Download The Order of Service for  23 06 18 2nd Sunday after Trinity Eucharist

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The Readings

Exodus 19.2-8a

They had journeyed from Rephidim, entered the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; Israel camped there in front of the mountain. Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, ‘Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites.’

So Moses came, summoned the elders of the people, and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. The people all answered as one: ‘Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do.’ Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.

Matthew 9.35-10.8

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

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

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

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 Matthew Wood

(To be be uploaded later)

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.  

Lord in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Jesus tells us “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”  We pray that we can be workers in your field, and bring people to the Gospel.

Lord in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

We pray for the people of Ukraine and hope for a peaceful resolution to that conflict. We pray for families on both sides of the conflict who have seen their members go to war.  We pray for our sister city of Donetsk, and all devastated settlements in Ukraine. We pray for those driven from their homes by conflict and natural disaster that they may find a safe haven, and we pray for those refugees lost at sea, and their families.

Lord in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

We pray for those in political office, that they may behave honestly and with the interests of the constituents and the citizens of this country in mind.

We pray for our community here in Walkley, and for the city of Sheffield, and for our neighbours and friends.  We pray for the people of the city of Nottingham and the victims of the attacks that took place there this week. 

Lord in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

On this Mothering Sunday, we pray for all those who act as a loving presence in the lives of those around them.  We pray for those with broken relationships with their mother or children. We pray for those mothers who have lost children, or who have suffered the pain of miscarriage.

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, 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.

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 her is copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council 2000

Download the order of service for 23 06 11 Barnabas the Apostle Eucharist

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Read St Mary's Walkley Church News for 11th June 2023

The Readings

Acts 11.19-end

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews. But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they associated with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians’.

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

John 15.12-17

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

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
The Revd Dr Beth Keith.

Today the church remembers Barnabas, and we’ve listened to one of
the narratives about him from Acts 11.

Barnabas was actually called Joseph but got renamed Barnabas.
Earlier in Acts, in chapter 4 we are told that the Apostles called him
Barnabas which means Son of Encouragement. This was his nick
name, the name he got from the leaders of the Church because of the
type of person he was, he was known as an encourager.
We don’t actually know a lot about him, but he is one of the
background people in the NT who was hugely influential in the
founding and growth of the early church. We know this, because we
know that he played a crucial role in the life and ministry of Paul, and
in the life and ministry of Mark.

You may recall that when Paul first converted to the faith, other
followers of Jesus were afraid of him. Paul, or Saul as he had been
known, had been a brutal enemy of Jesus’ disciples. He had arrested
many and had even aided in their deaths. Unsurprisingly those in
Jerusalem were frightened when he appeared.  In Acts 9 we read,
"When Paul came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they
were afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple."
How strange it must have seemed that this man who had been
persecuting them now professed the faith. Was it a trick, a way of
infiltrating their group so he could destroy them? Or was this for real?
Had he honestly come to faith?

Chapter 9 continues… "But Barnabas took him and brought him to
the Apostles." Barnabas took him right to them and made it clear that

Paul was truly converted, and they did not need to fear him. Through
this Paul became accepted in the church. Barnabas was the friend
that helped Paul overcome his bad reputation, Barnabas supported
him and was an advocate for him, which in turn affected how others
treated him.

Barnabas went on to play a major role in Paul’s ministry. In Acts 11,
which we just read, we heard about the church at Jerusalem sending
Barnabas to Antioch. When Barnabas saw the great work he was glad
and encouraged them to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.
Verse 24 describes Barnabas as "a good man, full of the Holy Spirit
and faith.."

The church was growing rapidly in Antioch, I imagine it was an
exciting time to be there. People were coming to Christ under
Barnabas’ ministry. He could have carried on there alone, but we read
that he decided to go to Tarsus to look for Paul. Barnabas brought
Paul back to Antioch, and for a year they taught they ministered
together. Barnabas mentoring Paul, and encouraging him in the faith,
and in ministry. It was there in Antioch that disciples were first called
Christians.

Of course, we can’t make too many assumptions about what
happened, or how things would have been different if Barnabas had
not supported and encouraged Paul. But it seems highly unlikely that
Paul would have been there in Antioch had Barnabas not gone to get
him. We do know from the text that Barnabas went and got him and
took him into active ministry and that changed Paul’s life and the life
of the church.

Barnabas was also important in the life and ministry of Mark.

Later when Barnabas and Paul were heading out to visit all the
churches, Barnabas suggests they take Mark with them, but Paul
didn’t want to because Mark had let them down the previous time.
Barnabas, again showing himself as an encourager, decided to give
Mark a chance, and so he and Paul went their separate ways.
Barnabas took Mark, and Paul went with Silas. Luke who wrote the
book of Acts and who gives us the detailed history of this time,
followed Paul, so the rest of the book of Acts, continues with the
travels of Paul and Silas, and we don’t know much about what Mark
and Barnabas get up to.

But later on in the letter 2 Timothy Paul writes
"Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my
ministry."

It seems by this point that Paul has changed him mind about Mark.
Barnabas choose to continue to support Mark and over time Paul saw
the fruit of Mark’s ministry. Barnabas had been there for Paul when
he was being written off by other members of the church, and he had
also been there for Mark too. No wonder Barnabas was nicknamed
encourager.

Mark went on to write the first Gospel that was written, with the other
gospels of Matthew and Luke using and developing from Marks text.
Barnabas, this minor seemingly minor character in the NT didn’t write
any of the NT books, and appears in only a few verses, but appears to
have had a crucial role in the lives of both Paul, and Mark, who
together wrote a significant percentage of the NT we have today.
I wonder if you can think of someone who has been an encourager in
your life. Someone who has been there to offer support and
friendship, someone who has cheered you on or seen some potential
in you that others have not…

What is so important about encouragement?

It literally gives us courage – sometimes we face tough challenges,
having people alongside to cheer us on, and show their commitment
and love for us is so important.

Sometimes we feel overwhelmed or just not up to the task God is
asking us to do next. Encouragement helps us feel we are not alone,
and that the situation is not more than we can manage
Sometimes we do something, or life turns out in a way which makes us
feel there is no future, perhaps we have messed up, and that it’s all
over now. The encouragement of others reminds us of God’s love and
care for us.

Encouragement keeps us going and helps us to have hope for the
future.

I want to end with two challenges - earlier I asked you to think about
someone who has encouraged you. Perhaps you could thank them for
the role they have played in your life. Encouragement is one of those
gifts that can be easily overlooked. They may well be encouraged by
your appreciation.

Secondly, have a think about someone you could encourage. I’m not
suggesting that you go and get them and bring them to Walkley (as
Barnabas brought Paul to Antioch). But is there way you could
encourage them – a kind word, a prayer or perhaps sending them a
card or text saying what you see in them.

May God, giver of all gifts, who gave Barnabas the gift of
encouragement, pour the Spirit into our lives, that we might know
God’s love and encouragement and share it with those around us.

Amen

The Prayers
Prepared by Barbara.

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

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

We pray for all those affected by wildfires everywhere, thinking today particularly of those in Canada, which
is on fire in most provinces. Please help us to be good custodians of the world you have given us, that it may
continue to be a good home for all the life with which we share it.

We pray also for all those affected by war, thinking especially of those in Sudan and Ukraine. Please help us
to live in peace and friendship, wherever we are.

We pray for all refugees and asylum seekers needing somewhere to live in this country, thinking especially
of those from Afghanistan who are facing the need to find new accommodation soon. Please help us to be
generous and welcoming to these people, remembering that Jesus, Mary and Joseph were once refugees.
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 who are struggling to afford to keep a roof over their
heads.

Please help us to keep all these people in our hearts and to be generous in helping them when we can.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

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

Please help us to remember that we are all brothers and sisters in your family and to learn to love and
accept each other for who we are.

We pray especially for your church here in Walkley and in our partner parishes of Broomhill and Ranmoor.
Please help us all to strive to be at the heart of our communities.
Lord, in your mercy
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 ...

We pray for those suffering from breathing difficulties. Please help them to cope with the challenges posed
by pollen and wildfire smoke.

We thank you for the generosity of people throughout the parish who have supported St. Mary’s in the
acquisition of a community defibrillator. Please help our community to use it wisely and effectively.

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

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

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.

Amen.

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

Download The Order of Service for our Trinity Sunday Eucharist

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Read St Mary's Walkley Church News for 4th June 2023

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.

The Prayers
Prepared by Joe

Amen.

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

Download The Order of Service for The Day of Pentecost Eucharist with Baptism

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Read St Mary's Walkley Church News for 28th May 2023

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.’

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.

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.

Download The Order of Service for our  Seventh Sunday of Easter Eucharist

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Read St Mary's Walkley Church News for 21st May 2023

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.

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 Catherine, a Reader at St. Mary's

The Prayers
Prepared by Kath

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

Download The Order of Service for our Sixth Sunday of Easter Eucharist

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Read St Mary's Walkley Church News for 14th May 2023

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.’

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 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.

Common Worship: Times and Seasons, material from which is used here is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2010

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Read St Mary's Walkley Church News for 7th May 2023

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.

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 Revd Shan Rush

(to follow later)

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

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Read St Mary's Walkley Church News for 30th April 2023

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.

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

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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.

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 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.

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

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Read St Mary's Walkley Church News for 23rd April 2023

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

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.

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 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