29th June 2025 at 10.30am – Peter and Paul, Apostles – Eucharist

Posted on June 29, 2025June 28, 2025 by St Mary's

About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the festival of Unleavened Bread.) When he had seized him, he put him in prison and handed him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him. The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his wrists. The angel said to him, "Fasten your belt and put on your sandals." He did so. Then he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me." Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel's help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, "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."

The Readings

Acts 12.1-11

About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the festival of Unleavened Bread.) When he had seized him, he put him in prison and handed him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him.
The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his wrists. The angel said to him, "Fasten your belt and put on your sandals." He did so. Then he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me." Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel's help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, "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."

Matthew 16.13-19

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

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.

This week the government learnt a difficult lesson. But a necessary one if we
are to be governed well.

What they learnt, hopefully, is that a parliamentary democracy, is a collective
affair. It’s not simply about the wishes of one person, the leader.

The Prime Minister realised, belatedly, that he was not taking either his
backbenchers or many in the public with him on welfare reforms, and would
be defeated if he pushed ahead. He had not been listening to what they were
saying or taking what they said into account – which is how a democracy
works. So, at the eleventh hour, he changed tack, and this may be enough for
him to win the vote on Tuesday.

We must hope, as we so often say, that lessons will be learnt.

Now the Church isn’t a democracy, but it’s leaders must also listen and take
account of what those around them have learnt from their different
experiences of the Christian life, otherwise the Church will turn out to be a
bad guide spiritually.

And this is in part what we learn today as we remember two early leaders of
the Church, St Peter and St Paul. Two very different people.

Lets begin with Peter.

Peter is a working man, a fisherman, a married man, an impulsive man, even
a violent man. He went to the Garden of Gethsemane armed with a sword
and cut off the ear of the servant of the High Priest when they came to arrest
Jesus. He was, shall we say, a bit rough and ready. Is this why Jesus calls
him a rock – a rock, after all, is not a polished stone?

Unlike Peter, Paul is not married. He has a trade – a tent-maker – but he’s
also had more of an education. He can write beautifully. Think of that lovely
passage about love in his letter to the Corinthians.

‘Love is patient and kind … it does not rejoice in wrong, but rejoices in the
right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all
things. Love never ends … ‘

Both men are inclined to boast. Paul boasts about his religious background.
Before his conversion he was a Pharisee, someone who kept all the religious
rules meticulously.

Peter boasts about his loyalty. This is why there is deep irony when Jesus
says to Peter, ‘You are Peter’ – his name means Rock – ‘You are Peter and
on this rock I will build my church.’ Because at first, Peter turns out to be
anything but rock-like. He proves unreliable. Despite everything he says
about never abandoning Jesus, when Christ is arrested he flees, along with
all the others.

And worse than all the others. When challenged later that night he denies
even knowing Jesus. But he is restored and plays a key role in establishing
the Church after the resurrection.

It can seem from today’s reading as if Jesus gives Peter an authority that he
does not give to the other apostles. He says that Peter has authority to
forgive sins – to bind and to loose. But later on, after he is risen, he breathes
on all the apostles and says to them all, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive
the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are
retained.’ This is why all the Church’s priests have authority to pronounce
forgiveness. The sacramental leadership of the church is shared.

Peter may be the leader of the Christians immediately after the resurrection.
But he has to learn from Paul.

At first, the gospel message spreads amongst Jews. Paul grasps far more
quickly than Peter that the gospel is for all people, Gentiles as well as Jews.
Peter takes some persuading. He starts by thinking that Gentile converts
must first become Jews, and only then can they become Christians. He has
to learn differently and Paul is one of those who teach him.

Peter and Paul then. Both leaders in the early church. Two very different
people. But they learn to listen to one another and learn through one another,
as we must also learn.

To put all this in theological language, if we don’t listen to one another in the
Church we will in effect be closing down the activity of the Holy Spirit, who –
we leant at Pentecost – is given to all people: young and old, male and
female, high and low.

Democratic governments govern well when they listen widely and take into
account what ordinary people tell them.

Similarly in the Church. If we are to speak and act wisely, we must listen for
what the Spirit is whispering, and what the Spirit is nudging us towards,
through the experiences of all Christians: young and old, male and female,
high and low. That’s what keeps the Church spiritually healthy.

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 men and women 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,
you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
with Jesus Christ himself as the chief cornerstone:
so join us together in unity of spirit by their doctrine,
that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

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

22nd June 2025 at 10.30am – First Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

Posted on June 22, 2025 by St Mary's

The Readings

Isaiah 65.1-9

I was ready to be sought out by those who did not ask, to be found by those who did not seek me.

I said, "Here I am, here I am,"to a nation that did not call on my name.

I held out my hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices;

a people who provoke me to my face continually, sacrificing in gardens and offering incense on bricks;

who sit inside tombs, and spend the night in secret places;

who eat swine's flesh, with broth of abominable things in their vessels;

who say, "Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am too holy for you."

These are a smoke in my nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.

See, it is written before me:

I will not keep silent, but I will repay;

I will indeed repay into their laps their iniquities and their ancestors' iniquities together, says the Lord;

because they offered incense on the mountains and reviled me on the hills, I will measure into their laps full payment for their actions.

Thus says the Lord:

As the wine is found in the cluster, and they say, "Do not destroy it, for there is a blessing in it,"

so I will do for my servants' sake, and not destroy them all.

I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah inheritors of my mountains;

my chosen shall inherit it, and my servants shall settle there.

Luke 8.26-39

Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. As Jesus stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me"— for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss. Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying,

"Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.

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. Help us to truly appreciate all that we have and to look after our world for this generation and the generations to come. May we take seriously the warnings about climate change and do all that we can to prevent this.
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. Give us the grace and willingness to work together for the greater good and to lead in all areas of life by good example, showing that difference does not have to mean conflict as some would have us believe.

We pray for our bishops Pete and Leah, for the diocese of Sheffield and especially for the congregations and communities of our mission partnership of St Mark’s, St John’s and St Mary’s, giving thanks for the time, talents and gifts that make them the special places that they are.
Lord, in your mercy,,
Hear our prayer.

We continue to pray for our increasingly troubled and turbulent world and for all peoples who are caught up in and suffering because of wars, oppression and need. Especially we pray for the peoples of Ukraine & Russia, Gaza, Lebanon, Iran & Israel at this perilous time for them and for those affected by conflicts in Africa, about which we hear so little. 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. Many people long for democracy we have but are denied it.

We pray for all involved in the debates about assisted dying and about welfare reforms. May there be patience, a willingness to listen with an open heart & mind and respect for the thoughts, feelings and points of view of others. Above all may there be compassion and kindness for those affected by the decisions that will come from these debates.
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 terrible air crash in India and for their loved ones who miss and mourn for them.

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.

15th June 2025 at 10.30am – Trinity Sunday – Eucharist

Posted on June 15, 2025 by St Mary's

The Readings

Proverbs 8.1-4, 22-31

Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights, beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
beside the gates in front of the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries out:
"To you, O people, I call,
and my cry is to all that live.
The Lord created me at the beginning of his work,
the first of his acts of long ago.
Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
When there were no depths I was brought forth,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
Before the mountains had been shaped,
before the hills, I was brought forth—
when he had not yet made earth and fields,
or the world's first bits of soil.
When he established the heavens, I was there,
when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
when he made firm the skies above,
when he established the fountains of the deep,
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,
then I was beside him, like a master worker;
and I was daily his delight,
rejoicing before him always,
rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the human race.

John 16.12-15

Jesus said, ‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 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. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.’

The Prayers

We come boldly to the throne of grace,
praying to the almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
for mercy and grace.
Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Father of heaven, whose love profound
a ransom for our souls has found:
We pray for the world, created by your love,
for its nations and governments.
Extend to them your peace, pardoning love, mercy and grace.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Almighty Son, incarnate Word,
our Prophet, Priest, Redeemer, Lord:
We pray for the Church, created for your glory,
for its ministry to reflect those works of yours.
Extend to us your salvation, growth, mercy and grace.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Eternal Spirit, by whose breath
the soul is raised from sin and death:
We pray for families and individuals, created in your image,
for the lonely, the bereaved, the sick and the dying.
Breathe on them the breath of life
and bring them to your mercy and grace.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Thrice holy! Father, Spirit, Son,
Mysterious Godhead, Three in One:
We pray for ourselves,
for your Church, for all whom we remember before you.
Bring us all to bow before your throne in heaven,
to receive life and pardon, mercy and grace for all eternity,
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

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

8th June 2025 at 10.30am – Pentecost – Eucharist

Posted on June 8, 2025 by St Mary's

The Reading

Acts 2.1-21

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of 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:
And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

John 14.8-17

Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

The Prayers
Prepared by Veronica H.

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

Oh God our Father, may we as members of your church always be ready to receive the Holy Spirit in
order to serve others better, and serve our neighbourhood of Walkley. May we always make
welcome new people who come to join us.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the peace of your world, especially for the Holy Land, that those living there may learn
to live alongside each other. We pray also for Ukraine, that Putin will allow their people to decide for
themselves how they wish to live.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray that all nations will seek to pass on to all future generations your earth, so that we do not
pass it on to them with all its natural resources depleted. May we always seek to conserve, rather
than destroy the many gifts you have bestowed on us all.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our City of Sheffield, and for all our neighbours and friends in Walkley. We pray that the
plant and jam sale will raise money to help those in need.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are ill at this time, for those suffering bereavement, and all who care for them,
both family and friends, and all health-care professionals. In a moment of quiet we think of all
known to us who need our prayers………..
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all people who have died recently, through illness or of an advanced age. We entrust
them, and all who mourn, to your unfailing love…….
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our Prayer.

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

Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your only Son,
Our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

1st June 2025 at 10.30am – 7th Sunday of Easter – Eucharist

Posted on June 1, 2025 by St Mary's

The Reading

Acts 16.16-34

And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the gaelor to keep them safely:
Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

John 17.20-end

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

The Prayers
Prepared by Barbara W.

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

O God, the creator and preserver of all, we pray for people in every kind of need; make your ways known
on earth, your saving health among all nations …

This week we pray for all those affected by wildfires in Canada, which have erupted over wider areas and
much earlier in the year than usual in the prairie provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, and
are affecting air quality throughout Canada and much of the United States. Thousands of people have
already had to be evacuated, many by air as there were no remaining safe land routes out of fire-hit areas.
Please help all those fighting these fires, and all of those facing evacuation or possible evacuation. Please
help all of us to recognise that this is the result of climate change and help us to take what measures we
can make personally to combat the effects of climate change!

Closer to home, this week we particularly pray for the future of Ukraine, as the country faces renewed
attacks by Russia. Please help the United Kingdom, Canada and Europe to stand strong in backing
Ukraine against Russia. We pray for the strengthening of ties with Europe, both in trade and in military
support of Ukraine and other countries facing the threat of Russian aggression. Together we are much
stronger than we are as individual countries. Help our government to see that with clear eyes, and act
accordingly.

We also pray for all those in this country who are feeling the pinch of a harsh economic climate. Please
help our government to find ways to help those who need help most, remembering that they were elected
to serve all the people of this country including those most vulnerable because of ill health, disability or
age. Please help those of us who are more able to afford it to play our part willingly, by paying more taxes
as needed. Help us to help the vulnerable of our own community, by providing a warm and welcoming
place and by supporting our local food bank.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

We pray for your Church throughout the world; guide and govern us by your good Spirit, that all who
profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of
spirit, in the bond of peace and in righteousness of life …

We pray for the joint worshipping community of St. Mark’s Broomhill, St. John’s Ranmoor and St. Mary’s
Walkley, and for the newly announced Bishop of Doncaster, Revd. Leah-Vasey Saunders. Please help us to
be a supportive part of the Diocese of Sheffield.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

We commend to your fatherly goodness all those who are in any way afflicted or distressed, in mind, body
or estate; comfort and relieve them in their need, give them patience in their sufferings, and bring good
out of their troubles …

In moments of peace and contemplation, we name to you all those known to us who are suffering. Please
care for them and for all those of whose suffering we are unaware.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

We remember those who have gone before us in the peace of Christ, and we give you praise for all your
faithful ones, with whom we rejoice in the communion of saints …

We name to you in our hearts all those known to us both near and far who are suffering the loss of friends
and loved ones, asking that you bring your comfort and healing to them at this time of grief.

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

25th May 2025 at 10.30am – 6th Sunday of Easter – Eucharist

Posted on May 25, 2025 by St Mary's

The Reading

Acts 16.9-15

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

John 14.23-29

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

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

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

Around 20 years ago, while a student, I attended a talk entitled "Where was God in history?" put on by one of the Christian student societies. I'd gone with a couple of friends, along with a priest and a Buddhist. The talk focused quite narrowly on Jesus's earthly ministry, with some Old Testament texts, that are often used to point to Jesus' birth, thrown in. At the end of the talk we were invited to ask questions and someone asked about where God was in the concentration camps of Nazi Germany and other events of the last 2000 years. I don't remember the answer that was offered, I do remember it not coming close to exploring the question which was being asked.

Following this question the priest put up their hand, and when called upon stated "I think you could have answered that last question more fully if you had referred to the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit." There was a few moments of silence, while we all digested that he'd essentially called them non-Trinitarian heretics, and then the event continued. Afterwards the priest went to mend fences with the speakers, while the rest of us chatted with the Buddhist about why the omission of the Holy Spirit was such a big deal.

You may have noticed that I started the sermon with the same words we start each eucharist. Turn to the top of page 2 in your order of service if you'd like a reminder. Using this is optional, but we do this for a number of reasons. Most importantly its a reminder that everything we do in our services is done in the name of the whole Trinity, one God in three persons, Father, Son and Spirit. It's also why it's commonly used at the start of sermons, all that is preached is to be said in the name of Triune God.

I'm not intending to unpack the Trinity. It's very easy to stray from metaphor to heresy and Trinity Sunday is only three weeks away. But I do want to focus on the third member of the Trinity, the Spirit. Many of you will have read, or had read to you the Narnia stories by C.S. Lewis. In these Aslan, a giant lion and a proxy for Jesus, is described as not being a tame lion. The Gospels definitely show Jesus as an untame lion. Challenging the religious authorities, turning over tables in the temple and so on. What is true of Jesus, God the Son, is also true of God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is not a tame lion.

A few verses before our Acts reading begins, Paul and his missionary team have tried to speak the Word of God in Asia and the Spirit had stopped them, the same then happened when they tried to go to Bithynia. The Spirit then calls them to Macedonia. God the Holy Spirit sets the agenda for Paul's missional activity, not the other way around.

Outside of Philippi Paul and his companions meet Lydia, likely a gentile worshipper of God who hasn't fully converted to Judaism. The Lord moves her to be baptised, along with her whole household. That she is head of her household is striking, she's likely a widow, and in a position of authority. She's also a business leader. Purple cloth was expensive, due to it's association with royalty, and she has space to host Paul and his companions, just as the women who supported Jesus' ministry did.

Our Gospel reading forms part of the preparation Jesus gives his disciples prior to his crucifixion and sits within a larger conversation, where several times the disciples ask questions which prove they don’t really understand what is going on. It’s perhaps no surprise that the gift of the Holy Spirit is needed, given here the title of Advocate. Someone who can interpret and speak for another, in this case Jesus. We don’t need the last 2000 years of history to know that in our own strength and wisdom we can’t comprehend, let alone live up to, our calling to live out Jesus’ life and teachings. Engagement with the Holy Spirit will be essential if we are to live life as we are called.

This engagement takes many forms, public worship, private prayer, enjoying the beauty of creation, reading of scripture, creative arts like painting or music, providing hospitality to strangers (as Lydia did) to name but a few. It will look different for each of us and this is not an exhaustive list. We need to create space in our lives for the activities which are life giving, that allow the Spirit to breathe into us and transform us into the likeness of Christ.

I’m going to close with a prayer that is the traditional companion to the one I opened with. It’s a reminder that having tried to speak in the name of Trinity, to follow the advocacy of the Spirit, the preacher carries no authority or special skill, save that which comes from God.

And now to God the Holy Spirit, God the Son, and God the Father, be ascribed all might, majesty, dominion, and power, as is most justly due, now and forevermore. Amen.

The Prayers

In joy and hope let us pray to the Father.

That our risen Saviour may fill us with the joy of his
glorious and life-giving resurrection.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.

That God may grant us humility
to be subject to one another in Christian love.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.

That he may provide for those who lack food, work or shelter and
that by his power, war and famine may cease through all the world
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.

That he may reveal the light of his presence to the sick,
the weak and the dying,
to comfort and strengthen them.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.

That, according to his promises,
all who have died in the faith of the resurrection
may be raised on the last day.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.

That he may send the fire of the Holy Spirit upon his people,
so that we may bear faithful witness to his resurrection,
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.

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

18th May 2025 at 10.30am – 5th Sunday of Easter – Eucharist

Posted on May 18, 2025 by St Mary's

The Reading

Acts 11.1-18

Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, saying, "Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?"
Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me. As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. I also heard a voice saying to me, "Get up, Peter; kill and eat.' But I replied, "By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' But a second time the voice answered from heaven, "What God has made clean, you must not call profane.' This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, "Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.' And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, "John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'
If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?" When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, "Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life."

John 13.31-35

When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, "Where I am going, you cannot come.' I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

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

I’ve always wanted to preach about Peter but believe it or not this is the first time in 23 years that a suitable reading has coincided with when I’ve been down to preach. So as the saying goes, everything comes to he or she who waits and at last I get to do it. The reason I wanted to talk about him is that for someone who is a saint, the courageous leader of the early Christian Church and in the Catholic Church, the first Pope, he’s always struck me as the most down to earth, genuinely human character and thus someone the rest of us mere mortals can relate to. Time after time he got carried away with enthusiasm, acted impulsively, opened his mouth and promptly put his foot in it. He often got things wrong or missed the point but in spite of this I don’t think anyone who hears his story could ever doubt the depth of love and devotion Peter had for Jesus. In his own mind he would do anything for Jesus, indeed he gave his all; left his family, his home, his livelihood, his security. Having chosen to follow Jesus he sincerely believed that he would never let him down and indeed would sacrifice his life for him if needed. But when it came to the crunch he failed. For very understandable, human reasons, he was afraid and he fell short of his own high ideals by abandoning the very person he loved so much. As failures go this was truly heartbreaking. And yet we know what he went on to do and to be.

The Peter we meet in our reading from Acts is very different to the one who so often went off half cocked. He’s calmer and more considered, thoughtful and measured in his reply to the group of men who take issue with him about mixing with gentiles. He quietly explains the vision he saw and how he was called to share God’s message about salvation with gentiles. The men who had criticised him are silenced when he makes it clear that God’s church is inclusive, not exclusive and to their credit they accept what he says. After all, the phrase “If God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we first believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God” shows great humility. It’s pretty powerful and hard to argue with.

For all sorts of reasons individuals and groups seek to exclude others, sometimes understandably. To their way of thinking, they have paid their dues and others haven’t, they’ve done the training, the studying, put in the work and served their time and others haven’t, they’ve sacrificed and saved and others haven’t. Why should those others benefit when they’ve put nothing in? A not unreasonable point of view and maybe one we’ve all shared on occasion. But if we all thought and acted this way all the time the world would be a pretty harsh and horrible place.

Sadly the church is not immune from practicing exclusivity. Parts of it still seek to exclude women, gay people and divorcees to name but some. Children can sometimes feel excluded when they are not allowed to fully participate in services; I know mine did. Different denominations sometimes seek to exclude each other’s members from aspects of their worship. In the church and in other institutions, organisations and indeed any groups, including some and excluding others can lead to the formation of factions and cliques which are seldom good. If you’re “in” you get favoured, get to set the rules, call the shots, use power plays to impose your will on those who are “excluded”. If you are among the excluded you have less power, less autonomy, less freedom, less security and less ability to do anything about your situation. It can be very lonely and frightening and stressful. We’re seeing a lot of examples of this throughout the world right now and seeing how dangerous it is. Seeing how so much of what we value and thought was solidly established is being undermined, stolen and destroyed. As some you know, from time to time I write the intercessions for our services and for a while now I’ve been referencing the need for us pay attention to and defend what we value like democracy, honour, decency and compassion lest we lose them to apathy or taking them for granted, assuming that they are set in stone because they aren’t. If we are not careful we may find that we are among the excluded with no one to call on for redress.

In our Gospel reading we hear Jesus give his new commandment, that we love one another thus showing that we are his disciples. He doesn’t say it will be easy or straightforward and certainly there are all too many examples of situations where it is hard to even contemplate loving some people given what they do and say and the massive negative impact they have on others. But we are called to go on trying.

We all need at least a little help, compassion and kindness from time to time, especially when things are not going as we’d hoped and planned. After all, no one sets out in life to be homeless or a refugee or desperately ill or any of the other curved balls and disasters that life can throw at us. When these things happen we need help and understanding, not exclusion. When we are the ones in a position to do the helping perhaps we should remember the many gifts and graces we have been given by God and be willing to share them. We don’t have to be naïve or lacking discernment about this. Balancing generosity with not allowing ourselves to be taken cynical advantage of and responding to genuine need as opposed to opportunism is a path we have to learn to navigate. Getting this right is incredibly difficult and however hard and sincerely we try, we won’t always get everything right. So when we feel that we are failing, not understanding, falling short in whatever way as Christians trying to live out our faith, we should not give up. What better example could we have than Peter to encourage us. God can and does work with our imperfections, just as he did with Peter.

Amen.

11th May 2025 at 10.30am – 4th Sunday of Easter – Eucharist

Posted on May 11, 2025 by St Mary's

The Reading

Acts 9.36-end

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

John 10.22-30

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.
Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.
But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
I and my Father are one.

The Prayers

Lord, hear us as we pray for your creation.
We pray for an end to the destruction of the natural world.
We hold before you communities who are watching their land become parched and their rivers dry up.
We pray for farmers who carefully tend their crops, only to see them wither and die.
We grieve for what has already been lost and damaged.
Show us how to act now to help those most affected by the climate crisis.
Energise us, that we may use our power to make change happen.
We watch in hope for the Lord:
our God will hear us.

Lord, hear us as we pray for all people living in poverty.
For children who will not be able to eat a nutritious meal today, or cannot afford to attend school.
Fill us with a fierce determination to end the outrage of poverty.
May we hear the cries of those who are marginalised in our world.
May we speak up with them for a more equal and just society.
We watch in hope for the Lord:
our God will hear us.

Lord, hear us as we pray with thanksgiving for peacemakers and changemakers.
We give thanks for community leaders.
We pray for Congcoop, Christian Aid’s partner in Guatemala, who support communities through training.
Strengthen those working for peace and protecting human rights. And we pray for a just peace wherever there is conflict.
We watch in hope for the Lord:
our God will hear us.

Lord, you welcome us when we are heavy laden with sorrow or pain, in you we find rest.
We pray for all those known to us who are sick or suffering.
We pray for all those who are grieving.
Bless those who mourn and give them your comfort.
We watch in hope for the Lord:
our God will hear us.

Lord, hear as we pray for those whose hope overflows into action.
We give thanks for all those giving, acting and praying this Christian Aid Week.
May each of us seek to serve our global neighbours.
Help us to see the value of our loving service and make us your witnesses, proclaiming your kingdom.
We watch in hope for the Lord:
our God will hear us.

4th May 2025 at 10.30am – 3rd Sunday of Easter – Eucharist

Posted on May 4, 2025 by St Mary's

The Reading

Acts 9.1-6

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

John 21.1-19

After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.
And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.
And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.
This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

The Prayers

We pray to Jesus who is present with us to eternity.

Jesus, light of the world,
bring the light and peace of your gospel to the nations
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.

Jesus, bread of life,
give food to the hungry
and nourish us all with your word.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.

Jesus, our way, our truth, our life,
be with us and all who follow you in the way
Deepen our appreciation of your truth
and fill us with your life.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.

Jesus, Good Shepherd who gave your life for the sheep,
recover the straggler,
bind up the injured,
strengthen the sick
and lead the healthy and strong to new pastures.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.

Jesus, the resurrection and the life,
we give you thanks for all who have lived and believed in you.
Praying in silence for those known to us.

Raise us with them to eternal life.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us,

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

27th April 2025 at 10.30am – 2nd Sunday of Easter – Eucharist

Posted on April 27, 2025 by St Mary's

The Reading

Acts 5.27-32

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

John 20.19-end

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

The Sermon
Prepared by The Revd Canon Dr Alan Billings.

Before I finally retired from full time work last year, I was the Police and Crime
Commissioner for South Yorkshire. I spent time with officers involved in the
different types of policing. But I found particularly interesting the work of the
Major Crime Unit.

These detectives deal with the most serious crimes - such as murder. They
would go through with me what they were working on, explaining how they
built a case in order to get a guilty verdict. The case had to be strong,
because it’s a serious business getting someone convicted of a grave crime
and put away for, quite possibly, the rest of their natural life.

Different sorts of evidence had to be brought together and assessed: CCTV,
DNA, fingerprints, footprints, tyre tracks – and statements from witnesses.
Each individual piece of evidence pointed towards a suspect but was never
enough on its own to remove all doubt. Only when it all came together would
the team feel confident enough to say they had proved their case beyond
reasonable doubt.

Beyond reasonable doubt. That phrase kept popping into my head as I read
today’s gospel. Beyond reasonable doubt.

It’s the evening of the first day of the week. The Risen Jesus has made
himself known to Mary in the Garden that morning and he now appears to his
disciples who are meeting behind locked doors, for fear of the authorities. He
greets them, showing them his hands and his side, his wounds, so they can
be in no doubt that it is indeed he, the one who was crucified, who is risen
and with them.

But one of the disciples, Thomas, is not there, and when they tell him later,
‘We have seen the Lord’, he can’t accept what they say. He has reasonable
doubts.

Reasonable, because he is being asked to set aside, suddenly and out of the
blue, so much of normal experience.

Thomas knows that people do not survive death. And there was a death. A
very public death. Brutal and final, on a cross. He knows that before the
bodies were taken down, the Roman soldiers made sure that Jesus had died.
He knows that a lifeless body was placed in a tomb.

But now he is being asked to consider different evidence. And he weighs it
up. How is it to be interpreted? An empty tomb. But surely bodies can be
stolen? The witness of Mary Magdalene. But wasn’t it still dark when she
went to the tomb? And didn’t she have tears in her eyes? And now the other
disciples who say they have seen the Lord. But weren’t they in an emotional
state?

Thomas does not find the evidence convincing. His doubts are not
unreasonable. So what would persuade him?

He thinks that if he could see and touch the wounds for himself, that would be
the final piece of evidence that would enable him to bring everything together
and believe.

Thomas says he must touch – not just see – as if the evidence of his eyes
would not be as compelling as the evidence of his fingers. I find that
interesting.

Eight days later this is what happens. But it is eight days later. A whole week
goes by during which, surely, Thomas continues thinking deeply again and
again about what has happened. The tomb is still empty. No body is
produced. Mary and the disciples remain certain that the Lord has risen. He
can see the conviction in their faces, in their changed attitude to life. No
longer beaten down but full of hope. No longer simply left mourning for a lost
past, but daring to look forward to a different future, one with new
possibilities.

Now, the disciples are again in the house. This time Thomas is with them.
The Risen Jesus comes and invites Thomas to reach out and touch his
wounded hands and side. And Thomas is then able to say, beyond
reasonable doubt, ‘My Lord and my God’.

Reaching out and touching.

What is important for Thomas is surely important for us as well, the ones who
come after, who do not see, yet believe.

Before he died Jesus told us to go on breaking bread to remember him. And
the bread we break, he said, is his wounded body, broken on the cross.
When we extend our hands in the communion to take the bread, we do what
Thomas did. We reach out. We touch. We touch the bread which is his body.
We touch the wounds of the Risen Lord.

And with Thomas we too can say, beyond reasonable doubt, ‘My Lord and my
God.’

St Marys Walkley

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

Author: St Mary's

29th June 2025 at 10.30am – Peter and Paul, Apostles – Eucharist

22nd June 2025 at 10.30am – First Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

15th June 2025 at 10.30am – Trinity Sunday – Eucharist

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27th April 2025 at 10.30am – 2nd Sunday of Easter – Eucharist