Image by: John Stephen Dwyer, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Readings

Ephesians 1.15-end

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

 

Matthew 25.31-end

Jesus said, ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’

 

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 Canon Dr Alan Billings

We are so familiar with this passage and so familiar with the way it is often, if not always, explained, that we can miss, as a result, many of the things that Jesus is actually saying to us – both then and now.

For instance, starting where the parable starts – with sheep and goats.

it was only when I went to the Holy Land that I realised how difficult it is to separate sheep and goats in that part of the world. Here, we have no trouble. Sheep look very different from goats. But the Palestinian sheep and the Palestinian goat look alike – with their droopy long ears.

So the first thing Jesus is saying is quite hard for us to grasp, let alone put into practice. He is saying something about how difficult it is to recognise in the here and now those who deserve to be on God’s right hand and those who will be on his left – the good and the bad. In the here and now they are often indistinguishable.

We don’t really believe that. So we have to be jolted into thinking about the truth of that. We need to pause before we start condemning others. We may not be as clever at spotting the difference as we think.

And there will be all sorts of reasons for that.

In the first place, we only see what people do, we don’t see, we can’t see, their motivation for doing it. And that may be very important.

Why did she walk out on her children all those years ago? We may be quick to judge. But we don’t know that she knew that, if she had stayed, she might well have done something to them that she would have regretted. She knew the inner compulsions. She knew how close she came on more than one occasion to hitting them with fury. So she walked away, even though it broke her heart to do so.

As God said to Samuel: “...for the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16.7

We do not see as the Lord sees, so we ought to pause before we judge others – in the same way we might hope that others would pause before they judge us – a familiar theme in the gospel.

Jesus is also saying something else in this passage. And this too may be hard to hear.

He is not saying, I’m going to give you a list of things I want you to do in order to win the approval of our heavenly Father. This is not a check list for us to scroll down and tick off:

yes, fed the hungry – gave to a foodbank

yes, gave sustenance to the thirsty – supported the charity Water Aid

yes, took in someone stranded who needed a bed for the night

.. and so on.

The point of the list is not that we go down it and tick things off, it is only to make the point that there will be those who should have done something – not necessarily these things – but they didn’t. They didn’t because they didn’t recognise what they should have done. Their hearts, perhaps, were hearts of stone, or lacked compassion or generosity. The point is that they didn’t understand why their outward behaviour was so lacking because they didn’t acknowledge what their inner self was really like.

In the same way, those who are commended are not commended because they did what was on this list – the list could have been any number of things. They are commended for doing good in ways they didn’t know were good. They did these things because they had generous, loving and compassionate hearts, not because they followed a checklist. They didn’t know they were doing good. They were not self conscious about it at all.

So the parable is saying this. Not do the things on this list and you will be alright in the judgement. It is saying you will not know what the judgement is until you are judged because the important thing will be what you carry in your heart, what motivates you. That is what will put you on God’s right or his left. And that holds the potential to surprise us all – unless we sort our heart out.

For while man looks on the outward appearance, the Lord will look on the heart.

The Prayers
Prepared by Joe.

With thankful hearts we bring our prayers to our heavenly Father

As we celebrate the festival of Christ the King, 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.
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 an implement policy. We particularly pray for a smooth and peaceful transition of power in the United States.   We pray that all decisions made are for the benefit of all people, and that they bring your Kingdom closer to all people.
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 we start to look towards the end of our current lockdown, remind us to behave with the good of all people in mind. Lord, we pray for those who are worried and troubled especially at this time of continuing uncertainty.  We pray for those whose health and livelihoods have been affected by Covid-19, and those who have ongoing health or emotional problems where treatments are still only partially available.
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 close to death at this time, and those accompanying them on this final part of their Earthly journey.  We pray for those who have died, recently and in the past, and those who mourn.  We pray for those who have died without the comfort of their family around them, that they were comforted by your presence, Lord.  We pray that you give strength and love to all those close to death and caring for the dying at this time.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

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.

Heavenly Father, you have rescued us from the power of darkness. Help us to walk in this world as citizens of your kingdom of light where Christ reigns as King in eternal glory.

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

For the next two Sundays there will be no live-streamed worship from St. Mary's.  The readings, sermon and prayers for this week can be found below.

The Readings

1 Thessalonians 5.1-11

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, ‘There is peace and security’, then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labour pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then, let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.

Matthew 25.14-30

Jesus said:
‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

 

Scripture Quotations are taken 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 Canon Dr Matthew Rhodes.

Cathy and I had a meeting with our financial adviser recently. On Zoom of course. And I was rather dreading it. The economy has had such a turbulent time recently that I thought that the Rhodes family fortune would have been badly depleted. Had it been down to me I might have been tempted to stick it all under the mattress. Which is why I am a vicar not a financial adviser. So many people are suffering at the moment and it feels as if that pain needs to be shared. And certainly our savings and investments have not grown all that much in the past year. But actually the news from our adviser was better than I had feared. The people who look after the Rhodes millions seem to have looked to the future. To have taken some intelligent risks. I’m not sure if they have invested in Zoom or Pfizer but they have put money into green technologies. Industries that will play an important part in the post Covid recovery.

In the midst of all the chaos and upheaval of the past year, some people are investing for the future. At St John’s we have been refurbishing the Parish Centre. Looking forward to the day when it can reopen properly and serve our community better. We have also used this time to restore the organ and that work is nearly completed. We are investing in technology to improve the way we stream our services. The Diocese is investing in new structures of ministry which mean that in addition to St John’s, I now have responsibilities at St Mary’s Walkley. And hopefully, the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, is investing wisely for the future, laying the foundations for a greener, more sustainable, economic recovery.

In today’s Gospel, a wealthy man distributes his property to his slaves. To one five talents. To another two and to another one. And then he goes away. And I think we can all identify with that sense of absence at the moment. We are separated from our loved ones. From the people who give us security. Some of us are separated from work. And if the rich man is God, we can all identify with that sense of him feeling a bit absent sometimes. It’s not a new feeling. In our first reading, the prophet Zephaniah addressed a people that had given up expecting God to return. They had grown complacent and sinful. But Zephaniah warned them that the day of judgement was near. Their wealth and property would be no protection from his wrath. And we are going to hear a lot about God returning in judgement in the next few weeks.

The Thessalonians in our second reading, were more expectant and hopeful of the Lord’s return but Paul warned them that it was not for them to know when that would be. The Lord would come like a thief in the night. But they were not to be fearful. As children of the light, he told them to keep awake. To encourage one another and build each another up. We can identify with that sense of not knowing when things are going to happen. What will things be like after 2nd December? What will Christmas be like? We have had some good news about a vaccine this week but we don’t quite know when that will be rolled out. Like the Thessalonians, we need to be open and hopeful, encouraging each other and building each other up.

Some have suggested that this parable was aimed very much at the disciples. Jesus was preparing them for his departure. When the rich man returns, the first two slaves have doubled the talents that he gave them. They have gone out into the market. They have speculated to accumulate. And the master commends them for their efforts. Although they were given different amounts and made different profits, they are both commended in the same way. Like the workers in the vineyard they both receive the same reward. They are to be put in charge of many things and are to enter into the joy of their master. We cannot all be Captain Tom or Marcus Rashford. The size of our efforts is not really what is important. It is our faithfulness. Whether in small things or large things.

The third slave is quite different. He has a very different picture of his master. A distorted image. Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden were persuaded by the serpent that they were somehow in competition with God. That he wanted to deny them things. In the same way, the slave has absorbed the idea that the master is mean and vengeful. And his actions reflect that image. He hid master’s money in the ground. Burying it as Jesus was buried by the religious authorities. The slave had taken no risks but neither had he increased what he had been given.

In response, the master lives up to the slave’s image of him. He strips the slave of his talent and gives it to another. And he has the slave thrown out into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Sometimes we get the sort of God we believe in. If our God is narrow and judgmental then that may be the God we experience. But if we can have a bigger picture of God. A more generous, open, loving God then that may be the God we encounter instead.

The talents are a bit like the mustard seed or the yeast in Jesus’ other parables. They are to be used. Shared. Multiplied. Our attitude to them reflects our attitude to God. Our picture of the kingdom. Not all of us can use our God given talents to the full at the moment. But this is not just a time of waiting. Not just a time to keep our talents buried. All of us can do something. As we prepare for Christmas, whatever that looks like, many of us can use our spending power to support local businesses and vital charities. I continue to be very thankful for the ongoing generosity of so many to the Foodbank. Cathy and I have felt very blessed by all the prayers and messages of support and the practical help that we have received while we have been ill. In this second lockdown with the colder weather and shorter days, there is such a need for that ministry of love and care which so many people exercise. God has given us so much. Entrusted us with so many talents. How can we use them, multiply them, in this extraordinary time?

Amen.

The Prayers

prepared by Siobhan

In the power of the Holy Spirit and in union with Christ we pray to the Father. You promised through your Son, Jesus Christ to hear us when we pray in faith. We pray for the church, the world and those whom we love.

We give thanks for St Mary’s leadership team who continue to serve our church community with their gifts and talents during this challenging time. May they be inspired by your love and wisdom as they continue to answer your call to embody your truth and love in Walkley. We pray for the continuing strengthening of links with St John’s and St Mark’s as we invest in joint ventures.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for a world that is hurting. May world governments seek solutions which protect the health and wellbeing of the global community. As health services continue to experience increased demands may frontline workers receive the support they need. We give thanks for the work of scientists committed to developing safe and effective vaccines for Covid.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all those who are vulnerable especially remembering those in nursing and residential homes. We pray for those suffering because of Covid 19 that they may have good care. We pray too for those whose treatment may be delayed at this time. Be with all people who are unwell in mind, body or spirit. Give healing, compassion, support, and courage to all who need your love.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the bereaved that they may know the compassion of Christ. In silence we remember those known to us who have died. May they rest in peace and rise in glory.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We remember in silence our own personal intentions and the intentions of those who have asked for our prayers.

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

 

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

The Order of Service

Here you will find the order of service for this week in PDF format:

20 11 08 Remembrance Sunday

Here you will find the order of service for this week in Word format:

20 11 08 Remembrance Sunday

The Livestream

This week's service is at 10:30am and will be livestreamed from church on the our YouTube channel here:

 

The Readings

Micah 4. 1 - 5 

In days to come
the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be raised up above the hills.
Peoples shall stream to it,
and many nations shall come and say:
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.’
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between many peoples,
and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more;
but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees,
and no one shall make them afraid;
for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.

For all the peoples walk,
each in the name of its god,
but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God
for ever and ever.

 

John 15. 9 - 17  

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

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

 

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

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

“I have a dream” said the prophet Micah. It was a dream shared by the prophet Isaiah, for the same words read this morning from Micah also appear in chapter 2 of Isaiah.

It’s a dream of the holy mountain of God. The mountain where the temple stands. And in this dream this mountain is higher than any other mountain. It might be the mountain of Jerusalem, the holy city of the Hebrew people, but in this dream, people are flocking to it from many different nations. It’s a place of pilgrimage for all.

Why are the people drawn to the mountain? It’s because they want to learn God’s ways, walk in his paths, and take his Word back to their home countries to share with their own people.

In this dream God will act as referee, helping strong nations to work out the differences between each other. God’s action will be so effective that the people will be confident enough to take their weapons of war and recycle them into tools to farm with. There will be no more need to learn the skills of war. There will be no more fear because there is no longer any threat from anyone else. So the people of each nation can grow their own vines and figs in their own lands, safe in the knowledge that they will not be destroyed by enemies, but will bear fruit and feed them.

In this dream, no one is afraid. In this dream the world is at peace.

Micah’s dream was not about to be realised any time soon. In Micah’s reality the kingdom of Israel was about to be cruelly overthrown by the stronger, brutal Assyrians. A century later, the kingdom of Judah would be overthrown by the Babylonians; Jerusalem and her temple destroyed. There would be no growing of figs or vines and the people would be taken into exile. In reality, many people were afraid. In reality the world was far from being at peace.

And as we know, the world continues to be far from peaceful. Today we remember especially those who died in the two world wars. Young men who should have had their whole lives ahead of them. Families whose lives were turned upside down through loss of a son, brother, father.

And we bring to mind too those lost in the conflicts that have taken place, or are still taking place around the world. Their grieving families. Their displaced peoples. Those living in constant fear. The world is still far from being anything like Micah’s dream.

Micah and the other prophets knew that there was unlikely to be peace in the world in their near future. They could see that the actions of their nations and leaders would result in conflicts against bigger, stronger nations. These bigger, stronger nations would overthrow them. The prophets warned the people about the consequences of their behaviour. Their warnings came to pass.

And yet the prophets still had hope. They still dared to dream of days to come when things would be different. Days when people the world over would be guided by God into reconciling their differences. Days when the nations and their people would learn how to live in harmony with each other. Days when weapons of war would no longer be necessary and could be turned instead into useful tools, tools which would sustain life.

Their hope stood firm. It refused to die. Their hope still stands firm. It still refuses to die.

A dream of days to come. A dream not yet realised.

Not yet.

The Prayers
From Common Worship.

Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict,
and ask that God may give us peace:

for the service men and women
who have died in the violence of war,
each one remembered by and known to God;
may God give peace.
God give peace.

For those who love them in death as in life,
offering the distress of our grief
and the sadness of our loss;
may God give peace.
God give peace.

For all members of the armed forces
who are in danger this day,
remembering family, friends
and all who pray for their safe return;
may God give peace.
God give peace.

For civilian women, children and men
whose lives are disfigured by war or terror,
calling to mind in penitence
the anger and hatreds of humanity;
may God give peace.
God give peace.

For peacemakers and peacekeepers,
who seek to keep this world secure and free;
may God give peace.
God give peace.

For all who bear the burden and privilege of leadership,
political, military and religious;
asking for gifts of wisdom and resolve
in the search for reconciliation and peace;
may God give peace.
God give peace.

O God of truth and justice,
we hold before you those whose memory we cherish,
and those whose names we will never know.
Help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this broken world,
and grant us the grace to pray for those who wish us harm.
As we honour the past,
may we put our faith in your future;
for you are the source of life and hope,
now and for ever.
Amen.

 

Common Worship: Times and Seasons, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2006 and published by Church House Publishing.

To watch a recording of this evening's Memorial Service in Commemoration of the Faithful Departed, click on the link to the parish YouTube channel below. This is free and does not require any special software:

The Readings

Lamentations 3.17-26

My soul is bereft of peace;
I have forgotten what happiness is;
so I say, ‘Gone is my glory,
and all that I had hoped for from the Lord.’

The thought of my affliction and my homelessness
is wormwood and gall!
My soul continually thinks of it
and is bowed down within me.
But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul,
‘therefore I will hope in him.’

The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul that seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.

John 14.1-3

Jesus said:
‘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.

The Reflection
by Catherine, a Reader at St. Mary's

Bereavement is never easy. Bereavement in the time of a pandemic is especially difficult. And some of you here with us this evening or following online may be feeling this really keenly. The loved ones we were not able to be with during their final days and hours. Saying our goodbyes over video call or phone. The funerals we would have attended, the memories shared, the mutual support of hugs, or the conversations had with friends and family over food and drink. In-person attendance restricted to a select few people, with everyone else following via video link. Having to grieve alone. Yes, bereavement is especially difficult this year.

The opening verses of our reading from Lamentations may have resonated with you, echoed what you have been, or are still feeling inside.

“My soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is…

The thought of my affliction and my homelessness is wormwood and gall!
My soul continually thinks of it
and is bowed down within me”

Normal human feelings. Feelings of turmoil, feelings of loss, feelings of bitterness. Feelings expressed by an exiled people centuries ago and from a different place and culture. Feelings expressed in the Bible itself. And this in itself can be comforting. The stark reality of grief and loss is there in the Bible. It is not covered up or watered down. It is there in all its rawness.

And yet even in one of the Bible’s bleakest books, there is a flicker of light. The people have lost everything, but still just manage to call to mind what will give them hope in this bleakest of times:

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness”

You get the sense here of the people taking one day at a time, giving thanks for whatever little thing happens to be good that morning. This is not a quick fix to happiness. It won’t solve their immediate crisis. But it will sustain them until the next day. And then the next.

“The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul that seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.”

Sometimes in the midst of our grief all we can do is sit with the pain and wait. We may have no words. We may have no energy to act. Waiting is all we are capable of. And that is all OK.

It will be some time yet before we can fully celebrate the lives of those we have lost this year. It will be some time before we can freely gather with all our families and friends, hold each other physically, sing, cry and laugh together, then begin to build a new life. It’s a time of upheaval and uncertainty. Sometimes all we can do at the moment is wait. We don’t know what the future will bring. But in our reading from John’s gospel we have a glimpse of what it might look like. A house with many rooms, enough for everyone, past, present and future. Rooms that Christ himself will prepare for his friends. And his presence forever alongside us. Let us take hope from that.

 

Scripture Quotations are taken from: The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, 1995 by 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

Let us pray to the Lord, who has conquered death.

The Order of Service

Here you will find the order of service for this week in PDF format:

20 10 25 order of service

Here you will find the order of service for this week in Word format:

20 10 25 order of service

The Livestream

This week's service is at 6:30pm and will be livestreamed from church on the our Youtube channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv0KDKmAwGyIsE1i07xmiiw

The Readings

1 Thessalonians 2.1-8

You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain, but though we had already suffered and been shamefully maltreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.

 

Matthew 22.34-end

When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: ‘What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?’ They said to him, ‘The son of David.’ He said to them, ‘How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying,
“The Lord said to my Lord,
‘Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet’ ”?
If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?’ No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

 

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 David, a Lay Reader in training at St Mary's.

O Lord, you have given us your word
for a light to shine upon our path.
Grant us so to meditate on that word,
and to follow its teaching,
that we may find in it the light
that shines more and more until the perfect day;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

after Jerome (420)

What is the greatest commandment?

As our Gospel passage opens Jesus is again being questioned by the Pharisees. I say “again being questioned by the Pharisees” as we heard last week how they and Herodians tried to trap Jesus with the issue of paying taxes to Caesar.

In the space between that section of Matthew’s Gospel and today’s Jesus was questioned by the Sadducees, a different group of religious teachers, on how the resurrection life will work. True to form his response astounds them to silence, referred to at the beginning of our Gospel today.

This can seem quite confrontational to us. There are forums in the modern church for rigorous debate on specific issues of doctrine and practice. I’m thinking of the church’s synods, at Deanery and Diocesan level and General Synod, its equivalent of a parliament. It takes specific circumstances for this debate to filter into parish life.

We have some experience of this at St Mary’s, often advocating for the ministry of the ordinary parish church, rooted in loving service and mission to a community. Or quietly affirming that the threefold order of bishop, priest and deacon are open to all. But it’s not something we do day in and day out.

For first century rabbis this kind of debate was much more common. There are 613 commandments in the first five books of the Old Testament, known in Judaism as the Torah. Working out how to apply them in life and how to view some of the more general, all-encompassing commandments in light of the specific, focused ones takes some thought and much debate.

So, while the Pharisees are portrayed by the Gospel writer as testing Jesus, it is part of the normal religious discourse. What sets Jesus apart in most of these arguments is that he often leaves the other side in the debate stunned and speechless. But we aren’t told that here. His response, to choose two commandments – love God and your neighbour – and make them both equal, is in fact a fairly standard interpretation of the commandments in line with Jewish thinking of the time.

What we could easily miss – we’re used to hearing them together – is that the two commandments quoted by Jesus come from different books of the Torah, Deuteronomy chapter 6 verse 5, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” And Leviticus 19.18 “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord.”

We all need to be reminded of the importance of these commandments, but for now I’m setting aside the first one and focusing on loving our neighbour as ourselves. It has echoes of the Golden Rule in Mathew 7 verse 12 “‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” A similar sentiment is found in the practice of most major religions and provides common cause between those of different faiths and no faith.

Yet it’s practice still seems to be a revolutionary concept. This takes many forms.

I once heard a sermon by the former Bishop of Sheffield, Jack Nichols, where he said the problem is that we do love others as we love ourselves and that we don’t love ourselves enough. There is a lot of truth to this. Low self esteem and other mental health conditions are prevalent and likely to become more so in the next six months as we face what is likely to be a very difficult winter. We all need to learn to love ourselves a little bit more. This will in turn overflow into love of others.

But it’s a fine balance between loving ourselves and allowing that self love to consume us. Between seeing ourselves as Jesus does, forgiven, loved and free, and becoming a slave to our own ego. Between overflowing with love for others and hoarding all our love for ourselves.

None of us, as individuals or institutions, gets this right all the time. A particularly live example is the debate around provision in the holidays of free school meals to children who normally receive them at school. As a school governor I know how much of a difference these meals make to the children, their health and wellbeing and their ability to learn.

If decision makers on this issue don’t go hungry and those they serve do, they aren’t loving their neighbour as themselves.

While the church is not immune to this failure to love our neighbour as ourself, we do have a calling to model it in our private, public and institutional life. By modelling it we will hopefully highlight where it is not present.

How do we tell this truth without descending into a holier than thou smug attitude? Our first reading from 1 Thessalonians offers us a blueprint. “but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts… we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others.”

This is our pattern, but not only ours. Marcus Rashford seems to be modelling this behaviour pretty well for us. He speaks from a place of experience on the issue and doesn’t seem to speak to please mortals. An MBE hasn’t stopped him advocating on the issue of child food poverty. He could have taken the award, the praise from mortals and stopped, but he hasn’t.

In Sheffield the City Council has decided it will fill the gap and provide food vouchers over the half term. They are not alone, other councils had already done so and more may follow, though time is running out.

All of these actions highlight how unjust the decision on extending free school meals was. But this also points us to a broader injustice within society. While anyone goes hungry and at the same time others have more than enough, we are not living up the ideal of loving our neighbour as ourselves.

The Church of England and the Worldwide Anglican communion of which it is a part adopted five marks of mission, drawn from the life of Jesus, and on which we are called to base the life and work of our churches. Number 3 is “To respond to human need by loving service” and those working to extend free school meal provision are doing exactly that. Responding to an immediate need with a swift response. A biblical example would be the feeding of the five thousand. We do a small part at St Mary’s in our support of the S6 Foodbank. But all of this is and should only ever be a sticking plaster.

The fourth mark of mission is “To transform unjust structures of society,”. This is what comes next. The immediate need is met, now we need to look at the structural problems which caused this need and address them. The danger is we never get here. We get stuck in responding to immediate need after immediate need, all of which should be addressed, but we never get to transforming the unjust structures of society.

Over the coming months many of us may have more time on our hands than we would normally. Much of our everyday activity isn’t possible, or is at least restricted. We can use this time to pray, to reflect on and respond to the immediate needs we see around us. But also how we might may our society more just. In doing so we will inch ever more closely to loving our neighbour as ourselves.

 

O Divine Master,
grant that we may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

a Franciscan prayer

The Prayers
Prepared by David, adapted from Common Worship.

Gracious God, fountain of all wisdom,
we pray for all people;
for Pete and Sophie our bishops,
and for all who teach and guard the faith.
May the word of Christ dwell richly in our hearts,
and knit us together in the bond of your love.
Hear us.
Hear us, good Lord.

We pray for the leaders of nations,
and for those in authority under them.
Give them the gift of your wisdom,
and a right discernment in all things.
Hear us.
Hear us, good Lord.

We pray for this community of Walkley,
for those who live, work and visit here,
and for all who seek the common good.
Speak your word of peace in our midst,
and help us to serve one another as Christ has served us.
Hear us.
Hear us, good Lord.

We pray for those who do not believe,
and for those of hesitant belief.
Open their ears to hear your voice,
and open their hearts to receive you, the very Word of life.
Hear us.
Hear us, good Lord.

We pray for those bowed down with grief, fear or sickness.
May Christ your living Word bring them comfort and healing.
Hear us.
Hear us, good Lord.

We give thanks for all who have died in the faith of Christ,
and we rejoice with Mary and all your saints,
trusting in the promise of your word fulfilled.
Hear us.
Hear us, good Lord.

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

 

Common Worship: Times and Seasons, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2006 and published by Church House Publishing.

You can download a PDF of this week's order of service here:

20 10 18 order of service

This week's service and meeting to elect 2 Churchwardens will be livestreamed together on the parish YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv0KDKmAwGyIsE1i07xmiiw

The Readings

1 Thessalonians 1.1-10

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace.

We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of people we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place where your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.

Matthew 22.15-22

Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’ But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

 

Scripture Quotations are taken 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 David, Reader-in-training at St. Mary's

The question raised by Jesus in our Gospel passage today is one worth considering. It’s not something many of us often think about, and it has the capacity to divide as well as unite us. We shouldn’t avoid it because of this.
How should we, as Christians, relate to secular authorities?

The passage opens with the Pharisees, religious teachers, sending followers to test Jesus. With them come the Herodians, followers of King Herod, the local ruler who governs with the occupying Roman Empire’s permission.
They begin with flattery, hoping to feed Jesus’ ego and catch him off guard. Then the question to trap him. Here is the moment of danger:
“Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?”

Why is this dangerous for Jesus?

If he says it is not lawful to pay taxes to the Emperor then the Herodians, whose master owes his position to the Romans, will label him as subversive, seditious and a threat to Roman authority. More than enough for his arrest and execution.

If he says it is lawful to pay taxes to the Emperor, then his disciples and the crowds gathered around him will feel betrayed by his apparent acceptance of the occupying Roman force.
It’s a no-win situation.

Jesus, aware of their intent to trap him, turns the question back upon them.
“Show me the coin used for the tax.” forcing them to handle the Roman coin used for the census tax. It would likely have had the image of the emperor Tiberius and carried the inscription “Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus, high priest.” A problem for devout Jews who viewed the Emperor’s claims of divinity, and his image, as blasphemous. A problem also for Jesus, the actual son of God.

Jesus then questions them about the coin: “Whose head is this, and whose title?” getting the obvious response: “The Emperor’s”.

The climax of the story follows with Jesus declaring: “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” He leaves the Herodians and Pharisees shocked and speechless.
Jesus appears to be separating some things as belonging to God, and some to earthly rulers. This feels like it goes against our understanding that everything we have comes from God, and we offer back to him. See 1 Chronicles 29.14 “For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you”.

It can appear as if Jesus is setting up two equal and different authorities here, Caesar and God, and that we are called to give to both with equal weight.

But the context is important.

The Jewish people were not minting coins during Jesus’ lifetime; all currency used was Roman or Greek. During Jewish rebellions against the Romans between AD 66-73 and again between AD 132 and 135 they did begin to mint their own coinage. It seems odd this was a high priority when defending against the Roman army.
It highlights how much a symbol of occupation and oppression these coins were. Which helps us see that in Jesus’ eyes these coins did not come from God, but earthly rulers.

Giving the blasphemous coins back to the Romans as tax wasn’t giving away something that was God’s. The Jewish people could, and can, follow the rules and expectations of secular rulers and society without breaking their covenant with the living God. The Emperor could have their money, but not their allegiance. The people belonged to God, not to Caesar.

How does this impact our interaction with secular rulers and authorities?

If we belong to God, then we should offer to God the first fruits of our labours, rather than what we have left over.
I’ve often wondered why the Church of England’s teaching on giving, 5% to the church and 5% to other charities, is based around gross income, the money we are paid before taxes, national insurance and pension contributions are taken off. It always seemed a bit unfair, particularly for those on lower incomes. Surely using the net value, what is left once the contributions to the state are paid, would be more just? Here is an answer: we are called to give to God from all that we are given, regardless of any given to the modern-day Caesar.

This could equally apply to our time as our money. How often do we give God the time when we are tired, at the end of a long day?

Neither of these points are supposed to add to the burdens of those who are poor in time or money, especially as time and money offered to God can take many different forms, and doesn’t always take place through the church.
How then should we, as Christians, relate to the secular authorities?

At the heart of this question is one of citizenship.

Theresa May uttered in 2016: “if you believe you are a citizen of the world, you are a citizen of nowhere”. This felt odd when I heard it, particularly from someone who professes the Christian faith. It fails to knowledge people often feel ties of citizenship to multiple places. We might be citizens of Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, the UK, as well as the world.

But for Christians this goes one stage further, Paul reminds us in Philippians 3.20 “our citizenship is in heaven” and Jesus at his trial tells Pilate “My kingdom is not from this world”.

This is not to advocate a complete rejection of secular authority. HMRC, if you’re watching, I’m not telling people to evade paying tax. But we must remember that our primary allegiance is to God and our citizenship is of his kingdom.
The practical outwork of this will mean potentially coming into conflict with secular authorities over issues where our faith tells us one thing, and secular authority another. An example of this includes the Conscientious Objectors, many of whom refused compulsory military service in the First World War on the grounds of Christian pacifism and were subsequently jailed, being treated appallingly. Or more recently the members of Christian Climate Action, associated with Extinction Rebellion, engaging in civil disobedience to highlight the damage done to God’s creation, who also face criminal charges for ultimately telling truth to power.

Whether we agree with their methods or not, one has to admire their faith and recognise that their primary allegiance is to God and his kingdom. How would we react when faced with such a difficult choice?

May we set the example of Jesus, and those who have followed him with faith before us when we are similarly tested.

Let us pray:
Now to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
be ascribed as is most justly due,
all might, majesty, dominion and power,
now and for evermore. Amen.

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 Canon Sophie, all here who lead us in worship and prayer, and all those whose time and talents are given to St Mary’s. On this day when we recall the life and work of Luke the Evangelist, we pray that the Gospel continues to be preached truthfully and widely, and that in these difficult times we find new ways to spread God’s word.

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 an implement policy, and ensure that wise decisions can be made on national and international issues. We pray for a resolution to the conflict around Nagorno-Karabakh, and pray that the UK and EU can come to a satisfactory and just arrangement for trade relations in the future.

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 our region settles in to a new level of precautions to try and slow the spread of Covid-19, we pray for all those whose jobs and livelihoods are threatened by the new rules.

Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy.

Lord, we pray for those we know who are worried and troubled especially at this time of continuing uncertainty. We pray for those whose health and livelihoods have been affected by Covid-19, and those who have ongoing health or emotional problems where treatments are still only partially available.
Luke was also a physician; inspire our physicians with professionalism and compassion for their patients. Enable them to cure the ills of both body and spirit that afflict so many.
We pray for the aged and infirm, and those sick in mind, body or spirit, those that need your grace and blessing. Be with them at this time, Lord, and give them peace and strength.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

We pray for those close to death at this time, 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 especially pray for those who have died without the comfort of their family around them, and those who felt fear and felt alone in their last moments. We pray that they were comforted by your presence, Lord, and that you give strength and love to all those close to death and caring for the dying at this time.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

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 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 included here, is copyright (c) The Archbishops' Council 2000 

 

Here you will fine an order of service for this mornings Eucharist in Word format:

20 10 11 order of service

The Readings

Philippians 4.1-9

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

 

Matthew 22.1-14

Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’

 

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, Lay Reader at St Mary's.

“Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say Rejoice”

The words of Phillippians 4:4 as expressed in a popular chorus with a jolly tune.

“The peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord….” - The words of Phillippians 4:7 paraphrased in the blessing given at the end of our service of Holy Communion.

Two very familiar bible quotes.  But taken out of context they can be less than helpful.  The jolly chorus sounds nice and happy, dare I say it, trite even.  The words of the blessing give the impression that all is full of peace and love.  All is well.  But when all is not well, this can cause problems for those who hear or sing these words.

However, if we look at the passage from which these quotes are taken, it’s clear that the context is not all jolly, and maybe not so full of peace and love.  Maddeningly, we don’t know exactly what has been going on, but Paul is concerned about two women, Euodia and Syntyche.  At some point in the past, they have been his co-workers and together as a team, he, they, Clement and others have struggled together sharing the gospel and building the church.

But now something seems to be causing friction between Euodia and Syntyche.  Have they quarrelled?  Have they completely fallen out with each other, or are they just disagreeing over something which is difficult to resolve?  We don’t know.  Actually, we don’t even know if there’s a problem between Euodia and Syntyche at all – perhaps the two of them are disagreeing with the rest of the community over something!

Whatever it is, the problem is serious enough that Paul feels these women need help and support.  He urges each of them to “be of the same mind in the Lord”.  Does Paul want them to think the same way about whatever the problem is?  Does he want this from the rest of the church community?  Not necessarily!  It’s interesting that he doesn’t say “I urge Euodia and Syntyche to be of the same mind….”, he addresses each woman individually.  He respects them each as a person in her own right, with her own view.

But Euodia and Syntyche, along with Clement and the rest, are part of a community.  Life as a pioneering community in the earliest days of Christianity was not easy, and indeed not always safe.  It was vital that despite difference, the community could hold together.  Despite difference, a collective way forward through difficulties had to be agreed.  It is in this context that the group are encouraged to Rejoice in the Lord always, and that their hearts and minds be filled with the Peace of God.  God is to be at the centre of their lives individually and as a group, whatever their individual differences.

With cases of Covid-19 rising seriously again, along with hospital admissions, things are not well in our country at the moment, nor indeed in the world.  And while it seemed in March that most people in Britain were “of the same mind” with respect to the lock-down restrictions, and bore the resulting hardships with patience and understanding, it is clear that this is not the case now.  There is much disagreement about how to control the spread of the virus.  People are confused by the different restrictions in different places.  People’s livelihoods, businesses, relationships, education, physical and mental health are all being affected by the restrictions.  It doesn’t help matters when some of those in the public eye are discovered to have broken the rules.  It doesn’t help when some of the scientists don’t agree with the rest.

Does this evening’s reading from Philippians have anything to say to today’s church in pandemic Britain?

One of the things that outsiders noticed about the early church, was the love Christians had for each other.  It was so unusual that people commented on it.  Here was a community of people from diverse backgrounds and opinions that nevertheless managed to see beyond these differences.  Here was a community of people who, despite the odds, managed to work together enough of the time to arouse the curiosity of others and draw them in.  They drew on the knowledge, love and peace of God and modelled to the world what it looks like to “be of the same mind in the Lord”.

If today’s church can do the same, this will indeed be cause for rejoicing.

The Prayers
Prepared by Hope.

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

Oh God the creator and preserver of all, we pray for people in every kind of need.
Bless all those around the world who are suffering from the effects of climate change, war and Covid-19
Bless those whose homes have been destroyed by wild fires, bombing or other violence.
Bless those who are now faced with the challenges of rebuilding their homes, businesses and lives.
Bless those whose endurance seems to have come to an end and who can see no future now.
Bless all the powerful leaders of our world.  Grant them renewed compassion.
Grant them the skills and wisdom needed at this critical time, so that those citizens who are suffering most may be supported and not forgotten.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for your church throughout the world.  Guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit
Bless all those called to leadership in your worldwide church.
Bless all those carrying special responsibilities at this time of Covid-19.
Bless those who minister in parts of the world where war and deprivation add vastly to people’s struggles
Bless our local leaders, here at St.Mary’s, and at St.John’s Ranmoor and St.Mark’s Broomhill
Bless our Bishops, Peter and Sophie, and all who work with them across the diocese of Sheffield
Bless all those who lead and support their churches, and other faith communities too, across this country.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We commend to your fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body or estate.
We ask your blessing on all those whose lives and livelihood are being torn apart by the Covid-19 virus.
Bless those who are very sick and being admitted to hospital at this time
Bless those who are suffering in the long term from this disease, afraid that they may never fully recover
Bless the younger people, including children, who are unexpectedly suffering severely from Covid-19
Bless the carers. The parents, adult children and all those who are looking after family members, sick and perhaps infectious at home.
Bless those who are facing the loss of their work and livelihood.
With faith in your presence with us, with hope for the future, grant us all patience, endurance and compassion at this time.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We remember those who have gone before us in the Peace of Christ. We remember our own friends, family and those who have inspired us over the years, who are no longer with us.   We give you praise for all your faithful ones, with whom we rejoice in the Communion of Saints.

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

 

Here you will find a link to this week's order of service in PDF form

20 10 04 Harvest Order of Service 20 10 04 Harvest Order of Service

 

Here you will find a link to the order of service in Word form

20 10 04 Harvest Order of Service

The Readings

2 Corinthians 9.6-15

The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written,
‘He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures for ever.’

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others, while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Luke 12.16-30

Then he told them a parable: ‘The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, “What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?” Then he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God.’

He said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.

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

The Sermon
by Canon Dr Alan Billings

Harvest is one of those seasons when Christian people so easily slide into sheer sentimentality when thinking about the natural world. The trap is set for us by many of our Harvest hymns.

All things bright and beautiful
all creatures great and small
all things wise and wonderful
the Lord God made them all.
                            Cecil Frances Alexander

I don’t know how much of the natural world is bright and beautiful, wise and wonderful, but not all of it is. The poet William Blake reminds us of another side to nature in his poem The Tyger. The tiger is no doubt a beautiful and bright creature, but hardly friendly towards other creatures.

When Blake thinks about the tiger in the forest of the night – its sheer sinewy ferocity - it makes him ask the question, What kind of a God made you?

When the stars threw down their spears
And water'd heaven with their tears:
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?

Blake reminds us that nature can be red in tooth and claw. And if nature includes the tiger as well as the lamb it also includes cancer and the coronavirus. No adequate doctrine of creation can forget that.

So we shouldn’t be simply sentimental about the natural world.

Nor should we continue with that mindset which leads us all the time to think that the natural world is ours to control, a sort of stage on which the human story is played out, that we can manipulate all the time for our purposes. That is a trap we fall into if we misuse the story of creation in the Book of Genesis.

In that story the first human is told to have dominion over the earth. That can be read in two ways. It has been read to mean that the earth is there for our use and we can manipulate it as we want. That is in part the attitude of the rich man in today’s gospel parable. It leads him to have a false sense of security. But having dominion could also mean that we should treat nature in the same way that a king in ancient Israel was told to have dominion over his people – which meant that the king was to have a pastoral concern for them. Those kings who exercised dominion by exploiting their people were regarded as bad kings. In the same way, those who treat the natural world as if they can do with it what they like are also acting badly.

The present debate about climate change exhibit both of these attitudes. There is something arrogant about the idea that we have broken it so we can fix it. There is something more pastoral about acknowledging that we can behave better towards it. But let us not seek to exercise dominion over the earth with the same kind of hubris with which we wrecked it.

So what then are we to make of today, our harvest festival?

I think harvest calls us to something far simpler than the debates around climate change or food distribution or social justice, important though they may be. It is an invitation to adopt that same attitude of mind that Jesus is commending for his followers in the gospel.

Don’t be anxious about material things. Count your blessings – blessings that include food and drink, but above all life itself. And remember your true status – as creatures that God knows and bothers with.

All of which is summed up in our harvest gifts. They are emblems of our blessings and tokens of God’s love.

The Prayers

From Common Worship: Times and Seasons

Let us pray to God, the Lord of the harvest,
that he will bring to fruition all that he desires for his creation.

Lord of creation,
we see that the fields are ripe for harvesting:
we pray for your Church,
that it may be ready to gather fruit for eternal life.
Lord of the harvest,
in your mercy hear us.

You have created the universe by your eternal Word,
and have blessed humankind in giving us dominion over the earth:
we pray for the world,
that we may honour and share its resources,
and live in reverence for the creation
and in harmony with one another.
Lord of the harvest,
in your mercy hear us.

Your Son has promised that the Spirit will lead us into all truth:
we pray for the community in which you have set us,
for one another and for ourselves,
that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit
in love and joy and peace.
Lord of the harvest,
in your mercy hear us.

You have given your people a rich land,
yet by sin we have made a world of suffering and sorrow:
we pray for those who bear the weight of affliction,
that they may come to share the life of wholeness and plenty.
Lord of the harvest,
in your mercy hear us.

Your Son Jesus Christ is the first-fruits of the resurrection
and will reap the harvest of the dead at the end of time:
we pray that he will gather us all together
with those who have gone before
in the banquet of the age to come.
Lord of the harvest,
in your mercy hear us.

Source of all life
and giver of all that is good,
hear our prayers and grant us all that is in accordance with your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Common Worship: Times and Seasons, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2006 and published by Church House Publishing.

The Readings

Philippians 2.1-13

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Matthew 21.23-32

When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus said to them, ‘I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?’ And they argued with one another, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say to us, “Why then did you not believe him?” But if we say, “Of human origin”, we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.’ So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

‘What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir”; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.

 

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, a Reader at St. Mary's

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

Tonight, our reading from the Gospel according to Matthew brings us the parable of the brothers. Just to remind you:
“A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?”

We KNOW that the answer to this question isn’t going to be what we expect; this seems to often be the case with Jesus, who seems to often speak in paradoxes, inverting social norms, and generally catching us off guard.

When we think of fathers and sons in parables, I guess the first thing that usually comes to mind is the parable of the Prodigal Son. Both that parable and tonight’s parable tend to cause us a few problems with interpretation and understanding today, especially if we see the stories through our 21st Century eyes. As with all the parables, to get even a feel for what Jesus was attempting to teach his disciples, we have to discard our usual ways of thinking and attempt to think like a 1st century citizen of the Roman Empire listening to an itinerant Jewish Rabbi.
Context is everything.

We need to look at tonight’s reading from the context of the society in which the story was being told, and the moment in Jesus’s ministry at which he is telling it.

Let’s start by looking at what’s happening in Jesus’s ministry at this point.

Jesus has arrived in Jerusalem and has been hailed as the ‘Son of David’, the Messiah, by the crowds. A leader who will usher in God’s will to the world. He’s done some healing, he’s withered a fig tree, and he’s turned over the tables of the money-changers in the temple. In other words, it’s not surprising that the priests and elders come to see him and ask Him by whose authority he is doing these things. Jesus immediately turns the tables, and asks them whether the baptism of John the Baptist was of earthly or heavenly origin. This question was quite a beauty; were the priests to say ‘From Heaven’, then Jesus could quite rightly point out to them that in that case they should be following in His footsteps, with the consequent loss of their position in society. And were they to say ‘Of earthly origin’, and retain their power and influence in society, then they are denying John as a man of God and Jesus as Messiah.

They give what they hope is a face saving answer; they don’t know. What is equally interesting is how they come to this answer; they discuss it amongst themselves, and they don’t seem to pray to God for guidance. What matters to them is trying to avoid people thinking ill of them – either Jesus or the crowd.

And in doing so, they lose what spiritual authority and leadership they have. Jesus’s question is forcing the priests to question their understanding of how God is working in the world. Leaders need to do what is right – even if that means you upset the status quo, lose face or upset people.
We now come to the parable.

Let’s try and look at the story from the viewpoint of those hearing it. The chances are that the audience would be mainly men. First century Jerusalem is a very male-oriented society, and respect for one’s father is very important. The cultural context and sensitivities of the priests and elders would colour their thought processes on this. Some would have thought that the son who says ‘No’ but then does the work is a good son; others would think that to publicly defy his father – even if he then went to work – is beyond the pale, and worse than publicly obeying the father and then privately disobeying him.

The father gets the choice of being publicly honoured and privately shamed (the second son) or publicly shamed and privately honoured (the first son). Messy. Indeed, quite a few scholars have suggested that both sons are being pains in the bum here; both could do with some behavioural adjustment – and I suppose THAT wouldn’t reflect well on the father either!

Both sons are defying their father to some degree; in a similar way, different groups of people – the sinners, like prostitutes and tax-collectors – and the religious leaders – were making decisions as to whether John the Baptist was a servant of God or not.

So, the question in the parable now becomes what and who matters to us when we make choices, but there is also something in there about salvation through deeds and salvation through faith.

Now, I have to admit that when I first encountered this parable I would have answered like the priests – Number 1 Son is eventually doing the right thing by his father. Jesus rebukes them when they give this answer – he suggests that those sinners will see Heaven before the priests do! Now, we’re used to the paradoxical thinking that often emerges from the parables, but how does this work?

The first son – defiant to his father, eventually does the right thing after changing his mind. This is the situation of the priests; they publicly make the right noises about worshipping God, just as the son publicly says ‘Yes’ to his father. But when they have seen and heard John the Baptist, they have have denied his holiness – they’ve not done the work in God’s kingdom that would be expected of them. The son in the story, later in the day, changed his mind (sometimes translated as ‘having a change in heart – a much stronger meaning) and did the work requested. In a similar way, there may be a point at which the priests experience a change in heart - do the right thing, and come to see John as holy, and do God’s work ‘in the vineyard’. But until that point, they’re not following the will of God.

The second son says Yes to the father, but then doesn’t follow it up with action. This is the position of the sinners who behaved poorly before encountering John, but when they do encounter John they say ‘Yes’ to him as a righteous man of God. They have shown faith, and respect for God. That faith has granted them access to Heaven before those who expressed denial of God.

This is why Jesus says that the priests will not see Heaven before the sinners. The sinners have seen fit to come to God through John, and acknowledged him as being from God. They say Yes to God, through their faith in John the Baptist. They will be saved through their faith, irrespective of their actions before they came to God.

The priests, on the other hand, didn’t see John in this way, and didn’t acknowledge his position as being from God – even after they heard of his actions. They have said a public Yes to God, through their work and position, but have denied God through their attitude to John the Baptist.

All is not lost for them – they may still experience a change of heart and do God’s will by acknowledging the message of John the Baptist as coming from God; but until they do – until they have that change of heart – they are not seen as being as righteous as the sinners who followed John.

I once viewed this as a disturbing parable – confusing, paradoxical, upside down. Now I view it differently.
We simply need to say ‘Yes’ to God and let Him into our lives.

The act of saying ‘Yes’ is what matters.

And we get lots of opportunities to say yes to God, every day of our lives.
Amen

 

The Prayers
prepared by Catherine

Let us pray….

To the words:
Lord, in your mercy:

Would you respond
Hear our prayer.

Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the Church...

For the church throughout the world
and especially those churches in dangerous and challenging places.
For the church in Sheffield
For our diocese and deaneries
For Bishop Sophie, and Archdeacon Javaid, installed this week.
For all who have been ordained deacon and priest this week.
For our churches at local level – St John’s, St Mark’s and St Mary’s –
our congregations and communities,
and their businesses, schools and care homes.
May we all be of the same mind as Christ
And serve others with his same humility.

Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the World…
Exploited by a humanity grasping at equality with God.
For all countries as they grapple with the challenges of Covid-19
For places stricken by war, poverty and the effects of extreme weather or climate.
For those seeking refuge far from home
For those struggling to accommodate refugees
For greater compassion from those who could do more to help.
We pray for our own country, its regions and cities
For wise and compassionate decision making regarding the pandemic
And wise and compassionate responses.

Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.

We pray for those in need
For the sick and those recovering from illness or injury
for the frail, the scared,
the lonely, the homeless,
the estranged, the bereaved.

In silence we remember those known personally to us who are in particular need.

Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.

We remember those who have died
We pray for their families and friends
And for all who mourn.

In silence we name those loved ones known to us who we see no more
May they rest in peace and rise in glory.

Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.

Merciful Father
Accept these prayers,
For the sake of your son,
Our Saviour,
Jesus Christ.
Amen.

 

Common Worship, Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included in these prayers is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000