Saturday 29 June 2024

Sunday Worship 30th June

 Sunday Worship



Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Fifth Sunday after Trinity. Our Church Services today are at the usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes' and 11 am at St Thomas'.

If you are unable to be with us in person, you will find resources below to worship at home.

Our first hymn this morning is "Let us Break Bread Together"



Today's Gospel

Mark 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” So he went with him.

And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” Immediately her haemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’” He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” 

While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. 

Reflection

Having reflected on this Gospel passage several times, for a change I am going to share the thoughts of  Rev. Dr. Catherine Okoronkwo who interprets the healing of the sick woman as a message of inclusion and humanisation. 

We are reminded time and again that our churches and our communities can be re-imagined through God’s generous love. We are called to a God-centred model of humanity living together in a way that transcends boundaries and brings into God’s kingdom-community those whom society has fenced out or rejected.
 
When Jesus asks who touched Him, and the woman ‘came in fear and trembling, fell down before Him, and told Him the whole truth’, Jesus does not walk off, carry on His way, as one might have expected Him to do. Rather He chooses to stop and acknowledge this woman.

The manner in which he does so is significant. His love protects her personhood, dignity and identity. Jesus restores and re-humanises her personhood, modelling a life enhancing friendship that is invitational and inclusive. Over and over again, God starts afresh with sinful humans and demonstrates generous compassion.

We are all made in the image of God. And, if we truly believe this, then any institutional system or structure undermining full participation and contribution of any person erodes kingdom-community.

How then do we re-imagine our church through the lens of Christ?

The church has a role to play in offering a Christ-centred narrative of solidarity with people from all backgrounds and walks of life, particularly those who remain on the outside. Jesus’ relationships underscored unconditional love and acceptance with those on the margins. Therefore, the truth of the Gospel message is that God is found in vulnerability. 

His presence is revealed, and people encounter Christ when we take up the invitation to create communities where all people know a God-centred acceptance and belonging in His family.
The challenge for us all is to open ourselves to a more expansive compassion for people who might look different from us. It should matter to us when ‘the other’ is bleeding, crying or dying because we are called to be an invitational and inclusive church.
    Catherine Okoronkwo

Our Prayers

Heavenly Father, 
We pray that we may be a welcoming church for everyone
Help us to reach out into our community with warm invitations 
to those who have yet to know you.
And help us to follow Jesus’ example
of loving compassion 
as we support those in need or on the margins.
Amen

Our final hymn today is "When I Needed a Neighbour"




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