17th March 2024 10.30am – 5th Sunday of Lent – Eucharist

Posted on March 17, 2024 by St Mary's

The Readings

Hebrews 5.5-10

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

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

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.

Scripture Quotations are from: New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

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

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

Please be seated.

Today’s reading from John presents us with a critical moment in
Jesus’s journey towards His passion – and in our Lenten journey
alongside of him. Previously in John 12, we’ve seen him raise Lazarus
from the dead, and come into Jerusalem for Passover on the back of
a young donkey. We’ve also seen how the news of this action
spreads amongst the people. And in the background, the Pharissee’s
who’ve been plotting how to get rid of this VERY turbulent priest, are
having to up their game.

Our reading from John begins with some Greeks seeking Jesus,
signalling that His message is for all humanity, not just the Jewish
people. Word of this great teacher has clearly spread outside Jewish
circles; one can see why the Pharisees are getting worried. But when
they’re introduced to Jesus by Andrew and Phillip, they must have
been surprised to find Jesus contemplating his own death. This
moment is a turning point, not only in Jesus' earthly ministry but also
in the understanding of what it means to follow Him. This passage,
alongside Hebrews 5:5-10, asks us to think on Jesus’ mission, His
obedience to God, and the path He lays out for His followers.
As is so often the case in His teachings, Jesus uses a parable; a grain
of wheat must fall to the ground and die before it can grow in to a
stalk of wheat bearing many, many more seeds. It’s a paradox;
through death comes life, through surrender comes victory.
Jesus says:

“Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in
this world will keep it for eternal life”

What does He mean here? I think He is telling us that if we love our
earthly life and all it’s trimmings, our possessions, our own way of
doing things – eventually all this will be lost to us when we die. But
should we choose to put less importance on our attachment to our
life in this world, we will benefit from the eternal life offered by
Christ’s teachings.

Jesus isn’t advocating some nihilistic dismissal of life; it’s precious.
But he emphasises a reorientation of priorities. Eternal life is to be
found in following Jesus, even if it leads to what the world considers
loss or even death.

When we ‘sign up’ to become a follower of Jesus, we are taking on a
massive commitment.

“Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will
my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will
honour.”

His followers were being asked to be with Jesus – where He is, they
will be. And we know that this will eventually lead to the Garden of
Gethsemane, to Calvary, and ultimately to eternal life.

But this – the way of the cross – is a tough journey. Today, we may
not necessarily be being asked to go to death, but we are being
asked to put our own will and desires to one side and follow more
fully Jesus’s teachings.

This call to discipleship is a call to the way of the cross—a path of
sacrifice, service, and ultimate glorification.

Jesus goes on to his followers, and the Greeks – sharing himself with
Jew and Gentile.

“‘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.”

Jesus knows what is coming, and he has a natural human aversion to
suffering and pain. But He remains steadfast in His obedience to His
Father. The voice from heaven that follows – heard by some
unbelievers as thunder - is not just for Jesus’ reassurance but for the
benefit of his followers. They are also being assured that Jesus' path
of suffering, and by implication their own, is indeed the path of
glorification ordained by God. The ones who hear thunder are not
yet on the path of following Christ.

In Hebrews 5:5-10, Christ's obedience, learned through suffering,
becomes the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him and
follow His teachings.

Jesus, though He was the Son of God, was also fully human and did
not find submitting to the will of God easy. It involved suffering,
humiliation and death which because of His humanity scared Jesus.
“In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and
supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was
able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his
reverent submission.”

But He did obey, and in doing so became the perfect high priest for
our salvation. Jesus met the requirements of God’s plans for our
salvation through His obedience, and showed us the deep love of
God for us, and what is involved in following Him – a literal or
spiritual ‘death of self will’.

Jesus has no illusions as to what fate befalls him.

"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to
myself."

The process of crucifixion starts with the cross on the ground and the
victim is secured to the cross, and then hoisted in to position. When
Jesus refers to his lifting up, he’s referring to the manner of his death
AND to His resurrection. This is the ultimate fulfillment of the
gospel's universal promise—the promise that in Jesus, all – jew and
Gentile - are invited into the family of God. It is no accident that
Greeks – gentiles – are specifically mentioned in this scripture.
Our readings today make it clear that being a disciple of Christ isn’t
easy.

Like the grain of wheat, we are called to die to ourselves—to our
desires, ambitions, and wills—in order to produce fruit in the
Kingdom of God by living lives of service, sacrifice and humility
following Jesus’s example.

Obedience to God often involves suffering. If the Son of God is
expected to suffer, we should expect nothing less in our own lives.
Like Jesus, we may be called to walk paths that are difficult and
painful – but that draw us closer to God, and allow us to share in
Jesus’s glorification.

As Christians, we need to be preaching the Gospel by the example of
our daily lives, to be seeds sown in the ground, dying to ourselves so
that we might bear much fruit for the Kingdom of God.
It’s not easy; but it’s what we’ve signed up for.
Amen.

The Prayers
Prepared by Kath.

God our Father, hear us when we pray to you faith. We give you thanks for this day, for our lives and the amazing world you have given us to live in. May we take the time to see and truly appreciate what we have. Help us to be good stewards and to look after it for this generation and the generations to come.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Father, we pray for your church throughout the world and for those of other faiths who worship you. May we find ways to live together peaceably and respectfully in your name.

We hold in our prayers all those who have suffered abuse within the church. For those deeply wounded and damaged by the actions of others and those whose faith and trust have been cruelly abused. Father, comfort all who suffer when old wounds are reopened and may they receive the kindness, patience and compassion they need to help them to heal.

We pray for all in our mission partnership giving thanks for the time, talents and gifts which our churches and communities benefit from. Today we pray for all here at St Mary’s as we undertake our APCM where we review what we have done and achieved over the past year and look to the year ahead of us. We give thanks for the work and dedication of all involved in the running of this church and our hall, especially members of the PCC, the various committees & groups and individuals who often work quietly behind the scenes to make St Mary’s the amazing place that it is. May they all know that they are appreciated.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our very troubled world and all peoples, especially those suffering because of wars, oppression, natural & human-made disasters, political & economic strife and great need for the basics of life. Father, guide us to know what is right and strengthen us to work together for it, so that everyone’s needs are met and we can live in peace. Bless all who strive for these things and support us in our efforts.

Especially we pray for people of all faiths in Gaza & Israel, the people of Haiti, the people of Nigeria and the people of Ukraine & Russia. Father, be with all who are courageous in standing against tyranny.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are ill and those who are nearing the end of their lives. May they receive the care, comfort and compassion they need. We pray for those who accompany them on their journey who also need to be supported.

By name we pray for Anne & Michael & their family, for Chris, for Rebecca and for Linda.

In a moment of quiet let us call to mind anyone known to us who is in special need of our prayers at this time and let us also pray for ourselves and our own concerns and needs.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We remember all who have died, some recently and some long ago. We pray that they are at peace and that those who love and miss them will be comforted and cared for in their grief. We give thanks for the lives of Alexei Navalny and Dave Myers.

Again in a short time of quiet let us remember those special to us who are no longer with us.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

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

10th March 2024 10.30am – Mothering Sunday – Eucharist

Posted on March 10, 2024 by St Mary's

The Readings

Colossians 3.12-17

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Luke 2.33-35

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

The Prayers
Prepared by Veronica.

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

Oh God, as we remember Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, we ask that all of us, called to
be mothers, may follow her example of devotion to Him throughout his life on earth. She accepted
the great task to which she had been called, she cared for him throughout his childhood, and
remained with Him to the hour of his death, for her, no doubt a very distressing time. Help us to
remember the model of motherhood she set before us.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the world, and for all those places where there is war and conflict. We remember in
particular all the mothers who have lost their own lives in Israel, Gaza and Ukraine, or have lost their
children during those wars. We pray that all those conflicts will be resolved with the help of the
United Nations and other international bodies, so that all families may again live in peace and
harmony.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all families known to us where they are embarking on the gift of parenthood. Give all
mothers and fathers the patience and tolerance they are going to need, and the wisdom to bring up
their children in the way of love and caring for others.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our own mothers, whether still with us, or have passed on to your nearer presence. We
thank you for all they have meant to us, and pray that we may also pass on to our own children the
values they will need in their lives.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We remember all who are ill or unwell at this time. We ask you to be with them and help them to
cope with pain and illness, as they undergo medical treatment. We pray for their families and
medical staff that they are able to deal with the stress at this time. We keep a moment of silence to
think of them………..
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who have died, recently or many years ago, particularly our mothers and fathers who
are no longer with us. May they continue to live in our hearts and minds. Be with those who mourn
the loss of a loved one at this time as we think of those no longer with us…………
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

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

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

3rd March 2024 10.30am – 3rd Sunday of Lent – Eucharist

Posted on March 3, 2024 by St Mary's

The Readings

1 Corinthians 1.18-25

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,
‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.’
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

John 2.13-22

The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money-changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, ‘Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a market-place!’ His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’ The Jews then said to him, ‘What sign can you show us for doing this?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?’ But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

The Prayers
Prepared by Joe.

We pray for the Church of Christ, for Bishop Pete and Bishop Sophie,
our Archbishops Justin and Stephen, all here who lead us in worship
and prayer, and all those whose time and talents are given to St
Mary’s, St John’s and St Mark’s. We pray for those who lead your
Church in Gaza, the wider middle east and Ukraine.
Lord, hear us:
Lord graciously hear us.

Like Jesus in the Temple, may we be brave enough to do what is right
when we are called upon to do it.
And may we have faith in the power and wisdom of God to direct us
in our thoughts and actions.
Lord, hear us:
Lord graciously hear us.

We pray all those wounded, suffering, imprisoned and displaced in
Gaza, that the current crisis may be brought to a just and peaceful
conclusion. We pray for those who have died in this conflict, and the
wider conflicts in the Middle East. We pray for the people of Ukraine
and hope for a just and peaceful resolution to that conflict.
Lord, hear us:
Lord graciously hear us.

We pray for our community here in Walkley, and for the city of
Sheffield, and for our neighbours and friends. We keep in our
prayers those who are homeless at this time. We pray that during
this season we remember all those less fortunate than ourselves and
do what we can to support them.
We pray for those in politics and leadership; we pray that they act
and speak wisely with thought about the implications and possible
impact of what they say, and that they speak wisely and truthfully.
Lord, hear us:
Lord graciously hear us.

We pray for the aged and infirm, and those sick in mind, body or
spirit, and those who find life especially difficult at this time. We pray
that you bring them strength, healing, and peace. In a few moments
of silence, we think of those we know who need your healing
presence in their lives.
Lord, hear us:
Lord graciously hear us.

We pray for those currently 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.
Lord, hear us:
Lord graciously hear us.

Finally, Lord, we silently bring before you those special to us, and
those issues and concerns that we have in our own lives.
Lord, hear us:
Lord graciously hear us.

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

25th February 2024 10.30am – 2nd Sunday of Lent – Eucharist

Posted on February 25, 2024 by St Mary's

The Readings

Romans 4.13-25

For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, ‘I have made you the father of many nations’)—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become ‘the father of many nations’, according to what was said, ‘So numerous shall your descendants be.’ He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Therefore his faith ‘was reckoned to him as righteousness.’ Now the words, ‘it was reckoned to him’, were written not for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.

Mark 8.31-38

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’ He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’

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

“Preach with the Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other!”

This advice is often given to preachers. Look at what’s in the news and then explore what insights the
Bible might be able to offer to situations in the world today.

This week’s news has focused on the death of the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Navalny loved his country. He longed for a day when Russian people could prosper freely under a fair
democracy. A time without corruption. A day when you could safely disagree with those in power. He
spoke out. And he suffered. Having survived one assassination attempt, people urged him not to return to
Russia. But he thought it hypocritical to oppose the regime from the safety of somewhere else. So he
went back, was arrested, imprisoned, tried, convicted and sent to Siberia. And now he has died. Navalny
fought for truth and justice, put himself in danger...and paid the ultimate price.

I wonder if any of you, thought that today’s gospel reading seemed quite apt for this week’s news? What
might it have to say for this situation?

“Who do people say that I am?” Jesus has asked his disciples a few verses earlier.
“John the Baptist” they reply. “Or Elijah maybe – or one of the prophets”.
Understandable answers. Jesus has indeed been behaving very much like any one of these people.
“Who do YOU say that I am?” Jesus then asks.
Peter is quick to answer
“You are the Messiah!”
Jesus then orders them not to tell anyone. Why?

Life under Roman occupation is challenging. Its so-called “peace” is maintained by effective, but brutal
laws and a punitive tax system. Worship is permitted but heavily regulated. The prophets have told of a
Messiah who will rise up and defeat the oppressor. The people of Jesus’ time, including Peter and the
others, assume this Messiah will be a warrior, who will bring about God’s justice, defeating the Romans
through force, as did the kings of old.

Jesus, however, has quite a different understanding of “Messiah”. And it’s important that the disciples see
this understanding before they tell other people. Today’s reading is the first of three attempts by Jesus to
explain to them what being the Messiah really means.

The disciples don’t get it. A Messiah who will be arrested, tried, tortured and killed, who would then arise
again after three days? This does not compute. The first time they hear this teaching, Peter takes Jesus
aside and tries to argue with him. But Jesus rebukes him quite publicly, even calling him Satan. When
Jesus brings up the subject again a little further on in the gospel, none of the disciples dare to question
him. They are too scared.

What does Jesus mean by “Messiah”?

Last week we heard of how after his baptism, Jesus was then driven by the Holy Spirit into the
wilderness, where he stayed for forty days and was tempted by Satan. He then goes back to Galilee
preaching the good news of God. People should repent because God’s kingdom is near. Jesus
demonstrates this by healing the sick, driving out evil spirits, feeding the hungry and teaching with
authority. The Messiah is God in person, come among them, doing what God does.

Human kingdoms come and go. The Roman Empire is one such kingdom, it lasts for a while in time and
space. But God’s kingdom is outside time and space and for all eternity. But Jesus’ disciples can’t see
that yet. The religious authorities and Roman rulers can’t see it either. They see in Jesus a political and
religious agitator that must be stopped. The human kingdom will come into conflict with God’s eternal
kingdom. And Jesus knows this, which is why he foretells his suffering and death. And why he tells
anyone wishing to be his follower to expect the same treatment.

Alexei Navalny was not the Messiah. He was a human being, fighting against a brutal and unjust human
regime. He hoped to make a political difference in his country here and now. But like Jesus, Navalny
understood that sometimes you have to put your own life aside in order to try to make life better for
others. Like Jesus, he did this with seriousness, but also with humour. Like Jesus, he did this with love.
Jesus and Navalny knew they would suffer for their actions. But there’s one crucial difference - Jesus
also foretold that the Messiah would rise again after three days. And that it was only through his death
AND resurrection that God’s kingdom could fully come to pass. For you can’t keep God down.

The Prayers
Prepared by David - to be added shortly

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

We pray for your world, for those places where human greed and corruption cause damage to the beauty of creation. We pray for those who suffer due to violence and hatred. We pray for peace, for understanding between peoples and a respect for your creation.
Lord of compassion,
in your mercy hear us.

We pray for your church, that it may faithfully witness to the gospel throughout the world. We pray for Pete and Sophie our bishops, our partner churches, St Marks and St Johns, and all who share our common life here at St Marys.
Lord of compassion,
in your mercy hear us.

We pray for our communities, for our homes and places of work, our schools and universities, our social networks and clubs. May they be places of welcome, hospitality and friendship. We pray for our community of Walkley, for our shared life together and for fruitful partnerships.
Lord of compassion,
in your mercy hear us.

We pray for those who suffer in body, mind or spirit. The ill, the lonely, the anxious and the depressed. We pray for knowledge of your presence alongside those who suffer. We give thanks for those who heal and care for others, for their skill and dedication.
Lord of compassion,
in your mercy hear us.

We pray for those who have died, those from our own lives who we have loved and see no longer, and those who have died in this past night with no one to pray for them. We give thanks that they lived and pray for those who mourn their loss.
Lord of compassion,
in your mercy hear us.

We pray for ourselves, for all that lies ahead in the coming week, help us to know you are with us throughout our daily lives.
Lord of compassion,
in your mercy hear us.

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

18th February 2024 10.30am – 1st Sunday of Lent – Eucharist

Posted on February 18, 2024 by St Mary's

The Readings

1 Peter 3.18-22

For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight people, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

Mark 1.9-15

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’
And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’

The Prayers
Prepared by Joe - to be added shortly

We pray for the Church of Christ, for Bishop Pete and Bishop Sophie,
our Archbishops Justin and Stephen, all here who lead us in worship
and prayer, and all those whose time and talents are given to St
Mary’s, St John’s and St Mark’s.
Lord, meet us in the silence:
give us strength and hear our prayer.

Lord, as we enter into the quiet and thoughtful Season of Lent, we
pray that we have the strength, patience and courage to give up
what really matters for Lent; anger, greed, hatred and turning our
backs on your teachings. We pray that through our Lenten discipline
we learn how to give ourselves to you and to your service in the
world. We pray for those preparing to enter the body of your Church
through Confirmation and Baptism at this time.
Lord, meet us in the silence:
give us strength and hear our prayer.

Finally, Lord, we silently bring before you those special to us, and
those issues and concerns that we have in our own lives.
Lord, meet us in the silence:
give us strength and hear our prayer.

14th February 2024 7.30pm – Ash Wednesday – Eucharist

Posted on February 14, 2024 by St Mary's

The Readings

2 Corinthians 5.20b-6.10

We entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says,
‘At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
and on a day of salvation I have helped you.’
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labours, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honour and dishonour, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Matthew 6.1-6, 16-21

‘Beware of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

‘So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
‘And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

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

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

Treasure is such an evocative word isn’t it? What do you think of when you hear it? Old English coins found buried in a field? Spanish galleons stuffed with gold and silver chased by pirates? Chests of jewels: diamonds, rubies and emeralds? Or something else?

In ancient societies treasure was stored in palaces and temples, under guard, and these places were often plundered when nations fought, or were the target of the thieves Jesus refers to in our Gospel reading.

To store up treasures for ourselves in secure places is a fairly human thing to do. It’s part of how we are wired. Like many other mammals we have a need to ensure we have sufficient to eat and drink and live comfortably. In our society that means having enough to pay for those necessities of life. There is nothing inherently wrong with ensuring we, and those we care for have enough to live. We might think that there is a ceiling to this though. That we reach a level of comfort and don’t need any more money or things.

There was a survey conducted of the ultrarich in the 1990s. They were interviewed and found to suffer from high levels of anxiety related to not having enough money. There were asked how much would you need to be financially secure? Those worth 1 million dollars said 2 million. Those worth 10 million said 20 million and those worth 100 million said 200 million. However much treasure they had, it wasn’t enough. They were still afraid of moth, rust and thieves. Make of that what you will.

But treasure doesn’t have to be something of great monetary value. In the bible treasure is also used to describe something less tangible, like wisdom, the message of the gospel, the kingdom of heaven or people such as the nation of Israel.

I wrote this sermon sat a few feet away from a cardboard box, several of them in fact. This one is different from the others. As well as carrying the name Panasonic, the electronics company that made the video cassette recorder it previously contained, it has written on it the words “Jean’s treasures”. The contents belonged to my mother, who kept things she placed value on. I haven’t fully unpacked it, but most of the items it contains relate to her father. There are notebooks and tools, he was a carpenter by trade, postcards of Italy and North Africa, he served in World War 2, and a carved woodcut he made of the crest of the Royal Engineers.

These were things she cared about, not because they have monetary value or are particularly shiny, but because they belonged to someone she loved and cared for. There were other boxes, old exercise books and children’s art made by my sister and I, or photos of us all as a family, on our own, or with various friends.

Treasure doesn’t have to be worth money to be valued highly. It can have an emotional value due to where it’s come from and who it’s associated with.

We gather possessions, some may have monetary value, others emotional value. This is part of the human condition. Having possessions, to a degree, isn’t an issue for God. Greed, craving more or trying to hold on to all of them is.

I will let some of these possessions go, not because I’m particularly holy or good at shedding possessions, but because they don’t have the same emotional value for me that they did for mum. And what I consider treasure now will likely find its way on eBay or be thrown away after I’m gone.

Our treasures, whether of monetary or emotional value will pass away. Postcards fade, wood rots, metal rusts.
So what does storing treasures in heaven look like? And why heaven?

Store up treasures in heaven because, unlike the palaces and temples of old or the banks and safety deposit boxes of the now, God ensures no moth or rust will consume, and no thief will come in and steal.

What do heavenly treasures look like? Our Gospel gives us some good pointers. Give generously to those who need it and pray privately and humbly. Other than that I recommend some light reading for Lent and suggest Matthew 25.31-40, the parable of the Sheep and the Goats.

Here we will find what God expects us to treasure.

11th February 2024 10.30am – Sunday next before Lent – Eucharist

Posted on February 11, 2024 by St Mary's

The Readings

2 Corinthians 4.3-6

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Mark 9.2-9

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

The Sermon
By the Revd Canon Dr Alan Billings.

Some years ago, I remember watching an interview on Channel 4 television
which moved me very much.

The interviewer was Melvyn Bragg, the broadcaster. The person being
interviewed was Dennis Potter, a writer, well-known at that time for his
television plays. Those among us of a certain age may recall ‘The Singing
Detective’.

Melvyn Bragg – whose daughter, by the way, is an Anglican priest – knew
that when he interviewed Dennis Potter it would be the last interview Potter
would give, because he was dying. He had an incurable pancreatic cancer
and died a few weeks later.

Bragg asked Potter how he was doing which prompted him to say how, when
you only have limited time left, you learn to live, as he put it, in the Now.
He sits, he said, at his desk and writes, looking out of the window into his
garden. Then he spoke about how recently, as he looked out, he saw a tree:
“...at this season, the blossom is out in full bloom … It’s a plum tree. It looks
like apple blossom, but its white, and looking at it, instead of saying, ‘Oh,
that’s nice blossom’.... last week, looking at it through the window... I see it is
the whitest, frothiest, blossomest blossom that there ever could be … The
nowness of everything is absolutely wondrous, and if people could see that,
you know. There’s no way of telling you; you have to experience it, but the
glory of it, if you like, the comfort of it, the reassurance.”

When I first heard him speak like this about the plum tree in blossom – the
whitest, the frothiest, blossomest blossom that there ever could be - I thought
immediately of today’s gospel.

Potter sees his plum tree transfigured. It’s the same old plum tree as it ever
was, but having but a short time to live, living therefore in the Now, he had
this remarkable experience: ‘...the whitest, frothiest, blossomest blossom that
ever could be ...’

All because his illness caused him to focus absolutely on the Now of the
present moment.

I think something like this happens to the disciples with Jesus on the
mountain. They have put aside the everyday concerns and for a little while
they live in what Dennis Potter called the Now. Their focus is on the one who
has brought them there, and as they look towards him his garments became
glistening, intensely white, as no fuller on earth could bleach them.

The blossom of the plum tree became the whitest, the frothiest, blossomest
blossom that ever could be.

And as Jesus is transfigured before them, the disciples are transported to
another level of understanding. Jesus is not just another teacher, another
rabbi, but one who embodies in his own person the authority of the moral law,
the Torah, which Moses brought to the Jews, and the authority of the
prophets, who taught what the Torah meant for everyday living, as Elijah did,
the greatest of the prophets.

Potter spoke about how wondrous his experience was, and the glory of it, and
the comfort and reassurance.

I think the disciples experienced all of that on the mountain: the
wondrousness; the glory; and the comfort. And it was all a great reassurance
– a reassurance that they were right to put their trust in Jesus. That he was
the one who was to come.

And there was something else that Dennis Potter showed to me in that
interview. It was this: that these moments of transfiguration are not
experiences of a religious past, but experiences that any of us might have at
any time. When something happens that absolutely holds our attention and
we are for the moment living in the moment, in the Now, we too can know
these experiences of transfiguration.

His garments became glistening, intensely white, as no fuller on earth could
bleach them. The blossom was the whitest, the frothiest, blossomest blossom
that ever could be.

I don’t know whether we can make these moments of transfiguration happen
– by taking ourselves off to somewhere quiet, perhaps. In this church. When
we sing or pray. I don’t know whether we can make them happen or whether
they just happen, catch us out perhaps. But when they do happen let us
recognise them for what they are and be glad in them: the wondrousness; the
glory; the comfort.

Moments of transfiguration that reassure us that this is God’s world and it is
good.

We need those moments of reassurance when we come down from the
mountain and return to business as usual in the plain.

The Prayers
Prepared by Veronica.

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

Oh God, as we prepare for Lent and think of Good Friday to come, we ask for your grace that we
may observe Lent dutifully. May we keep to any disciplines we have decided to maintain, and also
reach out to help those in need of support.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the peace of the world, especially in those places where there is currently war. We pray
especially for the Holy Land, that Israelis and Palestinians and surrounding countries may learn to
accommodate each other, rather than try to dominate. We pray also for Ukraine, that Putin may
accept that country’s right to decide for itself how it wants to be ruled.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray that humankind may learn to cherish your earth before it is too late, and that the richer
countries of the world will take measures to protect poorer areas in tropical zones to relieve global
warming, by switching to more environmentally sources of energy.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the City of Sheffield, and all who are working to make it an even better place to live. We
give you thanks for our suburb of Walkley, and all its organisations working together to improve it
still further.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We ask your blessing on all who are ill at this time, and also all who are caring for them, both family
and professional health workers. We remember the king at this time, and all other sufferers of
cancer. In a moment of quiet we think of those known to us…………
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who have died recently, whether from advanced age, illness or warfare. We entrust
them all, and all who mourn to your tender care…………….
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

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

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

4th February 2024 10.30am – 2nd Sunday Before Lent

Posted on February 4, 2024February 7, 2024 by St Mary's

The Readings

Colossians 1.15-20

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

John 1.1-14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

The Sermon
By Shan R

Lord, open our eyes to your presence, open our minds to your grace, open our lips to your praises,
open our hearts to your love, open our lives to your healing, and be found among us. Amen.

Our Gospel reading today is one many of us associate with midnight mass at Christmas, a time
when we gather with a sense of anticipation and expectancy, waiting for that moment that the clock
strikes midnight and Christmas truly begins as Jesus’s presence in the world is announced.

Through his incarnation, Jesus was revealed to us, the Word made flesh, the light of the world, the
revealer of the heart and mind of God. In Jesus, we discover a teacher and a saviour who came to
comfort us with love and light before challenging and commissioning us to share that love and light
with others.

Nothing can take away the presence of God in our lives or our communities across the world. It’s
easy for me to say this when I’ve got a roof over my head, a regular income, food, clean water,
physical security, family and friends, health and a sense of purpose.

Some of you may well be asking, where can I find God when I’m sad, sick, anxious or lonely.
Where is God in the ups and downs of life? Where is God in situations like Gaza or Israel, in the
small unstable boats crossing the Channel, in the knife-crime present on our cities streets?

John, one of Jesus’ chosen disciples writes to inform his readers of the truth concerning Jesus
Christ. Near the ending of his gospel, John states that he has written that his audience “may
believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing they may have life in his
name” (John 20:31). John is writing in a historical and biographical genre. He is writing, partially
from eye-witness testimony, the history of his teacher while attempting to convince his readers of
what he believes to be the truth, that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah, the person
prophesied in the Hebrew Bible who would deliver the Jewish nation. In the rest of the gospel,
John shows us Jesus in action, interacting with troubled people, performing healings, and teaching
truth. John uses the imagery of light and darkness telling us that in the midst of darkness we have
Light in Jesus, and as a result of that, we have Hope.

When people are suffering in any way, it’s hard to look on the positive side of things, to feel
optimistic, to see the light and look for signs of hope. Rather than watching the news and only
hearing the dark things like the rising death tolls, the desperation of people who are having to
move from place to place, the hunger and asking where is the presence of God shining in this,
might we be able to focus our attention on what is less reported and less seen, the people of light
and hope searching amongst the rubble, the doctors and nurses continuing to care for those who
are sick or injured despite lack of resources, both here in the UK and abroad, the people
campaigning for peace, the Muslim family I saw in Manchester kneeling down to pray at their set
prayer time despite the clamour of a noisy protest resounding around them. Each of these people
offers a glimmer of light into the direst of situations, bringing help, hope, love and comfort to others.
Jesus is present as an every day God, in ordinary people and ordinary acts of kindness,
compassion and love. Our Diocese encourages us to be Lights for Christ, to live out our baptismal
calling by being lights in the world – to live for Jesus in our everyday lives, not just on one
occasion, but as a lifelong commitment. Let us pray and seek God’s will for us as we gather and
participate in the life and worship of the Church, read and reflect on the Scriptures, receive
Communion and most importantly go out into the world with hearts and minds open to our lives to
the Holy Spirit working in us and through us as we go about our daily lives.

Last week, I found a version of the Gospel we have heard today which has been rewritten into the
present tense by Deidre Morris. Rather than making it feel like God was present in the past, it
brings a sense of immediacy and presence to the reading.

In the beginning is the Word, and the Word is with God, and the Word is God, He is with God in the
beginning. Through him all things are being made; without him nothing is being created. In him is
life, and that life is the light of all people. The light is shining in the darkness, and the darkness did
not understand it.

Here is a man sent from God, whose name is John. He comes as a witness to testify concerning
that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself is not the light, he comes only as a
witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every person is coming into the world. He is in
the world, and though the world is ever being made through him, the world does not recognise him.
He comes to that which is his own, yet his own people do not receive him. Yet to all who do receive
him, those who believe in his name, he gives the right to become children of God - children born
not of natural descent, nor of human decision, or of a husband’s will, but of God.

The Word is becoming flesh and living among us. We can see his glory, the glory of the one and
only, who comes from God, full of grace and truth.

We are called to be like John in the world, witnesses to our knowledge of Jesus, and people who
reflect the light of Christ into the world. Amen.

The Prayers
God our Father, hear us when we pray to you faith.We give you thanks for this day, for our lives and the amazing world you have given us to live in. May we take the time to see and truly appreciate what we have. Help us to be good stewards and to look after it for this generation and the generations to come.