23rd November 2025 at 10.30am – Christ the King – Eucharist

Posted on November 23, 2025November 22, 2025 by St Mary's

The Readings.

Colossians 1.11-20

May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled^* you^* to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.^*

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in^* him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in^* him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

Luke 23.33-43

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus^* there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[ Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’]]^* And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah^* of God, his chosen one!’ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ There was also an inscription over him,^* ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding^* him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah?^* Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into^* your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’

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 Kath, Reader at St Mary's.

Like many other people I rather like going to the cinema so it’s great that one of the rewards I receive from my bank is 6 free cinema tickets per year. In the past I’ve used them to see some excellent films. However, this year I’ve struggled to find anything I actually wanted to see, so as the deadline to use these tickets is fast approaching I spent some time the other day trawling through the films on offer. To say I wasn’t blown away by the offerings would be something of an understatement. But one that caught my eye as a possibility was “Nuremberg”. The publicity describes it is a fictitious thriller that uses the Nuremberg trials of 1945-46 as a backdrop and fictionalised versions of some actual cases are also used. It’s getting some media attention in part because this year is the 80th anniversary of the original trials.

Now you may possibly be thinking “well this is quite interesting but what’s it got to do with the theme of our service today which is Christ the King. Hopefully this will become clear.

To start with I was a bit lost as to what I could say on this theme. Like all Christians I believe that Christ is our King and that he is very different in all respects to the usual images of earthly kings, even the nice, benevolent ones but this wouldn’t exactly have constituted a sermon so I did a bit of research, the results of which quite surprised me.

The feast of Christ the King is celebrated by many branches of the Christian church but it only dates back to 1925 (this was the bit the really surprised me as most of the events or people we celebrate in the church have long if not ancient origins). According to what I read it was instituted by Pope Pius XI following the First World War in an attempt to counteract the rise of atheism, secularism and ultranationalism. In view of what people had been through during this war, especially those who had actually done the fighting it is understandable that some people had their faith severely damaged or lost it altogether and others became fanatical about their own national identity and values which they perceived as being threatened by others. The war poet Arthur Graeme West wrote of his gradual loss of faith in some of his poems, written as he fought in the trenches. But he said he found the loss of his faith more painful than the loss in any battle. It’s difficult to say what impact the Feast of Christ the King had in those early years but as we all know, the Second World War took place just a few short years later, no doubt creating even more atheists.

The theme for this year is hope but given the many terrible and seemingly intractable situations we see around the world hope can be hard to hold onto. Anger, hatred, violence and intolerance are on the rise and the lust for power and extreme wealth we see in many authoritarian political leaders and their lack of respect for decency, the law and for others appear to be not only tolerated but admired by a lot of people. Frighteningly this sort of behaviour is becoming normalised and it can be hard to know how to stand against it.

Turning to our readings, they struck me as being quite contrasting. The one from Colossians seems to have two parts to it. The first speaks of how, through our faith in God we are given the wherewithal to keep going, even in adversity or when progress is painfully slow or seemingly absent. The second part describes who and what Jesus is but it does so in a way that to me, feels serene but almost detached from the down to earth reality of his life. By stark contrast the passage from Luke recounts the utterly brutal facts of his death and how, even as he was dying he was being tormented and derided. But in spite of this he gave hope to the crucified criminal alongside him. “Today you will be with me in paradise. “

As I have already said, hope can be hard to hold onto right now but what we see and hear in the media, awful and depressing as much of it is and sometimes making us feel despairing, it is not the whole story. If it were I suspect that worldwide society would already have fallen apart. In reality there are millions of good people doing good things every day that keep society and thereby the world, as we know it, going.

What do I mean by “good people” and “good things”? By good people I don’t mean perfect, flawless individuals who always get everything right because they don’t exist. I mean ordinary people who do their best day by day to be decent, honest, honourable, kind, unselfish and compassionate. In other words using the fruits of the spirit.

By good things I don’t necessarily mean big, spectacular things like giving away a fortune or finding a cure for some terrible disease, fantastic as such acts are. I mean the sort of things we can all do like helping each other with small acts of caring and kindness. Never underestimate the value of these acts to those on the receiving end. They can mean a great deal and even be life changing. Collectively they can be world changing.

Going back to the example of the Nuremberg Trials, they took place at the end of an horrific period in history and tried to hold war criminals to account for what they had done. The hope was also to deter others, individuals, states and nations from committing similar crimes. They were much criticised but they and the similar Tokyo Trial were the start of what has eventually become International Criminal Law. This too is not perfect or entirely successful because we still have terrible acts of war but undoubtedly less than we would have had without it.

So in spite of the constant diet of misery and failure we are fed, don’t give up on hope. Keep doing your bit in whatever way God asks and enables you to and bit by bit we will turn the tide and make the world a better place for all. A kingdom more worthy of our King.

Amen.

The Prayers
Prepared by Joe.

We give thanks for Christ our King — the image of the invisible
God, the firstborn of all creation. May the Church on earth reflect
his kingdom of love and peace. Bless all who lead your Church,
here in our parish of Walkley and throughout the world.
Strengthen us to serve with humility and faithfulness, that Christ
may truly reign in our hearts and in our communities.
Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the world over which Christ reigns — a kingdom not
of domination, but of justice, mercy and reconciliation. Bring
peace where there is conflict, hope where there is despair, and
unity where division has taken root. We pray especially for those
suffering under war, oppression or poverty, that your redeeming
power may bring freedom, justice and dignity to all.
Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our nation, and for the world, for all who hold
positions of authority and responsibility, and for those who shape
public life. Grant them the wisdom and courage to act with
justice, integrity and compassion, mindful always of the needs of
the weakest and most vulnerable. May your kingdom come, on
earth as it is in heaven.
Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our local community of Walkley, for the city of
Sheffield, and for our families, neighbours and friends. May Christ
the King be known not through power or privilege, but through
service, kindness and care. Help us to recognise his face in those
we meet, and to build together a community founded on love.
Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.

We pray for those who are suffering — the sick, the lonely, the
anxious and the bereaved. We remember especially those who
feel abandoned or forgotten, and those who long for healing or
hope. As the thief on the cross heard Christ’s promise of paradise,
may all who suffer find comfort in his compassion and the
assurance of his presence.
Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.

We remember those who have died, in recent days and in years
past. We give thanks for their lives and commend them to Christ’s
eternal kingdom, where sorrow and pain are no more and every
tear is wiped away. May we, with them, share in the inheritance
of the saints in light.
Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.

Finally, Lord, we bring before you our own prayers and the issues
that concern and affect us.
Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.

Rejoicing in the communion of Mary, Mark, John and of all the
Saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our
life, to God.

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

16th November 2025 at 10.30am – 2nd Sunday before Advent/Safeguarding Service – Eucharist

Posted on November 16, 2025 by St Mary's

The Readings.

James 2.14-26

What good is it, my brothers and sisters,^* if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill’, and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder. Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith without works is barren? Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was brought to completion by the works. Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness’, and he was called the friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.

Luke 21.5-19

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, ‘As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.’

They asked him, ‘Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?’ And he said, ‘Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and, “The time is near!” Do not go after them.

‘When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

‘But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.

The Sermon
Prepared by The Revd Canon Dr Alan Billings.

One of the temptations for people of faith is to suppose that having faith
guarantees that bad things won’t happen to us.

In today’s gospel, Jesus warns his followers that this is not right. This is not
how faith works in our lives.

He’s speaking in the Temple in Jerusalem. A magnificent building. Solid.
Impressive. Beautifully adorned. For Jews, this was the place they wanted to
go to as often as they could. It was the rock-solid centre of their faith. A place
of stability and reassurance.

And yet, Jesus says, the days will come when there shall not be left here one
stone upon another.

This upset people. It undermined their belief that their faith, centred on this
building, guaranteed that life would go well for them, for ever.

And Jesus goes on to list other bad things that will happen. Wars and tumults.
Nations rising against nation. Earthquakes, famine, pestilence and terrors.
And all through history there have been times when the natural world
threatened human communities.

In Europe, the most catastrophic was probably the Great Lisbon earthquake
of 1755. If you’ve ever been to Lisbon, you will know that the city was almost
completely destroyed when an earth tremor, 120 miles out at sea, caused
earthquakes and a tsunami. They hit the city out of the blue on a November
morning. Buildings collapsed, fissures as wide as 16 feet opened up. Thirty
thousand people lost their lives. Many simply disappeared. Christian Europe
was terrified and shaken. How could this happen to people of faith?

They had forgotten these words of Christ. There will be natural disasters.
And not only natural disasters. There have been other times when we have
been threatened by human ones: conflicts we inflicted on ourselves; but just
as frightening.

We were reminded of that on Remembrance Sunday, when we laid wreaths
at the war memorial boards in church. So many names, especially from the
First World War.

Our last vicar, Melanie Fitzgerald, traced many of those names, discovering
who the men were, and where they lived in Walkley. A blacksmith from Fulton
Road, a farrier from Palm Street, a cutlery worker from Freedom Road …
Practically every street had someone who was killed in the war. It touched all
Walkley families.

War seems a long way from us now. But it came closer when Russia invaded
Ukraine. And every day we watch the relentless destruction of villages and
towns there.

How do people live without lapsing into total despair, when their home has
gone, loved ones killed, and there seems to be no hope for a better future.
What is the role of faith?

In the past, when shocking events occurred, people often felt that what they
were living through was not just the end of their world but the end of the world
itself.

And this is what Jesus is getting at in today’s gospel.

He speaks of the destruction of war. He speaks of earthquakes. He speaks
too of a time when his followers would be persecuted, simply because they
were his followers. How that might lead parents to betray their friends, their
family, even their children. Times when it would be only too easy to fall into
utter despair and feel that the end of the world had come.

By the time Luke wrote his gospel – about fifty years after the death and
resurrection of Jesus - the temple had indeed been pulled down by the
Romans and the persecution of Christians was happening.

That was surely one reason why Luke wrote. He wanted to capture in his
gospel how Christ’s followers should think and react when life around them
seemed threatening or uncertain, when they were tempted to feel despair and
give up.

What the passage we have read today seems to be saying is this.

Having faith does not guarantee you a smooth path through life. You may well
get caught up in natural disasters or conflicts. You may well be attacked
because of your faith.

But don’t think of faith as if it were some sort of magic talisman that wards off
all evil, all harm. There are no lucky charms and we shouldn’t think of faith
that way.

Faith does not prevent evil happening to us. Rather it gives us the resilience
we need to come through, to be a survivor rather than a crushed victim.

Faith is a resource. It builds us up inwardly so that we can face what
happens to us outwardly.

And in that way, Jesus says, ‘by your endurance you will gain your lives’.

The Prayers
Prepared by David.

United in the company of all the faithful and looking for the coming of the kingdom, let us offer our prayers to God.

Give to the world and its peoples
the peace that comes from above,
that they may find Christ’s way of freedom and life.
Hold in your embrace all who witness to your love in the
service of the poor and needy;
all who minister to the sick and dying;
and all who bring light to those in darkness.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

Bless Pete and Leah our bishops and all ministers of your Church.
As they set the culture, and seek to lead us in our worship and witness,
give them wisdom, humility, and courage to follow Jesus’ example of servant leadership.
Help us support them in their role, to pray for them,
and ensure they have others around them who can help, challenge, and encourage them
so that we might be a safer place for everyone.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

We pray for all those who have suffered hurt and harm within the family of the Church,
whether they are known to us or not, we know that you know them by name.
For those who feel trapped, grant them a way of escape,
For those in pain, bring comfort and healing,
For those who seek justice, may they have courage and strength.
As Church we are one body and if one part suffers, every part suffers with it.
Give to all who suffer, people who will listen, support, and walk with them
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

We pray for all those who serve in a safeguarding role within our Church.
We especially pray for Catherine, our Parish Safeguarding Officer and the Diocesan Team,
Sian, Rachel, Elina, Debs and Claire.
Thank you for their willingness and time they give to fulfil this important task.
Give them your wisdom, discernment, and strength.
Help us support them in their role, and respond to their requests and advice
so that we might be a safer place for everyone.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

Touch and heal all those whose lives are scarred by sin
or disfigured by pain,
that, raised from death to life in Christ,
their sorrow may be turned to eternal joy.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

Remember in your mercy all those gone before us
who have been well-pleasing to you from eternity;
preserve in your faith your servants on earth,
guide us to your kingdom
and grant us your peace at all times.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

We give you thanks
for the whole company of your saints in glory,
with whom in fellowship we join our prayers and praises;
by your grace may we, like them, be made perfect in your love.
Blessing and glory and wisdom,
thanksgiving and honour and power,
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen.

9th November 2025 at 10.30am – Remembrance Service – Eucharist

Posted on November 9, 2025November 8, 2025 by St Mary's

The Readings.

Ephesians 6. 10 - 17

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

John 15. 9 - 17

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

The Sermon

Prepared by Joe, Reader at St Mary's.

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

Each year, on this Sunday closest to Armistice Day, we gather to
remember those who gave their lives in two World Wars, and in the
many conflicts since.

We remember the courage of those who stood firm in the face of
tyranny, the pain of those who mourned, and the quiet endurance of
those who came home changed forever.

But remembrance is not only about looking back. It is also about
asking what the past – what those who suffered - asks of us today.
In our reading from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, Paul exhorts us to
“Put on the whole armour of God.”

His words are not about glorifying war; they are about spiritual
resilience — about what it takes to live faithfully in a world that still
wrestles with division and evil.

Paul is writing to a community under pressure. He speaks of truth,
righteousness, faith, salvation, and the Spirit — not as weapons of
destruction, but as the protective armour of those who seek to do
good.

Each of these pieces of armour represents a virtue forged not in
battlefields of earth, but in the inner battlefields of the heart:
The belt of truth — honesty and integrity that hold everything else in
place.

The breastplate of righteousness — doing what is right, even when it
costs.

The shield of faith — trust in God when fear threatens to overwhelm.
The helmet of salvation — the confidence of knowing we are loved
and redeemed.

The sword of the Spirit — the Word of God, living and active, calling
us to peace and justice.

This is the armour of those who stand, not for conquest, but for
compassion.

We often think, rightly, of those who fought in the great theatres of
war – The Somme and Passchendaele, the beaches of Normandy, the
deserts of North Africa, the skies above Britain and Europe, the cold
seas of the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.

But today I want us also to remember those who were, here in the
UK, for too long, the forgotten warriors — those who served in the
Far East.

Men and women who fought in Burma, Malaya, Singapore, and the
Pacific Islands — many of whom endured captivity in conditions that
defy description.

For years after 1945, their stories were scarcely told. The focus was
on victory in Europe, on rebuilding. Yet in jungle heat and prison
camps, British and Commonwealth troops suffered, persevered, and
held fast.

Their battle was one of endurance — of faith, of hope, of sheer
human will to survive.

They knew, perhaps better than most, what Paul meant when he
said, “Stand firm.”

Among them was the Chindits — the long-range units who fought
behind enemy lines in Burma. Many of them never returned. And
there were the thousands taken prisoner after the fall of Singapore -

forced to work on the Burma railway, where cruelty and exhaustion
claimed so many lives. And then there were those like the runner
and Christian pastor Eric Liddle – of Chariots of Fire fame – who
spent time interned as civilians under brutal conditions.

One chaplain, the Reverend Eric Lomax, later wrote that faith in such
places was not a set of comforting words, but a flicker of light that
refused to be extinguished. “The war,” he said, “taught me the cost
of forgiveness, and the depth of love.”

And that takes us to our second reading, from John’s Gospel.
Jesus says:

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I
have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that
someone lay down his life for his friends.”

These words have been engraved on memorials and spoken at
gravesides for generations. They are not about sentiment, but about
self-giving. They remind us that true love is costly - it involves giving
oneself for the good of others.

In wartime, that love took the form of sacrifice - lives given, families
broken, futures surrendered so that others might live in freedom.
But in peacetime, that same love calls to us to live lives of service, to
work for reconciliation, to resist hatred and injustice in all their
modern forms. The forces of nationalism and fascism that
precipitated the two world wars still survive today – even in our own
communities.

Christ’s love, the love He commands us to share, is not soft or easy.
It is love that takes up the cross.

It is love that refuses to let fear, bitterness or hatred have the last
word. This love is a kind of battle - one that continues in every
generation.

The two readings together give us a vision of Christian remembrance.
Ephesians tells us to stand strong - to be clothed in truth, justice, and
faith.

John reminds us what we are standing for - love.

On this day, as we wear poppies and observe silence, we do not
glorify war. We honour courage. We lament suffering. And we
commit ourselves anew to the hard work of peace.

Because remembrance is not simply nostalgia. It reminds us what
happened. And instructs us that it must not happen again.

Many of those who fought and returned carried invisible wounds.
Some could never speak of what they had seen. My own
Grandfather, who fought on the Somme, would never discuss it with
my mother; my Uncle, who experienced the slaughter of Monte
Cassino remained silent.

In their silence, too, there is remembrance — the cost of endurance,
the burden of memory.

For us, remembering is more than looking back — it is about what
we do now.

To “put on the whole armour of God” today might mean speaking
truth when falsehoods are easy.

It might mean standing with the lonely or the displaced.

It might mean being peacemakers in our own communities, our
workplaces, our politics, our homes.

The same courage that was expressed in the trenches and jungles
can live on in acts of kindness, patience, and faithfulness.

The same love that led men and women to risk everything for others
can live on in how we treat the stranger and the refugee.

As we approach the two minutes’ silence today, let us do so in that
spirit:

not just to remember the fallen, but to commit ourselves to the
values they fought for — truth, justice, mercy, and peace.

To remember the forgotten warriors, and all who serve in conflicts
far from home, often without recognition.

To remember, too, that Christ Himself laid down His life — not for
one nation, but for all humanity — that love might overcome hatred,
and life triumph over death.

So, wear the armour of God with pride - not for battle, but for peace;
live by Christ’s commandment to love; and honour the memory of all
who gave their lives - by living ours with courage, compassion, and
hope for peace.

Amen.

The Prayers

Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict,
and ask that God may give us peace:

for the service personnel
who have died in the violence of war,
each one remembered by and known to God;
may God give peace.
God give peace.

For those who love them in death as in life,
offering the distress of our grief
and the sadness of our loss;
may God give peace.
God give peace.

For all members of the armed forces
who are in danger this day,
remembering family, friends
and all who pray for their safe return;
may God give peace.
God give peace.

For civilians, children and adults
whose lives are disfigured by war or terror,
calling to mind in penitence
the anger and hatreds of humanity;
may God give peace.
God give peace.

For peacemakers and peacekeepers,
who seek to keep this world secure and free;
may God give peace.
God give peace.

For all who bear the burden and privilege of leadership,
political, military and religious;
asking for gifts of wisdom and resolve
in the search for reconciliation and peace;
may God give peace.
God give peace.

O God of truth and justice,
we hold before you those whose memory we cherish,
and those whose names we will never know.
Help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this broken world,
and grant us the grace to pray for those who wish us harm.
As we honour the past,
may we put our faith in your future;
for you are the source of life and hope,
now and for ever.
Amen.

2nd November 2025 at 10.30am – All Saints – Eucharist

Posted on November 2, 2025 by St Mary's

The Readings.

Ephesians 1.11-end

In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Luke 6.20-31

Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
‘Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
‘Blessed are you who are hungry now,
for you will be filled.
‘Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.

‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you^* on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
‘But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
‘Woe to you who are full now,
for you will be hungry.
‘Woe to you who are laughing now,
for you will mourn and weep.

‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

‘But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

26th October 2025 at 10.30am – Bible Sunday – Eucharist

Posted on October 26, 2025 by St Mary's

The Readings.

Romans 15.1-6

We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Each of us must please our neighbour for the good purpose of building up the neighbour. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.

May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 4.16-24

When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, ‘Is not this Joseph’s son?’ He said to them, ‘Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, “Doctor, cure yourself!” And you will say, “Do here also in your home town the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.” ’ And he said, ‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town.'

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.’

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.

St Marys Walkley

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

Category: Sermons

23rd November 2025 at 10.30am – Christ the King – Eucharist

16th November 2025 at 10.30am – 2nd Sunday before Advent/Safeguarding Service – Eucharist

9th November 2025 at 10.30am – Remembrance Service – Eucharist

2nd November 2025 at 10.30am – All Saints – Eucharist

26th October 2025 at 10.30am – Bible Sunday – Eucharist

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