Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Fifth Sunday after Trinity. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes' and 11.15 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 "As the Deer Pants for the Water "
Today's Gospel
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Jesus said to the crowd, “To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we wailed, and you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”
At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Reflection
I’m writing this reflection at the end of a couple of extraordinary weeks.
Ahead of my ordination, I went away for a silent retreat at a monastery near Lancaster with my fellow ordinands preparing for the first stage of ministry as a Deacon. It was a time of deep reflection and inward searching, thinking about how will life change and how we have each responded to God’s call on our lives. For some of us that period of discernment has taken many years.
This week has been a week of adjusting to change. Putting on a clerical collar for the first time before I had a meeting with the Bishop did, I have to admit, feel a bit weird. Of course, over the years, the Bishop has met many new clergy who would have felt equally strange in the moment. I am quite sure that he too will recall the moment he first put the collar on.
But for all that sense of strangeness, there is no doubt that I have done what God is calling me to do – even at my age!
Rev. Kirsten has advised me to get used to being seen in my clerical shirt and go out and about in the village. For want of a better phrase, a form of acclimatisation if you like, similar to the England football team who need to get used to playing at high altitude ahead of the game in Mexico tonight.
It’s about getting used to people’s reaction and how folk behave towards me. Or moreover me getting used to how people react to a representative of the Church. That’s church with a capital ‘C’ because it’s about being openly seen as part of God’s wider church.
Reading todays gospel passage made me realise, it’s also about judgment. What assumptions people make about us – not only because of what we wear, but also many other things:-
How we speak – do we sound well educated and well spoken, or regional with a local accent? Thankfully we don’t have to listen to pristine BBC English on the radio and TV any longer!
Maybe we are judged based on our occupation, remember when people used to be categorised as working class (blue collar), middle class (white collar) or upper class (usually independently wealthy)?
Or perhaps we are judged by who we associate with. Do we gravitate to the better off or the poorer in society? Maybe we chose to mix with younger people or older people?
But judgement can be double edged, because what we might think about someone is only part of the story. What’s more important is how we as individuals react to and treat people. Because when we start treating people according to stereotypes and our pre-conceived perceptions, it is ultimately we who will be judged.
When John The Baptist began baptising people in the River Jordan, thousands of people flocked to receive a baptism of repentance. Then, as we hear above, he was seen as a man possessed by demons because of his austere diet and strange clothing. Attitudes changed.
Jesus was accused of being a glutton and a drunkard because he accepted the hospitality of those around him who wanted to learn more about the kingdom of God. He was judged harshly for mixing with and befriending tax collectors and sinners!
There is a fine line between having the gift of good judgement and being judgemental. There is a well known saying, ‘don’t judge a book by it’s cover’. When we fail to look past what is on the outside and start making judgements about people we don’t even know, or assess people without any awareness of their circumstances, then we, like the Pharisees in Jesus’ time, become hypocrites, not people of good judgement.
We all need to look past what we see or what might be on the surface, and be prepared to talk and listen to others from every walk of life. Jesus welcomes everyone, he has excellent judgement but is never judgemental. Jesus is always prepared to give people the benefit of the doubt and mix with everyone without favour or prejudice, as should we.
Rev. Paul
Our Prayers
Heavenly Father,
We thank you for who we are,
That you made all of us in your image.
Help us to respect one another
To love and respect each other for who we are
And to show compassion to all your children.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "O Lord My God (How Great Thou Art)"
Notices
Next Sunday is our 'Everyone Together' Service at 11.15 am at St Thomas' Church, and there will be no service at St Agnes' or Sunday School at St Thomas'.
It was with great joy that we celebrated the Ordination as Deacon of Rev Paul last Sunday at Manchester Cathedral, followed by a welcome party at St Thomas' Church and a joint Benefice Eucharist at St John the Baptist, Hey.
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Fourth Sunday after Trinity.
We have no Church Services this morning in Leesfield, as many of us will be attending Paul's ordination as Deacon at Manchester Cathedral.
There will be a Celebration Eucharist at St John the Baptist Church, Hey at 6 pm, and everyone is most welcome to attend.
If you are unable to be with us, you will find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart"
Today's Gospel
Matthew 10:40-end The Smallest Act of Love
“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous, and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”
Reflection
‘The Smallest Act of Love’
How have you all been coping with the extreme heat this past week? The sunshine has been glorious, but really, the temperatures have probably been a little bit much for most of us. It gets hard to do simple tasks, doesn’t it, when the heat is draining you so much? And we aren’t alone in struggling with it, our pets too find it difficult to do what they normally do. Our cat, Eric, has barely come inside, preferring to lie under the bench or under a shrub outside. Our dog, Stella (originally from Gran Canaria, so probably used to the heat more than us) has barely gone for a walk each evening, choosing to just sleep the days away, sometimes in the sun and often in the cool of the tiled floor. It’s funny how animals have different coping mechanisms when things ‘change’. Stella is not great at drinking – if we give her a bowl of water, she reverses away from it, so we have to disguise liquid – with her food, and we have to use a special ‘dog mug’ that we pretend to drink from, before putting it on the floor, then she will drink the water. She will also drink from a water bottle or empty ‘pop’ bottle, but it gets very messy!
But the easiest way to get her to drink is to make her a ‘doggy brew’ – water with a splash of milk, and the teabag you have just discarded dipped into it. Then she drinks it all (from her own mug, of course). We can only presume that this is something to do with her ‘past life’ on the streets in Gran Canaria. I would love to know what is behind this (and multiple other) strange behaviours she displays, but we have to just accept that we will never know - and probably, we are better off not knowing, as we might struggle to deal with the facts if we had them. So, we ‘go along’ with her quirky behaviour!
Sometimes we might find other humans traits or cultures, or ‘quirkiness’ difficult to understand, but we might struggle more to manage those than we do with those of an unusual dog!
That is where I found myself when looking at the Gospel reading for Sunday – (and of course, because of Paul’s ordination service at the cathedral, I do not have to preach on the gospel this weekend)!
Jesus has had a few weeks of ‘tough love’ messages as we have travelled through Matthew recently. He has talked of division, judgement, hatred - all as a result of following him. He has likened himself to a sword (which I fear is often misinterpreted). But today, at the end of a chapter full of challenge, Jesus offers a quiet promise: every act of welcome matters. He reminds us that when we receive another person with kindness, we are receiving him — and even the smallest gesture, “a cup of cold water,” carries weight in the kingdom of God. (Or maybe a cup of cold water designed as a ‘doggy brew’, or anything else that doesn’t seem hugely significant).
It’s easy to believe that only big, impressive acts count. But Jesus flips that on its head. The unnoticed kindness, the steady faithfulness, the simple hospitality — these are the places where the space between earth and heaven is a thin place, a place where the veil is almost lifted. The “little ones” matter, and so do the little things we do for them.
In a world that prizes noise and achievement, Matthew today invites us back to the quiet, holy work of welcome. A smile. A listening ear. A moment of patience. A cup of cold water. None of it is wasted. All of it is seen.
Amen
Rev Kirsten
Our Prayers
Heavenly Father,
In a world where sometimes it seems that all we hear about is cruelty, division, mistrust and unhappiness, let us remember that everything we do counts.
All is seen.
When the problems of the world might seem too big for us to ever be able to make a difference, let us always be ready to offer a cup of cold water to any who might need it.
Out of the tiniest mustard seed can grow an entire tree, big enough for all who need shade!
Amen.
Today's final hymn is "A New Commandment I Give Unto You"
Welcome to Sunday Worship on the Third Sunday after Trinity. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.15 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 "New Every Morning is the Love"
Today's Bible Reading
Jeremiah 20:7-13 Poor Jeremiah
Now the priest Pashhur son of Immer, who was chief officer in the house of the Lord, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things. Then Pashhur struck the prophet Jeremiah and put him in the stocks that were in the upper Benjamin Gate of the house of the Lord. The next morning when Pashhur released Jeremiah from the stocks, Jeremiah said to him, “The Lord has named you not Pashhur but ‘Terror-all-around.’
For thus says the Lord: I am making you a terror to yourself and to all your friends, and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies while you look on. And I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon; he shall carry them captive to Babylon and shall kill them with the sword. I will give all the wealth of this city, all its gains, all its prized belongings, and all the treasures of the kings of Judah into the hand of their enemies, who shall plunder them and seize them and carry them to Babylon. And you, Pashhur, and all who live in your house, shall go into captivity, and to Babylon you shall go; there you shall die, and there you shall be buried, you and all your friends, to whom you have prophesied falsely.”
Jeremiah Denounces His Persecutors
O Lord, you have enticed me, and I was enticed; you have overpowered me, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me.
For whenever I speak, I must cry out; I must shout, “Violence and destruction!”
For the word of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all day long.
If I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,” then within me there is something like a burning fire shut up in my bones;
I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot. For I hear many whispering: “Terror is all around! Denounce him! Let us denounce him!”
All my close friends are watching for me to stumble. “Perhaps he can be enticed, and we can prevail against him and take our revenge on him.”
But the Lord is with me like a terrifying warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble, and they will not prevail. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonour will never be forgotten.
O Lord of hosts, you test the righteous; you see the heart and the mind; let me see your retribution upon them, for to you I have committed my cause.
Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hands of evildoers.
Reflection
Poor Jeremiah
I thought I would concentrate on the Old Testament reading today – my heart goes out to Jeremiah, often called the ‘Weeping Prophet’ because of how deep his lament is. God has given Jeremiah a fairly big task – he has called him at a very young age (maybe only about 17 years old) to prophesy to the people of Judah about the error of their ways and instructing them basically, to ‘surrender’ to the Babylonians. Jeremiah tells God at the start of his book that he is too young to manage the people and to prophesy to them, and God simply tells him ‘I have called you by name – get on with it’! he touches Jeremiah’s mouth and tells him ‘I have given you the words now’. Jeremiah is ridiculed and mocked by the people, he is thrown into prison, he is beaten relentlessly by the priests and put in the stocks. Wherever he goes, people are quick to tell him they wish he was dead rather than them have to put up with him. No wonder he is weeping!
By our reading today, Jeremiah is desperately raging at God – telling him he is a laughing stock, that even his close friends plot to be rid of him. He complains that when he tries not to mention God, it rises up in him like a burning fire, and he is forced to do God’s will. But he finishes his angry tirade by saying, ‘God’s desire for the people will overshadow whatever they do – that they will be shamed for their actions, and justice will prevail’.
I was in a situation this past week where it felt like a tiny percentage of what Jeremiah was encountering. I had been asked to talk and deliver a message to a group who were about to encounter change and to try and ease them through it. My best attempts mainly fell on deaf ears, loud voices that challenged and drowned out everything that was said to them. I was challenged, and the words used were mocked and ignored. It felt at times that there was a definite ‘Spiritual block’ at play, a force that did not want any mention of the gospel to be shared in that room. Over the course of the afternoon, I could have run away at a number of points, but I didn’t – I knew that what we were delivering was good and useful to the group, even though we could only skim the surface because of their reluctance to engage.
As I left that place, feeling a bit bewildered and very low in spirits, I began to reflect on what had occurred. What I had encountered was only what we are all guilty of, some of the time. When we ‘cherry pick’ what we might want to hear and quickly disregard the bits that don’t sit so well. I had done the same at Clergy Conference recently – engaging fully with the parts I enjoyed and wanted to be a part of and being less open to the parts I personally found uncomfortable. (Granted not quite so vocally or rudely, but internally, the same – which is known to God who knows what is on our hearts and minds)!
Our passage from Jeremiah shows us that firstly, it is fine to disagree and be sad and frustrated with what God asks of us – hand it up in prayer and leave it with God!
Secondly, just as Jeremiah felt, when we try to avoid what God has asked of us, it bubbles up like a fire and we find it hard to avoid.
But for me the strongest lesson is that we will, sometimes, be ridiculed for our beliefs – exactly as Jeremiah was. He was standing up for the truth as God has asked – I was delivering a message that I had been asked to do. But we must persevere – keep telling the gospel and reassuring people of how much God loves them, in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in. Thankfully, my endurance just left me feeling sad and needing a couple of paracetamols – poor old Jeremiah was beaten, imprisoned and had threats on his life wherever he went – (I did say I had only encountered a tiny percentage)!
Whatever God asks of you this week, be honest, persevere and know that his love will conquer all.
Amen.
Rev Kirsten
Our Prayers
(The Collect for Purity)
Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hidden:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may love you completely,
and rightly magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Today's final hymn is "There are Hundreds of Sparrows"
Notices
Next Sunday there will be no morning services at either St Agnes’ or St Thomas’ due to Paul’s ordination as deacon.
The Ordination Service is at 10.30 am at Manchester Cathedral
Bring and Share drop-in buffet at St Thomas’ from 3 to 5 pm
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Second Sunday after Trinity. Today we have only one service in the parish, at 11.15 am at St Thomas' Church, and there is no service at St Agnes'.
If you are unable to join us in person, you will find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "I Danced in the Morning"
Today's Gospel
Matthew 9:35-10:8 Like Sheep Without a Shepherd
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.”
Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not take a road leading to gentiles, and do not enter a Samaritan town, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick; raise the dead; cleanse those with a skin disease; cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.
Reflection
‘Like Sheep Without a Shepherd’
I watched the first instalment of the new Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon the other evening. During the episode, Jeremy Clarkson decided to take part in the Farmer’s Protests that took place in London last year. The farmers were fearful and protesting about the Inheritance Tax changes to farms. There was genuine fear, distress at a lack of leadership they felt they could trust, and genuine alarm at how they could fulfil their commitment to feeding our country in the current climate. Sometimes, we can’t help but wonder, ‘are people actually aware where the food on their plate is coming from’. Is the connection between farming and feeding the family always made?
I don’t particularly have a vested interest in anything specific that Clarkson might say, but I do enjoy learning about agriculture and making the obvious comparisons that arise as Christians as we encounter and reflect on our Good Shepherd.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus looks at the crowds and doesn’t see troublemakers or complainers. He sees people who are “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” It’s a line that could just as easily describe many in our society today—farmers facing impossible margins, families stretched thin, communities feeling unheard, and a nation often more divided than connected.
Jesus’ response to this is incredible - he doesn’t turn away, or blame them for their misfortune, he doesn’t harden his heart. He is moved with compassion.
And then he does something even more incredible, by sending his ‘ordinary people’ - fishermen, tax collectors, the unqualified and the undesirable – telling them to be the answer to the very prayer he asks them to pray. “The harvest is plentiful… go.”
In a world where loud voices overshadow and frustration and anger spill out so easily, Matthew invites us to rediscover this rhythm of discipleship:
•See people as Jesus sees them - not as problems to solve, but as neighbours to love.
•Feel compassion rather than contempt - especially for those whose lives look different from ours.
•Step into the harvest - bringing healing where there is hurt, hope where there is despair, and generosity where sometimes there seems to be none.
We may not be able to fix national policy or calm every storm, but we can choose to be the kind of people Jesus sends: people who mend, who listen, who lift up, who give freely because we have received freely.
The world is still full of crowds longing for shepherds. And Jesus still whispers the same invitation: “Go – and be my compassion in the places that feel forgotten.”
Amen.
Rev Kirsten
Our Prayers
Heavenly Father,
We thank you for the guidance of Jesus and the obedience of the disciples.
We pray for all the times we are like sheep without a shepherd,
and we especially pray for those in our world who are without leadership,
and who do not yet know that Jesus is the only shepherd they will ever need.
Amen.
Today's final hymn is "In Christ Alone"
Apologies to everyone who likes to read the words, but this is my favourite version by Celtic Worship, and I wanted to share it with you all. The bagpipe solo at the end is amazing!
Notices
We are really pleased to announce that we now have a date for Rev Kirsten’s Licensing Service, which is to be at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 14th July at St Thomas’ Church. More details will follow later.
On Saturday 4th July, our Harvest Queen Grace is 'At Home' - please see the poster below for details -
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the First Sunday after Trinity. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.15 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 "Jesus is Lord, Creation's Voice Proclaims it"
Today's Gospel
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 The Calling of Matthew
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.
And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’
While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, ‘My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.’ And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.’ Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, ‘Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And instantly the woman was made well. When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute-players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, ‘Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report of this spread throughout that district.
Reflection
‘Follow Me’
I don’t know about you, but I have found the news this week particularly difficult to watch. The court case relating to the death of Henry Nowak has been harrowing to say the least, and the bile and hatred that has spewed forth ever since is equally sickening. Sometimes it is hard to wonder where God is in a situation, and for me, this week, I have been searching for where God is or was when Henry was murdered.
The most moving moment I saw came from Henry’s Father, who announced ‘We do not want [Henry's] death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension. We want his story to help make our streets safer for everyone’.
In our Gospel reading for this Sunday, Matthew is instructed by Jesus to ‘follow him’. The choice of Jesus to eat with tax collectors and sinners is a matter of grave concern to the Pharisees. In answer to their criticisms, Jesus advises them that people who are not ill do not need a doctor, only those who are sick. He tells them he desires mercy and not sacrifice.
In the midst of his grief, Henry’s father asked for calm, not retaliation – mercy not sacrifice. Mercy is not passive or weak, it is not something to be sneered at. It is the courage to choose compassion when anger feels easier.
Henry was the one murdered and badly treated. His father’s voice - steady, compassionate, refusing to let pain become vengeance - echoes the very heart of Christ. It was the voice of mercy, the voice that heals rather than harms.
In that moment, I recognised where God was in the situation. He was with Henry in his final moments of life. He was with Henry’s family as they received the news no parent would ever want to hear, and he was with them still as they requested peace and calm, and not the rage and hooliganism that their plea was met with. Violence and rioting from people who will barely remember Henry’s name in 6 months’ time, as his family will only be scratching the surface of navigating life without their child.
Retaliation can only multiply suffering. Jesus consistently interrupts cycles of violence – as he tells the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane ‘Enough now - Put your sword back.’ Jesus’ words point to God’s instinct to move toward the injured, not to inflame the crowd.
Grief and anger are valid human emotions – we are designed to lament, especially where we feel helpless. In moments of public pain, people look for direction. Henry’s father chose the path of dignity and restraint- mirroring the God who desires mercy and guiding the community towards peace. Justice will be done where it is needed, judgement will be made in this life and in the next. Henry’s family need a community and a country surrounding them in love, not more bloodshed and horror. Let us pray that those leading with rage will follow the path of Henry’s Father, because that is the only path where we will find what we might be searching for. Amen
Rev Kirsten
Our Prayers
Heavenly Father
We pray today for the victims of crime and suffering.
We lift before you those who are hurting.
We pray they can turn their anger into mercy
And their rage into empathy for those who grieve.
We pray for all families who have lost a child, that they can be upheld in your love and the love of the people around them.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Today's final hymn is "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind"
Notices
Next week we have only one service in the Parish, our 'Everyone Together Service' at 11.15 am at St Thomas' Church, and there will be no service at St. Agnes' or Sunday School.
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on Trinity Sunday. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.15 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 "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty"
Today's Gospel
Matthew 28:16-20 Jesus’ Great Commission
The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Reflection
Today is Trinity Sunday, and in the Gospel passage from Matthew we read about Jesus addressing his disciples in Galilee before he leaves them. It comes at the very end of Matthew’s gospel, as from Matthew’s perspective it is the conclusion of Jesus’ time on earth in human form.
The disciples have gathered on a mountain in Galilee. This is not insignificant, because in Matthew’s narrative, the end of Jesus’ ministry finishes at the same place where it started, when Jesus called his first disciples – the place where fishermen left everything they had to follow him. And now he’s brought them back.
Jesus is about to empower his followers to pick up the baton and radically make new disciples by baptising them in the name of the Father, and the Son and Holy Spirit. The Holy Trinity. The mission that began quietly is now expanding outward. What started in obscurity will now reach the nations.
This passage in the bible is often referred to as The Great Commission! The risen Christ sharing his vision with his followers before ascending into heaven.
Jesus is calling on his disciples to go and make more disciples across all nations. And as we heard last week at Pentecost - he will send the Holy Spirit to help with this.
But for a moment let’s ask the question, what does it mean to be a disciple, or moreover what did it mean to be a disciple of a Rabbi in the first century?
You may know that a Rabbi was a learned teacher and to be a disciple might to some extent be compared to being an apprentice.
People became a disciple of a rabbi to learn what he knew and to do what he did. Just like you might in today’s world become an apprentice car mechanic – watching and gradually upskilling until you were able to do the work without supervision. And eventually you would be able to cope on your own and become competent.
But the essential thing to note in this is that you don’t just watch and learn, you have to do the doing. To practice what you preach for want of a better phrase.
When we look at the lives of the disciples who walked alongside Jesus in his ministry – they had listened to his teaching and learned from him and they also did the things he did. Remember in Matthew 10, where Jesus sends out the twelve to cast out demons and heal disease and sickness?
Similarly, when Jesus commissions his disciples to go out and make new disciples across all nations, he also gives them the guidance they need to do to the job.
He tells them to baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit – and to teach people to obey everything that Jesus has commanded them to do.
In other words, don’t just tell people about the Good News of the risen Lord who is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit – Jesus is commanding them to teach new disciples that they must also obey Jesus’ commandments and do as Jesus did. To live their lives in the same way according to God’s will.
To 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, and to 'Love your neighbour as yourself as he loves us.
Jesus doesn’t just want people to know about the Kingdom of God, he wants them to inhabit the Kingdom - To do God’s will on earth as it is in heaven - and to lead by example and live according to his commandments.
It is not enough to know how Jesus wants disciples to live their lives, they have to get on and do it.
And as disciples, followers and Christians, we share that same commission that Jesus gave his disciples in Galilee over 2000 years ago.
We too are called to live as disciples and also make disciples of others.
We are called to bring people to faith. People of all kinds, irrespective of ethnicity, race, gender or any other type of diversity. Even maybe people we may not particularly like.
We are called to invite people to become Christians through baptism in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
We are called to invite people into a loving relationship with God and be part of God’s family.
And as disciples we are also called to live as Jesus showed us and commanded us.
And that can sometimes be hard - because none of us are perfect, and we all fall short in God’s eyes from time to time. We all sin and get things wrong.
But here’s the good news ..… at the end of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus promised us that He will be with us always until the end of the age. Jesus who died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. And when we invite the Holy Spirit to live within us, we can be reconciled with the God that loves each and every one of us. Our relationship with God – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit can be restored.
Paul
Our Prayers
Lord, we commit ourselves to Your Great Commission.
Guide our words, actions, and hearts as we make disciples, baptise, and teach.
Remind us daily that we are never alone, for You are with us always.
May our lives glorify You and draw others into Your kingdom, now and forever.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "I, The Lord of Sea and Sky"
Notices
We had a fantastic day last Sunday as we celebrated the Feast of Pentecost with a joint Eucharist at St John's, a Procession of Witness around the village (stopping to sing along the way), and then a Churches Together in Lees and District joint service at St Thomas', followed by a special cake to celebrate the birthday of the Church. You can see some photos below, but there are many more on the Facebook pages -
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish as we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost (also known as Whit Sunday).
Our Service of Holy Communion this morning is at our neighbouring church of St John the Baptist, Hey at 9.15.
We will then hold a traditional Whit Walk from St John's, around Lees, to St Thomas' Church for the Churches Together in Lees and District joint Service for Pentecost at 12 noon.
All are welcome to join us - full details are shown in the Notices section below.
If you are unable to attend in person, you will find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "Breathe on me, Breath of God"
Today's Bible Readings
John 7:37-39 Rivers of Living Water
On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Acts 2:1-21
When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?
And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs-- in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power."
All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine."
But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
`In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'"
Reflection
Do you remember the way Whitsuntide or Pentecost used to be celebrated in Lees? When I first came to the Oldham as a young man, (just a few years ago), one of my colleagues at the bank where I worked invited me to Lees for Whit Sunday. I was ‘blown away’ - not by the sudden rush of a sound like the rush of a violent wind from heaven, but by the sense of occasion as dozens and dozens of people assembled to march around the village. Assembled to pay witness and celebrate this Holy Festival to commemorate the coming of the Holy Spirit – the advocate that Jesus had promised to empower his followers to spread the gospel and build his Church on earth.
There were people of all ages from the very young Rainbows, Beavers and Sunday School to the active members of the Mother’s Union and right up to the elder parishioners who continued to serve the parish after decades of service in many varied lay roles.
But it wasn’t just an excuse for a jolly good get together, it was truly an occasion to show off our Christian identity. And it wasn’t just our church! As the proceedings continued, we were joined by congregations and families from all of the neighbouring churches, not only from the Church of England but all the other local denominations as well as we worshipped together in joy and harmony.
Whether everyone knew it or not, we were celebrating that first occasion where ‘God poured put his Spirit upon all flesh’ and where more than 3,000 people were baptised.
Whether it is on Pentecost Sunday or any other day of the year, we too are called to embrace the power of the Holy Spirit, to proclaim the Gospel and share our belief and faith with others. We repeatedly hear messages that the Church is withering but we cannot just wait and hope that the pews will suddenly fill up. What we need is power, the power only God’s Spirit can give, the power to speak the name of Jesus out in our community. We need to courageously harness the Spirit and be openly proud of our faith, as a Gospel-sharing church that loves the world as God does.
Sadly, over the years the Whit Sunday walks have dwindled and are a shadow of their former glory. This year, thanks to brilliant teamwork by representatives of both parishes, we are trying to re-energise and build the numbers of folk involved, starting with a service and procession from St. John Hey, to Zion Methodist and then to St. Thomas church and the local streets. It may not all happen this year, but if you are able, why not join us for some or all of this act of witness, as we celebrate the glory of God and His son Jesus. Let the power of the Holy Spirit fill you anew and also inspire new believers to be open to the power of the Spirit. If you are not able to join us, why not come to your doors and give us a hearty cheer and a wave, join us in our songs of praise and invite the Holy Spirit into your life.
Never underestimate the power of the Spirit – after my first Whit Sunday in Lees, I started coming to St. Thomas’ church and later married the wonderful person from the bank who invited me to my first Whit Sunday parade. Paul
Our Prayers
Heavenly Father, we come before You with a hungry heart,
asking for a fresh outpouring of Your Holy Spirit upon our lives.
Fill us with Your presence and power and let Your Spirit overflow in us afresh every day,
empowering us to share your Gospel with those who have yet to know You.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "Walk in the Light"
Notices
Here are the full details of our Pentecost Celebrations
Finally, the following announcement was made in St Thomas', St Agnes' and St John's churches last week -
The Bishop of Manchester is pleased to announce the appointment of the Reverend Kirsten Stott as incumbent of Hey, John the Baptist and the Parish of Leesfield.
Please pray for Kirsten as she prepares to continue her vocational and missional journey with the parishes where she has been serving as curate-in-charge, and for the benefice as they prepare for this new stage.
We don't have a date yet for Rev Kirsten's Licensing Service, but we're all really looking forward to this next wonderful stage in the life of both parishes.
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