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, 16-20Jesus 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.
Welcome to Sunday Worship in leesfield Parish on the Second 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 "Guide me, O Thou Great Redeemer"
Today's Gospel
Luke 9:51-62Following Jesus
When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Jesus said to him, "No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."
Reflection
People sometimes refer to this extract as ‘The cost of following Jesus’.
I see it more as the problem of procrastination. How do we avoid getting distracted in life and putting off doing the things that we ought to do?
Sometimes we can’t help ourselves, especially if it’s doing something we don’t particularly want to do or are not really interested in. Maybe it’s cleaning the garage out, or weeding the patio or repairing that squeaky door that’s been annoying everybody for months.
There are some things that have to be done at a certain time, such as getting up and going to work, or going to a meeting – so they’re ‘no brainers’.
Then there are some things we really want to make sure we do because we enjoy them; maybe going out with a friend for drink or a meal.
Sometimes, I struggle to get around to writing this reflection – I know it has to be done by Saturday and I always intend to get it done well before then, but here I am on Saturday evening wondering how late it will be before I get it completed.
I always intend to get it done, but then things get in the way – life gets in the way.
But this message is not just about prioritising our time – it’s about following Jesus to Jerusalem.
Luke uses the words, ‘Jesus face was set toward Jerusalem’. This recognises the turning point where the direction of Jesus’ life doesn’t just become a journey toward the city of Jerusalem, it’s the start of his journey towards the Cross. A journey of unwavering obedience and sacrifice in order to save us all.
A journey of absolute commitment and determination exemplifying the courage and relentless faith needed to follow God’s calling.
So when we Jesus asks us to follow him, he is asking us to follow in the example he has set us and taught us through his ministry.
It’s a lot more than tweaking our priorities to spend a little more time praying each day or making sure we arrive at church on time on a Sunday morning.
It’s about following his example and doing the things he has shown us make to make that path to follow him, a straight path.
The path to follow Jesus is about loving your neighbour and entertaining strangers. It’s about forgiving people and looking after the poor, sick and vulnerable without hesitation. And more.
That’s where we come to the hard bit. The bit where we say yes of course I want to follow Jesus but just before I do…… ‘ I need to’ plough the field or say goodbye to my family.
Just like in the Luke’s story we say we want to follow Jesus but then start to think of reasons to delay. That’s the point where we procrastinate and say to ourselves, ‘I just need to …..’
For example, we know I should give money to the beggar – before I do ‘I need to’ be sure she isn’t a drug addict or an alcoholic.
I know I should forgive the other person but – ‘I need to’ know they have said sorry first.
I know I should give to charities and good causes, but ‘I need to know’ that all of the money will go the people we are giving to.
I’m not saying any of this is easy – it is to some extent human nature, because we have heard tales which cast doubt and affect our judgement.
But Jesus’ example is one of unconditional and steadfast commitment to everyone he met and also to us.
He never hesitated to heal the sick or lame. He doesn’t set limitations or pre-conditions and he doesn’t worry about who we are; what race, colour, creed, or sexual identity we assign ourselves. He doesn’t even mind what religion we are – he is there for everyone.
It’s hard in our crazy modern society with wild opinions all over social media and mainstream media, intent of causing prejudice, but when we see people in need, let’s just think before we press pause and say to ourselves… ‘ I just need to’. Let’s take a leaf out of Jesus’ book and do what we know he wants us to do - however uncomfortable or uneasy we feel. Paul
Our Prayers
Almighty and everlasting Father,
You pour out your endless love upon us.
Your Son Jesus Christ
showed us how to love one another
and the path to righteousness.
Help us to follow in his tracks
That we may show that same unconditional love
without hesitation,
to those who need our help.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "Will you come and Follow Me"
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the First 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 "New Every Morning is the Love"
Today's Gospel
Luke 8:26-39Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac
Jesus and his disciples arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me" -- for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss.
Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.
Reflection
For many of us, the first thing we think of when we read this passage is about Jesus’ power and authority over evil and devil.
There are many more examples of Jesus and the disciples casting out demons.
But let’s think about the poor man who has been possessed by demons for so long. He has been cast out by the society that he lives in – condemned to make a home in the tombs of the dead. I wonder how that made him feel?
This story takes place in at the country of the Gerasenes. Jesus is now in gentile territory and no longer amongst the Jews, The people here don’t know who he is, and it is clear from the their reaction that they are not particualrly keen to have him stay around. They were afraid of his power and of the unknown.
Just like the possessed man they wanted Jesus out of the way.
I recently spent some time at a mental hospital alongside a chaplain. We were working with people who had all sorts of mental challenges – there were patients there who were bi-polar, or psychotic, or suffering from acute dementia. Others had messed up their minds though a lifetime of taking street drugs, and many were suffering from acute depression.
For some, they were there under a ‘hospital order’ because they had committed serious or heinous crimes and were in hospital as an alternative to gong to prison.
In the six weeks at the hospital I was humbled by the way that the chaplain, psychiatrists and all the clinicians responded and cared for these people. They listened to their sometimes bizzarre claims or rantings and they responded with compassion and respect and human kindness no matter what their background or circumstances were.
Some of the people who had committed serious crimes asked to be prayed with and some even cried. Maybe they were just delusional or maybe they really felt the need to reach out looking for Jesus and forgiveness. Looking for that healing power that Jesus shows in today’s passage.
Through God’s grace and mercy for us, we are by the power of Jesus all capable of being transformed and healed, no matter what we have done or why we have done it. – “for He makes the sun rise on the evil and the good”. [Matt. 5:45].
We are reminded of the restorative and healing power of Jesus’ love for us and his absolute compassion for those who are suffering and tortured. He feels for us all when we are in need.
As a society, sadly it is sometimes necessary to keep people out of harm’s way, but we should never turn our backs on them. As doctors continue to unlock the mysteries of the mind we see many new disgnoses of mental disorder at various levels of severity. Thankfully most do not result in hospitalisation.
There are many who are suffering or tormented but able to hide it at work and in the community. Folk who have enormous burdens dealing with stresses like financial hardship, caring for loved ones who are sick, or facing enormous pressures at work. They might seem like they are coping, until they have a breakdown. It is then that we are called to follow Jesus’ example and surround them with love.
Jesus even showed mercy on the demons – he didn’t expel the evil spirits to the dark abyss for eternal sufferring – rather he ‘gave then his permission’ to go into the pigs and die.
Jesus gives us his permission to and even commands us to look after one another and never turn our backs on the stranger. Paul
Our Prayers
Loving Father,
We thank you for your grace and mercy.
We bring before you all who are inflicted in any way by mental illness.
And we pray for all those who feel they are sinking
under the pressures of daily life.
Loving Lord, we pray for all those working in mental health services;
for Psychiatrists, clinicians, nurses and carers.
We also raise to you dedication of chaplains of all kinds,
Who provide spiritual support and guidance to those in despair.
Lord heal us and save us.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind"
