Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Twentysecond Sunday after Trinity. Our Church Services today are at the usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes' and 11 am at St Thomas'. If you are unable to be with us in person, you'll find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "Breathe on me, Breath of God"
Today's Gospel
Mark 10:46-52Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight
Jesus and his disciples came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
Reflection
In our reflection today, we look at the story of blind Bartimaeus. It is a story of active faith and belief but there is much more to it than that.
We do not know how old Bartimaeus was, but it is generally assumed that he was at least in his middle ages. Similarly we do not know if he was completely blind, however, we can assume that he was not born blind because he asks to be able to see again.
So we have the story of someone who, in his younger days, would have been able to work and do normal things, that has been afflicted with a problem affecting his sight and that in turn has resulted in him losing his livelihood and becoming a beggar and an outcast.
To us in modern day society, the majority of us maybe take our gift of sight for granted. We can get regular eye checks and if we are long or short sighted it is relatively quick and easy to get contact lenses or glasses from as little as £10. If there is something more seriously wrong, regular eye examinations allow opticians to identify this in the early stages and hopefully take early medical action.
Sadly there are still some people who go blind and when we consider them, it hopefully reminds us just how precious our eyesight is.
For Bartimaeus in the first century he would not have been so lucky, hence his downfall and change in circumstances. Like many he falls to bottom of the pile in society through no fault of his own. He is sat on his cloak, which would serve as both a cushion and also essential protection from the cold nights – probably his most precious possession, and he hears the commotion of the crowds as Jesus approaches.
He has no doubt heard of Jesus’ reputation for mercy and healing and calls to him, only to be hidden and crowded out by others who look down on him. They probably thought that as a beggar he didn’t even have a right to be near Jesus. But Bartimaeus had strong faith that Jesus would rescue those in need. We need to be clear here that faith is not about being well versed and articulate in the scriptures and being able to quote chapter and verse in the Bible, it’s about belief in our saviour. Bartimaeus was resilient in his faith and persists in shouting to Jesus until he is heard.
When Jesus hears Bartimaeus, he does not go to him and neither does he call out for Bartimaeus to come to Him. Rather, he tells those who have been trying to keep him away that they should call him and bring him to Jesus. This is an example of how the prophesy in Jeremiah above is fulfilled, where people from all over the world will be united in God’s family, including the lame and the blind.
Moreover, it is a call to all of us to be inclusive and to help rather than shun people who are afflicted in any way.
I think there is also a more subtle message as well. Everyone is deserving of Jesus, as Christians the last thing we should do is try hide others from Him or keep Him for ourselves. We are called to share the good news and not obstruct how God works in the world where He chooses to work.
When Bartimaeus was allowed to see Jesus he became a follower and went with him all the way to Jerusalem and the cross. That opportunity and his active faith was all he needed to become a devoted member of Jesus’ followers and community. He left behind his most treasured and important possession to follow Jesus in faith. This is in stark contrast to the ‘rich young man’ [Mark 10], who we read about 2 weeks ago, who went away unhappy and grieving when Jesus told him that the way to enter the Kingdom of God was to give his money to the poor.
When we think of vision we normally think of eyesight but it can also refer to what vision we have of the future. If Jesus were to ask you, ‘what do you want me to do?’, What would you reply? Might you perhaps ask for a clearer renewed vison of a better world, or a different way of seeing the world based on faith, love and trust in Jesus. Paul
Our Prayers
Loving Father,
We pray for those who are looked down on by others and
for a better world where all people feel included and valued.
Lord, let that vision of hope start with us,
and bless us with the active faith that Bartimaeus showed.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "The Spirit Lives to Set Us Free"
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Twentyfirst Sunday after Trinity. Our Church Services today are at the usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes' and 11 am at St Thomas'. If you are unable to be with us in person, you'll find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silence"
Today's Bible Reading
Hebrews 5:1-10Jesus the Great High Priest
Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honour, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him,
“You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place,
“You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
Reflection
Perhaps a good place to start to unwrap this passage is to think about the question - what is a priest?
There are many ways we could answer this but here are some of the qualities and descriptions that you may recognise from the Bible.
Priest are called to worship God and lead us in our worship. They are appointed by God to be his representative on earth and to represent the people to God. For want of a better phrase, to act as the bridge between God and his people.
A priest will represent people with prayer and will lead others in a prayerful life. They will show us how to be reverent and God fearing. In the old testament the priest would make blood offerings of burnt animal sacrifices on the peoples’ behalf as an atonement for our numerous sins. A priest would be required to acknowledge his own sins and pray for his own forgiveness as well as those he represents.
You may be familiar with some of the priests of ancient time such as Moses, his elder brother Aaron and their descendants. They were also responsible for ensuring that the laws of the ten commandments were followed as well as more and more laws of their own making.
So you may be wondering who Melchizedek is and how was this order of priests any different from the Levite priests like Aaron?
Melchizedek first appears in Genesis 14, in the time of Abraham 400 years before Moses and 2000 years before Jesus. He is described not only as a priest but as the ‘Priest of the ‘Most High God’ – our God. He is also described as the king of Salem, (which many people believe came to be known as Jerusalem), and St. Paul described Melchizedek as king of righteousness and king of peace.
What is also important about Melchizedek is that when this mysterious priest and king offered a sacrifice before Abraham he did not use traditionally prescribed burnt offerings but celebrated with bread and wine – a fore sign of the Eucharist. Also a sign that he was a priest of a totally different order.
When we look at Jesus, we should have no doubt that He is not only priest of the Most High God, but that He is the Most High Priest of eternity appointed by God. Hebrews 5, describes how Jesus is the true servant willing to give everything for us. The High Priest who prayed so hard that his sweat was like drops of blood, [Luke 22:44].
He was the Priest who rather than sacrifice a burnt offering, chose to sacrifice his own body so that we can be at one with God. Unlike other priests, Jesus was free from sin, He did not have to atone for his own sins so his sacrifice on the cross was an atonement for all our sins then and now. He is the one who continues to pray and intercede for us every second of every day and acts as the ultimate bridge between God and ourselves.
Jesus is obedient and loving, he deals gently with all of us who have strayed from the path of righteousness, He shows us compassion and forgiveness.
We too as members of His church, whether ordained or not, are called to follow that model of kindness and service.
In the related Gospel reading for today [Mark 10: 32-45], Jesus has been telling his disciples that the Son of Man is about to humiliated and condemned to death. Without thinking, James and John ask Jesus what they could do for him in order to sit at his right and left hand in glory. Clearly their request is not thought through and they no doubt thought that, as part of the inner circle, they are entitled to step into the limelight. But Jesus gently reminds them that we should do things out of love of others, not for status.
Greatness comes not from wanting to be noticed or seen to be doing things, not from self-importance and making one’s mark, but from service and serving each other with humility. We all need to make sacrifices at times; as Jesus says, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant.As Great High Priest, Jesus calls us to quietly and humbly do what we can, when we can. Paul
Our Prayers
Merciful Father,
As we strive to be more like you each day,
Help us to do so out of love,
and the recognition that it is our duty to care for each other.
May we not seek glory or personal gratification,
but to be satisfied that we are following in your footsteps.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen
Our final hymn today is "Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine"
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Twentieth Sunday after Trinity. Our Church Services today are at the usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes' and 11 am at St Thomas'. If you are unable to be with us in person, you'll find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "As the Deer Pants for the Water"
Today's Gospel
Mark 10:17-31The Rich Young Man
As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.”
Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
Reflection
Mark’s gospel passage today contains probably one of the most challenging stories told by Jesus in the whole of his teachings.
We have the challenging and absurd metaphor of a camel passing through the eye of a needle. This of course is an exaggerated metaphor that highlights the impossible situation of rich people trying to get into heaven.
Moreover, it is challenging in respect of what Jesus appears to be suggesting, and to appreciate the true magnitude of what Jesus said we need to also understand the teaching of the rabbis in the synagogues at that time. To be wealthy and prosperous was seen a s sign of God’s approval. Rich people were seen as blessed by God and it followed that they were more likely to go to heaven.
In that context, what Jesus was proposing was even more radical and disturbing, especially to the rich religious leaders. Jesus turned that whole concept of the wealthy being more deserving upside down along with the notion that one could earn or buy his way to eternal life through amassing wealth.
Jesus was showing us that it’s not about how much we have, but about what we do with what we have.
It’s about how we live our lives here on earth and what we are doing to bring God’s kingdom here on earth ‘as it is in heaven’.
At the beginning of the book of Acts, Paul wrote about, ‘how all who believed were together and had all things in common, they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all as any had need’ [Acts 2:44-45].
No matter how we look at this, the message still seems hard to swallow when we live in a materialistic society that believes, like the first century rabbis, that money and possessions are good and desirable in their own right. In our world today we have examples of important leaders who have so much yet are not satisfied and want something that someone else has. World leaders that covet their neighbours’ land and go to war to possess it, or the richest man on earth who wants to control the world’s social media and dominate outer space.
I would question how happy these people really are – the richest man on earth is maybe the poorest man on earth because he is never satisfied and longs for what he doesn’t have. Like the rich man in Matthew 10, he still yearns for what he doesn’t have when he asks Jesus what he needs to do to gain eternal life.
However, if we look a little closer at Jesus and his followers and the reading from Acts, we can see that they were not destitute and starving. Rather the message is more about generosity and sharing. They held things in common and looked after one another and people around them, and fed and clothed them.
I was listening earlier to Steve Moyse, a professor of the New Testament and theologian. He readily admitted that he felt he could never give up everything he has or sell his house and make his family homeless. He argues that we don’t necessarily have to give our last penny to the poor, but we do have consider how generous we are and how we might respond to Jesus’ call to help one another. Like many virtues, generosity takes practice, whether that’s giving to charities or directly to those we know who are struggling. The more we do it better we become at it.
When Christmas comes along we can all experience the joy of giving, but we maybe have to practice this a lot more than at Christmas. As Jesus said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ [Acts 20:35]
Paul
Our Prayers
Heavenly Father,
Thank you that you love each and every one of us,
And that you made the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.
Show us the way to live more generously and to care for one another, even when that means making sacrifices in our own lives.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "Give Thanks, With a Grateful Heart"
Notices
Next Sunday’s services are at the usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes’ and 11 am at St Thomas’. The Tuesday morning Service of Holy Communion is at 10 am at St Thomas’, and Worship for all Generations is at 6.30 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday at St Agnes’.
Everyone of all ages is warmly invited to tomorrow’s PCC PLUS – ECO CHURCH at 7 pm at St Thomas’. Caring for God’s creation here in our parish is something which we can all play a part in, whether our role is preaching or teaching, caring for our buildings or churchyards, planning social events, or influencing our friends, families and the whole community. Please do come along and join us – it will be really informal, and there will be cake!
The Ladies of Leesfield meet in St Thomas’ Community Room at 2 pm on Tuesday – everyone is most welcome, even if you’re not a lady, and not from Leesfield.
Welcome to our Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the 19th Sunday after Trinity, and our Harvest Festival. Today we have just one service in the parish - 11 am 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 "We Plough the Fields and Scatter"
Today's Bible Reading
Joel 2:21-27 God’s Response and Promise
Be not afraid, O land; be glad and rejoice. Surely the LORD has done great things. Be not afraid, O wild animals, for the open pastures are becoming green. The trees are bearing their fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.
Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before. The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil. 'I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten-- the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm -- my great army that I sent among you.
You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the LORD your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed.
Reflection
Today in our church we celebrate Harvest Sunday which comes at the end of ‘Creationtide’. For those who may not have heard the term before, Creationtide is a season of worship in the in the annual church calendar, from 1st September to 4th October, dedicated to God as Sustainer and Creator of all Life.
Rather than the standard Gospel passage, [Matthew 6:25-33], I’ve chosen the passage from the less familiar book of Joel. In it we are reminded just how much God provides for us and how fortunate we are.
Harvest also falls in the church season of ‘Ordinary Time' and the colour associated with this is green. It’s a colour associated with ecology and the environment and also a reminder of the green open pastures we can see around us in this wonderful part of the world where we live. [Joel 2:22].
Considering we’ve had the wettest spring and September on record, I smiled a little when I read verse 23, “He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains”.
Yet, perhaps there is an irony in this: Harvest is also a time when we are solemnly reminded that we have an obligation to take care of all the good things that God has provided for us. Right from the beginning of creation, in the garden of Eden, Adam was given the responsibility to look after and till the land.
In recent weeks we have seen floods across Europe, in the UK and America with unprecedented storms wreaking havoc and destruction. During the summer there were heatwaves causing people to die from exhaustion caused by the impact of what most scientists now agree is the consequence of our pollution over the last couple of centuries.
We no longer refer to this as ‘global warming’, because we recognise the situation for what it really is, ‘a global climate disaster’.
Whilst we are suffering from the destruction of homes and towns we should also think about the millions of people suffering and starving across the world because of years of prolonged drought. Those who are literally starving to death because of climate change.
I do not for a moment suggest that we should look at harvest as a time for despair and lamenting all that is wrong with the world – even when things don’t go how we want them to, we should still be thankful that we are blessed in so many ways.
But harvest is also a time for all of us to renew their commitment to caring for our planet and for each other. Like Adam, we are called to look after God’s creation so that there will be many more harvests to celebrate in the future.
There are some things we cannot change and some that we can, and we need to pray that we will all step up and consciously reflect on what things, however small, we can change for the better.
That might for example, mean recycling more of our waste, reusing or giving away perfectly good things that we might have grown tired of, from old clothes to last years technology devices. Reduce or stop using things that we know are harmful to the environment such as plastic or doing things that have health benefits such as walking or cycling instead of just jumping into the car. We as a church are also going to look at what we can do to help the, so please come along to our special ‘eco’ PCC on Monday 14th October at 7:00pm.
Harvest is also a time to reflect on the many people who are less fortunate than us, and to remember that God loves them as well. Although times feel hard for many at the moment, we still have far more than others. So, when Jesus commands us to love one another, he asks us to share some of what we have with those who have little or nothing.
I was greatly heartened by the number of gifts that St. Thomas’ school left in church after their school harvest service on Monday. Let’s give thank to God for their generosity and follow their example of loving kindness. Using the gifts He has given us in the service of others is one of the most appropriate ways of demonstrating our gratitude to God for what He has done for us.Paul
Our Prayers
This week's prayers have been provided by Revd Daniel Ramble, our Area Dean.
Loving Creator, in your generous and overflowing love,
you call us to reach out, nurture, and build.
Help us to care for your creation with open hearts, to embrace others with grace,
and to reflect your boundless love in all we do.
Guide us to be stewards of your earth,
builders of community, and bearers of your peace,
so that all may know the depth of your goodness.
In Christ’s name, we pray
Amen
Today's final hymn is "Harvest Samba"
Notices
Your generous Harvest Donations this year will be going to the Food Pantry at St Barnabas’ Church. Please stay for our “Bring and Share” Harvest Lunch, it doesn’t matter at all if you don’t bring anything – there will be plenty to go around! There is no charge for the lunch, but any donations you could make will be most welcome.
Next Sunday’s services are at the usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes’ and 11 am at St Thomas’. The Tuesday morning Service of Holy Communion is at 10 am at St Thomas’, and Worship for all Generations is at 6.30 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday at St Agnes’.
Immediately after the Harvest Lunch, our PCC members, along with those from St John’s, will be meeting with Archdeacon Karen up at St John’s Church to discuss how we might work together to make progress with the appointment of a new Vicar for both parishes. Please pray for us as we discern a way forward.
On Monday we have All Age Worship Singing at St Thomas, at the new time of 4.30 pm. All are welcome, especially our Sunday School families, as we practice singing some new hymns and old favourites with joy and confidence. Please do come along if you can – it’s really informal and enjoyable, whether you’re a “good” singer or not!
The following Monday, 14th October, 7 pm at St Thomas’, all are welcome to our PCC PLUS – ECO CHURCH. See the poster below for more information.
