Sunday Worship 17th January
Welcome to our Worship on the second Sunday after Epiphany. At present both churches in Leesfield Parish are closed for Public Worship, but you're most welcome to join us for worship at home. You'll find everything you need to do that here on this page.
Our first hymn today is "Be Still For The Presence Of The Lord"
Today's Gospel -
John 1:43-51
Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
Reflection -
A couple of years ago I was fortunate to spend times studying on a Foundation for Ministry course based at Church House in Manchester. Reading today’s Gospel brought back a specific course on the early history of the Christian faith.
I suppose we take it for granted that if we want to read the of the good news of Christ’s kingdom we can just pick up a bible and read all about it. Indeed in this modern age we don’t even have to do that, we can look it up on our computer or even access it it on our phones on the train or in a café.
But back in the early days it was not that easy. It would be nice to think that sometime around 30 AD; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John just rang up a publicist and said, “Hey we’ve got this great exclusive about the life and death of this guy called Jesus who came to save the world – can we get it published and syndicated around the world? It’s going to be top of the best seller lists for sure.”
Unfortunately it wasn’t that easy. In those days the word of the Lord was passed around by word of mouth. People used to meet in groups called eklesia. Eklesia comes from 2 Greek words ‘ek’ , meaning “out from and to” and ‘kaleo’ , meaning "to call," and has to do with a group of people called out from one place and to another. It is often translated as ‘church’ in the new testament and sometimes used todescribe a gathering or congregation.
For all its lack of technology, it was clearly a very effective method of disseminating the Good News. Is that any different from today? What’s the first thing we do if we get some good news? The kids have passed their exams, you’ve just been promoted, there’s a new child or grandchild arrived. I think it’s fair to say, the first thing most of us want to do is to tell someone, spread the word be that on the phone, by twitter or facebook – maybe in the not too distant future we may even share the news by having a chat at the hairdressers or down at the pub.
So it’s hardly surpising that this is exactly what Philip did. There’s no inidication that Philip knew of Jesus before his encounter but what is clear is that he immediately believes in this charismatic person. That’s not all, having met Jesus, he is asked to follow him - how good is that?
So, it’s hardly surprising that the first thing he does is to go and tell his friend Nathanael. Although initially sceptical Nathanael also rapidly recognises Jesus’ authority and refers to him as the ‘Son of God’.
Throughout the Gospels there are many examples where people meet Jesus, andthey are changed. Whatever their deepest need was, Jesus meets it. Then they tell others what happened. The good news is passed on by person to person. It is right to say that the same is true today and our role is to share the story of Jesus. We do that through bringing our children to Sunday School and in baptism where we promise to bring our children and godchildren up in faith.
Moreover, we also do it every time we profess our faith, when one person says to another, “I follow Jesus and invite you to do so too.” The Christian community grows because they have seen what the Christian faith has done for people they know. What used to be said about the ‘eklesia’ in the early days is still true - “See those Christians, how they love one another.”
Who will you pass the good news onto next?
Prayers
Father, we are thankful for the happiness
that Jesus has brought into our life.
May we share it with our friends
so that they might also know
the happiness that Jesus brings.
In Jesus' name we pray.
Holy Spirit: Fill me afresh today.
Guide me into all truth that I might glorify You in all things…
and give me the boldness to invite those whom You have prepared…
to “come and see” Jesus for themselves.
Amen.
Today's final hymn is " Let All The World In Every Corner Sing"
