Sunday Worship 24th August

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Tenth Sunday after Trinity. This morning we have just one service in the parish - a 10 am Parish Eucharist at St Thomas' Church.

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 "Morning Has Broken"

Today's Gospel

Luke 13:10-17 Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman

Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment." When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the Sabbath day." 

But the Lord answered him and said, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?" When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

Reflection

There are so many themes that we could explore in this short passage such as how we treat people as opposed to animals, the need for compassion, the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Scribes and the desire to control people with endless rules. Many if these I have explored before, so for a change I want to look at the subject of the Sabbath. What does it mean, both to us and others, and why is it so important? Or perhaps in this secular society, with 24 by 7 activity perhaps the question we might ask is, ‘Is the Sabbath still important?’ 

The word Sabbath is mentioned 172 times in the Old Testament and 61 times in the New Testament. It first appears in the account of the creation at the very beginning of the bible in Genesis where it is referred to as a hallowed day of rest blessed by God. [Genesis 2:2-3]  

To many the meaning is therefore that the Sabbath is a day of rest – or a day where we are not supposed to work. It reflects the seventh day where God rested after he had created the world and everything in it. It follows therefore, that technically the Sabbath is on a Saturday and is still celebrated as such by the Jewish faith. That perhaps begs the question, why do Christians celebrate the Sabbath on Sunday?

Before that we should consider what are we supposed to do on the Sabbath apart from rest?

Play games or sport, play games on computers, go for a nice walk, visit friends and relations or just loaf about streaming the latest box set of TV series.  

Of course all of these activities might be considered as rest, but Sabbath is about much more than that isn’t it? Sabbath is not just about chilling out; it’s about renewal, it’s about spending quality time with God - the creator, it’s about worship and thanksgiving and fellowship with God. 

That renewal and refreshment doesn’t just relate to physical rest, it also means ‘spiritual’ rest and transformation. Time to reflect on what we have done with our lives in the last week, and where we have seen God at work. Also looking forward to what we have planned in the coming week and how we might go about that in a more Christ-like manner.  

Sabbath is therefore very much about being with God, recognising the role that his only Son Jesus continues to play in all our lives, and asking for the Holy Spirit to guide us. 

To answer my earlier question, why did Christians adopt Sunday as the Sabbath? It’s because we chose to associate it with the day of Christ’s Resurrection. Quite simply, in the decades after Jesus’ death and Resurrection, Sunday became recognised as ‘The Lord’s Day’. 

In my studies this year, I have been fortunate to work with a Rabbi and some of the Jewish community who shared the importance of the Sabbath to their faith. The Orthodox Jews are particularly fastidious about maintaining all aspects of the Sabbath and for them the Sabbath actually begins on the Friday evening after work and before sunset. 

It starts with Friday - a day of preparation including preparing food for the following day. This follows from the time when God provided manna for the people of Isreal to eat. He only provided it for six days of the week, so they were expected to gather what they needed to eat on the Sabbath on the previous day. [Exodus16:22].

Friday is also a day of hospitality where many Jews come together to share what they have and celebrate the eve of the Sabbath. One of my friends told me that during Covid it was almost unbearable for people to have to stay at home, and in some cases eat and pray alone. 

Similarly, just as Christians were required to shut down churches, Jews were also made to shut down the synagogues. However, for Orthodox Jews it was arguably harder because Jewish rules did not allow for them to worship online. 

As we read in the gospel passage, one of the issues was that over the years the religious leaders, (Jews), had taken the fourth commandment, “keep the Sabbath Day Holy” and introduced laws that made many things forbidden. Interpreted in today’s world this would prohibit driving a car, turning off electrical appliances, or even tying up rubbish bags and putting them in the bin.  Albeit for less orthodox Jews, a less prescriptive approach is now adopted. 

As we see, Jesus was inclined to take a much more nuanced view. I would argue one can faithfully keep to spirit of the Sabbath without adhering to all sort of ridiculous man-made rules. As Jesus interpreted it, there is no commandment that you should not heal someone on the Sabbath. Moreover, His second commandment is clear, ‘that we should love our neighbour as ourselves’, [Mark 12:31]. Jesus shows us a more loving way of interpreting the spirit of the law. 

However, to address my earlier question, “is the Sabbath still important?” – I leave that up to each of us to answer for ourselves. Are we worshipping and focussing on God as much as he would expect us to be?  Are we looking after one another as much as we might?                   Paul  

Our Prayers

Creator God, who made heaven and earth 

We pray that we may use the time you have given us,

to rest and give ourselves the work-life balance you wanted us to have.

Let us spend more of that time giving you due thanks and

worship for all you have done for us and what you continue to do.

Amen

Today's final hymn is "I Danced in the Morning (Lord of the Dance)"

Sunday Worship 17th August

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Ninth Sunday after Trinity. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 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 "Lord of all Hopefulness"

Today's Gospel

Luke 12:49-56 Jesus the Cause of Division

Jesus said, "I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptised, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided:

father against son

and son against father,

mother against daughter

and daughter against mother,

mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law

and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, `It is going to rain'; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, `There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?"

Reflection

How do you picture Jesus? If someone asked you to say a sentence or two about Jesus what might you say? 

Gentle shepherd meek and mild. Prince of peace, wonderful counsellor, our redeemer who died for us, caring, loving and healing. 

So what’s happening here? Is Jesus having a really bad day? This is not the image of Jesus we would immediately call to mind and indeed it is an image that many may feel unsettled by. 

Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem and is addressing large crowds along the way, some who have come in the hope of seeing miracles performed and some who want to hear what he has to say – and to see if he really is the promised Messiah who is going to lead them and defeat the Roman forces.

 

In the previous weeks he we have heard Him talk about the need to guard against hypocrisy, to put aside worry and trust that God will provide for us, to be watchful and prepared for the second coming of the Son of Man, and to be generous and give to those who are in need. A mixture of hope and promise and also about making what could be described as painful choices like the one Jesus is about to make on the Cross. 

In today’s address it looks like Jesus has really gone over the top. It sounds like he is complaining about the stress he is under as he journeys towards the cross - it might be hard for us to imagine that Jesus can have a bad day, but we should not forget that he was fully human. Why shouldn’t Jesus feel frustrated when he sees the injustice and unfairness all around him and the failure of people to follow God’s will. 

We are more comfortable when Jesus criticises the leaders of the day but now it seems like His finger is well and truly pointed at the crowds and also at us. There are threats of division and rifts even between family members and talk of bringing fire to the earth. 

This is the Jesus that Simeon spoke of when he was presented as a baby at the Temple when he told Mary,  - “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” [Luke: 2-35]

And these are the same words that Jesus now uses. 

His own life was one of complete devotion, and compassion soaked with his redemptive love and his mission to save us – yet he sees that those around him lack that commitment to follow his example and teaching. He is reaching out to teach us all that we need to listen more carefully to his message of redemption and the way to fulfil God’s will. It’s a message of tough love where he acknowledges that the cost of following him is not always going to be easy. 

The cost of true discipleship can be hard when we are expected to truly love one another, even our enemies, and to share rather than hoard our wealth; when we are called to make personal sacrifices each day and stand up against unfairness and injustice across the world. 

In Acts we are told that on the Day of Pentecost what seemed like tongues of fire rested on them and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. [Acts 2:3] and the prophet Malachi predicted, “He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness.“ [Malachi 3: 2-4].

Jesus brings fire on the earth, with the Holy Spirit’s transformative work in our lives. Just like fire refines and purifies, we should let the Holy Spirit work within us, sparking our minds and hearts with the same love, passion, and truth that Jesus had for us. 

As Jesus wanted, we need to kindle this Holy Fire to live as committed and faithful disciples, and to go out and make a difference in the world even if that sometimes means we are not always liked and respected.

Paul

Our Prayers

Almighty God, 

Open our minds to understand Jesus’ words more clearly,

That we may discern his teaching.

Send your Holy Spirit

to light our hearts and minds with fire,

that we may be transformed and refined

and unwavering in our commitment to you.

Amen

Today's final hymn is "Father God, I Wonder"

Notices

Next Sunday, the 24th August, we have a Parish Eucharist at 10 am at St Thomas' Church, with no service at St Agnes'.

Sunday Worship 10th August

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Eighth Sunday after Trinity. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 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 "When Morning Gilds the Skies"

Today's Gospel

Luke 12:32-40 Do Not Be Afraid, Little Flock

Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

"Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

"But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour."

Reflection

The opening of this passage picks up where we left off last week, [Luke 12:39] talking about generosity and sharing what God provides with others.

But wealth is not the only thing we need to consider and this is addressed in the rest of Jesus’ message above. Arguably the most precious commodity we all have is time. Time is something we all have – but we can’t buy or sell time, We don’t know how much time we have, “none of us by worrying add a single hour to our life”, [Matthew 6:27].  None of us know how much time we have, which is what makes it so precious. 

Just as what we do with our material wealth is up to us, it is also up to us what we do with our time and how we value it. We can choose to use it wisely or waste it – it’s up to us.

There are similarities here with the parable of the ten virgins who were told to remain dressed with their lamps burning waiting for the groom to return [Matthew 25:1-13],  where we are warned to stay alert for the return of Christ. 

But it is not just about being ready for when Christ returns, it is also about what we do with our time and lives whilst we are waiting. We are not expected to idle our time away while we wait and then pretend that we have been living righteous lives while doing so. 

We are expected to be alert and active doing God’s will every day. Willing to read and share His word with others and worship God not just on a Sunday but every day. That doesn’t necessarily mean going to church every day but it does require us to recognise and acknowledge His presence and role in our lives and to pray to Him.

Even when we are weary, we still need to be ready so that when God calls us to action, we can seize the opportunity to do His will and spread the good news.

Last Wednesday (6th August), was the feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord. In Luke’s account he describes how Jesus’ appearance changed and his face and clothes became dazzling white as He was joined by Moses and Elijah. He then describes how Pater, John  and James, although weighed down with sleep, had stayed awake, and as a result witnessed the glory of Jesus’ transfiguration and the meeting with Moses and Elijah. 

The theme is the same, where by staying awake they were rewarded for their faithfulness. 

At the time when Luke was writing this, many people in the early church had been expecting Jesus to return imminently, and some were weary and impatient for his second coming.

It is now over two millennia and we are still waiting, but as Jesus tells us, “You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour." 

Only God knows when that will be, but it is still as important as ever that we remain vigilant and ready, watchful and prepared, because when He does return and finds us ready, we will be rewarded beyond our wildest dreams. 

When the time comes, Jesus says "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”          Paul

Our Prayers

Father God

Like watchmen in the night,

we await the coming again,

of your Son Jesus Christ.

Help us to remain diligent and faithful,

Trusting in your promise of eternal life

and the pleasure of your kingdom.  

Amen

Today's final hymn is "The Spirit Lives to Set us Free"

Notices

Next Sunday we will be celebrating the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day at St Thomas' at 12.30 pm. 

Sunday Worship 3rd August

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Sixth Sunday after Trinity. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 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 "As the Deer Pants for the Water"

Today's Gospel

Luke 12:13-21 The Parable of the Rich Fool

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." But he said to him, "Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?" And he said to them, "Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions." 

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 toward God."

Reflection

I was recently studying the life of William Temple who was former Bishop of Manchester before being appointed as Archbishop of York in 1929 and Archbishop of Canterbury in 1942. He was the only Archbishop to be the son of a former Archbishop.

It is fair to say that he came from a very privileged background and went to private school and Oxford. Nonetheless, his time as Bishop of Manchester had a very profound and lasting impact on him. Temple travelled across the industrial towns of Lancashire and witnessed the acute hardship and harsh conditions faced by the majority of people. Those working in the mills, mines and other industry who had to endure harsh regimes and poverty, whilst those unemployed had no health care provisions or security.

This was during the period between the two World Wars and during the Great Depression. Temple was profoundly struck by the unfairness of a society where the rich got increasingly richer and richer at the expense of the poor. 

As a result, he published a famous book called Christianity and Social Order which, among other things, challenged the role that the Church of England had to play in influencing Government and reshaping society to make it fairer for everyone.

In researching his publication he worked alongside many learned economic scholars and politicians such as John Maynard Keynes and William Beveridge and at the end of his book he outlined in detail his ‘Suggested Programme’ which was effectively the blueprint for the introduction of the Welfare State. This included Family Allowance for each child after the first two, education for all up to the age of 18, two days per week rest, paid annual holidays, fair wages to support a family of four, decent housing built near to where people worked and free school meals and milk. This was implemented by a new Labour Government in 1945 after the end of the war. 

How does this relate to today’s reading? Essentially, it provides a living example of how we should look after one another and how we need to focus not on material things as the be all and end all. I am not suggesting that wanting to be successful and making a better life for ourselves is necessarily a bad thing - but when it becomes the main focus for our lives and when we ignore the suffering of those around us because we are oblivious them, then we are on a road to our own ruin. When we become so attached to what more we can get, that is purely and simply greed. 

When we fail to acknowledge that God has given us plenty and do not look at the misfortune and suffering of others then that too is greed. William Temple had experienced privilege but when he saw impoverishment around him, his first reaction was to use what God had given him to make a difference to others.

In the parable of the farmer he has also been very fortunate and he has such an abundance but all he can think about is how he can preserve it in bigger barns and keep everything for himself. How he can ensure that he has a safe and indulgent retirement.

His only thoughts are for himself and he is trapped in his own success. He has not even contemplated how he can use what God has provided for anyone else. I was struck by something an older person said to me this week when I was in his garden. We were looking at a profusion of fruit on his trees and he said, “there’s far too much for me and my wife – we’re going to bag most of it up and give it to local charities and hospices.”

It never crossed his mind that he could have sold some of it or frozen it; as far as he was concerned there was more than enough for himself and his first thought was to share it those who need it most. To hold on to everything  would have been selfish greed. 

On the other hand, the foolish farmer can only think about himself. But that’s the issue with wealth and greed, it can narrow our perspective and we fail to see the challenges and needs of others. Instead of giving thanks to God for what he had and thinking how he might show his gratitude, he can only think about himself. It doesn’t occur to him how he might ask the Holy Spirit to guide him as to how he can use his excess to build God’s kingdom. 

As Jesus says above, "Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions."   We need to remember that all we have comes by the grace of God, and we should be generous in our giving and be rich towards Him by blessing others as God has blessed us.  Paul 

Our Prayers

 Heavenly Father,

We thank you for all we have. 

For life, health, our homes and wealth.

As we look upon the pain and suffering in the world,

We ask you to show us how to help those in need,

and to give us a generous heart, to give alms.

That we may strive for your kingdom,

And build treasure in heaven.  

 Amen

Today's final hymn is "To God be the Glory"

Sunday Worship 27th July 2025

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Sixth Sunday after Trinity. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 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 "Thou Whose Almighty Word"

Today's Gospel

 Luke 11:1-13 Teaching about Prayer

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say:

Father, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come.

Give us each day our daily bread.

And forgive us our sins,

for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.

And do not bring us to the time of trial."

And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, `Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.' And he answers from within, `Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

"So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Reflection

Last week I mentioned how important it can be to set aside some time on a regular basis and talk to God in stillness, as if sitting outside your own metaphorical tent like Abraham. [Gen. 18:1]. 

As we witness the disciples who have been observing Jesus praying, I wonder what was going through their minds as they watched Him? We know that Jesus prayed constantly, sometimes with others, and on many occasions He would go off on His own into hills or into the wilderness. Perhaps as they watched Jesus, they were in awe of His relationship with God the Father, and the sense of devotion and persistence in His prayer life. 

They can obviously, sense the power of prayer that emanates from Jesus’ interaction with God and they ask, "Lord, teach us to pray." It is worth noting that they asked, ‘teach us to pray’ and not ‘how to pray’. 

At first glance it might not seem that there is much difference but when we take the whole excerpt into account perhaps we may discern the subtleness of the wording. 

Jesus starts by telling them the words of the Lord’s prayer which we say every day. But interestingly, the version we see here is slightly different from what we read in Matthew 6:9-13, when Jesus was telling people not to pray in public and not to babble on endlessly. Perhaps it was that Matthew remembered the wording differently to Luke's sources, or perhaps Jesus is showing us that we don’t have to be absolutely prescriptive in saying the words exactly the same every time. Praying is more than just a repetitive ritual repeated by rote. That is not to say that I am suggesting the words of the Lord’s prayer are not important, but praying is more than saying the same things over and over again – it’s about talking with God just as Jesus did.

It's also about understanding that God is always listening, and most importantly, He is ‘our’ Father. Whilst God is occasionally referred to as Father of creation, or Father of the nation Isreal in the Old Testament, Jesus was the first person to refer to God as ‘Our Father’ - Father of each of us individually.

In teaching the disciples to pray, Jesus is showing them how to build a personal relationship with God, our Holy and loving Father.

I will not dissect the whole of the Lord’s Prayer as I have done before – rather it’s worth looking at the parables Jesus tells the disciples to give them insight into praying. The story about the man shamelessly knocking his friend up in the middle of the night is about persistence. It’s also about the honour of the man in the house. In those days the whole family would live in one room and so to help his friend the whole house would be woken up – however it was the Jewish custom to provide hospitality to those in need. Jesus is implying that if providing for one another as humans is important, how much more so will it be with God who wants to give us what is good and life-giving.

In the second parable, we are invited to pray continuously – it’s not just about asking God for everything we want and asking to fix the world, it’s about being true in our convictions. This parable can sometimes feel really hard to come to terms with, especially if we keep asking God for something and our prayer doesn’t seem to be answered or it’s not answered in the way we might have wanted.

Perhaps rather then God ignoring us, it’s us who are not praying for the right thing, or maybe God is doing what is right for us but we can’t recognise it. It’s not about God’s wish to give us what He knows we need, it’s about our human inability to receive what He gives. It’s about recognising and trusting in God’s will being done. In teaching us to pray, Jesus is showing us how to build a relationship with God so we might understand his will.      Paul  

Our Prayers

Loving God,

As your Son, Jesus, showed us,

We pray for a deeper and more loving relationship with you.

Guide our hearts and minds to trust in your will,

and in your loving purpose for us.

Help us to see the blessings in all you do,

even when it is difficult for us to understand,

and remember that when we search, we will find you.

Amen

Our final hymn today is "Father, Hear the Prayer we Offer"

Notices

Sunday Worship 20th July

Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Fifth Sunday after Trinity. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 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 "Lord, for the Years" 

Today's Bible Reading

Genesis 18:1-15                             The Three Visitors 

The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. He said, "My lord, if I find favour with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on-- since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said." And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes." Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

They said to him, "Where is your wife Sarah?" And he said, "There, in the tent." Then one said, "I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son."

Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”

But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

Reflection

Imagine you’ve just spent the last hour or so having a nice soaking bath and getting all dressed up ready to go for a meal out and then the phone rings – it’s your partner who sheepishly and apologetically says, “I’m really sorry but something important has come up at work and I have to work late. I’ll make it up to you and we can go out next week instead.”

How do you feel? Let down, disappointed even angry. A promise has been broken – even though it might seem like a genuine reason. It’s not a nice feeling especially when it’s something you’ve been looking forward to. Perhaps you’ll think twice about the promise to go out next week.

 

In the verses that precede todays passage [Gen. 17:16-22], God promises Abraham that He will bless Sarah and give him a son by her. In this next encounter, the Lord repeats this promise. Sarah’s reaction on hearing this is much the same as Abraham’s first reaction -  “Yeah right – of course I’m going to have a son at my age”. 

We should remember that at this time, Abraham was a hundred years old and Sarah was ninety years old and long past the menopause, so I guess we shouldn’t be too quick to condemn their doubt. So God has repeated the promise to both of them – he is reassuring them and feeding their faith. 

God is greater than their doubts, He is greater than all our doubts, and instead of rebuking Sarah, He is reassuring her. ‘Even if we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself’ [2 Timothy 2:13].

And of course God keeps his promise because He always does – He is never going to say, I’m sorry but I’m a bit busy at the moment or something else has cropped up. 

Despite how incredible the promise seems, God makes it happen. What’s more incredible is that the baby is not conceived through some spiritual miracle, Isaac is conceived through natural means and the relationship between Abraham and Sarah. Sarah’s physical body is regenerated to make this happen as promised. 

God knew that having a baby together was something that Sarah and Abraham had wanted all their lives, and even though Abraham recognised the Lord he still struggled to believe it was possible. The same can be true for us, as we look at the world today and see the suffering, wars, exploitation and inequalities, it’s hard to imagine how the world can ever be right again. But we have to have faith and trust in God. For with God, nothing is impossible.

In the same way that God regenerated Sarah’s body, He can regenerate us and the world. Jesus promised us that when we believe and trust in Him we will have a place by His side in heaven.

Sometimes we just need to set aside our inner doubts and find some space to sit and talk with God and also listen to Him. Like Abraham, sitting quietly outside his tent, we should find some time to reflect in the stillness. God doesn’t make Himself known in the thunder or an earthquake but in the stillness of our lives. 

Sarah laughed inwardly with disbelief, she didn’t scoff out loud, but God still heard her. 

God hears our silent thoughts too, but He is forgiving and full of grace and will never break His promises to us even if we occasionally have doubts. 

        Paul  

Our Prayers

Almighty God,

We thank you for your abundant grace and love for us.

We pray that though your Word,

we will be strengthened in faith,

and trust in your power to heal and save.

Father God, we pray for an end to the atrocities we see in the news,

And lasting peace and fairness for everyone.

Amen

Our final hymn today is "Be Thou My Vision"

Sunday Worship 13th July

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish. Today we have a Parish Eucharist at 11 am at St Thomas', with no service at St Agnes'.

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 "Longing for Light, we Wait in Darkness"

Today's Gospel

 Luke 10:25-37                               The Good Samaritan 

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself." And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live."

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbour?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, `Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." 

Reflection

Rather than look at the characters in this parable, including the lawyer, I want to focus on  the Samaritan. 

There are two key messages in this story; one about loving one another and the other about keeping the law. Jesus was the one who came to fulfil the law and the prophesies. Jesus is the one who demonstrated total obedience to the Father by taking on human form and living amongst sinners. As the Father loves us so did Jesus, showing his love for everyone, not just the Jews. He was obedient and loving, even to the extent that he was willing to be tortured like a criminal and die on the cross to redeem us – to rescue everyone who is willing to trust in him and repent. 

 

Jesus is the Samaritan, and it us who are the injured person in need of help. We are all sinners at some point and it is the wounds of sin that need to be healed. Fortunately, like the Samaritan, Jesus is there for us – like the Samaritan who placed himself at risk and helped the wounded man at his own expense, Jesus in His love and obedience for us, was willing to rescue us at His own expense. 

On the roadside, the Samaritan tended to the fallen with oil and wine. Similarly Jesus offers his body and his blood to save us. Next time you take Holy Communion, remember that in that sacrament he offers you that same love to sustain us and renew us until He comes again in glory. Paul 

Our Prayers

Father God, we praise and thank you,

That when we sin and fall by the wayside, 

you send your Son Jesus Christ to pick us up, heal our wounds and set us back on the path of righteousness. 

Amen

Today's final hymn is "Brother, Sister, Let me Serve you"

Notices

Revd John Faraday and his wife, Joan, have sent a message of thanks to all of us for our prayers, help and good wishes as they mourn the loss of their son, Alan. A memorial Service for Alan will be held at Saint Thomas Church, Church Street, Delph, Oldham at 11.00am next Wednesday, 16th July, and all will be welcome. If you would like to share in the service but will find it difficult to be there, there is a link available so that you could join remotely on Zoom (please use the contact form for details). 

 

Sunday Worship 6th July

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Third Sunday after Trinity. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 at St Thomas'.

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

Our first hymn this morning is "I, The Lord of Sea and Sky"

Today's Gospel

Luke 1-11, 16-20                 Jesus Sends Out the Seventy 

The Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace to this house!' And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, `The kingdom of God has come near to you.' But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, `Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.'

"Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me."

The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!" He said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Reflection

The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few. 

At a time when the parish is still in vacancy with no immediate  sign of a new vicar on the horizon, and no vicars in the neighbouring parishes in our Mission Community, you might argue that we are in the same position now.

 

Who is there to spread God’s word and the Good News of the Gospel? 

The first two ‘Marks of Mission’ for the Church of England are:

- To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom 

- To teach, baptise and nurture new believers 

 

Yet we have no Vicar! That gives rise to a number of questions:  

1. How will the church manage its missional objectives then?

2. Who are the labourers that will do the missional outreach and spread the Gospel in and around Lees? 

3. Who did Jesus send ahead of him to the places that he intended to go afterwards? 

To answer each question in turn; 

1. We are the people who are called to do mission in our community. The Marks of Mission are not guidelines for the clergy but for all of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus. 

2. We, are therefore Jesus’s modern day labourers. 

3. Jesus sent out ‘seventy others’ ahead of him. We don’t know who they were, but they weren’t the 12 apostles and it wasn’t Jesus himself doing the legwork.

I am writing this sermon on Petertide, the weekend when new deacons and priests are ordained. They will all have undertaken rigorous theological training on subjects such as doctrine, church denominational history and spirituality to name but a handful of topics. 

But that won’t prepare them to be able to answer every question anyone might ever ask about God. No matter how well prepared they might think they are – their knowledge will still be very limited. 

Many of them will have put a ‘dog collar’ on for the first time and be wondering, “what on earth have I got myself into?”  That feeling is often referred to as ‘imposter syndrome’, where they doubt themselves, and question their worthiness, their abilities, and even if they are good enough to be a minister of the church. 

So when I say we are all called to be Jesus’ labourers and spread the missional good news of the Gospel, you might rightly ask, who am I to do that? I am just one of the ‘others’. One of the folk that sits in the pews and listens.

 

Like the ‘others’ in today’s reading from Luke, we don’t need to be experts to answer Jesus’s call. Jesus didn’t send the ‘others’ to theological college for years to study before he sent them out. 

When you speak about Jesus, he will give you words – he doesn’t call the knowledgeable but he will equip those he calls with what you need to know. Indeed, as one of the others, the bar is set lower; people won’t be expecting a profound theological discussion from us. To be fair that’s probably the last thing most people want. When we talk about Jesus, it’s fine to talk from our heart about what He means to us.

Jesus didn’t identify people with gifts for mission - He gave his followers the gifts that they would need for the mission. 

Then he sent them, knowing that they wouldn’t always be well received, and that some would be shunned. He sent them as lambs amongst the wolves. But all seventy returned with joy in their hearts. Jesus had given them the authority and equipped them with all they needed. 

He will give that same authority and power to you as and when you need it. And when you are prepared to talk with love and confidence about your names too will be written in heaven.

Paul  

Our Prayers

Father God,

We thank you that we have been blessed,

To receive the good news of the gospel 

and the ministry of your Son Jesus Christ

who died for the forgiveness of our sins and conquered death.

We pray that we may never be afraid to confess that good news to others

and that by the power of the Holy Spirit,

we may live and work to your praise and glory

Amen

Today's final hymn is "Lord, The Light of Your Love is Shining (Shine, Jesus, Shine)"

Notices

Next Sunday we have a Parish Eucharist at 11.00 am at St Thomas', and no service at St Agnes'.

For all of the upcoming services and events in Leesfield Parish, please click on the 'Calendar' tab in the page header.