Lectionary notes

Pentecost Part 2

Lectionary Reading Day of Pentecost Pt 2

Collect. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy his consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer to the Holy Spirit: Upper Room. 2002)

Reading. 1 Corinthians 12:3b- 13. “Jesus is Lord” is the catch cry of this reading and as such reminds us that as the church we are all under one headship and this headship brings with it a unity. It is a unity which is very significant for Paul. Even at this early stage of the church’s life human nature has begun to poke through: A nature that tends towards rebellion against authority and a longing to be in control. From memory it was Martin Luther who said that when we were baptised the old Adam in us was drowned and the new Adam appeared. However the old Adam is a very strong swimmer and keeps bobbing his head up above the water and our task is to keep plunging him back down under! This may not be an exact quote but I am sure you get the drift of its meaning!

Just as there are many members of the body so we find many and varied gifts divided among the membership. A body functions best when all members are sound and in harmony so too the church: when the variety of gifts are being used for the benefit of the church and her ministry, the ministry and mission of the church are most fruitful. Why, because the unity of the body flows from Jesus Christ himself and when the church is in harmony the very work of Christ flourishes. Church harmony comes not from members trying to get along together: harmony comes when every member is focussed only on pleasing Christ and obeying him. The members of the church constitute the New People of God. They are people who have been renewed by the Spirit and so have been filled and given gifts to equip each one for the ongoing ministry of Jesus Christ. While it is appropriate to celebrate the festival of Pentecost we have to also remember that the gifts of the Spirit are not trophies but equipment which furthers the total ministry in the Name of Jesus, Lord and Saviour.

Prayer. Holy Lord, according to your promise you have poured out your Spirit upon the church and by your grace have made the ministry fruitful. On this time of festival stir our minds to remember our first calling and to look again at all that you have done through the ministry and mission of your church. As we look back to that first out pouring help us more and more to desire a fresh renewing of your church the body of Christ. May we as faith filled members once more take up the call and use our gifts to honour and glorify your holy name. Remembering how great is the salvation that you have won for all people, we pray for your holy light to shine on every corner of our world bringing the message of Good News, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Reading. John 7:37-39. One commentator has mentioned that in this short passage Jesus is standing. In the ancient world a teacher who was teaching would always be seated and in comparative comfort. A person standing is making a statement, a proclamation, an announcement, rather than trying to teach. This might seem like splitting hairs but if John is recording an announcement then it needs to be first taken and accepted rather than be analysed for a deeper or hidden meaning.

The feast referred to is the feast of Tabernacles which lasted 7days. This feast was a remembrance of the Exodus wanderings when the people lived in tents and relied on God for supplies of food and water. Each morning during the feast the priests would carry a pitcher of water into the temple in solemn procession. The water would be ceremoniously poured out over the altar for burnt offerings. The ceremony commemorated the water that gushed out of the rock at Meribah.{Exodus 17:6 & Psalm 95:8} A rock that produced the water for the Exodus wanderers. They doubted that God would supply provisions for them in the isolation of the desert. It was not a happy memory for the Israelites as it recognised their distrust of God and caused Moses to strike the rock in anger: a display which displeased God. On the day that John records, Jesus is declaring that in him people will find the provisions they need, to trust and not to doubt: Indeed he is declaring that in him they will have an abundance of supply; so much that within them there would be an outflow of living water.

To drink from Jesus is to believe that Jesus can supply the needs of life and so become a believer. John then links Jesus’ statement with the coming of the Spirit who will bring the living water, the water of life. John then goes on to add that this giving and receiving from the Spirit will not occur until Jesus is glorified, in other words, until he has died and been raised back to life. Reminding us that the provision of the Spirit and the empowering of the church is contingent on the victory that Jesus Christ won on the cross.

There are many strands to the Festival of Pentecost. The central strand is that in and through Jesus the Spirit is poured over the church, bringing ministry gifts, and an abundant supply of love and life flows out from the church. The Spirit’s empowering of the church leads to a great celebration.

Prayer. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Gracious God we look forward to that time when the glory of Jesus will be revealed and you will be king over all the earth. We pray that you will hasten the coming of your reign so that justice and mercy will flow across the whole of creation. We lift again to you the needs of our world and look for your love and grace to come to those places where there is no peace, only struggle and strife. Grant wisdom and understanding to the leaders of our world that they may work together for the good of all people. Strengthen those who have heard your call to promote freedom and justice in the name of Jesus. May their ministry be fruitful and may all who name the name of Jesus work collectively for the good of all humanity. This we ask in his most precious name. Amen

Day of Pentecost 31 May

Lectionary Reading: Day of Pentecost

Introduction: Pentecost is the Jewish Festival of Weeks which falls 50 days after Passover. At this festival the first-fruits of the cereal harvest were presented to God in recognition that the whole of the harvest belonged to him. It was on this day that the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles and so Pentecost is the time when the church remembers and celebrates this outpouring. With the resurrection of Jesus the promises that the prophecies of old foretold have come to fruition and the new people of God are formed. As 2 Corinthian’s 1:20 reminds us in the Messiah all the promises are “Yes!”; And so today the church celebrates the empowering that breathes life into the people of God.

Collect: Almighty God, who on the day of Pentecost sent your Holy Spirit to the Disciples with the wind from heaven and with tongues of fire, filling them with joy and boldness to preach the gospel: send us out in the power of the same Holy Spirit to witness to your truth and to draw everyone to the fire of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Read Acts 2:1-21. This is such a familiar reading and so filled with content that it is hard to touch on every point. Similarly it is easy to focus on one or two aspects at the expense of other important bits. As we are reading this passage with Pentecost in mind let that be the emphasis for today. In the reading the time has come for another major festival and perhaps another opportunity for the religious authorities to attack the now leaderless followers of Jesus. We know from other accounts that it is possible the disciples were all together out of fear, (John 20:19), but whatever the reason, the group was assembled and the whole group were filled with Holy Spirit. The Spirit did not come because they were all together but because the time was right. Jesus had ascended in order to fill all things with his presence. (Ephesians 4:10) Therefore everything was in place for the believers together to be furnished with the gifts they needed in order to continue to work that Jesus had begun. With the coming of the Spirit the effect on the group is profound for immediately the apostles move out into the public arena and Peter begins to affirm that the out pouring of the Spirit has occurred as was prophesied by the prophet Joel. At the climax of Peter’s presentation the key focus is the salvation that is now possible through trusting in Jesus. Again this reminds us that the Spirit empowers believers to promote Jesus. Jesus is the one who blesses the group with spiritual gifts. As these gifts flow to the church, the whole company of believers are now equipped to participate in lifting high the name of Jesus through word and deed. It is the combined use of the Spirit’s gifts that ensures the ministry of Jesus continues. The diversity of languages reminds us that the good news which the church now proclaims is to be heard clearly by every tribe and tongue. In order for this ministry to fruitfully continue every member is to be equipped.

We can do nothing in order to gain the gifts of the Spirit we can only be open to receive: However once received our response is to obediently use the gifts entrusted to us in daily living. The gifts were not given to take pride in but to be utilised for the ongoing ministry. As we consider the festival of Pentecost let us celebrate that the reign of Jesus guarantees that the church will continue to be equipped and that each one of us can be used to honour Jesus.

Prayer. Holy Lord, your Spirit was present from the beginning of history, present in the message of the prophets, present in provision for your people: Most fully present in the life and words of Jesus. And now Lord we praise and thank you for you are present in the lives of the apostles and continuing to be present in the church that you empower. Grant that we may experience our own Day of Pentecost: may we be empowered to speak your word of truth, so that all may hear in the language they can understand. Teach us to put our knowledge into meaningful action, and to love the world and all people even as you love us. Be with us in all the events of life that we may have light for our darkness, and joy in your service. Come Holy Spirit. Amen

Read Psalm 104:24-35. This is a great psalm and highlights the total reliance that every part of the creation has on God. The whole psalm emphasises the goodness and the glory of God: Again and again it reminds those reading, singing or using the psalm in worship that the Lord is supreme and in control. In verse 30 the psalmist recognises that when the Lord breathes out creation comes alive, and sustained by that breath creation is constantly renewed. So the psalmist paints the picture of the Creator sustaining creation in an ongoing movement. The “breath’ is constantly being sent out bringing life and renewal, reinforcing the promise restated to Noah that “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22 This reminds us that the creation is a living breathing entity created and sustained by the breath of God; by God’s Spirit.

As we celebrate the festival of Pentecost and remember the empowering of the church we draw comfort and assurance from this psalm for it reminds us that everything that God brings into being is also sustained by God. Just as God has not left the earth to revive itself neither will God leave the church to its own resources but through the Spirit, (the breath) will constantly refresh and renew the church’s life. However this lectionary reading from the Psalms omits the first part of verse 35 “ Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more“. It is hard to understand why this has been left out, unless it was thought to detract from the upbeat emphasis of the psalm. To leave it out though reduces the power of the Creator to call to account any part of the creation that operates contrary to God’s will. As Matthew notes is his gospel, if salt loses its saltines it is thrown away. (Matt 5:13) It reminds us again that every part of the creation is formed in order to fulfil God’s plan and purpose. Even if we leave out of our reading the first part of verse 35, we still need to remember the God who sustains us can also call us to account. It further reminds us that through the life that God gives we have an abundance of blessings, but these blessings are always given so that we are equipped to be used for God’s purposes.

Prayer. Lord today we pray for a refreshing of land and sea. We pray for those who make their living from producing food for humanity. Help them to work in ways which are in harmony with creation. May they be aware of how you have given everything a place and a purpose. Teach us all to deal gently with all aspects of the creation. Forgive us that we find it easier to blame others than to examine our own ways. Bless all those who struggle with the issues of life yet continue to keep both faithful and hopeful, trusting in you alone. May all find true fulfilment in Jesus, Saviour and Lord. This we ask in his name. Amen

Easter 7 Part 2

Lectionary Reading Easter 7 24 May Part 2.

Collect. Almighty and eternal God, your Son our Saviour is with you in eternal glory. Give us faith to see that, true to his promise, he is among us still, and will be with us to the end of time, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen

Read. 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11 It is hard to see a silvery lining to this virus out break but one thing it has done is remind us quite firmly that we are really not in control much at all. Who would have suspected that with all our knowledge and skills we would find the whole world in lockdown and now contemplating a whole new way of living life? To lose control so easily and completely has reminded us that there are many things we still have to learn. As a result of the virus many people are suffering significant pain. Many have lost loved ones, indeed tens of thousands have died, many businesses are struggling to survive, many people are in luxurious isolation but many thousands more are isolated in extreme poverty and once more the divide between rich and poor has been highlighted. In our reading today Peter writes about suffering, describing it as “fiery ordeals”. He also writes that we should not be surprised when these things happen. These ordeals serve to remind us that we live in a fallen world: This is the world Jesus came to restore and the end of that restoration is at hand. {1 Pet 4:7}. To this encouragement Peter adds in the later part of our reading that despite the struggles that surround us we do need to have confidence that God will bring us through to a successful conclusion. In times of suffering we are reminded to trust that God is still in control and though we need to be watchful and diligent, {v8}, we place our confidence in God to see us through to the end. We are further reminded that though we live in a fallen world, restoration is at hand through Jesus and he is at work planning to establish and strengthen us in this restored world. As always, through every ordeal of suffering God has devised a way through to victory.

Prayer. Praise and thanks belongs to you Lord God, heavenly Father, for you have won through in all our struggles and by the merits of Jesus Christ our future is secure. We thank you for the assurance that comes through knowing Jesus and trusting in him. By his grace we pray for those who in this present situation are suffering from loss. May people everywhere turn to you and find that needed comfort and support. We pray that you will hasten the day when once again we will be able to meet with family and friends. Above all we look for the coming of that day when every hurt will be healed and every tear will be dried through the restoration that Jesus has achieved. Amen

Read John 17:1-11. This passage is often called the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus. In its setting John is bringing the ministry story of Jesus to its climax, a climax that will find its pinnacle in the death and resurrection of Jesus. The prayer in our reading falls into two parts. In the first part Jesus thanks God that the work is coming to its conclusion and the glory of the cross is fast approaching. The purpose of the cross is to give life, eternal life to the elect who know and believe in Jesus Christ. Jesus then prays for the ones who believe and follow him and have come to know the truth about his unity with God. Jesus does not pray for the world but directs his prayer to the believers that they may stay true to the calling he has placed on them. The believers have to live out their ministries in the world and that will call for them to face many trials; even as Jesus himself faced opposition, so will the believers. This prayer for faith-filled lives presents present day believers with a challenge, even as it did to the original apostles and disciples. Jesus came to restore God’s sovereignty in a world and society that was actively opposed to that rule: So the prayer now reminds all believers that there is a need to live in harmony with Jesus’ work and principles. Believers are to be at one with Jesus, working in this world to bring God’s desire that kindness, justice and mercy is realised for all people. This is a great challenge and a great calling but it is also a great comfort that this prayer still rings out through the whole creation and still holds the promise that none will be lost.

Prayer. Lord you have placed us in your world to live out the life that Jesus by his ministry has won for us. You have given us the faith to anchor our trust in you alone and we look to you for guidance in all things. So gracious Lord may we live always to honour your name and give to you the glory that is yours by right. You are the great creator and sustainer of all that is and to you we dedicate afresh our lives in your service, always giving thanks to you for Jesus Christ our Saviour in whose name we pray. Amen

Lectionary Reading Easter 7

Lectionary Reading Easter 7 24 May

Collect for Sunday after Ascension: Almighty and Everlasting Father, you raised our Lord Jesus Christ to your right hand on high. As we rejoice in his exaltation, fill us with your Spirit, that we may go out into all the world and faithfully proclaim his gospel. He lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen

Read. Acts 1:6-14 “When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight”. { Acts 1:9 } There are several records of Jesus’ departure from the disciples after his resurrection, the season we call the Ascension. In the verse used above the translation follows the Greek closely by saying Jesus was “lifted up”, reminding us that God is at work here, Jesus is not flying up like Superman. Something much more measured is happening here. At Jesus’ birth, John reminds us that the Word became flesh, Jesus became a human being, and as such we can say that God came and lived among us, and shared our earthly life as one of us. Here in Acts we read that Jesus has been lifted back into God’s presence: Though in God’s presence Jesus is still the Word made flesh. Now, therefore in the ascension, man (Jesus), now shares life with God. As the veil in the temple was torn in two, opening the way into God, so now the risen man steps into the Holy of Holies and exists in God’s space.

Jesus, now King of the Kingdom and head of his body the Church, directs his disciples to be about kingdom business. The major part of Jesus ministry was to inaugurate the kingdom of God; in Luke’s opening to the book of Acts he notes that the resurrected Jesus continued to spend his time teaching about the kingdom. When the Spirit is poured out on the disciples they too are to be witnesses to the kingdom’s challenge. Thinking of this event my mind starts to go in two directions! We can rejoice that the man Jesus now has taken his place in that place of authority and so is able to advocate on our behalf. Hebrews reminds us “ Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need”. Hebrews 4:14-16 In other words someone who knows just what it is like to live with the pressures and temptations that we face each day speaks to God on our behalf. We can have great confidence then that through Jesus, God understands and we need have no hesitation in bringing our needs to God. “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us”. Romans 5:1 This peace operates in real time, in other words right now; why; Because Jesus right now stands before God praying on our behalf. No matter how you feel about it, right now Jesus advocates on your behalf.

The other direction in which my mind is moving is that as Jesus’ work on behalf of God’s kingdom continues, so our efforts should be always to uphold the principles that under-pin the kingdom. In God’s kingdom God is reigning and as such our lives should be lived out under God’s reign, doing those things of which God would approve. In case we wonder what that will look like we need look no further than Luke 4: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favour has come.” {Luke 4:18-19} Jesus died to establish once again God’s rule over all creation. For those who belong to Jesus Christ, that rule is already established. Thus we therefore live recognising the rule of God, despite all the brokenness and mayhem we experience. Yes we live in a fallen world but as Christians we also live in a world already under God’s control. While God’s rule maybe hidden yet we who follow Jesus Christ know that we are only alive when we live our lives for him. So Paul can say with confidence “Through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. [Galatians 2:19-20]. Living in God’s Kingdom we obey God’s direction and look forward to the day when Jesus will return as Lord and king.

Prayer: Holy Lord, we thank you that you have glorified your Son and received him to sit at your right hand where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. We thank you that in Jesus we can look forward to a glorious future when all your people will gather together to praise your name and honour all that you have done. We thank you for the hope we have which keeps us looking ahead to that time when in Jesus all things will be under his control. Help us to play our part in the ministry which will bring justice and truth across all the earth. Help us to live out our lives always guided by your commands and in every way bringing glory and honour to your name. This we pray through Jesus our Saviour. Amen

Read. Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 Who among us does not long for justice and fairness in life, not only for ourselves but for those around us. In this psalm that is what the psalmist is looking for, the wicked are punished and the righteous are rewarded with joy filled lives. If only life were that simple. Thankfully the psalmist does not stop with that vain hope but goes on to do two things. Firstly to praise God and recognise that God is the ruler of all things: “He gives the desolate a home and leads the captives out and into prosperity”. Secondly the psalmist looks back to the giving of the Law at Sinai for through the Law a land of opportunity and promise came into being. For the Israelites the Law was not simply a set of commands which had to be obeyed, it was an opportunity to live out a life which would bring not only each person but the whole nation into a bountiful relationship with God. Rain in abundance and the flocks sheltered in safety would be an ancient picture of tranquillity and plenty. The concluding verses of the psalm remind us of how this dream of hope is underpinned: The God in whom the psalmist trusts is Lord over all the earth; here is the God who has cosmic influence and the picture the psalmist paints is of a one whose authority surpasses every kingdom. Finally the psalmist holds firmly to the belief that it is this God who empowers the whole nation and keeps alive the hope that justice and mercy, kindness and freedom will prevail.

Prayer. O Lord, you are high and lifted up and yet so very close to all your people. Though you rule in might, still you are attentive to the voice of all who call upon your name. Teach us all to live in the goodness of your grace, walking always in obedience with you. By your word teach us to live our lives desiring only to honour you, looking always to use the opportunities that life brings to demonstrate your loving kindness. Our Lord Jesus came to restore that which was lost and to establish again your covenant of love, may we as true disciples look always to you for the direction our lives should take: We ask this filled with the assurance that empowered by the Holy Spirit we will hear again and again that voice which says, “This is the way, walk in it”. To you be all honour and glory, Father, Son and holy Spirit, now and always. Amen

Ascension Day Reflection.

Collect for Ascension Day: Eternal Father, whose Son Jesus Christ, when he returned to glory, did not leave us comfortless but sent the Holy Spirit to remain with us forever; grant that the same Spirit may bring us at last to that heavenly home where Christ has gone before to prepare a place, and where with you and the Holy Spirit he is worshipped and glorified now and forever. Amen (Methodist Service Book)

Read Ephesians 1:15-23. The picture of Jesus disappearing into the clouds probably has more to do with the great Art Masters than the biblical witness. That Jesus is now in the very presence of God is beyond question and the sign which clinches that is the veil in the temple was torn in two, opening the way into the Holy of Holies. As the torn veil opens the way to God, so now the risen man Jesus steps into the Holy of Holies and exists now in God’s space. However, the idea that Jesus is now somewhere gazing benignly down on our world is dispelled by the Ephesian reading set down for Ascension Day:”God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.” {Ephesians 1:20-21} Clearly this verse reminds us that God’s power at work in Jesus’ earthly ministry is at work still as he is seated now in the position of power, “at his right hand”. In Acts 1:1ff, Luke reminds us that in the days before his ascension Jesus continued to teach about the Kingdom of God and so it is reasonable to assume that this is the on-going work to which Jesus is now directing his power, to establish God’s kingdom. The goal is that this kingdom will finally be established on earth as it is in heaven, a goal we pray for every time we say the Lord’s Prayer. What this new kingdom will look like is described through the good news of the Gospel, as well as in the Old Testament. Perhaps it most succinct description is found in Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God”?

As followers and believers in Jesus, we think about him now at the right hand of God, still working to subdue the principalities and power which work against both God and creation itself. As part of that ongoing work we should be looking to respond to Micah’s prophetic word to uphold justice, love kindness and walk humbly in obedience to God. There has never been a better time!

Prayer: Gracious Father, we thank you that Jesus lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, and continues his ministry of power until all things in both heaven and earth are subject to you. Grant that we too may play our small part, working in his name. We pray that you will hasten that day when the work will be complete and Jesus will come and lead your people in victory over death and decay. Our hearts rejoice to know that you have set a day for that glorious return and wait with tranquil hearts until that time. Amen

Easter 6 Part 2

Lectionary Reading Easter 6 Part 2

Collect. Almighty Father, whose Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, is the light of the world: set us on fire with your Spirit of power that, in everything we think and say and do, we may proclaim the wonder of Christ’s resurrection. He lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen

Read.1 Peter 3:13-22 The letter from Peter has an overall theme of suffering and as such is a letter that might touch the situation in which we find ourselves today. Not that we can compare suffering as a Christian in the ancient world to our suffering today, yet our limitations do ask us to review our experience of life. In our passage for today Peter makes reference to Noah. Now we all know the story of Noah: he built an ark at the command of God and loaded up pairs of every living creature; then after they and Noah’s family were all aboard, God closed the door to the ark and the rain cascaded down and water covered the whole earth. In the deluge every living thing was destroyed. (You can read the full story in Genesis chapters 6-9) Though the story is well known we have probably missed one of the most important parts of the story which we find in Genesis 9:1 God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. Here in that verse we read that God reinstates with Noah the covenant promise that he made to Adam in Genesis 1:28 “ God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” Now there is a whole lot we could say about that but to cut straight to the chase it really means that in the story of Noah we see the Creator God beginning the life of creation again: Cleansed of all its pollution and with a “righteous family” as its caretaker. A whole new beginning! It reminds me of that great verse from Paul, So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 2 Corinthians 5:17 17

Peter in our reading links Baptism with the story of Noah and the new beginning that ensued when the polluted creation was restored after the flood. Baptism entails believing in Jesus, accepting Jesus and all that he has done for us in his death and resurrection. Baptism is the sign for us that Jesus has done all that was needed to be done. The reading reminds us that Jesus suffered on our behalf and established for us a new beginning; a whole new start where the past is washed away and we are reinstated directly with God. Peter acknowledges that there will still be suffering and maybe trials we have to go through, yet we should never forget the hope that is in us, that through Jesus we have been given a completely new start, and securely enfolded into God and his great love for us. This is a great message for us to take onboard as we think about the world that we are experiencing at the moment. Many families have lost loved ones, many, like most of us are separated from family members, and even some among our fellow travellers are refusing to admit there is a serious problem and are rebelling against the restrictions. Others are using the opportunity to justify racial hatred. Our reading is reminding us as followers of Jesus to understand our new beginning and as participants in a new creation we need to act accordingly, trusting in all that Jesus has done on our behalf.

Prayer.

Lord we thank you that through Jesus Christ you have given to us a new beginning, the old has gone and all things have become new. Help us to leave behind the things that hold us back and help us to go forward filled with the knowledge that your love is all we need. Help us to lift our heads and face life with a new confidence day by day, knowing always that you are with us and your power and love enables us to be your disciples. Into your loving care we commit all those we love and all those for whom we pray; may all know the bounty of your grace that they together with us may face the future with hope. This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour. Amen

Read. John 14:15-21

In ancient religions the requirement was keeping the god or gods happy and placated. In the Old and New Testament s the consistent message was that God loved his people and the basic response was they in turn would live in harmony with God. So when we read the words of Jesus in our passage for today the same message is coming through. As 1 John says, “In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins”. 1 John 4:10 Understanding what Jesus has done leads naturally to love and love leads to obedience. So often we get that order wrong, we try to fix up what is wrong with the way we live out the Christian life. We can become so focussed on correcting what is wrong we find it hard to move on. This makes it virtually impossible to follow Christ as a true disciple. Let’s be clear, all fall short, as Paul says “For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:22- So we can spend a lot of time and effort trying to correct what Jesus has already dealt with, for as the Scriptures remind us, “In Jesus Christ we are forgiven” ( 1John 2:12) Through the forgiveness of being put right with God the appropriate response is not by being careless the appropriate response is love. As love of Jesus Christ becomes the core of our life we begin to walk in obedience. By walking in obedience, even though that walk may be less than perfect we walk with Jesus and in doing so, receive that added power which comes through the Holy Spirit. The Christian life really begins when we fully realise that God loves us, that in Jesus Christ we are put right with God, and in that transaction we receive the Holy Spirit. It is the presence of the Holy Spirit that makes our Christian life effective in honouring Jesus. Just as the Father and the Son are so in harmony they are one together, the Holy Spirit and the believer are at one with each other. This is both an amazing and a glorious privilege. It is by being in harmony with the Spirit that we can become effective living stones and take our place in the spiritual house that is the community of Jesus Christ. There is great mystery here but there is also great excitement as we take our place in the dynamic fellowship of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer. Holy Father, what a privilege is ours to be in harmony with your Son through the Holy Spirit, what a joy to serve in his name among our fellow sisters and brothers. We thank you for the guidance and leadership of the Holy Spirit working in harmony with you and with us to accomplish your ministry and mission. We thank you that nothing can prevent the completed victory of our Saviour Christ as he brings about your kingdom here on earth. Lord, hasten the day when peace and harmony will be experienced in every part of your creation. This we pray in the name of Jesus our Saviour. Amen

Lectionary Reading Easter 6

Lectionary Reading Easter 6 17 May

Collect. God our Father, you have redeemed us in your Son and given to your church the Holy Spirit, the Counsellor, to dwell with us for ever. Strengthen us by your Spirit of truth, that we may show our love for Christ by keeping his commandments, and by always being ready to give an account of the hope that is in us. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (Uniting in Worship)

Read. Acts 17:22-31 Paul noticed that the Athenians had a shrine to “an unknown god”, a shrine that had been erected in case there was a deity who had been neglected and so might be offended to the detriment of Athens. We may smile at that attitude yet there are many who today do not know the “unknown” God to whom Paul chose to refer, namely the God who is Father to our Lord Jesus Christ. The Athenians listened closely to what Paul had to say until he reached his essential point, that Jesus had been raised from the dead to live again. At that point in the disclosure many of them laughed at his message. To them it seemed unbelievable. Perhaps we have become so used to the story that we have failed to see just how radical this statement really is: indeed it was so radical that it changed the whole course of history and even today still causes great offence in many parts of the world. Behind the message that Jesus lives is a secondary message which Paul wished to deliver and that is that through the risen Jesus, God intends everyone to repent. In this case, to repent, means to change one’s mind about God and understand that this God is knowable but more importantly this God is the very God who gives life to each one of us and as such is always very close to us. Paul wanted to deliver a message of hope and many of the Athenians laughed and turned away. Despite that the essential message that Paul wanted to convey is still true, Jesus lives and God in his mercy wants people everywhere to come and find fulfilment of life in him.

Prayer. Holy Lord we thank you that the message of Jesus is still the same today and that the life of fulfilment still is there for us to enjoy. Help us to walk in obedience with Jesus that our lives may be lived according to your plan and purpose: May we be strengthened by the faith in his living presence among us. For the life you have given may we always give you thanks, spending each day wisely following your counsel. This we ask through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and always. Amen

Read. Psalm 66:8-20 The first half of this psalm recounts the history of Israel’s relationship with her God. It was a saga of promise, disobedience and restoration. This pattern was played out several times until the prophets finally concluded that the final redemption of the nation would be through one righteous figure, “the Servant of the Lord”. While noting the chequered history of the nation, the psalmist never gives up hope that God will see them through to the victorious ending. Halfway through the psalm the theme changes: The national overview is replaced with a much more personal first person account, I will come into your house, I will offer you burnt offerings. The psalmist is acknowledging not only the failure of the nation but also his own personal failings, yet still through all the failure comes the voice of confidence that God the mighty Lord will bring about not only national victory but also personal victory. At the end of the psalm the voice is strong and confident, “Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me. Psalm 66:20. God is faithful on both a national and a personal level and will always be there to guide to the every end.

Prayer. Ever faithful God, we thank you that you are always there for us and support us in every situation. Help us always to be open with you through all our experiences of life and ever remember that no matter where we go you are with us. Only you can be our true leader and guide and in you alone do we find the strength and gifting we need to fulfil your work here on earth. Help us Lord to admit our need of your Holy Spirit; gift us with sensitivity that we may be able to discern that holy presence; free us Lord to be ready to receive the empowerment we need. So, relying on your powerful presence we may live our lives in full confidence and obedience to you. Amen

Easter 5 Part 2

Lectionary Reading Easter 5 part 2 10 May

Collect. Almighty and everlasting God; you are always more ready to hear than we are to pray, and give more than either we desire or deserve. Pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid and giving us those things which are not worthy to ask, save through the merits and meditations of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen (The Methodist Service Book)

Read 1 Peter 2:2-10 Peter is asking that each believer should develop a genuine appetite for teaching that is not adulterated in any way, Just because it is “milk” does not mean it has no cutting edge, no it is teaching that will allow the hearer to grow on into maturity: This maturity is needed if we are to truly become living stones. The “stone” here being described is a stone that was fit for a purpose such as a mill stone or a grinding stone. In this case it is describing a building block that had been hewed and shaped in order to fit into its rightful place. This kind of shaping is not always easy for sometimes some rough edges will need to be ground away. The stone may have had a natural shape but that natural shape will have to be adjusted in order to be in its proper place. Some people are known for plain speaking but there is a fine line between plain speaking and rude insensitivity, maturity is about developing character so that the growing believer is fully under Christ’s control at all times. A living stone in the holy temple that Peter is describing would need to be mature in order to be carefully shaped. This shaping is not a request but a command; it is part of what every believer must become in order to take their place in the living temple. As the reading goes on to say, once we were nobodies but now because of Jesus Christ we are somebody’s. Having become “somebody’s” some changes have had to take place and if the command of the first verse is considered there are probably some more that still have to take place. For all that serious stuff this is a joyous end to this reading for who cannot experience a huge surge of excitement with Peter’s closing verse; Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.{ 1 Peter 2:10}

Prayer. We thank you Merciful Lord for calling us together into your living temple. We thank you again and again for the sacrifice that Jesus Christ has won for us; He has set us free to be shaped to serve you and we pray that we may continue to develop and grow in order to serve you even more effectively.

Read John 14:1-14 Who has not heard this reading read at funerals multiple times, “In my Father’s house are many dwelling places”; Mansions as the King James famously translates. The Greek word used here for ‘mansions or dwelling places is mone (mon-ay) which means a place to stay. It carries the meaning of a place to stay that is temporary, like a motel room on a journey. This meaning comes through more strikingly when we further read that Jesus goes on to say that after awhile he will come and take “you”, to a place that he has prepared. So it envisages a two stage journey. Jesus is preparing his disciples for his death and resurrection, and for his handing over responsibility of taking out the message of the gospel. As such it is quite an appropriate reading when saying goodbye to a loved one. “My Father’s house”, is a phrase which in the gospel is often referring to the temple, the place where God’s presence was most closely experienced. ( c/f Luke 2:49 & John 2:16) As such the promise to have a room there is to have a place which is close to God, a place of security and rest. Jesus then adds the promise to come and gather together those so resting and take them to a final place to be with him, “take you to myself” is the conclusion. This holds a reference to the promise of resurrection on the last day when all God’s people will be restored.(c/f John 11:24) Struggling to comprehend, the disciples through Thomas, look for assurance which leads Jesus to make the statement about being the way, the truth and the life. It is not a pathway but a relationship as Jesus says, “…who has seen me has seen the Father”. Through relationship the connection is made, a connection that will lead each believer into that comfort and care that Jesus has finally and conclusively prepared. One does not know what folk at a funeral hear in this reading but it does speak a word of comfort for those who love God. In a dispassionate way as we read this passage today it does in many ways offer a great sense of security for the future for it promises a continued closeness with Jesus Christ through all circumstances, even through death. Are you feeling alone, isolated, struggling with despair, Jesus words speak firmly to those needs also, “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? John 14:1-2

Through belief in Jesus, Jesus is always close to support and help.

Prayer. Holy God, once more you have brought us to the beginning of a new day, filled with love and promise through your son Jesus Christ our Lord. No matter what our circumstances, guide us through this day trusting in your strength alone. Help us to listen to your voice as you lead us on; Help us to keep our thoughts centred on all that Jesus has won for us through his death and resurrection; Help us to make the most of our opportunities to love and serve you by loving and serving others. Though we are restricted and often limited in our contacts, yet through prayer we are inseparably joined to you and to each other, so we pray for those we love but cannot join. We pray for those for whom this time is a serious and even dangerous time. Watch over all who have particular requirements, known only to you, strengthen those who are in need of support and Lord we pray that you would hasten the day when the restrictions that we face may be put aside and we are free to enjoy the wonders of your creation without hindrance. This we ask through Jesus, Lord and saviour. Amen

Almighty God, you have loved us with an everlasting love and have graciously given to us the gift of life. We thank you for our Mothers who have nurtured in us the life you gave. We pray for young mothers who are finding the times hard and the days long and exhausting. We pray for mothers who have grown old and feel they can no longer contribute to the wellbeing of the family. Grant we pray that they may feel the warmth of the love that their families have for them and to know that being is more powerful than doing. Help us all to live out our days in wonder and praise of your protective care of us. Into your hands we commit all those whom we love and pray that they may draw near to you in good times and when times are hard. May peace surround us all as we rest in your presence. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Lectionary Reading Easter 5

Lectionary Reading Easter 5 10 May

Collect. O God, form the minds of your faithful people into a single will. Make us love what you command and desire what you have promised, that, amid all the changes of the world, our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found,; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

A prayer for Mother’s Day: Gracious God you have created us to live in families and to enjoy the love and warmth of home. We thank you for the vibrant love and warmth our mothers brought to our homes. We thank you for their dedication to loving and nurturing us; sustaining us through our childhood and always loving and supporting us through our formative years. Today and everyday may we in turn love and honour our mothers and ever give you thanks for the joy they have given to us. We ask in the name of Jesus, Lord and Saviour. Amen

Read Acts 5:55-60 The stoning of Stephen is a hard story for us to truly grasp for we have nothing to parallel it within our culture. However we can understand that when people are enraged they can and do perpetrate brutal acts of violence. If we go back and read the whole of chapter 7 we see that Stephen has briefly canvassed the whole history of Israel’s tradition, beginning with the call of Abraham. The climax of Stephen’s accusation is that the Jesus they had killed was Messiah. The Messiah was God’s anointed Servant whom the whole nation of Israel expected would lead them to freedom, and allow God to take his rightful place as Ruler. The vision that Stephen describes would have been the final statement that caused them to lose control. His description of the heavens being opened would have reminded the leaders seeped in the ancient prophecies, of Isaiah’s plea that God would tear open the heavens and come down to actively save his people. This was more than the leaders could bear and so they silenced Stephen by putting him to death. Terrible though the story is, Luke’s emphasis is that Jesus is the one who is called by God to lead the nation into a new era of godly freedom. The other emphasis is how precarious it was to follow and witness to Jesus as the Saviour. Despite this present danger Stephen accepts a martyr’s death filled with confident hope.

Prayer. Gracious God, we thank you for men and women of the faith who despite suffering and trials have witnessed to the good news of the Gospel. Like them may we be true to our calling and live out our lives in faithful love and service. Grant that our hearts and minds are always fixed on you and your great love for all people. May your name be honoured in every place. For this we pray through Jesus Christ our lord. Amen

Read Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 It is good to remember that most of the psalms were used in public worship and so reminded the worshippers of the all encompassing grace of God. Some commentators have speculated that perhaps this recalls a time when David, before he was king was having trouble with Saul. Though we do not know just what distress David was facing there is no impediment to responding to this psalm for the constant, as in all the psalms is God’s love and faithfulness. Like many of the psalms this one begins with the psalmist in some kind of distress. Clearly the psalmists first thought is to put total trust in God for God alone can give the relief that is needed. The cry not to be put to shame is like a coded message that pleads, “Don’t let my enemy win”. The psalmist is wise enough not to rely on his worthiness to receive success, instead the supplicant places reliance on the faithfulness of God who alone delivers from adversity. In verse 5 we are reminded of Jesus placing himself into God’s hands as he dies, and again in the martyrdom we read in Acts (above), Stephen is offering the same prayer with the same hope; that God in his mercy will take care of him. No matter what the outcome, this cry recognises that the faithful God will keep in his care those who call out to him. That hope leads on to the last two verses of this section of psalm 31 and shows again the confidence that the psalmist has, God will be a constant companion until all of life’s days are spent. Just as trouble doesn’t last, neither does life, each comes to finality but the psalm ends with God’s “face shinning on his servant”. This was the great benediction from Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Despite all the trouble the psalmist is experiencing in the end it is this great hope in God which sustains and leads on into the future. As it was for David so it is with all who call out to the loving God

Prayer. In all the distress of life guide and direct our paths Lord God and in the times of joy and celebration help us not to forget your goodness and grace. In every moment of life you are our constant companion and for this we give you thanks. As scripture reminds us, “teach us to number our days that we may get a heart filled with wisdom” {Psm 90:12} Lord by your grace help us to make each day count as we worship and serve you; may we always lift high the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; may our words and deeds honour you and may the power of the Holy Spirit enable us to fulfil you perfect will in us. Nothing in us is hidden from your sight and so we pray cleanse us from all that is not pleasing to you, and so make our whole being a fit place for our Spirit to dwell: so may we serve you with joy until the time is complete and we see you face to face. This we ask through Jesus Christ, the Lord and saviour. Amen

Easter 4 (part 2)

Lectionary Reading Easter 4 B 3 May

Collect for today. Almighty God, who alone can bring order to the unruly wills and passions of the sinful, give us grace to love what you command and desire what you promise, that in all the changes and chances of this world, our hearts may surely there be fixed, where lasting joys are found: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (From the Methodist prayer book)

Read. 1Peter 2:19-25 G K Chesterton is reputed to have said, “The Christian ideal has not be tried and found to be wanting. It has found to be difficult and left untried”. As we reflect on this reading from Peter we can see that true Christian living is a very difficult task. To suffer for doing wrong is hard but to suffer when you are in the right or innocent and do it with patience is even more difficult. This is especially true when you add trying to lead a Christian life and so find you are under extra pressure. Sometimes we just let things go because we don’t want to cause offence and at other times our thoughts and actions are just plain unchristian…. And even as I write this I am thinking that is not true in every case: but that’s not the point. There should be no exceptions; the challenge is to live out the Christian life despite the consequences. As we read in Matthew, “be perfect as your father is perfect” but who can achieve that? Peter has that all in hand for the reading goes on to remind us that in Jesus Christ the perfection that we need has been achieved on our behalf for He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls. 1 Peter 2:25-26 Yes, everything has been done on our behalf, but that does not mean that we shouldn’t try, on the contrary we should try even harder: By doing so, we recognise by our life and action how grateful we are for the wonderful act of endurance and love that Jesus showed. So our goal should not be chastising ourselves for what we do wrong. We need always to keep the love and sacrifice of Jesus in the forefront of our minds as we go though each day and allow that powerful presence to be our guide.

Prayer. In thanks and praise we offer our prayer to you today Lord, thankful for all that you have achieved for us through the ministry of Jesus our Saviour. Grant us wisdom and strength as we choose to walk with you in true obedience to our plan and purpose for us. May every day be for us a chance to live in harmony with you. As we reflect on our lives we see much that is in need of your correction, may the powerful action of the cross touch each part of us, bringing both healing and renewal. May our lives be lived in constant praise of you as we glory in the love you have shown through Jesus, Lord and Saviour. Amen

Read. John 10:1-10 In each of the four gospels the concept of Jesus as shepherd is highlighted and as a shepherd taking on the total responsibility for the sheep is fundamental. In biblical tradition shepherd and king are linked together for the shepherd-king protects and cares for the whole sheep flock. In Zechariah 11 the “good shepherd” is paid off (betrayed) for thirty pieces of silver and the sheep are left to their fate. Here in John, the emphasis is that the sheep are to be cared for and protected in contrast to the evil shepherds who come to the sheep only to exploit them. Jesus as the true shepherd comes in through the gate which is opened for him by the gatekeeper. This shepherd does not come by devious means or ill intentions. In other words this shepherd, Jesus, is the one who is authorised to lead the sheep for the gate has been opened by another.

As the established true leader the metaphor in the reading is changed and Jesus has now become the gate which opens and the sheep are lead into a full and safe life. Jesus is not one who drives the sheep but calls them by name and they in turn follow on in obedience. There is something in the call that resinates with the sheep and following leads to security and peace. Though the reading sees the sheep in the sheepfold, which is a protective enclosure it is clear that the sheep do not stay only in the confines of the fold: No, they are free to come and go out into life, to find fulfilment in life. While always under the protection of the shepherd there is no sense that life is in any way limited, rather through the care of the Shepherd life in all its fullness becomes available. It is the experience of every Christian that following Jesus does not close one off from life but opens up the true excitement that life affords.

Prayer: In thanks and praise we offer our prayer to you today Lord God, thankful for all that you have achieved for us through the ministry of Jesus our Saviour. Grant us wisdom and strength as we choose to walk with him in true obedience to your plan and purpose for us. May every day be for us a chance to live in harmony with you and with each other. As we reflect on our lives we see much that is in need of your correction, may the powerful action of the cross touch each part of us, bringing both healing and renewal. May our lives be lived in constant praise of you, as we glory in the love you have shown through Jesus, Lord and Saviour, the Great Shepherd of the sheep. Amen