Sunday Worship 2nd June

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the First Sunday after Trinity Sunday. This morning we have a Service of the Word at 10 am at St Thomas' Church, and there is no service at St Agnes'. As we are in the school half-term holidays, there is no  Sunday School today, and families are most welcome to join us in Church for the whole service.

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 "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind"

Today's Gospel

Mark 2:23-3:6 Lord of the Sabbath

One sabbath Jesus and his disciples were going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?” And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions.” Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come forward.” Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.

Reflection

Jesus said, “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath” 

What does that mean? Does it mean we can do whatever we feel like on the Sabbath because we’re not meant to work on the Sabbath?  

For Jews, the Sabbath is on Saturday because in Genesis it was the last day of the week. God created the world in six days and on the seventh day he rested. As Christians, we have adopted Sunday as the Sabbath because it reminds us of the day that Jesus was raised from the dead.

Whichever day we call the Sabbath it is meant to be a special day - a ‘Holy’ day. By Holy we mean it is ‘set aside for divine purpose’. Although we should worship and thank God every day, the Sabbath is set aside especially for the purpose of glorifying God. So how do we keep this day holy – set aside for divine purpose? Do we treat it like a Saturday with an hour set aside to go to church or listen to a worship programme?

Jesus’ words that Sabbath was made for mankind help us understand God’s intention. Just as God provides food for our physical nourishment, He knows that we need spiritual nourishment and rest. Just as God set aside Holy time to rest and reflect on what He had achieved during the creation of the heaven’s and earth, He expects us to set aside Holy time in our lives to reflect and meditate on our past week. This is not just about going to church, singing and praying, and hopefully hearing an inspiring sermon; it’s about setting that extra time to look back and think about where you have seen God at work in your life during the past week and reflecting on what you might do differently in the coming week that will draw you nearer to Him.

So when you get up next Sunday morning, before you look at your phone to catch up on Facebook or read the paper, just take a few minutes to think about what you might do to nourish your spirit and take advantage of the Sabbath that was made for mankind. Paul

Our Prayers

Most Merciful Father,

We thank you for endless love and for all the good things that you do for us.

Help us to use your Holy day to reflect on your grace and mercy

And to feel spiritually fulfilled by your presence.  

Amen

Today's final hymn is "You Shall Go Out With Joy"

Notices

Our usual 10 am Service of Holy Communion is on Tuesday at St Thomas’, and Worship for all Generations is at 6.30 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday at St Agnes’.

Next Sunday’s services will return to their usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes’ and 11 am at St Thomas’. 

This Thursday, we are invited to join the Royal British Legion at the War Memorial in Lees Cemetery at 10.30 am, as we remember together the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. This is followed by refreshments in St Thomas’ community Room.

Then on Saturday, 8th June from 1 pm, there is an event at the British Legion Club on Princess Street, Lees. This includes entertainment and food, and all are welcome to join the celebrations.

The Confirmation Service for all our Mission Community will take place at 2.30 pm on Sunday 16th June at St Thomas’ Church. Please do come along to support the candidates from our churches.

Tickets are now available for the Wimbledon Afternoon Tea, at 2 pm on Saturday 29th June in St Thomas’ School Hall. Tickets are £10 per adult, and free for children. Please see Karen or Lesley for tickets.