19th May 2024 10.30am – Pentecost – Eucharist

Posted on May 19, 2024May 20, 2024 by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 2.1-21

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.’ All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ But others sneered and said, ‘They are filled with new wine.’

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

“In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy.
And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

John 15.26-27

‘When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.

John 16.4b-15

‘I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgement, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

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

The Sermon
By The Revd Alison Wragg.

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all
our hearts be acceptable unto you O, Lord our rock and
our redeemer. Amen.

Today we are celebrating the Feast of Pentecost, the
coming of the promised Holy Spirit. Our reading from Acts
this morning describes Pentecost in the most expansive
way... all the stops on the organ are out, so to speak. We
hear of a heavenly sound like the rushing wind,
descending fire and patterns of transformed speech.

Pentecost is a pregnant moment in the life of the people
of God and in the relationship between those people and
God. It is the moment when gestation ceases and birthing
begins. It is both an end and a beginning, the leaving
behind of that which is past and the launching forth into
something new. Pentecost is the birth of the church and
is often referred to as the churches birthday.

I remember as a little girl growing up in Crookes, that it
was also known as Whitsuntide or Whit Sunday. I
remember always wearing my best summer dress and
new ankle socks and sandals for the occasion. I remember
the sandals vividly.

They had a leather top and crape soles. We would parade
from church, which for me at that time was St Thomas’ to
Weston Park for the celebrations there. I guess some of
you here this morning can remember this too.

The lectionary readings over the last seven weeks have
been preparing us for this moment. Twice, in connection
with Jesus’ ascension, the coming of the Holy Spirit has
been promised... in Acts chapter 1, v8 it says, “you will
receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”
That promise is now realised in a manner far surpassing
the expectation of even the most faithful disciples.

The coming of the Holy Spirit brings new life for the
church. New life for individuals within the church. New
life through the Spirit of God. No one present is excluded
from this display of God’s grace. Unlike other important
moments in the history of God’s mighty acts of salvation,
the transfiguration being an example, only the inner few
are witnesses to the work of God’s Spirit. But at Pentecost
everyone is included. It is a moment of inclusiveness.

Notice that with the coming of the Spirit the diverse
individual languages of those present are not abolished in
favour of a single common language.

Those gathered continue to speak different languages but
can now be understood by one another. As one of the
pivotal events in the formation of the early Christian
church, this remains important for the church today. The
church should be a place where we rejoice in our
diversity, as we are brought together in community.

In the Acts reading the barriers between different
geographical identities are broken down. As a ‘Pentecost
people’ we are united with our neighbours whether they
are close by here in Walkley or are across the world.
Over the last seven days we have been supporting
Christian Aid week 2024. The theme has been ‘pushing
back against poverty.’ The focus has been on a lady called
Aline and the people of Burundi, the smallest country in
Africa. In Burundi more than 70% of the population live in
poverty.

In the areas where Christian Aid work people without
their own small business or income will typically head out
on an empty stomach each morning. They must look for
casual work to buy food for that evening. Most only eat
once a day and how much they eat depends on the work
they find that day. Making plans for the future is
impossible when you can’t make plans beyond the day.

This was the situation Aline found herself in when an
early marriage ended in abuse and violence. Separated
from her children, she was forced to sleep on the streets
of Burundi. Hungry, scorned and alone, Aline was pushed
to the brink of survival, but her life was about to change.

Aline’s love for her children drove her to transform her
life. Her first step back from the brink came when she
participated in a three-day community workshop with
Christian Aid funded trainers. Aline learnt how to
establish a steady income and make long term plans. She
says, “I came out with amazing knowledge and skills. The
trainer restored a sense of hope and energy in me.”

With a small start-up loan, Aline started trading avocados
and peanuts locally. With her profits, she bought a bicycle
so she could transport greater quantities of goods to
markets further afield. Eventually, her hard work had
earned the money she needed to rent a house and be
reunited with her three eldest sons.

Aline's faith has guided and comforted her through the
darkest of times. She says, “We pray together as we are
still alive thanks to God's grace.

God comforts you through troubled times and gives you
hope for a better future. With God's help you can
overcome obstacles and be victorious.”

The small grocery business that Aline built not only pays
for a home for her and her children, but food, clothes and
essential healthcare too. Aline's also purchased solar
panels so her children can do their evening homework by
electric light, and further their education. Aline's home is
a sanctuary for her and her children. A place where they
can nurture their ambitions and make plans for the
future. A home filled with prayer and praise.

Burundi continues to be one of the toughest places on
earth to live. The future is uncertain, and challenges wait
for families like Aline's around every corner. As the
climate crisis deepens, people in Burundi find themselves
in an increasingly precarious position in the face of the
droughts, floods and landslides that are becoming more
frequent.

Burundi's fragile economy is built on agriculture, and
many homes are built of unbaked mud bricks. Extreme

weather undermines the stability of both, often with
devastating consequences.

When a ferocious storm destroyed Aline's home, almost
killing her and her children, she was able to recover by
selling the cows she'd been keeping. Now when a crisis
threatens her family's survival, Aline has options. Even a
small business can provide just enough resources to
weather a brutal storm in Burundi.

Today, Aline's using her experience to help 25 other
families in her community to build their resilience. And
she's baking her own bricks to build a strong home for her
and her children in every sense. Aline’s story really is a
story of hope, of God’s Holy Spirit at work throughout the
world.

The Holy Spirit is sometimes referred to as the Counselor,
or Comforter or Helper. In our reading this morning from
John’s gospel the Holy Spirit is identified as the Advocate.
The Advocate being the one who comes in place of Jesus
and who enables testimony on Jesus’ behalf.
Of course it is not just Burundi where people continue to
live in poverty. Poverty is present in many places in the
world including on our doorsteps here in Sheffield.

We as disciples of Christ who shine the light of Christ into
the world are called to be advocates for people who live
in poverty... for those people who live on the margins of
society in our city. We are called to shout out for those
who are powerless to speak for themselves. We must
shout out for the day when everyone has all they need...
then we can say truly the kingdom of God has come.

Aline said that the three-day training she had in the
community workshop by the Christian Aid funded trainers
had restored a sense of hope and energy in her. This is
what happens at Pentecost. It’s no inner mystical
experience but it is an outpouring of God’s energy that
ripples across the world and touches and reaches out to
every life.

Imagine throwing a stone into a calm, still pond. There is
a splash of energy and then watch the ripples gently
move across the water until they flow to the edge and out
into the world.

I wish you all a Pentecost filled with God’s Spirit and
energy...

Amen.

The Prayers

We pray for God to fill us with his Spirit.

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

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

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

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

We thank you for the gifts of your Holy Spirit.
We ask you to equip us for the work which you have given us.
Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.

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

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

12th May 2024 10.30am – 7th Sunday of Easter – Eucharist

Posted on May 12, 2024 by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 1.15-17

In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred and twenty people) and said, ‘Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus— for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.’

Acts 1.21-26

So one of the men who have accompanied us throughout the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.’ So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

John 15.26-27

John 16.4b-15

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

How do we pick our Bible readings for each service? It’s a fair question, though not one I’ve often been asked. Sometimes as preachers you sit down with the readings to prepare a sermon and wonder why this reading at this point in the church’s year? Less often, you think why this reading at all?

So, how do we pick our Bible readings for each service? At St Mary’s we follow what’s called a lectionary. Which is a fancy word for a list of readings from the bible. The one we use is produced centrally by the Church of England. It’s designed specifically for use in public acts of worship and has three years’ worth of readings for every day of the week. Not all of the bible is included. Not all of the bible is useful or appropriate for public preaching.
When I sat down for this service I had one of those, why this reading at this point in the church’s year, moments.

Today is a slightly strange Sunday. It falls between Ascension Day, which took place on Thursday and marks Jesus’ return to the Father, and the feast of Pentecost, next Sunday, which celebrates the coming of the promised Holy Spirit on the disciples.

So today is an in between Sunday, when we have followed the story of Jesus’ earthly ministry through from the events of his birth at Christmas, some stories of his ministry, his temptation and his death and resurrection.
Imagine you’re writing a lectionary. How do you pick readings for this Sunday? Is there a section of the bible that mentions this time between Jesus’ Ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit?

Yes, but only one short section, the second part of chapter one of the Acts of the Apostles. We had some of it as our first reading, where Matthias is chosen to replace Judas. The work of 12 cannot be done by 11 so a replacement for Judas is needed to cover his allotted share in the apostolic ministry. This verse is clearly taken to heart by the Church of England as, despite all its present restructuring, I’m not aware of there ever being a conversation about reducing the number of Bishops.

We have one reading for this Sunday. Good, how do we pick a Gospel reading?

It’s tricky.

The Gospels cover Jesus’ incarnate life, from being the Word made flesh, to his Ascension. How do we source a text appropriate for this in between time, before the coming of the Holy Spirit?

I’m not sure I would have a good answer.

Thankfully wiser heads than mine are on the case.

On this Sunday in all three years of the lectionary we have passages drawn from John chapter 17, the middle section of which we heard this morning. It’s a bit weird to break it up, it’s best read as a whole, and I encourage you to do so.
The entire passage is Jesus praying to the Father just before his betrayal and arrest. It can appear to be quite a rambling prayer, which is helpful for us to remember. Sometimes we can be worried about how we pray. We can think we have to do it in a particular way, or use certain words. This passage is welcome reminder that, particularly in times of stress, how we pray privately isn’t something we are going to be judged on by God.

So why this passage on this Sunday? As you read it through the deep, communion between God the Father and Jesus, God the Son, becomes clear. There is a constant giving and receiving described between these two persons of the trinity. “They were yours, and you gave them to me”, “All mine are yours, and yours are mine” and “glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you”.

This communion exists between all three persons of trinity, Father, Son and Spirit, not just Father and Son. The passage uses Jesus’ prayer to the Father to try and illustrate, as best can be done in limited human language, an understanding of this communion. This is done as a prelude to the feast of Pentecost to point us to the relationship between Father, Son and Spirit. This is why we have sections from this passage on this particular Sunday each year.
Beyond this, Jesus’ words show that we are drawn into this perfect communion with God. Jesus prays in verse 21 “As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us”. They are drawn into relationship with the whole trinity.
Who is this they, who are drawn into communion with God? Is it the 12 apostles? The original disciples? The early church? Yes, but not just those. In verse 21 Jesus says “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word”.

A relationship with God, communion with Father, Son and Spirit, is open to all. Even those who pick Bible readings.

The Prayers

In this Christian Aid Week, we pray for God to fill us with his Spirit.

Generous God,
We thank you for the breath of your Holy Spirit,
God we are thankful for your love: love that changes us, turns our priorities upside down, and yet somehow makes us more fully ourselves.
We offer our gratitude for those who have shown us tenderness, care and compassion;
Those who have seen us through troubled times and brought us hope.
We pray for those we love
And for those we have failed to love.
We hold in mind people around the world who know what it is to be treated as less than human.
May we work together to uphold the dignity of every human being, so that no one feels forgotten.
Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.

Generous God,
we thank you for the power of your Holy Spirit.
For those who inspire us with their strength, courage and perseverance.
We pray for people around the world brought to the brink by extreme poverty,
struggling to survive without sufficient food, clean water, or access to healthcare.
Fill us with a fierce determination to end the outrage of poverty.
May we hear the cries of those who are excluded from power.
May we speak up with them for a more equal and just world.
Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.

Generous God,
We thank you for the peace of your Holy Spirit.
God we are thankful for peacemakers and healers.
We pray for all those who are reaching across divisions and acting to end violent conflict.
May political leaders use their power wisely to further the cause of peace.
We pray especially for …
Peace in the Middle East
An end to the war in Ukraine
Those affected by conflict in Sudan
Ongoing peace-making work in Burundi
We remember with sorrow the lives lost in conflict.
Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.

We thank you for the fruit of your Holy Spirit.
For love in action, for the cake-bakers, the runners, the envelope-collectors.
We are grateful for those who give their time, energy and resources to sponsored walks, craft sales, sing-a-thons, cycles, swims, and to all kinds of fundraising challenges.
We pray that each of us may recognise the gifts we have to share,
And that we may see too the richness of our neighbour’s gifts and talents.
Help us to remember that ending poverty is not just about the things money can buy:
It’s also about the joyful living that you desire for each of us
May we all be free to live life joyfully, in all its fullness.
Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.

Generous God,
We thank you for the healing of your Holy Spirit.
God we are thankful that you offer comfort to us in our sorrows.
We give thanks that when everything else around us seems to crumble, you promise us that your love will remain solid and steadfast.
We pray for others known to us who are suffering.
Offering them to God in a moment of silence
We pray for those who have died or lost someone they love.
We offer them to God in a moment of silence
May those who grieve know your peace.
Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.

5th May 2024 10.30am – 6th Sunday of Easter – Eucharist

Posted on May 5, 2024 by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 10.44-48

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, ‘Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.

John 15.9-17

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

The Prayers
Prepared by Joe.

We pray for the Church of Christ, for Bishop Pete and Bishop Sophie,
our Archbishops Justin and Stephen, all here who lead us in worship
and prayer, and all those whose time and talents are given to St
Mary’s, St John’s and St Mark’s. As Anglican Primates from
throughout the world meet with Pope Francis, we pray for a growth
of understanding and unity between all Christians.
Lord, hear us:
Lord graciously hear us.

We are reminded in today’s Gospel to love one another, as Jesus
loves us. We do not always find this easy; we pray for the strength
and humility to love one another in this way.
Lord, hear us:
Lord graciously hear us.

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

We pray for our community here in Walkley, and for the city of
Sheffield, and for our neighbours and friends. We keep in our
prayers those who are homeless at this time. We pray that during
this season we remember all those less fortunate than ourselves and
do what we can to support them.

We pray for those in politics and leadership; we pray that those
elected on Thursday to councils, mayorships and Parliament speak
and act wisely and with compassion for all of their constituents.
Lord, hear us:
Lord graciously hear us.

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

We pray for those currently close to death, and those accompanying
them on this final part of their Earthly journey. We pray for those
who have died, recently and in the past, and those who mourn.
Lord, hear us:
Lord graciously hear us.

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

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

28th April 2024 10.30am – 5th Sunday of Easter – Eucharist

Posted on April 28, 2024 by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 8.26-40

Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Get up and go towards the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over to this chariot and join it.’ So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:

‘Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,
and like a lamb silent before its shearer,
so he does not open his mouth.
In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.’

The eunuch asked Philip, ‘About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?’ Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?’ He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

John 15.1-8

‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

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

“I am the true vine, my Father is the Vine-grower. He removes every branch in
me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes, to make it bear
more fruit.”

Like last week’s readings about shepherds and sheep, we have a well-used
biblical metaphor. This time it’s the Vine. As with the sheep metaphor, we we
can interpret it in a way that isn’t particularly helpful, and even seems
threatening. Are we the branches that bear no fruit? Are we in danger of being
pruned out?

I grow strawberries and rhubarb, but I’ve never grown a vine. So I looked
online to see what the experts recommend. I also wanted to see how the vine
metaphor might be understood more helpfully. And I found at least 6 things to
ponder.

1. Vines are hungry plants. They need a lot of manure to produce a good
harvest of healthy fruit.

Christians need regular feeding too. Where do you get your nourishment?
From the Bible perhaps. Maybe from reading, TV or radio programmes or
podcasts. Perhaps through the example of saints who have gone before us, or
discussion at a study group.

2. Vines don’t, however, need too much water. If they get too wet, they drown
and go mouldy. Are we as a church getting oversaturated and drowning in
things to do? (I know we sometimes find ourselves with a leaky roof, but that’s
another story...)

3. Vines are vigorous climbers whose branches need permanent support. A
Vine must have a trellis or similar structure to grow up, supporting its branches
all the way.

What supports us? Perhaps it’s the church building, where we gather for
worship. A focal point in the community, a place of shelter and rest. Maybe
it’s the structure of regular weekly worship. Perhaps it’s the structure of the
liturgy with its mixture of songs, Bible readings, prayers and Eucharist. Maybe
it’s the structure of the liturgical year, helping us to focus on a different aspect
of our faith at a particular time. And don’t forget the support we can and
should provide for each other.

4. Vines do need pruning. Dead and diseased branches are removed to keep the
rest of the plant healthy. Other branches need removing too, to help fresh air
circulate and sunlight reach the plant. The fruit won’t ripen without sunlight.
Once the grapes have started to form, there are too many of them, so they need
thinning out too. This allows those left to have the space to grow big and
juicy. So in our own lives, and in our church life, what things might be better
dropped in order to give other areas space to flourish?

5. There are many different types of grape – red, green, big, small, those which
are good to eat, those which are good to make wine. There are many different
wine grape varieties, leading an abundance of different wines. No one vine can
produce all these grapes!

So no one church can do everything – it’s good to have a handful of things to
do really well, in the knowledge that a neighbouring church will have different
strengths to complement ours.

6. The different grape varieties are not strong enough to grow all by
themselves. So they are grafted on to a rootstock. This might be a hardy,
wilder vine that produces small, sour fruit, but whose very strength is that it can
survive through the tough times and conditions. The hardy rootstock nourishes,
and supports the grafted branches and gives them what they need to produce
good, healthy grapes for eating or wine making.

Jesus is this tough rootstock, supporting us, the grafted branches of the church
and her people through the trials of life. We find it difficult to produce the fruit
of God’s kingdom without being firmly grafted to Jesus the vine, abiding in
him.

Six ways in which the Vine metaphor might help us understand how to live our
lives as God’s people.

How might the Ethiopian Eunuch have been encouraged by this metaphor if he
heard it? In a very physical human sense, he was unable to bear fruit –
deprived of his manhood, he could never have his own children. He would
have been excluded from fully participating in worship at the temple too.
But through his encounter with Philip, he realises that God does love and want
him. He can be grafted on to the vine and bear fruit. Indeed, there have been
Christians in Ethiopia from very early in church history. As the Eunuch was
grafted into Christ the vine at his baptism, so we are grafted into Christ. Let us
take care of God’s vine. And let us bear good fruit.

21st April 2024 10.30am – 4th Sunday of Easter – Eucharist

Posted on April 21, 2024 by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 4.5-12

The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, ‘By what power or by what name did you do this?’ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is “the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.” There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.’

John 10.11-18

‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.’

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

14th April 2024 10.30am – 3rd Sunday of Easter – Eucharist

Posted on April 14, 2024 by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 3.12-19

When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, ‘You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.

‘And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out,

Luke 24.36b-48

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

Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

The Prayers
Prepared by David.

We pray to Jesus who is present with us.

We pray for peace in the world. For Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Palestine and Iran
that a spirit of respect and reconciliation may grow among nations and peoples,
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy hear us.

We pray for the one holy catholic and apostolic Church. For our Bishops, Pete and Sophie, for all who serve at St Mary’s, St Mark’s and St Johns.
That in faithful witness the gospel may be preached with humility and justice.
We pray also for the process of appointing a new Priest in Charge.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy hear us.

We pray for those preparing for baptism and confirmation
and for their teachers and sponsors and all who support and uphold them.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy hear us.

We pray for the poor, the persecuted, the sick, and all who suffer,
for refugees, prisoners, and all in danger;
that they may be relieved and protected, and we give thanks for those who care for them.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy hear us.

We pray in communion with all those who have walked in the way of holiness, and now dwell with God. We give thanks for their lives amongst us.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy hear us.

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

7th April 2024 10.30am – 2nd Sunday of Easter – Eucharist

Posted on April 7, 2024 by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 4.32-35

Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

John 20.19-31

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’

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

In terms of the church’s calendar I think it would be fair to describe Easter and the lead up to it as the most dramatic part of its year. In our journey through Lent, where we think about the culmination of Jesus’ ministry and in some of our services, where we re-enactment the final days of his earthly life and his death, we can feel deeply moved by what we hear and see. But I wonder, because we have become so familiar with these stories, whether we truly take in the absolute horror of Jesus’ death and the fear and desolation felt by his disciples and those who loved him, when he was gone. Unlike us, they didn’t know what was to happen next.

Our Gospel story today is about the man we’ve all come to know as “doubting Thomas”, a title that is still used to describe someone who doesn’t want to accept what they’ve been told. In some ways it’s a bit sad that that is all we remember him for because like the other disciples he went on to have his own courageous ministry in the world. Imagine how we would feel if we were referred to as something like, confused Kath or unsure Ursula or wavering Wilf, (apologies to any Ursulas, Wilfs or other Kaths out there), as though that summed up the entirety of who we are. I’m sure we all have ideas of how we’d like to be thought of; kind, compassionate, wise, knowledgeable and so on but I doubt whether “doubting” would be on the list.

Knowing what we do, it might be easy to think critically of Thomas and some people have done, but that would probably be unfair. Like the other disciples and close followers of Jesus, Thomas had been through a real rollercoaster of experiences and emotions in a relatively short space of time. Like them he had left his old life behind and put his faith and trust in this amazing, charismatic man and witnessed him preaching, teaching and performing miracles which touched the lives of thousands of people. Just imagine being part of all that. And then he sees everything dramatically fall apart as Jesus, in whom he has invested everything, is condemned and humiliated and cruelly put to death. Thomas himself would be known as one of his disciples and therefore a likely target of those who had persecuted Jesus. His situation would have been both devastating and terrifying.

In the days after Jesus’ death, the remaining disciples are having to meet in secret, not knowing what to do next. And then, Jesus appears among them and invites them to see and touch his wounds. Unfortunately Thomas was not with them on that occasion and when they tell him, he refuses to believe. Of course it’s impossible for us to know his reasons but maybe, having gone through all that he has, perhaps he didn’t dare to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead, however much he would have wanted to. Can we really blame him?

There are all sorts of reasons why people have doubts about their faith or even lose it altogether. My own dear dad had always been a believer but towards the end of his life I remember having a conversation with him about faith. When I said I believed he said “I’m not sure I do anymore”. He’d been going through the distressing symptoms and treatment of a terminal illness, but it wasn’t that which was destroying his faith. It was seeing the terrible things that were happening to others, especially to children and not understanding why God didn’t intervene. I know that is the case for many people who struggle to believe or who have given up on God. “Why didn’t he show up when I most needed him?” is the question. All I can say is, it’s a very hard one to know how to respond to.

I recently watched a documentary in which the filming was done entirely by frontline Ukrainian soldiers wearing bodycams. It showed how they lived in dugouts, how they fought, how some of them got injured and sadly how some died. The footage wasn’t as sanitised as our news programs routinely are. Towards the end of it, a soldier was walking through a war ravaged landscape. I can’t remember his exact words but they were something like “If God exists, he’s forgotten Ukraine “. Given what he and many like him have seen and suffered it would be hard to blame them for doubting. But in the same documentary there were other soldiers who were just as battle hardened who gathered to pray every time before they set out to fight. They knew as well as anyone else that they were likely to be injured or killed but their faith in God was undiminished.

I’m pretty sure that through our own experiences we understand that belief in God is not a guarantee that we won’t suffer. If that were so then "belief” would likely be more about self interest rather than trust in God; a sort of divine insurance policy that it would be “sensible” to have. But as people of faith we share the same ups and downs, trials and tragedies, joys, sorrows, losses and gains as everyone else and we will probably all have at least moments of doubt. In a way I felt relieved and encouraged when I read what Bert Ghezzi says in “The Times Book of Saints”. "We feel great kinship for the apostle Thomas because, like him, most of us curiously combine faith and doubt.”

I would say that there is nothing wrong with doubting. Indeed I would say it’s advisable or even essential in all areas of life if we are not to be taken advantage of. It’s part of discerning who and what we can trust and believe in. Going back to Thomas’s story, when he finally sees the risen Jesus for himself, it’s very telling how Jesus treats him. He doesn’t berate or shame or guilt trip him for having doubts. He simply and gently reassures him. “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side” and asks Thomas if he believes because of what he has seen.

Finally Jesus has a message for all of us too. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe”. Just like Thomas, we are not cast aside for our moments of doubt.

Amen.

The Prayers
Prepared by Veronica.

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

Oh God, as we continue to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord, your Son, we give you thanks that
you gave Him to live among us and to be sacrificed for us, then to rise again and be seen by his
disciples, so that they might tell the world of his wondrous works. Help us to live according to his life
and words.
Lord. In your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the world, especially for all who are living with war. We pray especially for the people of
Ukraine and Gaza, and also for all people living with global warming and climate change. May the
wealthier parts of the world give generously to those in need, and welcome to cooler parts of the
world those fleeing hotter weather. May we also do whatever we can not to contribute to further
global warming, and help to conserve all the good things with which you have provided us.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray that the coming elections will give us government and local government that will really
endeavour to produce a fairer and more just society, and work for peace and justice throughout the
world. Move the hearts of all who are called to high office that they may really work for the good of
all.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our partnership of churches, St Mary’s, St Mark’s and St John’s, that we may grow ever
closer in our witness to our communities.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are ill at this time, asking your blessing upon them and those who care for them.
Help those who are recovering to be restored to full health, and be with those who are reaching the
end of their lives, in the faith of Christ who died for us.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who have died recently or many years ago, whom we still remember fondly. We
entrust them all to your unfailing love.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

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

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

31st March 2024 10.30am – Easter Day – Eucharist

Posted on March 31, 2024March 31, 2024 by St Mary's

The Readings

Acts 10.34-43

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

Mark 16.1-8

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’ So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

The Sermon
By the Revd Canon Dr Alan Billings

Down the years, people have responded to Easter in two principal ways.
Some have said Easter changes nothing. Others have said Easter changes
everything.

Let me explain. Beginning with those who say Easter changes nothing.
You can see why people might say that. After all, think of the land to which
Jesus came. Think of these last days of his life.

Jesus and his followers, male and female, had made their way to Jerusalem
to celebrate the Jewish festival of Passover, along with crowds of others. The
city was full. It was tense. And it was under Roman occupation. The Roman
governor, Pontius Pilate, sent extra soldiers to Jerusalem at this time each
year, to keep public order, because there had been insurrections. Barabbas,
you will remember, who the crowd asked Pilate to release instead of Jesus,
had been imprisoned for insurrection and murder.

Violence was never far away and the prudent resident in Jerusalem would not
go out at night without being armed. When Jesus went into the Garden of
Gethsemane on the last night of his life, the disciples had swords with them:
one was used to cut off the right ear of the slave of the High Priest.

Into the middle of this violence came Jesus, a man of peace who taught his
followers in both his parables and his living that they should love one another.
Now look at this same land today. From the horrific attacks on Israelis by
Hamas combatants on 7 October to the continued holding of hostages and
the relentless bombing of Gaza, this same land remains a place of violence.
Two thousand years after Jesus said ‘love one another’, nothing has
changed. And in between the time of Christ and today there roll two thousand
years of wrong.

This is the reality some people will fasten on. You can see why they might say
Easter changes nothing.

In a sense their thinking stops at the place where Christ was buried. Stops at
the tomb. Doesn’t look inside the tomb. For them, Good Friday was the last
word on the life of Jesus. He died; and everything he was and stood for died
with him.

The English poet, A.E.Housman, wrote a poem called Easter Hymn. It has
two verses and the first verse captures very well the sentiments of those who
stop at the tomb, those for whom Easter changes nothing. This is the first
verse:

If in that Syrian garden, ages slain,
You sleep, and know not you are dead in vain,
Nor even in dreams behold how dark and bright
Ascends in smoke and fire by day and night
The hate you died to quench and could but fan,
Sleep well and see no morning, son of man.

In other words, if the world has gone on its way with all the man-made evils
that Jesus came to save us from, perhaps he didn’t rise from the dead after
all. Perhaps he sleeps in that Syrian garden.

But what if you don’t stop at the entrance to the tomb. What if you do what the
women do in today’s gospel. They stoop down and look in... as other
disciples will also eventually do. And when that happens they have to come to
terms with another reality.

The tomb is empty. And over the next few days their understanding of reality
will be pushed even more. Their crucified Lord will show himself to them – to
Mary in the Garden, to the twelve in the upper room, to two others on the
road to Emmaus.

They will struggle to make sense of their experiences. Thomas will not accept
what the others tell him until he sees the marks of the nails in the Lord’s
hands. The two who meet him on the Emmaus road will only know him when
he breaks the bread at the end of the day. But gradually they will find the
words to describe what has happened. The one whom they saw crucified.
The one whose body was laid in the tomb, is not swallowed up in death, but
lives.

And that changes everything. If Christ is risen, we can have him present with
us. If death is not the last word on his life, it will not be the last word on ours
either. Even if the struggle to overcome violence, the struggle to love one
another, must continue in every generation, the Risen Lord will be there for
us, to give us the strength to go on and make a difference. He sees and will
save.

That poem I mentioned had a second verse. It goes like this.

But, if the grave rent and the stone rolled by,
At the right hand of majesty on high
You sit, and sitting so remember yet
Your tears, your agony and bloody sweat,
Your cross and passion, and the life you gave,
Bow hither out of heaven and see and save.

Christ is risen. And that changes everything.

The Prayers

In joy and hope let us pray to the Father.

That our risen Saviour may fill us with the joy of his
glorious and life-giving resurrection
we pray to the Father.
Hear our prayer.

That isolated and persecuted churches
may find fresh strength in the good news of Easter
we pray to the Father.
Hear our prayer.

That God may grant us humility
to be subject to one another in Christian love
we pray to the Father.
Hear our prayer.

That he may provide for those who lack food, work or shelter
we pray to the Father.
Hear our prayer.

That by his power war and famine may cease through all the world
we pray to the Father.
Hear our prayer.

That he may reveal the light of his presence to the sick,
the weak and the dying,
to comfort and strengthen them
we pray to the Father.
Hear our prayer.

That, according to his promises,
all who have died in the faith of the resurrection
may be raised on the last day
we pray to the Father.
Hear our prayer.

That he may send the fire of the Holy Spirit upon his people,
so that we may bear faithful witness to his resurrection,
we pray to the Father.
Hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father,
you have delivered us from the power of darkness
and brought us into the kingdom of your Son:
grant that, as his death has recalled us to life,
so his continual presence in us may raise us to eternal joy;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

30th March 2024 7.30pm – Easter Vigil and Service of Light

Posted on March 30, 2024March 29, 2024 by St Mary's

29th March 2024 2.00pm – Good Friday at the Foot of the Cross

Posted on March 29, 2024 by St Mary's

St Marys Walkley

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

Category: Sermons

19th May 2024 10.30am – Pentecost – Eucharist

12th May 2024 10.30am – 7th Sunday of Easter – Eucharist

5th May 2024 10.30am – 6th Sunday of Easter – Eucharist

28th April 2024 10.30am – 5th Sunday of Easter – Eucharist

21st April 2024 10.30am – 4th Sunday of Easter – Eucharist

14th April 2024 10.30am – 3rd Sunday of Easter – Eucharist

7th April 2024 10.30am – 2nd Sunday of Easter – Eucharist

31st March 2024 10.30am – Easter Day – Eucharist

30th March 2024 7.30pm – Easter Vigil and Service of Light

29th March 2024 2.00pm – Good Friday at the Foot of the Cross