Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Ninth Sunday after Trinity. Today we have just one Service in the parish - at 10 am at St Thomas' Church.
Our first hymn this morning is "Beauty for Brokenness"
Today's Gospel
John 6:1-21 Feeding of the Multitudes
Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.”
Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”
When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid”.
Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.
Reflection
Toilet Rolls!
Well that probably seems like a funny way to start a reflection but my mind sometimes works like that. I had been thinking about today’s gospel from John, and to be honest struggling to think of something different to say about this well-known miracle, when I heard a news story on the wireless that the first report into the Covid crisis was to be published.
One of the things, that came to mind was the sudden panic buying that happened and for some reason one of the first things to be snapped up were toilet rolls, quickly followed by tinned and dried food like pasta and rice. How strange to see so many shelves in the shop totally empty. There were people literally fighting in the shops to fill their trolleys with as much as they could.
The government showed the same behaviour. We wasted billions of pounds on massive orders for personal protective equipment and pre-ordering vaccines that hadn’t even been developed or tested. The consequence of that being that there was very little, if any, availability for poor countries who could not afford the exorbitant prices.
Roll the clock forward a couple of years and we see the same behaviour when Russia went to war with Ukraine. Ukraine, the so called bread basket of the world which used to supply 6.5 million tons of grain per month across the world, found its farms destroyed by bombs and the trade routes blocked by Russia. As a result the price of grain escalated as those of us who could afford it reluctantly paid more. But it also created a humanitarian crisis for those in the third world who couldn’t get it. Whilst the cost of bread and pastries shot up for us and fuelled inflation, the reality for some was starvation.
I’m not trying to make a political point here, but it is worth reflecting for a few moments about how we behave as a human society. At times we have a culture, as individuals and also collectively, to look after ourselves before others. In our panic to make sure we are ‘alright Jack’, we often overlook the consequences for others. I’m not saying that is deliberate, although in some cases it clearly is.
So what does today’s story tell us about how we should behave? Jesus first asks Philip, ”Where shall we buy bread?“ Of course he knows full well what he intends to do, he knows that they wouldn’t have anywhere near enough money to pay for the bread and he also knows that there isn’t a Tesco, or any other shop for that matter, in this deserted place they’ve retreated to.
Then Andrew spots a young boy with 5 loaves and 2 fishes. The boy freely offers his tiny gift. We don’t know how Jesus performed the miracle, but what we start to learn at this early stage of his ministry is that Jesus is not only resourceful, he himself is the resource. Like the poor boy’s lunch, which seemed so insignificant, Jesus can do the same with us.
We all have resources of our own, be that money, time or skills, albeit for many quite modest. (I’m fairly confident that no one has a million pounds in their back pocket to help pay for all the work that needs to be to our two churches). But as Jesus showed, God uses the smallest of gifts to perform his greatest wonders.
We pray to God to ‘Give us our daily bread’, which is not just bread but everything that we have, and we know that everything we have comes from God by his will. We are asked to love God and one another, and that includes giving our time, talents and belongings back when we can, to the church, the community and those in need around the world. Just as importantly, we need to take the time to look at the consequences of our actions when we are tempted to ‘look after number one’ and put ourselves first.
Whatever we freely give will be multiplied over and over again. In the hands of Jesus, shortage becomes abundance, deficiency becomes plenty and nothing that we give to him is ever lost because Jesus himself is the resource.
Paul
Our Prayers
Most merciful Father,
We thank you for all that we have in our lives.
We remember that all things come from you.
Help us to respond with generosity and gladness
freely offering and sharing what we can
in the knowledge that each act of giving, is an act of love and compassion,
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Eighth 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 "O Lord, Hear My Prayer"
Today's Gospel
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.
Reflection Instictive Love
In today’s passage we see more than one example of Jesus’ love and compassion.
Firstly we hear how he was concerned for his disciples who had just returned from their evangelistic mission in pairs to spread the good news of God’s kingdom. They are bubbling over with excitement, so much so that in all their hard work and efforts they have neglected themselves. Have you ever done that? Have you found yourself so engrossed in doing something that you lose all track of time and forget to even eat or drink?
Jesus immediately recognises this and as is his nature, his first concern is for their welfare. He loves them and wants to look after them – to get them somewhere safe and quiet, to feed them and give them a chance to recover. Jesus knows that there is still plenty for them to do in the months and years ahead as they continue to build the kingdom and establish his church, even after he has gone.
But the best laid plans are thwarted when they are confronted by huge crowds who want to listen to his teaching and to be cured by his now famous healing power. It’s like you’ve been grafting non-stop and when you think you’re finally going to get a break the phone rings and someone is demanding help urgently. I think most of us might put our head in our hands and just ask, ‘can’t I get even a few minutes to myself?‘
But not Jesus – Lord of love and compassion. His heart goes out to them – he recognises the stress, pain and suffering in their lives and the despair that has driven them to walk on foot and in some cases drag themselves to see him - and he sees their hope. His instinct is not to run away and find somewhere else to rest but to show them his love.
His instinct, as always, is to put others first. Despite his own suffering; we should bear in mind that Jesus is truly human, he feels pain and loss. Like the disciples he is tired and he is also grieving for his cousin John the Baptist, who has just been gruesomely killed by Herod.
But despite all this, he instinctively reaches out to those in need. That same Jesus is there for us too. Jesus sees and understands each and every one of us.
He see the joy and success in our lives, the new born child, the happy times in our lives and the progress we make at school and in our careers. But he also sees the our failures, and fears – the things that cause us stress and anxiety.
This heavenly, divine Jesus who has experienced life on earth has the same compassion for us as he did with the people at Gennesaret and he sees and hears our fears and worries. When we talk or pray to him he listens. When we sit alone wondering how and when our lives will get back on track, turn to Jesus. We need to open our hearts to let his instinctive love fill and comfort us.
Whatever is troubling you, health, finances, loved ones or whatever - hold your hand out to Jesus; find a quiet space and imagine you are sitting with Jesus and the disciples. He is right there next to you and you can reach out and touch the fringe of his cloak. Breathe slowly and deeply and feel the power of his unbounded love flowing through your heart, let him begin to lighten the burden and let Jesus show you just how much you are totally loved by God the Father, who made you and cares for you.
Paul
Our Prayers
Most Merciful Father,
We all have troubles and fears,
things that overwhelm us and sometimes feel unsurmountable.
Help us to have confidence to reach out
to your loving son Jesus.
To trust in him,
knowing that he sees all we are carrying
and wants to compassionately wrap his cloak arounds us,
love us and fill our hearts with his peace.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "What a Friend we have in Jesus"
Notices
Today is the final Sunday School of the Summer Term, and we are all invited to join them for their Teddy Bears Picnic in the School Hall immediately after the service.
Whilst there is no Sunday School during the holidays, our families are most welcome to join our Sunday Worship at both churches, and attendance can still be recorded for school admissions.
Our usual 10 am Service of Holy Communion is on Tuesday at St Thomas’, and Worship for all Generations is at 6.30 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday at St Agnes’. This week’s Worship for all Generations is the first of our Outdoor Pet Services for the summer.
Next Sunday we have a Parish Eucharist at 10 am at St Thomas’, with no service at St Agnes’, and the following week we revert to our usual service times.
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Seventh 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, we are pleased to share the transcript of today's service at our neighbouring churches of St Barnabas Clarksfield and Holy Trinity Waterhead. Many thanks to the Revd Dr Paul Monk for his kind permission.
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Sixth 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 "Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, I Go"
Today's Gospel
Mark 6:1-13
Jesus came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offence at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honour, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Reflection
When you read the first part of this scripture passage, how did it make you feel?
Looking at it from the perspective of the congregation in the synagogue, we are given a little insight into what they were thinking. They knew Jesus. He was brought up in the town, had played games with some of them when He was a child and been to their houses, probably to share a meal with them. Just like when we might go to friends house for tea or go out for meal at a restaurant.
As a carpenter, He probably worked for some of them, repairing their homes or making furniture. He was clearly widely known, as were the rest of His family, His parents and siblings. So looking at this from their point of view, here is Jesus, an artisan who has never done any formal training in religious matters, albeit He would be familiar with the Jewish bible, [Old Testament] and would of course regularly have attended the synagogue along with the other villagers in Galilee. Some of them would have heard that he had left home, leaving His dad Joseph to look after the family business, whilst He went off gallivanting around without any kind of a plan.
Then this morning we come to the synagogue and there He is. He’s got the affront to stand up and teach in the synagogue. To tell us about God and the meaning of the teachings of the prophets, as if He’s the big expert all of a sudden. Admittedly, the things He is saying are very interesting, even profound, but He just isn’t qualified to take this upon Himself. He’s just a carpenter! What’s more they say He’s been healing people and casting out demons. This can’t be right, and we can’t allow it. He needs to be put back in His place and told to pack in all this nonsense.
Now ask yourself how you might have reacted. Would you have joined in the criticism? Would you have been equally offended or affronted by such a display? What would you have said to your friends or the people who knew Him in years gone by.
Then think about the sort of personal emotions you might be feeling. Are you angry, maybe frightened – after all how is He doing all these things and where has He suddenly got this wisdom? Perhaps you’re a little jealous – it seems this uneducated young man sees himself as better than us.
We should bear in mind that the synagogue would have had hundreds of people in there listening to Him - going to church was and still is a an important part of the lives and routines for the Jewish community. Whatever their reasons, we know what happened at the time because we are told, “they took offence at him”.
It may have been because folk started following the crowd as ringleaders started to discredit Jesus, even though they could find nothing wrong with what He was teaching.
It’s hard for us to put ourselves in this situation. I would like to think that we would behave differently if this happened to us, but of course we have the benefit of hindsight and also the tremendous fortune that through the grace of God we know exactly who Jesus is.
We don’t know what Jesus was teaching in the Synagogue, but I would be pretty certain there would be a message about the love of God and need for us to love and worship God in return.
I was recently asked a question about mission, and whilst many theologians have written extensively about this, the bottom line is that we as individuals and a church as a whole are expected to let the love that God has for us flow down to others like the first apostles. We are called to make new disciples – Obviously, that involves sharing the Good News about Jesus and how he gave His life to save us if we follow Him, but it also involves us looking at how we can help the whole person. How we respond in a world full of social injustice and help those most on the margins of society. If we just tell the starving man about how Jesus loves him and that eventually if he repents he will be saved, we are falling short of Jesus’ command to love thy neighbour because we also need to respond to his material needs.
Conversely, if we just get him a sandwich and walk on we are not helping any spiritual needs he may have. As Christians we have a duty to help people both spiritually and respond with love to their day to day needs. We are not expected to turn our backs or take offence at someone we don’t relate to or understand.Paul
Our Prayers
Almighty Father, we thank you for your unbounded love.
We pray that we will let that love cascade down through us to others.
That we may see the needs in our community and the wider world,
and respond with loving kindness
by opening our hearts and helping where we can.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen
Our final hymn today is "Tell Out My Soul"
Notices
Here are some important notices about changes to some of our services during the summer -
SUMMER ‘WORSHIP FOR ALL GENERATIONS’ SERVICES AT ST.AGNES
TUES 9TH OR THURS 11TH JULY @ 7.30PM – A BEDTIME STORY PYJAMA SERVICE (CHILDREN AND ADULTS CAN WEAR PYJAMAS OR A ONESIE WITH AN EXTRA DONATION TO CHURCH OF EITHER 50P OR £1)
TUES 16TH OR WEDS 17TH JULY @ 6.30PM – RUN THE RACE WITH JESUS
TUES 23RD OR WEDS 24TH JULY @ 6.30PM – PET SERVICE (BRING YOUR PET TO THE 1ST OF 2 OUTDOOR SERVICES OVER THE SUMMER. KEEPING DOGS ON A LEAD AND ALL OTHER ANIMALS IN AN ANIMAL CARRIER. AT OWNERS RISK)
TUES 30TH AND WEDS 31ST JULY – NO SERVICES THIS WEEK (REGISTER TAKEN ON SUN 28TH JULY AT ST THOMAS 10AM)
TUES 6TH OR WEDS 7TH AUGUST @ 6.30PM - SERVICE TITLE TO BE DECIDED
TUES 13TH AND WEDS 14TH AUGUST – NO SERVICES THIS WEEK (REGISTER TAKEN ON SUN 11TH AUGUST AT ST AGNES 9.15AM)
TUES 20TH AND WEDS 21ST AUGUST – NO SERVICES THIS WEEK (REGISTER TAKEN ON SUN 18TH AUGUST AT ST AGNES 9.15AM OR SUN 25TH AUGUST AT ST THOMAS 10 AM)
TUES 27TH OR WEDS 28TH AUGUST @ 6.30PM – PET SERVICE (BRING YOUR PET TO THE 2ND OF 2 OUTDOOR SERVICES OVER THE SUMMER. KEEPING DOGS ON A LEAD AND ALL OTHER ANIMALS IN AN ANIMAL CARRIER. AT OWNERS RISK)
SERVICES AS NORMAL ON 3RD OR 4TH SEPT ONWARDS
SUMMER ‘SUNDAY EUCHARIST’ SERVICES AT ST.AGNES
SUN 7TH JULY, SUN 14TH JULY & SUN 21ST JULY – NORMAL SERVICE AT 9.15AM
SUN 28TH JULY – NO SERVICE. PARISH EUCHARIST AT 10AM AT ST.THOMAS’
SUN 4TH AUGUST, SUN 11TH AUGUST & SUN 18TH AUGUST – NORMAL SERVICE AT 9.15AM
SUN 25TH AUGUST – NO SERVICE. PARISH EUCHARIST AT 10AM AT ST.THOMAS’
We will be updating our parish calendar regularly during the summer, so please watch for any changes.
