’
36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.
Prayers
Let us pray to our Father God, bringing to Him the needs of the world.
As we pray for the whole church, we remember those who teach the faith, bringing to you our own clergy, especially our Rector and our church family.
We pray for a new awakening of our calling to be the people of God.
Give us a fresh understanding of your will.
You alone are our God: and we trust in you. Lord, in your mercy...
Holy God, give all the nations and peoples of the world such respect and love for creation, that we learn to take responsibility for the resources we share.
We ask you to bless our Country, Queen and Government.
Give each one of us the courage to make good decisions for the benefit of all.
You alone are our God: and we trust in you. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for our family, friends and neighbours, wherever they may be. Thank you for all that they bring to our lives. May all our homes make room for kindness and forgiveness.
Help us to know that you are with us in our dealings with others.
You alone are our God: and we trust in you. Lord, in your mercy....
Holy and Strong One, we remember before you all who suffer from weakness or illness, all who suffer from being handicapped or restricted in their lives.
We bring to you those known to us who are in any need today... may they know that you love them and are with them through the most difficult times.
We ask your blessing on all who are called to work in the healing services.
You alone are our God: and we trust in you. Lord, in your mercy...
Father God, we put our trust in you.
We believe that in you is the gift of eternal life.
We remember with love those who died recently and those whose anniversaries we recall...
We pray that, through you and your love, we may be brought at last to the
fullness of your kingdom.
Bless the week ahead. May its challenges not overwhelm us, circumstances not discourage us and in all things may we remember that you are with us in our journeying.
Merciful Father.....
28th January 2024 - The Presentation
Reflection by Rev’d Brian Adams
Writing this as one who is well past the Biblical lifespan of three-score years and ten I felt drawn when reading this gospel account by the contrast between the simplicity of the young child Jesus being brought to the temple by his parents and the years of experience of the two elderly people in the story, Simeon and Anna, now nearing the end of their lives. I imagine that some people reading this are, like me, near or at the same stage of life as Simeon and Anna, and can identify with them.
Simeon and Anna had lived through turbulent times. The Roman Empire had swallowed up the land of Israel and ruled with rough justice. Unrest was widespread and revolts common. Barabbas, the man crucified with Jesus, was probably what we would call a terrorist. Anna we are told was eighty-four and she with Simeon were regular worshippers at the temple in Jerusalem. They were faithful Jews who had kept alive the hope of seeing the realisation of some of the prophecies in the Old Testament of the coming of a Messiah who would usher in a reign of peace and prosperity, what is called in our passage ‘The Consolation of Israel’. It had lain hidden for at least 400 years and Simeon had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would live to see’ The Lord’s Messiah’. What a wonderful prospect! What a reward for his faithfulness, and so he senses the moment as he comes into the temple and sees the little family come in carrying the Christ child. A little baby, an old man and woman, they all have their place in God’s plan of redemption.
The scene is one of serenity. The Romans didn’t mind people having their own religions and attending places of worship so long as they didn’t cause any trouble and one gets the feeling that Anna and Simeon had a long period of waiting for this moment in comparative calm. Now Simeon was ready to go, the promise he had received that he would live to see the Lord’s Messiah had been fulfilled and he could now ‘depart’ in peace. “Depart in Peace”.
What a lovely way to describe our leaving of this scene. We naturally wonder what awaits us as we grow older. We want a ‘good death’ whatever that means and we consider the possibilities. We don’t want to suffer pain, prolonged deterioration, we don’t want to be a burden to anyone, most of all to our children by restricting their ability to live a full life.
The question of ‘assisted dying’ is coming to the fore again and some want a bill introduced in Parliament to allow people being helped to die when their situation is terminal or life is so difficult that they have had enough. There are appealing arguments on both sides. Some say, ‘Why shouldn’t I have control over my body?’. Others, ‘We must beware of setting off down a slippery path whereby the vulnerable can feel pressurised.’
Speaking personally, I am wary of the law being changed because it makes a hole in the principle that life is sacred and as we didn’t choose the time of our birth so we shouldn’t choose the time of our death. They both lie in the gift of God. Doctors have always seen their calling as to heal people, not to facilitate their death. I know that there are extreme cases where the patient can be suffering long and painful discomfort and death can only come as a release. Here doctors have powerful painkillers at their disposal and their palliative care can afford considerable relief. This is a grey area where compassion and good sense may be better guides than legislation however carefully worded and we find we have exchanged one set of problems for another, namely ‘where do we draw the line on who is eligible’? The slippery slope beckons.
St Paul was confident in facing death. ‘I have fought a good fight, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge will give to me on that day.’ In another place he says he is in two minds; he wants to go but he feels it’s better for his fellow believers for him to stay. Either way he’s happy to leave it in God’s hands.
Simeon is clearly thinking positively about the future. He was ready to go but waiting for God’s time. He saw himself as God’s servant and was ready for whatever his Lord wills. Note, he was going to ‘depart’, he was going somewhere, it was not all over. It is commonplace nowadays to say that the deceased has ‘passed’. I want to ask when I hear this whether they believe in an afterlife or is it that they can’t bear to say someone is dead. We need not fear death, it has lost its sting, we have the victory through our Lord’s death and resurrection and his promise that he has gone to prepare a home for us in his Father’s house.
I like the old hymn by Fanny Crosby:
All the way my Saviour leads me: What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt his tender mercy who through life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in him to dwell!
For I know whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.
I pray for grace to keep following our Lord’s leading while here on earth and, when the time comes, on into the light of his nearer presence.
21st January 2024 - 3rd Sunday of Epiphany
Readings & Prayers
The First reading from Genesis 14.17-20
17 After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 And King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High.
19 He blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, maker of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!’
And Abram gave him one-tenth of everything.
Psalm 128
1 Happy is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways. 2 You shall eat the fruit of the labour of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you. 3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots around your table. 4 Thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.
5 The Lord bless you from Zion. May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life. 6 May you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!
The Gospel reading from John 2.1-11
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ 4 And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’ 5 His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’
6 Now standing there were six stone water-jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.’ So they took it. 9 When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.’
11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
Prayers
Lord you transformed ordinary water into wine at a wedding in Cana, may our ordinary lives be transformed by your presence. As you have taken on our humanity may we now partake of your divinity.
We pray for the Church throughout the world, particularly in those places where people are persecuted or diminished for living their faith: that every country might honour people’s right to worship in freedom.
Lord, in your mercy... Hear our prayer.
We pray for all that are newlywed, and for those preparing for marriage; for those discovering newness in their love for each other. We pray for those saving to get married and all who feel that they cannot afford to marry.
We pray for marriages that have run into difficulties, for those who are running out of resources, those in debt, and those having homes repossessed; for all who feel betrayed in their love, for those seeking a divorce at this time.
We pray for Marriage Guidance Councils and all who seek to support family life.
Lord, in your mercy... Hear our prayer.
Lord we pray that your presence may transform our homes, that they may be centres of love, joy and peace. We pray for friends and loved ones and all who have transformed our lives by their goodness. We pray that in our communities we may share and help to meet each other’s needs. We pray for all who are losing their jobs in the present economic climate; for young people who cannot find a job ‐ that new opportunities might arise to afford them the experience of working in dignity and peace. We pray for areas of darkness and deprivation in our communities.
Lord, in your mercy... Hear our prayer.
We remember all who have run out of resources, the hungry and thirsty peoples of our world. We remember the exhausted, and all who can no longer cope on their own; all who are struggling to provide for their families and their basic needs. We remember all who are in trouble or in sickness, especially those we name in our hearts now.....
Lord, in your mercy... Hear our prayer.
We pray for all who die before their expected time, particularly those who suffer a violent death ‐ that they might be brought within the saving embrace of God and welcomed to the peace of their everlasting home... we rejoice that in you the best is yet to come. We give thanks for all who have been changed in the glory of your Kingdom. We pray for our loved ones departed from our sight....
Lord, in your mercy... Hear our prayer.
Almighty Father, hear the prayers we offer and use our bodies, minds and spirits to your praise and glory.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
21st January 2024 - 3rd Sunday of Epiphany
- Reflection by Canon Ian Gibson
“His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’” (John 2:5)
In the wedding car on the way to the reception, Julie and Stuart chatted excitedly about their marriage service. “I was so nervous,” Julie admitted. “I was trembling like a leaf.” Stuart grinned and squeezed her hand. “Me too,” he said. “But did you see the vicar shaking?” he went on. “She couldn’t have been nervous, could she? I mean, vicars do weddings all the time!”
Stuart was both right and wrong. Church ministers do conduct lots of marriage ceremonies. But that doesn’t mean they don’t get nervous. Weddings are very special days, for all concerned. For the couple, their parents, the guests… but special, too, for the vicar! Part of the job, but also a privilege and a pleasure, and yes, many do get nervous.
Weddings occur frequently in the Bible as images to describe something wonderful. Jesus mentioned wedding feasts in some of his parables. In those days, even more than our own, everyone had been to a wedding. Something wonderful, but also a fact of everyday life. An absolute gift for any storyteller needing a vivid metaphor.
Like the Bible writers, Jesus was a master storyteller, but he not only told stories to illustrate God's love for us. He lived the story – in his life on earth, and his death for us. Like Old Testament prophets, he knew actions speak louder than words. So it isn't surprising that Jesus first chose to “reveal his glory” not by anything he said, but by something he did.
The wedding gave an extra dimension to the miracle. At this everyday but wonderful event, he took something ordinary like water and changed it into something special – the very best wine. Gallons of it! The water jars were intended for Jewish purification rites. By using those, Jesus perhaps shows that here is something better than the Jewish Law. Here is the Creator, the one who made the water, present among us. But whatever the containers, the water was water: a feature of everyday life.
With Jesus, the ordinary can become wonderful. In a service of Holy Communion we receive bread and wine. Food and drink are features of our everyday lives, but this food is special, this drink is special. Because, in them, the saving presence of Jesus is made known to us.
With Jesus, the everyday can become special. Not only in the Eucharist, not only in church: Jesus transforms the water of our daily lives into the sparkling new wine of his presence. If we allow him to do so.
What if the servants at that wedding had ignored his bizarre instructions? What if they hadn't filled the jars with water? What if they'd winked at one another and said, “We've got a right one here!”
Mary's faith saved the day. She pointed out the problem to Jesus: “They have no wine.” She believed that Jesus could do something about it. And she trusted that he would do something. When she said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you,” her conviction rubbed off on them.
Mary's words still speak to us, nearly two thousand years later. But what is Jesus telling us today? What must we do? How can we find out?
By studying the Bible we learn more about what Jesus wants all of us to do. To love God more dearly, and love our neighbour as ourselves… even love our enemies. Turn the other cheek. Go the extra mile. Tell others of God’s love.
And by acknowledging his presence in our everyday lives, we can listen to what Jesus is saying to each of us individually. We are all different, thank God! We have different home situations, different jobs, different strengths and weaknesses, different gifts to use in God’s service.
Whoever we are, whatever we are, Jesus is with us as we go about our everyday tasks. He will have a word for each of us, just for us – something he wants us as individuals to do for him. Something which, in turn, will enable him to work his miracle in our lives, to turn everyday lives into life, in abundance, a closer relationship with God. If we listen.
Weddings are wonderful. But they happen to someone every day. So if God can speak to us in the story of a wedding, surely we can listen to our Creator in the things that happen to us day by day? And if Jesus can be present among us in bread and wine, can we not look for our Saviour in other “ordinary” things?
14th January 2024 - 2nd Sunday of Epiphany
Readings & Prayers
The First reading from 1 Samuel 3.1-10
1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.
2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; 3 the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.
4 Then the Lord called, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ and he said, ‘Here I am!’ 5 and ran to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he said, ‘I did not call; lie down again.’ So he went and lay down. 6 The Lord called again, ‘Samuel!’ Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he said, ‘I did not call, my son; lie down again.’ 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’
Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’
Psalm 139.1-9
1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. 3 You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely. 5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it. 7 Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
The Gospel reading from John 1.43-51
43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’
44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’ 46 Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’
47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ 48 Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ 49 Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ 50 Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ 51 And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’
Prayers
In the silence of the stars,
In the quiet of the hills,
In the heaving of the sea,
Speak, Lord.
In the stillness of this room,
In the calming of my mind,
In the longing of my heart,
Speak, Lord.
In the voice of a friend,
In the chatter of a child,
In the words of a stranger,
Speak, Lord.
In the opening of a book,
In the looking of a film,
In the listening to music,
Speak, Lord, for your servant listens. (By David Adams)
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,
be all else but naught to me, save that thou art;
be thou my best thought in the day and the night,
both waking and steeping, Thy presence my light.
Circle me, Lord.
Keep protection near and danger afar.
Circle me, Lord.
Keep hope within and keep doubt without.
Circle me, Lord.
Keep light near and darkness afar.
Circle me, Lord.
Keep peace within; keep evil out. (David Adams)
May your past be a pleasant memory,
Your future filled with delight and mystery,
Your now a glorious moment,
That fills your life with deep contentment.
May your day be filled with blessings
Like the sun that lights the sky,
And may you always have the courage
To spread your wings and fly!
May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine upon your window pane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near to you and
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
14th January 2024 - 2nd Sunday of Epiphany - Reflection
“Speak Lord For Your Servant is Listening” by Laura Kaslas
The first reading for today, from the book of Samuel is quoted pretty often, “Speak Lord for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10) ... God makes His presence known to his people. Yet in the first verse of this reading, it says that a revelation of the Lord was uncommon during those days and visions were infrequent.
God was gentle when He approached Samuel, so He didn’t frighten Him by revealing His presence all at once. Calling gently to Samuel in his sleep was a way to reach out to him gradually, to make His presence known. God’s revelations are often like that, a gentle and slow revealing of His presence. It’s a peaceful, gradual, certainty that grows slowly over time. That is a sure sign that it is God who is revealing Himself and His will to you. He is more like a gentle nudging, or tugging that you continue to notice until He gets your attention, like a child who stands respectfully and patiently from afar until you become aware that they would like to talk to you. Especially when you are already busy with something else.
Jesus was of course both human and divine, but he set an excellent example for how most people seek to know God’s will. Silence, solitude and prayer are the basic elements that greatly facilitate a greater awareness of God’s presence in our lives. If you think about it, that is the same three elements that Samuel experienced in the first reading today too.
Samuel was off by himself, asleep in silence, and had been in the temple praying at the time.
Coming to know God’s will in any given situation is not something you control. He does. Sometimes God wants us to take care of things ourselves, make mistakes, learn from them and grow in the development of our character and holiness. And, sometimes God will send His Spirit to reveal something to you, but when He does this, it is usually to benefit other people too and not for you alone. Most of our actions affect others though, even if it is indirectly.
Christ carefully contemplated what the right thing to do next was and sought his Father’s advise. In his case, it wasn’t the right thing to remain in one place too long because his purpose was to make known the kingdom of God, and there were no televisions newspapers or radios back then. He needed to reach as many people as possible while he still had the time to do so.
We usually know what is best for our lives, deep down inside. There is just so much noise, distractions, stress and pressures from other people that we do not feel very close to God or have the ability to “listen” with the ears of the heart. Holiness, direction and guidance from God is not just for saints and prophets though. God wants us to enter into a deeper relationship with Him and most especially, with His son Jesus. We are His children, and even though there are so many of us, God loves each of us individually, the same way we love our own children.
The next time you feel a gentle tugging on your heart that you just can’t shake, it may be a call from the Lord to come away for a while and speak with him. He has something he needs to talk to you about. Like any good relationship though, it is also a good thing to seek his company when you have something on your mind, or on your heart. He is always there to care about you and listen to your joys and sorrows, dreams, plans and problems and he will do what he can to help.
“Speak, for your servant is listening.”
7th January 2024 - The Epiphany - Readings & Prayers
The First reading from Isaiah 60.1-6
1 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. 2 For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.
3 Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4 Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. 5 Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. 6 A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
Psalm 29
1 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy splendour.
3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters. 4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. 5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire. 8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, ‘Glory!’
10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king for ever. 11 May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!
The Gospel reading from Matthew 2.1-12
1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 6 “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.”’
7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.
11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Prayers
Let us pray to the God who loves us and knows our journey.
We thank you God for all those who brought the Good News of Jesus to us. You have chosen to give yourself to us all and invite us to give ourselves to you.
We thank you for the Church, for our little places where we gather to worship you; for all our clergy, especially our Rector.
Light of Christ: shine in our lives. Lord in your mercy...
As we remember the Wise Men, we pray for the rich and comfortable and all who have plenty of this world's good things; that they may know that all they have are gifts from you. May the riches of the world be put to good use as we remember the poor and homeless and the hungry.
Please bless our Country, our King and Royal Family and the Government.
Light of Christ: shine in our lives. Lord in your mercy...
As the Holy Family shared an ordinary home, we ask your blessing upon our homes, our family and friends.
We remember those with no families; those who feel unloved and unwanted. Light of Christ: shine in our lives. Lord in your mercy...
With the gift of myrrh, there was an offering of the sorrows of the world. We remember all who are suffering today; all who long for freedom from persecution.
We bring to you the sick... may each one feel peace and hope and healing.
We thank you for those whose lives are dedicated to the healing professions. Light of Christ: shine in our lives. Lord in your mercy...
We rejoice with Mary and Joseph, the Angels and the Wise Men, and with the Church in heaven and on earth, as we commend to you those whose earthly lives have ended...
We remember those who have died recently.... and those whose anniversaries we recall... may we all, when our time comes, be welcomed, with them into your heaven.
Merciful Father...
7th January 2024 - The Epiphany - Reflection by Reader Ian Stobart
This Sunday is the Feast of the Epiphany. I wonder what that means for you.
Perhaps being Twelfth Night - the end of the twelve days of Christmas, it’s when you take your decorations down and pack them back in the loft. You don’t want that bad luck, do you? That’s all over for another year. We can get back to normal now. But perhaps they are already back in their boxes. Lights carefully wrapped and pine needles vacuumed up. Traditionally, Christmas used to start on Christmas Day and last these twelve days. Now it kicks off with the start of advent, or after Halloween has finished! So when we get to the big day we’re exhausted and just want to move on to something different.
New year. New resolutions.
The word ‘epiphany’ has two meanings. It can be the appearance or manifestation of a divine being. Or it can also mean a sudden realisation of something, like Archimedes’ ‘Eureka’ moment in the bath. What happened to Paul on the road to Damascus was both of these - a revelation BY God and also a revelation OF God. None of us likely to have such a dramatic experience but the Feast of the Epiphany ( the ultimate revelation of and by God, incarnate as a baby) raises some questions for us and gives the opportunity to look at what that might mean for us.
Epiphany marks the celebration of the arrival of these characters from the east. Variously known as kings, wise men or Magi, they were evidently astronomers as they had spotted a new star. Then they had worked out what it might mean - which was that a new king had been born in Judea. God spoke to them in a language they could understand - astronomy - and they listened and understood. Contrary to the belief of the people of God at that time, Hebrew was not the only language God spoke!
Do we too assume that God is just like us?
So they set out to find this new king. We know from later in the story that this new star had possibly appeared two years previously. So they might have been travelling all that time. To journey for that long takes a lot of dedication and perseverance.
Do we persevere as we should in following Jesus?
They did the obvious thing, and went to the royal palace of the country where this new king was due to be born. They weren’t to know that Herod knew nothing about this new king, and wasn’t going to be happy about it when he found out. He was called Herod the Great, but this had less to do with his personality than his ability to survive politically and the fantastic building projects he organised (the temple in Jerusalem that Jesus would visit later in his life, an amazing palace with two swimming pools on top of a hill in the desert at Masada, a luxury villa at Caesarea and several other palaces).
They went to find ‘The king of the Jews’ but didn’t find him in a palace surrounded by riches and luxury, but did, eventually, in the humble home of peasant working people.
Do we only look for Jesus in expected places?
This phrase ‘King of the Jews’ appears towards the end of Matthew’s gospel as well as here near the beginning. It is the reason given for crucifying Jesus, and was written on a piece of paper attached to his cross. The gospel writer is intentionally flagging this marker of how the story would play out. This baby would grow up, he would teach, and he will suffer and die.
The Feast of Epiphany is seen in different ways in Eastern and Western Churches. In the East, in the Orthodox Churches, it marks the baptism of Christ and celebrates the revelation that the incarnate Christ was both fully God and fully man. God (the Word) ‘became flesh and dwelt among us’ as it says at the start of John’s Gospel, but also remained entirely God. This is essential for salvation to ‘work’, Jesus has to be both God and human.
In the West we centre on the Magi coming to worship Jesus. The importance of this event is not just in the gifts they bring (one of the reasons why we give presents at Christmas). They have great significance: Gold for a king, Frankincense for a Priest and Myrrh for death. They symbolise who Jesus will be - both king and priest, as well as foretelling his death. But for us, the wonderful thing is that they were gentiles. At the beginning of his life, Jesus is revealed to people who were not Jews. His mission was, from the start, to the whole world. For us!
The reading from Isaiah for today seems to have a specific prophecy regarding the wise men - ‘they shall bring gold and frankincense and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord’. But it also talks more generally of a light coming, the Lord’s glory appearing, that we shall see and our heart will thrill and rejoice and these statements refer to God’s kingdom. this is the kingdom that started with Jesus'’ arrival here on earth.
In the story of the wise men, there are three different responses to news of the arrival of this new kingdom in the form of a baby.
Herod was upset, worried and angry when he learned of a potential challenge to his power and lifestyle.
The religious scholars were indifferent, and stuck in their tradition.
The Magi were joyful and wanted to pay homage.
How do we react? Do we get distressed when Jesus threatens what we are doing?
Are we not really that bothered, as long as we can carry on as we are?
Or can we really ‘get it’ and, with joy, come to worship this king as a baby?
Can we see that Jesus came for everyone. Not just us or those who are like us?
Can we perceive the image of God in everyone, and find Jesus where we least expect him?
Can we persevere, like the Magi, as we follow where God is leading us though the new year ahead?
31st December 2023 - 1st Sunday of Christmas
Readings & Prayers
The First reading from Isaiah 61.10 - 62.3
61.10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.
62.1 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch.
2 The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. 3
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
Psalm 148.7-14
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, 8 fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command! 9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
10 Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds! 11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! 12 Young men and women alike, old and young together! 13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.
14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the Lord!
The Gospel reading from Luke 2.15-21
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.
17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
21 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Prayers
Let us pray to our God, who knows what it is to be human.
We pray for the Church, the Body of Christ, remembering our little churches, our own clergy, especially our Rector.
May we be so filled with God's living life, that our actions touch the world with hope which lasts for ever.
Thank you Lord for coming to be with us. Lord, in your mercy...
As the world is reminded of love and peace, in the words of the carols, may the reality of God, who loves each one of us, transform our social and political thinking.
We remember those places where lives are so badly affected by war, poverty and humanities selfishness. We ask you to bless our Country, our King and Government. We pray that 2024 will be a year of peace for all.
Thank you Lord for coming to be with us. Lord, in your mercy...
As Christmas brings together family, friends and neighbours, especially those we seldom meet, may our relationships be nourished with love and forgiveness. May we value and love each other, more and more.
Thank you Lord for coming to be with us. Lord, in your mercy...
We remember those whose lives are filled with pain or fear or anxiety.
We bring to you all refugees and the homeless. We remember those who are sick, at home or in hospital, those waiting for the results of tests... May they feel that you are close to them and loving them.
Thank you Lord for coming to be with us. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray that the dying may be at peace with God and that those of our loved ones who are separated from us through death, may know the joy of heaven. We remember... May our love, rooted in yours, continue throughout the new year.
Merciful Father...
31st December - 1st Sunday of Christmas
Reflection by Rev’d Brian Adams
Having just finished watching the BBC TV series about Julius Caesar I began to see the account of the entrance of The Wise Men into the Christmas story in a new light. The growth of Rome from City to Empire took place under Republican government with elected officials. As Roman power grew due to campaigns led by their generals, their conquests eventually stretched both east and west and as we know included their occupation of Britain. There was a rule that no general could return to Rome at the head of his army and had to surrender his command at the river Rubicon. Julius Caesar failed to do this after his conquests in France as he knew he would return as the man who wielded most power in Rome and he did not wish to surrender it. Resentment grew at his breaking of the laws of the Republic and when he insisted that he assume the title Dictator a plot was hatched to assassinate him which famously took place on the Ides of March 44BC. The Romans hoped to restore the Republic, but the system was so broken it could not be reinstated and so a series of Emperors followed until the fall of the Empire in the 5th century BC.
It is not surprising then that when this caravan of mysterious looking Men from the East appeared in Jerusalem bearing gifts and asking where the KIng of the Jews was to be born that panic ensued. The rule of Palestine had been ‘subcontracted’ to the Herod family who had become friends of the Caesars, and they did have the title King, so there was no room for any more kings. Hence the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt and the ‘Slaughter of the Innocents’ which is also remembered at this season but rarely gets a mention.
Monarchy is not greatly in fashion in today’s world. We have Autocracy, the rule of One in Russia and China, Theocracy, the rule of clergy as in many Arab countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia, and some where the military have seized control. The first king of England was Athelstan, crowned in 925 but it was William the Conqueror who was the first to be crowned in Westminster Abbey and really established rule over the whole country.
The idea of kingship is lost in the mists of time but what makes it stand out is that it is based on the authority of a divine being of some sort exemplified by the ceremony of anointing with oil. We remember that in Old Testament times after Moses and Joshua there was a period of rule by ‘Judges’, such as Samson and Gideon, who arose to deal with attacks from outside. In the time of Samuel, the last Judge, the people asked to have a king like the surrounding nations. Samuel did not think it a good idea, saying that kings would exploit them, but the people insisted so Samuel sought God’s advice which led him first to anoint Saul, who was a disaster, and then David who of course became the founder of the dynasty of which Jesus is counted a member through his father Joseph.
The principle of Kingship underlies Jesus’ ministry. He does not speak of himself as a king, he uses the term ‘Son of Man’ and he speaks of God mainly as Father. But it becomes prominent at the end when he is hailed as King on Palm Sunday and at his trial before Pontius Pilate he is asked if he is a king. He replies, ‘My kingdom is not of this world’. He taught us to pray ‘Thy Kingdom come‘ and we pray this prayer regularly as part of our liturgy.
We find ourselves in this country members of two kingdoms. We are subjects of the Kingdom of Great Britain and members of God’s Kingdom. It is significant that from earliest times it was usual for the king to be seen as appointed by a ‘god’ and so ruling with his authority. In our country, by the way our constitution is set, we acknowledge the authority of God as revealed in the Bible and see the monarch as his appointee. And so we offer the monarch due deference by bowing and curtseying and all in high office take an oath of allegiance. But more importantly we are members too of the Kingdom of God as revealed in the Bible and made manifest to us in the person of Jesus the Christ, risen and glorified.
As we are now on the last day of 2023 ,we look ahead to a year in which we shall almost certainly have a general election and as members of this kingdom to vote for our Member of Parliament. The country has passed through turbulent times in the last few years, and we face an uncertain future. As members of that other kingdom, the Kingdom of God, who have just celebrated the coming of the Light of the World in the birth of Jesus the Christ we are called to bring ourselves, like the Wise Men, with our best to offer him and work towards the `coming of His Kingdom’. We must pray too that all who offer themselves as candidates for election to Parliament will be dedicated to working for the common good and so prepare for His Coming.
Two verses of hymns about God’s Kingdom
Thy Kingdom come O God, Thy rule O Christ begin,
Break with thine iron rod the tyrannies of sin.
The King of love my shepherd is whose goodness faileth never
I nothing lack if I am his and he is mine for ever.
Thanks be to God.
On Christmas Day 1939 King George delivered one of his most famous speeches; George’s wife Elizabeth, mother to Queen Elizabeth II, brought him a poem that had deeply touched her. George VI excerpted the first lines of the poem, “God Knows” (aka “The Gate of the Year”) by Minnie Louise Haskins to illuminate the spiritual comfort he believed his subjects might seek. It applies as well to us as much as it did then, as we stand at the start of a New Year:
“God Knows”
And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”
So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.
And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.
So heart bestill:
what need our little life our human life to know, if God hath comprehension?
In all the dizzy strife of things both high and low, God hideth His intention.
God knows.
His will is best.
The stretch of years which wind ahead,
so dim to our imperfect vision, are clear to God.
Our fears are premature;
In Him, all time hath full provision.
Then rest:
Until God moves to lift the veil from our impatient eyes,
When, as the sweeter features of Life’s stern face we hail,
Fair beyond all surmise,
God’s thought around His creatures our mind shall fill.
Happy New Year.
Christmas Day - Emmanuel - God with us.
Light 5th and central Candle and pray …….
A candle burns, the last marker of our Advent journey.
As we arrive at our journey's end, may we arrive with wonder and worship. Amen.
COLLECT
Lord Jesus Christ, your birth at Bethlehem draws us to kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth: accept our heartfelt praise as we worship you, our Saviour and our eternal God. Amen.
Isaiah 9.2 & 6 The Messiah Prophesied
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Hebrews 1.1-4 God Has Spoken by His Son
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3 He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Luke 1.6-7 The Days were accomplished
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
John 1.1-14 The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
Prayers
As we gather to celebrate Christmas, let us pray to our living God.
Blessed are you, Lord our God. In you and in your love, heaven and earth are one. You come among us, to be one with us.
Lord, we welcome you into our hearts and lives. We ask your blessing upon the church as it worships you throughout the world.
Bless and guide all preachers of the word and ministers of the sacrament, remembering our own clergy and all who lead worship in our churches locally, but they may lead us to you.
Holy God, come among us: hear us and help us. Lord, in your mercy…
We rejoice with the shepherds and pray for peace on Earth and goodwill amongst all the nations.
We ask your blessing upon all areas where there is conflict and oppression.
Bless our country, our King and Government, the members of our armed forces who are away from home this Christmas, and all who seek to bring unity and fellowship between the nations.
Holy God, come among us: hear us and help us. Lord, in your mercy…
Lord, born into an ordinary home, come into our homes, that they may reflect your peace and your glory. May we know that our homes and loved ones are all part of your Kingdom.
Bless our families, friends and neighbours, those with whom we will share Christmas and those not able to be with us.
Holy God, come among us: hear us and help us. Lord, in your mercy…
We give thanks that nothing can separate us from your love.
We ask your blessing on the world’s poor, those who are deeply in debt, those who are lonely, and those who are ill at home or in hospital.
We bring to you… give each one peace and hope and healing.
Holy God, come among us: hear us and help us. Lord, in your mercy…
Lord, we rejoice that you came down to earth as a human, that we might share in the joys of the Kingdom of Heaven.
We remember friends and loved ones departed, those who have died recently and those whose anniversaries we recall… we rejoice in the fellowship of Mary and Joseph and all your Saints and Angels. May we share with them in your glory. Merciful Father…
CHRISTMAS BLESSING
May the Father,
who has loved the eternal Son from before the foundation of the world,
shed that love upon you his children. Amen.
May Christ,
who by his incarnation gathered into one,
things earthly and heavenly,
fill you with joy and peace. Amen.
May the Holy Spirit,
by whose overshadowing Mary became the Godbearer,
give you grace to carry the good news of Christ. Amen.
And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be upon you and remain with you always. Amen, Amen, Amen.
Christmas Eve
“Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth.”
Luke 2:1-7 The decree of Caesar Augustus
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2.8-15 The Angels and the Shepherds
And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.
And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
Luke 2.16-20 The Shepherds go to the Stable
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Matthew 2.1-11 The Magi and the Star
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him."
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him."
When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
PRAYERS AND LORD’S PRAYER
We have shared together in the wonderful story of Mary and Joseph, with angels, shepherds and Wise Men. As we celebrate this special night in which God joins heaven and earth, let us offer our prayers.
Lord Jesus, on that holy night, you were born in a stable because there was no room at the inn. Give courage to all who have no home - looking for safety, food and shelter - and those who live in poverty. Protect them with your love and give them hope.
Jesus, Light of the world: ALL hear our prayer.
Your mother, Mary, in the pain of labour, gave birth to you. Hold close all who are in pain or fear, or suffer in any way. In their need may they sense you, reaching out to comfort and heal.
Jesus, Light of the world: ALL hear our prayer.
As Mary and Joseph held you in their arms, we thank you for our own families. Strengthen us in love and commitment, that our homes might be places of joy and peace.
Jesus, Light of the world: ALL hear our prayer.
The shepherds were surprised by news of your birth, which would turn the world upside down. We pray for those facing change, and coming to terms with unexpected news. In all the challenges we face, we ask for your strength.
Jesus, Light of the world: ALL hear our prayer.
The Wise Men followed the star and knelt before you, recognising you as King. Give wisdom to all who lead and govern. Guide them with your light, that they may seek truth, justice, peace, freedom and respect, for every human life.
Jesus, Light of the world: ALL hear our prayer.
The angels were overjoyed to share the great news for all people. Thank you for coming for us, and help us to tell the world the good news that you are still with us, and will never leave us.
Jesus, Light of the world: ALL hear our prayer.
ALL God of light and hope, of stars and surprises, open our eyes and our hearts to your presence, that we may respond with joy, this Christmas-time, to the birth of your Son Jesus, our Saviour. Amen.
Our Father, which art in heaven.....
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES – PRAYERS
Sunday before Christmas Light 4th Candle and pray...
(or to be lit at any time in the week .17th – 23rd Dec)
A candle burns, the fourth marker of our Advent journey.
As we continue, may we travel joyfully.
As we continue, God of journeys, draw us to our journey's end. Amen.
Christmas Reflection by Canon In Gibson
“And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth” John 1:14)
Christmas is often portrayed as a magical time. We receive cards depicting stunning scenes of snowy landscapes: peaceful, still and free from any sign of the disruption which is usually associated with even the slightest amounts of snowfall. We are delighted by nativity plays where all the animals are clean and sweet smelling, and baby Jesus is always well behaved and silent. We watch TV adverts of beaming families sharing succulent feasts around enormous tables. They show no stress about how they are going to pay for this incredible banquet. Neither is there any sign of tension over all the cooking and washing-up involved: TV mums are delighted to take on these tasks. Such images of Christmas seem a million miles away from our everyday experience. Does the festive season have anything to say about the realities of life, or is it simply a bit of fairy-tale escapism: a short break from the humdrum realities we will all face again in January? The answer to that question lies in today’s Gospel reading: the profound words which introduce the Gospel of John.
In our reading, Jesus is referred to in a way that will seem strange to us – as “the Word”. At the time this was written, however, this would have been an expression familiar to both Jews and Greeks. The simplest way of explaining it is to think of words as the way we communicate with the outside world; how people understand who we are and the things we stand for. To call Jesus “the Word” is a way of saying he reveals to us what God is like. And Jesus can reveal God to us for a number of reasons. Firstly, he has been with God from the very beginning. He didn’t simply come into being at a set point in time like the rest of us, but has always existed and been in the closest of relationships with God. Indeed, the passage states that it was through Jesus that God created the world. Even more significantly, he can show us what God is like because he shares God’s divine nature. As verse one famously says, “the Word was God”. The passage also goes on to say that Christ is a light in the world, enlightening us about God.
These are massive claims about Jesus. However, the passage states something else equally staggering: not only was Jesus one with God, but he gave up his place in heaven to live among us as a real human being and show us what God is like in the flesh. “He pitched his tent among us,” is how the Greek puts it. The divine Son of God came and dwelt with us and, as the passage suggests, was spared none of the pain of human existence. Verses 10 to 11 hint at some of the sadness he endured: he who had brought all things into existence was not welcomed to the earth he had made; he was rejected. Even the nation prepared by God to expect the Messiah through centuries of prophetic utterances did not recognise him as the chosen one.
So in what way does this link our Christmas celebrations with the realities of life? Well, Christmas is not just about a cute baby born a long time ago in a faraway land. Christmas reminds us that the Son of God dwelt among us, not only sharing our human nature but also our pain.
Through Christ, God truly understands the troubles we all experience, for Jesus endured every pain that we do: he was abused and bullied (soldiers mocked, hit and teased him); he was let down by his friends and lonely (the disciples ran away when he was arrested, and Peter denied knowing him); he knew what it was like to lose someone close (he wept when his friend Lazarus died); he was tempted; he knew fear (in Gethsemane before his arrest he was terrified); he knew pain (he was scourged) and, of course, he knew what it was like to die.
So while Christmas may be presented as a time of glitter and sparkle, its true heart can be found in the nitty-gritty of life. When we are struggling and wondering where God is and why he has allowed suffering into our lives, we can take comfort from the knowledge that, through Jesus, God has suffered with us and knows exactly what we are going through. In Christ we are never alone for he is Immanuel: God with us.
17th December - 3rd Sunday in Advent - Readings & Prayers
The First reading from 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise the words of prophets, 21 but test everything; hold fast to what is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.
23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.
Psalm 126 A Harvest of Joy
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’
3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced. 4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb. 5 May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.
The Gospel reading from John 1.6-8 & 19-28 The Word Became Flesh
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
The Testimony of John the Baptist
19 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’
20 He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ 21 And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ 22 Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’
23 He said, ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord”’, as the prophet Isaiah said.
24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptising if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’
26 John answered them, ‘I baptise with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27 the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ 28 This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptising.
Prayers
Let us pray to the living God who always keeps his promises.
Almighty God and Saviour, as we pray for the whole Church, we bring to you our little churches, all our clergy, especially our Rector and our church families.
May the Church reflect your love for the world and show acceptance and forgiveness for all.
Keep us faithful to your calling. Lord, in your mercy...
We pray for the world that there may be integrity in leadership, mercy and justice for rich and poor, strong or weak.
Bless our Country, our King and Government, praying that there is peace and fellowship for everyone.
Keep us faithful to your calling. Lord, in your mercy...
We give thanks for those who have taught us the faith by their example in the way they live.
Please bless our homes and our loved ones with the light of your presence.
Keep us faithful to your calling. Lord, in your mercy...
Lord, we come to you for renewal and healing, for strength and light.
We ask your blessing on all in need today, especially remembering those who are waiting for test results or who are sick, at home or in hospital... May each one feel your loving healing touch.
Keep us faithful to your calling. Lord, in your mercy...
We give thanks for your renewing powers and that you give us life and life eternal.
We remember, with love, friends and family who are departed from us. Those who died recently and those whose anniversaries we recall... May they rejoice in the fulness of life eternal in the glory of your presence.
Merciful Father...
17th December - 3rd Sunday in Advent
Reflection by Rev’d D’ Fyfe
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. We know the words from the beginning of John’s gospel. It always fills me with awe. Written hundreds of years ago it states unequivocally that God was there at the beginning and that the Word, Jesus, was with him and was him. And then in the next paragraph we are told “There was a man sent from God whose name was John.” In those two paragraphs we are told about Jesus in the beginning and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry
Some churches have an Advent Wreath. It usually has 5 candles on it. One to be lit on each Sunday of Advent. One each for the Patriarchs, the Prophets, John - the last Prophet and the the Virgin Mary. Then, on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, we light the central candle for the birth of Jesus. John is called the last prophet. He reminds us of what Jesus came to do and how he began that period of his life!
Why do we have this story at this time of year? John was probably about six months old at the time of Jesus’ birth. Why now? From Luke we know, the story of John’s birth to Elisabeth and Zechariah Luke tells us that Mary, when she became pregnant, visited her cousin. Luke had wanted to explain who John the Baptist was and why he was important. John, the gospel writer, wanted to show us how John the Baptist heralded the beginning of a long story.
He grew up as a loner: a wild man, hairy and living on locusts and wild honey in the desert. He came to Authority’s attention when he was baptizing people in the river Jordan. He was standing by the Jordan baptizing and we can almost hear his voice ringing out across the centuries. He was sent to the world to tell people that someone was coming. Someone who would shine a light on us and show us how to live. His was a baptism of repentance.
People came from Jerusalem and all around to be baptized by John. So many came. that the Pharisees sent some of their number to enquire what was going on. Was this man a prophet? Was he pretending to be the Messiah? Was he trouble? John told them he was not the Messiah, nor a prophet, nor Elijah. “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord”. He was there to tell everyone of the man who was coming. (It’s not me Guv!) You can understand why they thought he might be Elijah. Elijah was held to be the man who would herald the coming of the Messiah.
John told the crowd that among the people standing with them, there was a man who was far greater than him and whose shoelaces he was not worthy to tie. John baptized Jesus and we read that the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. John recognized that Jesus was the Messiah.
So here we are, more that 2,000 years later listening to the words of the man we call the last prophet. We know that he was arrested and imprisoned by Herod, and later was executed. We know Jesus’ story and we know that as His mission to the world began, John’s mission came to an end. Shortly after Jesus began to preach and teach, John’s followers came to Jesus and asked him if he was the one that the world was waiting for. They returned to John telling him what Jesus was doing. John was executed at Herod’s command, knowing that his work was done.
On Sunday we will light the third Advent candle for John; the man standing on the banks of the Jordan baptizing the people. His was “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord”. John didn’t pretend to be anything but a warning voice, a messenger preparing the way of the Lord. Perhaps we should be doing that?
He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light
John knew he wasn’t the Messiah. He knew that his work was to tell people that the Messiah was coming. Not coming in great glory, far from it. But when he comes again we will see the glory.
This is called a reflection. What should we reflect upon? It isn’t a question of looking in a mirror and seeing ourselves. It is using our minds and prayers to see the world as it is. It is to ask ourselves how we can bring some peace to the world and to ourselves. Last week’s reflection reminded of the need for peace. Perhaps the words of the blessing should be our prayer for this week.
May the peace of God which passes all understanding keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with us all, this day and for evermore.
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES – PRAYERS
Third Sunday of Advent Light 3rd candle and pray...
A candle burns, the third marker of our Advent journey.
As we continue, may we travel expectantly.
As we continue, God of journeys, guide our footsteps. Amen.
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