19th October 2025 at 10.30am – Luke the Evangelist – Eucharist

Posted on October 19, 2025 by St Mary's

The Readings.

2 Timothy 4.5-17

As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully. 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. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Do your best to come to me soon, for Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful in my ministry. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will pay him back for his deeds. You also must beware of him, for he strongly opposed our message.
At my first defence no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

Luke 10.1-9

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

Scripture quotations are from: New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

The Sermon
Prepared by The Revd Canon Dr Alan Billings.

Each week at the start of the Eucharist, this book is solemnly brought into
church - the book of the Gospels. Then solemnly carried into the centre of the
church for a reading from one of those gospels. It’s a high point in the service.
If you look at the cover you will see four symbols on it in gold reminding us
that there are four gospels. The symbols are for Matthew, Mark, Luke and
John. A winged man, a winged lion, a winged ox and an eagle.

Today we give thanks for one of those gospel writers, St Luke. St Luke, who
was, we learnt from that reading from the letter from St Paul to Timothy, a
companion of Paul on his travels. So at some point, Luke must have sat down
and written his account of the life of Jesus, his gospel.

Luke’s gospel is my favourite.

You may think that is an odd way to talk. Surely, the good news about Jesus
is the same whether in Luke's gospel or any of the others.

Well, yes and no. Yes, it's the same Jesus they are telling us about. But no,
they don't tell us exactly the same things in exactly the same way. The
gospels were written by four very different people with some different
interests.

The reason I like Luke's Gospel is because of things he tells us about which
none of the others do. And in doing so he gives us some different ways of
thinking about what it is to have faith.

For example, if Luke had never put pen to paper, we wouldn't know much
about Christ's birth. Mark doesn't mention it at all. Matthew tells us about
three wealthy visitors, the wise men. St John simply says, loftily, The Word
became flesh.

But Luke records how Christ was visited by simple, working men, shepherds,
from the fields around Bethlehem. Only Luke tells us that ordinary people like
you and me were the first visitors.

And then at the end of that story he adds a few words which are typically
Luke. Beautiful words that make you pause. After the shepherds have gone
with their talk of angels and heavenly voices saying this baby is the one so
long expected, he adds these words, 'But Mary kept all these things,
pondering them in her heart.'

Mary pondered. Luke seems to be saying: moments of ecstasy and high
religious emotion have their place; but we need to think about what they
might mean. We need to ponder.

This is something Mary often does and Luke clearly believes its important
because he returns to it again at the end of another lovely story that you will
only find in his gospel.

It's the incident when Jesus is twelve. His parents take him from their home in
Nazareth to the capital city, to Jerusalem, to the Temple. It's something they
do every year with their wider family and neighbours. The whole village
makes the trip, all looking after one another's children as they travel.
But on the return journey, Jesus lags behind in the Temple and his parents,
supposing that he is somewhere in the crowd, don't realise he's missing until
the end of the day. Anxiously they return to Jerusalem and find him in the
Temple, listening to the teachers and asking them questions. And Jesus says
to his parents that they should not be surprised that he was doing this in his
Father's house.

Then Luke says again: 'And his mother kept all these things in her heart.'

'And his mother kept all these things in her heart.'

We are living at a time when faith is hard pressed and some Christians think
the way forward has to be by frenetic activity and exuberant worship. I'm sure
each has its place. But let's not lose sight of what Luke is telling us in these
little snapshots in his gospel.

There has to be a time for just sitting still and thinking. Bringing together what
we have prayed and sung in church with what we have experienced in daily
life. What is God saying to us through all of this.

We need quiet time when we can – as we say these days – process things. In
other words, to do what Luke tells us Mary did.

Like Mary, we must find moments when we too can take what we have heard
and what has moved us, and ponder it in our heart. This too is how we build
up our faith.

The Prayers

Encouraged by our fellowship with the apostles and evangelists,
let us make our prayers to the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Father, your Son called the saints to leave the past behind
them and to follow him as his disciples in the way of the cross. Look
with mercy upon those whom he calls today, marks with the cross
and makes his disciples within the Church.
We pray especially for the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah,
and for General Synod, that it may make decisions for the benefit of all.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Your Son told his disciples not to be afraid and at Easter breathed on
them his gift of peace. Look with mercy upon the world into which
he sent them out, and give it that peace for which it longs.
We pray for Ukraine and Israel/Palestine.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Your Son formed around him a company who were no longer
servants but friends, and he called all those who obeyed him his
brother and sister and mother. Look with mercy upon our families
and our friends and upon the communities in which we share.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Your Son sent out disciples to preach and heal the sick. Look with
mercy on all those who yearn to hear the good news of salvation,
and renew among your people the gifts of healing.
In a few moments of silence we pray for all those known to us.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Your Son promised to those who followed him that they would sit
on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel and would share the
banquet of the kingdom. According to your promise, look with
mercy on those who have walked with Christ in this life and now
have passed through death.
In silence we give thanks for those from our own lives.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

12th October 2025 at 10.30am – 17th Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

Posted on October 12, 2025 by St Mary's

The Readings.

2 Timothy 2.8-15

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure:

If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

if we endure, we will also reign with him;

if we deny him, he will also deny us;

if we are faithless, he remains faithful—

for he cannot deny himself.

Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.

Luke 17.11-19

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”

The Prayers
Prepared by Veronica.

In our prayers for today, let us give thanks for Jesus, for all the wonderful deeds that he performed.

We thank God for our new archbishop, Sarah Mullally, who we now know has been appointed. We thank God for Maryam who has recently joined our congregation, and we are very happy that she has chosen St Mary’s to be baptised, and we pray that she will remain an integral part of our congregation.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

We give thanks for the Ceasefire in Gaza, and pray for continuing peace between the Palestinians and Israelis.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are sick at present, and pray that they will soon recover.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who have died recently and for all who mourn their loss.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

We pray for ourselves as we continue our lives through the coming week.
Merciful Father
Accept these prayers for the sake of your son
Our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen

5th October 2025 10.30am – Harvest – Eucharist

Posted on October 5, 2025October 5, 2025 by St Mary's

The Readings

Philippians 4.4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you

John 6.25-35

When they found Jesus on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 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. 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.”
Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 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? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 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. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 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.”

Scripture Quotations are from: New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

The Sermon
By Joe, Reader at St Mary's.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Today, we have a ‘giving centre’ to our service where we give
supplies to the Archer Project, before we receive Christ’s body and
blood in the Eucharist.

We are reminded by the juxtaposition of these acts of service and
sacrament that Harvest is a moment to pause, give thanks, and
reflect on how God feeds and sustains us - not just through food and
the air and water we need to survive, but through Christ Himself.
Our readings from Philippians and John’s Gospel remind us that
harvest is not just about barns, bread and beans, but is also about
the deeper harvest of the spirit.

Paul, writing to the Philippians, is astonishingly upbeat. “Rejoice in
the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” This isn’t the voice of
someone with a full belly and a healthy larder. Paul is writing from
prison. He has known hunger, scarcity, rejection - but he insists that
joy is possible, even necessary.

He doesn’t say, “Rejoice because everything is going well.” He
doesn’t say, “Rejoice because you’ve got enough food for the
winter.” He says, “Rejoice in the Lord.” The joy he describes is not
tied to circumstances, but to God’s unchanging presence with us.
That is a lesson Harvest Festival still teaches us. We should be
grateful for the food before us, and the essentials of our lives. These
physical gifts, from God’s creation, also remind us that there is a
giver of the gifts, who has more, much more, to give.

Paul goes on: “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be
made known to God.”

This is … hard. Manchester, Gaza, Ukraine, the return of the threat
of fascism here in the UK, the rise of an authoritarian and corrupt
regime in the US, the constant drip - no, flood - of darkness and
anger in our news and social media feeds.

Even the process of growing food is affected, Climate change,
pollinators under threat, the risk to food supplies caused by war and
civil unrest, let alone the traditional problems of pests and inclement
weather are making things more and more uncertain.

To be honest, if we’re not a bit anxious, and probably a bit angry,
we’re not really paying attention.

Paul tells us that the antidote to worry is prayer laced with
thanksgiving. Gratitude does indeed change us. It shifts our vision
from what we lack to what we’ve been given. It doesn’t deny
hardship—but it places hardship in the larger context of God’s
abundance.

And notice the promise: “The peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and minds.” This peace is not
the absence of struggle, but the assurance that God’s presence is
with us in it. That’s a harvest of the Spirit that no physical drought or
angry, hate-filled floods of social media can destroy.

And so we turn to John’s Gospel. The crowds come looking for Jesus
after the feeding of the five thousand. And Jesus confronts them:
“You are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because
you ate your fill of the loaves.”

In other words, “You’re here because of the free lunch.” They want
another miracle meal. But Jesus redirects them: “Do not work for the
food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life.”
It’s a challenge for us at harvest. We give thanks for the food that
sustains our bodies - but it rots, despite our best efforts to keep it
fresh. And its benefits are short-lived. We eat today, and tomorrow
we are hungry again.

The greater harvest is found in Christ: “I am the bread of life.
Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes
in me will never be thirsty.”

Harvest is both physical and spiritual. We give thanks for the food
and resources that sustain us. But the harvest of grain and grape
come together in the Eucharistic Sacrament to become signs of the
Bread of Life. In the humanity and example of Christ, God gives a gift
to meet the deepest hunger of our hearts - the hunger for meaning,
love, forgiveness, hope.

Paul finishes his passage with a call to attentiveness: “Whatever is
true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable…think about these
things.”

What do we think about most? The news and social media ‘doom
scroll’, with its endless diet of fear and anger? The constant urge to
consume more, to measure ourselves by how much of the world’s
resources we swallow up?

Paul calls us to fill our minds with what nourishes. At harvest, this is
an invitation to see the world differently. To notice beauty, not the
ugliness of our greed. To remember justice, not to believe that
‘might is right’. To savour kindness, not be blindly hateful. To let our
imaginations be fed by God’s goodness, not starved by the world’s
anxieties and ephemeral priorities.

In other words: Let our minds themselves become fertile soil where
the gifts of the Spirit, and God’s peace, may take root and grow.
What does this mean for us today? Three simple takeaways:

First, gratitude. Let’s make thanksgiving a habit, not just a festival.
When we eat, let us pause to thank God for the food before us, and
for the unseen hands that prepared it - farmers, lorry drivers, shop
and factory workers. Gratitude makes us humble, and it opens us to
joy.

Second, generosity. A true harvest is never kept for ourselves. The
barns are meant to be opened, the baskets shared. Food banks today
are a reminder that while some live with plenty, others live with
empty cupboards. Our thanksgiving is hollow unless it leads to
sharing.

Third, put Christ front and centre. We do not live by bread alone. As
we receive the bread of the Eucharist, we remember that Christ is
our true nourishment. Harvest points us to Him - the one who feeds
our deepest hunger, who turns our anxiety into peace, and who is
the bread that endures to eternal life.

Harvest is a time of rejoicing of the world’s bounty, of preparation
for the coming winter; a hinge-point in the year. But deep meaning is
found in today’s readings. Paul reminds us to rejoice, to be thankful,
to think on what is good. John reminds us that beyond loaves and
fishes stands the one who is the Bread of Life.

So let us rejoice - not just in our food and our world, but in the God
who gives them.

Let us be thankful - not just in prayer today, but in habits of gratitude
that shape our daily living.

And let us turn again to Christ, who feeds us not just for today, but
for eternity, and show gratitude for the gifts of the spirit by using
them in our daily lives.
Amen.

The Prayers

Let us offer our prayers to God for the life of the world
and for all God’s people in their daily life and work.

God, the beginning and end of all things,
in your providence and care
you watch unceasingly over all creation;
we offer our prayers
that in us and in all your people your will may be done,
according to your wise and loving purpose in Christ our Lord.
Lord of the harvest,
in your mercy hear us.

We pray for all through whom we receive sustenance and life;
for farmers and agricultural workers,
for packers, distributors and company boards;
as you have so ordered our life that we depend upon each other,
enable us by your grace to seek the well-being of others before our own.
Lord of the harvest,
in your mercy hear us.

We pray for all engaged in research to safeguard crops against disease,
and to produce abundant life among those who hunger
and whose lives are at risk.
Prosper the work of their hands
and the searching of their minds,
that their labour may be for the welfare of all.
Lord of the harvest,
in your mercy hear us.

We pray for governments and aid agencies,
and those areas of the world where there is disaster, drought and starvation.
By the grace of your Spirit,
touch our hearts
and the hearts of all who live in comfortable plenty,
and make us wise stewards of your gifts.
Lord of the harvest,
in your mercy hear us.

We pray for those who are ill,
remembering those in hospital and nursing homes
and all who are known to us.
We pray for all who care for them.
Give skill and understanding
to all who work for their well-being.
Lord of the harvest,
in your mercy hear us.

We remember those who have died,
whom we entrust to your eternal love
in the hope of resurrection to new life.
Lord of the harvest,
in your mercy hear us.

We offer ourselves to your service,
asking that by the Spirit at work in us
others may receive a rich harvest of love and joy and peace.
Lord of the harvest,
in your mercy hear us.

Merciful Father:
Accept these prayers
For the sake you Son
Our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

28th September 2025 at 10.30am – St Michael & All Angels – Eucharist

Posted on September 28, 2025 by St Mary's

The Readings.

Revelation 12.7-12

And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming,
‘Now have come the salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Messiah,*
for the accuser of our comrades* has been thrown down,
who accuses them day and night before our God.
But they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony,
for they did not cling to life even in the face of death.
Rejoice then, you heavens
and those who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
for the devil has come down to you
with great wrath,
because he knows that his time is short!’

John 1.47-end

When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ 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.’

21st September 2025 at 10.30am – Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist – Eucharist

Posted on September 21, 2025 by St Mary's

The Readings.

Proverbs 3. 13 - 18

Happy are those who find wisdom,
and those who get understanding,
for her income is better than silver,
and her revenue better than gold.
She is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honour.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called happy.

Matthew 9. 9 - 13

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”

The Sermon
Prepared by The Revd Canon Dr Alan Billings.

I thought I might write a book. For Christians. It would need a snappy title, but
the subtitle would be: The ten texts that every Christian ought to know.

The ten texts that every Christian ought to know.

I would be making the point that none of us can hold the entire bible in our
minds all the time. I have read passages of scripture almost every day for the
whole of my working life, but not every word sticks, and some words don’t
seem especially helpful these days.

There are verses in Leviticus, for instance, about how to deal with magicians
and wizards, and whether tattoos are a good idea. I don’t need to fill my head
with that. (Tattoos, by the way, are thought to be a bad idea.)

But some verses we do need to know because they should be playing a key
part in forming our faith and guiding our conduct. We should return to them
again and again to keep ourselves spiritually sound.

So ten texts that every Christian ought to know.

Why ten? Well, it’s a bit arbitrary; but it’s about that number that we can
consistently keep in mind.

Among the ten would this from the gospel according to St John: For God
sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the
world might be saved through him.

That is so important.

For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the
world might be saved through him.

We Christians have often forgotten that verse. We have much preferred to
condemn, than think about what it might mean for the world to be saved
through Christ.

I’ll just give you one shocking example from my last job as a vicar.

In my parish in Kendal there was an old people’s home. My curate and I took
services there. What we didn’t know was that in the 1960s and before, it had
been a mother and baby home, run by the diocese. St Monica’s.

Unmarried girls were sent there to have their babies, which were then taken
from them, whether they wanted that or not, and given to childless couples.
In recent years all this has been revealed and a few of the mothers who are
still alive have told their story. How their families disowned them and Church
and society condemned them. They were made to feel ashamed, treated
harshly in St Monica’s and forced to work long hours every day. And, truly
shocking, if babies became sick, they were not sent to hospital but treated by
unqualified staff. Some died and they lie buried in unmarked graves in the
grounds.

We see this now as a scandal. But in those years, Church and society had let
slip that crucial text in John’s gospel. That Christ came not to condemn but to
save. Church and society wanted to condemn these mothers for having
babies out of wedlock. And it did. But in doing so, did nothing for the young
women and a great deal of harm to many babies.

In today’s gospel we read how this idea that Christ came not to condemn but
to save worked itself out in one particular way in the ministry of Christ himself.
At the time of Jesus the religious, especially the rather self-righteous
religious, were quick to condemn those they disapproved of – tax collectors,
like Matthew, who made a living gathering taxes for the Roman authorities,
and sinners. We are not told what way of life or behaviour made people
sinners in some peoples eyes. But as with those unmarried mothers in
Kendal, we can imagine how they were made to feel ashamed and to suffer.

But Christ comes not to condemn but to save, because he knows, as we
admit at the start of every service when we make our confession, that all of us
have fallen short of the glory of God.

In that sense we all need saving. And that should make us more
compassionate towards others who in other ways fall short.

As the hymn says:

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, like the wideness of the sea.
But we make his love too narrow
by false limits of our own;
and we magnify his strictness
with a zeal he will not own.

For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the
world might be saved through him.

We must go and do likewise.

The Prayers

Encouraged by our fellowship with all the saints,
let us make our prayers to the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Your Son sent out disciples to preach and heal the sick. Look with
mercy on all those who yearn to hear the good news of salvation,
and renew among your people the gifts of healing.
We pray for Lucy and Paul’s grandson and family.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Almighty God,
Grant that your Church
may faithfully hold and make known
the faith that has come to us through the apostles,
that with them and all your saints
we may inherit the glories of eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

14th September 2025 at 10.30am – Holy Cross – Eucharist

Posted on September 14, 2025 by St Mary's

The Readings.

Numbers 21.4-9

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. 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.’ Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. 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. 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.’ 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.

John 3.13-17

No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “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. “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.

The Prayers

Let us pray to the Father through his Son,
who suffered on the cross for the world’s redemption.

Fill with your Spirit Christ’s broken body, the Church.
Give to people everywhere a deep longing
to take up the cross and to understand its mysterious glory.
By the Saviour’s cross and passion,
Lord, save us and help us.

Bless those who lead the Church’s worship.
In the preaching of the word
and the celebration of the sacraments,
draw your people close to you.
By the Saviour’s cross and passion,
Lord, save us and help us.

Give your grace to those who preach your word to the nations.
Help us to witness to the faith we have received
by our words and in our deeds,
and daily conform us more and more to Christ,
that we may glory in his cross.
By the Saviour’s cross and passion,
Lord, save us and help us.

Look in your mercy upon the world you loved so much
that you sent your Son to suffer and to die.
Strengthen those who work to share
the reconciliation won at such a cost upon the cross.
By the Saviour’s cross and passion,
Lord, save us and help us.

Bring healing by the wounds of Christ
to all who are weighed down by pain and injustice.
Help the lonely and the betrayed, the suffering and the dying,
to find strength in the companionship of Jesus,
and in his passion to know their salvation.
By the Saviour’s cross and passion,
Lord, save us and help us.

Welcome into paradise all who have left this world in your friendship.
According to your promises,
bring them with all your saints
to share in the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection.
By the Saviour’s cross and passion,
Lord, save us and help us.

Holy God,
holy and strong,
holy and immortal,
have mercy on us.

7th September 2025 at 10.30am – The Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Eucharist

Posted on September 7, 2025 by St Mary's

The Readings.

Isaiah 61.10-end

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.
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.

Luke 1. 46-55

‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

The Prayers
Prepared by Veronica.

In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father.

We give you thanks for the gift of Mary, after whom this church is named, and thank you
for giving her to us to give birth to your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. We give thanks for
all the people who passed through this church yesterday for the Horticultural show, and
hope we may see some of them again, once they have seen how beautiful the church is.
Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the church worldwide, that all who call themselves Christians may serve you
as best they can, and serve your people in whatever way they can. We pray for our
diocese, our bishops and all who serve you in whatever capacity. We thank you for our
partner churches, St John’s and St Mark’s, that we may grow ever closer in our
partnership.
Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our city of Sheffield. We give you thanks for Walkley, for all the organisations
in our area, our schools and teachers, and ask your blessing on St Mary’s School, as they
start the new school year. We ask your blessing on all the students soon to return to our
city.
Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray for Katherine baptised today, and for Alison who was licensed last Monday. May
we as a congregation always give them the support they need.
Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are ill at this time, and remember in our prayers all who work in the
National Health Service and carers. We pray they may always be strengthened to carry
out the tasks they need to undertake. We pray for all known to us in special need of your
saving grace….
Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We remember before you all who have died recently, and those we have loved and known.
We pray for all who are with your in your tender care.
Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

Rejoicing in the fellowship of Mary, John and Mark and all your saints, we commend
ourselves and all creation to your unfailing love.

Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers
for the sake of your only Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
Common Worship: Times and Seasons, material from which is used here is copyright (c) 2010 The Archbishops' Council

31st August 2025 at 10.30am – 11th Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

Posted on August 31, 2025 by St Mary's

The Readings.

Ecclesiasticus 10.12-18

The beginning of human pride is to forsake the Lord;
the heart has withdrawn from its Maker.
For the beginning of pride is sin,
and the one who clings to it pours out abominations.
Therefore the Lord brings upon them unheard-of calamities,
and destroys them completely.
The Lord overthrows the thrones of rulers,
and enthrones the lowly in their place.
The Lord plucks up the roots of the nations,
and plants the humble in their place.
The Lord lays waste the lands of the nations,
and destroys them to the foundations of the earth.
He removes some of them and destroys them,
and erases the memory of them from the earth.
Pride was not created for human beings,
or violent anger for those born of women.

Luke 14.1, 7-14

On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.
When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honour, he told them a parable. ‘When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honour, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, “Give this person your place”, and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, “Friend, move up higher”; then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’
He said also to the one who had invited him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’

The Sermon
Prepared by David, Reader at St Mary's.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of Holy Spirit, Amen.

Many years ago, as a young person, then a teenager, I used to go to the theatre on a semi regular basis. I would normally be taken by my mother and we would go with a friend of mine from orchestra and her mother. It’s long enough ago that I’m not sure I can recall any of the plays we saw, though I expect they included some Shakespeare, mum having had a passion for English Literature. What has stuck in my mind was the inevitable discussion around who was going to pay for the interval drinks. There would be a bit of back and forth with phrases uttered such as “No, no, I’ll get these” Or “You got them last time”. Eventually the dance would conclude, and I could finally drink the lemonade I’d been waiting for. This dance would be repeated again on the next trip, I assume the other person ended up paying, though I confess to not keeping a record. Reciprocal hospitality was maintained.

This memory surfaced as I finished reading the passage. We might like to thing our society has changed vastly from the Roman Empire of Jesus’ day. In some ways it has, but perhaps not as much, or as permanently as we might like to think. Slavery is no longer legal or an accepted part of life, though it’s still present, often unnoticed, in places like nail bars, car washes or the garment industry.

We don’t normally deify the political leader in the way Roman Emperors were. Though this has happened occasionally in the last 2000 years, normally with terrible results. May Russia, North Korea and the United States of America take note.
Back to hospitality. The guests at the meal in our Gospel reading would have been invited with the expectation that they would reciprocate in turn and invite the hosts to a similar event. If you couldn’t do so you would be judged and loose perceived status and definitely not be invited to such a meal again.

Jesus turns this on its head. “Do not invite your friends, or brothers, or your relatives, or rich neighbours.” All people who will invite you back in return. But instead he says “invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.” People who in Jesus’ day would have never been in the position to host a dinner party.

This should make us question our own motives for offering hospitality, as individuals, families and a community. Are we offering an open table to others, without thought to receiving in kind? Are we as church welcoming to all and not unconsciously excluding others? But also our motives for accepting hospitality. Do we seek to be upwardly socially mobile?

Questions to ponder.

Meals like the one described would often be held around a U shaped table, with the most important guests at the centre of the U, and the least important at either end. Jesus makes it clear that we should be humble, expressed in the parable as taking the lowest seats at the end of the table. Sometimes easier said than done, when modern society tells us to believe in ourselves. We can do anything. Not that there is anything wrong in believing in oneself. But it’s very easy to stray from confident self-belief where we are comfortable in the knowledge that God loves us and cares for us. When we do we can end up self-centred and egotistical.

The Church of England has a complicated relationship with this parable.

On the one hand in the last few years it has released a vision document for the church in the 2020s called “Simpler, Humbler, Bolder”. So one might expect it to be humbler in this decade than it perhaps has been. It has certainly been rightly humbled by repeated safeguarding failures.

Part of my last role at the Cathedral was preparing invites, guest lists and seating plans for various civic services. I did this with a copy of Debrett’s Correct Form close to hand. A fascinating book which includes, alongside correct forms of address, the order of precedence.
This is essentially a hierarchical list of all the most important people in the country which informs how people are seated at services, dinner parties and in what order they would enter and leave a function. The King is at the top, followed by certain members of the Royal family, next comes the Archbishop of Canterbury (vacant), the Lord Chancellor (currently Shabana Mahmood), the Archbishop of York, then the Prime Minister. When you’re so high up the list, its unsurprising that archbishops have sometimes forgotten the humbler part of simpler, humbler, bolder.

As you may know we’re looking for a new Archbishop of Canterbury at the moment. The process is probably nearing it’s conclusion. I would suggest that the next incumbent could do worse than choose todays reading for their installation.

The Prayers
Prepared by Kath.

God our Father, hear us when we pray to you in faith.

We give you thanks for the many wonderful gifts you have given us; our lives and the incredible world we live in. Help us to truly appreciate all that we have to look after our world for this generation and the generations to come.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Father, we pray for your church throughout the world and for those of other faiths who worship you. Now, more than ever, help us to seek ways to live together peaceably and respectfully in your name rather than clinging to what divides us. Help us to remember that we are all your children.
We pray for our Bishops, Pete and Leah, for the diocese of Sheffield and for our mission partnership churches of St Mark’s, St John’s and St Mary’s. We give thanks for all who give so generously of their time, talents and resources to make them the special, welcoming and nurturing places that they are.
We pray for those who are to be confirmed here Monday evening and for Alison as she is licensed to St Mary’s. We give thanks for her ministry among us and look forward to working and worshipping with her in the future.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We continue to pray for our very troubled and turbulent world in which already terrible situations get ever worse. We pray for all peoples who are caught up in and suffering because of wars, oppression and need. As so many of us feel helpless and powerless to end these situations, Father, guide us and especially our leaders to know what is right and strengthen the nations to work together for it, so that everyone can live in peace. Please be with all who are courageous in standing against tyranny and corruption and help us to value and defend the freedom and liberty we have rather than taking it for granted because it really is precious and we are in danger of losing it. Help us not to give in to the temptation of supposedly easy but deeply flawed courses of action.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are ill and those who are nearing the end of their lives. May they receive the care, comfort and compassion they need. We pray for those who accompany them on their journey who also need our loving care and support.
In a moment of quiet let us call to mind anyone known to us who is in special need of our prayers at this time and let us also pray for ourselves and our own needs and concerns.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We remember all who have died, some recently and some long ago. We pray that they are at peace and that those who love and miss them will be comforted in their loss. We pray for the victims of the latest school shooting in the United States and for all those affected by it and we remember the journalists killed in Gaza while trying to rescue injured colleagues.
Again in a short time of quiet let us remember those special to us who are no longer with us.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Merciful Father,
accept these prayers,
for the sake of your Son,
our saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

24th August 2025 at 10.30am – Bartholomew, Apostle – Eucharist

Posted on August 24, 2025 by St Mary's

The Readings.

Acts 5.12-16

Now many signs and wonders were done among the people through the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high esteem. Yet more than ever believers were added to the Lord, great numbers of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mats, in order that Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he came by. A great number of people would also gather from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.

Luke 22.24-30

A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. "You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

The Sermon
Prepared by The Revd Canon Dr Alan Billings.

When the lawyer asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus
asked him what the law told him to do? The lawyer replied: he should love
God, and his neighbour as himself. Jesus said this was right.

But the lawyer went on to ask: Who is my neighbour? Jesus replied with a
parable. The story of a Samaritan, not a Jew, who went to the aid of a Jew
who had been beaten by robbers and left at the side of the road. The
meaning could not have been clearer. Our neighbour is anyone who is in
need.

That is a very sweeping definition. Our neighbour is not just someone in our
extended family, or someone who lives down our street, or someone who is of
our race or religion, but anyone in need. We must do our best to meet the
needs of others, whoever and wherever they might be. It’s a tall order.

In today’s gospel, Jesus applies that principle to leadership. The disciples will
never be people with worldly power, but whenever they show leadership it
must not be the sort of leadership of those powerful men. They are only
interested in their own wants and will boss and bully others in order to get
them. Whenever the disciples step up and show leadership, it must be about
meeting the needs of others - service.

This value – meeting the needs of others – is something that the Christian
church has always had front and centre of its teaching. I’ll come back to it.

Last week, I met Fr Ron in his sheltered accommodation in Scarborough. We
chatted and agreed that old age brings few benefits. He is now 96. But the
one thing it enables you to do is to look back over your life and see it in some
sort of perspective. To see the changes that have taken place - which is very
hard to do when you are living through them. Not to grumble about them, but
to understand them.

I thought about one colossal change in this country that has happened in my
lifetime. We call, it secularisation.

But we easily misunderstand what secularisation means. We tend to think it’s
about people losing their belief in God – and that is part of it. Less than half
the population now say they believe in God. Many say they don’t. Some are
confused. Their faith is like a badly wired lamp. It flickers on and off.

But secularisation is about far more than the beliefs in people’s heads. It’s
about culture. It’s about the thousand and one things that influence all of our
lives every day as we live them.

What Fr Ron and I have seen over the course of our lives is the gradual loss
of a Christian culture.

For instance, when I was a boy, I went to Sunday school. So did more than
half the children of Britain. Not any more. But even if you didn’t go to Sunday
school, every school day began with an act of worship – again a thing of the
past. We sang hymns, we read Bible stories, we said prayers. Everyone knew
the parable of the Good Samaritan and what it meant, even if they didn’t go to
church. A Christian culture was formed and previous generations absorbed
the values of the Christian faith through it.

Central to that was the idea of meeting the needs of others – and this would
be reciprocal, mutual - for this is how we build each other up in love.

Brother, sister, let me serve you,
let me be as Christ to you;
pray that I may have the grace to
let you be my servant too.

But what happens when the culture is no longer Christian? What happens
then to Christian values, especially love of the neighbour, of whatever race or
religion?

We shouldn’t complacently think the values will survive even if the religion
doesn’t. My life began with a culture across the sea in continental Europe that
completely rejected those values and saw the destruction of 6 million Jews.
Are we beginning to see the erosion of that central value, love of neighbour?

Does this explain why emergency service workers, nurses and shop
assistants can be attacked and abused?

Does this explain why asylum seekers, including children, can face furiously
angry people prepared to set alight the building they are living in? This is
hardly compatible with the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Christian values were once absorbed through a common Christian culture.
Not any more.

Perhaps they now have to radiate out more and more from discrete Christian
congregations. Like ours.

The Prayers Encouraged by our fellowship with all the saints, let us make our prayers to the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. Father, your Son called the saints to leave the past behind them and to follow him as his disciples in the way of the cross. Look with mercy upon those whom he calls today, marks with the cross and makes his disciples within the Church. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Your Son told his disciples not to be afraid and at Easter breathed on them his gift of peace. Look with mercy upon the world into which he sent them out, and give it that peace for which it longs. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Your Son formed around him a company who were no longer servants but friends, and he called all those who obeyed him his brother and sister and mother. Look with mercy upon our families and our friends and upon the communities in which we share. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Your Son sent out disciples to preach and heal the sick. Look with mercy on all those who yearn to hear the good news of salvation, and renew among your people the gifts of healing. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Your Son promised to those who followed him that they would sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel and would share the banquet of the kingdom. According to your promise, look with mercy on those who have walked with Christ in this life and now have passed through death. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Almighty God, Grant that your Church may faithfully hold and make known the faith that has come to us through the apostles, that with them and all your saints we may inherit the glories of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Common Worship: Times and Seasons, material from which is used here is copyright (c) 2010 The Archbishops' Council

17th August 2025 at 10.30am – The Ninth Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

Posted on August 17, 2025 by St Mary's

The Readings.

Jeremiah 23.23-29

Am I a God near by, says the Lord, and not a God far off? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them? says the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? says the Lord. I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, "I have dreamed, I have dreamed!" How long? Will the hearts of the prophets ever turn back—those who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart? They plan to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, just as their ancestors forgot my name for Baal. Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let the one who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? says the Lord. Is not my word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

Luke 12.49-56

"I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, "It is going to rain'; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, "There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

St Marys Walkley

The Church on the Road: inclusive, eucharistic, a safe place to be with God

Author: St Mary's

19th October 2025 at 10.30am – Luke the Evangelist – Eucharist

12th October 2025 at 10.30am – 17th Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

5th October 2025 10.30am – Harvest – Eucharist

28th September 2025 at 10.30am – St Michael & All Angels – Eucharist

21st September 2025 at 10.30am – Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist – Eucharist

14th September 2025 at 10.30am – Holy Cross – Eucharist

7th September 2025 at 10.30am – The Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Eucharist

31st August 2025 at 10.30am – 11th Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

24th August 2025 at 10.30am – Bartholomew, Apostle – Eucharist

17th August 2025 at 10.30am – The Ninth Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist