9th August 2026 10.30am – Eucharist for the Feast of the Transfiguration

Posted on August 9, 2026 by St Mary's

The Readings

Daniel 7.9-10, 13-14

As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took his throne, his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and flowed out from his presence. A thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him. The court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.

Luke 9.28-36

Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 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.

The gospel reading today reminded me of a wedding I once took in my last
church as a vicar. As the bride walked down the centre aisle the bridegroom –
a Ghanaian - turned to look at her, and said out loud: ‘Glory’. ‘Glory’!

In religious contexts ‘glory’ crops up all the time. The angels sang it when
Christ was born ‘Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on
earth’. We sang it at the start of the service: ‘Gloria in excelsis.’

But what did my bridegroom mean when he saw his bride and said, Glory?

I’d met them during the week for a rehearsal. Jeans and tea shirts and hair all
over the place. Same people. Same personalities. But he wouldn’t have said,
Glory. He needed to stop and really look at his bride and think. And when he
did, he said, Glory.

I think what he meant was something like this: Now I really see how lovely
she is. It wasn’t just the clothes or even her physical beauty: it was the way
her loveliness as a person was now mirrored by the lovely dress, the flowers
and the splendour of the whole occasion.

Of course, he already knew she was a lovely person. But on that day as she
walked down the aisle there was no question about it: he saw her as the
lovely person she really was, everything said it. She was transfigured before
him and he couldn’t help himself, he said, Glory.

We’ve just read about the transfiguration of Jesus. Peter, James and John
are on a mountain with Jesus. They knew who Jesus was. Just a week before
this Peter had boldly said: ‘You are the Christ of God’. But suddenly, here on
the mountain, the full force of what they know is brought home to them as
they see Jesus fully for who he really is – he is transfigured. Glory!

The experience on the mountain – lets call it a vision - is quite overwhelming.
Jesus is understood as the one who comes to fulfil the most sacred parts of
the Jewish faith – the teaching of the Law given by Moses, and the teaching
of the Prophets – Elijah is the greatest of the prophets.

Dorothy Sayers says somewhere that we human beings cannot bear too
much reality. If this is a moment of reality for the disciples – a glimpse of
Christ’s glory – they can only bear it for so long. The cloud comes and it all
passes. But they won’t forget that moment. And when they think about it they
will probably say to themselves, Glory.

I think we all need some such moments of glory in our religious lives. We all
need some moments when we are overwhelmed by the sense of the
presence of Christ, overwhelmed by a recognition of his graciousness, his
loveliness – in caring for us, in loving us, in forgiving us, in being for us and
with us.

It may only be a glimpse. That’s partly why we come here Sunday by Sunday.
We let ourselves get caught up in the worship – in the prayer, in the
quietness, in the singing, in the receiving of bread and wine, even, too in the
fellowship afterwards – in all or any of these, we can have those glimpses of
Christ’s glory.

We need them, because like the disciples, if we are going to go on living and
suffering and dying we need glimpses of glory to encourage us along the way.

You see, what the gospel for the day did not include – it stopped short – was
what happened next. They came down from the mountain, heads still
throbbing with excitement and hearts still glowing with joy, and what do they
encounter: a boy convulsed and in great distress. His father cries out in
anguish, ‘Teacher, I beg you to look upon my son, for he is my only child…’

There’s a picture by one of the Italian masters, Raphael, of the
Transfiguration. It shows at the top of the canvas Christ in glory with his
disciples on the mountaintop. But at the foot, the possessed boy in agony. All
is peace above, all is chaos below.

Peter tries to keep things going on the mountain by suggesting they build
three dwellings - he hardly knows what he’s saying. But Jesus ignores him,
for he knows that much as we might like to prolong moments of
transfiguration, we do have to come down from the mountain, and confront
whatever lies before us on the plain of day to day living.

But we come down different people – more prepared for what life brings,
because those glimpses of Christ’s glory will sustain us.

The Prayers

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

Lord of glory, it is good that we are here.
In peace we make our prayer to you.
In trust we confirm our faith in you.
Help us to set our faces steadfastly to where you would have us go.
Lord, look with favour.
Lord, transfigure and heal.

Lord of glory, look with favour on your Church,
proclaiming your beloved Son to the world
and listening to the promptings of his Spirit.
May she be renewed in holiness that she may reflect your glory.
Lord, look with favour.
Lord, transfigure and heal.

Lord of glory, look with favour on the nations of the world,
scarred by hatred, strife and war.
May they be healed by the touch of your hand.
Lord, look with favour.
Lord, transfigure and heal.

Lord of glory, look with favour on those in need and distress,
suffering as your Son has suffered
and waiting for the salvation you promise.
May the day break
and Christ the Morning Star bring them the light of his presence.
Lord, look with favour.
Lord, transfigure and heal.

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

2nd August 2026 10.30am – 9th Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

Posted on August 2, 2026 by St Mary's

The Readings

Romans 9.1-5

I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

Matthew 14.13-21

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

26th July 2026 10.30am – James the Apostle – Eucharist

Posted on July 26, 2026 by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 11.27-12.2

At that time prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine over all the world; and this took place during the reign of Claudius. The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers^* living in Judea; this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

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.

Matthew 20.20-28

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favor of him. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

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 Prayers

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

Father, your Son called the saints to leave the past behind them
and to follow him as his disciples in the way of the cross.
Look with mercy upon those whom he calls today, marks with the cross
and makes his disciples within the Church.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

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

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

Your Son sent out disciples to preach and heal the sick. Look with
mercy on all those who yearn to hear the good news of salvation,
and renew among your people the gifts of healing.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

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

Almighty God,
Grant that your Church
may faithfully hold and make known
the faith that has come to us through the apostles,
that with them and all your saints
we may inherit the glories of eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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

19th July 2026 10.30am – 7th Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

Posted on July 19, 2026July 26, 2026 by St Mary's

The Readings

Romans 8.12-25

So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Matthew 13.24-30, 36-43

He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!

The Sermon
Prepared by The Revd Canon Dr Alan Billings.

Now that the England football team is out of the world cup, if I want to
depress myself, I have to fall back on our local newspaper, the Star.
Reading the Star you would think that half the population of Sheffield has
either met with some tragic accident while on holiday or are criminals. I
suppose it is a reminder that life does not always run smoothly and some
people are always ready to take criminal advantage of the rest of us.
Jesus seems to be getting at this in the story he tells in today’s gospel.
We look at life rather as a farmer looks at his fields. The farmer sees weeds
growing alongside the wheat. Our lives are similarly a mix of sickness and
health, good and bad. Why is life like this? Jesus does seem to be suggesting
that life not only is, but will, perhaps must, be like this, to the end of time itself,
until the harvest.
I think we can understand what Jesus is getting at if we lay alongside this
parable, this story, another one. Not a parable Jesus told but a parable Jesus
knew. A parable all Jews knew. One we know as well. One of the first in the
Bible, the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
In that story – and remember it is a story, not history – a story that helps us
understand some aspects of our lives now – in that story the man and the
woman look at the garden just as the farmer looks at his field. But unlike the
farmer’s field, there are no weeds in Eden. Life is idyllic – no weeds, no work,
no sickness, no crime. They want for nothing. Save one thing. Freedom.
Independence. Autonomy.
They are not free to make decisions of their own because they live all the
time under the direct gaze of God, who walks about the Garden in the cool of
the day, like a patrolling and over-protective parent.
Their’s is a doll-like existence. If they are to be free, they have to have their
eyes opened to realise that if they are to grow up, make their own decisions
and choices, they have to leave the Garden. They have to go east of Eden,
away from the visible presence of God.
In the story, this can only happen if they eat the forbidden fruit. Doing that
opens their eyes. They become, we are told, like God, knowing good and evil
– which is why the rabbis don’t think of what happens in the Garden as a fall,
as Christian theologians have tended to do. How can becoming like God, be
a fall?

Once their eyes are open, they have the possibility of making up their own
minds, choosing for themselves between good and evil and everything in
between.
But what the Genesis story seeks to bring home, is that choosing freedom is
not easy. We want freedom, independence. We are less sure about the
responsibility and accountability that goes with it. Which is why, in the story,
Adam and Eve have to be tricked into eating the fruit and having their eyes
opened.
But if they are to grow up, they must leave the Garden for a different context
– one that allows for choice. And that is a context that offers the possibility of
evil as well as good, that leaves them open to change and chance, good
fortune and ill luck.
In his parable of the wheat and the weeds, Jesus is making us think about
reality and why things are, and must be as they are, if we are to have
freedom. This is what God, who created all things, intended. But in a world
where many suffer, that cannot be said glibly.
But notice this, notice this: other flowers can blossom here, east of Eden,
which were unknown in the Garden.
When you no longer have God’s visible presence, you must cultivate faith.
When the future is not assured, hope can blossom. When people stumble
and fall, when death presents itself, the flowers of pity and compassion can
grow.
There are no guarantees that life will go well for us. But there are these
resources to help us through its ups and downs: the blessings of faith, hope,
pity and love. They can be ours. But only because we pay the price – weeds
as well as wheat. Until the harvest.

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

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

We give you thanks for this day and the many gifts you give to each of us every day of our lives. Help us not to take any of these for granted, especially all the beauty that is in the world. May we take the time to see it and appreciate it with heartfelt gratitude. Help us to take better care of our planet so that future generations may enjoy it too.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for your church throughout the world, especially for our sisters and brothers in places where they are not yet free to worship openly.

We pray for all the team, both lay & ordained here at St Mary’s who work so committedly on behalf of us all and our community and for those doing the same in our sister churches of St Marks and St John’s. As Christians may we all recognise that we have a ministry, even if it doesn’t have a formal title and ask God to sustain us in our work for him and our fellow people.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We continue to pray for our very troubled and turbulent world, for all peoples, communities and nations who are going through dark and difficult times. Lord please do not let us hope that we can resolve our differences peacefully and make the world a better, more just and compassionate place for everyone. Especially we ask God to protect those who put themselves in harm’s way for the sake of others.

We pray for our own country as we begin a new chapter in our government. We give thanks for those who have served with sincerity, especially our outgoing prime minister, Kier Starmer and pray for all in positions of leadership and influence that they work together an act with integrity, humility, courage and compassion and a genuine desire to serve for the good of all. We pray that all who are courageous enough to enter public and political service may be able to work free from threats of harm and that we as citizens may play our part in protecting the democracy and freedoms we enjoy.

We pray for all children and people in education and training who have just completed their year of studies, especially the little children who have had their first taste of school. We pray that they and their parents and carers and their teachers will have an enjoyable summer break. We pray for those who will soon be entering a new stage of their education or transitioning to the world of employment.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are ill or unwell at this time. May they be lovingly supported as they navigate the changes and challenges they face as a result of their illness. We pray also for those who will be alongside them that they too will be supported, cared for and appreciated. We pray for all who are lonely, that they may find the companionship they long.

Much as we enjoy the warmer weather of summer, we pray for all who find the current extreme heat hard to cope with and for those dealing with its effects on our wildlife and countryside.

In a few moments of quiet let us call to mind anyone known to us who is in particular need of our prayers and let us also bring before God our own needs and concerns.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We remember those who have died, some recently and some long ago. May they rest in peace and may all who mourn and miss them be comforted and find their own peace.

We remember Ann Widdecombe who has died in terrible circumstances. We pray that she is now at peace and that her family and friends will be comforted and cared for in their loss.

Again in a short time of quiet we remember our own loved ones 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

12th July 2026 10.30am – 6th Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

Posted on July 12, 2026 by admin

The Readings

Romans 8. 1 - 11

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.

Matthew 13. 1 - 9, 18 - 23

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!” “Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

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

Some years ago we enjoyed a television programme - “The secret life of 5 year-
olds”. About 10 small children spent a fortnight in a purpose-built school room
and outdoor play area. Cameras were hidden all over the place, and the
children wore microphones. They were given different challenges and
activities throughout the day. Some child psychologists hid in another room,
watching and listening to the children interact with each other (sometimes
collapsing in hysterics), and explained to the viewers what they thought was
going on.

In one episode they wanted to see how the children behaved in single sex
groups. The play area was set up with plenty of activities which could perhaps
interest, in particular, boys or girls. The girls were let in first. They quickly
found the dressing up area and got busy putting on clothes and make up.
Except one. She had discovered the dinosaurs. She asked each of the other
girls in turn to play dinosaurs with her, but they weren't interested. And she
wasn't interested in make up. No one wanted to play with her, and she got
upset.

Interestingly, when it was the boys’ turn, they played with both the dinosaurs
and the dressing up, and I don’t remember anyone being left out.

When you’re a child, sometimes your friends will play. Sometimes they
won’t. It’s that stark. Compromise is something 5 year-olds are only just
starting to navigate.

Only a handful of stories show Jesus interacting with children. He heals a few.
He blesses some. He gratefully accepts a boy’s offering of loaves and fish to
share with a crowd. And yet from today’s gospel reading it is clear that he
understands children well.

Jesus has watched children at play. He's seen their efforts to get other children
to join in. And he’s noticed two games in particular that the children of the day
play - wedding games and funeral games. In the wedding game the girls play
flutes, whilst the boys dance. In the funeral game the boys sing dirges and the
girls wail.

But sometimes the other children don't want to play. So the girls play their
flutes, but the boys won't dance. Or the boys sing, but the girls won’t wail. And
so neither game will happen. When the others won't join in your game you get
upset.

Children watch adults and they copy them. The wedding and funeral games
copy what the grown-ups get up to. The game is a mirror of ordinary social
life.

Jesus notices the way children watch and copy the adults. And now he uses the
children’s games to describe Israel’s response to God. God is inviting Israel to
join in the “Kingdom game”.

To join the “Kingdom Game” there are two things God wants Israel to do. The
first is to recognise where things have gone wrong, own their part in this, and
turn back to the way of God. The second is to celebrate the world that God has
given them, with all its good things, and enjoy it together.

John the baptist is the first to call Israel to the game. He is strict, lives frugally
and urges the people to repent. It’s a bit like the boys’ dirges in the funeral
game. But Israel’s people are suspicious of someone so sober and stern and
don't want to listen.

Then comes Jesus. He heals the sick, befriends the poor and likes a good
party. A bit like the girls’ flute-playing in the wedding game. But the people
are suspicious of him too, because he likes to have a good time. So they won't
join him either. No one wants to be part of the “Kingdom game”. And Jesus is
rather upset.

But all is not lost.

Jesus knows that while some children don’t want to play, others do. You just
have to find them. It’s like that with the “Kingdom game” too. Some people do
respond to John and to Jesus. They are like children keen to learn,open to
God’s forgiveness. And they’re not the supposedly wise religious leaders, but
ordinary, everyday people with receptive hearts. People who have struggled to
follow the strict lifestyles adopted by the Pharisees, with their impossibly
heavy burdens. People who welcome the chance to take on a light burden and
to learn from a caring teacher.

I can’t remember what happened next with the little girl and the dinosaurs in
the TV programme. But there were caring teachers around and plenty of other
activities to try. And maybe in time, she might have found some dinosaur
loving playmates away from the cameras.

So, are we ready to join in the “Kingdom game”? Let’s play!

5th July 2026 10.30am – Fifth Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

Posted on July 5, 2026 by St Mary's

The Readings

Romans 7.15-25a

I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me.

So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, with my mind I am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh I am a slave to the law of sin.

Matthew 11.16-19, 25-end

‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another,
“We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we wailed, and you did not mourn.”
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon”; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.’

At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

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

Interestingly, when it was the boys’ turn, they played with both the dinosaurs
and the dressing up, and I don’t remember anyone being left out.

When you’re a child, sometimes your friends will play. Sometimes they
won’t. It’s that stark. Compromise is something 5 year-olds are only just
starting to navigate.

Children watch adults and they copy them. The wedding and funeral games
copy what the grown-ups get up to. The game is a mirror of ordinary social
life.

Jesus notices the way children watch and copy the adults. And now he uses the
children’s games to describe Israel’s response to God. God is inviting Israel to
join in the “Kingdom game”.

But all is not lost.

So, are we ready to join in the “Kingdom game”? Let’s play!

The Prayers

Prepared by Joe, Reader at St Mary's.

Let us pray to God, who knows our weakness, shares our
burdens, and calls us to find rest in him.
Lord God, we pray for your Church throughout the world.
We pray for all who try to follow Christ faithfully, yet know the
struggle of divided hearts: wanting to do what is right, yet so
often falling short; longing to love, yet finding ourselves
impatient; hoping to serve, yet becoming tired or distracted.
Teach your Church to be honest about human weakness, but
never without hope. Help us not to pretend that faith makes us
perfect, but to trust that your grace is stronger than our failure.
We pray for bishops, clergy, lay ministers, churchwardens, and
all who carry responsibility in your name. Give them wisdom
without pride, strength without harshness, and humility enough
to keep learning from you.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

Lord, we pray for the world you love.
We bring before you the nations where people are weary from
war, injustice, poverty, fear, or uncertainty. We pray for those
who carry burdens too heavy to bear: refugees, prisoners,
victims of violence, those trapped by debt, and all whose lives
are shaped by decisions made far away from them.
We pray for leaders and all in authority. Save them from the
childishness Jesus saw in his own generation: the refusal to
listen, the habit of criticism, the quick judgement of those who
do not fit expectations. Give them the wisdom that is shown not
in clever words, but in just and compassionate action.

May your wisdom be vindicated in peace, mercy, truth, and
care for the most vulnerable.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

Lord, we pray for our own community, our parish, our city, and
the people among whom we live and work.
We pray for those who feel weary in ordinary life: weary with
work, weary with caring, weary with family difficulties, weary
with loneliness, weary with trying to keep going.
We pray for those who feel pulled in different directions,
knowing what they ought to do, but finding it hard to do it. Give
us patience with ourselves and with one another. Help us to be
kinder than we need to be, slower to criticise, and quicker to
encourage.
May our homes, our friendships, our workplaces, and our
church become places where burdens are shared, not added
to; where people find welcome, not judgement; and where the
gentle yoke of Christ is made visible in the way we treat one
another.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

We pray for those in need
Lord Jesus, you said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and
are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
We pray now for all who need that rest today.
We pray for the sick, the anxious, the depressed, the bereaved,
and all who are frightened about the future. We pray for those
living with pain, addiction, guilt, regret, or memories they cannot
easily lay down.

In a moment of quiet, we name before you those known to us
who need your comfort and healing.
Lord, meet them with your gentleness. Lift from them whatever
burden can be lifted, and give them strength for whatever must
still be carried.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

Lord, we remember before you those who have died.
We give thanks for all who have finished their earthly struggles
and now rest in your keeping. We pray for those who mourn
them, especially where grief is still raw, or where words of
comfort are hard to find.
Receive the departed into your mercy, and bring us with them,
in your time, to the rest and peace of your kingdom.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

Lord, we pray for ourselves.You know the truth about us: the good we want to do, the good
we fail to do, and the burdens we sometimes hide from others.
Meet us not with condemnation, but with grace.
Teach us to come to Christ not only when we feel strong, but
when we are tired; not only when we feel faithful, but when we
know our need. Give us the humility of little children, ready to
receive what we cannot earn, and the courage to walk with you
day by day.

May we learn from you, gentle and humble in heart, and find in
you rest for our souls.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers

for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

28th June 2026 10.30am – Eucharist on the Feast of St Peter and St Paul

Posted on June 28, 2026 by St Mary's

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.’

The Sermon
Prepared by The Revd Canon Dr Alan Billings.

Last week you must have had a heart of stone not to have been moved by
the Prime Minister’s resignation speech.

Alright, so you have a heart of stone. At least for politicians.

But there is something odd about our politics at the moment. I remember how
only a few years ago, we were all saying that what we needed were
politicians who had done something in what we called ‘the real world’ before
becoming politicians. How could MPs understand the realities of day to day
living if they had never had – what we called – a proper job before they
entered parliament.

And yet this week, the public have clamoured for the departure of a politician
who did have a proper job before he became an MP – the Prime Minister was
a barrister and crown prosecutor who only entered parliament at the age of
52 - and instead, now seem to want someone who has been involved in
politics all his working life.

It reminded me of a debate we had within the church some years ago about
whether we should be ordaining young people straight from university or
require them first to have had some other job, some wider experience, before
they became parish priests.

I was a tutor at two theological colleges and saw both. You may know the
names of some of my former students who came more or less directly from
university. Radio 4 listeners will know Giles Fraser and Lucy Winkett, now fine
vicars in London, and we all know Matthew Rhodes, vicar of Ranmoor.

But there were others who came having had another career first. I recall, for
instance, a senior officer in the British Army, serving at that time in Northern
Ireland during the Troubles. When he came for interview he landed in a
helicopter on the college field. It seemed a bit pretentious, but it was for
security reasons.

I asked him why he, a soldier, wanted to be a priest. I thought the two callings
would be so far apart. How wrong I was.

He said that he had many young men under his command, some only
teenagers, many in their early twenties. Yet in Belfast they were going out on
patrol, risking their lives every day to IRA sniper fire. He was like a father to
them. Encouraging them when their spirits were low, celebrating with them
when something good happened. He had the hard task of writing to their
parents or partners if they were injured or, worse, killed. He might have been
a military man; he was also a pastor.

Of course in the first years of the church after the death and resurrection of
Jesus, all the leaders had to earn a living. Today we are giving thanks for two
of them – St Peter and St Paul. Both had jobs but were very different sorts of
people.

Peter was a fisherman and not always the most attractive human being. He
was impulsive, even violent. You’ll remember that in the Garden of
Gethsemane he was armed. He cut off the ear of the servant of the High
Priest with a sword when they came to arrest Jesus. He was, shall we say, a
bit rough and ready. Is this why Jesus calls him Peter – his original name was
Simon - which means a Rock? A rock, after all, might be solid, but it’s rough;
it’s not a polished stone.

But Paul, a tent maker, was polished. He had been a Pharisee. He was
educated. He could 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 … ‘

Did that mean that the church should look for leaders who were equally
educated and polished?

Not at all because what the church looked for then, as now, were other
qualities which are not necessarily dependent on experience or education.

In politics we realised this week that what we had wanted all along was not
necessarily someone with a track record in a previous career, but someone
who could combine competence and an ability to communicate, to tell a story
and connect with us. Time will tell how this plays out.

And in our church leaders, our priests, we look now, as they did in the earliest
days, for those who through preaching, presiding and pastoring make God
findable. Making God findable – that is and always was the priestly vocation.

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 many different people 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.

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.

21st June 2026 10.30am – 3rd Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

Posted on June 21, 2026 by St Mary's

The Readings

Romans 6.1b-11

What then are we to say? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 10.24-39

“A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household! “So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven. “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

The Prayers
Prepared by Kath.

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

These prayers were written before the train crash in near Bedford. We pray for the driver who has died and all who mourn their loss. We also pray for the injured, and others effected by this tragedy.

We pray for your church throughout the world, especially for our sisters and brothers in places where they are not yet free to worship openly.

We pray for the church as it tries to address the issue of recognising and apologising for its historic part in slavery. We pray that a just and meaningful way forward will be found that all can find peace in.

We pray for all who are soon to be relicensed as lay readers and those soon to be ordained as deacons and ask God to guide us all in our ministry. We pray for all the team, both lay & ordained here at St Mary’s who work so committedly on behalf of us all and our community and for those doing the same in our sister churches of St Marks and St John’s. We ask God to sustain us all in our work.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our very troubled and turbulent world, for all peoples, communities and nations who are going through dark and difficult times. Lord please give us hope that we can resolve our differences peacefully and make the world a better, more just and compassionate place for everyone. We give thanks for the work of the recent G7 conference and pray that good and meaningful action will follow from it.

We pray for our own country as we face changeable times ahead. May all in positions of leadership and influence act with integrity, humility and courage and a genuine desire to serve for the good of all.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are ill or unwell at this time. May they be lovingly supported as they navigate the changes and challenges they face as a result of their illness. We pray also for those who will be alongside them that they too will be supported and cared for. In a few moments of quiet let us call to mind anyone known to us who is in particular need of our prayers and let us also bring before God our own needs and concerns.

Especially we pray for the little boy who was badly injured in an incident at a zoo and give thanks for the woman who so courageously saved him.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We remember those who have died, some recently and some long ago. May they rest in peace and may all who mourn and miss them be comforted and find their own peace.

We remember Preston Davey, the little boy whose life was so cruelly cut short and pray that he is now at peace.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

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

14th June 2026 10.30am – 2nd Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

Posted on June 14, 2026 by St Mary's

The Readings

Romans 5.1-8

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.

Matthew 9.35-10.8

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.’

Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax-collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: ‘Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.

The Sermon
Prepared by The Revd Canon Dr Alan Billings.

My fourteen year old granddaughter was in town on Friday. I was launching
my new book – Policing, Politics and Faith: A Police and Crime
Commissioner’s Diary from Lockdown to 2024. It has a snappy title. There
were drinks and canapes at the St Paul’s Hotel by the town hall and she
played a key part. She rang a bell to get us all to shut up so that speeches
could be made.

For the past few weeks I have been writing a memoir for her about what life
was like when I was a child. In particular, I wanted to recall what it was like if
you became ill before 1948 when the National Health Service came in. She
would be especially interested in this because she owes her very life to the
NHS.

She was born unable to breathe. Her throat kept closing up. She had to have
a tube inserted through the front of her neck into her trachea. She had that in
place from her birth until she was about 3 or 4yrs old. It meant that her
parents had to watch her literally day and night in case she pulled the tube
out or it became dislodged. Without it, she would die.

It also meant she had to be fed through another tube inserted directly into her
stomach and because no air passed over her larynx, her voice box, she
couldn’t make a sound, couldn’t speak, during those early years either.

But had she been born when I had, before the NHS, she would not have
survived. In part because treatment was limited but also because with no
NHS my family, who were working class people, would not have been able to
afford it anyway. My grannie, who was widowed in her forties with three
children, often told me how petrified she was in case one or other of them
became ill. Her dilemma was always this: she could scrape together half a
crown to pay the doctor, but would then have no money left to buy medicines.
Writing the memoir, it’s been hard for me to go even in imagination to those
pre-NHS times, to recall how frightening just the thought of becoming ill could
be for most people.

How much harder then for us to appreciate what a terrifying world ordinary
people lived in at the time of Jesus. There was little or no science-based
medical knowledge and few doctors. So illnesses of every kind – physical,
mental, emotional – were thought to be caused by evil or unclean spirits –
which is really another way of saying: ‘We don’t understand it; it’s beyond our
control.’

And no one with any power or resources would be inclined to have much to
do with poor, sick people. Indeed, it might be best to avoid those afflicted with
evil spirits, the mentally ill, altogether. Not surprisingly, Jesus speaks about
people being harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

So when he sends his disciples out into the villages to do what they can for
those with infirmities and sickness, that is as much about restoring some
hope, some dignity for people who could otherwise so easily feel helpless and
ground down. And this, says Jesus, is what it means for God’s kingdom to
come.

And this, it seems to me, is how Jesus sees the gospel – the good news.

We need to hear that again in our own time, because it’s often all too easy to
fall into despair. In the face of wars, injustice, poverty and disease we can feel
that the world is going backwards. As a nation we seem gripped by
something like that in our time, because never in human history has so much
wealth and ingenuity been dedicated to the paltry and trivial purposes of just
a few privileged people.

At moments like this we need to hear that gospel call of Jesus. Alright, so we
are not going to see the great scourges of the world irradicated in our lifetime,
but we can each take some small step to do some good, to lay one brick in
the edifice of a better world to come.

The disciples went out to encourage people. Christ brought his church into
being to do the same. To say to each generation: care deeply about the
things that matter, things that will probably not come to pass in your lifetime.

This is how our quite ordinary lives achieve significance. And then when the
kingdom comes in all its fullness there will be that one small brick in the
foundations with your name on it.

The Prayers
Prepared by Catherine.

We give thanks for the gift of music, for voices to sing with, for instruments to
play. We pray for the church, whose worship is enriched by music of many
different styles and from many different ages. We pray for church musicians,
choirs and music co-ordinators worldwide, from cathedrals to local churches,
including all who contribute to music here at St. Mary’s We give thanks for the
work of the Royal School of Church Music in providing musical resources for
worship.
Jesus, Lord of your Church,
in your mercy, hear us.

We give thanks that music is a language that can cross national and cultural
boundaries, bringing people together from different nations. We celebrate the
many different styles and genres of music throughout the world, and pray for
musicians worldwide. We remember, too, those places where music is
restricted or banned and where it is dangerous to be a musician. And we pray
for places where music has been used as a means of torture or intimidation.
Jesus, Lord of your Church,
in your mercy, hear us.

We give thanks that music is an activity that brings us together as community.
We pray for our local bands, choirs, school groups and other local musicians
and singers. We pray in particular for the many musicians who make use of our
buildings during the week.
Jesus, Lord of your Church,
in your mercy, hear us.

We give thanks that music can help soothe pain and distress. We pray for the
work of music therapists and musicians who visit hospitals and care homes.
And we remember those known to us who are in particular need of healing at
this time.
Jesus, Lord of your Church,
in your mercy, hear us.

We give thanks that music can provide solace during times of grief, and for the
role music plays in funeral and thanksgiving services. We remember those who
have died. We think in particular of the artist David Hockney, and also of
anyone known to us personally whom we see no more.
Jesus, Lord of your Church,
in your mercy, hear us.

Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers
For the sake of your Son
Jesus Christ, our Lord
Amen.

7th June 2026 10.30am – 1st Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

Posted on June 7, 2026 by St Mary's

The Readings

Romans 4.13-25

For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us,

as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”) —in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “So numerous shall your descendants be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Therefore his faith “was reckoned to him as righteousness.”

Now the words, “it was reckoned to him,” were written not for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.

Matthew 9.9-13, 18-26

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.”

While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, “Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report of this spread throughout that district.

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

Yesterday was our annual plant sale for Christian Aid. Beforehand, people will
have potted up cuttings, planted seeds, or divided existing plants so we had
something to sell. Perhaps you shared your surplus tomato seedlings. Or, like
me, potted up your spider plant babies. Hopefully these young plants will
grow, flower and maybe bear fruit for someone else to enjoy.

To grow something you have to get your hands dirty. You have to open that
shed or greenhouse, maybe do battle with the dust and cobwebs and find your
plant pots and compost. Your pots might need washing. Then you have to
physically touch the soil as you pour it into pots and plant your seeds or
cuttings.

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus is getting his hands dirty. First he recruits a
new follower, Matthew, who is a tax collector. Tax collectors were reviled: not
only did they work for the oppressive Romans, but they would charge people
extra and keep a bigger cut for themselves. They weren’t people you wanted to
hang out with.

Next we find Jesus in someone’s house. He’s eating and chatting with more tax
collectors and people labelled here simply as “sinners”. The Pharisees
complain. Jesus is supposed to be a teacher of the faith. Why, then, is he
mixing with tax collectors and other undesirable people? Jesus says that those
who are well have no need of a doctor. It’s those who are sick who do. He
then quotes from the prophets, saying “I desire mercy not sacrifice”. Jesus has
not come to call the righteous but sinners.

Shortly afterwards a synagogue leader arrives suddenly, begging Jesus to lay
hands on his daughter who has just died. Jesus goes with him. Just as suddenly
a woman who has been bleeding for 12 years touches his cloak hoping at last to
be healed.

In Biblical times, both bleeding women and dead bodies were considered
unclean. Yet when this woman touches his cloak, making him unclean, Jesus
doesn’t chastise her or recoil. He treats her with compassion, praises her faith
and pronounces her healed. Then he goes on to the dead girl’s house. He is
mocked for doing so – she is already dead. But Jesus enters the house, then
deliberately makes himself further unclean by touching the hand of a dead body
and raises the girl to life. Her father’s faith in Jesus bears fruit.

In order to bring forth life, growth and healing, you have to get your hands
dirty.

As a church musician, I always relax a bit when the first Sunday after Trinity
comes round. We are now in the long season called “ordinary time”. Our altar
frontals etc. turn green, there are fewer “frills” and the order of service gets a
bit more straight forward music-wise.

But of course Green is the symbol of growth. The church is encouraged to use
this “ordinary” time to focus particularly on God’s mission outside the church.
We’re encouraged to go out in the world, meet people, and plant seeds of
possibility regarding the faith.

Ordinary Time last several months. So it’s helpful to have different focuses
every few weeks. First the particular focus is on vocation. Very soon the
annual ordinations of new deacons and priests will take place. Like Matthew,
these people have responded to God’s call in their own lives. Perhaps the call
came as a surprise. Perhaps they feel that they are unworthy or unlikely
ministers. But they have spent time training. And now they will be going out
into the world as they start life in their new parishes. Their training won’t have
covered everything they need to know. They will be very rough round the
edges. They will get things wrong. But these imperfect people will muddle
along, getting their hands mucky, and new life will emerge as a result of their
saying “yes” to God’s calling.

Ordinary time is a good time to consider where God might be calling us next,
both individually and together. We too are rough diamonds. We get things
wrong. But if God can call dubious characters such as Matthew, then he can
call us too. Ordained or lay we all have a part to play in showing God’s mercy,
in planting the seeds of the gospel, and in caring for the growth and healing of
others.

In following Jesus, we too sometimes have to put ourselves in situations that
might cause discomfort or even disgust. We might have to interact with people
we might naturally be wary of. And we might sometimes have to risk being
scorned, criticised or mocked by others for doing so.

Those of us who got our hands dirty planting seeds and cuttings for yesterday’s
sale may never hear how the young plants fare in their new owner’s hands. So
it is with doing God’s work in the world. We may never know the impact a
kind word or chance conversation may have on someone else. But if we have
the faith of Matthew, the unnamed woman and the synagogue leader, anything
could be possible.

The Prayers
Prepared by David.

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.

St Marys Walkley

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

Category: Sermons

9th August 2026 10.30am – Eucharist for the Feast of the Transfiguration

2nd August 2026 10.30am – 9th Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

26th July 2026 10.30am – James the Apostle – Eucharist

19th July 2026 10.30am – 7th Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

12th July 2026 10.30am – 6th Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

5th July 2026 10.30am – Fifth Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

28th June 2026 10.30am – Eucharist on the Feast of St Peter and St Paul

21st June 2026 10.30am – 3rd Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

14th June 2026 10.30am – 2nd Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

7th June 2026 10.30am – 1st Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist