A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – Rainbows 10^th May 2020

Did anyone see the beautiful double rainbow last week? I don’t know about you but when I see a rainbow I always think of Noah and how God sent his rainbow as a covenant to his people, a sign of hope. Then I thought, like us, Noah was in lockdown too. Then giving it some more thought I realized that we have escaped lightly, just think of being in Lockdown with all those animals! (I digress). 

I was thinking how prominent they are at the moment, rainbows, not animals. I have noticed an increase in bird life and birdsong, is it just that there are less people around to bother them and much less noise so we can actually hear them? Steve and I, when out walking, saw a peregrine falcon sitting on the corner of a goal post on the recreation park, absolutely majestic! 

We see rainbows painted on billboards and road hoardings, children have painted them and put them up in their front windows as a sign of hope to cheer people up as they pass by. Putting these colorful rainbows in our window is a positive thing we can do. I’ve been heartened by so many of our fellow humans, supporting each other by giving emotional and practical assistance, gardening, phoning the vulnerable, ordering and delivering food to those in need.

This week’s bible reading is about Saint Stephen (Acts 6-7), although the church was rapidly growing in Jerusalem, there were still the usual petty squabbles. The church apparently had an organized charity, similar to a daily “soup kitchen” for the needy.  The Hellenist widows, (Jews that had lived most of their life in Greece but returned to Jerusalem) complained they were being neglected by the unfair distribution of food. They felt they were being discriminated against and it began to cause problems within the Jewish and Christian communities. The apostles knew they had to act, so they picked Stephen to take control and head this up. Like our volunteers today, Stephen was giving practical help to make sure the people were given the food they needed and that it was distributed fairly. The apostles had to get the right man for the job and were looking for a man of good reputation.

According to Luke Stephen was “a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5) he did his job well and was highly thought of by the people. So why did things change dramatically and why was he put to death by stoning? One of the reasons I imagine, was the success he had in teaching the truth of Jesus Christ as he went about his work teaching both Christians and Jews alike, performing miracles to confirm his message. As more Jews converted to Christianity, it was always going to come to the attention of the Jewish leaders, the Sanhedrin, who tried to quash this by refuting Stephens teaching. They tried to do this by using their scriptures, but to no avail. So they found false witnesses, probably offering them money in return for lying for them. They falsely accused Stephen of blasphemy against Moses, God and the law, stirring the people up to give false witness and to spread lies throughout Jerusalem and as the old saying goes “mud sticks”! Sewing in the majority of the people minds, the notion that Stephen was a blasphemer. Those witnesses closed their ears to the truth and joined the crowds picking up stones and throwing them at Stephen. Those who stood and watched were just as guilty.

Stephen could have kept quiet and organized the distribution of foods from the safety of his home but didn’t, and was killed for using this opportunity to go out and tell of the truth of Jesus Christ. He was only 35 when he was dragged through the streets and killed, and as he was dying he prayed to God to forgive his persecutors, remind you of anyone? 

We are all called to be evangelists and spread the word of God which we all endeavor to do in one way or another, but how many of us would leave the safety of our homes, like Stephen, and go out and preach with gusto the word of God to hostile groups. Imagine Standing on street corners preaching and praying aloud. I think some of our friends would think we had gone crazy! But I don’t think this is what most of us need to do, God made us all individuals, some braver than others, some more faithful than others, some quieter than others, didn’t Jesus say “go into your room and pray to your father in secret and your father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:6). Stephen was a brave and devout Christian, loved by the Lord and this was his calling.

I am open about my faith but feel I lack the knowledge and confidence to go out alone and tell of Jesus teachings in case I get asked awkward questions I’m unable to answer. I am no theologian and lack the wisdom and articulation Stephen had, but we should take comfort in the knowledge that no matter what sort of character we have, evangelistic or otherwise, God knows us individually and that we spread his truth in our ways, most importantly that we are loved and guided by him. 

If anyone had said to me last Christmas that I wouldn’t be able to hug my Grandchildren for over 50 days I wouldn’t have believed them. But look to the rainbows that we see everywhere, they make us smile, they are a sign of hope and remind us to keep faith in the knowledge that we will hug our family and friends again, we will be able to have picnics, we will be able to sing again, worship in our own churches and go out in our own indomitable way to spread the love and good news. We also know as fact and can be wholly assured, that we will always have the love and protection of our most blessed Lord! 

A Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ you taught us to love our neighbour and to care for those in need.

Let us remember, help and pray for all those who are worried or feel isolated from those that love them

Forgive us our pride and give us also the grace to accept help, sometimes it is easier to give help than to accept it.

We pray for all those that have lost loved ones whether through Coronavirus or through other natural causes.

As we look to the easing of the lockdown, give our ministers and scientists the knowledge to do so in the right manner, give them your wisdom and guidance in what must be an extremely difficult task.

Lord as we see all the rainbows around us, let us remember your covenant as a sign of hope to your people and pray that sometime soon we all can resume our daily lives. Perhaps changed in some way but ever thankful that you remain at our side, now and forever.

Amen

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – Cradle Roll 3^rd May 2020

It‘s always a great privilege to welcome people into the family of God in Baptism – young and older – and it’s the same for us at Cooksmill Green.

Most of our congregation will know much of what I’m about to write, but for those visiting our website who may not know us so well, I thought it would be a good idea to let you know what we do. It’s also a useful reminder for the rest of us!

Whenever we baptise a child in our chapel, during the course of the service we pray that child will grow in faith in Christ and that in adulthood they’ll make a conscious decision to become part of the membership of God’s church, wherever they may be. In addition to the promises made by parents and Godparents to guide the child on this journey, the church congregational also makes a promise: 

‘Will you endeavour to maintain here, a fellowship of worship and service in the Church, that this child may have the opportunity to grow in the knowledge of God and his son Jesus Christ our Lord. 

And the church replies

With God’s help we will

Implicit, is not only the promise to ensure access to worship in a safe and loving environment for the young people as they grow (more of that in a moment) but also to remember them in our prayers – and all those who have been previously been baptised. The truth is that can be easy to say, but we all know how life’s pressure can crowd out such promises. So once a year we make a special effort to keep our promise and this year, today is the day, our ‘Cradle Roll’, but not of course, how we normally do it. And perhaps this year we can remember all children and young people everywhere, baptised or not, praying for their future in this ever changing world.

The names of all those baptised are written into our Cradle Roll Book. At the service the names of those added in the last few years are read out loud and we ask God to bless each and every one of them. This year we can’t do it quite the same, but I ask you to remember all these people in your prayers today, knowing that the book has been placed on the alter table in the chapel next to a lighted candle and that God loves each one – and all of us.

I mentioned access to worship for the youngsters, well, we have a wonderful team of members and helpers who run what we call ‘Sunday’s Cool’. Here they learn the stories of the bible in a safe loving environment and have the opportunity to share their youth and enthusiasm with the whole church. See the Sundays Cool tab at www.cooksmillgreenchurch.org

Luke 18: 15-17 NRSV

¹⁵ People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. ¹⁶ But Jesus called for them and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. ¹⁷ Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”

This week, time has been taken out to remember those whose have died during this Covid-19 crisis, so today we have two prayers. One, to keep our promise above, the other to remember – closing with words from St Augustine, often used for the sick and dying.

Heavenly Father

We have promised always to

Remember and uphold those

Baptised into your church.

And we do so now.

We pray for each and every name

In our Cradle Roll Book,

Confident they are in your hands.

Lord we pray that each one

Will come to know you in a very special way

That they will know your love throughout their lives

And come to put their faith in You.

For those who have grown to maturity

And faith, may they also know

And feel your love today.

Give them and us strength to

Follow and serve you

All the days of our lives.

As we make this prayer to you

We pray for the future of all children

And young people in our world today,

In all its uncertainties.

And finally

Loving Father we remember those who have

Lost their lives during this difficult time.

And in the words of St Augustine

We pray for those who are suffering still:

Watch, O Lord, with those who wake,

Or watch, or weep tonight,

And give your angels charge over those who sleep.

Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ.

Rest your weary ones.

Bless your dying ones.

Soothe your suffering ones.

Pity your afflicted ones.

Shield your joyous ones.

And for all your love’s sake. Amen.

(St. Augustine 396 – 430)

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – Why? 26^th April 2020

Right at the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak a question was asked, a question that has arisen for someone, somewhere, every minute of every day for Millennia. Why? I’ve often been asked that same question, and particularly in recent times. So I felt, at the very least, the question should be acknowledged. The question is constantly being debated by philosophers and theologians. And the truth is we don’t know all the answers and I certainly don’t have the wisdom to even try. There are many theories and within those theories are some profound truths – way too many to consider here – but as we’ve said before, apart from God, no one has the monopoly on truth. But one thing I think we can all agree on is that we live in an imperfect world, many would call it a broken world. I also think most of us are prepared to acknowledge mankind’s role in the imperfection!

If we’re honest all of us (me included) have at some time asked the question, ‘Why does God let this happen?’ As if he doesn’t realise what’s going on. Yet, if we read the scriptures, Old and New Testaments, they make it clear that God is only too well aware of how and where the world is broken -and by whom. He came among us in the person of Jesus and experienced human pain, suffering, rejection, temptation, the emotions of loss and sadness, remember how he wept when Lazarus died (John 11:33-36) Thankfully the scriptures also make clear that, although things are not great right now, ultimately the battle will be won and all will be ok.

But what about the here and now? Whilst I accept there are many things that are out of our control, if we acknowledge mankind’s role in the brokenness of the world, then we need to recognise our responsibility in helping to mend it. But how?

Questions, questions, questions…………………

Over the Easter period we thought about our response to sacrifice, those putting themselves on the line for our health and safety today and our response to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Part of that response must surely be to follow His teachings.

The great manifesto of the Christian faith is ‘The Sermon on the Mount’ (Matthew chapters 5-7) it’s really worth a read. It can be done in around 10 minutes, longer of course if you stop to consider and meditate on the words. There are some parts that people find difficult (again, me included) but I recommend persevering. It starts with those wonderful blessings of the Beatitudes and while some bits may be tough, it’s peppered with encouragement – not to worry (6: 25-34), to ask and receive (7: 7-11). It’s in this sermon we find what some bibles call ‘The Golden Rule’ “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12). One of my favourite quotes from the prophets on this subject comes from Micah, ‘He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?’ (Micah 6:8)

We may have played our part in the imperfections and brokenness of this world, but I firmly believe Jesus calls us to be part of the solution too. Starting perhaps by dealing with our own imperfections, we can also be part of the healing process within relationships – families, friends and communities We have a golden opportunity at the moment and in deed it’s happening in many places. No we won’t solve all the problems, some are simply out of our control, but with God’s help let’s do what we can and trust in Him to deal with the rest, in His time, confident that one day we will all be able to rejoice together in perfect harmony.

A TREAT NEXT WEEK

Next week would have been our cradle roll service at Cooksmill Green, so next Sunday we will have contributions from our youngster’s in the ‘Sunday’s Cool’ club – I don’t know what, so let’s look forward to a surprise!

A Prayer

Heavenly Father
We thank you for the wonderful
World you created for us.
We ask you to forgive us
For the way we have treated it
For the way we have treated each other
And the way we have treated you.

Guide and strengthen each one of us
As we seek to help make
The world better place.

Give an inner peace and strength
To those struggling to cope with the present,
And fearful of the future.
And bring us all to a
Closer knowledge and understanding
Of your will and love for us.

In Jesus name we ask it.

Amen.

A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – The Penny Dropped 19^th April 2020

To begin this week, I think it would be a grave omission not to mention the man who in recent days has captured, not just the Nation’s hearts, but the hearts of many parts of the world! Captain Tom. In case anyone has been living on another planet in the last week or so, this is the man who, at 99 years of age, decided to walk up and down his garden 100 times before his 100^th birthday in order to raise £1000 for our wonderful NHS. As I write this the total raised has reached a staggering £21 million pounds – and rising! Much has been said, as it should be, about this amazing effort by Captain Tom and, it must be said, his family, also the incredible generosity of the contributors inspired by his action.

But other things really shone out to me about Tom, not just his inspiration, but his genuine humility, constant thought for others and gratitude for all that he himself had. While people were congratulating him, he was congratulating others, for example, those with young families sticking to the rules while confined to small rooms and no garden, while he was so lucky to have a garden to walk in, he considered them to be among the heroes – and he’s right.

In the aftermath of Easter we start to consider the appearances of Jesus to his followers in the days after His resurrection. One of these is the account of the two on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-35). It’s amazing, these two people who clearly had intimate knowledge of Jesus and His ministry, had heard people saying he was alive again, yet, they didn’t see in the wisdom and knowledge of this man who joined them on the road, that he was in fact that same Jesus. It seems they needed to go through a steep learning curve on their long walk with this man before His identity was revealed to them, in the simplest of actions, the breaking of bread. The penny dropped. Once that happened, they were galvanised and eager to share the news.

At the risk of flogging the metaphors in these thoughts for the week, it seems perhaps that currently we’re all on our own roads to Emmaus. In the circumstances we find ourselves, for many, there’s opportunity and time to reflect and learn about ourselves and each other, to look around and see the goodness that is there around us – and what God has given to the world, for the penny to drop, so that when this is all over we can be galvanised into sharing it with others.

We shouldn’t forget though, there are people whose lives are so frantic with activity due the consequences of Codiv-19 that they have little time to think and reflect just now. Let’s support them in any way we can, by our thoughts and actions and be mindful of the understanding, love, and care they need now and will do in the future.

A Prayer

Father God
As we enter into yet another phase of
Isolation and social distancing
Help us to use this time wisely
To take time to reflect on your
Goodness in all that you give the world,
And to reflect on how those gifts can be
Shared with all the world.

We pray and thank you too
For those whose time is
Frantic with activity at the moment,
Give them strength and courage to cope,
Give them peace in the turmoil so many of them are in
And help us to act in a way that helps, supports
And protects them.

Heavenly Father
We lift them and our world to you
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.