Sunday Worship 14th June
You can find all of our latest information, Edith's reflection for this Sunday, our Thursday "Worship for all Generations" and much more by clicking on the following link to our facebook page - Leesfield Parish
Edith
Our first hymn for today is "Will You Let Me Be Your Servant"
The Bible reading for today -
No one can really operate effectively by themselves. We need companions, colleagues. We need them in order to be truly human – being human is all about relationships. And we need people to share in the work we have to do. If you have a big task to undertake, who do you ask to help you with it? Your friends, people you like and who like you? People who you know will be good at the task? What about whether they will all get on?
In today’s gospel passage we see Jesus gathering his disciples around him and sending them out to continue the work. Up to this point the disciples have been followers. The have been close to Jesus and seen what he did, and been amazed by it all, but up to this point Jesus has made all the decisions, handled all the tricky moments, steered them through the towns and villages and taken all the criticisms. Now he’s telling them to go off and do it themselves. We can imagine how they must have felt! They were very ordinary men – men with no wealth or academic background or social position. Jesus is not looking for extraordinary people, but for ordinary people who can do extraordinary things, or do ordinary things extraordinarily well. Jesus sees in each one of us not only what we are but also what he can make us. Jesus chose his disciples not only for what they were but also for what they were capable of becoming under his influence and power.
We need never think that we have nothing to offer Jesus for Jesus can take what the most ordinary people can offer and use it for greatness. It is really important that we be open to what we are being led to do, that we listen to God with open hearts and minds. Back to the gospel passage for today. Jesus, then, sends out his disciples with clear instructions. They are not to show off, it isn’t about them as individuals. They are to be healers, restorers, people who will bring life and hope to others. They are to be scrupulous about avoiding any suggestion they are in it to make money. They are not to take cash with them, or any begging bowl. It is expected that those who receive them will feed them, but the gospel, the all-important message, is free. Jesus mission goes on – he chose his 12 – and they were a success – they stayed the course, and most went beyond that. Because of them the church exists.
And we Christians take that mission on – learning from those stories of the choosing and sending out of the disciples. We are chosen, and appointed to our role, we must go on learning and being open, we must be in the presence of Christ if we are to take his message out to others, and we must be sure that that message IS his and not just our own. Above all, we must remember and take seriously our role as disciples of Christ in this place at this time.
In today’s gospel passage we see Jesus gathering his disciples around him and sending them out to continue the work. Up to this point the disciples have been followers. The have been close to Jesus and seen what he did, and been amazed by it all, but up to this point Jesus has made all the decisions, handled all the tricky moments, steered them through the towns and villages and taken all the criticisms. Now he’s telling them to go off and do it themselves. We can imagine how they must have felt! They were very ordinary men – men with no wealth or academic background or social position. Jesus is not looking for extraordinary people, but for ordinary people who can do extraordinary things, or do ordinary things extraordinarily well. Jesus sees in each one of us not only what we are but also what he can make us. Jesus chose his disciples not only for what they were but also for what they were capable of becoming under his influence and power.
We need never think that we have nothing to offer Jesus for Jesus can take what the most ordinary people can offer and use it for greatness. It is really important that we be open to what we are being led to do, that we listen to God with open hearts and minds. Back to the gospel passage for today. Jesus, then, sends out his disciples with clear instructions. They are not to show off, it isn’t about them as individuals. They are to be healers, restorers, people who will bring life and hope to others. They are to be scrupulous about avoiding any suggestion they are in it to make money. They are not to take cash with them, or any begging bowl. It is expected that those who receive them will feed them, but the gospel, the all-important message, is free. Jesus mission goes on – he chose his 12 – and they were a success – they stayed the course, and most went beyond that. Because of them the church exists.
And we Christians take that mission on – learning from those stories of the choosing and sending out of the disciples. We are chosen, and appointed to our role, we must go on learning and being open, we must be in the presence of Christ if we are to take his message out to others, and we must be sure that that message IS his and not just our own. Above all, we must remember and take seriously our role as disciples of Christ in this place at this time.
Edith
Our second hymn for today is the great Charles Wesley anthem "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing"
Today's Prayers -
And our final hymn is "We are Marching in the Light of God" , the English Language version of "Siyahamba", which originated in South Africa -
