Sunday Worship 27th September
St Thomas' Church welcomes you to a Parish Eucharist at 10 am. Presiding and preaching today is Revd John Faraday, a retired Priest living in our parish.
We follow all of the advice from the Government, the Church of England and Manchester Diocese to ensure your safety. The wearing of face coverings is mandatory unless you are exempt from this requirement. Please do bring your own if you can, but we do have a limited supply of disposable face masks if you need one - so don't let that stop you from joining us.
The latest restrictions do not affect the numbers of people we are able to seat at our service, as we already have enough space to allow safe distancing. Please do remember though that socialising with people from outside your household before and after the service is not permitted at present.
Your own home is still the safest place to worship, particularly if you are shielding or in a vulnerable group, and you'll find everything you need here on this page.
This morning's first hymn is "Be Still For The Presence Of The Lord"
Today's Gospel Reading -
Reflection -
It would be fair to say that the chief priest and elders were not the best fans of Jesus. Time and again ihey had tried to expose him and trap him so they could have him arrested. Yet, time and again Jesus had turned the tables on them by catching them out in their own words.
Jesus had a way of showing them up for what they were and as such, he was a threat to them. The chief priests and elders were important people who had power and expected to be revered and looked up to. They had wealth and demanded to be respected both inside and outside the temple. Yet, here was this uneducated upstart from a fishing village who repeatedly left them lost for words and rubbed their noses in their own ignorance. How infuriating was Jesus to them? He had no right to do the things he was doing.
So they decide to openly challenge him and ask, “ By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus responds with a question knowing that whatever they answer they will be caught out again.
After arguing between themselves they choose not to answer. Despite their self-importance, knowledge and power, they are worried about how their answer will be perceived by the crowd and were afraid their answer that may anger them. They were unwilling to commit to a response and are effectively ‘powerless’.
It’s a bit like the politician who is interviewed and repeatedly tries to answer a question they would have liked to have been asked rather than the one they have been.
The elders' lack of power stems from their fear of losing power itself. Power can sometimes be assumed by virtue, social status, wealth or learning. In some instances it can be taken, for example in a military coup.
On the other hand, authority is always given. It can be conferred from above or given by those below who empower others by their willingness to trust and follow them. Jesus’ authority comes directly from God and also comes from his followers who seek to do his will and recognise him as our Lord.
Throughout his life, Jesus has taught us that authority and obedience are closely linked. With authority comes a responsibility to serve those who give you the authority, as Jesus showed us when he repeatedly humbled himself and made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us upon the cross.
Jesus goes further with his parable about the two sons who were asked by their father to work in the vineyard. The first one refuses but then has a change of heart, whereas the second son, wanting to please his father, readily agrees knowing all the time he has no intention of working. Jesus challenges, asks them, which son has done the will of the father? Yet again he has lured them into his own trap – because the answer is clear.
The answer is not about just ‘saying’ yes to God. It’s about ‘doing’ what we know God expects of us. To use one of those awful management course phrases, it’s about, “walking the walk not just talking the talk”.
It’s not just about saying the right things to demonstrate that we know about Jesus and to look good, it’s not just about coming to church, (when it’s safe to do so).
It’s about what we commit to each and every day of the week. It’s about openly confessing that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Redeemer. It’s about how we actively make a difference to others, no matter how small. It’s about being a true disciple and walking in the way of Jesus.
Today's Prayers -
And our final hymn for today is "Shout To The Lord"
