Sunday Worship 2nd 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 11.15 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 "All my Hope on God is Founded"

Today's Gospel

Matthew 14:13-21                       Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

Jesus withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Reflection

How many of you are familiar with this Gospel story? One of the reasons we might be so familiar with it is because it’s the only account of a miracle that is featured in all four gospels.

Some think this is because it resonated with the Jews, who related it to the story in Exodus of the feeding of the Israelites who were complaining about the lack of food as they wandered through the desert. God told Moses that he would rain down bread from heaven and each morning there was bread that tasted like wafers coated with honey and everyone had just as much as they needed. 

But in this miracle of the feeding of the five thousand there are some key messages for us - it’s not just about how miraculous the whole story is, it’s about how Jesus responds to the needs of the people and how he uses others to help.

At the very beginning Jesus is looking for a deserted place to be alone with his disciples and have a bit of peace and quiet, because he had been surrounded by people all day wanting to witness the signs he had done and hear his teaching. 

I think we can all empathise with that. Times when it seems like just about everybody wants a piece of you. Someone wanting some of your time - if it’s not a conversation, it’s another email or a WhatsApp message or yet another meeting with someone. Sometimes it seems unrelenting and you just want to find a quiet spot to chill out and relax – to recharge your batteries. 

But it’s clear that was not going to happen for Jesus on this occasion, because people were so eager to be with Jesus that they pursued him wherever he went – there was just no escape.  

And then we have this wonderful moment when, even though he is hungry and tired, Jesus looks at the crowds and is moved with compassion for them. So he rolls his proverbial sleeves up and starts curing and healing the sick who had been brought to him. He puts his own need aside to care others. 

As time goes on, the disciples are clearly getting a bit fed up, and so they suggest that it’s about time Jesus stops and send the people away. They say to him, “the hour is now late; send the crowds away…., so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves”. 

I don’t know if it’s just the way I read the passage but I find Jesus’ response almost comical when he then says to his disciples, “you give them something to eat.” I can just imagine in my head, the utter look of bewilderment and astonishment on their faces. The ‘are you being serious’ expression as they look at the meagre food supplies they have – just five loaves and two fishes! In John’s gospel their shock and disbelief is clear when they reply, “but that would cost half a year’s wages to feed so many!”

But Jesus response is not one of anger, instead he asks them to bring what little they have to him and the first thing he does is to look up to heaven, give thanks and bless the food. In this action he is reminding them and us of God’s presence. He would no doubt have used a Jewish form of ‘grace’, such as, “Blessed are you our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth”. Again reminiscent of God proving manna from heaven in Exodus.” – reminding us that everything we have is provided by God.

And Matthew is also prompting us to think about the Last Supper and what Jesus would go on to sacrifice for the whole world.  

Having blessed the food, Jesus then gives it back to his disciples to share and give to the people who are sat in groups. Jesus doesn’t do everything by himself, he turns to his disciples and asks them to feed the people. He has taken what little they had, blessed it and then returned it to them to do his will, just like God wants us to play our part in building his kingdom on earth.

And though the disciples are embarrassed by how little food there is, Jesus knows all along that, however small their contribution may seem, he is capable of blessing it and making it sufficient to feed everyone and still have some left over. 

How does this story resonate with aspects of our modern lives. Sometimes we can feel almost helpless to make a difference in the world. It can be so easy to cry out in despair, “what can I do?” 

Society is breaking down, there are too many people struggling to feed and clothe their children, there is too much violence and crime happening in our towns, too many youngsters getting caught up in drugs and so much hate around. We might feel overwhelmed by the pressures of work and life in general. 

But we should not give up. When Jesus told the disciples to give the crowds of people something to eat, he took what little they had blessed it and gave it back to them to feed everyone.  

When we feel at our wits end, we too can look at what we have, no matter how small, and we can recognise that we have a friend in Jesus and offer to him what gifts we have, no matter how small, and he will bless them and make them sufficient. 

Jesus can help us to stop focussing on how little we can do, and help us instead to focus on how much He can do. He can help us see how every simple act of kindness can make a real difference in the world.  

This wonderful story of Jesus feeding the five thousand illustrates three key messages: 

- Jesus sought solitude but was compelled by his compassion and desire to change his plans and help those that sought him out instead. Just like the times in our lives when we are called to reprioritise our lives a little when others need us – be that our own children or responding to the needs of a stranger.

- No matter how helpless we may think we are to help, we should never give up in despair and walk away. When it feels like chaos is taking over, God is with us  - he never gives up on us.  

- Jesus shows us that God is always pleased when we play our part - however small we may think that is, be that food, money, time or skills. Because  when we offer what we have to Jesus, he will take it, bless it and make it go further than we can imagine.    Rev. Paul

Our Prayers

Heavenly Father, 

We thank you for all the gifts and blessing in our lives.

Help and guide us to share these with one another

With a joyful and grateful heart.

In Jesus name we pray.

Amen

Today's final hymn is "How Lovely on the Mountains are the Feet of Him"

Notices

We had a joyful celebration on Tuesday at St Thomas' Church to welcome the Reverend Kirsten Stott as Vicar of Leesfield Parish, St Thomas, St Agnes & St Hugh, and St John the Baptist Hey. A brass band, a joint choir from the parishes, bellringers from around our area and a large congregation made for a wonderful start to this new chapter, celebrating God’s faithfulness. 

Please note that next Sunday, the 9th August, is our 'Everyone Together' service at 11.15 at St Thomas' Church, and that there will be no service at St Agnes' Church.

Sunday Worship 26th July

 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 11.15 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 "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer"

Today's Gospel

Matthew 13:31-33,44-52                  Parables about the Kingdom of God

Jesus put before the crowds another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.” 

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

“Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

Reflection

Today we have a whole bunch of parables about the Kingdom of God, but I’m going to give you just a few thoughts to get you started and some questions, in the hope that you might explore the meaning for yourselves. After all, this was the intended purpose of parables.

We start with two really tiny things – the mustard seed and a small amount of yeast. The mustard seed was the tiniest and most insignificant seed known to the people in the Middle East. Yet as Jesus reminds them, when it has grown it becomes a large and sturdy bush-like tree capable of supporting many nesting birds in its branches. How might we compare this to the growth of God’s Kingdom and those who want to be a part of it?

The yeast only requires a small amount to be mixed with a large volume of flour, but with patience and work to spread it though the dough, it is capable of transforming the dough into something far better and bigger. How might God’s word with our help grow his kingdom and what role might we play? Jesus is showing us what a massive transformative effect the Kingdom can have. 

The next two objects are things of great value. The man who buries the treasure ends up spending a fortune just to keep it to himself and hide it of sight where no one can see it. Do we, who know about the wonderful Kingdom of God, do all we can to show other people or do we perhaps keep it to ourselves? And if so why? What more might we do to share the good news of the Kingdom?

Lastly we have the merchant who searches for a valuable pearl and fully understands its value - so much so that he is willing to give everything he has for it. God’s kingdom is not of this world and is far more precious. What are we willing to give and commit of ourselves in order that we may be transformed to take our place in God’s precious kingdom?     Revd. Paul

Our Prayers

Abba Father, open our eyes to recognise how precious and wonderful your kingdom is.

Let us give you our hearts and minds, that we may fully trust in you,

and help us to spread the seeds of your word,

confident that your kingdom will continue to grow and spread around us. 

We ask this in Jesus’ name. 

Amen

Today's final hymn is "Lord of all Hopefulness"

Notices

We hope that you will join us for Rev Kirsten's Licensing Service on Tuesday. Please see the invitation below.

Sunday Worship 19th July

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Seventh Sunday after Trinity. 

Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 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 "Morning Has Broken"

Today's Gospel

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Parable of the Weeds

Jesus put before the crowd another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!”

Reflection

If you’ve ever grown plants from seed you will probably have observed that nearly all seedlings look alike. First there is a tiny little shoot and then one or two leaves start to appear. Nearly all plants look a bit like cress until they start to develop and grow to maturity.

At the early stage, therefore it is impossible to sort out the good plants from the weeds, so nothing can be done about them until they are clearly distinguishable. 

However, once the weeds begin to get established, digging them out may not be that easy. Their roots will be intertwined with the roots of the plants we want to keep, and by removing the weeds, we often damage the good plants and so they are less healthy and produce less flowers and seeds. 

So the approach of the farmer in todays story is very wise, and provided the weeds don’t starve the wheat they are doing less harm than digging them up. We only have to worry if the weeds are really invasive or like the thorns in last weeks parable, likely to choke and damage the crop. 

Ironically, the weeds in our garden are usually wheat stalks which are dropped amongst the flowerbeds or vegetables and herbs when the birds are eating at the bird-feeder.  

I have to admit I generally don’t fuss too much about the weeds in our garden, but that’s not because I am lazy and can’t be bothered to get down on my knees and endlessly pull them out – it’s because sometimes I am pleasantly surprised by what grows and, like the seedling in the picture above, I can’t be sure how it will turn out until it has developed into what it is destined to be. It can be quite wonderful when you get something growing that you hadn’t expected.

The message usually focussed on in this parable is that there are bad people and good people in the world, and on the day of judgement, the good people will be saved and the bad people will not. 

That is all well and good, but a little too simplistic for me because people are like a field of both wheat and weeds. Everyone has their good sides and bad sides, and we all fall short of what God wants us to be from time to time. Nonetheless, we are all capable of being what God wants us to be, and like the farmer, God doesn’t give up on us. 

Because He loves, He is always willing to hear us when we reflect and say sorry, and give us the opportunity to change our ways. We are given the opportunity as we go though our lives to develop and mature into the wheat plant we were intended to be. 

In the field in which we live, there will be amongst us those who are bad people, criminals, and those who would harm one another or take advantage of us. There are also those who we dislike because they associate with the wrong sort of people. But it’s important that we are not too quick to make assumptions about people, based on where they live or who they mix with; because like the immature plant,  (which is not easy to distinguish from any other plant), we may be making harmful and incorrect judgements. 

It’s not our job to judge others, and certainly when we don’t know enough about them or their circumstances. Sometimes, people are dragged into situations or lifestyles they don’t want to be part of, and looking for the chance to change their lives and grow into the ‘good wheat’. Even good people make mistakes and we need to give everyone chance to mature and become what God wants us to be.

Let’s not worry about the weeds in the other fields, but focus on the weeds in our own lives. Despite the dire warning of judgement in this passage, there is a message of hope, that when we focus on looking after the garden that is our own life, we can all be saved.

Happy gardening. Revd. Paul

Our Prayers

Heavenly Father, 

You plant us as seeds, to grow to what you call us to be;

Help us not to judge others in the field as good or bad,

Help us to acknowledge what is good and bad in ourselves,

And help us to develop and grow the good in ourselves, and in others.

In Jesus name we pray, 

Amen

Today's final hymn is "God Forgave my Sin in Jesus' Name"