Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Sixth Sunday after Trinity. Today we have just one service in the parish - our 'Everyone Together' service at 11.15 am 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 "My Jesus, My Saviour"
Today's Gospel
Matthew 13:1-9,18-23Parable of the Sower
Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!”
“Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Reflection
In today’s story, Jesus tells us about a farmer throwing seeds onto the ground. God’s word is like the seed that the farmer sows, which needs to be fed and nourished, and our hearts are like the ground that the seed lands on – they need to be soft and fertile.
Some hit the path - What happens to the seed on the ground? Nothing, the birds took it away. In this example we hear about God’s word but we are much too busy with other things in life to take any notice. Maybe, playing games or looking at our mobile phone. We don’t really listen and so it has no impact on us. It never has any chance to grow in our hearts - and God’s word is simply wasted on us.
Some hit rocks - In this case we might hear the story and understand what it means - but we don’t let it take root. We actually like what Jesus stands for because he’s always doing and saying good things.
But although we hear the good news, deep down we don’t have the heart to live like Jesus – because being good all the time can be hard at times. Sometimes other people might make fun of us for being a do-gooder. So whilst we like what we hear our faith is weak because we don’t let it put down roots in our hearts.
Some fell among the thorns and the weeds - In this instance we let our everyday business crowd out our good intentions. We care about God and doing what is right – but we don’t always follow through with things because we are more concerned about ourselves.
The weeds and thorns represent worries and concerns that we face in our daily lives. Sometimes we are so concerned for ourselves and our family that we have little time or energy to think about anyone else.
We want to have the best lifestyle possible and do the things that make us happy. We are too busy thinking about how we look after ourselves that we completely forget about all those who are less well off or those suffering in the world.
So whilst we have the means or ability to love and support one another, even if it’s in a small way, we simply don’t get around to it.
Some of the seeds landed on good soil - They didn't just grow; they exploded into a harvest that was many times bigger than the tiny seed!
Think about a seed for a second. It looks small and weak, kind of like a tiny speck or pebble. You could step on it and never even notice. But inside that tiny shell is the blueprint for a giant tree that can provide shade for hundreds of birds and fruit for an entire village.
God’s Word is the same! When we hear God’s word at school or in church, he is planting his seeds of goodness in our hearts. That might be just a "small" thought, but if you remember it and think about it, it will sink into your heart and grow.
It might be a thought like, remembering God loves each of us and wants us to love one another. Instead of letting the seed die or wither, how might we make that seed grow in our hearts? What might we do to show love or kindness to someone?
Perhaps a kind word to someone who looks upset or sad. Saying hello to new children at school or new workmates. Sharing something like sweets or crisps in the breaktime, or giving a small donation to charity.
Maybe, giving someone a lift to school or work, or maybe a simple smile – have you ever noticed how people nearly always smile back. How do you feel when someone who passes by smiles at you? Does it make you a little bit happier? There are lots of little things we can all do that don’t even cost us anything, but can make other people feel happier.
And when people feel happier they want to make even more people feel happy, and they feel like doing something kind for someone else, and then those people want to make someone else happy – and before we know that one simple act of kindness has turned into hundreds of acts of kindness. Like the seed in the story, it has multiplied hundreds of times.
When we hear the good news of Jesus, let us take time to listen and let it flourish within us. Let us keep listening even if we don’t get it right first time, because Jesus does not give up on the field - when we let him, he is willing to clear the rocks and the weeds and plant more seed in our hearts.
Rev. Paul
Our Prayers
Let’s all pray for good and soft hearts.
"Jesus, I want my heart to be good soil.
Come into our lives and grow something amazing in us."
Amen
Today's final hymn is "You Shall Go Out With Joy"
Notices
We are really pleased to announce that the Licensing Service of Rev Kirsten will take place on Tuesday 28th July at St Thomas' Church. More details are included in the poster below.
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 am at St Agnes' and 11.15 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
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Jesus said to the crowd, “To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we wailed, and you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”
At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Reflection
I’m writing this reflection at the end of a couple of extraordinary weeks.
Ahead of my ordination, I went away for a silent retreat at a monastery near Lancaster with my fellow ordinands preparing for the first stage of ministry as a Deacon. It was a time of deep reflection and inward searching, thinking about how will life change and how we have each responded to God’s call on our lives. For some of us that period of discernment has taken many years.
This week has been a week of adjusting to change. Putting on a clerical collar for the first time before I had a meeting with the Bishop did, I have to admit, feel a bit weird. Of course, over the years, the Bishop has met many new clergy who would have felt equally strange in the moment. I am quite sure that he too will recall the moment he first put the collar on.
But for all that sense of strangeness, there is no doubt that I have done what God is calling me to do – even at my age!
Rev. Kirsten has advised me to get used to being seen in my clerical shirt and go out and about in the village. For want of a better phrase, a form of acclimatisation if you like, similar to the England football team who need to get used to playing at high altitude ahead of the game in Mexico tonight.
It’s about getting used to people’s reaction and how folk behave towards me. Or moreover me getting used to how people react to a representative of the Church. That’s church with a capital ‘C’ because it’s about being openly seen as part of God’s wider church.
Reading todays gospel passage made me realise, it’s also about judgment. What assumptions people make about us – not only because of what we wear, but also many other things:-
How we speak – do we sound well educated and well spoken, or regional with a local accent? Thankfully we don’t have to listen to pristine BBC English on the radio and TV any longer!
Maybe we are judged based on our occupation, remember when people used to be categorised as working class (blue collar), middle class (white collar) or upper class (usually independently wealthy)?
Or perhaps we are judged by who we associate with. Do we gravitate to the better off or the poorer in society? Maybe we chose to mix with younger people or older people?
But judgement can be double edged, because what we might think about someone is only part of the story. What’s more important is how we as individuals react to and treat people. Because when we start treating people according to stereotypes and our pre-conceived perceptions, it is ultimately we who will be judged.
When John The Baptist began baptising people in the River Jordan, thousands of people flocked to receive a baptism of repentance. Then, as we hear above, he was seen as a man possessed by demons because of his austere diet and strange clothing. Attitudes changed.
Jesus was accused of being a glutton and a drunkard because he accepted the hospitality of those around him who wanted to learn more about the kingdom of God. He was judged harshly for mixing with and befriending tax collectors and sinners!
There is a fine line between having the gift of good judgement and being judgemental. There is a well known saying, ‘don’t judge a book by it’s cover’. When we fail to look past what is on the outside and start making judgements about people we don’t even know, or assess people without any awareness of their circumstances, then we, like the Pharisees in Jesus’ time, become hypocrites, not people of good judgement.
We all need to look past what we see or what might be on the surface, and be prepared to talk and listen to others from every walk of life. Jesus welcomes everyone, he has excellent judgement but is never judgemental. Jesus is always prepared to give people the benefit of the doubt and mix with everyone without favour or prejudice, as should we.
Rev. Paul
Our Prayers
Heavenly Father,
We thank you for who we are,
That you made all of us in your image.
Help us to respect one another
To love and respect each other for who we are
And to show compassion to all your children.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "O Lord My God (How Great Thou Art)"
Notices
Next Sunday is our 'Everyone Together' Service at 11.15 am at St Thomas' Church, and there will be no service at St Agnes' or Sunday School at St Thomas'.
It was with great joy that we celebrated the Ordination as Deacon of Rev Paul last Sunday at Manchester Cathedral, followed by a welcome party at St Thomas' Church and a joint Benefice Eucharist at St John the Baptist, Hey.
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Fourth Sunday after Trinity.
We have no Church Services this morning in Leesfield, as many of us will be attending Paul's ordination as Deacon at Manchester Cathedral.
There will be a Celebration Eucharist at St John the Baptist Church, Hey at 6 pm, and everyone is most welcome to attend.
If you are unable to be with us, you will find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart"
Today's Gospel
Matthew 10:40-end The Smallest Act of Love
“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous, and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”
Reflection
‘The Smallest Act of Love’
How have you all been coping with the extreme heat this past week? The sunshine has been glorious, but really, the temperatures have probably been a little bit much for most of us. It gets hard to do simple tasks, doesn’t it, when the heat is draining you so much? And we aren’t alone in struggling with it, our pets too find it difficult to do what they normally do. Our cat, Eric, has barely come inside, preferring to lie under the bench or under a shrub outside. Our dog, Stella (originally from Gran Canaria, so probably used to the heat more than us) has barely gone for a walk each evening, choosing to just sleep the days away, sometimes in the sun and often in the cool of the tiled floor. It’s funny how animals have different coping mechanisms when things ‘change’. Stella is not great at drinking – if we give her a bowl of water, she reverses away from it, so we have to disguise liquid – with her food, and we have to use a special ‘dog mug’ that we pretend to drink from, before putting it on the floor, then she will drink the water. She will also drink from a water bottle or empty ‘pop’ bottle, but it gets very messy!
But the easiest way to get her to drink is to make her a ‘doggy brew’ – water with a splash of milk, and the teabag you have just discarded dipped into it. Then she drinks it all (from her own mug, of course). We can only presume that this is something to do with her ‘past life’ on the streets in Gran Canaria. I would love to know what is behind this (and multiple other) strange behaviours she displays, but we have to just accept that we will never know - and probably, we are better off not knowing, as we might struggle to deal with the facts if we had them. So, we ‘go along’ with her quirky behaviour!
Sometimes we might find other humans traits or cultures, or ‘quirkiness’ difficult to understand, but we might struggle more to manage those than we do with those of an unusual dog!
That is where I found myself when looking at the Gospel reading for Sunday – (and of course, because of Paul’s ordination service at the cathedral, I do not have to preach on the gospel this weekend)!
Jesus has had a few weeks of ‘tough love’ messages as we have travelled through Matthew recently. He has talked of division, judgement, hatred - all as a result of following him. He has likened himself to a sword (which I fear is often misinterpreted). But today, at the end of a chapter full of challenge, Jesus offers a quiet promise: every act of welcome matters. He reminds us that when we receive another person with kindness, we are receiving him — and even the smallest gesture, “a cup of cold water,” carries weight in the kingdom of God. (Or maybe a cup of cold water designed as a ‘doggy brew’, or anything else that doesn’t seem hugely significant).
It’s easy to believe that only big, impressive acts count. But Jesus flips that on its head. The unnoticed kindness, the steady faithfulness, the simple hospitality — these are the places where the space between earth and heaven is a thin place, a place where the veil is almost lifted. The “little ones” matter, and so do the little things we do for them.
In a world that prizes noise and achievement, Matthew today invites us back to the quiet, holy work of welcome. A smile. A listening ear. A moment of patience. A cup of cold water. None of it is wasted. All of it is seen.
Amen
Rev Kirsten
Our Prayers
Heavenly Father,
In a world where sometimes it seems that all we hear about is cruelty, division, mistrust and unhappiness, let us remember that everything we do counts.
All is seen.
When the problems of the world might seem too big for us to ever be able to make a difference, let us always be ready to offer a cup of cold water to any who might need it.
Out of the tiniest mustard seed can grow an entire tree, big enough for all who need shade!
Amen.
Today's final hymn is "A New Commandment I Give Unto You"
