27th October 2024 10.30am – Last Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

Posted on October 27, 2024 by St Mary's

The Readings

Hebrews 7.23-end

Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues for ever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever.

Mark 10.46-end

They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stood still and said, ‘Call him here.’ And they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take heart; get up, he is calling you.’ So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said to him, ‘My teacher, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

<<
>>
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989

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 The Revd Canon Dr Alan Billings.

Bartimaeus is blind.

We don’t know whether he was born blind or became blind. But he cannot see. He cannot see Jesus as he sits by the roadside just outside the little town of Jericho.

I remember Jericho from visits I used to make to the Holy Land at one time in my life. Starting from Jerusalem, high up in the hills, we would take our way east, dropping down and down on that road through the wilderness that Jesus speaks about in his parable of the Good Samaritan.

At last we would come to the small settlement of Jericho, just before the river Jordan. It’s an oasis town, full of palm trees; very hot, very dry, very dusty. 846 feet below sea level. The lowest town in the world, not in Israel but in what’s called the West Bank.

Being blind, Bartimaeus cannot work. What a contrast with being without sight in this country today. There is no help for Bartimaeus. No charity for the blind. No guide dogs. No welfare state. I think of a friend of mine, blind from birth, born on Parson Cross, who with great determination got himself to university, became an MP, then Home Secretary, and now sits in the House of Lords. What more could he possibly have achieved had he been sighted?

But for Bartimaeus, it’s a different story. He scratches a living from begging. As he sits, his begging bowl beside him, there’s a commotion. And he hears that Jesus and his disciples are leaving town.

So he calls out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’

The words are very familiar to us today because at certain times during the year, we incorporate them into this service. Lord, have mercy upon us. Kyrie eleison. Whenever we sing or say that we are echoing Bartimaeus’s cry for help. Have mercy. This is where the words come from. Something that Bartimaeus goes on calling out, even through people around try to shut him up.

And Jesus, we are told, stopped. Jesus stopped. And he tells those around to call the blind man. Which they do. Bartimaeus springs up, and stands before Jesus. And when Jesus asks him what he can do for him, Bartimaeus says, ‘Master, let me receive my sight.’ And he does receive his sight.

But it’s what Jesus says next that is so intriguing, and important. Jesus says, ‘Your faith has made you well.’ Not, ‘I have healed you’. Not, ‘God has healed you’. But, ‘Your faith has made you well.’

There’s something about this man’s faith and something about well-being and not just about being cured of a disability that we need to grasp.

Bartimaeus’s faith comes before his healing. Despite his circumstances, he does not doubt that God is with him and his life counts for something. This is what enables him to be undeterred by those around him and to reach out to Jesus – ‘Son of David, have mercy on me.’

This attitude, this refusal to be silenced, this determination, this courage, this faith, Jesus commends. It’s as important as any physical healing.

This approach to life and living is captured in one of the hymns we are singing today: Father, hear the prayer we offer. The sort of faith that Jesus commends is found there.

Father, hear the prayer we offer:
not for ease that prayer shall be,
but for strength that we may ever
live our lives courageously.

What Jesus understands is that our human lives are lived out in a world where good and bad co-exist all the time. This is the price we pay for having freedom and choice. There would be no freedom and no choice if all we could ever do was choose the good. There would be no freedom or choice if nothing bad ever happened to us.

So we live our lives in a world where change and chance, good luck and misfortune, come our way. What makes the difference is how we deal with them. Our faith.

Bartimaeus will not let his misfortune overcome him, which is why he has the strength to cry out to Jesus. And that’s the real well-being here. It’s not just about having his sight restored. Because Jesus knows well that all physical miracles are only ever temporary. Sight is restored, but it can be lost again. The sick are healed, but they can become sick again. Even Lazarus, who is restored to life, will one day die. The real well-being that Bartimaeus has is his faith. That does not depend on the way things go in life. It can take him through good times and bad.

So let the last verse of the hymn be our prayer as it most surely was Bartimaeus’s:

Be our strength in hours of weakness,
in our wanderings be our guide;
through endeavour, failure, danger,
Father, be thou at our side.

The Prayers
Prepared by Veronica.

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

We give you thanks for all your blessings to your people. We ask you to help us to ensure that all
people most in need may share in the wealth you have given us. We pray for all who are finding life
difficult at present, for whatever reason.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the Church worldwide, for all its leaders, that they may work together to do your will for
all your people. We pray for the Church of England, for our Archbishop Justin, and our bishops Pete
and Sophie. We thank you for all the Christian organisations that work to bring help to the needy
and suffering. We give you thanks for our partnership with St Mark’s and St John’s, and for all who
take our services here at St Mary’s.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our suburb of Walkley and our City of Sheffield. May this city always be a place of
friendliness and welcome to all who arrive here whether to work or study.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are ill at this time, or in special need of your comfort. Support all who work as
doctors or nurses in their often difficult work. We pray also for all caring for a loved one. In a
moment of quiet we remember before you all those known to us in special need of your grace………
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We remember before you all those who died many years ago, or who have died recently. We ask for
your comfort to all who still mourn their loss………….
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Rejoicing in the fellowship of Mary, Mark, John and all your saints we commit ourselves andyou’re
your creation to your unfailing love.
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Saviour.
Amen.

20th October 2024 10.30am – 21st Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

Posted on October 20, 2024 by St Mary's

The Readings

Hebrews 5.1-10

Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honour, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him,
‘You are my Son,
today I have begotten you’;
as he says also in another place,
‘You are a priest for ever,
according to the order of Melchizedek.’

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Mark 10.35-45

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’ And he said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’ And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’ But Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’ They replied, ‘We are able.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.’

When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, ‘You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’

<<
>>
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989

The Prayers
Prepared by Kath.

God our Father, hear us when we pray to you in faith. We give you thanks for the many wonderful gifts you have given us. May we take the time to see and truly appreciate all that we have and help us to look after it for this generation and those to come.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Father, we pray for your church throughout the world and for those of other faiths who worship you. Now more than ever, may we strive to find ways to live together peaceably and respectfully in your name rather than clinging to what divides us.
We pray for all in our mission partnership giving thanks for the time, talents and gifts that our churches and communities benefit from. We especially give thanks for the appointment of Rev Dr Beth Keith as our priest in charge. We pray for her and her family as she prepares to take up her new role and we look forward to her ministry among us.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our very troubled world and all peoples who are suffering because of wars, oppression and need. Especially in light of recent events, Father please guide and strengthen all leaders to genuinely work for peace for all people. Be with all who are courageous in standing against greed, corruption and tyranny which blights so many nations and societies and help us to value and defend the freedom and liberty we have.
We pray for all going through the process of elections, that they will be conducted openly, honestly and honourably and that voters will consider matters beyond their own personal benefits and seek the common good.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

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

We remember all who have died, some recently and some long ago. We pray that they are at peace and that those who love and miss them will be comforted in their loss.
Especially we pray for Liam Payne, the young singer who died on Thursday, for the woman and her unborn child who died in a tragic road traffic accident and for the refugees who lost their lives trying to reach this country in a dinghy.
Again in a short time of quiet let us remember those special to us who are no longer with us.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

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

13th October 2024 10.30am – 20th Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

Posted on October 13, 2024 by St Mary's

The Readings

Hebrews 4.12-end

Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.

Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Mark 10.17-31

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honour your father and mother.” ’ He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ They were greatly astounded and said to one another, ‘Then who can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’

Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’

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

May I speak in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Our Gospel reading is quite well known – the reading from Hebrews
probably less so, I think it acts as a useful lead-in…

The author of Hebrews tells us that
"the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-
edged sword."

God's Word wasn’t just written down and intended to sit on a page –
or these days, on a web server – as an interesting historical note. It
is dynamic, living, active – a weapon. It is as relevant today as it was
when written. It cuts right to the core of our identity, discerning the
thoughts and intentions of our hearts. This is not always
comfortable. In fact, it can be deeply unsettling.

God's Word doesn’t just inform us; it transforms us. It challenges us
to confront the parts of ourselves we may prefer to hide—the parts
that cling to worldly values, that seek comfort and security sourced
from earthly things over faith and trust in God. God’s Word reveals
our true motivations, our struggles, our good intentions, our hidden
fears, our hidden sins.

There is no hiding place. In His presence, we can have no secrets.
When we engage with Scripture, we’re not just reading words on a
page. We’re encountering the living God. We’re treading on
dangerous ground, where we’re invited into a process of
transformation, a deepening relationship where we are constantly
being shaped into Christ’s likeness. This is inevitably going to be….
Uncomfortable. I don’t know about you, but I have a few things I’d
like to keep hidden in my life – things that I’m not entirely
comfortable about – and also some parts of my personality that I’d
like to keep for me, if you don’t mind. How much are we willing to
give up and expose? In the presence of God’s word – everything.

We don’t have a choice.

We come before a God who knows us completely—our failures, our
weaknesses, our brokenness—and yet still loves us deeply. Jesus
sympathizes with our weaknesses. He knows what it’s like to be
tempted, after all, He was fully human as well as being fully God.
With Jesus’s intercession, we can approach God with confidence,
knowing that we will receive mercy and find grace to help us in our
time of need.

In our Gospel reading, Jesus and his disciples meet a rich young man.

This is one of those Gospel stories that tends to make us
uncomfortable, especially if we’re honest about how much we value
our possessions, our financial security and our way of life. This young
man could actually be any of us; feel free to shuffle uncomfortably if
you wish to!

The young man approaches Jesus with a sincere question:

"Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

He’s clearly someone who has lived a moral life, keeping the
commandments from his youth What we’d probably refer to as a
decent, law-abiding citizen – a pillar of the community. But Jesus
sees the one thing that is holding this man back from fully embracing
the Kingdom of God: his attachment to wealth.

When Jesus tells the young man to sell all he has and give to the
poor, He isn’t making a general rule for everyone to follow. He’s
identifying something very particular to this man; something that is
so big in his life, that it will stop him becoming more Christ-like. His
wealth.

Each of us has something within us that can potentially be that road-
block. It might be wealth and possessions; it might be our careers,
obsessive hobbies – any number of things that we can make the
centre of our lives, and that would prevent us from trusting and
serving God fully. Because that is what following Jesus is all about;
trusting and serving God in a whole-hearted and full manner.
The young man’s reaction is telling.

"His face fell, and he went away sad, because he had great
wealth."

Jesus doesn’t chase after him. Instead, He turns to His disciples and
says something that, for the people around him, would have been
truly shocking:

"How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!"

This was a radical statement at the time, because wealth was often
seen as a sign of God’s blessing. Jesus turns this idea upside down,
telling us that wealth, if we are not careful, can become a stumbling
block—a barrier between us and the more abundant life that God
offers.

Today we live in a world that often equates success with financial
prosperity. We’re constantly bombarded with messages that tell us
we need more—more money, more stuff, more security. What I’ve
occasionally referred to as the ‘You’re worth it’ culture.

But Jesus calls us to a different kind of wealth. He calls us to trust in
God and to live according to the Gospel teachings – with love,
generosity and mercy. This doesn’t mean that everyone is called to
sell all they have, but it does mean that we’re called to ask ourselves
a few questions. Are we placing our trust in our wealth and worldly
circumstances, or in God? Are we clinging to the things of this world,
or are we willing to give and share with those in need? In the song
‘Once in a lifetime’, David Byrne sings:

And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife
And you may ask yourself, "Well, how did I get here?"

And later in the song, we hear:

You may ask yourself, "What is that beautiful house?"
You may ask yourself, "Where does that highway go to?"
And you may ask yourself, "Am I right? Am I wrong?"
And you may say to yourself, "My God, what have I done?"

We are being prompted to ask ourselves what stops us from fully
following Christ. It’s going to be something unique for all of us. And
we almost certainly will find ourselves asking ‘Am I right or wrong in
how I lead my life?’ And we may well find ourselves asking God, in a
prayerful manner ‘What have I done?’

Jesus goes on to tell His disciples that it is easier for a camel to go
through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the
Kingdom of God. A well-known story and saying, but we can now see
it differently. Entering the Kingdom requires total dependence on
God. It’s not something we can achieve through our own efforts,
wealth, or status – it relies on God’s grace.

The disciples – probably aware of their own shortcomings, and likely
concerned about their own future - ask, "Who then can be saved?"
Jesus answers:

"With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are
possible with God."

This is good news for all of us. Whether we struggle with wealth,
pride, fear, or anything else, salvation is not something we can earn
or achieve on our own. It’s a gift of grace, made possible by God’s
love and mercy. Our job is to trust God, to follow Christ, and to let go
of whatever is keeping us from fully embracing God’s call on our
lives.

So, what can we take away from these readings today? First, we are
reminded that God's Word is alive and relevant. It challenges us,
questions us, and can transform us. We are invited to let the Word of
God do its work in our hearts, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Second, we are reminded that following Jesus requires surrender.
What we have to surrender is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit –
through study of scripture, prayer and making ourselves open to the
idea of change. Whether it’s our wealth, our plans, or our sense of
control, we are called to let go and trust in God. This isn’t easy. Like
the rich young man, we might find it hard to part with the things we
hold dear; such sacrifices are costly. But Jesus promises that those
who give up everything for His sake will receive a hundred times
more in this life—and in the life to come, eternal life.

May we, like the disciples, have the courage to ask, "What must I do
to follow You more fully, Lord?", the greater courage to follow
through with actions based on the answer we get, and may we trust
that with God, all things are possible.

Amen.

The Prayers
Prepared By Barbara.

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

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

We pray for all those affected by war, thinking particularly of people in Israel and Lebanon, but not
forgetting conflicts such as those in Ukraine, Myanmar and Sudan. Please bring strength and comfort to all
those affected and help every one of us to be part of a path to peace throughout the world.

We pray for our new government here in the UK. Please help them to reach all those struggling to keep
warm this winter, helping people who are not currently claiming all the benefits to which they are entitled
to do so. Please help us to do what we can to help them.

We pray for all those employed in social services in the UK. We pray for all the hard decisions they have to
make, giving thanks for their service and the assistance they provide to those who need their help, thanking
them for their patience and care. We pray that the government finds ways to better fund social services,
thinking particularly of those that are helped, including children, the elderly and those who cannot find
gainful employment. Please help us to recognise their needs and the need for the government to meet those
needs.

We pray for all those in the USA who will be voting this year to choose a new government for their country.
Please help all of those who can vote to consider the future of the world and what government would be best
placed to achieve a future free of war and able to support all the world’s population. Help them to vote for a
world that is more considerate of all its inhabitants, both human and non-human.

We pray also for all those involved in trying to fight the climate crisis, as our government develops
initiatives to increase solar and wind power in the UK. Please give all governments the political courage to
resist further use of fossil fuels and to invest in sources of renewable energy instead.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

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

We pray especially for our worshipping community of St. John’s Ranmoor, St. Mark’s Broomhill and St.
Mary’s Walkley, that we may continue to bear witness to our faith in the way we live our daily lives.

We pray for the church in Canada, celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend. We thank you for your
bounty and for the understanding encouraged by the recent Truth and Reconciliation Day. Please help your
church in Canada to make amends for all the wrongs we have done to Canada’s aboriginal peoples.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

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

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

We remember those who have gone before us in the peace of Christ, and we give you praise for all your
faithful ones, with whom we rejoice in the communion of saints. Today we particularly remember Alex
Salmond, thinking of his family and friends at this time.

We name to you in our hearts all those known to us both near and far who are suffering the loss of friends
and loved ones, asking that you bring your comfort and healing to them at this time of grief.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

St Marys Walkley

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

Month: October 2024

27th October 2024 10.30am – Last Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

20th October 2024 10.30am – 21st Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist

13th October 2024 10.30am – 20th Sunday after Trinity – Eucharist