Sunday Worship
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish as we celebrate the Feast of St Hugh at the Worship Centre in St Hugh's School. There are no services at St Agnes' or St Thomas' Churches today.
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 "Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God"
Today's Gospel
Mark 13: 32-37 The Necessity for Watchfulness
“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert, for you do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch.
Therefore, keep awake, for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening or at midnight or at cockcrow or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”
Reflection
Today is the Feast Day of St. Hugh of Lincoln and many of us will be celebrating at a joint parish service at St. Hugh’s church which is located in the school in Holts Village.
It is a joyful occasion where the school and village community join together with members of the other churches in our parish to celebrate this special anniversary.
St Hugh was actually born in Avalon, France in the 12th century and following the death of his father in 1165, he joined the religious Carthusian order in Grenoble where he was ordained priest 5 years later. He spent most of his early adult life in prayer and meditation and had a reputation for piety and holiness.
He was widely extolled for his many virtues of patience, courtesy, courage, gentleness. It was said that everyone treated him as a neighbour, as an old friend or as a brother. He loved the whole human race like himself and his abundant charity cherishes all men.
Word of his devoutness reached King Henry II in England and he was asked to form the first Carthusian monastery in England. Although a great honour, it was far from Hugh’s preferred choice of role, as he much preferred the life of prayer and dedication to God. However, under pressure from the king and the Bishop of Grenoble he was compelled to accept the role. Despite his reputation for gentleness he was not afraid to speak the truth to leaders such as the King and senior religious leaders in the country, and he persuaded the King to spend large amounts of money on the church and the poor.
He was consecrated as Bishop of Lincoln on 21st September 1186 in Westminster Cathedral, where, despite his position of power, he remained dedicated and devout and lived a humble basic lifestyle. His reputation grew as a champion of the poor and needy.
St Hugh worked tirelessly for the welfare of his people of Lincoln and surrounding areas. He was passionate about helping the poor and marginalised people in society and firmly committed to improving everyone’s spiritual well-being as well as their material needs. He was so committed to helping the poor that he often used his own resources to improve their lives.
St. Hugh was also recognised for his interventions to prevent the persecution of the Jewish people who were numerous in and around Lincoln. Attacks on them had been frequent and violent but St. Hugh spoke up for them and was not afraid to challenge the leaders of those who perpetrated the oppression.
The Gospel reading above is often associated with St. Hugh because of his life of devotion to God. It reminds us of his unremitting service of prayer and dedication and his personal example of how we should offer our lives to God and to the service of others.
It is an example to us of how we should all set time aside to spend with God in prayer and reflection and how we should live our lives as Hugh did, following the way of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sometimes we might well intend to be more virtuous but we don’t get around to it. And sometimes we don’t speak up for others when we know that we should. We all need to be watchful and alert to the needs of one another and not be complacent lest we get caught out.
Paul
Our Prayers
Holy God , who endowed your servant St. Hugh
with wise and cheerful boldness, and taught him
to commend the discipline of holy life to kings and princes.
Grant that we also, rejoicing in the Good News of your mercy,
and fearing nothing but the loss of you,
may be bold to speak the truth in love, in the name of Jesus Christ
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "All My Hope on God is Founded"
Notices
From next Sunday, the 23rd November, the Sunday Services at St Thomas’ will be at the new time of 11.15 am. This is because Revd Kirsten will be covering services on rotation between all 3 churches, so she will need time to travel in between, and also to get to know the congregations better. St Agnes’ Sunday Services will remain at 9.15 am.
It was wonderful to welcome Revd Kirsten to our parishes last Sunday, and we are all very much looking forward to her ministry.
