Thought for the Week May 9th 2021

Don’t faint Steve has used a lectionary reading again.

This week one lectionary reading really stood out to me, normally I would gravitate towards the Gospel reading, I like to hear what Jesus had to say, but this week it’s the Old Testament reading from Isaiah (Is 55: 1-11). I particularly like the heading given to this passage in The Revised Standard Version of the Bible ‘An Invitation to Abundant Life.’ In others you can find headings such as ‘The compassion of the Lord’ and ‘Invitation to the thirsty.’ The thing I like about ‘An Invitation to Abundant Life’ is twofold. Firstly the fact that it’s an ‘invitation,’ an invitation to all. It’s true that in Old Testament times the Nation and People of Israel were (and still are) considered to be the ‘chosen’ people, but chosen for what? There are many clues in the Old Testament pointing to them being chosen as the people from whom the saviour of the whole world would be born, a prophecy borne out in the events of the New Testament. Secondly is the thought of ‘Abundant life. I wonder if this invitation in Isaiah was in Jesus mind when he referred to himself as the Good Shepherd and said ‘I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly.’ (John 10:10)

As we start to see restrictions being lifted and opportunities for people to start meeting together, for many there is great excitement. Larger churches with the space for social distancing are already meeting, and soon, at our little chapel in Cooksmill Green, we hope we’ll be able to do the same (Weather permitting maybe outside sooner rather than later). This period will be a golden opportunity for churches to invite individuals and communities to come back into church, give thanks and to hear Jesus’ invitation to abundant life. But, and it’s a big but, that can only be the start.

The invitation to come back into church is only the beginning. Jesus was very clear, his invitation was not just for us to come in but also for us to go out. I mentioned last week the people who will be anxious and afraid as restrictions lift and life starts to return to some sort of normality. We’ve heard in this last week about the rise in deaths due to alcohol, and whilst many of those alcohol problems may have started long before lockdown, there’s no doubt in my mind the problem will have been exacerbated. We also know that mental wellbeing is a topic at the forefront of many people’s minds. Lifting of restriction is also only the beginning.
Whilst many people came to see Jesus with their problems, often he would come across them while he was out and about on his travels. But he wouldn’t just meet them geographically, he met them in their physical, mental and spiritual condition, he had compassion for their needs and gently led them to a better place. The important thing is he met them where they were and he loved them.

If you are one who is full of anxiety and fearful of the future, I pray you will feel the peace of God in your heart, that you will be met and loved where you are and be given the courage and strength to face the future with hope and start to experience ‘life in all its fullness.’

If we’re blessed enough to be one of the confident ones, already full of hope, ready, as soon as we can, to do the things we love to do, it’s vital we understand and respect those who don’t share that same confidence. Each individual has had to face this pandemic in different ways, living in different circumstances and under different influences. We cannot presume to know how they feel, or suggest they should think or act the same way we do. If we know or meet someone like this, we must meet them where they are, respectfully and in a manner in which they will feel safe and secure. Listen, that’s where Jesus often started. We never know, by listening, how much we might learn about a person – and how much we might learn about ourselves! Then seeking God’s wisdom maybe we can all walk together towards ‘life in all its fullness.’

When we look at all the problems facing individuals, communities and nations, and not just the pandemic related ones, it can all seem terribly daunting, we sometimes say ‘what can we do?’ As I’ve said on many occasions none of us can do everything, our physical, psychological and financial capacity will limit or enhance what we’re able to do, but we can all do something. Whatever we do, however great, or however small, when it is done in love it’s priceless.

40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25:40)
R.S.V.

I realise I’m speaking to the converted among many of you, but it’s always good to remind ourselves, we can do little of it if we remain stuck behind the four walls of our homes or churches. As St. Francis put it we need to go out and spread the gospel and if necessary use words

Stay safe, and may God give us all confidence, wisdom, strength, hope and life in abundance. Amen.

Heavenly Father
We thank you and praise you
For all the wonderful gifts in life you give us,
Forgive us when we choose to ignore those gifts
And focus only on the bad.

Help us to help those
Who, for whatever reason,
Are trapped in the difficulties, worries
And concerns of life that hide
Your good gifts from them.
Help them to break free from
The shackles of anxiety.
And lead us all, we pray,
To the life you would have us live.
Life in all its abundance.
Amen.

Thought for the Week May 2^nd 2021

Last week Danny pointed us to the lectionary readings set for the day and gave us the opportunity to allow those scriptures to speak to us directly, something I know a number of people, including me, really engaged with and appreciated. Some also considered the whole concept of the lectionary and how it’s used, again me included. Today I’d like to share a few thoughts in light of this and the readings set for this week.

As a non-conformist of some 50 years now, the lectionary is not something I follow particularly strictly. The view of many non-conformists is that services and preaching should be spirit lead in order to minister to the needs of a particular congregation/community at any given time, and not be dictated to by people divorced from issues affecting those people – or challenges that may need to be posed. This is a view I have some sympathy with. However, with that freedom comes responsibility! In the same way the lectionary can succeed or fail depending on how it’s used, so can the freedom of not having one.

One upside of the lectionary is that it can sometimes make us look at passages which are uncomfortable and challenging in ways we might otherwise choose to ignore – one of the downsides of freedom. On the other hand a downside of the lectionary is when the set readings are perplexing and difficult in a week when the congregation is in desperate need of hope, love and reassurance following a tragic or difficult time – one of the upside to freedom. For me, this is a perfect example of how none of us have the exclusivity on being right, but how, with love and respect for each other’s traditions we can enhance each other’s spiritual lives with no damage to our commonly held Christian beliefs, something I’ve found a privilege to share with my co-contributors.

To continue with Danny’s lottery analogy (I love analogies) the ‘Jackpot’ win comes when the lectionary readings coincide with the needs of the people and for me personally that seems to have happened last week and this.

Right now it seems the country is at a potential turning point. But because, for some time now, we’ve all been living in what could be described as an alien environment, denying us our natural social behaviour patterns and ability to interact with each other, the thought of being able to revert to some sort of normality is producing a number of different reactions. Some are full of jubilation and eager to get going, others sadly are full of anxiety and unease about meeting with people again particularly large crowds. And of course a multitude of differing emotions in between.

In Danny’s reading related prayers last week, we asked for courage, like Peter’s to do what is right, the assurance of God’s presence described in Psalm 23, the wisdom to take our knowledge of His love and turn it into action, and finally the security of being held within His flock for ever.

Courage, assurance, wisdom and security are all things which will help us going forward in to whatever the future holds. And for me this week’s readings add another two vital ingredients, trust and remaining connected to God, and each other.

Often when I am given a passage to read I like to read the bits either side of it in order to be certain I read the words in the context they were written or said. This week:

The Old Testament reading (Genesis 22: 1-18) tells us of the time Abraham was instructed by God to sacrifice his son Isaac who was His only son, born to him and his wife Sarah in old age. Abraham had total trust in God and set about obeying. God saw that trust and spared Isaac’s life, Isaac went on to father Jacob – the father of Israel. And through Israel came God’s Son and our saviour Jesus.

The Psalm is Psalm 22, the verses set are 25 – end, but if we start at verse 1 we see the words Jesus agonisingly cried from the cross ‘My God, My God why have you forsaken me?’ but by the time we get to the second half of verse 24 we read ‘…he did not hide his face from me but heard when I cried to him.’ The Psalmist David trusted God, Jesus trusted in his father God, and so did Abraham. If we read the set verses in that context, then perhaps try re-reading Psalm 23 again, for me there’s whole new clarity.

The Gospel is from John 15: 1-8 where Jesus talks about being the ‘true vine’ and the need for the vine’s branches to bear fruit. It’s a real lesson on how we need to stay connected and draw nourishment and strength from the root i.e. God. If we read a little beyond the set verses we hear Jesus’ command to the disciples to ‘love one another,’ which together with the vine analogy, links very nicely to the epistle reading from 1 John 4: 7- end, which describes the nature of God’s love.

Many years ago I did a parachute jump, not a tandem jump where you’re strapped to an experienced jumper with a fancy oblong parachute so that you can both land gently on your feet, this was a static line jump. For this we jumped solo with the old style round parachute, the rip cord attached by a line to the plane so that as you jump the parachute automatically deployed. The instruction period was fairly intense, among other things we had to learn how to turn the parachute at just the right time into a hold position before landing and then how to land, the ‘parachute landing fall’ (PLF) – you hit the ground at a speed roughly the same as jumping from a six wall!

To do this you need the courage to jump, the assurance that someone has packed your parachute properly, the wisdom to follow the instructions of the expert, the security of being connected to the chute and trust that all those things put together will lead to a safe landing.

Now the sensible ones among you may be like my brother, who would say that the safest way to land is not to jump out of a perfectly good aeroplane in the first place – but where’s the fun and excitement in that?

Now, with courage, being assured by God’s word, having the wisdom to follow His instruction, by being secure in His love, let’s begin to step into the future trusting in Jesus (the perfect parachute to land us safely). And let’s do it together with anticipation and excitement. And if we see someone scared, take them by the hand and gently lead them, using Jesus as our mentor and guide. Amen. 

Heavenly Father

As we begin to look to a new future

Help us to face it with courage.

Guide us in our thoughts and actions

To be wise, compassionate and understanding

Of all those around us,

Especially those who struggle to adapt.

Help us to see your world in a new way,

To Love and respect all your creation,

To see our neighbours through the eyes of Jesus.

And to do it all, trusting in you,

In the assurance of your love

And in Jesus precious name. Amen.

Thought for the Week April 25^th 2021

4^th Sunday of Easter

“I’ve won the Lottery!” and I think that maybe you have too. I’m not talking about any kind of money lottery but instead one to make you far richer, spiritually that is, I am in fact referring to the Revised Common Lectionary NRSV lottery! Yes, it’s true, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the readings for today,  all four numbers came up and I punched the air with delight. Now, I should probably explain what I’m so excited about, but where to start?

Ok, The Lectionary, most churches follow a Lectionary which plans out the scripture readings for the church’s seasonal calendar, so we Christians are all following a similar if not the same pattern of spiritual nourishment found in God’s Word. It follows the same format throughout the year, which is:

1^st Reading – Old Testament or Acts (during Easter)

2^nd Reading – A Psalm

3^rd Reading – from an Epistle or Acts

4^th Reading – From one of the four Gospels

Now, the selection rationale behind the four scripture readings of the day is not known to me and I cannot find the methodology behind the choices made, therefore I and most people I know, make the assumption that there must be a common theme to be found, one that  links them all together. Sometimes you can find one and sometimes not (finding a connection across all four readings in my experience is very rare) but one thing is for sure, there is most certainly a spiritual message or lesson to be found within the text, it’s the getting to it that can be the challenge and it can feel like a bit of a lottery as to what may be revealed.

Be honest, how many times have you sat in church and listened to the Readings being delivered aloud, only to think “nope don’t know what that was all about” and then perhaps thinking “never mind, the sermon will sort all that out for me”, I know I have, although it has to be said there have been occasions where I was left bemused by the sermon offering too!

So, let’s for a moment just give a thought for that chosen person standing up there delivering their deciphered message, harvested from the scripture parcels that the Lectionary has somewhat enigmatically provided. You’ve been asked to deliver a sermon this coming Sunday so you grab the Lectionary hoping that at least one of the readings is going to hold the theological golden ticket, one that will provide an inspiring sermon to both illuminate and nurture the faithful sitting before you, oh the nervous tension as you get to your Sunday slot but can you deliver?

Well, for me having now written a number of sermons, homilies etc I can tell you that when I get the requesting telephone call, I go straight to my Lectionary to find my lottery results. There have been times when those readings have taken me days of contemplative scrutiny, often stressing out as time whittles away and praying (lots of) for divine inspiration to help me find a message that will be of some use to at least one person listening on the day. It really can be that challenging at times, so much so, that I now have a real empathy with and a newly found appreciation of, all those other preachers whom I thought had sold me short on my Sunday Sermon, simply because I could not relate to their interpretations.

A good Thought for the Week ahead then, one for all of us, would be to consider the challenges for those that provide us with Christian learning through their scriptural insight, in whatever form it takes, and of the difficult extracting process it might present before they feel they can share it with us. A thought that may also serve to remind us that even if their message does not resonate within both our hearts and mind on the day, that we should still hold it in high regard, as I believe there is not a preacher of any worth, would take on the responsibility of interpreting the Holy Book without the utmost of sincerity and respectful reverence, essential virtues that this privileged task both commands and deserves.

Today though, being Lectionary Year B and the 4^th Sunday of Easter, I found what for me was the winning ticket, as all four readings, in my humble opinion, reveal a message from God that needs no close scrutiny, no decoding, no interpretation  and certainly no sermonising by me, they are a joyful collection of scripture from which I believe everyone will discover their own spiritual enlightenment, simply by reading them. Just to emphasise my point on their wholesomeness, I have provided you with all four readings (normally I would only choose one or two) and might I suggest that to get the best out of them you find some quiet time to be with Our Lord, today or in the week ahead, read them slowly and  ponder upon each one before moving to the next. Why not try being the presiding preacher and see if the Holy Spirit will reveal a message for you to share, if you feel you can’t then just enjoy them for the peace and comfort they offer, either way you’re sure to be a winner and all the richer for it. Amen.

DAVID

Heavenly Father we give you our deepest thanks and praise for the most precious of gifts, that which is your written Word,

For the vitality, comfort, guidance and wisdom it provides to us

your children, each and every day of our lives,

Holy Spirit we ask that you bring the words of scripture to life within our hearts and minds, illuminating a path of righteousness towards

our Father and His glory.

Blessed Lord we thank you for today’s readings and ask that your Holy Spirit helps each of us to find a personal message within it, be with us as we spend time faithfully immersed within the text.

For our first Reading we give praise to the courage of Peter before his accusers

Dear Lord give us the same courage to do what is right in your name so the world will know your name.

For our second Reading we give thanks for the sustenance found within the beautiful sentiments of Psalm 23

Dear Lord, we ask that you be by our side in the darkest of times, take away our fear,

Lead us into the greenest of pastures and always revive our souls so that we may dwell in your house always.

For our third reading we give thanks for the understanding of Christian love.

Dear Lord help us your children, to turn our knowledge of real love into truth and action, so that we may then lay down our lives in service to you and to others who need it, just as you commanded.

In our fourth Reading we give thanks and praise for the Lord’s divine protection.

Dear Lord, you are indeed our protector, our Good Shepherd

and we your vulnerable flock.

Come find us when we are lost, hold us close when the wolf is near,

One world, one shepherd, one flock, forever.

AMEN

Reading 1: Acts 4:5-12 – New International Version

⁵ The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. ⁶ Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. ⁷ They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” ⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! ⁹ If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, ¹⁰ then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. ¹¹ Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’^{[ 12} Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Reading 2 – Psalm 23

 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,^[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.⁵ You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Reading 3 1 John 3:16-24 – New International Version

¹⁶ This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? ¹⁸ Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

¹⁹ This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: ²⁰ If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. ²¹ Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God ²² and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. ²³ And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. ²⁴ The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

Reading 4

John 10:11-18 New International Version

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹² The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. ¹³ The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶ I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. ¹⁷ The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Thought for the Week. 18th April. Good morning everyone and I hope that this finds you all safe and well. I am aware that sadly some of our friends have lost loved ones recently, please know that you are cared about and in our thoughts and prayers.

Life for some seems to be slowly getting back to some sense of normality, things have opened up again and for some of us life has become quite busy. Although it’s great that we can resume doing some of the things we did before lockdown, such as work, shopping, meeting friends etc. it is easy to get back into a pattern of being a bit self-absorbed, especially if you’re busy and someone asks for a favour or help. It’s all too easy to say “oh I’ve been working x amount of days” or, “I can’t possibly help because I have to be at so and so’s and haven’t had a break, I haven’t even had time to take my coat off !”  

 I know that’s not the case for everyone, but sometimes it is so easy, to say, “Sorry, I can’t possibly fit it in.”  When in truth, it is just too much of an effort with everything else going on. Maybe we should stop and think why that person might be asking, for although we feel what is occupying us as important, it may not carry as great an importance in comparison to the reason behind the initial request.

Lord let us always try to help others when we can, not to be self-absorbed and take our selves too seriously.

Amen.

On this third Sunday of Easter we continue to hear Gospel accounts of Jesus‘s appearances to his disciples following his resurrection. Today’s reading taken from the Gospel of Luke (24:36b-48) follows on from Jesus’s walk along the road to Emmaus where he appears to Cleopas and one other. He now appears to his disciples and says “Peace be with you”, in all the years of being a Christian and the many times I have shook peoples hand in fellowship and said “ peace be with you “ I am embarrassed to say I hadn’t connected it with the meeting of the disciples as written in Luke’s Gospel.

Peace is probably just what the disciples needed as they must have feared for their lives, especially after seeing their beloved Christ taken from them and crucified. They were terrified at seeing Jesus and at first, thought he was a ghost, but Jesus invites them to look and touch so they can see he is flesh and bone, to actually feel his skin and see his wounds.

As another form of the truth of his resurrection he asks them “do you have anything to eat?” (Luke 24:41)   this confirms to them that Jesus is real.  Fear must have slowly receded leaving joy and amazement.

Sharing a meal is such a lovely, fun thing to do, I’m sure many of us recall meals or dinner parties with family and friends with fondness. I have been lucky, as even in my youth and having three siblings, our house was always full of people, mum often making bacon butties for all and sundry. I remember one of my brother’s girlfriends saying to me “Julie your mother doesn’t cook, she caters! “

The meal Jesus shared with his friends reminds us of the many times in the bible when Jesus sits down to share a meal however small or large, Jesus really did cater for the masses when changing the number of loaves and fishes , but that’s another story.

When we are allowed we will all be able to share a meal, in fact the whole Christian fellowship across the world will be able to get together and share a meal of bread and wine celebrating Christ’s resurrection.

Until then take care, keep well and

 Peace be with you.

JULIE

                                              Prayer

May the glory and the promise of this joyous time of year,

Bring peace and happiness to you and those you hold most dear,

May He always remind us to go that extra mile to help others and to try to follow his example,

And may Christ our risen Saviour always be there by your side,

To bless you most abundantly and be your loving guide.

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took
the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Please click on the video below to see and hear our thought for the week on this glorious Easter morning.