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.
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Seventh Sunday of Easter. Today is our Annual Parochial Church meeting, and we have only one service in the parish - at 11.15 am at St Thomas' Church.
If you are unable to attend our services in person, you will find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "I Cannot tell, why He whom Angels Worship"
Today's Gospel
John 17:1-11 Jesus Prays for Himself and His Followers
Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.”
Reflection
A few years ago, one of our former vicars, Edith, started a prayer group. It was attended by a few who would come together and explore prayer. Sometimes with candles, or hand held objects or music. We experimented with different things as we explored different ways of reaching out to God and one another guided by the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes we discussed and prayed about things in the world, or in our schools and community, and sometimes, if people were comfortable sharing things, we prayed for and about each other.
I have a similar prayer group with some of my friends from college which has been a true blessing as we journeyed together as ordinands over the years. We continue to pray through our ups and down, highlights and worries, and find spiritual strength guided by the Spirit as we reflect about what is going on in our lives, our old and new parishes and also across the wider world.
Prayer is always special but there is something even more powerful when we come together as a group and pray as friends, and even more so when we pray for one another. It can be an intense and also unifying experience.
In John 17, it feels like John has invited us to eavesdrop into Jesus’ prayer group with his closest friends - Those who will soon become his apostles, charged with the responsibility of continuing to take His message to the wider world and build his Church. John brings us into Jesus presence as he prays with his disciples just before he goes to the Cross.
It starts with Jesus praying for himself, not in a selfish way but for his glorification through what he knows lies ahead and also for the glorification of God the Father. He is praying for his coming re-unification with the Father and for the disciples to understand all that has happened and what will happen.
During our Ascension Day service last Thursday, Rev. Kirsten talked about the contrast between Christmas and the Ascension – the former being Jesus’ human incarnation on earth and the latter being the reversal, where Jesus returns to heaven to be re-united with God.
It reminds us that Jesus existed and was one with God the Father before he came to earth, and moreover, how much he set aside to become human and be with us. We are also reminded that Jesus has been with God since the beginning of time, before the world existed and will remain with God until the end of the ages. Jesus is eternal in unity with God and the Holy Spirit. At his ascension, he is re-united in heaven at the right hand of God.
Whilst he is praying, Jesus is mindful of his faithful disciples. Amidst the talk of his glorification, he prays for his faithful and beloved disciples; he asks the Father to watch over them and protect them on the perilous mission that lies ahead after he has gone. He prays that they are protected so that they might know the sort of unity that exists within the Godhead.
At first glance we might think that he is only praying for his disciples – But if we read the prayer carefully, we can see Jesus extends his prayer to all who have received the truth that came from the Father to us though Christ and who believe in him. He is not just praying for the disciples but for all who believe and have been glorified in him and for those who are persecuted or ridiculed for their faith.
I mentioned how powerful it can feel when you know people are praying with you and for you, even if you are not present when the prayers are said. How absolutely wonderful and beloved do you feel when you realise that Jesus is praying for you alongside his disciples and across time when he says - “Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.”? How marvellous is it to know that not only is he praying for our protection but also for our unity with him? As we eavesdrop on Jesus praying, we witness his invitation to join him in unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit. How special does that make you feel today? Our unity is Jesus’ prayer for himself.Paul
Our Prayers
Loving heavenly Father,
Thank You that You sent Jesus to enable all who believe in Him
to be witnesses to the truth of Your Word.
Bind us together in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
to seek unity and reconciliation in our broken world,
as we spread the Good News of your wonderful plan of redemption,
through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "Christ Triumphant, Ever Reigning"
Notices
Next Sunday is Pentecost, and the arrangements are shown in the poster below
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Sixth Sunday of Easter. 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 "Longing for Light, We Wait in Darkness"
Today's Gospel
John 14:15-21 The Promise of the Holy Spirit
Jesus said, ”If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
”I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”
Reflection
Our Gospel passage today is a continuation from last week, where Jesus is comforting His disciples following his disclosure that he will soon die. It’s part of what is known as Jesus’ ‘farewell disclosure’ during the Last Supper.
Last week we looked at Jesus’ message to follow Him, and what that meant following His commandment to love one another and follow His example. Here we see Jesus emphasising that same message – He starts by making it clear that the only way to show how much they love Jesus is keep His commandments. Jesus isn’t looking for signs of sorrow and mourning, He is looking for positive love in the way they love others as He loved them.
As I think about this, I try to put myself in the disciples’ shoes – they’ve been following Him for a few years and witnessed some pretty awesome events, and heard first hand how Jesus interprets God’s word in a new and refreshing way. So they must be thinking, How do we follow an act like that? How can we possibly follow Jesus’ commandments and live up to His example without Him by our sides to guide us?
Jesus, of course, knows and understands their innermost doubts and so He promises to ask the Father to send another advocate - the Holy Spirit. A comforter who will abide in them and be constantly guiding and encouraging them, strengthening them as they grow in the power of Christ to go forward and spread the good news of the risen Lord.
Jesus is addressing the questions and doubts that we heard about in last weeks reflection. But more than that, He is alluding to nature of the Spirit and the need to be open to it through our faith in Jesus and the Father.
When he says, “This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him”, Jesus is describing those who are still alienated from God and the knowledge of His son. Importantly, that does not mean that an unbeliever cannot become a believer. Everyone is capable of becoming a believer and turning to faith - that happens to people every day. It is up to the disciples and followers here and now, who have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to channel that precious gift and share it as widely as possible.
I mentioned the doubt that the disciples must have felt, being daunted at the challenge of carrying on Jesus’ footsteps after He had gone. How would they spread the message without Him?
I suspect many of us feel like that from time to time, and I’ve heard the worry expressed by several people in our churches. Sometimes it is voiced in words such as, ‘Why do so few people come to church nowadays?’
We too need to have faith and follow Jesus’ commandment to love one another and trust in the Holy Spirit that was sent for all to enable us to be active disciples. We can follow the examples of the first disciples and pray together and for each other, especially those who have yet to come to faith.
Perhaps as part of our personal prayer and reflection, we could pose these questions to ourselves – “ When and how did I show love to someone today?” Or maybe, when did I fail to show love to someone today? Whatever our answer is, we can pray that the Holy Spirit will help us to be truthful in our response, and if need be, encourage us to do better next time.
Because the Holy Spirit is not sent to judge us or to make us feel bad The Holy Spirit is sent to be alongside us, to guide us and comfort us and help us to carry on Jesus’ mission.
When was the last time you talked to someone about your faith either to your family, friends or even a stranger? If we don’t talk about Jesus to anyone outside church, how can we share the our faith effectively. Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us to share our faith and give the Spirit an opportunity to bring more people into the joy and love of our gracious Father.
Paul
Our Prayers
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the blessing of your Holy Spirit,
to be alongside us,
guiding, comforting and strengthening us.
Send us out each day in confidence,
to proclaim our faith to those we meet in our life journeys,
And bring new followers into your kingdom.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "Breathe on me, Breath of God"
Notices
Ascension Day is this Thursday, and there will be a service at St Thomas’ Church at 7 pm.
This week is Christian Aid Week, and we are having a ‘Big Brekkie’ on Friday 15th May from 8.45 to 10.45 am to raise funds for Christian Aid, so please come along and join us if you can.
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Fifth Sunday of Easter. Our Church Service this morning at St Agnes' is at 9.15, and St Thomas' service is at the slightly later time of 11.30.
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 Gospel
John 14:1-14 Jesus Comforts His Disciples
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”
Reflection
You could be forgiven if you feel a little confused after listening to John’s Gospel reading today. Here we are 5 weeks after Easter, when Jesus has risen and has been seen by Mary, the disciples and many others since his resurrection, and yet we find ourselves back in the room at the last supper.
So to remind ourselves of the context, Jesus and the disciples are at the Passover meal and in the course of the evening he had told them some pretty bad news. Firstly, He’s told them one of the disciples will betray him to the Romans, then He’s told Peter that he will deny knowing Jesus 3 times before day break, and last but not least that He will soon be killed. Even as He is now speaking to them, Judas is undertaking his act of treachery.
A short while before, he was washing their feet and giving them a new commandment to love one another, and now he’s turned the whole mood upside down. It’s hard to imagine the atmosphere in the room and how the disciples must have felt. After all, they have left everything behind to follow Jesus, and they realise as well that their own lives are also at risk. Apart from being confused they must have felt very vulnerable and frightened.
So Jesus tries to reassure them. He loves them and wants to set their minds at rest. He shifts their minds and their focus away from fear, and calls them to have belief and faith. He wants them to understand that death is not the end, and that they can have eternal life through faith and trust in him. He says; “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.” Jesus starts to outline why they should trust in Him, even after he is gone. He lays out the case in plain language and says, “I am going to prepare a place for you”.
When Thomas is still puzzled, Jesus elaborates and says to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.”
Then Philip joins in the questioning, asking Jesus to show them the Father. Thomas and Philip were willing to ask the questions that were no doubt troubling the whole group, because at this stage of course, they had not experienced the glorious resurrection of Jesus. In their minds they didn’t know where Jesus was going to. They hadn’t yet fully grasped that Jesus was divine and was God.
Of course they wanted to believe and trust in Jesus, but they were totally perplexed. So, in the short time they had before Jesus left them all alone, they absolutely wanted to understand how they would go about following him.
They needed to know how to get to this wonderful dwelling place which Jesus was going to prepare for them. It must have felt like Jesus was making lots of reassuring promises but hadn’t given them all the pieces to the jigsaw. And perhaps there is a hint of frustration from Jesus when he says to Philip, How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? “
The disciples were looking for a physical map to follow, but Jesus wasn’t talking about following a route map, He was talking about following in His ways and teachings. Something that the disciples wouldn’t fully understand until after his resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, when the missing pieces of the jigsaw would fall into place.
So what does this say to us here in Hey and Lees? The message is exactly the same. Jesus calls each and every one of us to follow Him. To live the way that He showed His disciples, following His commandment made at the last supper, to love one another as He loved us. He calls us to believe in Him and whilst we haven’t physically seen Him, we witness Him in the Good news of the Gospels, and we see God in all creation and His grace in the miracles that continue to happen across the world.
When we believe and trust in Jesus, He will show us the way to God’s dwelling place where He prepares a place for all who believe and trust in Him. But He won’t send us a link to Google maps in our ‘in box’, because in verse 3, Jesus promises “I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.” Paul
Our Prayers
Risen and reigning Lord,
Strengthen our faith and trust in you,
that our troubled hearts may be assured
that you have gone to prepare a place for us,
so that where you are, we may be also and
that the Father will come to us through you.
Amen
Todays final hymn is "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer"
Notices
Our Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) will take place at St Thomas’ Church at 12.15 pm on Sunday 17th May. On that day we will have a Parish Eucharist at 11.15 am at St Thomas’, and there will be no service at St Agnes’.
The APCM is where we review the parish activities and finances for the previous year, and elect Churchwardens and parish officers for the coming year, so it’s really important that as many people as possible attend.
There is a great need at both churches for people to step up into various roles, not only for what we see at worship on Sundays and midweek, but also for everything that happens in the background to enable Leesfield Parish to continue to thrive at the heart of our community.
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