5th November 2023 10.30am – All Saints Eucharist

Posted on November 5, 2023November 6, 2023 by admin

The Readings

Revelation 7.9-end

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying,
‘Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!’
And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, singing,
‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honour
and power and might
be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.’

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, ‘Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?’ I said to him, ‘Sir, you are the one that knows.’ Then he said to me, ‘These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
For this reason they are before the throne of God,
and worship him day and night within his temple,
and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.
They will hunger no more, and thirst no more;
the sun will not strike them,
nor any scorching heat;
for the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’

Matthew 5.1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before 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 Dr Beth Keith.

When I was a teenager, we lived in a house with 3 stories. My bedroom was on the middle floor and my
sisters’ rooms were on the top floor. Most days we would return from school, and immediately drop our
stuff, our shoes, bags, PE kits, coats, on to the floor in the hallway. So, when my Dad returned from a busy
day at work, his first view of the house when he opened the door, was a complete mess.

It wasn’t unusual for us to be shouted down to clear it up. On various occasions this would begin with
‘Elisabeth, come down here’. Elisabeth, rather than Beth, was only used when I was in trouble. So out of
my room I would come, to an annoyed father, who wanted me to clear up the mess.

“But Dad, most of it is Rachel and Felicity’s mess, I’m only going to clear up my own mess.”

To which he would say, “well your down here now, please will you clear it all up.”

After this had happened a few times, I asked him, why, when he didn’t know which bits of the mess
belonged to which of his daughters, did he only shout for me.

“Well, it’s because your room is on the middle floor, when I shout for you, you come down, when I shout
for them, they can’t hear me.”

This felt deeply, tragically, unfair to my teenage mind. But when I protested, with a wink he would say,
“Life isn’t fair, ah well, great will be your reward in heaven”.

Little help that was, was Jesus really going to give me some king of heavenly gold-plated shoe monitor
badge?

But what will heaven be like? I imagine if we went round the room and shared what we think heaven
would be like, we would get many different ideas. Because, although there are pointers in the scriptures,
prophecies, and revelations, none of us know with certainty what life after death might be like.

There is, however, a thread throughout the Bible, that God will make things right; that there is more than
what we see before us. That God exists beyond our human interactions, and God’s justice, God’s kingdom,
has the final say. Some Christians emphasise God’s Day of Judgement, a day when we will all be held to
account for our actions. Other Christians emphasise God’s love, a time when God will gather us in, and we
will be made whole in love.

Knowing that there is more to life than this, can be a comfort and strength to us. When we experience
grave injustice or evil. When we are challenged to forgive someone who has done us great harm,
unspeakable harm which is almost impossible to forgive, knowing that we can leave that injustice with
God, can help us to move on from the harm caused. Knowing that there is more to life than this, can
challenge and encourage us to life lives based on God’s values. Putting the needs of other’s first, trying to
do what is right even when that is costly.

But this kind of theology can also be misleading. It can push us into thinking that this is some kind of
cosmic transaction, a cosmic tit for tat, where each deed of ours is measured and weighed up with specific
rewards allocated for specific deeds, specific judgement for others, and specific redress for injustice
experienced. Whilst the Bible does point to God’s rule of justice, there are plenty examples littered
throughout the Old and New Testament, where God stretches the rules. Where God’s justice is stretched
by God’s great mercy, and love. We might include the stories of Jonah, or Job, in these examples, where a
human call for a kind of cosmic tit for tat, is challenged by the mystery of the all-encompassing love of God.
This kind of stretching of justice is also seen in Jesus’ teaching about the Kingdom of God. A rule which
seemed to stand opposed to the Kingdom of the Romans in which he lived. A kingdom that threw the
normal rules upside down. A kingdom where those who were most despised and most pitied, where
treasured, honoured, and healed.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.

When we pray ‘Your Kingdom Come’ as we do each time we pray the Lord’s prayer, this is the kingdom we
are praying for.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you
and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.

November marks the beginning of Kingdom Season in the Church. One of the prayers we pray in kingdom
season gives us the image of Jesus,
‘on the last day, gathering up all things,
that we may enjoy the fullness of God’s promises’.

It’s an image I take comfort in. Though I cannot fathom how this will happen, I have faith and trust in Jesus,
who has experienced and found a way through all the difficulties and injustices we may experience.
Kingdom Season is a time of remembering and mourning and looking forward with hope. And it is also the
season where we lift our eyes beyond what we can see. A season when we pray that God’s rule of justice
and love will become more evident here, more evident in our lives, more evident in our church, and in our
community. One way is which we do this, is to honour and remember the Saints that have gone before us.
Saints in the Bible and those saints since, who have shown us what following Christ can look like. Today we
may also want to think about the people in our own lives, ordinary folk who have discipled us, helped us,
and supported us in our own faith journey.

You may have noticed that before I started to preach, I took off some of my vestments. You may notice
that Janet is also wearing something similar to me. The clothes we wear for services, are all designed for a
reason. The white robes you see us wear come from the image from Revelation that we heard in our first
reading. The saints in glory appear in white robes. When we wear these for services, we remember, that
whatever part we may be playing in the service, we are merely saints, ordinary people following Jesus. It is
only through Jesus’ sacrifice and salvation that we are here. It’s not very practical, but really we could all
be wearing white robes to get the symbolism right. Perhaps when you were baptised or confirmed, you
wore white, as a symbol of this.

In a few moments I will put on the stole and chasuble, the chasuble is seemless garment which points to
Christ, and to the celebration of the feast we share at the Eucharist. Whereas this white robe fits me, the
chasuble doesn’t. It’s not mine, it’s the churches, worn by whoever come to celebrate Eucharist. I put it on,
I take it off. Whereas this white garment fits, I wear it each week, I take it home, I wash it when it gets
dirty. In some ways it is a good image for how we all stand before God.

God clothes us, give us an identity in Christ which is pure, and which also fits us. An identity as a child of
God, as we are, fully loved and forgiven. Through Christ we are counted among the saints, not through
great works or acts of service, not through our achievements, or our suffering, but through God’s great
love and mercy. And so today as we celebrate with all the saints who have gone before us, we come to this
table. We come to Jesus, who turns the rules of this world upside down, and invites us to join in with his
Kingdom.

So, let me finish with a prayer.
Eternal God, our maker and redeemer,
grant us, with all the faithful departed,
the sure benefits of your Son’s saving passion and resurrection
that in the last day,
when you gather up all things in Christ,
we may with them, enjoy the fullness of your promises,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The Prayers

Prepared by Catherine

United in the company of all the faithful
and looking for the coming of the kingdom,
let us offer our prayers to God,
the source of all life and holiness.

Merciful Lord,
strengthen all Christian people by your Holy Spirit,
that we may live as a royal priesthood and a holy nation
to the praise of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

Bless Pete and Sophie our bishops and all ministers of your Church,
that by faithful proclamation of your word
we may be built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets
into a holy temple in the Lord.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

Empower us by the gift of your holy and life-giving Spirit,
that we may be transformed into the likeness of Christ
from glory to glory.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

Give to the world and its peoples
the peace that comes from above,
that they may find Christ’s way of freedom and life.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

Hold in your embrace all who witness to your love in the
service of the poor and needy;
all who minister to the sick and dying;
and all who bring light to those in darkness.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

Touch and heal all those whose lives are scarred by sin
or disfigured by pain,
that, raised from death to life in Christ,
their sorrow may be turned to eternal joy.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

Remember in your mercy all those gone before us
who have been well-pleasing to you from eternity;
preserve in your faith your servants on earth,
guide us to your kingdom
and grant us your peace at all times.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

Hasten the day when many will come
from east and west, from north and south,
and sit at table in your kingdom.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

We give you thanks
for the whole company of your saints in glory,
with whom in fellowship we join our prayers and praises;
by your grace may we, like them, be made perfect in your love.

Blessing and glory and wisdom,
thanksgiving and honour and power,
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen.

29th October 2023 10.30am – Simon and Jude, Apostles, Eucharist

Posted on October 29, 2023 by admin

The Readings

Ephesians 2.19-end

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling-place for God.

John 15.17-end

I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
‘If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, “Servants are not greater than their master.” If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not have sin. But now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. It was to fulfil the word that is written in their law, “They hated me without a cause.”

‘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.

The Prayers
Prepared by Catherine.

God of Simon and Jude, we pray for your church. We give thanks that they
answered your call to follow Jesus and were among the earliest people to share
the good news of your kingdom. We pray for all churches worldwide, whether
they be long established or pioneering, like the early church. We pray for
church leaders, ministers, evangelists and pastors, and for all who give of their
time and resources to share the gospel in today’s world.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God of Simon and Jude, who lived and served you first in Israel-Palestine and
then perhaps in Persia, we pray for the Middle East. We ask for a safe return of
the hostages in Gaza, and an end to the violence. We pray for the leaders of the
Israelis and the Palestinians, and for those of countries worldwide, that all
might work wisely towards a peaceful and just solution to the conflict.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God of Simon and Jude, who were among Jesus’ circle of friends, we pray for
our own communities of family, church and friends. We give thanks for the
mutual support and care we receive from each other, remembering that you are
a God of community. We pray for any who find it difficult to make or maintain
friendships and ask that we be open and inclusive of all who might feel lonely.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God of Jude, patron saint of lost causes, we pray for all who are suffering or
find life a struggle. We ask that you bring comfort, healing and hope to all who
are in particular need. In a few moments of silence we think of Kath, and
others known to us.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God of Simon and Jude, who followed you faithfully to the ends of their
earthly lives, we remember all those who have gone before us and who we see
no more. We remember those who have died recently or long ago, giving
thanks for their lives and examples to us and resting in the hope of everlasting
life.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

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 used here is copyright © The Archbishops’Council 2000

22nd October 2023 10.30am – The Twentieth Sunday after Trinity Eucharist

Posted on October 22, 2023October 21, 2023 by admin

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 Jesus 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.

The Sermon
By the Revd Canon Dr Alan Billings.

Jesus had two main types of enemy.

First, were those who were jealous of him. His words and his actions
attracted and inspired people in ways they couldn’t match. They couldn’t
compete. So they resented him. They were jealous.

Then second were others who felt threatened by him. People listened to what
he had to say – about God, about how to live well. People took notice of him,
not them. He spoke with authority. So they felt undermined, threatened.

Both those who were jealous and those who felt threatened were the more
educated, the more powerful, the better off. They thought of themselves as a
cut above the ordinary people.

So his enemies – the resentful and the disturbed - come together to find ways
of diminishing the standing and authority of Jesus among the ordinary people.
Today’s gospel tells us what they tried to do.

Being educated and clever, they decide to trap him into saying something that
would make the ordinary people angry and might even get him into trouble
with the authorities.

They ask him whether paying taxes is lawful – which means morally and
religiously right as well as a legal duty. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the Roman
Emperor? Remember, the land in which Jesus lived was occupied by foreign
soldiers, who made sure that taxes were paid to Rome.

Of course, people resented the occupation, resented the presence of Roman
soldiers, resented having to pay taxes to the Emperor, to Caesar. So if Jesus
said, It is lawful, there would be many who would no longer trust him in
matters of morality and religion. He was siding with the regime that had
conquered their land. On the other hand, if he said it was morally and
religiously wrong to pay taxes to the Emperor, that would get him into serious
trouble with the authorities. He would look like a troublemaker, someone
trying to lead the people astray.

So it was a trap either way; and his enemies must have thought themselves
very clever in devising a question where either a yes or a no would bring
trouble.

Before they put the question, they try to get Jesus to lower his guard,
pretending to be on his side with a bit of flattery: ‘Teacher, we know that you
are true, and teach the way of God truthfully..... Tell us then, is it lawful to pay
taxes to Caesar or not?’

Jesus recognises the malice behind the flattery and he gives a clever neither-
yes-nor-no answer. ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to
God the things that are God’s.’

We can see how this got Jesus out of a tricky spot at the time; but what about
all those Christians who come after? What about us? Did Jesus mean his
words to have any on-going relevance?

It’s possible that Jesus was only meaning to get himself out of a potentially
difficult situation. That what we have here is just an example of how his
enemies conspired against him and how he outwitted them. In which case we
shouldn’t read too much into what he said.

But I think he does say something that has continuing relevance for us – in
two respects.

First, he says Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s. In other words,
Christian people should be in no doubt that there is a proper place and role
for rulers, for government, for the state. Those Christians who don’t believe
this and who refuse to acknowledge the legitimacy under God of worldly
rulers – like Jehovah’s Witnesses or the Amish – are wrong.

Human communities need good governance if they are to thrive. Without
good governance human communities fall into pits of lawlessness or squalor.
So even if rulers and governments are secular or anti-religious, they are still
what God wants for us. Their role is to protect and safeguard their people and
to seek their well-being. This is why it is right that we should pray for our
rulers. That is not to say that all forms of government are the same and none
is better than another. But it is a sharp warning to Christians that even a bad
government – like the Roman Emperor – is better than no government, better
than anarchy and chaos. That is not always an easy message to hear.

But we also render to God the things that are Gods. We acknowledge that the
values by which we as Christians live come to us from God, not the state. So
we give our ultimate loyalty to God not to any earthly ruler – which can put
Christians in a tricky place if rulers like Emperors or dictators demand worship
or unconditional obedience, which Christians can’t give.

We are lucky in this country. We can render to the state the things that are the
states. We can give thanks for good governance. There are many Christians
in the world who are not as fortunate and we must pray for them and their
rulers.

For whether they acknowledge it or not, those rulers too are under God and
one day they too must answer to him. And render to God the things that are
God’s.

The Prayers
Prepared by Joe.

We pray for the Church of Christ, for Bishop Pete and Bishop Sophie,
our Archbishops Justin and Stephen, all here who lead us in worship
and prayer, and all those whose time and talents are given to St
Mary’s, St John’s and St Mark’s.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

In these difficult times we pray that we too can become imitators of
the Lord, and welcome the Gospel in to our lives with joy. We pray
that we can become inspire others to come to Christ through our
faith and deeds.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray all those wounded, suffering, imprisoned and displaced in
Gaza, the West Bank and Israel, that the current crisis may be
brought under control, and that a non-military solution that is just to
all involved may emerge. We pray for those who have died in this
conflict. We pray that other countries do not become involved, and
that a long-term solution be sought for the region. We pray for the
people of Ukraine and hope for a peaceful resolution to that conflict.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for those affected by storm Babet, that communities will
have the resources to repair the damage. We pray for those who’ve
lost their lives, and their families and friends.
We pray for our community here in Walkley, and for the city of
Sheffield, and for our neighbours and friends.

Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the aged and infirm, and those sick in mind, body or
spirit, and those who find life especially difficult at this time. We pray
that you 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 in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for those currently close to death, and those accompanying
them on this final part of their Earthly journey. We pray for those
who have died, recently and in the past, and those who mourn.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Finally, Lord, we silently bring before you those special to us, and
those issues and concerns that we have in our own lives.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

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

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

15th October 2023 10.30am – The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity Eucharist

Posted on October 15, 2023 by St Mary's

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.’

The Prayers
Prepared by Barbara.

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

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

We pray for all of those affected by natural disasters, thinking especially of those affected by earthquakes in
Afghanistan and by flooding in Libya. Please help us to help them.

We pray for all those who live in Australia, and particularly for the indigenous people who are probably
feeling hurt and rejected today, following the rejection of the plan to give them a recognised political voice.
We pray for all those affected by war, thinking particularly of people in Israel and the Gaza strip,
Kazakhstan and the Ukraine. Please bring strength and comfort to those affected and help those on both
sides of any conflict to learn to value and respect each other, so that they may live in peace.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

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

We pray especially that Christians worldwide may value and love each other. Please help each of us to value
and respect our neighbours, whatever their religious beliefs, remembering that we are all your children.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

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

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

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

We name to you in our hearts all those known to us both near and far who are suffering the loss of friends
and loved ones, asking that you bring your comfort and healing to them at this time of grief.

Live Love by Richard Bott (a minister in the United Church of Canada)

In a world that is hurting,
sometimes to the point of overwhelming
our ability to respond,
there is one thing we must hold on to -
in all that we say,
in all that we do,
in the choices we make,
in the core of our being and
in our outward facing interactions -
live love.
In the complexity and the confusion,
in simplicity and in certainty -
live love.
When you are confronted by
your neighbour's anger,
or another's fear,
or one's own apathy -
fill your words,
fill your actions,
fll your self
from that Divine well of agape -
and
live
love.

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

8th October 2023 10.30am – The Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity Eucharist

Posted on October 8, 2023October 7, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

Philippians 3.4b-14

even though I, too, have reason for confidence in the flesh.

If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

‘Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watch-tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.” So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ They said to him, ‘He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.’

Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures:
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord’s doing,
and it is amazing in our eyes”?
Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.’

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.

The Sermon
By the Revd Canon Dr Alan Billings.

These are some words from today’s gospel:

‘When the chief priests and the pharisees heard his parables, they realised
that he was speaking about them. They wanted to arrest him, but they feared
the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.’

The story that Jesus has told the crowds is brutal. But it’s not hard to see
what he was getting at, as the priests and pharisees realised.

Once again, it’s a story about a wealthy landowner. He seeks to add to his
wealth by renting out his vineyards and wine press to tenants while he is
away. His slaves – yes, he has slaves, because slavery has a long history in
our world – the landowner’s slaves have already spent time and effort
planting the vines, building the wine press and making it all secure with a
fence and a watch tower.

Now the tenants must look after the growing crops until the harvest. At
harvest the landowner will take part of the produce and the tenants will divide
the rest between them.

But the tenants have other ideas. They want everything for themselves. So
that when the landowner sends his slaves for his share of the harvest, his
rent, they treat them badly, killing one. Perhaps they didn’t value their lives
that much; they were only slaves. But even when the landowner sends his
son to collect what is due, they have no respect for him either, and kill him as
well.

So what is Jesus getting at when he tells this very violent story?

The priests and the pharisees realise he is telling the parable against them;
and they are not happy.

I think what Jesus is saying to the Jewish religious leaders in this parable is
something like this.

You are like the tenants in this story. Their mistake was to think that the entire
harvest belonged to them and they could do what they liked with all of it; the
landowner was cut out. Your mistake is to think that the harvest of religion, all
the good things that come through faith, belong entirely to you, they are yours
to do with what you like, and you try to cut out even God.

So what did that mean in practice? How did these good people, these
religious people, the priests and the Pharisees, how did they try to cut God
out?

They did it by trying to exclude from God’s presence the very people that God
was most concerned about.

The whole life story of Jesus is about that.

These pious Jews were forever trying to exclude from the faith all those
whom they looked down on or despised but whom God sought to raise up –
and they criticised Jesus when he tried to include people rather than exclude
them.

Sometimes it was children. They tried to stop children being brought to Jesus
so he has to say to them, ‘Let the children come to me and do not hinder
them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’

Sometimes it was foreigners. So Jesus goes out of his way to heal the
servant of a non-Jewish, Roman soldier, a centurion. The centurion had
impressed him by his humility. Although he is a senior military officer, he is
anxious for his servant’s health. Although he can command and order others
about, he says to Jesus, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my
roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.’

Sometimes it is women that the priest and pharisees want to exclude. So
Jesus makes a point of speaking to a woman at a well, asking her for water
and having a lively conversation with her. And to make it even more
provocative, she is a Samaritan, a non Jew.

We could go on. All these groups of people – the little children, the foreigner,
the woman - all these, the religious leaders viewed with suspicion when it
came to thinking about who God cared about, who God would have dealings
with. In this respect, the values of Jesus are very different from the attitudes
and values of the leaders, and if those leaders are to re-think their attitudes
and values they need the strong challenge of this violent parable.

Like the tenants in the parable who thought the harvest was theirs to do with
as they pleased, even cutting out the landowner, so these religious leaders
thought religion and the fruits of religion were theirs to do with as they
pleased, cutting out God. Jesus comes to challenge that in both his words
and actions.

If we are to follow him in our day we have to hear that message and apply it
to ourselves.

This is why on the front of our service booklet at St Mary’s, whenever we
come together, we remind ourselves of the values of Jesus which we share.
We are a congregation who are eucharistic – we gather as equals before
God, equally in need of God’s love and forgiveness, the harvest of faith. We
are inclusive – men, women, little children, born here or born somewhere else
– none of that matters. No one is cut out.

Put that together and it makes this a safe place to be with God.

The Prayers
Prepared by Veronica.

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

Oh God, you sent your Son to teach us how to live according to your will, help us to listen to his
teaching and reflect on his life and death, so we may always behave as you would wish us to. May
we be generous to our friends, both near and far, and never forget the needs of those experiencing
real poverty or calamitous natural events like earthquakes, drought or floods. May we never close
our borders or doors to those in real need or who suffer oppression simply for who they are. Guide
the leaders of the rich world to act according to your will.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the Church worldwide, for our archbishops and our bishops Pete and Sophie, and for all
Christian leaders of whatever denomination, that they may always show the right form of leadership
in accordance with the teachings of Christ. We give thanks for all the many Christian organisations
which work for the greater good of all people. We join today with our partner church of St Mark’s as
they celebrate 60 years of re-opening after their church was bombed in World War 2, and give you
thanks for our partnership with St Mark’s and St John’s which has enabled us to maintain our service
to the people of Walkley.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our City of Sheffield, and for our suburb of Walkley, giving you thanks for the sense of
community in our urban village. We remember also before you all our fellow citizens who are
struggling at this time to meet their needs.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are ill at this time, remembering James’ mother, Joe, and all others known to us
in special need of your healing grace at this time when Covid cases are increasing.. We give you
thanks for the work of our doctors, nurses and social workers and ask that you support them in their
healing and supportive work which can at times be very stressful. In a moment of quiet we
remember by name all known to us who are suffering at this time.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We remember before you all who have died recently, thinking especially of Keith and Margaret. We
ask for your comfort for those who mourn their loss. In a moment of quiet we think of all those we
have known and loved and see no more.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Rejoicing in the fellowship of Mary, Mark John and all your saints, we commend ourselves and the
whole creation to your unfailing love.
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your only Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ
Amen.

1st October 2023 10.30am – Harvest Eucharist

Posted on October 1, 2023October 4, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

Deuteronomy 8.7-18

For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with flowing streams, with springs and underground waters welling up in valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land where you may eat bread without scarcity, where you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron and from whose hills you may mine copper. You shall eat your fill and bless the Lord your God for the good land that he has given you.

Take care that you do not forget the Lord your God, by failing to keep his commandments, his ordinances, and his statutes, which I am commanding you today. When you have eaten your fill and have built fine houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks have multiplied, and your silver and gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied, then do not exalt yourself, forgetting the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, who led you through the great and terrible wilderness, an arid waste-land with poisonous snakes and scorpions. He made water flow for you from flint rock, and fed you in the wilderness with manna that your ancestors did not know, to humble you and to test you, and in the end to do you good. Do not say to yourself, ‘My power and the might of my own hand have gained me this wealth.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your ancestors, as he is doing today.

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.

The Sermon
By the Revd Shan Rush.

It’s by a quirk of fate, otherwise known as an issue with the rota, that I’m preaching this morning but it’s particularly nice for me because my very first time preaching was twenty years ago at a harvest service in the evening. In spite of the fact that I knew all the congregation and I’d checked my sermon with our then vicar, Ian, to ensure that I wasn’t saying anything out of order, in all honesty I was absolutely terrified. So much so that I nearly fainted when I stood up to go to the lectern and when I’d finished speaking I’d held myself so tense that my feet had gone numb and I almost fell over. It’s a wonder I ever carried on with my lay ministry training but here we are.

Harvest is a seasonal service that is still recognised by many people, probably thanks to the fact that it continues to be marked in schools. In my first junior school we took along bags of vegetables that were then collected together to be distributed to people who needed them. However, when my family returned to Sheffield and my sisters and I started new schools and we duly took along our bags of vegetables, we felt acutely embarrassed when we saw that our classmates had brought along prettily decorated baskets containing their harvest gifts. Needless to say that the following year we made sure that we too had pretty baskets of produce to offer.
When I first started coming to this church many people here also decorated their baskets in the same way, but gradually over the years, times and needs have changed and our ways of giving have changed with them. On balance I think that’s been a good thing as the gifts and recipients are better targeted, but hopefully the display of our gifts today represents both the traditional and contemporary versions of harvest festival and everything will be put to good use.

I consider myself lucky in that I grew up with a fairly good awareness of traditional farming activities; we had a farmer’s field behind our house and my friend lived on a farm which I visited regularly. I saw some of what went on with tending both animals and crops and along with many other young people I went potato picking. This was back-breaking work in the cold and wet for the princely sum of 8 shillings per day (40 pence in today’s money) but it was a good experience and for the time the money wasn’t bad. I must admit though, I don’t miss the smell of muck spreading!

I wonder how many of today’s young people or slightly older people for that matter know much about what is involved in farming or where their food actually comes from before it gets to the shops. That said, like our way of marking harvest, farming has changed a great deal and much of it is on a vast scale in order to meet the needs of the food industry who in turn are trying to meet our needs as customers and consumers. Colossal fields, acres or hectares of poly tunnel greenhouses and many animals reared in very artificial environments are all part of it which we should be aware of. Whether we feel ok about it or not is another matter.

Moving on from the growing of our food to its processing I must admit that I find programmes like “Inside the Factory“ both fascinating and very informative as they show what industrial scale food production looks like. It’s very different to the romanticised images conveyed on some of the packaging of the end products but it is impressive nonetheless. Tons of ingredients go through complicated machines and processes, designed, built and run by a lot of very skilled and hard working people to become the food that some of us are fortunate enough to be able to buy.

I make this last point because not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to buy what they need or to grow enough of it for themselves. Traditionally harvest was a time of people coming together to bring in the crops, everyone did their bit and by whatever means of exchange was used at the time, the produce was shared. But nowadays it’s different. All too often we have the crazy situation of massive waste of food and other goods at the same time as some people struggling to afford what they need. Thankfully there is now greater awareness of this and many schemes have been devised such as food banks and community kitchens to avoid this waste and ensure that more people get access to what they need. Our passage from Luke reminds us that life isn’t about acquiring more and more food or anything else which we then hoard for our own benefit. And just in case we’re tempted to be too self-congratulatory about what we accomplish, the reading from Deuteronomy warns against falling into the trap of believing that we are solely responsible for it. We all get help along the way, from God and from our fellow people. Real richness in life is about using what we have along with our God given gifts for the benefit of all. In other words, sharing.

To conclude, and this is something I touched on in a previous sermon but worth repeating I think. We are part of God’s harvest, but unlike everything else that is grown or made we have quite a lot of choice about what sort of “fruit” we become. I don’t think there would be much argument against suggesting that it’s good to be honest, honourable, decent and hard-working because these are good values to have but how about adding to these the “Fruits of the Spirit” and cultivating those attributes too? Love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. In a world so full of troubles, are we not very much in need of such a harvest.

The Prayers
From Times and Seasons.

Let us offer our prayers to God for the life of the world
and for all God’s people in their daily life and work.

God, the beginning and end of all things,
in your providence and care
you watch unceasingly over all creation;
we offer our prayers
that in us and in all your people your will may be done,
according to your wise and loving purpose in Christ our Lord.
Lord of the harvest,
in your mercy hear us.

We pray for all through whom we receive sustenance and life;
for farmers and agricultural workers,
for packers, distributors and company boards;
as you have so ordered our life that we depend upon each other,
enable us by your grace to seek the well-being of others before our own.
Lord of the harvest,
in your mercy hear us.

We pray for all engaged in research to safeguard crops against disease,
and to produce abundant life among those who hunger
and whose lives are at risk.
Prosper the work of their hands
and the searching of their minds,
that their labour may be for the welfare of all.
Lord of the harvest,
in your mercy hear us.

We pray for governments and aid agencies,
and those areas of the world where there is disaster, drought and starvation.
By the grace of your Spirit,
touch our hearts
and the hearts of all who live in comfortable plenty,
and make us wise stewards of your gifts.
Lord of the harvest,
in your mercy hear us.

We pray for those who are ill,
remembering those in hospital and nursing homes
and all who are known to us.
We pray for all who care for them.
Give skill and understanding
to all who work for their well-being.
Lord of the harvest,
in your mercy hear us.

We remember those who have died,
whom we entrust to your eternal love
in the hope of resurrection to new life.
Lord of the harvest,
in your mercy hear us.

We offer ourselves to your service,
asking that by the Spirit at work in us
others may receive a rich harvest of love and joy and peace.
Lord of the harvest,
in your mercy hear us.

Merciful Father:
Accept these prayers
For the sake you Son
Our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

24th September 2023 10.30am – The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Eucharist

Posted on September 24, 2023September 28, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

Philippians 1.21-end

For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.

Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well— since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Matthew 20.1-16

‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’

The Sermon
By Revd Dr Canon Alan Billings.

Jesus was a teacher. A popular teacher who drew the crowds.

One major reason for that was because he taught by telling memorable
stories, stories that would stick in people’s heads and make them think.

Sometimes his stories show us how to live well, before God.

Remember the Good Samaritan – the story about a man who was beaten up
by robbers and left at the side of the road. Several people come along, see
him, but don’t want to get involved. They think only of themselves, not the
man in distress; and so pass by on the other side. (Jesus gives us these
memorable phrases as well.)

The man who is beaten up is, like Jesus, a Jew. But then, in the story, a non-
Jew comes along, a Samaritan. He does not think only of himself, but goes to
help the man who has been robbed. He does not pass by on the other side.
Jesus tells this story to show what it means to be a good neighbour to others,
something he commends. Go and do thou likewise. We continue to speak
about people who are good neighbours as good Samaritans.

But the story in today’s gospel is different. It is not told so that we can copy
the behaviour of anyone in it. It is told to illustrate a contrast. A contrast
between the way we human beings ought to behave towards one another and
the way God acts towards us.

If we are to live together in a reasonably harmonious way, then we need to
treat one another fairly and justly. If we don’t, we are heading for trouble.

This is what the landowner finds in the story when he goes out to hire workers
to gather the grapes from the trees in his vast orchard. He sets workers on at
different times throughout the day – first thing, and then at the 3rd , 6th , 9th , and
11th hour.

In the evening, when the time comes to pay the labourers for their work, he
pays them all exactly the same – a denarius – hardly the living wage – he
pays them the same however long they worked.

And just to make a bad situation worse, he gets his steward to pay them in
reverse order to how he set them on – the last get paid first and the first last.
So that those who had borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat of
midday would know they only got as much as those who turned up for the last
hour.

They are aggrieved and mutter.

The story is about bad industrial relations. This is how not to run a business
or indeed any human organisation or enterprise because its unfair, it’s not
just.

If we want to live together in reasonably friendly and harmonious ways, then
we need to treat one another fairly and justly.

But Jesus says this is a story about the kingdom of heaven. So what is it
telling us about God and his ways with us?

It’s saying that, like the landowner, God does not act according to justice
either – that’s the thing that makes you sit up.

The landowner should have behaved with justice. But suppose God acted
with justice. Suppose God gave each of us our just deserts, where would that
leave us? Are there no skeletons in our cupboards? Are there not things in
our past of which we are ashamed? Do we have no guilty secrets? No faults?
No flaws? No failings? Are we such saints that we would dare to say to God,
treat us according to our merits, our just deserts?

But God does not act on a principle of justice. But neither does he act on
some personal and arbitrary whim, like the landowner. He acts on a principle
of mercy. He does not treat us according to our merits, but according to his
mercy, his love.

This is why at the start of our service we cry out, Kyrie eleison, Lord, have
mercy. Not ‘treat me according to justice’, but treat me as a loving father or
mother would treat their beloved son or daughter.

And while many of us may have been Christians for the whole of our lives,
some may have joined our number only in later years. We should not feel
resentful that the reward is the same. No one has special privileges. In the
kingdom of heaven, it doesn’t matter that the last will be first and the first last.

Our reward is God’s eternal love.

At whatever point in our lives we come to our senses and invite God in, we
shall all know the same love. For he treats us not according to merit but
according to mercy.

The Prayers
Prepared by Joe.

Today’s readings remind us that we are all equal recipients of God’s
gifts, and that whatever may happen to us in our lives, we still have
Jesus. We pray that we carry these truths with us through the week
to come to give us strength and comfort.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the people of Ukraine and hope for a peaceful resolution
to that conflict. We pray for families on both sides of the conflict who
have seen their members go to war. We pray for the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh that the current uncertain situation is resolved
peacefully.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for those in political office here in the UK, that they may
govern wisely and with the interests of the whole country in mind.
We pray that they do not sacrifice the well-being of the planet for
political expediency.
We pray for our community here in Walkley, and for the city of
Sheffield, and for our neighbours and friends.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the aged and infirm, and those sick in mind, body or
spirit, and those who find life especially difficult at this time. We pray
that you strengthen them and bring them the healing and peace that
belong to your kingdom. In a few moments of silence, we carry in
our thoughts those we know who need your healing presence in their
lives.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Finally, Lord, we silently bring before you those special to us, and also
those issues and concerns that we have in our own lives.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

17th September 2023 10.30am – The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity Eucharist

Posted on September 19, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

Romans 14.1-12

Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgement on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgement on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honour of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honour of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honour of the Lord and give thanks to God.

We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

Why do you pass judgement on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God. For it is written,
‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall give praise to God.’
So then, each of us will be accountable to God.

Matthew 18.21-35

Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’

10th September 2023 10.30am – The Blessed Virgin Mary Eucharist

Posted on September 9, 2023September 9, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

Isaiah 61.10-end

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
to spring up before all the nations.

Luke 1.46-55

And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

The Sermon
By Revd Dr Canon Alan Billings.

How should we remember Mary, after whom our church takes its dedication?
Down the centuries Mary has been seen and understood in many different
ways.

She has been given many different titles: the Blessed Virgin, Saint Mary,
Mother of God, Queen of Heaven, Madonna – Ma Donna the Italian for My
Lady.

In art and statuary she has been painted in beautiful robes, often blue and
white, sometimes wearing a crown.

There have been annual commemorations or feast days in church services.
September 8 has been kept as the feast of Saint Mary for almost 1500 years
– hence our service this morning. And in some churches, mainly Roman
Catholic, the conception of Mary is remembered and the death, the feast of
the Assumption in August.

We could say that as time has gone by, Mary has become more and more
exalted in Christian thinking. So that she became, for example, not just one of
the saints, but the greatest of the saints – because she was the closest to
Jesus and she was the God-bearer – another of those titles.

These ways of thinking about Mary all made sense to people who were
Christians and members of the Church.

But in our day the number of active Christians and church members has
fallen. So these ways of depicting Mary mean less and less to people in a
less Christian, less religious society. If you talk about Madonna, people are
more likely to think of a singer than the mother of Jesus.

These ways of thinking about Mary only really make sense, then, in the
context of the faith. If that is not the context of many if not most people today,
if they struggle to understand what on earth we mean by calling Mary ‘Queen
of Heaven’ or ‘the Madonna’, does Mary have anything to say to our changed
and changing world?

I think the answer can be Yes … if we proceed with care,
Mary is first of all, before she is a saint, before she is Queen of Heaven,
before she is any of these things that Christians have wanted her to be and
have called her … before all this, Mary is a human being. Before she is any of
these things that make her so very different from you and me, she is like you
and me.

What I think we are learning to do in our day is find again what we have so
often lost down the years, Mary the human being.

In many ways, Mary the human being is not only more interesting, certainly
more relatable to, but also more likely to be historically true. Many of those
titles, much of that art, owes more to the Christian imagination than to
anything in scripture or reality.

Mary the mother sets us thinking not just about her motherhood but about all
parenting. As we see what she experiences, we find echoes of our own. She
rejoices in having a child, rejoices in seeing him grow and mature and do
well. But she also knows what every parent fears – she sees him suffer and
knows she can do nothing for him; her child dies before she does. She
reveals to us the truth about love – the more we love another the more we
open ourselves up to pain.

But Mary also experiences things which are not the lot of all mothers, all
parents, but are certainly the lot of some in our world. The birth of her child is
with little or no support. No National Health service. A birth in a stable. There
are women for whom something like this is the reality. And then she has to
take her baby and flee the country for a while and become a refugee. And for
some today this is how it is. And even at the end of her son’s life, his death is
not a natural death but a cruel one, inflicted by the state. Some mothers in
our world know all these things.

Mary the human being, then.

So there is a strange paradox here. The more the Christian Church was
dominant in society – the long centuries of Christian Europe – the more
remote Mary became as we exalted her. We lost sight of the woman who
gave birth to the Saviour.

But now we can find her again. If the old titles no longer help us in our faith,
finding Mary the human being can. From her human experiences we can take
courage and comfort.

The Prayers
Prepared by Veronica.

In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father. Almighty God, our
Heavenly Father, you promised through your Son, Jesus Christ, to hear us when we pray in faith.

We give you thanks today, for the life of Mary, that you chose her to be mother of our Lord, and that
she remained close and supportive of him throughout his life. We pray for this church, dedicated to
St. Mary, that we may continue to serve our community and join together in regular worship in years
to come.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our world, for all nations suffering excessive heat, wild fires and flooding. May all
nations, particularly the richer ones who are mainly responsible for these problems, to come
together and agree a strategy to reverse global warming. We pray also for Ukraine and other lands
where there is war or oppression. We ask that all nations who wish to exercise power will come to
accept that working together for peace and cooperation is in accordance with your will.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our City of Sheffield as it celebrates Heritage Open Days this weekend. We give you
thanks for all the people who have come into this church, perhaps for the first time, and who have
visited Walkley’s other places of historic interest like the Library, the Community Centre and our
friends at Ebenezer Methodist Church. We pray also for all away on holiday, that they may return
refreshed.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are unwell at this time, for Kath, James’ mother and Alan, and all others known
to us. We give you thanks for the skills of doctors and nursing staff, and all the relatives who give
support at times of illness. Give them the strength to continue in their work after the enormous
stresses of Covid. We pray that any new strain will be addressed before becoming very serious.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our Prayer.

We remember before you all who have died recently, particularly Keith Burchell, and ask you to be
with all who mourn their loss. In a moment of quiet we remember all those we continue to
miss……………May they all rest in peace.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Rejoicing in the fellowship of Mary, our patron saint, Mark, John and all your saints, we commend
ourselves to your unfailing love.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

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

3rd September 2023 10.30am – Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity Eucharist

Posted on September 3, 2023September 3, 2023 by St Mary's

The Readings

Romans 12.9-end

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 16.21-end

From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.’ But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’
The Cross and Self-Denial
Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

‘For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.’

The Sermon
By Revd Sue Hammersley.

The church has set aside the weeks approaching Harvest as
Creationtide, a time for us to be mindful of the beauty of our
world, the damage we have already caused and the legacy
we leave behind for future generations. It is an opportunity
to reflect on how we might live more simply that others may
simply live.

Some of us are making enormous changes to our lifestyle to
reduce our impact on God’s wonderful world and people in
countries where the devastating effects are being
experienced most profoundly. Others of us are struggling
not to be overwhelmed.

Why does this matter to us as Christians? Because our
relationship with the world in which we live is part of the
outworking of our spiritual life. Understanding God as
Creator is woven through our scriptures and our liturgy. We
see God’s hand at work in the very fabric of the earth, in the
diversity of life forms and in the call to humanity to be
careful stewards.

As we see all kinds of species becoming extinct because of
the behaviour of the human race we come face to face with
the concept of sin – across the world we are becoming
separated from God’s call to us to care.

This morning’s readings don’t directly refer to our
responsibility for the planet, but there is much we can learn
from the encounter between Jesus and Peter.
Jesus is looking ahead to the time when he must suffer, die
and be raised. Looking at the future in this way is deeply
distressing for Peter and he tries to stop Jesus from speaking
in this way, “This must never happen to you!”
Jesus is angry with Peter because he doesn’t understand the
significance of what he is telling them. He utters those
much-quoted words, “Get behind me Satan!”

Jesus could not have been calling Peter, Satan. Peter was
the rock on whom he built the church… Peter was to
become one of the leaders of those first followers of the
Way.

But Peter needed to be more open to what Jesus was
teaching him. Peter’s understanding needed to be re-
formed, re-shaped, turned around, again and again. Jesus is
trying to tell his disciples about what is going to happen and
Peter thinks he knows better.

When we hear scientists telling us that the future of our
whole planet is at risk, we can’t take it in… It can’t be as bad
as all that, we are tempted to say.

In the Gospels “Satan” is described as the tempter (Mark
1.7-17; Matthew 3.13-4.6; Luke 3.34-4.6) the voice which
tries to tell us that there’s an easier way than God’s Way.

We don’t have to listen to God’s Word, we don’t have to do
the right thing because round the back there’s an easier path
which means we don’t have to face up to reality, we don’t
have to take responsibility.

This morning’s Gospel passage reminds us that Jesus doesn’t
always tell us what we wanted to hear. His voice can
unsettle, discomfort, turn us upside down… He calls us to
the life-giving path but that is often not the easiest route.
And it is life-giving for whole communities of people, it might
not be immediately clear how it is life-giving for me.
But just as Jesus predicted his death he also foretold his
resurrection. As people who are called to follow Jesus’ Way
we are not to be overwhelmed by despair; this does not
enable us to spread good news, to be people of hope, to
believe that in God all things are possible… We need to
recognise the voice of the tempter who is leading us away
from God’s beautiful Way and say, “Get behind me”.
The tempter is the stumbling block, the voice which says:
you are powerless, there’s nothing you can do, it’s too late,
all is doomed… Jesus says, attend to divine things and you
will find the life which is stronger than death.

Many climate campaigners recognise that change is not
motivated by fear but by hope. They encourage us to begin
by spending more time in the natural world, looking through
a window or going for a walk, noticing the changing seasons
and appreciating where our food comes from.

Yesterday’s Horticultural Show celebrated locally grown
produce. I’m so sorry that I wasn’t here but it was an
opportunity to celebrate the abundance of nature and it is
good that this is done here at church.
In Romans, Paul says,

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Jesus’ friends understood what it felt like to be heading
towards a catastrophe, but as we focus on that which is of
God, the source and fulfilment of life, abundant, fruitful life
for all, we are more able to make the small changes in our
own lives, to campaign for the larger changes in society and
to call for a greater corporate responsibility to protect this
beautiful and fragile earth, not just for humankind but for
every kind of living thing.

[Our] God, you with the Maker’s eye
can tell if all that’s feared is real;
and see if life is more than what
we suffer, dread, despise and feel.
If some by faith no longer stand
nor hear the truth your voice intones,
stretch out your hand and help your folk,
from stumbling blocks to stepping stones.

Iona Community,
Love from Below

Amen.

The Prayers
Prepared by Catherine

God who brings life to the Church, we pray that we may serve you and others with love, patience, hope and perseverance. Help us to live in harmony with one another. Give strength and comfort to anyone worldwide whose profession of faith puts them in physical danger. Help us to stand up for what is right and to hate what is evil, that all might flourish.

God of life

Hear our prayer

God who brings life to our world, we pray for all rebuilding their lives following disasters. We remember the victims of Hurricane Idalia, and of the wildfires in Canada, Hawaii, and many places in Southern Europe. We ask that their basic needs for food and shelter are met whilst they rebuild more permanently. We pray too for those whose lives have been upturned by wars and coups, asking for your peace.

God of life

Hear our prayer

God who brings life to learning, we pray for our schools and colleges. We ask that new schoolchildren and students may settle in easily. We pray for staff and children facing additional hurdles this term due to unsafe buildings.

And we remember those worldwide who struggle to get an education for many different reasons, thinking especially of girls and women in Afghanistan.

God of life

Hear our prayer

God who brings life to community, we pray for our city and neighbourhood, giving thanks this weekend for the enjoyable produce show.

We pray for those who struggle to buy healthy fruit and vegetables for their families and for the work of all Sheffield’s foodbanks.

God of life

Hear our prayer

God who brings life and healing, we pray for those who are unwell, lonely, bereaved or in any kind of need. Give them comfort, strength and peace and open our hearts to help as we can. In a few moments’ quite we remember [...and] those known particularly to us.

God of life

Hear our prayer

God who brings everlasting life, we remember those who have died. We

think of the victims of the fire in Johannesburg. In a few moments’ quiet we remember [...and] all known to us who have passed into your eternal kingdom.

God of life

Hear our prayer

Merciful Father,

accept these prayers

for the sake of your Son,

our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

St Marys Walkley

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

Category: Sermons

5th November 2023 10.30am – All Saints Eucharist

29th October 2023 10.30am – Simon and Jude, Apostles, Eucharist

22nd October 2023 10.30am – The Twentieth Sunday after Trinity Eucharist

15th October 2023 10.30am – The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity Eucharist

8th October 2023 10.30am – The Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity Eucharist

1st October 2023 10.30am – Harvest Eucharist

24th September 2023 10.30am – The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Eucharist

17th September 2023 10.30am – The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity Eucharist

10th September 2023 10.30am – The Blessed Virgin Mary Eucharist

3rd September 2023 10.30am – Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity Eucharist