4th June 2023 10.30am – Trinity Sunday Eucharist

Posted on June 4, 2023June 4, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

2 Corinthians 13.11-end

Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

Matthew 28.16-end

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’

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

The Sermon
By the Revd Dr Alan Billings.

When we begin our services we often do so, ‘In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’. When I begin a sermon I pray that I may preach, ‘In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’ Last Sunday I baptised a baby into the Christian faith, ‘In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’. And at the end of the service I ask that we may be blessed by God Almighty, ‘the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.’

I don’t think we can be in any doubt that the Christian faith is what we call Trinitarian. God is understood in a particular way. And its very different from the way our Jewish and Muslim friends think about God.

So how did we Christians come to think like this and does it matter? Does it make a difference?

I think we can say that the first Christians came to a Trinitarian faith gradually, as they started to think long and hard about their experiences.

The very first Christians, the very first followers of Jesus, after his death and resurrection, were Jews, like Jesus himself. As Jews they believed in the reality of one God.

When the Jews looked around them at other people who lived in their part of the world, they saw the temples of the Romans, the Greeks and the Egyptians – all dedicated to any number of gods. If you went inside their temples you would find images and statues of numerous gods and goddesses.

We are familiar with some of their names: The gods and goddesses of Rome: Jupiter, Juno, Diana and Janus. The Greek: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Pluto, Mars. The Egyptian: Isis, Anubis, Horus, Osiris, Sekhmet.... We could go on and on because the number of these gods goes on and on – they were polytheistic – not one God but many...... and their temples were full of their images.

But if you went into the Jewish temple in Jerusalem, something that Jesus did many times during the course of his life, and if you had gone right into the heart of the temple, into the holy of holies, where only the High Priest could go, what would you see? You would see nothing. No image, no statue. No attempt to represent God. You would see nothing. Because for Jews the reality that was God could not be captured or confined in any way, and could certainly not be reduced to an image. The reality they called God had brought all things into being, the creator of all that is, present in all times and places; he could not be reduced to an image or trapped in a building made by human hands.

So the first follower of Jesus were very clear. Their Jewish experience had taught them to believe in the reality of one God.

But that reality had collided with another. They found themselves turning to Jesus as if he were God. He had taught them with the authority that properly belonged to God. They had listened to him as they would listen to God. And they had given him the love and devotion that they would give to God.

And so a second reality had made them think again.

And then, as we heard last week, after the risen Lord told them they would no longer see him, the time of his visible appearances was over, they experienced what he promised them, the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. And they could not deny the reality of the Spirit in their lives.

Three realities. Yet one God.

We can see how the Christian understanding of God came to be. They had encountered three realities and could not deny any of them. But not three gods. Three realities but one God.

Does it matter that we know God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three realities, three persons, in one God?

It certainly makes a difference to how we think about God. At the heart of godhead in our way of thinking, there is not alone-ness but sociability, community, mutuality. At the heart of godhead in our way of thinking there is already before the creation of the world, the love between Father, Son and Spirit. We can only really say God is love if God is Trinity because love is what happens between beings.

And if we are made in the image of God, as our faith also teaches us, then we are made in the image of the God who is love, who is sociability, community, mutuality. Our purpose, our happiness lies that way too.

It could not have been easy for the first Christians to realise what had happened to their understanding of God. But they could not deny the reality of their experience, and we cannot deny the reality of ours: there is one God but we meet him as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Prayers
Prepared by Joe

On this Trinity Sunday we have come before you Lord to offer our praise and adoration. You are God the creator, giving us richly all things to enjoy. You are Christ the Saviour of the world, made flesh to set us free. You are the Spirit of truth and love, willing to dwell in us. You are holy and blessed. One god, eternal Trinity, be near to us the people formed in your image, and close to the world your love brings to life..

Lord in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

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 your Church throughout the world on this special day.

Lord in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Creator God, we pray that we can properly steward your creation, respecting the environment and not destroying it through war.

Christ the saviour, we pray to you to bring peace and healing to our world.

Holy Spirit, we ask for your wisdom, truth and love to fill all of us, particularly our leaders and those who have influence and power in our world.

We pray for our community here in Walkley, and for the city of Sheffield, and for our neighbours and friends.

Lord in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

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 strengthen them and bring them the healing and peace that belong to your kingdom. In a few moments of silence, we bring to mind those we know who need your healing presence.

Lord in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

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, especially during Eastertide, and those who mourn.

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, Mark, John and of all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life, to God. Let us go forth full of the blessings of Father, Son and Holy Spirit to bring your Kingdom closer to hand.

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.

28th May 2023 10.30am – Pentecost Eucharist

Posted on May 28, 2023 by St Mary's

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 20.19-23

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.’

The Sermon
By the Revd Dr Alan Billings.

Today is about new beginnings.

First, we are here to celebrate the beginning of new life. Arthur, whom we will
baptise shortly, is not yet one year old. His little life has just begun. So we
give thanks this morning for his arrival among us. We ask for God’s blessing
on him and his parents. And we commit ourselves to raise him well.

A baptism provides a moment for parents in particular, but also godparents,
family and, indeed, all of us, to think about what it means to bring a new life
into the world. What it means when we say we want the best for them.

Because we know that the best for them is not only about providing material
things. It’s also about those unspoken values by which we will raise them.

They will crucially shape, not their personality, but their character.
In baptism we make a conscious and serious decision to raise our children by
those values that we see in Jesus Christ: love, kindness, forgiveness,
gentleness. We don’t tell our little ones how to live; we show them - by how
we live. And today we re-commit ourselves to living well – for Arthur’s sake.

The other beginning we celebrate today is the start of the Christian Church. It
was on this day, Pentecost, Whitsunday, two thousand years ago, that the
Church came into being.

In his final days on earth, Jesus told his first followers that for a little while
after his death they would feel like orphans, as if abandoned. But then they
would be re-energised by the gift of the Holy Spirit and this would enable
them to go into all the world to speak about what they had experienced with
him and from him. And, as it were, to find him again in new ways and new
places.

On this day, they have an overpowering sense of the Spirit’s presence – like
fire, like wind. They are ready to begin a new phase of their lives.

This Christian understanding of God as spirit is important.

The Spirit, Jesus said, is like the wind. It blows where it will. The Spirit is not
confined to sacred spaces or holy people. It is not ours to control or
manipulate. It blows where it will. And like the wind, we do not see the Spirit –
the unseen presence of God. We see its affects.

Its affects on us as a group, as a church community, as well as its affect on
individuals.

Think for a moment about one way in which the Spirit seeks to shape us as a
church here in Walkley.

The Spirit seeks to make us a welcoming group of people. There’s a
tendency for human groups to become cliquish - to want everyone else in our
group to be like us in all respects.

And it’s very easy for human groups to add to their number only those who
are like them. Welcome means welcome, but on our terms. Without realising
it, without consciously intending it, we resist newcomers, because they
disturb settled patterns in some way. Adjustments have to be made.

The Spirit gently helps us to achieve a different tendency – to be welcoming
by being inclusive. To positively enjoy having around us people different from
ourselves. People who are younger or older – even little babies who interrupt
sermons. People, who don’t necessarily look like us, think exactly the same
things as us. The Spirit persuades us to accept difference.

When Jesus told the disciples that he was returning to the Father and
promised them that he would send the Spirit, he said one other thing. He
said, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.’

These two things – the gift of the Spirit and the gift of peace – are linked. We
shall only know peace in our communities if we let the Spirit bring us to the
point where we can be welcoming by accepting difference.

Today then is a day of new beginnings. For Arthur at the start of his human
journey. But for us also as we become more sensitive to the Spirit of God in
unlikely, as well as likely, places and people.

The Prayers
Adapted from Common Worship Times and Seaons.

We pray for God to fill us with his Spirit.
Generous God,
we thank you for the power of your Holy Spirit.
We ask that we may be strengthened to serve you better.
Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.

We thank you for the wisdom of your Holy Spirit.
We pray that the peoples of the earth may care for natural world around us.
We ask you to make us wise to understand your will.
Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.

We thank you for the peace of your Holy Spirit.
We pray for those living in war zones, including Ukraine and Sudan.
We ask you to keep us confident of your love wherever you call us.
Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.

We thank you for the healing of your Holy Spirit.
We ask you to bring reconciliation and wholeness
where there is division, sickness and sorrow.
Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.

We thank you for the gifts of your Holy Spirit.
We pray for Arthur, baptised this morning, and for all those who will shape his life.
We ask you to equip us for the work which you have given us.
Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.

We thank you for the fruit of your Holy Spirit.
We ask you to reveal in our lives the love of Jesus.
Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.

We thank you for the breath of your Holy Spirit,
given us by the risen Lord.
We ask you to keep the whole Church, living and departed,
in the joy of eternal life.
Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.

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

21st May 2023 10.30am – Seventh Sunday of Easter Eucharist

Posted on May 21, 2023May 20, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 1.6-14

So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

John 17.1-11

After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.

‘I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.

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

Some years ago I was pottering around at home when I became aware of a tentative rattle of the letter box. Looking out, I saw an elderly lady on the drive looking rather hesitant. I opened the door and asked if I could help. She had lost her way home. I offered to walk with her and asked her where she lived. She was a bit vague, but gave the impression that it was a little further up the hill. So we walked very slowly up the hill and chatted. She was most grateful for my help and offered to make me a cup of tea when we got there. But she’d only got slippers on her feet, and it was clear she didn’t have much energy for the hill. After about half an hour of stop-start walking, we made it to the top, and I asked her again where she lived.

“Ooh, you’ve got me there!” she said, after a few moments’ consideration. I began to wonder if I’d done the right thing walking her up such a steep hill. She didn’t recognise the houses at the top. So I asked someone sitting outside one of the nearby bungalows if she was one of their neighbours. They weren’t sure. She was exhausted, so they found her a chair and a glass of water whilst I rang the police on my mobile. The lady was able to tell us her name, and about 20 minutes later a car pulled up, a slightly exasperated, but relieved relative or carer helped her into the back seat, and off they went.

The lady had quite advanced dementia. It wasn’t immediately apparent how advanced it was, because she could hold a conversation and knew vaguely where she was. I was hopeful that once we got nearer her home, something would click and she’d find it. She was friendly, and it was clear she was hospitable and liked having people round for a cuppa and a chat. Despite the obvious confusion, there were glimpses of clarity revealing the person she was behind the illness.

About a year later I heard by chance that she had since died.

My aunt also lived with dementia for many years. As I had known her all my life, long before the illness took hold, it was even easier to see that the person she had been was still there somewhere. And through the fog and confusion of the illness, there were moments in her advanced illness when she too had glimpses of clarity, for example, becoming alert and raising the alarm when she saw an unattended small child heading towards an open fire escape at a family party.

Glimpses of clarity. Glimpses of who the person had once been. Of who the person still was inside somewhere.

Following Easter, Jesus appeared several times to his followers. It struck me that these resurrection appearances were a bit like those fleeting moments of clarity experienced by those living with advanced dementia.

With the disciples on the Emmaus Road, a long period travelling together, talking together, without fully understanding, then a sudden recognition. With the women at the tomb, confusion, fear and joy; with Thomas doubt, then recognition. The appearances would be fleeting, with Jesus disappearing as mysteriously as he had appeared. Then came the final appearance as together they climbed Mount Olivet, before Jesus ascended from their sight forever.

Even during his earthly ministry, there were moments of heightened awareness when Jesus gave his disciples a glimpse of the glory of God. His baptism, when the Spirit came down and rested on him, the voice from God declared who he was. His transfigured appearance with Moses and Elijah. His healings, the calming of the storm, feeding of thousands and walking on water. Glimpses of God whilst Jesus was alive.

And then Glimpses of Jesus again following the empty tomb on Easter morning. Jesus was still there. Not in quite the same way as before, but still there among them. Pointing beyond all the troubles of this world with illness and death, to the God who is Everlasting.

These glimpses were enough to stir Jesus’ followers into action. First to return to their upper room in Jerusalem to pray with their wider community of friends and family. And then, 10 days later, having been filled with the Holy Spirit, to go out into the world to share the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection and the coming of God’s Kingdom with all who would listen.

When accompanying a friend or relative through the later stages of dementia, it can sometimes be hard to see the person they once were. Where has our loved one gone? And then for a moment there they are with us again!

It is hard too, for the person living with the confusion and scariness that the illness causes.

There are times on our Christian journey when life is also confusing and scary. When we do not know if God is there. And yet those fleeting moments still come. Simple things, perhaps a sunrise, a rainbow or a bird singing. Perhaps a child laughing, or a kind word from a loved one or stranger. Moments that reflect the love of God. Moments that encourage us when the challenges of life are great. Moments that spur us into sharing that love of God with others, including those living with brain disease.

The Prayers
Prepared by Kath

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

We give you thanks for this day, for our lives and the amazing world you have given us to live in. 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.

In the week when we have marked Christ’s Ascension into heaven, we pray for the church throughout the world and for all who worship God. Father, may we know your near presence in our lives in good times and in troubled times.

At this time we pray especially for those involved in building good safeguarding standards and practices and all those affected by safeguarding issues. Lord helps them as they navigate these difficult and painful issues.

We give thanks for all who give their time, talents and money for the benefit of this church and all the other churches and the communities they serve. We pray and give thanks for the work of Christian Aid and its supporters who help so many people throughout the world.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

We pray for the world and all peoples, especially those who live in troubled places because of wars, oppression, natural disasters, political strife, economic problems and great need for food, shelter and safety. Father help us to find ways to live peaceably together, sharing the earth’s resources fairly and working together for the good of all. Bless all who strive for these things. Especially we pray for the peoples of Ukraine and Russia, Sudan and Bangladesh.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

We pray for Roberto and his family.

In a moment of quiet let us think of anyone known to us who is in special need of our prayers at this time.

Let us also pray for ourselves and our own concerns and needs.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Today is the last day of Dementia Action Week and we give thanks for the additional funding for research and recent advances in diagnosis, potential treatments and care. I’d like to share with you the Dementia Awareness Prayer.

Heavenly Father, at the end of this Dementia Action Week we pray for all those who travel the dementia pathway, and carers who journey with them. Be with them, merciful Lord, that despite all the problems that they encounter, they may truly know your love and your support, which can bring hope and light in even the darkest of times and during the most difficult of journeys.

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.

Especially we pray for Violet who have died recently.

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.

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

14th May 2023 10.30am – Sixth Sunday of Easter Eucharist

Posted on May 14, 2023May 13, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 17.22-31

Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, ‘Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, “To an unknown god.” What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For “In him we live and move and have our being”; as even some of your own poets have said,
“For we too are his offspring.”
Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.’

John 14.15-21

‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.

‘I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.’

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

The words of today’s reading from the Gospel according to John are spoken by Jesus after he’s eaten with his disciples on the night that he will be arrested.
In Chapter 13, He has told his disciples that he will be leaving them. Jesus has sent Judas off, in full knowledge that Judas is about to betray him, with instructions to do what he was about to do quickly. Jesus also tells Simon Peter that he too will betray him 3 times before cock-crow. And he as also told them of His new commandment to them, to love one another as He has loved them.
The first part of Chapter 14 is rich in well known and loved scripture – I leave it for you to read – in which Jesus gives his disciples words of comfort whilst also reminding them to stay faithful to His teachings, to each other, and to God.
And He clearly realises that this is a big ask for his followers.
I’d like to focus this morning on the first two verses of today’s reading, in which Jesus tells the disciples that even after He is gone from their sight, they will not be alone.
He knows the fate that awaits him; He knows that whilst his disciples have been able to experience the direct physical and human presence of Jesus, this presence will not be available in the future. Yes, there will be times after the Crucifixion where a resurrected Christ makes His presence known to the disciples, but in today’s reading Jesus is stating to His disciples that further help will be available to them in the form of an ever-lasting gift from God:
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth…”
The disciples are being warned about the forthcoming arrival of what we’d know as the Holy Spirit. The Greek word ‘Paraclete’ is found frequently in the Gospel according to John. It’s often translated as advocate, counsellor or helper.
Jesus is telling the disciples that God will provide another paraclete to be with them forever after He has ascended. The use of the word ‘another’ here is not to suggest that the spirit is to replace Jesus in any way – rather, the spirit provides an equivalent and alternative presence of God in the world. And although the word ‘advocate’ is used here, it’s useful to NOT take the usual meaning of the word as we use it today too much in to account. We use the word ‘advocate’ today to mean a someone’s representative, a supporter, or someone who helps someone argue their position in a court of law or some other investigation. It might look at first glance that the Spirit will argue our case for mercy with God. That’s NOT the situation – Jesus has already ‘wiped the slate clean’ for us through his death and resurrection. Jesus will later say – in John 16:
“the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”
In a similar way to which Jesus has taught what He received from God, the spirit will communicate what he has received from Jesus. There are a number of places in John’s Gospel where the similarities between the Paraclete and Jesus are given – they teach, they bear witness to the truth, and they expose the sin of the world. The difference is that Jesus is incarnated to allow God to experience what it is to be fully human, a necessary pre-requisite to overcoming death and being resurrected. Jesus as, ‘the Word made flesh’, reveals God; the spirit will continue Jesus’s work after He has ascended, but is not taking Jesus’s place or in any way replacing Him.
For this reason – and this is my opinion only – I think it worthwhile for us not to think of the spirit as our Advocate, but more of a counsellor, a helper, a supporter, a teacher and a provider of gifts – that we know as of ‘gifts of the Spirit’ – that allow us to continue to experience Jesus’s teachings in His material absence.
With regard to the spirit, Jesus adds:
“…the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him.”
When He refers to the world here, Jesus is referring to the people of the world outside the disciples. The people who have not followed His teachings, who’ve turned their back on God, or who’ve been actively hostile to Jesus, his teachings and his followers. Those people – in their current state, are certainly not in a position to receive this spirit.
This isn’t to say that the spirit will be held from them forever; earlier in John – Chapter 3 - Jesus tells Nicodemus that in order to enter Kingdom of God, he must be born again of the Spirit. In other words, the Spirit is available to those willing to believe and have faith, and that process removes people from belonging to the world to belonging in the Kingdom of God.
In John 15:19, Jesus tells his followers:
“As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.”
There’s a phrase – ‘in the world but not of it’ – that you’ll occasionally hear based on this scripture. When baptised with water and the spirit, we become in the world, but not of it.
That includes all of us here this morning.
And Jesus knocks it home a bit harder:
“You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.”
His disciples are told that they will know the Spirit, because the Spirit is already within them.
And then, what I feel is the centre of this reading:
“I will not leave you orphaned”
The disciples – and we – are told that even after He returns to God, we of faith will not be orphaned. We’re not going to be left to fend for ourselves in a world that was brutally hostile to His disciples and is today so often contrary to Christ’s teachings.
As Ascension Day approaches, and we remember the last appearance that the resurrected and incarnate Christ made to His disciples, we need to remember this simple fact.
We are not alone.
The incarnate Jesus may not be with us, but the Holy Spirit dwells within us, keeping the teachings of Jesus alive within us, granting us the gifts of the Spirit with which we can continue to bring the Kingdom of God in to being.
The Spirit works to continue Jesus’s work, leading Christians to truth and helping us to recall and apply His teachings in their lives. The Spirit is not coming up with new ideas as to how to be Christians; the Spirit is re-iterating and emphasising the teachings of Jesus, which have come from the Father.
We are not alone; as we work in our own lives to bring about the Kingdom of God, the Spirit is there to guide and support us.
Amen

The Prayers
Prepared by Catherine B

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

Jesus, light of the world,
bring the light and peace of your gospel to the nations …
We pray especially for Sudan, Ukraine, Russia, Syria and all other areas of conflict and unrest.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.

Jesus, bread of life,
give food to the hungry …
We pray especially for the work of Christian Aid worldwide, and for the work of foodbanks nationally and locally.
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 …
May we love one another as you have loved us.
May we look for ways to connect with others as we share your love.
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.
We remember those known to us who are ill or struggling
naming them in our hearts in a few moments silence.
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 …
thinking this week of Violet, and of any others known to us who we see no more.
Raise us with them to eternal life.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us,
accept our prayers, and be with us always.

Amen.

7th May 2023 10.30am – Fifth Sunday of Easter Eucharist

Posted on May 7, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 7.55-end

But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.

John 14.1-14

‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’

Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

The Prayers
Prepared by Barbara

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

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

We pray for all those affected by natural disasters everywhere, thinking today particularly of those suffering from wildfires and flooding. We pray also for all those affected by war, thinking especially of those in Sudan and Ukraine.

We pray for all those severely affected by the cost of living crisis here in the UK, facing hard choices about what necessities they can afford. We think of those on strike or about to go on strike, many of whom have not had a decent pay rise in years.

Please help us to keep all these people in our hearts and to be generous in helping them when we can.

We pray for all of those newly elected to our local government, especially but not only Laura McClean, elected here in Walkley. Please give all of those elected the wisdom and skills they need to listen to, help and represent all their constituents regardless of party affiliations.

Lord, in your mercy
All hear our prayer.

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

We pray for our newly crowned king and queen. Please guide them and give them the ability to fulfil their duties with wisdom, compassion, patience and humility. We recognise the king as the new Supreme Governor of the Church of England: please help us to support him in this role by continuing to support the Church of England here in Walkley.

We pray for the success of the Christian Aid campaign here in Walkley, which is a wonderful way to help our brothers and sisters in other countries.

Lord, in your mercy
All hear our prayer.

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

In moments of peace and contemplation, we name to you all those known to us who are suffering. Please care for them and for all those of whose suffering we are unaware.

Lord, in your mercy
All hear our prayer.

We remember those who have gone before us in the peace of Christ, and we give you praise for all your faithful ones, with whom we rejoice in the communion of saints …

Today we give you thanks for Violet, a long-time member of our congregation. We remember her company and service with love.

We also thank you for the lives and music of Gordon Lightfoot and Harry Belafonte.

We name to you in our hearts all those known to us both near and far, asking that you bring your comfort and healing to their families and friends at this time of grief.

All this we ask for Jesus Christ’s sake.

Merciful Father,
All 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

30th April 2023 6.30pm – Easter Reflection Service

Posted on April 30, 2023April 30, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

John 20. 1 - 8

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;

Luke 24. 2 - 9

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’ Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest.

Luke 24. 13 - 35

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’ Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Luke 24. 36 - 49

While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.

Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’

John 20. 21 - 29

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.’

John 21. 1 - 14

After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, ‘Children, you have no fish, have you?’ They answered him, ‘No.’ He said to them, ‘Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the lake. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

30th April 2023 10.30am – Fourth Sunday of Easter Eucharist

Posted on April 30, 2023April 29, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 2.42-end

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

John 10.1-10

‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

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

I stockpile stuff I find online to read when I have time. Then I have a bit of a reading session and try to catch up. Unfortunately for me, I find much more of interest than I ever get the time to digest – my list gets longer….and longer…..
This week I came across an item about the rise in interest in what’s called Modern or New Gnosticism amongst spiritual seekers. Whilst we might regard Gnosticism as a historical heresy, it’s still relevant to us today.
To see how, we need to go back to sheep farming culture in 1st Century Palestine.
The events in today’s Gospel reading probably take place around Hannukah – December time - one of the major Jewish festivals – there’s a reference to this a little after today’s reading. Jesus is probably talking to a mixed audience of passers-by, religious leaders – who by this point are his regular sparring partners – and his disciples, who he often teaches with the aid of parables.
Jesus uses something that would be common to his audience in the two parables he teaches. The role of the shepherd and the fold in keeping the sheep safe. This would be a relevant and understood starting point for the listeners, which Jesus then elaborates on.
We have this idea of a shepherd as someone on their own, wandering the hills with a dog and some sheep. He’ll have a fold – a stone walled area that acts as a compound for the sheep to be in at night so that they’re all together and under the protection of the sheep from wandering off or predators – or thieves. There might have been a gate on the fold – a simple wooden barrier. Alternatively, the shepherd himself might act as the gate, sleeping across the opening, effectively blocking it with his body.
Jesus points out that there is but one legitimate way in and out – through that gate. Anyone climbing the wall to get in is up to no good.
So far so good – then we come to Verse 3:
“The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”
Who is the gatekeeper? Well, many flocks of sheep were small – perhaps only a half dozen animals – and so it would be uneconomic for every shepherd to have his own fold. Instead, communal sheepfolds were built, which could be large enough to house dozens or even hundreds of sheep in safety. And these had a permanent guard and a proper secure gate. The gatekeeper was someone paid to look after the fold. When the shepherd wanted to take his sheep to the hills for grazing, he’d go to the gatekeeper, the gatekeeper would open the gate, and the shepherd would call his sheep out. He’d have a specific call to which his sheep would respond – they would recognise his voice, and what he called, and follow him out from the fold. And these sheep were not just for meat – they would provide wool, season after season, so a shepherd would develop a close – almost parental – relationship with his flock.
Jesus then expands on this;
“Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them.”
The people are the sheep; we’re not talking about the modern, derogatory, use of the word here. The sheep to which Jesus refers are the people in the communal fold, who did not listen to the ‘thieves and bandits’ who came before him. When Jesus talks about those thieves, he’s not talking about the prophets of old, like Moses and Isaiah. He’s most likely talking about his contemporaries - the religious authorities of His own day who’ve taken the teachings away from God to benefit themselves. He will also know that his audience will understand this, as there are a number of references in the Old Testament where God stops the religious teachers of older times from exploiting the people and took the people under His wing – like a shepherd. This analogy is common in the Old Testament – particularly in the Psalms.
To get in to the fold, the people must come past the gatekeeper – Jesus is here taking this role. And in the fold, His followers and people who love God will know the voice of Jesus as their shepherd, who will lead them out to feed. The food available in the fold would be hay, probably a few days old, not exactly good. When He leads his sheep to pasture, the shepherd is taking the sheep to fresh grass and water – the ‘green pastures’ of the 23rd Psalm.
As Christians, Jesus as shepherd leads us to the green pastures of the Kingdom, and doesn’t leave us to feed on the dry and spiritually unfulfilling food in the fold of modern society.
So – back to Nick Cave and the New Gnostics.
• Jesus tells us He is the gate through which sheep enter the His fold.
• Jesus tells us he is our shepherd, and that we should recognise His voice if we wish to be led to the green pastures of the Kingdom.
• Jesus warns us that there are thieves and brigands who may get in to the fold – but not through the gate. And that those thieves mean the flock no good.
The New Gnostics are an increasingly powerful influence amongst people seeking spiritual certainties because they claim to know all the answers, but through the means of ‘secret’ knowledge, known only to the adepts or those in the know. For Christians, the way to the Kingdom is clearly and openly laid out for us in the Gospels and the teachings of Christ – no secrets there.
Many modern spiritual leaders – who sometimes identify as Christians - offer ladders over the wall of the fold, or they pull a few stones from the wall to by-pass Jesus as the gate.
Jesus’s role as THE gate – or, as He says in John 14:6:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me”
Is central to our belief – we help bring people to God by proclaiming this central fact about our faith. The path to the Kingdom of Heaven and nearness to God is through THE gate offered by Jesus Christ.
In an uncertain world, it’s no surprise that the message of the New Gnostics is appealing. Especially when some of it can sound very much like Christian teachings.
• What can we – the Christian sheep in the fold of modern society – do to ensure that we listen for, hear, and respond to the voice of our true shepherd with so many competing voices?
• We need to listen; does a tempting voice reflect the teachings of Christ as given in the Gospels and other scripture?
• Does the voice remind us that we are to love God and love one another – as is written in John 13:34 – “As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
• Does the voice offer the way to true abundance - not material wealth but the abundant wealth of the Kingdom of God? And is it available to us all – not just to a few ‘further up the tree of knowledge’?
• Asking yourself ‘Can I imagine Jesus, as I know Him through the Gospels, saying or doing this?’ is a good way forward.
It’s our job as followers of Christ to bring the open and true knowledge of the Gospels and the central message – the following Jesus is the ONLY way to God’s Kingdom.
Amen

The Prayers
Prepared by Veronica

Lord our God, we continue to give you thanks for the resurrection of your Son, and our hope of forgiveness and salvation. We pray for the Church worldwide, that all Christians may grow closer in sharing the bread and wine which Christ told us to do in remembrance of Him. We pray for our bishops, Pete and Sophie, and that all Christians will work together to bring about a peaceful and cooperative world,
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the world, for all in responsible positions of government, at national and local level. We pray that our local election next week will produce new councillors who will genuinely work for the good of all. We pray also for King Charles on the occasion of his coronation next Saturday. Guide all who are called to positions where they can make a real difference to the quality of life, particularly of the poor and sick, for whom Jesus showed special care.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the well-being of our City, and also for our local community of Walkley. We give you thanks for all those who contribute to the quality of our local area: Walkley Forum, Zest, the library, churches, those who look after our local green spaces, the many Art, Music and Writing groups, and all involved in organising Walkley Festival.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are ill or unwell at this time. We pray also for all who work in our Health and Care Services, supporting those who are ill and also their family members. Give them the strength to continue in their chosen professions, despite the severe strains they are under at this time. In a moment of quiet we pray for those known to us in need of our prayers……….
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We remember before you all those who have died recently, and particularly those we have known well. We hold all who have been dear to us in our hearts…………… According to your promise grant us with them a share in your eternal kingdom.
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 people to your unfailing love.

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

23rd April 2023 10.30am – Third Sunday of Easter Eucharist

Posted on April 29, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 2.14a, 36-41

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.
Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.’

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.’ And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.

Luke 24.13-35

The Sermon
By Revd Dr Alan Billings

I was recently talking to a member of my staff in my Monday to Friday job. She’s a relatively young woman in her twenties. I asked her whether she’d had a good weekend. She told me how, every Sunday, she and her partner meet up with her parents and grandmother for lunch in one of the pubs in the Stannington-Bradfield area, where they all live.

She said, ‘I expect it sounds a bit dull. It’s become a habit.’

I said it didn’t sound dull at all and that some habits were good. This Sunday habit was a brilliant way of both celebrating something of great value in her life – her family relationships – and also a way of deepening them. I imagine they talk about all sorts of things, enjoy one another’s company, are very relaxed - and grow their love for one another. I would call their Sunday lunch a habit of love.

A habit of love.

Many families do something similar. It may not be every Sunday; it may be on birthdays or anniversaries or at Christmas or Easter. It may be a zoom or telephone call on Friday nights – whatever. Family rituals when they come together and deepen their relationships. Habits of love.

Another member of my staff told me how she hugs her children, two boys, every night before they go to sleep. Every night. She said she did it not only because she loved them, but in order to love them more.

They’ll probably resist it when they get to be teenagers, but they’ll remember, and probably do the same with their own children. A habit of love.

In a similar way I think we can talk about habits of faith. Habits of faith.

People often seem to think that being a Christian means believing things. Well, there are, of course, things that we believe. We will shortly say a summary of them in the creed. But long before Christians had things to say together, there were things we did together. We formed habits.

Today’s gospel reminds us how soon after Christ’s death and resurrection one of those habits came into being and why.

There was obviously a circle of people around Jesus that was wider than the twelve apostles. There were the women for a start, the ones who saw where the body of Jesus was lain after his crucifixion, and who came to the tomb on Easter morning and found the tomb empty. Then there were these two men whom we read about just now in the gospel. On the day of resurrection they are journeying, walking, from Jerusalem to Emmaus – about seven miles. As they travel, they are joined by the risen Christ, though they don’t know about his resurrection and at first don’t recognise him. Until, that is, when they persuade him to stay with them that night. As they gather round the table to eat together, he blesses and breaks the bread.

It is as the bread is broken that they realise they are in the presence of the risen Lord. Their faith is strengthened through this action.

And this blessing and breaking of bread becomes a habit for all Christians. They go on repeating this week by week, recalling as they do so the words that Christ spoke at his last supper on the night before he died. Taking the bread he said that it was his body broken for us.

Breaking the bread becomes a habit. A habit of faith. In this way faith is built up, faith is deepened. Because every time we do this we become aware of Christ’s risen presence with us, as those two discovered at Emmaus. And every time we do it we remember all that he did for us in coming among us, dying and rising for us. It strengthens and deepens our faith.

So yes, faith is in part about what we believe. We do need to be able to put things into words and to feel confident that what we say is trustworthy.

But what principally deepens our faith week by week is coming here for the breaking of the bread. As Luke tells us, Christ was known to them in the breaking of the bread – known to them and so known to us.

Just as the love that dwells in families is the result of the habits of love, so our faith in the risen Christ is the result of the habits of faith.

The Prayers
Prepared by Catherine

Risen Christ,

who made yourself known to your disciples

through walking alongside them

through interpretation of the scriptures

through accepting hospitality

and through the breaking of bread,

we pray for your Church, that in the same simple ways,

we, your disciples today, might similarly make you known to the world.

Jesus, Lord of life,

In your mercy, hear us.

Risen Christ,

who came to earth with a message of peace

and hope for all the world,

we pray for your world

and especially those areas where there is no peace

and hope is a challenge.

We pray for peacemakers, negotiators, aid agencies and governments.

We hold before you the people of Sudan

and continue to remember many other places of war and unrest.

Jesus, Lord of life,

in your mercy, hear us.

Risen Christ,

Who lived among others in community

We pray for our own local community

We give thanks for the efforts of local artists to brighten up our neighbourhood

and all who maintain our streets and parks.

We think of those struggling to pay bills or to feed their households

and continue to remember the work of the food bank.

We pray for the upcoming local elections

that all may use their votes thoughtfully

and that those elected may serve our area wisely.

Jesus, Lord of life,

in your mercy, hear us.

Risen Christ,

You showed compassion for the sick, the lonely and the confused.

We pray for all who are unwell or in any kind of need,

asking that we too might show compassion

and support them in any way we can.

In a few moments’ silence we think of those known to us personally who are in particular need…

Jesus, Lord of life,

in your mercy, hear us.

Risen Christ,

You overcame death and your disciples rejoiced.

We pray for those close to death and those who have died.

We think particularly of Richard, and any others known to us.

Be with all who mourn the loss of a loved one,

In times of sadness, help us to hold on to that Easter hope and joy

experienced by the women at the empty tomb

the disciples in the upper room

and the pair on the Emmaus road

And help us to share that hope and joy with others.

Merciful Father,

Accept these prayers

for the sake of your Son,

our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

16th April 2023 10.30am – Second Sunday of Easter Eucharist

Posted on April 16, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 2.14a, 22-32

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.

‘You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David says concerning him,
“I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
moreover, my flesh will live in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One experience corruption.
You have made known to me the ways of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.”

‘Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying,
“He was not abandoned to Hades,
nor did his flesh experience corruption.”
This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.

John 20.19-end

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.

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. 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 treat each other
with respect and we pray that those engaged in the inter-faith
strife currently taking place in Israel will find better ways to air
their differences.

We give thanks for all those who give their time, talents and
money for the benefit of this church and all the other churches
and the communities they serve. Be with us in our service and
help us not to lose heart when the tasks before us often seem
so large and the results of our efforts seem slow or small.
Above all, help us not to give up on prayer when we feel
unheard or unanswered. Give us the patience and vision to see
how you work in our lives.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for the world and all peoples, especially those who live
in troubled places because of wars, oppression, natural
disasters, political strife, economic problems and great need for
food, shelter and safety. Father help us to find ways to live
peaceably together, sharing the earth’s resources fairly and
working together for the good of all. Bless all who strive for
these things. From individual to international situations help us
not to see each other as enemies when we don’t see eye to
eye and to genuinely seek to work through our disagreements
to fair and just solutions.
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 also for those who accompany them on
their journey who also need to be supported.
We pray for Alan and for Sue
In a moment of quiet let us think of anyone known to us who is
in special need of our prayers at this time.

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.
Especially we pray for Richard and for Martin who have died
recently.

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.

9th April 2023 10.30am – Easter Day Eucharist

Posted on April 9, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 10.34-43

Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’

John 20.1-18

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” ’ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

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

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

On Good Friday we ended our service with Jesus’ burial in a new tomb within a garden.

Mary Magdalene has come to the tomb, maybe on her own, maybe with other female disciples of Jesus. It’s dark, a darkness of the early morning. But also a metaphorical darkness of a world without Jesus. A world where the powers of sin and death rule. A darkness too of confusion and lack of understanding.

The contrast between light and darkness is a theme in John’s Gospel, right back to the light that shines in the darkness, mentioned in chapter 1, which we heard at Christmas. People move from darkness into light, Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night and journeys into the light, preparing Jesus’ body for burial. Judas travels the other direction. From working in Jesus’ light to the darkness of a night-time handover by a kiss. Jesus presents a choice between light and darkness.

Before we go any further into the reading it’s worth remembering that these biblical figures were once living breathing women and men. They were human. They were fallible, rather than the saintly figures we can sometimes make them.

Mary finds the tomb opened. This provokes confusion, bewilderment and pain. Who has done this? Grave robbers seeking money? A common problem of the time. Maybe the temple authorities or Roman occupiers? Both trying to stamp out all memory of a troublesome threat. Equally believable.

Mary runs to Peter and the beloved disciple, exclaiming “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Peter and the beloved disciple respond by running to the garden. There is still confusion and a lack of understanding. The disciples aren’t expecting the resurrection. There is frantic behaviour, a hurriedness, a panic.

Peter is his usual impetuous manner enters the tomb and sees the grave bindings and the folded head cloth. The beloved disciple follows him in and believes. They do not yet understand the fullness of what has taken place. The beloved disciple embodies the model of discipleship laid out in John’s Gospel. It’s a model where the goal is love and intimacy with Jesus. This intuitive response, to believe without understanding, requires trust. It points to experiential faith, rather than one based on knowledge and understanding. The beloved disciple is in relationship with Jesus, not a scholar or theologian. This is a faith flowing from encountering Jesus.

Neither of them quite grasp the significance of the grave clothes. Remember Lazarus, who Jesus brought back to life in John chapter 11? We heard the story two weeks ago. Lazarus comes out of the tomb still wrapped in the bandages like a mummy. Lazarus will, in the fullness of time, die of old age, infirmity or illness. Jesus has conquered death and, when raised, leaves its trappings behind for ever.

Exiting the tomb the other disciples return to their homes, still in a state of confusion. Something has happened. They don’t know what. They may be going to resume their grieving in private. Mary stays in the garden and weeps, as Jesus wept publicly over the death of his friend Lazarus. Two angels appear and question her. She responds, in same words used to inform the disciples of Jesus’ disappearance. “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” The disciples, are still grieving, broken and confused. We too like them will encounter times in own lives when we suffer and face adversity. It may be public, it may be private. We may grieve the loss of a loved one, or be challenged in some other way.

The disciples are still in the in darkness of doubt and fear. But light is breaking, first around Mary. Turning from the angels she sees Jesus, but doesn’t understand who he is. Jesus gets the first question in “Why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?” These first words of the risen Jesus, echo Jesus’ first words in the entirety of John’s Gospel in chapter 1 “What are you looking for?” What began as a search for something has changed. It is now a journey in relationship with a person, the risen Jesus.

Even though Jesus speaks Mary still doesn’t recognise him and asks if he has emptied the tomb. Jesus responds by calling her by name, as he called Lazarus from his tomb. The light overcomes the darkness. Jesus is revealed to Mary and the bewilderment and loss fall away. As words from our final hymn this morning put it “Lo, Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb, lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom.”

We too can hear Jesus call us by name. As disciples we are found by Jesus, named, and live in relationship with him. Our stories can stand in succession to those of Mary, Peter, the beloved disciple and all the followers of Christ through time and eternity.

Following Mary’s response to her name Jesus warns her not to try and stay in this moment. “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father.” This is the most daunting challenge of the Christian faith. We are not in control. We can’t hold on to Jesus. He isn’t, as C.S. Lewis puts it, a tame lion. We cannot control Jesus’ presence or absence. God in Christ cannot be constrained by human powers. He is out in the world. To remind us of this we close our service today with the words “He is not here, he is risen, go in peace to love and serve the Lord.”

Mary Magdalene has not always been treated well. After our reading today she disappears from scripture. Her recognised role in the early church as the apostle to the apostles is swept aside and she is mislabelled a prostitute. But without her, and the women in the other gospels, all witnesses to the resurrection there would be no Christianity. I pray that her last words will be on our lips this Eastertide. “I have seen the Lord.”

St Marys Walkley

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

Author: St Mary's

4th June 2023 10.30am – Trinity Sunday Eucharist

28th May 2023 10.30am – Pentecost Eucharist

21st May 2023 10.30am – Seventh Sunday of Easter Eucharist

14th May 2023 10.30am – Sixth Sunday of Easter Eucharist

7th May 2023 10.30am – Fifth Sunday of Easter Eucharist

30th April 2023 6.30pm – Easter Reflection Service

30th April 2023 10.30am – Fourth Sunday of Easter Eucharist

23rd April 2023 10.30am – Third Sunday of Easter Eucharist

16th April 2023 10.30am – Second Sunday of Easter Eucharist

9th April 2023 10.30am – Easter Day Eucharist