30th January 2022 – Candlemas

Posted on January 30, 2022January 30, 2022 by St Mary's

The Readings

Hebrews 2.14-end

Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Luke 2.22-40

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.’

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

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Sermon
By Rev'd Alan Billings

On Thursday we commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day. We called to mind
the six million Jews that Adolf Hitler and the Nazis put to death in Europe
during the second world war. This year, Prince Charles, who is patron of the
Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, did something that I thought was really rather
imaginative and wonderful. What my daughter-in-law, who is Jewish, would
almost certainly call ‘cool’.

He had commissioned seven artists to paint the portraits of seven Jewish
people who survived the holocaust and had come to live in this country when
the war ended. And on Thursday he invited them and the artists to the
Queen’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace to see their portraits and meet him
and the Duchess of Cornwall.

You may have seen some or all of the portraits on the television or on-line or
in the papers. They were all very different but each artist, as all good artists
do, had captured not just the physical appearance of the seven men and
women – now all in their nineties – but also something of their character.
And not just their character, their history as well. You could see in those faces
all the early pain of suffering and separation, but also the years of reflection
on their lives – the journey they had made from hating the Germans to
forgiving and to loving all human beings, as one of them explained.
As I looked at the portraits of those Jewish men and women, today’s gospel
story popped into my mind - because here too we have two older Jewish
people, Simeon and Anna. They happened to be in the Temple in Jerusalem
when Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to mark his birth and give
thanks with a small sacrifice.

We don’t know, of course, what Simeon and Anna looked like, only that they
were getting on in years – but perhaps they looked like these elderly British
Jews, whose past experiences, reflected in their faces, were now caught in
their portraits by the artists. And perhaps that’s why St Luke, and only St
Luke, writes the story of this brief encounter between the infant Jesus and
Simeon and Anna into his gospel. He’s telling us something. And perhaps
what happened in the Queen’s Gallery last Thursday is the clue to it.
What I mean is this.

Those seven elderly, Jewish men and women whose portraits were painted,
were not just victims of the holocaust, they were also survivors. For different
reasons, by different small miracles, they had come through when so many
others had perished.

I heard some of them speaking about their lives in a BBC 2 documentary. It
was harrowing. As children they were taken to the concentration camp and
separated from their parents. They soon knew that they would see their
mother, their father a brother or sister no more.

They saw everything that as a child you valued, everything that made you feel
safe and secure and loved – your family, your home, your toys, your books,
your school, your friends, your clothes – everything, torn away from you and
cast aside – including, of course, your future. They literally lost everything.
One of the women told the reporter how on arriving at the concentration camp
they were stripped naked and then had their hair shaved from their head. The
reporter asked them what it was like to lose you dignity in this way. She said,
they had no time to think about dignity or anything else – they could only ever
think about where they might find some scrap of food to keep alive
Victims of the holocaust. Yet they had survived.

Survived. And then they had come to this country to try to build a life from
nothing. And they had done so. They learnt a new language, took themselves
to school, found jobs, got married, had children and grandchildren. They
survived, but more than that, they thrived. They thrived because they refused
to let the terrible experiences of their past drag them into some endless state
of bitterness or grieving or self-pity. This was the wisdom that was captured in
their faces. That even in the most appalling of circumstances there can be
hope.

As another victim once said, it is always better to light a single candle than to
curse the darkness. That’s easy to say if you have faced few traumas in life
yourself. But these people can say it, because they have known what it is to
inhabit the darkest of rooms.

I think Simeon and Anna are remembered in the gospel of St Luke for a
similar reason. They have the wisdom of the older person, because only the
older person, only the one who has lived through life’s up and downs, can
say, life is worth living, there is no human experience that is so bad that hope
for a better future has to be cast aside as a mere dream. That is the vocation
of the old to show to the young that though you might be a victim now, you
can survive and you can ultimately thrive.

So Simeon and Anna’s hopes are rewarded and they see the one who will be
the light that will dispel all our darkness.

At Candlemas we remember that Christ is our light.

He has known what it is like to enter the darkest of rooms. But God raised
him on the third day. He has the right to say it is better to light one candle
than curse the darkness.

The Prayers
Prepared by David C

Let us pray to the Father through Christ who is our light and life.

Father, your Christ is acclaimed as the glory of Israel:
look in mercy on your Church, sharing his light.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Father, your Christ in his temple brings judgement on the world:
look in mercy on the nations, who long for his justice.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Father, your Christ, who was rich, for our sakes became poor:
look in mercy on the needy, suffering with him.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Father, your Christ is the one in whom faithful servants find their peace:
look in mercy on the departed, that they may see your salvation.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Father, your Christ is revealed as the one destined to be rejected:
look in mercy on us who now turn towards his passion.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Lord God, you kept faith with Simeon and Anna,
and showed them the infant King.
Give us grace to put all our trust in your promises,
and the patience to wait for their fulfilment;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

‘Are we willing to hear?’ – 23rd January 2022 – 3rd Sunday of Epiphany – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Posted on January 23, 2022January 22, 2022 by St Mary's

The Readings

1 Corinthians 12. 12 - 31a

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot were to say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body’, that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear were to say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body’, that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’, nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honourable we clothe with greater honour, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honour to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it.

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

Luke 4. 14 - 21

Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’

And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’

The Sermon
By Kath, Reader at St Mary's

Well here we are on Sunday morning and thankfully, I’ve actually got a sermon to share with you. Initially I set out to write it on Tuesday evening; I like to leave a day or so between a first and final draft if possible so I’m critiquing what I’ve written from a slightly fresher perspective. To begin with, I didn’t foresee any particular difficulties as I’d been mulling over some ideas during the previous few days, so with the electronic communication device fully charged, I settled down to write. And nothing came! I tried several times to focus and compose, but nothing came. I started sentences several times but had to scrub them because they weren’t right. For some reason I couldn’t even bring to mind the ideas I’d been thinking about that had seemed so promising. Eventually, after about three hours I gave it up as a bad job and hoped for better success next time, confident that God would give me the words, as he always has, but being human, it was a bit worrying. Then I remembered something Melanie, our former vicar used to say, “If something feels forced then it’s probably not right”. With that in mind, the following morning I went back to the reading from Luke and just as I was considering ditching it in favour of the one from Corinthians, which has a more obvious message, something made me stay with Luke. As I read, suddenly parts of it started to stand out and I began to realise why my first ideas were not quite working out.

The passage is part of a story I’m familiar with; Jesus returning to his hometown, going to the synagogue and reading out a passage from the prophet Isaiah, but I couldn’t help wondering why our reading stopped in such an odd place; effectively half way through this particular story. Then I realised how this emphasised what Jesus was saying to the congregation after he sat down and perhaps as they looked at him expectantly, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing”. The question that came to my mind was, how willing were these people to actually hear what he was saying? If we read on we see that at first Jesus is well regarded but as soon as he starts to say something that they don’t like, the people turn on him and probably intend to kill him which is pretty extreme. This set me thinking in a wider context, how willing are any of us to hear when the message or the person delivering it are not to our liking? I’m sure we wouldn’t do them harm, after all we’re reasonable people aren’t we, but there are all too many examples in the news on a daily basis where some people and groups are determined to punish and even kill others with whom they do not see eye to eye. I’ve watched and listened to many programmes where people from different view points are totally unwilling to listen or to hear what each other have to say or to evidence that casts doubt or contradicts what they believe. They are so invested in their belief that they seem almost unable to hear anything that might challenge it. This can happen in relation to just about anything including matters of religious faith, politics, work, money, climate change, relationships and life in general. But what does it achieve? Certainly nothing good or worthwhile and probably a lot that is damaging and diminishing to everyone’s quality of life including their own.

It’s tempting and maybe all too easy to want to occupy the moral or intellectual high ground and to feel angry and frustrated with people when they behave in this way, to see them as ignorant, bigoted, bad or just plain stupid and dig in our own heels but that would put us in danger of being self righteous and judgemental and these are not desirable qualities in anyone. If we’re to make any progress surely we have to be willing to listen to and hear what others have to say in order to understand why they think as they do. Perhaps if we do this, they will pay us the same courtesy and truly listen to us. Instead of getting impatient, look upon taking the time and trouble to hear properly as an opportunity to broaden and deepen our understanding and of finding friends rather than enemies. We may even find ourselves having a change of heart or mind which is a strength not a weakness when it happens for the right reasons. Bear in mind, no one likes being misunderstood and how many disputes and wars start with misunderstandings followed by an unwillingness to listen again to what the other party is trying to say.

When it comes to our faith and our relationship with God, we need to ask ourselves how willing we are to hear when he calls and to find the courage to act upon it. Speaking from my own experience I know that it isn’t always easy or convenient to say yes but it is richly rewarding in many ways, even if our material world may not set much store by these. Similarly with scripture, hearing what it has to say to us often requires effort to go beyond superficial impressions and always requires openness of our hearts and minds but again it is richly rewarding as it can guide us in all aspects of our daily lives. Life and faith are not separate!

Going back to where I started, with my attempts to write this sermon. I’m glad I didn’t just force myself to go on with my first ideas. I’m glad that I took the trouble to hear the message in Luke’s Gospel and change direction because I learned a lot from it. I hope you found it useful too.

The Prayers
Prepared by Joe.

With thankful hearts we bring our prayers to our
heavenly Father.

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. All of us are part of
the body of Christ; may we all find our particular gifts within the
body, and may we all show love and respect to all part of the
body.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

We pray for all those in authority, and those who have influence
in the world, that their power and influence be used
compassionately for the good of all. Bring clarity of thought and
vision to those who make and implement policy. We pray that all
leaders value truth, justice and compassion above personal
power and pleasure. At this time we particularly pray for a
peaceful resolution of the tensions around Ukraine.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

We pray for our community here in Walkley, and for the city of
Sheffield, and for our neighbours and friends. As the restrictions
of the last 2 years gradually disappear, help us to remember
those whose health means that they still must take special care.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

We pray for the aged and infirm, and those sick in mind, body or
spirit, those that need your grace and blessing. We pray that
God’s power and spirit will strengthen them and bring them the
healing and peace that belong to Christ’s kingdom.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

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. We particularly remember Glenda Burchell,
recently departed and faithful to God, and pray for her family.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

By name, we bring Lenny before you in our prayers.
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, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

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.

‘Giving a Nudge’ – 16th January 2022 – 2nd Sunday of Epiphany

Posted on January 16, 2022January 17, 2022 by St Mary's

The Readings

1 Corinthians 12.1-11

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says ‘Let Jesus be cursed!’ and no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.

John 2.1-11

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ Now standing there were six stone water-jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.’ So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.’ Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

The Sermon
By Rev'd Canon Dr Matthew Rhodes of St. John's

So there was this party. And lots of people were invited. And food was eaten and wine was drunk. And lots of people didn’t really know what happened that day. But somehow the story came out. And it proved to be more significant than some people might have imagined. And people remembered the story and the story lived on.

Parties are much in the news this week and today, on the second Sunday of Epiphany we reflect on a wedding party that took place right at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. The wedding at Cana is a wonderful story and like all Bible stories we can enjoy it just as it stands. It may be helpful as we reflect on this story during the week to imagine ourselves there. Of course this story has many layers to it and it really benefits from close inspection. John’s Gospel is like a treasure hunt. He lays careful and sometimes cryptic clues for us to find and nothing is wasted. John is very selective in his use of miracles. He describes just seven of them, four of which are unique to this Gospel. And the wedding at Cana is the first on both counts. Right at the beginning of the passage, John alerts us to the fact that this is not just any party. It took place on the third day as did the raising of Lazarus and of course the resurrection of Jesus himself.

This party would have been a big event involving the whole community. Mary was there and so were Jesus and his disciples. Perhaps more people turned up than had been expected. But hospitality is a big deal in the Middle East. Any guests are made welcome. This was no BYO event and running out of wine would have meant a huge loss of face. Most people probably didn’t notice but Mary did. She who pondered things in her heart realised what was going on. We need Marys. People who notice. Who are observant.

I wonder how Mary was feeling that day. Perhaps she was feeling a bit irritated that people kept asking her when her son would get married. Perhaps she was fed up with waiting for Jesus to get on with whatever it was he came to do. And it was Mary who gave him the nudge he needed. Pointing out what he probably already knew. They had run out of wine.

Jesus’ initial response seems rather rude. ‘What is that to do with me? My time has not yet come.’ But perhaps he found it hard to ignore his mother. She clearly wasn’t taking no for an answer. Mary ignores Jesus and directs the servants to do as he tells them. Sometimes we need do something similar. Not just notice but act. Give people a nudge. Mary knew her son better than anyone. Perhaps she knew what he was capable of. What his gifts were. And she pushed him to use them. Our first reading from Corinthians identifies different gifts that the Spirit gives to the church. Sometimes we need to help people identify the gifts they have and encourage them to use them.

Jesus, who was the guest, suddenly becomes the host in this story. Not in an overbearing ‘look at me’ sense but in a quiet, caring and serving sense. And it makes me think about how we welcome people in church. As members of the congregation I think we often think of ourselves as guests. It can take a while for us to feel that we belong. That this is our church. And that it’s our job to welcome others and make sure that they have what they need. We tend to think that that is the job of the vicar or the wardens. In a previous church of mine we had welcomers. But one day a new person turned up. They happened to know one of the people who was on the welcome rota but that person was not on duty that day. And the person actually said, ‘It’s a pity I’m not a welcome today otherwise I could have welcomed you.’ Welcoming is the job of all of us. As well as being guests at the Lord’s table we are also called to be hosts. It is the task of each one of us to make others welcome.

And Jesus does that not just by creating a little wine. He provides a ridiculous amount. Between 120 and 180 gallons of the stuff. And this isn’t just any old plonk either. He turns bathwater into Chateau Lafite. On one level it seems like a party trick. Completely over the top. It does not involve healing or meeting people’s immediate needs. And yet this superabundance of delicious wine speaks powerfully of the language of the kingdom. Of God’s abundant hospitality and generosity. It is a sign that Jesus is fulfilling the old covenant as well as doing something very new. Giving a foretaste of the heavenly banquet promised to all of God’s people. We will hear echoes of this story in a number of Jesus’ parable and at the feeding of the five thousand. Echoes too at the Last Supper and in our Eucharist and in the outpouring of Jesus’ life on the cross. Too often as the church we ration our welcome. And the pandemic hasn’t helped that. But the wedding at Cana reminds us to be profligate with the things of God.

As a priest, it is often my privilege to offer up the lives of others in the Eucharist and to celebrate important moments. To baptise, marry and conduct funerals. And much of the time I don’t really know what I’m dealing with. I tend to get the good stuff. The Sunday best. I don’t always hear about the bath water. The struggles. And in that sense I feel a bit like the master of the banquet. He didn’t know where the new wine had come from but he must have felt very thankful as I do.

The master of the banquet didn’t know where the wine had come from but the servants knew. Part of our the job of all of us is to be like those servants. Helping to make miracles happen. Enabling God’s love to transform the bathwater of our world into the wine of the kingdom. In this season of Epiphany we celebrate the manifestation of Christ in the world. The wedding at Cana stands alongside the visit of the magi and the baptism of Jesus as another sign that in Christ, God is doing a new thing. Bringing light and hope to a world in darkness. The wedding at Cana encourages us to be alert, to offer our gifts in God’s service and to play our part in bringing God’s kingdom closer. Amen.

The Prayers
Prepared by Lizzie Ilsley

God of Compassion
We pray for our community, in church and in the parish. We particularly call to mind members of our community who live with dementia, and those who love and care for them; at home and in care homes.
We pray for the dementia action group in the mission partnership of St Mary’s, St Mark’s and St John’s. Guide their conversations and decision making, and bless their work which seeks to help us to recognise that we are all made in your image, no mater what stage of life we are in.

God of Community
We pray for the wider Church, as it continues to navigate and discern its role and voice in our society in this time of pandemic.
We pray for worshipping communities who are working out how to be church at this time of shift.
Help people in positions of responsibility in the Church to work together for the common good, even when there are differences over how this might be achieved. May we always keep Christ at the centre of our purpose, remembering that he welcomed all.

God of Justice
We pray for the world, in particular areas of conflict and ongoing crisis.
We continue to hold in our prayers the people of Afghanistan, as many face starvation as the winter progresses.
We continue to pray for Rohinga refugees in camps in Bangladesh. We pray for agencies supporting them, particularly with the right for access to clean water, health care and education.
We call to mind the communities in Tonga effected by the volcanic eruption and tsunami this weekend. We pray for those who have lost their homes and livelihoods, and pray for those who lead the rebuilding of infrastructure in the coming weeks and months.

God of Love
We pray for all those who are unwell or recovering from illness or accidenct .
We continue to pray for those who have lost people they love as a result of COVID and those who have died recently in this community and beyond.
In remembrance of those who we love but no longer see.
We hold silence for a few moments for our own intentions.

‘Three wonders – An Epiphany Carol service’ – 9th January 2022 – Baptism of Christ Evening

Posted on January 9, 2022 by St Mary's

‘Who am I?’ – 9th January 2022 – Baptism of Christ

Posted on January 9, 2022 by St Mary's

Matthew 10.17-22

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

The Sermon
By David, Reader at St Mary's

Who am I?

Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten my name between my seat and the lectern. Nor am I suggesting we play a game of Biblical Guess Who, and yes, such a game does exist.

These words are a song title and quote from the musical Les Misérables. They are sung by the protagonist, Jean Valjean, upon discovering a man has been mistaken for him and arrested in his place. Valjean is at a crossroads and grapples with the decision before him. “If I speak, they are condemned, if I stay silent, I am damned.” Should he speak and disrupt the lives of all those who look to him for employment and leadership? Or should he stay silent and allow an innocent man to be imprisoned? I won’t spoil the plot.

In the song he uses both his real name and his prisoner number, 24601. He is caught between identities, his real name, which he cannot use. His prisoner number which has been given to him to dehumanise him and his assumed name, which he has used to shield himself from the law for years. But who is he?

Our Gospel passage this morning centres around Jesus’ identity. In Luke chapter 1 and 2 we have heard at Christmas the story of the birth of Jesus. Chapter 3 opens and the story has moved on, Jesus and John are now both adults. John has proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Those who come to see him wonder if he is the promised Messiah. He makes it clear that another is to come. One who will baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire rather than water.

In the similar passages in the Gospels according to Matthew and Mark Jesus is directly baptised by John himself. Luke is more ambiguous. He doesn’t explicitly state John baptises Jesus. His motives are varied. Luke was writing for a primarily non-Jewish audience and so the exact specifics of the Jewish Messiahs’ interaction with John are less important. But he also doesn’t focus on the baptism itself. It happens, it is recorded, but what takes place next is more important.

Jesus was praying. This is a recurring theme in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus at prayer before a major turning point in his life.

Then the heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him. A voice came from heaven “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Here we have Jesus’ identity confirmed, God’s Son. Not just confirmation of who Jesus is, also affirmation that he is Beloved and God is pleased with him. This is the affirmation, available to all, which we get at our baptism, again at our confirmation and week by week in worship of God at the Eucharist.

Jesus Baptism is one of three major landmarks in Jesus’ life where he prays and there is divine revelation in response. The others are at the Transfiguration in Luke 9 and in the garden of Gethsemane in Luke 22. At the Transfiguration Moses and Elijah appear in glory and a voice from the cloud says “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” In Gethsemane Jesus prays “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done”. Then an angel appears and gives Jesus strength. Later at his interrogation and trial he will be mockingly asked if he is the Son of God.

At each of these three points there is change in Jesus’ life. At his baptism he moves from his early life, which aside from one instance in the temple we know nothing about, to the beginning of his ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit.

When Transfigured Jesus’ appearance changes and he moves from one phase of his ministry to another. In Gethsemane he commits to the events of Holy Week.

Each time there is a choice to make or major change in Jesus’ life he is found in prayer. Having been baptised by John, should he move from what we assume was a settled life as a carpenter? Being transfigured and chosen, should he turn his face to Jerusalem? Finding himself in Gethsemane, the last point at which he could reasonably avoid his Passion, should he drink of the cup prepared for him?

We know how this story ends. With each choice Jesus is affirmed in his identity as the Son of God. This affirmation strengthens him to face the path ahead. His decisions are bound up in his identity. We, as children of God, are offered the affirmation that we are Beloved and God is pleased with us. May it strength us for the journey we face.

Returning to where we began, with Jean Valjean, we see the agony of decision making exemplified, as he works through whether he should turn himself in and set free an innocent man. But he doesn’t ask “what should I do?”. He asks, “Who am I?”

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 of those affected by the Covid-19 epidemic.
We pray for those countries currently suffering from upsurges of the virus, thinking especially of those
facing the omicron variant: please help them to keep their most vulnerable citizens safe.

We pray for the worldwide success of vaccination campaigns, and that vaccines are made available to all
countries, regardless of their wealth or lack thereof. Please help each of us to give informed reassurance to
those we know who are wary of having the vaccine and to play what part we can in ensuring that the rest of
the world gets vaccinated too.

We pray especially for all workers in direct contact with the public who are at such risk of exposure to the
virus: health care providers, shop workers, bus drivers, schoolteachers and all others similarly exposed.
Please help all of us to protect all of them by continuing to wear masks in public and practice safe social
distancing and by getting vaccinated, if we have not already done so.

We pray also for all those involved in trying to fight the climate crisis Please give all governments the
political courage to resist further use of fossil fuels and to invest in sources of renewable energy instead.
Please help each of us individually to contribute to protecting our planet in any way we can.
We pray for all those affected by war or tyrannical regimes, thinking particularly of people in Kazakhstan
and the Ukraine. Please bring strength and comfort to those affected.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

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

We pray especially for our worshipping community of St. John’s Ranmoor, St. Mark’s Broomhill and St.
Mary’s Walkley as we struggle to cope with the ongoing pandemic. Please help us to feel your presence in a
world turned upside down and to share that presence with others.

We pray that we can continue to worship together in ways that are safe for all of us, whether in person or
online. Please help us to think of each other and let each other know that we care and to remember those
who feel increasingly lonely and unsafe as the world is hit by yet more upsurges and variants of the virus.
Please help us find ways to reach all of our parish, both those who do have access to the internet and those
who do not.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

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

We pray for all those personally affected by covid, either because they are suffering from it or someone dear
to them is suffering from it. Please bring them healing and future good health.

We pray for all those struggling to get medical treatment that they need, as the omicron epidemic threatens
to overwhelm our NHS. We pray also for all those working in the NHS. Please help us to make their lives
easier, as they struggle to make our lives safer.

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 who are suffering the loss of friends
and loved ones, asking that you bring your comfort and healing to them at this time of grief.

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

2nd January 2022 – The Epiphany

Posted on January 2, 2022January 2, 2022 by St Mary's

The Readings

Isaiah 60.1-6

Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Lift up your eyes and look around;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,
and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.
Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice,[a]
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.

Matthew 2.1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Prayers
Prepared by Veronica H

In the power of the spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father.
As we approach the beginning of another uncertain new year, we pray that we may have the confidence of the Magi to set out on our journey of hope this coming year, and come to know you more. The Magi remind us that all peoples from across the world are your children and we must welcome them as our brothers and sisters as we join with them in adoration of the Christ Child.
Lord of glory
hear our prayer.

As the Magi offered their gifts to the infant Jesus, we pray you Father to accept the offering of our hearts and minds. Help us during this coming year to grow closer to you in doing your will.
Lord of glory
hear our prayer.

All the kingdoms of this earth are yours Lord. We pray for peace between nations and for the relief of suffering, where there is hunger, oppression or disaster caused by our misuse of your earth or the tyranny of men.
Lord of glory
hear our prayer.

The Holy Family knew what it meant to flee from danger into exile to escape Herod’s attacks on the innocent baby boys. Father of all, use us to ensure that refugees among us are welcomed and cared for, and that those suffering poverty are fed.
Lord of glory
hear our prayer.

Father, your Son shared his life in an ordinary home and family in Nazareth. We pray that you will protect our friends and neighbours in this community, and give you thanks for the work of the Foodbank, the Advice Centre and the Library in supporting those in need. Be with all those who are ill in mind or body at this time of great anxiety for so many people.
Lord of glory
hear our prayer.

Father we rejoice in our fellowship with the shepherds, the angels, the magi, the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and all the faithful departed. In your unfailing love for us and for all your people, hear and answer our prayers through your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

‘God’s Generous Love’ – 26th December 2021 – St. Stephen’s Day

Posted on December 26, 2021December 25, 2021 by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 7.51-end
[Stephen said] ‘You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are for ever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.’

When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. 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.

Matthew 10.17-22
Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

The Sermon
By Canon Dr. Matthew Rhodes

It is good to see you all on this Boxing Day. I wonder why you are here rather than at home nursing a hangover or having a lie in. Perhaps it’s because you are really hard core Christians who never miss a Sunday, in which case, well done. Or perhaps it’s because you need to get out of the house. If you’re on your own this year as many of us are, it’s good to be with others. Or perhaps you have a house full and need to escape. Whatever your motivation, you are very welcome and I might just have the very saint you need.
Today we celebrate the Feast of St Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Yesterday we gave thanks for the birth of the baby Jesus, but in the space of 24 hours our faith has to leave the stable and the ox and the ass and encounter some rather adult themes.
I heard some children on television the other day suggesting that Boxing Day was so named because the sport of boxing was created on this day. The truth of course is that the boxes in question are Christmas boxes which are traditionally given to servants and tradespeople. But there is still a certain amount of violence connected with today. There’s always quite a bit of violence and murder on the television at this time of year.
Perhaps it provides a balance to the need for us to be nice to each other at Christmas. A bit of spice to balance the sweetness of this time. But whatever the reason, it seems that violence at Christmas goes back a long way. In the church calendar on Boxing Day we hear about the brutal killing of Stephen by the religious authorities. He was stoned to death for his faith in Christ. And Saul, who later became St Paul, looked after the coats of those who did the stoning.
Stephen’s story reminds us of the may Christians around the world who are persecuted for their faith. Sometimes we may be called on to give a reason for the hope that is in us and we pray that like Stephen, we can be brave enough to do that. We also pray that as Jesus promises in our Gospel, the Holy Spirit will give us the right words to speak. And it may be that we need to find the right words to say at home too. Christmas can be a stressful time and an hour in church may help us to know what to say, or not say, when we get home. I have a lot of respect for Stephen but part of me wonders if he should have kept his mouth shut a bit more. Sometimes it’s a case of least said, soonest mended. What I really admire him for though is the fact that he was able to forgive the people who were killing him. And if Stephen could do that surely we can find it within our hearts to forgive those who cause us pain.
One of the themes that comes to the fore today is the theme of charity, or caritas, which is sometimes translated as love. Stephen showed enormous charity to his killers. And we are called to be charitable to the people we encounter. To our nearest and dearest and also to our neighbours. Boxing Day reminds us of the need to be generous to those who are less fortunate than ourselves. And that is strongly reinforced by the carol which we will sing at the end of this service. Good King Wenceslas. It’s a carol beloved be carol singers for generations because it tugs at the purse strings of those who hear it.
The carol ‘Good King Wenceslas’ may not give God much of a mention but hopefully it will send us out in a good mood. Willing to play our part in building the kingdom that Jesus came to inaugurate. Like Wenceslas and Stephen himself, we are called to reflect God’s generous love to the world. To give of ourselves as God gave of himself when he sent his son to be one of us. Amen.

The Prayers
Prepared by Sue H and Sybille B