Author: St Mary's

‘Walking in the Way of Wisdom’ – 15th August 2021 – 11th Sunday after Trinity

Posted on by St Mary's

Image from the Living in Love and Faith Website

https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/living-love-and-faith

The Readings

Proverbs 9.1-6

Wisdom has built her house,
she has hewn her seven pillars.
She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine,
she has also set her table.
She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls
from the highest places in the town,
‘You that are simple, turn in here!’
To those without sense she says,
‘Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
Lay aside immaturity, and live,
and walk in the way of insight.’

 

John 6.51-58

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live for ever.’

 

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 Siobhan H

Walking in the Way of Wisdom

This morning we hear two invitations in our scripture passages:
“Come leave your simple ways and walk in the way of insight and wisdom so you may have life.”

and

“Come and eat the bread of life so you may have life eternal.”

Both of these invitations reveal the infinite love of the Creator of all things, the source of life, who sustains us, and feeds us. Baptism marks the beginning of a journey with God which continues for the rest of our lives, the first step in response to God’s love. The words of the liturgy remind us that...
‘As children of God, we have a new dignity and God calls us to fullness of life’.

At communion we receive spiritual nourishment for the journey….
“The body of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Which was given for you,
Preserve your body and soul to everlasting life.
Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you,
And feed on him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving.”

After death at the funeral service, we hear the words ‘I am the resurrection and the life’ says the Lord. Those who believe in me, even though they die will live.’

How different would our existence look if we were to accept the invitation to leave our simple lives to walk in the way of insight and wisdom?
Wisdom in my experience is not sentimental. At times it has challenged me to face difficult truths about my life and relationships. It requires me to be honest in my thoughts and hold integrity. It utilises knowledge, experience, deep understanding and insight. By becoming curious, asking questions, reflecting more deeply we can allow the wisdom that lies just beneath the surface of our daily lives to emerge.

I’d like to share a personal example with you.
Recently, on retreat I visited a walled garden where I noticed three doorways.
The first doorway was blocked by bricks, the second had a mirror attached to it reflecting the roses in the garden, and the last had a gate ajar.
Initially, I was drawn to the mirrored door, the roses beautifully inviting. Then came the realisation there was a deception here because the reflected image of the roses was not real. It led me to consider that in life sometimes we can look at situations through rose tinted spectacles or events can look rosy in retrospect.
The doorway with the gate ajar somehow offered the invitation to seek God’s will, truth, and wisdom to embrace a fuller, yet more uncertain life. I sense that when we choose to seek wisdom it is then that our doors of perception open more fully, and we can begin to imagine and dream of new possibilities, allowing the seeds of life we carry within us the potential to germinate, grow, and flourish.

Returning to our context, how would it be if we were to seek God’s will, truth, and wisdom as a church, if we opened our doors of perception more fully, and began to imagine and dream of new possibilities?

Collectively as a church we are called to leave our simple ways, to discern, seek wisdom and sense where the new seeds of life lie. Wisdom for me is founded on the insight that we are all children of God, and the miracle that God who lies within and beyond us knows each of us by name and loves us. This leads me to tell you about a new course “Living in Love and Faith”, which the Church of England is inviting us to engage with, and in doing so to play our part in discovering what God is saying to the Church today. It invites us to engage in a listening process and have wisdom to discern how we can offer dignity and fullness of life to the whole children of God.

The course asks…

How do questions about identity, sexuality, relationships, and marriage fit within the bigger picture of the good news of Jesus Christ?
What does it mean to live in love and faith together as a church?
The church acknowledges that issues of gender and sexuality are intrinsic to people’s identity, their lives and the loving relationships that sustain and shape them.

The hope is that as we engage in listening to the people’s lived experiences, deeper relationships will be forged and the process of examining afresh our lives and shared learning will deepen our knowledge and understanding about what it means to be human in relationship with others in the face of difference and diversity, and each of us will grow in wisdom.

In today’s gospel passage we witness the Jews arguing amongst themselves, ‘How can this man give us flesh to eat?’ Jesus makes it clear later in this chapter that he is speaking metaphorically; ‘The spirit gives life, the flesh is nothing’ Yet those who misunderstood him were offended by his talk of eating flesh and blood because they were stuck in a physical mindset, ignoring the things of the Spirit. Sometimes, because we are human, we become stuck in a certain mindset, certain doctrines, or teachings.

Wisdom includes true listening, being present, open, and responsive. It is about being open to the Source of Mystery, the Spirit moving within us and the world.
Wisdom is inhibited when prejudice, silence, ignorance, fear, hypocrisy and power dominate. We can all have our bias, and prejudices that we need to be aware of and as I reflected earlier wisdom can challenge us. If we are to be a church of welcome and belonging, we need to take down barriers that divide us and do as Jesus does. He simply invites us to ‘Come and eat the bread of life’ that we may have eternal life. The table of the Lord is open and inclusive to all who believe in him. It is my belief the relationship we experience with the Risen Lord when we receive bread of life at communion is transformative both personally and as the body of Christ.

I invite you now to listen to these invitations.

Come leave your simple ways and walk in the way of insight and wisdom so you may have life.

Come and eat the bread of life so you may have life eternal.

Come and join one of our Living in Love Faith Groups so that we may discern how we truly embody the Good News of Jesus Christ and celebrate our shared humanity.

Amen

 

The Prayers
Prepared by Siobhan H

We pray for St Mary’s and our mission partnership churches. Help us, your people, to walk in the way of insight and wisdom that we may sense where the new seeds of life lay in our local community. Help us to make connections between faith and daily living. Help us to be passionate and prophetic about justice, equality and peace. Help us to respond to human need by loving service
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer

We pray for those who in the past weeks have been affected by wildfires, particularly those who have lost homes and loved ones. We pray also for an understanding and acceptance by all nations that we must urgently commit to protect our endangered ecosystem which is at the centre of God’s wonderful creation.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer

We pray for all children during the school holidays especially those who experience food poverty, for those who have received school exam results and for those making transitions. For those starting nursery or school for the first time give them a sense of belonging, for those moving classes the joy of growing relationships, for those moving schools a new founded independence and for those starting college or universities wisdom for a new season in their lives.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer

We pray for those in any kind of need. For those who are troubled or distressed, isolated or lonely, bereaved, or unwell at this time. Remembering in a time of silence those known to us. May they be strengthened by your spirit and sense your healing loving presence, grace and comfort with them at this time. Let us show kindness and empathy as we travel beside them.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our Prayer

We pray for those who have recently departed from this life in this community and beyond,
In your boundless compassion console those who mourn and comfort them in their sorrow.
In remembrance of all those whom we love, but no longer see.
We thank you for giving them as companions on our pilgrimage on earth. May God, who calls each of us by name, bring all the departed to the dawn of new life.

Let us pray for a moment for our own personal intentions and the intentions of those who have asked for our prayers

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

‘Hungering for Justice, Joy and a Better World’ – 31st July 2021 – 9th Sunday after Trinity

Posted on by St Mary's

The Readings

Exodus 16.2-4, 9-15

The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’

Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not.

Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, “Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.” ’ And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked towards the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, ‘I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, “At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.” ’

In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.

 

John 6.24-35

So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.

When they found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’ Then they said to him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’ So they said to him, ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” ’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’

Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

 

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 Rev'd Sue Hammersley, St. Marks Church, Broomhill

Guide me, O thou great Redeemer,
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty,
hold me with thy powerful hand:
bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me now and ever more,
feed me now and ever more.

I wonder what it means to us to be hungry…
I wonder whether any of us has experienced acute hunger at some point in our lives; or whether any of us has been to a country where people experience poverty as part of their daily reality?

Food poverty is an increasing concern within our own country – it’s much closer to home than we might like to admit. Foodbanks have become an acceptable part of British society and church members are amongst the most generous in offering time and resources to help people who can’t make ends meet, people who often feed their children but go hungry themselves.
Alongside foodbanks there are many other community initiatives which help to empower those people whose self-respect is in danger so that, whilst they might need food in the short term they also learn to grow food on community allotments, or attend classes to share ideas for healthy, low-cost cooking.

But there’s a different kind of poverty within our communities, a poverty of spirit which has made us afraid of each other and less able to reach out to one another, in need or in plenty. In some cultures it would be unheard of to let someone in your neighbourhood go hungry and many of us have visited places where the stranger is fed before members of the family.

When the pandemic first emerged people were keen to look after their neighbours. Many mutual societies sprung up, some of which were run by church-goers but many by those who wouldn’t darken the church’s door.

We are in a season in the church’s lectionary which gives us plenty of opportunity to consider what it means to say that Jesus is the bread of life. Jesus offers food for the hungry, whether that hunger is physical or spiritual. But if we are to receive this sustenance we have to be able to acknowledge our need of God; and when we receive from God’s abundance we have to learn to be generous to others.

Some of us give out so much, to family members or in our work, or voluntary activities, including church, that by the time we reach Sunday we are depleted, maybe even exhausted. Coming to the Eucharist reminds us of our need of God and that God enriches our lives, recharges our batteries and refreshes us on our journeys. We leave church more able to face the challenges which haven’t gone away but which we don’t have to face alone.

Our first reading this morning, from Exodus, reminds us that the people of God have a chequered history when it comes to trusting that God will provide. These people have been released from slavery in Egypt and are now in the wilderness on their journey to a land of plenty.
God has promised them enough to feed their hunger but many of them are complaining because they are hungry. They had more to eat as slaves in Egypt. It would seem like oppression was a price worth paying for regular food.

God, we are told, hears their complaining and relents, giving them meat in the evening and bread in the morning.

This is not the experience of many hungry people. God does not seem to listen to their cries.

I caught a few moments of this morning’s Radio 4 Worship from Beirut. When they experienced appalling devastation from a huge bomb one of the ministers found herself asking, where is God? And then she began to see Jesus at work in the firefighters and people offering hospitality, in those who almost immediately joined the queue at the hospital to donate blood, in those who worked tirelessly in the hospitals and on the streets to care for the injured, in those who began to rebuild communities.

In our Gospel reading we heard Jesus chastising his disciples:
“Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life.”

We gather together at the Eucharist not because we are somehow part of an elite but precisely because we know our need of God. We come because we are hungry.
And as we listen to God’s word, as we open our hearts in prayer and as we receive God’s blessing in the sacrament
we are reminded of God’s kingdom values – where all who are hungry are fed, where all have the opportunity to access clean water, where every person can feed their dependents, where everyone has the dignity of work or the support of a community where those who can’t work retain their dignity and self-respect.

Jesus says,
“…the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” The disciples said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

But we have a long way to go if we are to transform the values of this society so that we are not simply feeding hungry families but also asking why the inequality in this country is increasing. Churches have an important role to play in serving our communities but we also have a voice and a part to play in bringing about a different way of relating to each other.

As we come to the table today may we ask for courage to see the world as God sees it, to ask the questions which need to be asked, to play our part in becoming the people God is calling us to be so that each person may discover the promise of life, life in all its fullness…

The bread of heaven for which we hunger is readily available but it demands a great deal from us:
that we trust God;
that we act with justice and compassion;
that we speak out against inequality;
that we, as the church, offer hospitality to those who are outside our own community…

And this can be really tough.
We hunger for these virtues and, unless we turn to God, we are starved of the resources we need…
But, as we share this communion, we are reminded that we belong to one another profoundly and, together, we can respond to a world in need of Jesus, the bread of life.

Guide me, O thou great Redeemer,
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty,
hold me with thy powerful hand:
bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me now and ever more,
feed me now and ever more.

Prayers
Prepared by Oliver G

Lord God, we thank you for the work of the international scientific community in the development and delivery of the Covid-19 vaccine. As we appreciate the nature of our globalised world during this pandemic, help us to advocate for vaccine equity to enable all nations to see hope for the future.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Lord God, we thank you for the rich flora and fauna we see in our gardens and parks during the summer season. As we see the effects of climate change nationally and internationally, we ask that you be with our neighbours in this world, the global village, who are experiencing devastating floods and uncontrolled wildfires. We pray significant steps will be made by our leaders at COP26 later in the year.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Thank you for our community and the people of Walkley. Help us at St. Mary’s to look outwardly, identifying what need there is locally and helping us to respond appropriately. Where we see hunger, help us to bring satiety. Help us to work with local organisations to provide both physical and spiritual food to those who need it most.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Lord God, we thank you for our families whom we have been able to see more of recently. We pray that you be with those who have no family, or are estranged. We pray they may find your unconditional love through their neighbours and friends.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

As we celebrate the end of restrictions, help us to be aware of those who still have anxieties and apprehensions, and encourage us to go at the pace of the slowest member. Be with those who are still struggling with the physical and psychological effects of the past 18 months. We take a moment of silence to think of those known to us personally who are suffering in mind, body or spirit, and pray that you will bring your healing hand.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

‘Kindness and Compassion’ – 18th July 2021 – 7th Sunday after Trinity

Posted on by St Mary's

Image reproduced from https://ofhsoupkitchen.org/jesus-taught-kindness

The Readings

Jeremiah 23.1-6

Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord.

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

Mark 6.30-34, 53-56

The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the market-places, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

 

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 Canon Julian Sullivan

The Kindness of Strangers

We were once wrestling with a wardrobe outside St Luke’s Hospice Shop in NetherEdge, trying to fit it in the back of our car. We tried every which way, but it just would not go in. Frustrating!!! A gentle voice said behind me, “Excuse me but if you can wait five minutes while I collect my daughter from school, I’ll come back and that cupboard will easily go into the back of my VW Microbus and I’ll take it home for you!”

True to her word, she returned with her daughter and the wardrobe came home with ease! A young mum on a busy school run, gave the time to help a couple of strangers solve a problem. She will always be in our memory. Kindness multiplies. We were so pleased to solve our problem and she was pleased to help us so we all felt good, even her daughter, who wondered who these new friends were. Never underestimate the power of an act of kindness.

Bees

A few years ago, I took up bee-keeping. In one of the classes attended, a life long bee keeper was asked to say a few words to this group of rookie apiarists about his life with bees. “Eugene, if you could say one thing to the group, what would it be?” He paused a moment: “Love your bees; love your bees. Get to know their ways and learn to understand them. They will be a constant source of delight and always have something new to teach you.” Someone who had seen Eugene working with his bees described it as “poetry in motion.” He treated them gently, did not stress them or crash around when opening the hive, and moved slowly and deliberately as he inspected them. Did they have enough food and space, how were the young, and most importantly how was the queen, who sets the tempo in the hive. You could say he was like a good shepherd, who cared for the creatures in his care with kindness.

From Iona to Lindisfarne

Kindness has always had a place in the well being of neighbourhoods and has played a vital part in the spreading of the gospel of Christ. When king Oswald of Northumbria wanted to introduce the Christian faith to his kingdom in the North East, he called on the monks of Iona, to send someone to tell his people about the christian faith. A monk named Corman was duly dispatched to the region and set about trying to make converts to the faith. After some time he had made no headway and returned to Iona. He complained that the people were a miserable lot who wouldn’t listen to a word he said! Up stood a fellow monk who asked him, “Did you get to know the people, listen to their worries, offer to help with their day to day problems? (These were
turbulent times, with the threat of violence from sea and land.) He replied that he had not. Well what did you expect then, said the monk. You should have taken time to get to know them, to win their confidence and if possible their affection. Then they would have listened to you.

Hearing this, the abbot decided to send this young monk in Corman’s stead. He travelled to the North East from the Inner Hebrides and spent time among the people, getting to know them, listening, making friends, engaging wherever possible in local life. In so doing he won their hearts and not only did they listen to his message but they came to Christ in large numbers and the faith flourished in that region. The monk in question was called Aidan, the place where he based his mission was Lindisfarne, or Holy Island as it is known today and the rest is history.

Our Gospel

Which brings us neatly to our gospel reading in Mark 6 where we find Jesus and the disciples in the thick of it. In the midst of a lot of coming and going, with no leisure even to eat properly, Jesus had heard of the death of John, his cousin and was mourning his loss. But he was also thinking of the welfare of his disciples who needed, some relief from the demands of their very public ministry with Jesus. He listened carefully as they told him all they had done and taught and wanted to cut them some slack. It is very easy to drive ourselves and others hard, when the need is great. During the 90’s we undertook a major refurbishment in down town Bramall Lane. Looking back it was at times relentless, but we could have looked after each-other better, because by completion, some of us were very poorly indeed. We might have taken more notice of this passage where Christ put his disciples first and invited them away to a deserted place to rest and recuperate. We should have built in more parties and spaces to relax.

When they arrive by boat at the deserted place, they find it overrun with people. It was like Scarborough beach in the holiday season (Remember that?). They were desperate to see Jesus, and as he looked out on them, he saw that they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he responded with compassion. Compassion embraces patience and wisdom; kindness and perseverance; warmth and resolve. Jesus showed all these qualities in abundance which meant that he did not try to hide from the crowd, or escape, like celebrities do, but realising their needs, he engaged with them, responded to their needs and gave them a glimpse of the Kingdom of God. No one in that crowd will have forgotten that encounter with Jesus as they came away healed, affirmed, encouraged and enriched being in the presence of the one who said “I have come that you might have life; life in all its fullness.

The DNA of the Church

We took the train to London recently after a long break from travel of any kind. I resorted to my habit when on a train, of gazing out of the window as towns, village and countryside speed by.

As I did so, I noticed something as if for the first time: the number of church towers and spires often surrounded by trees, rising above their surroundings. I wondered who they were dedicated to and thought of how each spire represented a distinctive Christian community, a parish church, engaged in the ongoing life of their neighbourhood, taking their cue from the one who shared our life, living and dying to create a new humanity, Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven. Who blessed those around him with those qualities of compassion and kindness, healing and forgiveness, reconciliation and the breaking down of barriers.

Ephesians

It is easy to under value the presence of a church in every community, woven into local history, playing a part in everyday life. Our reading from Ephesians contains what has been described as the new humanity of the people of God, modelling the quality of life of God’s kingdom. Speaking to Jews and Gentiles, Paul spells out the implications of what Christ has done:

“Christ is our peace ... breaking down the dividing wall, the hostility between us ... so that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two (Jew and Gentile) thus making peace. He describes the life of the young emerging church as having access to God through Christ - no longer strangers and aliens but citizens with the saints and members of the household of God ... built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone ... joined together and growing into a holy temple in the lord ... in whom you are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.”

This is not directly talking about Gareth Southgate and the England football squad, although he almost could be, the confidence and respect they had in each other shone very brightly with such spirit within the squad: Solidarity, sportsmanship, a real sense of togetherness. But this is the DNA of the church to which we belong, of which we are the visible signs in this present age. We may be tempted to think that the church is a modern day irrelevance and it is true that much of what we do goes unnoticed and unreported, but hear what Ann Morisey said to us at one of our diocesan days:

“In every community, the church is likely to be the largest and most diverse membership organisation, the most significant generator of social capital, a significant source of adult education learning for daily life; the most grass root network of voluntary organisations; the most long lived, best able to tell the story of the neighbourhood. The most significant provider of community facilities. The parish is a tree of life and anchor for a complex ecology of community activity, a blessing to its neighbourhood and beyond. Adults and children can find their way within a living community of faith as part of the world wide church. It has a calling to be more than a gathered community of the faithful, to serve the need of all, work for the good of all and communicate the gospel to everyone.”

St Mary’s Walkley

We can set alongside Ann Morisy, the way in which you describe your own aspirations here at St Mary’s Walkley:

We see ourselves as a church that welcomes and includes everyone, in their uniqueness, lifting the lowly, feeding the hungry as only the body of Christ can. As Christ’s people, we aspire to be agents of God’s healing grace, offering the ‘balm of Jesus Christ’ to a wounded world, be it physical, emotional, relational, reconciling. St Mary’s is a eucharistic community giving thanks together in a shared meal in the presence of our crucified, risen, ascended Lord, at the heart of the people of God.

So be encouraged. Compassion and kindness provide the atmosphere in which we can make Christ known, enriching our communities with the encouragement, challenge and hope of the kingdom of God.

I leave you with this thought from Alan Turing: (Mathematician,Computer Scientist, Code Breaker)

“Sometimes it is the people no one can imagine anything of, who do the things no one can imagine.”

Amen

The Prayers
Prepared by Siobhan H

We pray for all those called to be shepherds in our Church and for those who have dedicated their lives to spreading the good news of the gospel. We pray for the spiritual growth of our mission area, as we seek to listen well to each other, engage with shared ministry and utilise our many gifts. May we reflect compassion and care in our communities and be agents of God’s presence in our world.
Lord in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer

As Covid restrictions are eased, we pray for all in our country, that we show responsibility, consideration and care for ourselves and for others and abide strictly by the guidelines which our healthcare professionals recommend to defeat this very contagious virus for the good of all God’s children.
Lord in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer

We pray for those affected by natural disasters and from human violence. We particularly remember those affected by floods in Europe and fires in North America. May they find comfort and support from agencies seeking to support them.
Lord in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer

We pray for all teachers, school staff and children as they finish their last week at school. Help them to rest, recuperate, and to be restored, spending time with those close to them. Thank you God for your sustaining love which has helped them during this year of uncertainty.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer

We pray for those who are sick, in mind, body or spirit. Comfort and heal them and restore them to health and strength.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer

We remember all those we have loved who have died.
May the Lord of life raise them up and welcome them into their heavenly home.

In silence we bring before God our personal prayer petitions

Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers
for the sake of your son
our saviour,
Jesus Christ,
Amen

4th July 2021 – 5th Sunday after Trinity

Posted on by St Mary's

The Readings

Ezekiel 2.1-5

He said to me: O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you. And when he spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard him speaking to me. He said to me, Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this very day. The descendants are impudent and stubborn. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them.

 

Mark 6.1-13

He left that place and came to his home town, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, ‘Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?’ And they took offence at him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honour, except in their home town, and among their own kin, and in their own house.’ And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, ‘Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.’ So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

 

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 Rev'd Shan Rush, St. Marks Church

If I were to ask you what is significant about July 4th, I expect that most of you would say it is Independence Day. That is true, but for me, July 4th is significant for another reason. 11 years ago today was the day I was ordained Deacon at Sheffield Cathedral, and to me marks the day I was sent out from here, St Mary’s Walkley to serve my curacy at St Mark’s. Having left, I did not imagine that I would be back, and I hope I don’t experience the rejection we are told Jesus was met with in the first 6 verses of the gospel reading!

On this, the first occasion I have both presided and preached at St Mary’s since I left, I’m going to focus on the mission of the twelve, and the themes of vocation and ministry.

It strikes me that all too often the focus of a sending church is put on the person being sent, whereas in reality it is not simply about those being ordained, it is about the whole people of God recognising God's call and affirming it, whether that call be theirs or someone else’s.

When we are introduced to the disciples by Mark, they are not painted in a very positive way - lacking in understanding and needing explanation, described by Jesus as being fearful and lacking faith, questioning Jesus so it makes you wonder whether they would have fit into a person spec for the job, met the criteria at interview and why Jesus would send them out to preach repentance, heal the sick and cast out demons. There’s a phrase, ‘God does not necessarily choose the qualified, but qualifies the chosen’ and it was the kind of encouragement I needed at the stage I felt called.

I’m not sure that many of you know the part members of this congregation played in helping me to recognise my calling. Recognition was key, because without it, I’d have carried on doing what I was doing. Each of us needs to be in tune with the Holy Spirit in order to recognise when God’s hand has been placed upon a certain individual to perform a certain task, whatever that task may be.

Let me tell you some of my story, how I find myself where I am today.

Although I didn’t recognise it, to me my faith journey began at conception. My name Shan, was given to me because my mum had heard it on a holiday in Wales and liked it. The English equivalent is Jane, the female version of John, and when I think of this I’m reminded of John the Baptist, whose calling began before his conception in the womb of Elizabeth. The angel Gabriel foretold his birth to his father, the old priest, Zechariah, at which point he was given the name of John, a name that means “the graciousness of GOD,” because he would announce GOD’s graciousness in the coming of the Messiah – Jesus.

Although not regular churchgoers, my parents chose to have me baptised in the Methodist Chapel in the village my dad had been born and brought up in when I was 3 months old.

As a family, we only attended church intermittently, usually when visiting relatives at Christmas and Easter. Sunday school and attendance with Brownies and Guides were the only other occasions until I joined a house church as a teenager. On leaving home, church attendance stopped until I purchased my home here in Walkley. At that point , a friend invited me to attend church with her and her husband. Little did we know where that simple invite would lead. Initially I was confirmed, then after a few years, the question of my role within church kept cropping up in conversation. I was happy reading the lesson, leading intercessions and assisting with administration of the chalice, but something kept prompting me that there was more for me to do. I’d started to explore things I could do as a lay person like reader training and pastoral care. Somehow, none of these felt right for me and I abandoned them, plodding steadily on doing the things I’d always done and felt safe doing. God doesn’t give up easily and prodded me through several different people from different contexts asking the same question - have you ever thought about becoming a priest? I hadn’t, and initially didn’t want to. My hesitancy was based on a number of things. Firstly, I already had a vocation as a nurse and was working at the Children’s Hospital in a job I loved and found fulfilling, so why would God call me to something different? Secondly, I didn’t feel I had the skills or knowledge needed to be a Priest, and thirdly and probably more importantly, I was afraid of the unknown.

“If you don't get out of the boat, you’ll never walk on water.” These words of challenge were spoken to me by a member of this congregation Edna, who had been baptised in her 80’s and who was not afraid to ask difficult questions as I continued to grapple with the idea that God might be calling me to ordained ministry, to become a priest, a calling that would mean me facing the discernment process which might lead to rejection, and if I were accepted, would mean undertaking training before leaving St Mary’s and moving on to a new place.

Could I remain within the safety of my current job or did I need to accept this invitation to step into the unknown like the disciples in today’s gospel.

I was referred to a vocations advisor. Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs, a strategy that gave them support, companionship on the journey. St Mary’s gave me not only one companion, but a group of people to travel alongside me on my journey of discernment.

Jesus instructed the disciples to take nothing with them on their journey – no food, no extra clothing nor money. This meant that His disciples would have to depend on the generosity of others to meet their needs. I was gifted generous people who shared time, wisdom and hospitality.

The disciples left and began preaching and working miracles. These men were not learned. They were simple fishermen and workers. Yet, Jesus empowered them to give to heal others and to give them spiritual food. In the same way, you reached out and touched my life with your love, care and prayers, giving the gift of your interest, time and support, both in the journey of discernment and through training, and some of you continue to journey alongside me to this day, 11 years later, as I continue to discern what I’m called to do in life. Each of us called not only to reach out to those who gather in the building, but to reach out to those who are not seeking and have never encountered Jesus.

We live in a world not dissimilar to Jesus time, a world where some are hungry for faith and others are completely disinterested in learning about Jesus. Despite this, we are still called to share the good news of Gods love for us, to heal the sick and to reach out to those in need and you don’t have to be a priest to do this.

The disciples were not Priests. For each one of us, his call is present but may take shape very differently. I believe Lay ministers, each one of you, are the primary hands and feet of Christ in the world, in the workplace, the family, amongst friends, a belief borne out of my own experience.

All of us are called to identify the work that God is doing in our lives, and to build up God's people for works of service in the church and wider world. We are part of a diocese which seeks to encourage and affirm all ages, backgrounds and pathways as people seek to find out what God is calling them to. This is becoming clearer as clergy numbers are reduced and more of the ministry within the parish falls to laity who are told they are being liberated for the whole mission of God. The new model of oversight ministry is designed to mobilise the whole people of God. It’s a time of transition and it’s hard for everyone as we adapt to new ways of working, especially with the added complication of the pandemic. As things start to open up, there will be new needs within our Mission Area and opportunities to serve God in our communities. May we journey together, supporting, nurturing and encouraging one another as we discover who we are, work out how we want to live and try to accomplish the task of sharing what we learn through gathering, praying and eating together with the world outside these doors. Jesus deliberately sends us out with the minimum of resources so we can meet others from a position of need, vulnerability and humility, not from a position of power armed with multiple resources. We are called to recognise Gods presence in the ordinary encounters of our day, and to notice the ways in which we are nourished and given life, and to respond by offering love and hope in this broken and needy world.

The Prayers
Prepared by Joe P

We pray for God’s Church throughout the world. We pray for our Archbishops Justin and Stephen, for Bishop Pete and Bishop Sophie, all here who lead us in worship and prayer, and all those whose time and talents are given to St Mary’s and our sister Churches. We pray that we, and all of our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world, continue to be aware of your presence in our lives.
Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all those in authority, and those who have influence in the world, that their power and voices be used compassionately for the good of all. We pray for peace in those parts of the world affected by violence, and pray for all those whose lives have been affected by extreme weather caused by climate change.

As both the United States and Canada remember their foundings, we pray that those countries can look back at their past relationships with indigenous peoples and find a just way forward, and pray that all modern countries can look at their history in an open and honest fashion.
Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our community here in Walkley, and for the city of Sheffield, and for our neighbours and friends. We pray for all those in the city involved in education and training at the end of a difficult year, and pray that the vaccines continue to successfully keep the rate of serious Covid related illness under control.
Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the aged and infirm, and those sick in mind, body or spirit. We pray that God’s power and spirit will fill them and bring them the healing and peace that belong to Christ’s kingdom.
We also pray for those involved in delivering the vaccination programme throughout the world, and those clinicians and scientists who have made vaccination possible. We pray that steps are taken to ensure that the poor of the world are not forgotten at this time.
Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray for those close to death, and those accompanying them on this final part of their Earthly journey. We pray for those who have died, recently and in the past, and those who mourn. We pray for those who have died without the comfort of their family around them, that they were comforted by the presence of the Lord.
Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

Finally, Lord, we silently bring before you those special to us, and also those issues and concerns that we have in our own lives.
Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

Rejoicing in the communion of Mary and of all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life, to God.
Merciful Father:
accept these prayers for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour,
Jesus Christ.
Amen.

 

Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is used here, is copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council 2000

‘The Lens of Goodness’ – 6th June 2021 – 1st Sunday after Trinity

Posted on by St Mary's

The Order of Service

To download a Word copy of the order of service, please click here:

21 06 06 1st Sunday after Trinity Eucharist

To download a PDF copy of the order of service, please click here:

21 06 06 1st Sunday after Trinity Eucharist

The Livestreaming link

To participate in the service through YouTube, please click here:

The Readings

Genesis 3.8-15

They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ He said, ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.’ He said, ‘Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?’ The man said, ‘The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.’ Then the Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this that you have done?’ The woman said, ‘The serpent tricked me, and I ate.’ The Lord God said to the serpent,
‘Because you have done this,
cursed are you among all animals
and among all wild creatures;
upon your belly you shall go,
and dust you shall eat
all the days of your life.
I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel.’

 

Mark 3.20-35

and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, ‘He has gone out of his mind.’ And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, ‘He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.’ And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered.

‘Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin’— for they had said, ‘He has an unclean spirit.’

Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, ‘Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.’ And he replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking at those who sat around him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.’

 

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 Revd Cate Thompson

 

It’s an inevitability of faith that we will encounter doubt – in fact, I would argue that doubt plays a necessary role in the cycle of belief and unbelief that draws us deeper into understanding.

 

But we aren’t alone in our questioning – Jesus’ claims were (and still are!) radical. A carpenter from Nazareth, a wandering Galilean is starting a movement, drawing crowds to see him heal the sick, perform miracles, cast out demons… and hear him teach with authority about the will and Kingdom of God. He is gathering Disciples and declaring that they now share this same authority.

 

Who is this man to make such claims?

 

How did he go from craftsman to rabbi?

 

Why should we listen to him – the carpenter – over the religious leaders with all their study and education?

 

Even his family – who would have heard him speak with wisdom from his early years (enough to astonish the teachers in the temple in Jerusalem) – cannot grasp this sudden claim to authority, this sudden move to action – a change dramatic enough that people are saying that he’s having what we’d now call some sort of episode.

 

Scribes have come all the way from Jerusalem to investigate and conclude that he must be possessed. But Jesus responds calmly and logically: what purpose would there be for the power of a demon to cast out demons?

 

In the face of this doubt, Jesus’ response is as to say: look at my actions - are they the product of love, of peace, of justice, of joy? Do they bear the fruits of the Spirit? If you doubt my origins, then trust the goodness of my actions. Doubt me, but do not doubt the Spirit.

Then if you trust in the Spirit, you can trust me.

 

This is the line of thought that I find helps me most when I find myself doubting. When I find it hard to believe, it is my trust in the goodness of the faith that carries me through until I can believe again.

 

It is the goodness of Jesus that says to me, ‘even if he isn’t the Son of God, even if there isn’t a God - this way of living, of treating people, of acting is good.’

And this lens of goodness also helps me interpret the faith – it is the question I ask when I encounter something I don’t understand or find difficult to believe: is it good? Because if it is good, if it demonstrates the fruits of the Spirit, then I can trust that it is consistent with the God of love and goodness. But if the answer to ‘but is it good?’ is no, then just maybe it is something to be challenged.

 

In doing this we, like Paul, are looking beyond the now and towards the divine – beyond the temporary corruptions of human stumbling to the eternal truths of God: of love, of peace, of justice, and of joy. These are the values to which we aspire, and which speak of the Spirit in our lives.

 

And it is this lens of interpretation that causes me to be passionate about justice and active about inclusion. I look at the systematic racism in our world, in our church, see that it is not good, and know this is not of God. I look at the growing divide between rich and poor, see that it is not good, and know this is not of God. I look at the stigmatisation of LGBTQIA+ people, see that it is not good, and know this is not of God. I look at the destruction of our environment, see that it is not good, and know this is not of God. …and I could go on.

 

But it doesn’t stop at recognising what is good and what is not – it can’t.

 

As Jesus says look at my actions to see that I am good, so our actions must reflect that goodness. We must seek to transform the unjust structures, to respond to human need through loving service, to safeguard creation – as through these actions we proclaim the Gospel, the Good News of God’s redeeming love.

 

Let us pray,

 

Help us, Good Lord, to trust in your goodness:

when we doubt,

when we praise,

when we hope.

In our questioning, may we be drawn ever deeper into knowledge and love of you,

that we may understand your goodness and embrace your eternal truths

of love, justice, peace, and joy.

May this be the lens through which we see the world

and interpret our faith.

And may our actions reflect your goodness

as we seek to transform this world to good.

We ask all this for the sake of your redeeming love.

Amen.

The Prayers
Prepared by Joe.

We pray for God’s Church throughout the world. We pray for our
Archbishops Justin and Stephen, for Bishop Pete and Bishop
Sophie, all here who lead us in worship and prayer, and all those
whose time and talents are given to St Mary’s and our sister
Churches. We pray that we, and all of our brothers and sisters
in Christ throughout the world, continue to be aware of your
presence in our lives.
Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all those in authority, and those who have influence
in the world, that their power and voices be used
compassionately for the good of all. As the G7 governments
prepare to gather together, we pray that they will make
decisions that are just, compassionate and forward-thinking.
Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our community here in Walkley, and for the city of
Sheffield, and for our neighbours and friends. As the country
prepares for a further relaxation of Covid restrictions later this
month, we pray that levels of the illness can be kept under
control. We pray for those employed in hospitality and other
business areas that have been seriously affected in the last year.
Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the aged and infirm, and those sick in mind, body or
spirit. We pray that God’s power and spirit will fill them and
bring them the healing and peace that belong to Christ’s
kingdom.
We also pray for those involved in delivering the vaccination
programme, and those clinicians and scientists who have made
vaccination possible. We pray that steps are taken to ensure
that the poor of the world are not forgotten at this time.
Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray for those close to death, and those accompanying them
on this final part of their Earthly journey. We pray for those who
have died, recently and in the past, and those who mourn. We
pray for those who have died without the comfort of their family
around them, that they were comforted by the presence of the
Lord.
Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

Finally, Lord, we silently bring before you those special to us, and
also those issues and concerns that we have in our own lives.
Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

Rejoicing in the communion of Mary and of all the Saints, let us
commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life, to God.
Merciful Father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen

‘The Spirit gives voice’ – 23rd May 2021 – Pentecost

Posted on by St Mary's

To download the order of service in Word format click here:

21 05 23 The Day of Pentecost Eucharist

To download the order of service in PDF format click here:

 

To watch the service on YouTube, click here:

The Readings

 

Acts 2.1-21

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.’ All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ But others sneered and said, ‘They are filled with new wine.’

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
“In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy.
And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

 

John 15.26-27, 16.4b-15

‘When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning. But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them.

‘I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgement, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

 

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 Catherine, a Reader at St. Mary's

Once upon a time, all the people of the world spoke one language. They settled in the land of Shinar and started to build a great city, with a tower that reached the heavens. They worried that if they didn’t make a name for themselves, they would be scattered across the whole earth. God saw this and thought “If they can build this, there will be no limit to what humans will achieve. So I will confuse their language”. And so it was. The people were scattered far and wide, their greatest fear realised. The city and tower remained unfinished. It became known as Babel, which means “to confuse”.

The Hebrew people told this story to try to explain why communication can be hard: “We speak different languages and don’t understand each other. When we can’t communicate effectively the other person or nation becomes different, inferior, threatening. We get scared, we dehumanise the other, we fight. Was there once a golden age when everyone could be understood? Perhaps human pride and ambition led to this breakdown in human communication and co-operation!”

Some commentators suggest that the story of Pentecost provides a counterbalance to the story of Babel.

Jesus’ disciples had experienced something incredible. Their friend and teacher had been brutally executed as a criminal. But God had raised him from the dead. He’d appeared among them again. He wanted them to share this good news. And they wanted to share it. But it’s difficult to do this if you don’t speak the same language. And the people of Jerusalem came from many nations and spoke many languages. But then came the miracle at Pentecost. God’s Spirit came down in the form of a great wind and tongues of fire and rested upon Jesus’ disciples. Immediately they spoke out, praising God and his great acts of power. A crowd gathered, amazed that each could understand these Galileans in their own language.

The early Hebrew storytellers imagined a golden age where everyone spoke one language. The danger of linking the stories of Babel and Pentecost is to imagine that God does indeed want us to speak one language. But history has shown that this belief can have devastating consequences.

Language is vital to communication. But it also shapes a community’s identity and tells its story. When the early Puritan settlers arrived in America, they made great efforts to convert the native Americans to Christianity. In the Spirit of the Pentecost story, some of them translated the King James Bible into the native languages.

But overall, the settlers and their descendants did not respect the native people. They took over the land, forcing the native people to move on to reservations. Over time, the native ways of life, their customs and languages dwindled and died out. English became the one language, even among the native peoples. They were uprooted. They were diminished. Generations were traumatised. They had lost nearly all sense of who they were.

A recent radio programme interviewed a woman from the Mashpee Wampanaog tribe of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. She is part of a project aiming to reclaim the tribe’s heritage, and her role is to teach its language in schools. Recovering the Wampanoag language is a vital part of restoring the tribe’s sense of identity and self-worth. Ironically the main resource that has helped the language to live again has been the very translation of the Bible made by the 17th Century missionaries. Written down phonetically, as the language was actually spoken, it has enabled 21st century learners to pronounce the words just as their ancestors did.

The Holy Spirit enabled the pilgrim fathers to translate the Gospel message into the native languages of America. They may never have imagined that in doing so, they would provide later Native American generations with the means of recovering their language, their sense of identity and their voice.

If you learn someone’s language, you can make yourself understood. But if you learn someone’s language, it says something much more powerful. It says to the other person “You matter. You have value just as you are.” It says “I am interested in learning about you, your story and your culture. And I am interested in what your voice might have to say to me”.

The Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to communicate in the languages of others. Communicating the Gospel message was never about insisting on one language. Unless, of course, that language was love.

The Prayers
Prepared by Veronica H.

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

O God, the creator and preserver of us all, we pray for all your people throughout the world at this time especially where the pandemic is particularly strong in places like India and Yemen. Guide those in authority to work in partnership with all, especially the poorer parts of the world, to share the vaccines that are being developed. Guide them also to seek peace where there is war, especially in the Middle East, support the cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinians, and bring aid to all who are suffering where there is conflict or natural disaster.
Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

At this time of Pentecost we pray for the Church worldwide, for our Archbishops, for Bishops Pete and Sophie in our Diocese, and all clergy and lay people working in their communities witnessing to your love to all your people. May the power of the Holy Spirit move all Christians to seek to live according to the teachings of Christ, and work together for the good of all the peoples of the world.
Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for our city and community. We pray that you will inspire successful new councillors, Mayors and Police and Crime Commissioners with wisdom and common sense to work for the good of all in their community. We give thanks for all the volunteers who give their time to provide support to NHS workers delivering the vaccine programme. We ask your blessing on teachers and children, now back in school, trying to catch up after all the disruption of the last year.
Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are ill at this time, suffering from corona virus or other conditions, who have had to wait longer for treatment than normal. Be with them all, and all who work in the NHS, that they may know your care and healing grace. In a moment of quiet we remember by name those known to us who are suffering at this time.
Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We remember those who have gone before us in the peace of Christ. Grant us with them a share in your eternal kingdom. In a moment of quiet we remember those we have known and loved.
Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

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

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

‘Love One Another’ – 9th May 2021 – 6th Sunday of Easter

Posted on by St Mary's

The order of service in Microsoft Word format:

21 05 09 6th Sunday of Easter Eucharist

The order of service in pdf format:

21 05 09 6th Sunday of Easter Eucharist

The livestream can be found here:

The Readings

Acts 10.44-end

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, ‘Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.

John 15.9-17

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

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

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 - Love One Another
By Joe P, St. Mary's

May I speak in the name of the father, son and Holy Spirit

There is a popular, is somewhat irreverent Internet meme which features a picture of Jesus speaking to a crowd of followers.  He is saying ‘Love one another, as I have loved you’.  And the audience, after a moment of silence, start with the questions…’But he’s a Samaritan…that one’s a Roman…a Tax Collector…He’s a foreigner…he lays with men…she’s a prostitute….you can’t mean we should love these people?’ A stone-faced Jesus is seen in the meme saying ‘Did I stammer? What part of Love one another didn’t you get?’

Those of you who know the mean will also have probably encountered some versions where Jesus’s last question to his followers is not at all suitable for Church.

‘Love one another, as I have loved you’

This lies at the centre of todays reading from the Gospel according to John.  It’s not the only time that Jesus teaches us the overwhelming importance of love.    In the Gospel according to Matthew, we read:

'Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”'

He we’re told that that we should ‘Love our neighbour as yourself’ – which is great as far as it goes.  But many of us have trouble loving ourselves – sometimes we may have problems even liking ourselves.  In today’s reading Jesus sets a high bar for how we should love each other.

We are expected to love one another with the same limitless, overwhelming love that Jesus felt for his friends and followers.

I have a number of friends – and extended family members – who’re agnostic or atheist and who have been known to ask me to sum up Christianity for them.  I give them a short answer; “Love God, love one another, and don’t be an idiot.”  (Although I have been known to use stronger words than idiot…)

Jesus’s teachings point us towards God; they are of the Jewish tradition that would be understood by all in the society in which He lived.  But His lived out love.  He healed the sick, raised the dead, fed the hungry, challenged society’s view of what people were worth.

He tells his followers that they’re not his slaves or servants, but they are his friends.  It’s worth considering what this would mean in society.  If you were recognised as a friend of the king or other senior official then you had a degree of social cachet; you would also be in that enviable position of being able to make suggestions to the King.  And in this case, the King just happens to be the Son of God.

WE have been chosen to be Jesus’s friends, and we’re told that to remain in that friendship, we are to follow His commandments, like He followed the commandments of His Father.  And being a friend of Christ can be a very serious – in some cases deadly serious - business:

In our scripture, Jesus says:

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. “

He knows that soon He will be crucified; He lays down His life so that the scriptures will be fulfilled.  What are we to make of this? How can we love to this degree?  This is a question many followers of Christ have considered.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German Lutheran Pastor, theologian and anti-Nazi activist was executed in Flossenburg concentration camp in April 1945.  He wrote:

“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”

As with many statements we encounter in theology, it’s not quite what it seems. Bonhoeffer went on to say “It may be a death like that of the first disciples who had to leave home and work to follow him, or it may be a death like Luther’s, who had to leave the monastery and go out into the world.”  Basically, the death Bonhoeffer wrote about was the death of losing our attachment to the everyday world. We start to do this at the start of our journey with Christ, not at the end of our lives.

What can we do in our lives to love people in a Christ-like manner – that is, to love in such a way that we remain in friendship with Christ?

We have to give something of ourselves up – the metaphorical or occasionally literal death that Bonhoeffer mentions.  Just as Jesus gave His life for us, to retain his friendship we need to sacrifice something of ourselves.

Like I said – loving in a Christ-like manner is a serious business.  For us in our daily lives, though, it’s relatively easy to start by remembering that love is not just a feeling, it’s a verb.  It’s something you do.

We are called upon to love lavishly, extravagantly.  This isn’t always easy, and sometimes we will find it impossible.  After all, we’re only human.  But we should try.

We should love when the recipient of our love can do us no favours.  After all, Jesus loves us in that way; we’re all sinners, broken, but Jesus loves us all the same and His grace saves us.

We need to love when we don’t necessarily feel like it.  Jesus spent time at the very end of his life explaining the importance of love to his friends and followers.  He was about to die in a humiliating and horrific manner, and yet he spent time expressing His love.

The last year has made us all question what it means to love.  Suddenly loving someone has meant staying away from them. We have worked out new ways of loving our neighbours as ourselves. We have worked out new ways of loving God.  We have often found ourselves loving – and being loved - in a sacrificial manner, where love is expressed in a way that doesn’t necessarily benefit the lover.

As we return to a world more like we had before Covid-19, it’s going to be more important than ever to continue to love all around us in a Christ-like way; our challenge is to remain friends with Jesus through expressing whatever forms of sacrificial love we can.

Amen

The Prayers
Prepared by Catherine B

The Holy Spirit filled those who heard Peter proclaiming the gospel, and so they were baptised. Let us pray for those from several different churches preparing for their baptism or confirmation on Thursday at St. Mark’s, that they might be filled with the Spirit too.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

The Apostles looked outwards from Jerusalem towards the whole world.  As our own country gradually eases out of lock-down, let us look outwards too, and pray for all those countries overwhelmed by Covid infection: India, Brazil.  Let us pray too for all living here who have friends and relatives in those countries.  We pray too for the people of Mexico following the recent bridge collapse, thinking of those who have been killed, bereaved or injured.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

The Apostles worked together to serve others.  Let us pray for those newly elected or re-elected in Thursday’s elections, and pray that they might work together to serve their community with wisdom and compassion.  We pray too for the work of Christian Aid, and for all the fund-raising initiatives being conducted locally during Christian Aid Week.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Jesus commanded his followers to love one another.  We pray for those whom we love, especially those who are struggling with sickness, isolation or to cope with day-to-day life at the moment.  In a few moments’ quiet, we bring before God those known particularly to us.  We ask for God’s healing presence upon all who need it.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Jesus overcame death, that we might have eternal life.  We pray for those who have died.  In a few moments’ quiet we remember anyone known to us whose earthly life has been completed and we see no more.  We pray for all who mourn at this time, naming in our hearts anyone known particularly to us.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

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

 

Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is used here is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000

 

25th April 2021 – 4th Sunday of Easter

Posted on by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 4.5-12

The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, ‘By what power or by what name did you do this?’ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is

“the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
it has become the cornerstone.”

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.’

 

John 10.11-18

‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.’

 

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

 

The Prayers
Prepared by Oli Giles

Risen Jesus, in this Eastertide, as we continue to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, help us to appreciate the beauty of Spring, and of new life bursting around us. Help us to be open to the colours and smells of the wild flowers, the orchestra of birdsong, and the longer, lighter days that give us the energy for new ideas.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Risen Jesus, As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to bring an enormous burden of disease globally, as well as thousands of deaths every day, help us to hold in our thoughts and our hearts the countries around the world who have poorly resourced healthcare systems, and help us to be with those who are grieving the loss of loved ones.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Risen Jesus, with the easing of national restrictions, keep us thankful when restarting forgotten activities, and seeing our loved ones again after so long. Help us to be kind to our planet, being mindful of how we can reduce our carbon footprint with these renewed freedoms.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Risen Jesus, as the May Elections draw closer, help us work in partnership with those who are elected. Be with the new councillors as they make important decisions, discerning your wisdom and listening to their ward’s residents.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Risen Jesus, your resurrection brought hope to early Christians in dark and difficult times. Help us to be hopeful in responding to the challenges in our lives, as well as bringing the joy and hope of your resurrection to all those we meet.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

‘Death and Resurrection’ – 11th April 2021 – 2nd Sunday of Easter

Posted on by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 4.32-35

Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

John 20.19-end

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

 

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 Reverend Alan Billings

What is the Easter faith that will sustain the head of our church, the Queen, this Sunday?

What Easter does, or should do, is make us think first about what comes before Christ's resurrection, namely his death. Not so much the manner of his death, which was horrible, but the fact of it. Christ died.

We live at a time when the society around us has largely lost its hold on Christian faith. It is secular. We don't always appreciate what that means. But one thing it means is that people now struggle to give death any kind of positive meaning.

For the secular person, the death of a human being is no different from the death of any other living thing – whether a flower, a bird, an animal. Or for that matter, a virus.

Human death is about annihilation. Everlasting unconsciousness and an end of all that we thought important for our life, especially our relationships and the love between us. The love between us and our partner, our children, our grandchildren, our friends, our God. Death sweeps it all away.

This is hard to think about; and most of the time we don't, until we have to. Even then we find ways of not doing it.

So those diagnosed with a terminal illness will often put themselves through every kind of medical intervention possible, however grim, in order to prolong life by a little more and put off thinking about the inevitable end of all our lives.

And those who arrange non-religious funerals will avoid drawing attention to the awful truth that the one we love and the relationship we had with them is no more. They do that by only looking back over the life – because there can be no looking forward – and trying to make the mood of mourners as upbeat as possible.

I went to such a funeral a few years ago. We were told not to wear black but vibrant colours. It was to be a celebration of the person's life. So we looked back. There were a few serious moments but mainly a lot of amusing stories. We almost forgot there was a coffin in the room.

Some one did say that this person will live on in our memories – another evasion. But as Woody Allen said, ‘I don’t want to live on in your memory. I want to live on in my apartment.’

In funerals of that kind it's almost impossible to express the kind of deep sorrow and sadness, the pain, the loneliness, some may be feeling. Sadness is almost out of place.

At no point did anyone break the spell by saying – as the principal mourner does in the film 4 weddings and a funeral:

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone...*

The last place for any profound thinking about death is the modern secular funeral. And that is serious because it leaves us unprepared for our own death.

This is not to say we shouldn't be able to remember good times and funny moments at a funeral. But it shouldn't become a complete substitute for thinking about the reality – that this person is gone from our life for ever.

Unless, that is, there is more to be said.

At Eastertide the church says, there is more to be said. And the gospel passages we hear read Sunday by Sunday tell us about that more, taking us gently through the experiences of the first followers of Jesus as they slowly, slowly come to change their perspective and realise that although Christ died there can be a looking forward as well as a looking back.

God did not leave Jesus in death but brought him through it – which is what we mean by resurrection.

The promise for us is that as we, or our loved ones, come to die we do not just look back, we can look forward, even if we cannot know or hardly begin to imagine, what that resurrection life might be like.

In the light of the resurrection of Jesus, we think about death and respond to it differently. We can acknowledge those deep feelings of loss and loneliness. We don't have to pretend that death is anything other than a disaster, a time when we lose one another. But we can also light a candle and say a prayer. For a human death is not the equivalent of the death of a flower or a bird.

For Christ has been raised and we shall be raised. In God's nearer presence we shall know ourselves again and we shall know one another. Christ is risen. Death has no more dominion over him. Or us.

This is the Easter faith we share with The Queen.

 

*The full quotation from the WH Auden poem used in the film has been omitted here for copyright reasons

The Prayers
Prepared by David C, Lay Reader

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

Most merciful God,
whose wisdom is beyond our understanding,
surround the Queen and the Royal Family with your love,
that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss,
but have confidence in your goodness,
and strength to meet the days to come.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.

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

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

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

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

Jesus, the resurrection and the life,
we give you thanks for all who have lived and believed in you
We remember your servant Philip
who has gone before us with the sign of faith
and now rests in the sleep of peace.
According to your promises,
grant to him and to all who rest in Christ,
refreshment, light and peace;
through the same Christ our Lord.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us,
accept our prayers, and be with us always.
Amen.

21st March 2021 – Passion Sunday

Posted on by St Mary's

The Readings

Jeremiah 31.31-34

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord’, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

 

John 12.20-33

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.

‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.

 

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.

The Sermon
By the Revd Canon Julian Sullivan.

God’s Passion

We are all inspired by visionary people, original thinkers who create something out of nothing, turning the equivalent of base metal into gold. The kind of people who found pioneering institutions, start drama festivals, develop new forms of health care and innovative charities, make whole businesses out of nothing, invent life-saving devices, produce works of great art. Trevor Bayliss, invented the wind up radio, wind up torch and solar radio for use in countries where electricity is rare. Andrew Mawsom created a vibrant community centre out of a decaying church at Bromley by Bow in East London with the church at the heart of it. Julia Middleton started Common Purpose, a community leadership programme which has influenced decision makers everywhere.

You can read more in Charles Handy’s Book The New Alchemists, where he identifies three common characteristics of the entrepreneurs I have named above. Passion or determination, Creativity or seeing things with fresh eyes and Tenacity or persistence. Alchemy, building something out of nothing is not a chance affair - unless you care passionately about your enterprise it is unlikely to take wings and fly. We are made in the image of God who is the ultimate alchemist, creating out of nothing! He has invested himself wholeheartedly in his creation, with passion, just as an artist, musician, sports person is fully immersed in their
pursuit. Find the passion - find the champion.

Yet we know that creation is marred, diminished and disfigured in so many ways. If something you have lovingly created and care for is defaced, how do you feel? Can we stretch our imagination to ponder how God sees the defilement of humanity, made in his image, or the natural world, over which we are given the responsibility of stewardship? Perhaps we can begin to understand the passion of God’s purpose in redemption. The reshaping of a new heaven and a new earth. The renewing of hearts and minds - ransomed healed, restored, forgiven.

The Passion of Christ is used in particular to refer to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus which comes into focus on this Passion Sunday as we prepare to mark the events of holy Week and Easter, beginning with the arrival of Jesus the Messiah into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. All through his life and ministry we find clues directing our thoughts towards his passion. Simeon’s words to Mary that a sword will pierce her heart.” His own words full of portent: “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, be rejected … and killed and on the third day be raised.” His hearers did not understand what he was saying at the time, but now his words are coming to reality in the journey to Jerusalem, Gethsemane and Golgotha. Through it all we see the passion of his heavenly father: “God so loved the work that he gave his only son so that we
should not perish but have everlasting life.”

God’s purpose from all eternity is to heal what is sick, to mend what is broken, release captives, free the oppressed, like the potter to begin again with the misshapen clay on the wheel. God’s passionate purpose, inspired by love, is now revealed in human history and reaches towards its dramatic climax, as Paul records:

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself, and became obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross.” Phil 2:7-8.

Christ endures the cross as a passionate expression of God’s love for all he has made and his determination to rescue it from bondage to futility and decay. What is truly remarkable is that He begins that rescue mission with us, humanity just a little lower than the angels. Our reading from Jeremiah this morning contains a remarkable promise which resonates throughout the Old Testament. It is the promise of a new, secure relationship between God and his people, based not on laws that are easily broken, but by an unshakeable intimacy where “I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God and they shall be my people.” God makes a promise to change our hearts from stone, to hearts of flesh, after his own heart.

The hour has come

Greeks pilgrims ask to see Jesus: Philip and Andrew show some diffidence, perhaps because they are gentiles but Jesus gave them an audience in which he reveals that the long wait is coming to an end.

“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” (John 12:23)

We might think back to the wedding in Cana, where Mary mother asks him to intervene in an embarrassing situation. Jesus in emphatic: “This is no concern of mine - My hour has not yet come!” Yet that miracle is the first of his signs that reveal his glory. Jesus embraces our humanity, precious in God’s sight, transfigures it for God’s glory and pleasure and makes it fit for life and purpose beyond our imagining, like water transformed into the finest wine fit for the top table but actually available for everyone. With Mary and the disciples, we are left waiting and wondering when that hour will come and what it will mean. Like a recurring theme running through a piece of music, we hear snatches of a tune, as Jesus gradually reveals the reason for his coming, and what that means for all people.

But now the hour has come! The waiting is drawing to a close. But Jesus goes on to speak words that are difficult to hear:

“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies its bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it and those who hate their life in this world, will keep it for eternal life.” (John 24-25)

All around us, Spring is uncoiling and we discover again how everything has a passion for life, vibrating with energy. Many of us will be planting seeds, or nurturing young plants in greenhouses. Every year we experience the truth of Jesus’ words that a seed will remain just that, a seed, unless it falls into the earth and dies, in order to produce much fruit. But it is hard for us to hear that he equates the seed with our life in this world. “Those who love their life will lose it and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

Wrestling

I have always found this use of love and hate with regard to our life difficult to understand. But it is about priorities: Jesus is not telling us objectively to "hate" our lives. Rather, He urges us to put our priority, emphasis, and effort into the will of God. Those who want to cling to the world, instead of Christ, will find, like 007,James Bond, that the world, is not enough! Nothing in this world can ultimately satisfy our deepest spiritual longings, be it for justice, spiritual fulfilment, our own highest aspirations. As Augustine says “Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.” This life is not enough because we are created with passion for something greater, to follow Christ and imitate his sacrificial love.

Lent is an appropriate time to wrestle with these ideas. We belong to God’s kingdom which is our true home. To serve Christ and follow him means to live those values of the kingdom, both as a sign of what is to come and a present reality, reflecting the now-and-not-yet nature of God’s new creation. But living values of love, truth and justice is a challenging, costly enterprise, stretching us to live faithfully day by day. The rewards are high as we bring the light and salt of the gospel, to bear on the needs of our world. We are not alone. We are imitating Christ who himself wrestles with his own calling to do the will of his heavenly father. “Now my soul is troubled - Father save me from this hour - No it is for this reason that I have come to this hour!” In our lenten journey, we look forward with Jesus, to Jerusalem, Gethsemane and Golgotha.

Breaking out

This coming Tuesday 23rd March will mark the first anniversary of National Lockdown. It will be a day of remembrance and lament as we reflect on the terrible damage inflicted on our nation and on our world by Covid-19 Pandemic. We will not forget those who have died, over 125,000 in UK alone. We may think of those who contracted this disease, especially those with symptoms of Long Covid. We may remember those who face financial ruin or debt due to loss of jobs and businesses. We may pray for deprived urban communities, for families coping with hunger and destitution. It’s a day to pray for professionals in health, education and social care; for governments national and local. And indeed for our churches, where access has not been possible. It will be a day for us to stand with the disciples by the cross, to stay with Jesus and
unite ourselves in prayer with those damaged by the pandemic.

Bearing that in mind, it was a joy to witness, on YouTube or Zoom, the licensing this week of The Revd Sue Hammersley as Priest in Charge and The Revd Canon Dr Matthew Rhodes as associate Priest in Charge of St Mary’s Walkley by Bishop Sophie. It was an inspiring and uplifting service in which we heard how the church of St Mary’s Walkley sees itself. I think they speak for all of us:

They see themselves as a church that welcomes and includes everyone, in their uniqueness, lifting the lowly, feeding the hungry as only the body of Christ can. As Christ’s people, they aspire to be agents of God’s healing grace, offering the ‘balm of Jesus Christ’ to a wounded world, be it physical, emotional, relational, reconciling. St Mary’s is a eucharistic community giving thanks together in a shared meal in the presence of our crucified, risen, ascended Lord, at the heart of the people of God.

The world is not enough. It needs God’s passionate concern for alleviating the world’s suffering, working through his church. It needs the explosive presence of the seeing and liberating Spirit of God, in the midst of human life, bringing healing, wholeness and peace.

So let us pray for creativity, tenacity and Passion to be alchemists, taking base metal and turning it to gold through the transforming passion of Christ.

“The vitality and passion and wakefulness of God be mine
That I may be fully alive this day!!
Celtic Benediction J Philip Newell

Amen

The Prayers

Prepared by Catherine B

Christ, by your Passion
Write your covenant on our hearts.

We pray for the worldwide church,
for unity within its great diversity,
for co-operation wherever we can,
for open dialogue, mutual respect,
and the skills to disagree well
whenever we find things difficult.
We pray for Sue and Matthew,
now formally licensed
as our ordained ministers at St. Mary’s,
and for our sister churches
of St. Mark’s and St. John’s
as we prepare to re-open our church buildings for worship.

Christ, by your Passion
Write your covenant on our hearts.

We pray for the world,
for the people of Tanzania,
mourning the loss of president John Magufuli,
for the people of France,
entering another lock-down,
for war-stricken places
with no end to the violence in sight,
for areas of poverty and famine.

Christ, by your Passion
Write your covenant on our hearts.

We pray for our nation and local communities
for all those involved in administering the census
and those who will use the data
to make plans for the next decade.
For all those working in health and education
and in our shops and providing other essential services.
For all those striving to end violence.

Christ, by your Passion
Write your covenant on our hearts.

We pray for all who are ill or downhearted,
For the lonely and bereaved,
For those caring for sick friends or family members
We name in our hearts anyone particularly known to us...

Christ, by your Passion
Write your covenant on our hearts.

We remember those who have died
and pray for their loved ones,
Thinking of Sarah Everard
and all who have died at the hands of another person,
Thinking of those who have died
after illness or a long life.
Thinking of those known to our own community,
and, in particular, of Frank.

Christ, by your Passion
Write your covenant on our hearts.

As we begin to ponder more closely
Christ’s passion and death,
we think of that grain of wheat,
falling to the earth,
dying,
and the resulting new life
about to spring forth in abundance.
A year into the pandemic
we think of the many mini-deaths,
sacrifices,
and changes made
in our own lives
in our community
in our country
and worldwide over the past year
and pray that they too
might bring forth something new
and abundantly fruitful.

Christ, by your Passion
Write your covenant on our hearts. Amen.