Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Sixth Sunday after Trinity. Today we have just one service in the parish - our 'Everyone Together' service at 11.15 am at St Thomas' Church.
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 "My Jesus, My Saviour"
Today's Gospel
Matthew 13:1-9,18-23Parable of the Sower
Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!”
“Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Reflection
In today’s story, Jesus tells us about a farmer throwing seeds onto the ground. God’s word is like the seed that the farmer sows, which needs to be fed and nourished, and our hearts are like the ground that the seed lands on – they need to be soft and fertile.
Some hit the path - What happens to the seed on the ground? Nothing, the birds took it away. In this example we hear about God’s word but we are much too busy with other things in life to take any notice. Maybe, playing games or looking at our mobile phone. We don’t really listen and so it has no impact on us. It never has any chance to grow in our hearts - and God’s word is simply wasted on us.
Some hit rocks - In this case we might hear the story and understand what it means - but we don’t let it take root. We actually like what Jesus stands for because he’s always doing and saying good things.
But although we hear the good news, deep down we don’t have the heart to live like Jesus – because being good all the time can be hard at times. Sometimes other people might make fun of us for being a do-gooder. So whilst we like what we hear our faith is weak because we don’t let it put down roots in our hearts.
Some fell among the thorns and the weeds - In this instance we let our everyday business crowd out our good intentions. We care about God and doing what is right – but we don’t always follow through with things because we are more concerned about ourselves.
The weeds and thorns represent worries and concerns that we face in our daily lives. Sometimes we are so concerned for ourselves and our family that we have little time or energy to think about anyone else.
We want to have the best lifestyle possible and do the things that make us happy. We are too busy thinking about how we look after ourselves that we completely forget about all those who are less well off or those suffering in the world.
So whilst we have the means or ability to love and support one another, even if it’s in a small way, we simply don’t get around to it.
Some of the seeds landed on good soil - They didn't just grow; they exploded into a harvest that was many times bigger than the tiny seed!
Think about a seed for a second. It looks small and weak, kind of like a tiny speck or pebble. You could step on it and never even notice. But inside that tiny shell is the blueprint for a giant tree that can provide shade for hundreds of birds and fruit for an entire village.
God’s Word is the same! When we hear God’s word at school or in church, he is planting his seeds of goodness in our hearts. That might be just a "small" thought, but if you remember it and think about it, it will sink into your heart and grow.
It might be a thought like, remembering God loves each of us and wants us to love one another. Instead of letting the seed die or wither, how might we make that seed grow in our hearts? What might we do to show love or kindness to someone?
Perhaps a kind word to someone who looks upset or sad. Saying hello to new children at school or new workmates. Sharing something like sweets or crisps in the breaktime, or giving a small donation to charity.
Maybe, giving someone a lift to school or work, or maybe a simple smile – have you ever noticed how people nearly always smile back. How do you feel when someone who passes by smiles at you? Does it make you a little bit happier? There are lots of little things we can all do that don’t even cost us anything, but can make other people feel happier.
And when people feel happier they want to make even more people feel happy, and they feel like doing something kind for someone else, and then those people want to make someone else happy – and before we know that one simple act of kindness has turned into hundreds of acts of kindness. Like the seed in the story, it has multiplied hundreds of times.
When we hear the good news of Jesus, let us take time to listen and let it flourish within us. Let us keep listening even if we don’t get it right first time, because Jesus does not give up on the field - when we let him, he is willing to clear the rocks and the weeds and plant more seed in our hearts.
Rev. Paul
Our Prayers
Let’s all pray for good and soft hearts.
"Jesus, I want my heart to be good soil.
Come into our lives and grow something amazing in us."
Amen
Today's final hymn is "You Shall Go Out With Joy"
Notices
We are really pleased to announce that the Licensing Service of Rev Kirsten will take place on Tuesday 28th July at St Thomas' Church. More details are included in the poster below.
