Sunday Worship 13th April Palm Sunday

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on Palm Sunday. Today we have a whole Parish Eucharist at St Thomas' Church at 11 am, and we are pleased to welcome Bishop Mark to preside and preach.

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 "Ride On, Ride On in Majesty"

Today's Gospel

Luke 19:28-40                                    Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

After telling a parable to the crowd at Jericho, Jesus went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, "Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it.'" So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" They said, "The Lord needs it." Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying,

"Blessed is the king

who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven,

and glory in the highest heaven!"

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop." He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."

Reflection

“I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."

That seems a bit strange doesn’t it?  Was Jesus really implying that the stones would burst into song if the people stopped praising Him?

Perhaps Jesus was referring to the Psalms -  To paraphrase, ‘Let everything God created praise the Lord , all creatures, the sea and the mountains, [Psalm 148:7-13]. 

Or maybe quoting Isaiah, “"For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. [Isaiah 55:12]

There are many similar poetical references in the bible that refer both living and inanimate things praising the Lord and creator. 

Some might say that because with God nothing would be impossible, it could be that the stones might praise Him,  but most scholars believe that the statement was rhetorical, if not a little mischievous, at the expense of the Pharisees. 

Jesus was pointing out that it was more likely for something impossible to happen than  for the disciples and all the people to stop shouting and praising Him as their king. 

The scene where Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey seems somewhat paradoxical for a couple of reasons. 

Firstly, throughout most of His ministry, Jesus has always played down His role as the Messiah and discouraged people from worshipping Him as a king. Yet as He enters the city He positively encourages people to welcome Him as the Messiah and for the multitudes to publicly  praise Him with adulation and adoration. 

They are openly praising God for sending  Jesus – ‘the King who comes in the name of the Lord’. They are sharing stories of all the wonderful things and miracles they have heard that Jesus has done. Many have been astounded by His teachings as well as His actions and word would have abounded about the recent miracle when He raised Lazarus from the dead a few days before Jesus entered Jerusalem.

The people were beginning to believe that Jesus really was the new Messiah and so their expression of great joy was so appropriate. 

In encouraging the crowds rather than suppressing their praises and joy, He is aware that He is instilling a sense of fear into the Pharisees. They do not like what they are seeing and hearing. 

The Pharisees were fearful that their authority was threatened and challenged the claims that Jesus was King and sent by God as blasphemy. This fear will be a catalyst for events over the next few days.

The second paradox here is that shortly after this triumphal scene, the crowds would fall silent and by Friday they would be shouting just as loudly for His death on the Cross. 

But thankfully that is not the end of the story!

 Paul   

Our Prayers

Creator God,

We praise and thank you for saving of the world through Jesus Christ,

who entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph 

and was proclaimed Messiah and king.

Let the  branches of triumphal entry into Jerusalem

be a sign of Christ’s  victory,

and grant that we who carry them

may follow him in the way of the cross,

Amen 

Today's final hymn is "Make Way!"

Notices

All of our services for Holy Week and Easter are shown in the poster below - everyone is most welcome to join us.

Sunday Worship 6th April

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 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 "Lord, For The Years" 

Today's Gospel

John 12:1-8                                     Jesus Anointed at Bethany

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him.

Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 

Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."

Reflection

The first thing this passage reminds me of is the evening of the last supper which we will celebrate in a few days’ time on Maundy Thursday.

There is a clear pointer towards the servant hearted Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. But what Mary does has just as much significance. The act of anointing Jesus’ feet was an act of overwhelming thankfulness and joy from Mary’s heart. 

She loved Jesus and we are told that Jesus had a fondness for all the family. So much so that he had been moved to tears when he had seen how distressed Mary had been at the death of her brother Lazarus and raised him from the tomb where he had been laid. Many see this as another pointer towards the events that will happen on Easter day. 

The perfume that was used was called nard and extremely expensive. Some say it would have cost a years wages. That is the measure of the love that Mary had for Jesus. Her act was one of utter devotion. When Mary poured the nard out of the jar she was also pouring out her love and her soul for Jesus.

I wonder when was the last time you last did something so generous for the love of someone else. Moreover, when was the last time you did something for Jesus or told him how much you love him?

During the season of Lent, it is the season when we should spend time not only reading scripture but also thinking about what God has given us during our lives, and the promise that Jesus makes tells us that we can have eternal life when we turn to him. Lent is a time to reflect on just how wonderful Jesus is and what he sacrificed to save us from our sins.

They say time is precious - how often do we take time to worship Jesus when we are not at church? 

What would you give to Jesus if he were with you now? But let’s not forget, Jesus is with us now – he’s always with us even when we are going through the bad times. We just need to remember that he is there for us when we need him most in our lives as well as when things are good. 

What Mary did for Jesus was extravagant by any measure both in terms of the cost of the perfume and the humility of her actions, drying his feet with her hair. But Jesus defended her as he had done once before - remember when Martha had been angry about her neglecting her duties to spend time with Jesus and the disciples. [Luke10:38-42] In this case he defended Mary because he recognised she was acting out of devotion. 

We all feel we have busy lives, but we can always find time to do things that are important to us and we can find time to look after the ones we love.

During the last full week of Lent I urge you to take a little of your precious time and sit with Jesus. Turn off the TV and the radio, and the mobile phone for a short time and just sit and talk to Jesus about whatever is in your mind, good or bad, happy or sad.

Show Jesus some of the love and devotion that Mary showed to him.   Paul 

Our prayers

  

Gracious Lord,

At times, our lives seem full of worries and troubles, for ourselves and others. Help us to set aside some precious time to relax in the presence of friends or family and re-energise our lives.

Lord, let us thank you with all our heart and soul, that you love us and are always there for us. Let us pour out our love for you with prayer and devotion.

Loving Lord, everything we have comes from you, let us give to you what is most precious to us.

Amen

Today's final hymn is "Christ Triumphant, Ever Reigning"

Notices

Next Sunday is Palm Sunday – the start of Holy Week. Bishop Mark will be presiding at a Family Parish Eucharist at St Thomas’ at 11 am, and there will be no Sunday School or service at St Agnes’ on that day. The service will start in church, and there will be a short procession of palms around the school playground (weather permitting). From Palm Sunday onwards, all of our services at St Thomas’ will return to the main part of church, so please wrap up warmly. 

The Tuesday morning service of Holy Communion is at St Thomas’ at 10 am, and Worship for all Generations is at 6.30 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday at St Agnes’.

The final Churches Together Lent Lunch is this Wednesday at 12.30 pm at Zion Methodist Church. Please come and join us for bible readings, reflection and prayers centred on art depicting the events of Holy Week. The sessions are followed by tea/coffee and cake.

Christian Aid Appeal: Christian Aid along with other charities have launched an emergency appeal to help the families and communities impacted by the devastating earthquakes in Myanmar. If you feel able to contribute, please leave a donation on the box at the back of church. If you want more information about this disaster you can visit the Christian Aid website or read the letter on the noticeboard at the back of church.

Advance notice – The Annual Parochial Church Meeting will take place on Sunday 27th April, following a 10 am Parish Eucharist at St Thomas’ Church. We have vacancies for PCC members and other parish officers, so if you are interested in playing your part in shaping the future of our churches, please see Neil, Paul, Liz or any PCC member. Nomination forms will be available in both churches from next Sunday. 

Sunday Worship 30th March

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, which is also Mothering Sunday. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 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 "Tell Out My Soul"

Today's Gospel

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32                                         The Prodigal Son

All the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."

So Jesus told them this parable:

"There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands."' So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe--the best one--and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate.

"Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!' Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'"

Reflection

Most people are familiar with parable of the prodigal son but we seldom refer this as the story of the loving father. 

Jesus tells this parable in response to criticism by the Pharisees when He is associating with tax collectors and sinners, when He is teaching them and eating with them.

 

It is a story of  rebellion, repentance and forgiveness, but moreover it has a message of grace, deep love and joy.

In Jewish tradition, the youngest son would have received 1/3  of the family inheritance – usually after the death of the father. His actions to some might have implied that he wished his father dead.

By providing the inheritance early it would have had a dramatic impact. It would have probably meant selling assets, land and livestock, potentially laying off some of the workers. It was a major deal. 

Having quickly squandered the money, the younger son is forced to lower himself to the most demeaning forms of labour and share food with the pigs. The mention of being driven to work with swine would be anathema to Jews and seen as utterly humiliating. The Jews didn’t eat or associate with pigs because they were unclean in covenant laws, [Lev. 11:7]. He would have been seen as the equivalent of a gentile – outside Jewish law – an outcast, no longer accepted by fellow Jews.

Because of this fall from grace, the younger son decides to go home, not because he feels sorry but because he has no real option. 

We might expect, as a minimum, that there would have been some sort of indictment and condemnation of the son’s actions. But the father runs out to greet him with open arms and lavish the best clothes and jewels upon him. This again would have been totally unacceptable in Jewish tradition and clearly riled the elder brother.

Nonetheless, the errant son is welcomed back, and there is much rejoicing just the same as the previous parables about the lost sheep, [Luke 15:6-7] and the lost coin, [Luke 15:9-10]. 

Remember Jesus told this parable in response to criticism that he was mixing with sinners. The message is clear, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 

Similarly, there is a message in the response of the father to the eldest son. Many would think was the elder son was rightly angry with the father for the love and generosity he shows the prodigal son. But the father shows that he is capable of loving them both. In the same way, even though Jesus loves those that some people see as undesirable, it does not mean that he loves other people any less.                   Paul   

Our Prayers

Loving Father,

We thank you that when we were still far off,

You met us in your Son and brought us home.

Help us respect one another and 

To show mercy to those who are misguided

and led astray.

Help us to rejoice with you,

When they are found and led home.

Amen 

Today's final hymn is "Bind Us Together, Lord"

Sunday Worship 23rd March

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Third Sunday of Lent. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 at St Thomas'.

If you are unable to be with us in person, you will find resources below to worhip at home.

Our first hymn this morning is "Longing for Light, We Wait in Darkness"

Today's Gospel

Luke 13:1-9                                             Repent or Perish

At that very time there were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. 

Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them - do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did."

Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, 'See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?' He replied, 'Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"

Reflection

The Gospel, for want of a polite  word, is a pile of dung!

I suspect that’s not something you would expect to hear in a sermon let alone for anyone to try to make a case that it’s a fair comment. 

Bad things happen. They happen to everyday ordinary people. They happen to the sinful and innocent alike. 

A forest fire destroys hundreds of houses, thousands of animals and plants and many people. A massive flood does likewise in another part of the world or an earthquake or a Tsunami. Or maybe a gunman or a knifeman kills a young family or innocent children for no apparent reason. 

People are shocked and devastated – they look for reasons and look for someone to blame. There’s always got to be someone to blame. It’s global warming that caused the fires or the flood or the Tsunami. It people destroying the planet! It isn’t the earthquake that’s the problem, it’s the building regulations that weren’t strong enough or folk making a profit by cutting costs. 

Somebody should have known that a person with mental illness might have committed an atrocity, so why wasn’t he locked up beforehand? There’s always someone to blame! 

Some people turn their ire on God, they question and even blame God…. How can such a powerful God allow this to happen to innocent people? Why does God punish people like this? People who were young, mostly good - people who might have had a young family or were in the prime of life – why did God let it happen to them? 

Perhaps you might have thought that yourself, especially if tragedy has unexpectedly struck someone close to you. Sadly, I know of someone who has fallen out with God and refuses to come to church because of a very tragic incident. We hope and pray that individual will feel the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit and come back to Jesus.

There is a whole body of religious study that wrestles with this question of, ‘Is God to blame?’ It’s called Theodicy and has been debated for thousands of years. We cannot delve into this complex theological issue in a short reflection, but it’s fair to say that there are some people who think all bad things are a punishment from God for sin. To some extent that is understandable, because they look at Old Testament examples like God destroying the earth in Genesis and the story of Noah, or the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. 

However, to assert that all people who suffer illness or death are being punished directly by God because they are sinners, is too simplistic an argument. If we go down that avenue, then we could argue that, as we as we are all sinners, we should all be punished in some way right now.  

Jesus explores this in His preamble for today’s parable. The starting point appears to be, ‘bad things happen in life’. He cites Pilate sacrificing Galileans and a tower that collapsed in a nearby town. Amongst those killed would have been people of all ages and backgrounds, some who were gentiles or Jews. Some who were considered bad people and many who were considered to be good. 

However, He uses these examples of random suffering to highlight about another tragedy that could happen, unless things change in our lives. That other tragedy is Judgement – the day when we all stand before God and answer for our sins and deeds. That day that will come at sometime for us all, and none of us know when that will be. 

Like last week's sermon, this is not the gentle, charming Jesus we normally expect, it is a Jesus with sharp edges. He is delivering a ‘pulling no punches’ parable - a warning that we all have to acknowledge that we have sinned and done wrong to others and to God. He also warns that we do not know when judgement day will be, so we cannot wait forever to get matters of eternal importance right in our lives. If we don’t, then it is only when we face God, that we will see His justice for what we have or have not done.

But wait! This is still the kind and loving Jesus we love and adore After all, because He gives us hope and shows us how we might make things right. 

Like the fig tree, God is looking for us to bear fruit and do what is righteous. To do good things and also acknowledge our sins and let God know we are genuinely sorry for dishonouring Him. In Mark 11:12-14,  Jesus cursed the fruitless fig tree, that it would never bear fruit again. However, here He gives us hope. Like the gardener who wants to feed the barren fig tree with manure and give it one last chance to bear fruit before chopping it down and burning it in the fire; Jesus gives us the Gospel and His good news to feed and nurture us in the hope that we will bear fruit before it’s too late. Perhaps the Gospel is like manure after all. Full of goodness and richness that we can absorb and help make us righteous and worthy of God’s grace. Paul   

Our Prayers

Almighty and merciful Father,

We ask your mercy on us,

for the times we have sinned and failed to do your will.

We thank you for the opportunity to be nourished,

by the word of your Son, Jesus Christ. 

Let us feed on his teaching, to do fruitful things,

And truly repent for all our sins. 

Amen

Today's final hymn is "All My Hope on God is Founded"

Sunday Worship 16th March

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday worship in Leesfield Parish on the Second Sunday of Lent. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9'15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 at St Thomas'.

If you are unable to be with us in person, you can find resources below to worship at home.

Our first hymn this morning is "The King of Love, My Shepherd is"

Today's Gospel

Luke 13:31-35                          Jesus’s sorrow for Jerusalem

Some Pharisees came and said to Jesus, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." He said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.' Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! 

How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

Reflection

Jesus has a mission, and that mission is to enable God’s kingdom to break through here on earth.

Throughout His ministry, we see endless examples of Jesus casting our demons and healing the sick. It is a trademark of His mission.

He even empowers His disciples to go out and do the same work. As He continues His journey towards Jerusalem, people flock to Him in their droves, no doubt spurred into action by the stories of His new teaching and tales of His miraculous healing abilities.

At the start of the passage we hear the Pharisees giving Jesus a warning. Was this an outright threat or a friendly bit of advice? Although many Pharisees felt threatened because Jesus was exposing examples of hypocrisy, there were some, like Nicodemus, who were open to listen to Him - even if they found some of what He was saying hard to understand. 

Despite the warnings, Jesus is defiant and refuses to be deflected from His mission of bringing God’s kingdom into this world. He will continue, today and tomorrow, and His work will not be completed until Jesus decides that it is time. 

Jesus is also aware of two other important things – firstly Jerusalem has a reputation for being hostile towards prophets, not least those who have the temerity to challenge the establishment, (be that religious leaders or the Roman Empire) - He exclaims, “Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!”.

Secondly, He is aware of the fate that awaits Him in Jerusalem. 

But Jesus will not be deterred. However, what is remarkable is how Jesus reacts. He feels sorrow for Jerusalem; He laments their inability to recognise who He really is and their reluctance to take comfort in Him. Despite what He knows about the city and its occupants, He still feels sorrow and compassion for them.

There is the wonderful metaphor when Jesus says, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem - How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings”. 

He longs to gather them under His protection and show them mercy and compassion. As we read His words, we can feel His yearning to save these people and show them redemption and forgiveness, despite their wretchedness. 

Yet, they are determined to reject all that Jesus represents. They refuse to be gathered  into His salvation and will ultimately turn against Him.

As a consequence, He warns them that will never again see Him until the time when they are prepared to accept Him for who He truly is. The divine Son of God. 

That might take some time to think about – What must it be like to be cut off from Jesus?

It’s a really sobering thought isn’t it?

Those who reject Jesus’ compassionate offer of salvation, healing and deliverance will find themselves abandoned, and left to their own devices. 

As we progress through this season of Lent, and as we contemplate the ministry and passion of Jesus, we should also consider that turning our back on Jesus and all He represents has consequences.

 

Jesus’s longing is show mercy and unbounded love for us - but His longing for us must be met by our own longing for Him; and a longing for salvation, healing and deliverance. 

As we reflect on the passion of  Jesus’ during Lent, we should also remember that His death was only one part of the process by which Jesus completes his work of deliverance and healing among His people. 

By His resurrection on the third day, Jesus is able to carry on His mission of healing and bringing the kingdom of God here to earth, through all of us who continue to believe in Him.

Paul 

Our Prayers

Merciful Father,

We thank you for the mission of your Son Jesus,

who cares and loves each and every one of us.

Help us, as His disciples, to continue His work,

to spread the Good News of your Kingdom

 and bring light to those who are in darkness.

In Jesus name we pray. 

Amen

Today's final hymn is "Give Thanks, With a Grateful Heart"

Sunday Worship 9th March

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the First Sunday of Lent. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 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 "Forty Days and Forty Nights"

Today's Gospel

Luke 4:1-13                                 The Testing of Jesus

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tested by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over he was famished. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’ ”

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.”  Jesus answered him, “It is written,

‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ ”

Then the devil led him to Jerusalem and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written,

‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ”

Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Reflection

“When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.” 

I don’t know about you, but when I read this line it always feels like an ominous warning. The devil is always waiting around the corner looking for opportunities to test us and trip us up.

 

No matter how well intentioned we might want to be, there are always instances where we might be put to the test. How many times have you ever said, “well I really shouldn’t….but….”

Most of the time it’s in relation to fairly minor things like having another piece of cake or another drink. Relatively harmless things in the grand scheme of things, (unless you’re driving home!). 

We are also tested in our resilience to do what is right by not procrastinating or putting things off that we know are important, especially when our lack of action impacts someone else. That is why when we pray for forgiveness, we say we are sorry ‘for what we have not done’. 

I think it is no accident that this encounter happens just after Jesus has been affirmed by God as His son at His baptism, and before He begins His ministry. Also bear in mind that Jesus Himself must have told the disciples about the encounter after He began His ministry because there was no one there with Him in the wilderness. It was clearly important to Him.

Rather than refer to this in the usual way as the “temptations” of Christ, I have chosen to call them tests. Because that’s what they are – Jesus is alone in the wilderness, praying and reflecting hard about how God is calling Him to His mission. He is fasting and praying in isolation and Satan takes the opportunity to strike just as He did in the Garden of Eden when He caused the fall of Adam and mankind.  

This same Satan that tested Eve is still as devious and wily, and thinks there’s an opportunity to take advantage of Jesus when He’s vulnerable and hungry and also by misquoting scripture. 

Firstly Satan appeals to His physical hunger for food, and asks Jesus to turn stone into bread. On the face of it this wouldn’t hurt anyone, would it? But it would compromise Jesus’ validity as the servant King if His first miracle was to do something to help Himself – a servant of mankind who looks after themselves first. That’s a test we all face as individuals and moreover for our leaders who currently seem obsessed with putting themselves and the country first. 

When Satan asks Jesus to worship him in return for authority and glory it was effectively asking Jesus to be unfaithful to God and avoid His destiny on the Cross. To go against God’s plan. Like many folk who want everything today and instant fame or results, we should learn to have faith in His God’s plan for us, however that works out. As Mother Teresa said, “we are called to be faithful not successful”. Moreover, we should never try and succeed at the cost of others.

Lastly, Satan attempts to test Jesus’s faith in God because He is God’s son. Satan uses scripture to goad Jesus into doing his will, but Jesus also knows the Word of God inside out and cannot be caught out by Satan quoting the bible out of context. We also are God’s children and we should have faith in Him, we too are called to trust God and not to test God. 

I started by thinking about the devil being always around the corner – He has been there since the beginning of creation and when I look around the world today, at examples of greed, selfishness and war, I think that there is no doubt that he is still there, influencing people and leading them astray every day. However,  Jesus has shown us that with humility and faith in God, the devil can be defeated. When we do what we know is right and put God and others first, Satan cannot win.

  

Yes Satan is around the corner and being tested by him is inevitable - but it is not an unsurmountable test. No matter what is happening in our lives, no matter the temptations and trials and tests we might be going through, we can turn to Jesus, and he will be there for us, to lead us and guide us all along the way.    Paul 

Our Prayers

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for the example of Jesus in facing temptation 

and overcoming the schemes of the enemy. 

Fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit 

and grant us wisdom to recognise and resist the temptations 

that seek to lead us astray. 

Help us to choose Your will above all else. 

In Jesus name we pray. 

Amen

Today's final hymn is "Lead us, Heavenly Father, Lead us"

Notices

The Churches Together in Lees and District Lent Lunches start this Wednesday at Zion Methodist Church. All are most welcome - please see the poster below for details.

This year is the full renewal of the Parish Electoral Roll. Even if you have been on the roll previously, you will need to complete a new form The Electoral Roll is a list of people who are members of our churches and are entitled to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM).

A new Electoral Roll is compiled every 6 years, and everyone needs to apply, even if they have previously been included. 2025 is the year for a new roll, and we have to complete it not less than 15 days before the APCM, which will take place on Sunday 27th April.

It’s important to us and to the Diocese to know how many members we have. And it’s important to you because you need to be on the Electoral Roll if you wish to be elected to the PCC or any other office. Also, the numbers on our roll determine how many representatives we have on Deanery Synod, which affects our influence on decisions about the future of our parish.

Any person who is aged over 16, has been baptised, and is a member of the Church of England, who lives in the parish, or if living outside parish has habitually attended public worship in the parish during the 6 months prior to enrolment, is eligible to be included on the Electoral Roll.

Sunday Worship 2nd March

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Sunday before Lent, also Church Action on Poverty Sunday. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 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 "Beauty for Brokenness"

Today's Gospel

Luke 9:28-43                                  Jesus Heals an Epileptic Child

Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.  And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking about his exodus, which he was about to fulfil in Jerusalem. 

Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep, but as they awoke they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah,” not realizing what he was saying. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”  When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”  Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”  While he was being brought forward, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.  And all were astounded at the greatness of God. 

Reflection

Today’s gospel passages have two very different episodes from Jesus’s life. The first is the wonderous account of the transfiguration of Christ - something I have written about a number of times, so for a change I will look at the second story.

It is totally in contrast with the former passage. We see Jesus in a very non-typical light. He seems to exhibit, (for want of a better phrase), quite un-Christian behavior. 

He seems so fed up and annoyed, and speaks to the worried father of the child and His disciples in what sounds like very petulant and dsimissive way. In fact I’d go as far as to say He speaks to them in an angry manner when He says, “You faithless and perverse generation”. That doesn’t sound like the loving gentle Jesus we are all familiar with does it? 

But he goes on, “…how much longer must I be with you and put up with you?” That sounds like Jesus is totally fed-up and deeply disappointed.

Before we explore that, take a moment to think how the nine disciples who had not been on the mountain with Jesus felt. How would you have felt if Jesus talked to you in that way?

None of us like to be reprimanded, even when we think we might deserve it. But when it’s someone you really respect and love then the pain of admonishment hits even harder. The feeling that we have let someone down who is an important part of our lives. Yes it hurts because we feel sorry. Can you think for a moment about a time when you have let someone down and how you felt about it?

So why was Jesus so harsh with them? Surely it wasn’t the nine disciples’ fault that they couldn’t cure the child with epilepsy. They had been begged by the child’s father and no doubt tried their best, but just couldn’t manage to heal the child. Even though they had previously healed in Jesus’s name, they now appeared to be lacking in something when He wasn’t around. 

So why did Jesus seem so upset? Let’s not forget, Jesus was also human and experienced emotions and ups and downs like the rest of us. He was returning from the exhilarating encounter with Moses and Elijah and had experienced the transfiguration. Now he returns to find that His followers were unable to call on the Holy Spirit to help a sick child despite all He had shown them. He would have been concerned for the sick child and the pain of the father and, despite His dismay for His disciples, He was also concerned for how they felt about their failure. In this this window on to the humanness of Jesus, we can appreciate that His words were tempered with love and compassion. He would have felt for them - confused and disappointed with themselves. 

In Matthew’s account of the story, the disciples ask why they couldn’t heal the child and Jesus explains that it was because their faith was lacking and explains that even with the smallest amount of faith we can move mountains. 

There are many times when Jesus’s disciples disappointed Him, especially Peter, but He loved them and persevered, so much so that He made Peter the rock of His church. We know their faith became strong, because we read about all the miracles they went on to perform in His name in the Book of Acts.

 

So when we feel let down or disappointed with someone, we need to treat them with love and compassion, and perhaps think about how they might be feeling also. Likewise there will be times when we as Christians feel we have let others down and let Jesus down. While Jesus rebuked the disciples, he still remained faithful to them. His goal was to make them into God's people. 

Next time you feel disappointed, remember to turn to our Lord Jesus, who knows what disappointment and failure feels like and put your trust and faith in Him. Paul 

Our Prayers

Heavenly Father,

Help us not to be overly discouraged 

when other people don't measure up to our expectations,

or when we do not measure up to what we should be.

Help us to be gracious with them just as you are with both them and us.

Protect our heart against discouragement about the failure 

and strengthen our faith and trust in you. 

In Jesus name we pray. 

Amen

Our final hymn today is "My Jesus, My Saviour"

Notices

Everyone is welcome to join us for All-age Worship Singing this Monday at 6.30 pm at St Thomas’. Please note that we have changed the time of this event, as some people found that the earlier time was inconvenient. If you haven’t been before, come along and join us as we have a great time practicing old and new hymns. 

This year’s Ash Wednesday Service will be at St Agnes’ Church at 6.30 pm on Wednesday 5th March. 

Churches Together in Lees and District are holding a special service for the World Day of Prayer at 2.30 pm on Friday 7th March at St John’s Church. 

This year is the full renewal of the Parish Electoral Roll. Even if you have been on the roll previously, you will need to complete a new form The Electoral Roll is a list of people who are members of our churches and are entitled to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM).

A new Electoral Roll is compiled every 6 years, and everyone needs to apply, even if they have previously been included. 2025 is the year for a new roll, and we have to complete it not less than 15 days before the APCM, which will take place on Sunday 27th April.

It’s important to us and to the Diocese to know how many members we have. And it’s important to you because you need to be on the Electoral Roll if you wish to be elected to the PCC or any other office. Also, the numbers on our roll determine how many representatives we have on Deanery Synod, which affects our influence on decisions about the future of our parish.

Any person who is aged over 16, has been baptised, and is a member of the Church of England, who lives in the parish, or if living outside parish has habitually attended public worship in the parish during the 6 months prior to enrolment, is eligible to be included on the Electoral Roll.