Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Tenth Sunday after Trinity. Today we have just one service in the Parish - our 'Everyone Together Service' at 11.15 am at St Thomas' Church, and there is 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 "Be Thou My Vision"
Today's Gospel
Matthew 14:22-33 Jesus Walks on the Water
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’
Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’
Reflection
As you are all getting to know me better, you may be realising I am so interested in the Saints – who they were, what they did and how they touched people’s lives in order to be considered significant enough to be Canonised following their death – sometimes many centuries after their death.
One such Saint is Saint Brendan. His ‘feast day’ is the 16th May, so we have missed it this year. He was born in County Kerry, Ireland in the 5th Century. He is often referred to as ‘Brendan the Navigator’, and his story involves the building of a wooden boat covered in animal hides, tanned and soaked in butter, and sailing off the edge of the horizon with 16 other monks on board after fasting for 40 days and nights. They were in search of the ‘promised land of the saints’, or as we might think of it, ‘The Garden of Eden’. They were pioneers, charting and mapping where none had knowingly gone before. Allegedly, after 7 years, they found what they believed to be the promised land, and then returned to Ireland, where they formed monasteries and convents, taught and converted and changed the lives of many people. His reputation travelled all around the world, and there are towns and places named after him throughout Europe, Africa, North and South America, Greenland and even Australia. There are such tales of bravery, sea monsters and fantastical creatures that we must assume folklore has mixed with fact, but for me the simple fact that most resonates is his unswerving faith. A prayer the crew prayed has remained and is as follows: ‘Christ of the mysteries, I trust You to be stronger than each storm within me. I will trust in the darkness and know that my times, even now, are in Your hand’. The faith that allowed Brendan and his band of monks to set sail into the unknown, not knowing what they would find when they reached the horizon, must have been immense, as they acknowledged that whatever they encountered, Christ was still bigger than it. I often wonder how much faith I have compared to such as Brendan, as I worry and catastrophise about possible outcomes.
That same faith is on display in another watery situation in today's Gospel reading, as Jesus walks on the water. His disciples on the boat are already uncomfortable when, into the early morning gloom, a ghostly figure walks towards them on the choppy sea. Peter, (who so often aims high, but regularly misses the target), challenges Jesus – ‘if it is really you, tell me to walk on the water, and I shall’. Jesus calls him and Peter's faith carries him into achieving the impossible, until his own fear and worry end the moment. Jesus then affectionately berates him, if only you had continued to believe, you would not have entered the water. Nevertheless, that moment of pure trust and faith allowed Peter to do something which no other human has ever been able to achieve. Simply beautiful - no wonder he became the rock on which the church was founded.
Peter knew that the waves were high, the wind was loud, and the boat felt like the only safe place. But when Jesus called his name, Peter did something extraordinary. He stepped out. Not because he was brave, but because he trusted Jesus who was already on the water.
Centuries later, St Brendan the Navigator stood at the edge of the Atlantic. He didn’t know what was out there. No maps. No guarantees. Just a small leather boat and a big God. Brendan pushed his boat into the unknown, trusting that God’s world was bigger than his fear.
Peter stepped out of the boat. Brendan set his boat free. Both trusted Jesus more than the waves.
When you stand at the edge of the sea, something happens inside you. It’s beautiful… but it’s also big. It’s the kind of place where you realise how small you are, and how much you cannot control. I think most of us acknowledge that we are in no position to tackle the sea, with its unpredictability and sheer power compared to us.
This week is our ‘Everyone Together’ service, and we are going to each make an origami boat. Our boat will symbolise something different for each one of us as we think about what we will put into our boats – maybe an area where our own faith is lacking. Maybe our boat carries a worry. Maybe it carries a hope. Maybe it carries someone you love. Maybe it carries something you’re afraid to try.
Whatever you place in your own little boat, remember this: Jesus meets us in the waves, not just on the shore. He reaches out when we sink. He guides us when we set sail. And he never leaves us alone in the deep.
When I first started discerning what God was asking me to step out and do, someone recommended a book to me. It’s by an American theologian – John Ortberg. We certainly do not share all the same theological perspectives, but his book, ‘If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat’ had a profound effect on me. I bought the audio book and used to listen as I drove along to work (which was usually a long journey as I travelled to my teams across the North West). The author invites you to consider in what ways might Jesus be telling you (in the same way as he did Peter) ‘come’. What did he say to Brendan as he prayed and pushed off his boat into unchartered territories?
I know what he said to me as I worried, doubted and catastrophised about his call on my life – and I also know how patient He was as I took my time and tried to bargain with him…but that’s for another day!
So, what is he calling to you? Where are the waves lapping at your toes? Are you ready to head into the shallow water and test it, or are you still stood on the sand? Wherever you are, tell people about Jesus and let him meet them and let him lead you, even if only into the paddling pool or a shallow puddle! He loves you and will never let you go! Amen.
Have a blessed week - Reverend Kirsten x
Our Prayers
Jesus, you meet us in the middle of the waves.
You call us to step out even when we feel unsure.
You guide us when we set sail into something new.
Take the hopes, worries and fears we may place into our own boats and hold them close.
Strengthen our courage and grow our trust,
And lead us safely, faithfully and joyfully, wherever you call us next.
Amen.
Today's final hymn is "Shine, Jesus, Shine"
Notices
From Tuesday this week, Morning Prayer will be said at St Thomas’ Church at 9.00 am and Evening Prayer at 3.30 pm every Tuesday, and at the same times every Thursday at St John’s. Anyone who would like to attend is very welcome, but there is no obligation.
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.
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.
