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Reflections - Archive - 2005
These reflections are published most Sundays on the front page of our parish newsletter.
Current reflections may be found here.
The last week of school term in December is a very busy time as schools all over the country and the world(?) celebrate Christmas with a production of some kind. In one such play, a boy had been picked to play the part of the inn-keeper when he really wanted to be Joseph and he was upset about it. In the play, when asked by Joseph if they could stay the night, he had to shake his head sadly and say, 'I don't have any room for you'. Instead, in order to get his own back, he said with a big smile, 'Come in, come in, there's plenty of room!' We may laugh but it is amazing how often we find there is no room for Jesus in our busy lives. We fill them with all sorts of activity to do with family, work, leisure, shopping, friendships and, yes, even church and find that Jesus has been squeezed out. There is no room to think of him, to be quiet and consider his teaching, to listen to him, to allow him to transform us by his Spirit. I know that it is especially difficult at this time of year when there is so much to do and yet it is precisely now that we should be doing this. Our lives are meant to be lived in daily response to God’s grace of which Christmas is a prime example. I finish with the last line of a favourite hymn of mine: O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for thee.
Pete Spiers
PS Thank you all very much for your welcome to us as a family and we are looking forward very much to our first Christmas in Crosby. We wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!!
A friend sent this to me recently and it seemed right to share it with you.
When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that her child was missing. Suddenly the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano and whispered in the boy’s ear “Don’t quit, keep playing.” Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn’t recall what else the great master played. Only the classic “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”.
Perhaps that’s the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren’t always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life’s work can truly be beautiful. The next time you set out to accomplish great feats listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear. “Don’t quit, keep playing.” May you feel his arms around you and know that his hands are there, helping us turn our feeble attempts into true masterpieces. Remember, God doesn’t seem to call the equipped; rather, he equips the ‘called’. Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire. May God bless you and be with you always! And remember, “Don’t quit, keep playing.”
Barbara Chambers
As we approach Christmas it’s good to return again to scripture and
be reminded of the story that has changed the course of history and transformed the lives of millions. Jesus, the revelation
of God, the one who deserves the greatest welcome and recognition, but choosing instead to slip quietly into the world observed by
a few ordinary people born to a refugee family that fled into Egypt. Jesus demonstrated that lordship in the kingdom of God meant
a borrowed stable and a borrowed tomb, and between the two he had nowhere to lay his head.
Splendour, power, position and status, often seen as marks of success in the world's eyes, are of little worth in God’s eyes.
Mary’s song of praise to God reminds us that he chooses the nobodies. He
remembers those whom others have discarded and exalts them, he takes people from the bottom and raises them to a place of dignity and
honour and he blesses the poor. And Mary was a nobody, a vulnerable
unmarried teenager, but she had somehow grasped the biblical vision of God and his kingdom. Mary’s response to the Lord demonstrates
the best and deepest possible attitude to God’s Spirit at work in our lives; submission and trust. She is willing to hear
and respond to God and even though she could not have fully grasped the implications of God’s call upon her life, she never doubts
or questions. She is afraid but still willing; in the complete surrendering of her will to God’s purposes she is both an
inspiration and example to us all. God calls us to yield our lives to him and his purposes, can we answer him as Mary did “May
it be to me as you have said?”
Shirley Wallin
It’s that time of year again; the countdown to Christmas has started
and as Christians we enter the period known as Advent when we think about his appearing. No, not Father Christmas, as the children
might think when opening the doors on their calendars but the King of the
universe, Jesus Son of God.
In four weeks time we celebrate his first coming and we look forward to a happy time, but his second coming will be the one that will make an everlasting difference to us all. The Bible tells us to live in anticipation of that day dawning. We need to be ready by having him in our hearts and lives. If we know and love him we will be prepared and ready to meet him as our King. As you prepare for Christmas ask yourself this question, am I ready to meet him when he comes again? It is the most important question ever asked and one to which we can know the answer for certain by welcoming him into our lives here and now.
Alan Lewney
This week my computer has broken down, got a virus in it, won't let me go
on line. This set me reflecting on what would we do without all the things that we have now come to rely on. Those things that work
with electricity — for instance television, videos, dvd and cd players, computers, cookers, fridge/freezers, even central heating
is reliant on the pilot light being started with electricity. If our piped gas and electricity were taken from us what would we do.
Some would revert to those days of allotments, reading, coal fires and candlelight. Others of us would be completely lost not knowing
what to do. Hopefully those who knew what to do would help those of us who wouldn't have a clue.
The gospel reading from Matthew 25:31-end, set for today about the sheep and the goats, reminds us that we should always be looking out
for one another. God expects it.
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" [Matthew 25:40]
But for those who don't look out for each other he also says "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'" [Matthew 25:45] As we approach Advent may God help you to reflect on the coming of the new born King and all that he did for us.
Barbara Chambers
PRAYER
There was a silence in heaven…and another angel came and stood
at the altar holding a golden pan...with the prayers of God’s people. The angel put this offering before the throne, the smoke
of the incense together with the prayers of God’s people went up before God from the angel’s hand.
[Revelation 8:1-4]
It is amazing to think that this is where our prayers go after leaving our lips, why was there a silence in heaven, was it because someone was praying? According to scripture our words of prayer don’t stop until they reach the heart of God.
In the story of Lazarus, Mary and Martha sent someone to tell Jesus “Lord, the one you love is sick.” The request was made by someone on behalf of Lazarus, and the timing of the answer began at that moment although the healing wouldn’t unfold for several days. The request was made not on the imperfect love of the one in need but on the perfect love of Jesus. The messenger said “Lord the one you love is sick”, not “the one who loves you is sick”. The power of prayer doesn’t depend on the person praying but on the unchanging love of the one who hears. All we have to do is bring it to the Lord and leave the results with him.
The most intimate communion with God comes only with prayer. Anyone who
has faced tragedy or trial, heartbreak or grief, failure or fear, loneliness or discrimination will testify that when they poured out
their hearts to God they found a peace and comfort never known before. Once we are convinced to the core of our being that God is willing
and able, the changes in our lives will be unbelievable. He invites us to
approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Shirley Wallin
Jesus has the power to heal. This is good news in a World full of people like ourselves with many different needs. I love the story of the healing of Peter's mother-in-law as it makes me feel so much at home. There is something very human and practical about the relationship between a man and his mother-in-law. I can just imagine Peter saying 'I'll have a word with him to see if he can help.' Of course Jesus did help and before long she was serving supper and waiting on everybody like so many of the mothers we have known and loved.
Jesus has the power to heal and it is a sign of God's kingdom. He healed Peter's mother-in-law in the privacy of her own home, but Jesus knew that there was a World full of need around him. Very quickly he moved on to bring the good news to many more people. We in our church experience the power of the presence of Jesus today and we want to take the good news to so many more people around us. Let us daily look and pray for opportunities to share the presence of Jesus and thus bring healing and wholeness to many more needy people like us.
Alan Lewney
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into
the kingdom of the Son he loves.
[Colossians 1:13]
Halloween focuses on the dark and frightening, and glamorizes the power of evil, yet the Bible reveals Jesus Christ as the truly powerful one from whom demons flee. The truth is that Jesus has defeated Satan and is triumphant over all evil forces. The devil is no harmless fairytale but the victorious power of Christ is available now to all and Satan's final defeat is certain. So we celebrate Jesus the light of the world, who left the glory of heaven and came to live among us. He is the ultimate self-revelation of God. In him we see the truth about God and the love of the creator is revealed. In him, the deepest needs of the human heart are met. In him we find answers to our questions. In him, we find purpose and meaning for our lives. In him we discover who we really are, children of the living God, created for relationship with him, there is a plan and purpose for our lives and we are destined for glory. Do we understand what being "in Christ" really means? Ephesians 1 says "…when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church", then goes on in chapter 2 to say something incredible "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus…". That is our position, we have a glorious inheritance and incomparably great power over the darkness. I think I would much rather celebrate this than the rather pathetic figure of Satan, from heaven's perspective, who is desperate and doomed and knows that his time is short.
Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them. But woe to
the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you. He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.
[Revelation 12:12]
Shirley Wallin
I don't know for sure, but I think that there have probably been more songs written about love than just about anything else in the world. "Love makes the world go round," "Love and Marriage", "When I fall in love" and as much as ever, "What the World needs now is love".
In our reading today Jesus is asked ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He answered, ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” ’ (Matthew 22:36-39)
God gave Moses Ten Commandments, and the Pharisees had taken those ten and
created 613 laws from them! Jesus knew that all we really needed was two commandments and if we could keep these two, we would not
have any trouble keeping the
commandments, "Do not steal," or "Do not commit murder," or any of the others.
Jesus didn't tell us to love ourselves; he knew that we would do that without being told. But he knew that the only way we could love others as we love ourselves was when our greatest love was for God. When we love God more that we love ourselves, then we will be able to love others as much as we love ourselves.
Today we are fortunate to have with us our CMS Mission partners, Geoff and Gill Kimber. We will have an opportunity to find out more about how they put their love for God and their neighbour into practice living and working in Romania.
Barbara Chambers
What is going on in the world? Natural disasters affecting the USA, central America and India/Pakistan, the upheaval in Iraq, the global terrorist threats. It can feel so depressing as we watch the news and see so much human suffering. Once again, we are asked to respond to these needs with compassion.
How are we to think about such things? Even in the midst of such circumstances there are always stories of hope. The aid workers with their dogs and specialist listening equipment dropping everything and flying out to do what they can. Every person rescued from the rubble of a destroyed building is greeted with great jubilation because every life matters.
St Paul says 'the whole of creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth' (Romans 8:22). St John says we look forward to a time when there will be 'no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away' (Revelation 21:4).
When we respond to the needs around us we are actually participating in the love and compassion of God. 'God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son...' (John 3:16).
Giving in Grace has taught us that our understanding of the mercy, grace, love, compassion and power of God will always determine our response to Him.
Pete Spiers
"God loves a cheerful giver" is a well known phrase from scripture. The Greek word used is the word from which we get our word hilarious. I have this mental picture of people laughing their heads off as they stump up their cash, perhaps thinking if I don't laugh I'll cry.
Why should giving be such a joy? Because when we give to God it is just like sowing seed in the ground. A wonderful miracle takes place and from each seed many more are produced and people are fed. Nobody resents giving up a few seeds because it is so good to reap the harvest later.
Giving is such a thrilling thing to do. As we give back to God, he blesses us again and again if we are in tune with his will. Listening to his voice and responding to the needs he puts on our hearts will enable us to see the harvest and rejoice. The World may not see the harvest because it expects self profit, but we who love the Lord know that his Kingdom will last forever and that what we give can never be lost. As we work together we have a wonderful opportunity to invest together in his kingdom and see it grow. There's a mission statement in there somewhere!
Alan Lewney
We thank God that Hurricane Rita did not cause the devastation that had been predicted. Most people preferred to move away rather than ride it out. They took with them what they could but had to leave the rest behind to the mercy of Rita. They will now be able to move back and continue with their lives. For some this means picking up the pieces, for others it will mean starting all over again. One thing is certain, life might never be the same again. Life might take on a new perspective for them.
Jesus told Nicodemus that 'the wind blows wherever it pleases' (John 3:8). He was saying that the wind and the Holy Spirit work in the same way. They are both very powerful and they are both surprising ('you hear its sound but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going'). Jesus also said, in John 16:13, the Spirit of truth will lead us into all truth because he will not speak on his own but only what he hears (from the Father and the Son).
Some people try to control the wind by keeping it out. Other people are harnessing the wind for positive purposes eg wind farms. We can either keep out the truth of the Holy Spirit or allow him to take Jesus' words to our hearts and change our lives.
Giving in Grace is challenging us to allow the Holy Spirit to affect our whole life including our money and possessions. If we do this, life will never be the same again, life will take on a new perspective. We will begin to see things as God sees them. We can't keep him out of some areas and let him into others as we choose and where we feel comfortable. Jesus is either Lord of all or Lord not at all.
Pete Spiers
Harvest
We have a wonderful faithful God who richly provides us with everything
we need, who looked at his creation and saw that it was good. He not only provides all that our physical bodies need but has blessed
us with every spiritual blessing. He gave everything to us and for us, sparing not even the life of his precious son Jesus to reconcile
us to him because his love for us is
immeasurable.
We have a mighty, powerful and holy God - All creation looks to you and you provide for all you have made. It's so easy in this day and age to pop along to the supermarket and purchase anything we choose from any country in or out of season and to think that we are self-sufficient, secure and in control of our own lives, to forget as David said that "everything comes from you and we have given you only what comes from your hand". So what is our idea of ownership; if we believe that everything we have truly belongs to God we have nothing to fear in offering some back to him. At some point in our lives, maybe now through 'Giving in Grace' God will challenge us to give beyond our present comfort level. At that moment our faith will cause us to say 'yes' or our fear will dismiss it as impractical, but our response will determine our future, for when God talks to us about a specific seed, he has a specific harvest in mind. Unless we break through our fear we will live with less than God intends us to enjoy. It is scary to surrender our control of money to him; the widow in Luke's gospel gave her last penny, she had nothing left to rely on but God's promise to meet her needs. God doesn't want our generosity to be limited by fear; if we trust him financially we will experience the joy of participating in his purposes on earth but if we trust in our own earning ability we live with anxiety and stress. Don't let's miss out "God will meet all our needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19), this is a scriptural strategy that works!!
Shirley Wallin
2 Corinthians 8:15-24
It often surprises people when they're told that Jesus spoke more in the Bible about money than faith or prayer. Jesus is very clear that "You cannot worship God and Mammon (money)". Money can make a wonderful servant but a terrible master.
The commandments set the priority, God first, neighbour second, ourselves last. If we want to honour God then we need to base our giving on how much we receive not on how much we have left over! Is our giving proportional to our income or to what is left over at the end of the week or month? Perhaps a member of our family who earns is not a Christian then we are not accountable for what we have no control over. When we give we are participating in grace and handling the things of God, does the way we do this give glory to God.
For those of us who worship weekly is our giving realistic to sustain the ministry of the church we belong to? Is it our first priority as part of our honouring God and obeying the first commandment? Is it the first call on our income, benefit or pension? Giving forms part of our worship not our patronage. We give to God at the address we worship at.
For those who worship with us less often Paul is clear that one of the tests of our faith is measured by financial commitment. Are you aware of the financial needs and situation of the church?
God gives us all that we have; whether we earn a salary, receive a pension or a benefit. We are accountable to Him for how we use it for worship, for sharing and for our own use.
Barbara Chambers
In a perfect world we would all be equal and none of us would argue or become upset because things are unfair. God graciously gives us the freedom to use the resources he has given us as we choose and he allows us to make our own decisions. However, this does not mean that we avoid responsibility, and the Bible tells us that we are not to use our resources selfishly, but prayerfully and thoughtfully, always trying to use them for the good of others especially those in need.
The story of the giving of manna to the children of Israel is a good illustration of how true equality works. The manna fell from heaven as a gift but not everybody could gather enough. Some gathered far too much and on the Sabbath none fell at all. God miraculously was able to make things completely fair. If you did not have enough it lasted longer. If you had too much the extra rotted away and when you knew there would be nothing you had to rely on God and not store up for tomorrow. God has promised to supply all our needs and yet we are still reluctant to look to the needs of others even though we have more than enough. Their needs may be spiritual, emotional, physical or all three. God has entrusted us with the resources, how will we use them?
Alan Lewney
Investing in the Future
It is prudent to put money aside, if we can, for our own retirement, to invest in the future. We might even put money aside for our children and grandchildren and their future. What we do in the present always affects what happens in the future. Politicians talk a lot about investment. They mean spending the money they receive from the tax payer in a way that will help society in the future. We may not agree with how they spend the money but the principle is clear. God is a God of love and justice and he calls his people to be the means whereby his love and justice are practised and expounded to others. The Make Poverty History campaign, which we support, does exactly that. We do not live in isolation to the rest of the world.
Whether we are Christians or not, we know that without justice there can
be no peace - even on our doorsteps. What happens elsewhere in the world affects us as well as our neighbours in far off lands. If
we wish to work for peace and follow Jesus we must invest in Christian work around the world. If we want a better world we need significant
Christian investment. We pray for God's kingdom to come on earth, (Matthew 6:10) and God in his wisdom has decided that to achieve
this he will ask you and me to invest in the process of bringing in his kingdom. The return on our investment is a better world and
this strange
incorruptible treasure in heaven. This is a privilege and a responsibility.
As we join with churches across the Diocese in the Giving in Grace initiative today , let us remember the need to invest in St Luke's so that those living in Crosby and beyond have the opportunity to become Christians and everyone has a better place to live in.
Pete Spiers
As Christians the most important thing to us is to be used by God but most of us suffer from low self esteem and feelings of inadequacy. But the good news is that while the world talks about 'survival of the fittest', God says that he perfects his strength in our weakness and he chooses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, the weak things to shame the strong and the things that are not to nullify the things that are.
We are in good company, Moses suffered low self esteem - "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?", Gideon also when he replied "I am the least in my family". When God called Moses and told him to be strong and of good courage, and not to be afraid or dismayed, he knew that Moses would experience feelings of weakness, fear and discouragement.
We need to be people of faithfulness in the small things of every day life, our integrity, trustworthiness, working hard at everything as working for the Lord for who knows what God is preparing us for.
Joshua had lived 40 years in bondage to Egypt, 40 more years in the wilderness, after 80 years of faithful service he was called to leadership. However Joshua was a mere shadow of Jesus, he is the reality. Jesus had 30 years of preparation for 3 years of ministry. He grew up in a disciplined home, he worked labouring as a carpenter, he attended church every week, he lived at home where his outlook on life was misunderstood in his own family circle. Yet one day he stepped out of obscurity, was baptized and entered his ministry. "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased" and God's seal of approval was on Jesus' 30 years of obscurity at home.
Jesus is head of his church, he fills us with his Spirit, he restores the years the locusts have eaten. No past failures, nothing in our past can prevent us from being used by God and he promises us that he has already gone ahead of us to prepare the way, we just need to trust him.
Shirley Wallin
In the letter of James to the early church we find lots of practical advice about the way we should live our lives. He urges his readers to seek wisdom from above and says that if we lack wisdom we should ask God to give us His wisdom. We often speak without thinking or listen to people who speak from wrong motives because we do not understand God's ways.
When you have a problem what do you do? The first thing we should do is to try to submit to God's will. It is very easy to go ahead just thinking of what is best for us but God's way for us may involve sacrifice and commitment. James 4:7 says "submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you". Living in God's will leads to true freedom. Wisdom and understanding go hand in hand. As we seek God's wisdom we become personally acquainted with his righteousness and our wisdom grows.
At the 6:30 service we will be studying the epistle of James throughout August. Fewer churches now have a Sunday Evening service. We are committed to ours and regularly have thirty to forty people attending. The services are not long and everybody is made welcome so why not come and join us occasionally and enjoy a pleasant summer's evening in church.
Alan Lewney
It takes fire to purify gold and when God refines us he uses fiery trials. Nothing gives strength to your character and depth to your faith like hard times. Whenever you see someone whose life reflects the character of Jesus you are probably looking at someone who has been through the fire.
The two most important things to remember are firstly that Jesus relates to us on every level of suffering. He understands inferiority, he came from a disreputable little backwater town where people had no use for him "He came to his own, they did not want him', he understands rejection "Nazareth, can anything good come from there?". He understands family problems "When his family heard about this they said 'He is out of his mind'", he understands disappointment and betrayal-remember Judas sold him and sealed the deal with a kiss, he understands false accusation, right up to his time of death they were still trying to find something false so that they could kill him. He led a life of adversity.
The second most important thing is that he is in the fire with us, we are never alone. What about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace. The fire was all over them, there robes were ablaze yet amazingly their skin was untouched. Did they see a figure move across the ashes, did knowing he was there bring them comfort, his presence protecting them in their crisis, the flames didn't go out, the heat wasn't reduced, but the brightness of the flames must have been eclipsed with the brightness of his presence. When they came out of the furnace he was gone, but he was there when they needed him! Isaiah 40 says: "…when you walk through the fire you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze, for I am the Lord your God, you are precious and honoured in my sight, and I love you, do not be afraid for I am with you."
Shirley Wallin
There is much in the media following recent events about different faiths and religions, much about standing together with Muslims who are for peace to condemn the London bombings and rightly so. But we must never compromise our beliefs for the sake of unity. Our faith should engage with our culture but not just be incorporated into our culture.
Living in a multi-faith society makes it all the more important to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, this might be offensive to some because Christianity is the only faith that makes the unashamed, true and politically incorrect proclamation that the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ.
The way of true Christian discipleship is not for those seeking an inconspicuous
existence, we need God's help in order to display his values and character in our lives. In this multi-faith society many people are
glad to talk about spiritual things but not on the basis that one belief is uniquely true, often speaking as if religions are a matter
of personal preference rather than
absolute truth.
I know that Jesus is king yet I live in a society that denies his kingship and with so many people around us living as though Jesus isn't King its hard to go against the flow. We must remain loyal to our king and make sure that he alone is ruling our lives, it is a future reality that one day Jesus is coming back to claim his throne. Just read Colossians 1:15-20, it says it all!!
Shirley Wallin
John 8:12-20
Who has ever walked up the church path or down onto the street when the lights have gone out. I think when things like that happen we really begin to appreciate the light that we so often take for granted. When our eyes receive light, the whole body benefits. Jesus described himself as the 'light of the world' (John 8:12). He illuminates the world he loves so that we can see it as it is. We also see light in the beauty that God has made, things growing in creation, plants, animals and people. We can see creation reflecting its Maker and when we see such beauty we respond in awe and wonder and praise God. Sometimes light reveals things we would prefer to remain hidden: hatred, loneliness, injustice, prejudice and power struggles. People of the light recognize that these things are wrong.
For some of us this might mean changing our lifestyles so we live more simply and use less of the earth's resources. For others it might mean working for reform, joining pressure groups, changing working practices or spending more time nurturing relationships. When the light reveals wrongs, there are often very practical, though costly solutions.
We must be sensitive to where the light of Christ is shining to reveal what needs changing and respond to the opportunities that we have to join God in his mission, in action as well as prayer. Each of us has the potential to shine brightly, to be full of light when we fix our eyes on all that is good and right - on Jesus and the kingdom of God. This requires us to be self-aware and to be willing to let the light of Christ shine into every nook and cranny of our inner lives so that the darkness within might be flooded with light.
Today let us celebrate Jesus, the Light of the World and those who reflect his light to others. Spending time with God's word, so its light may remove the darkness in our lives, and shape our thoughts and attitudes, so that we can be transformed into the image of Jesus.
Barbara Chambers
Jesus often left people to draw their own conclusions and truths from his words but in the parable of the sower he appears to have spelt out the meaning in words of one syllable.
But, what does this mean for us today. What is the state of the soil we have to offer? How do we sprinkle the seed, the word of God, so that people can really hear it and make it relevant to their lives?
There are some churches like rocky ground. They work hard sowing the word, and there's an enthusiastic response but it seems to stop there. There's no depth to their teaching.
Then there are churches who sprinkle a little seed on the path, and somehow fail to realize they've missed the soil altogether, and others where the seed falls among thorns, which grow with it and choke it. And what about the churches, which provide soil with good solid nourishment? They reach out in mission, so that other people in the community have some chance to hear the word and they encourage a maturing faith. These churches adapt to what suits them, so that other people might be enabled to hear. They give and they take. They listen and they respond to the needs of the community without surrendering the solid base of their worship, because they're aware of its firm foundation for any growth. Not removed from it. Not sheltering in some ivory palace. Not crying over the way things once were.
These churches know where the boundaries lie, but they don't pass judgement, because they're aware judgement belongs to God alone. They make it clear Christian standards are very high indeed, and rather different from the world's standards and they're not afraid to acknowledge the place God has in their lives.
The parable of the sower is a story. We have a story too of our church. It's a story, which has a beginning and middle but it's up to us to decide with God's help how that story should continue. It's up to us to determine the next chapter.
So, which church do you want to be part of?
Barbara Chambers
Bruce Marchiano, an actor, was chosen to play Jesus in the film "The Gospel according to St Matthew." He has described his experience of learning to "be Jesus" for the film, he learnt loads about Jesus and also about being Christ-like. Over the course of his seven weeks preparation and the time spent filming, Bruce changed drastically in the way he saw Jesus, other people and how he reacted to them.
Very early on realized that to be Christ-like enough to be able to play the part he would need a change of heart. This change was nothing he could do; only God could do it. But he had to co-operate with God. As an actor he had to learn his words. So over several weeks he set about memorizing every word Jesus spoke in Matthew's gospel. He read them and recited them whilst he was running, to his dog or wherever he was. Gradually he found himself reacting to other people differently. Often an angry response, for example, would be changed as words of Jesus would come to mind in different situations. As he learnt Jesus' words he started to think a bit like Jesus. As he learnt Jesus' words he found himself being changed.
Being Christ-like is what we were all aiming to be as Christians. We can learn from one actor's preparation and also the effect of actually living through the life that Jesus led, as much as it is possible to do 2000 years later.
The challenge for us today is "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly". (Colossians 3:16) Are you up for the challenge?
Pete Spiers
For almost all of us sticking with what we know well and are comfortable with is easiest. Yet as the phrase goes, a rut if it continues to be dug, soon becomes a grave. Our church routines can become comfort zones. In many ways the Church in this land has been caught in a rut and has not been outward looking. People are welcome to 'come' but we are reluctant to 'go'.
Reading the book of Acts. There are some remarkable events accompanying the preaching of the gospel. People became Christians, there were healings, miracles and the driving out of demons. What happens to Philip in Acts 8 is extraordinary — God calls him to "Go" (8:26). So Philip finds himself out of his comfort zone of church routine in the middle of nowhere on a desert road. He finds himself running up alongside an Ethiopian's chariot and sharing his faith. Let's pray that God would take us out from our comfort zones in order to reach the lost. The call of God remains the same in this generation as to all those generations that have gone before. Why don't you ask God where and to whom He is asking you to "Go"…
Pete Spiers
Praise Him within these hallowed walls
Praise Him beneath the dome of heaven:
By cymbals' sounds and trumpets calls
Let praises fit for God be given:
With strings and brass and wind rejoice -
then join his praise with full accord
all living things with breath and voice:
let every creature praise the Lord.
Next Sunday, 26 June, at our 11 o'clock service, we will be welcoming members of the Prom Praise Orchestra and their conductor extraordinaire, Noel Tredinnick. They will be leading our all-age worship in what promises to be a lively, enjoyable time of praise. Some of our own musicians will be joining with the orchestra. The service will be a continuation of the Prom Praise concert in the Philharmonic Hall on Saturday evening (for which tickets are still available) which takes place in a "Last Night of the Proms" atmosphere.
Let us fill the church, bring our friends, be inspired, and "Come and Celebrate".
Let us worship the King all glorious above,
And gratefully sing his power and his love.
After the service there will be a BBQ lunch, in the Hall, to which everybody is invited, attended by our visitors, with an opportunity for the children to play in the vicarage garden.
Eric Linford
Matthew 9:35-10:8
"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the Kingdom and healing every disease and sickness". The basic content of Jesus' ministry is doctrinal teaching, evangelism and healing, these also form the core of well balanced church ministry today. Our God-given motivation for ministry is compassion, just as Jesus "had compassion and healed the sick" (Matthew 14:14). First Jesus did this work wherever he went, then he chose twelve others to train. When the time was right Jesus sent out those he had been training to minister in the same way, "giving them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out and to cure every disease and sickness".
Later he commissioned a second wave of trainees; he appointed seventy two
and sent them out two by two. Every Christian is called to learn and minister like this. Our tools are Jesus' own authority and power.
We note from our reading that God's chosen channels for ministry are ordinary people like us from varying backgrounds and abilities.
Jesus himself guides, equips and empowers. It seems clear that it was Jesus' intention that the ministry of healing the sick should
be a natural part of every Christian's life. "And these signs will accompany those who believe…they will place their hands
on the sick people and they will get well" (Mark 16:17-18). We are fortunate to live in an age when God is restoring this type
of every member
ministry, not just to church ministers but to every Christian believer who is willing to learn about it. It is becoming an integral part
of the life and ministry of many ordinary Christians.
Shirley Wallin
A few weeks ago we launched the "Making Poverty History" project here at church. This week we are fortunate enough to have John Ives speaking at our morning services. John is a long term supporter of Tearfund and has been involved in campaigning work around the Jubilee debt and Trade and Justice campaigns. He will share with us up to date info and insights into the work of Tearfund and its partners.
The G8 summit brings together the leaders of the world's most powerful countries, the USA, Canada, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia. This year they meet 6-8 July in Gleneagles with Tony Blair hosting. We hope that they will discuss complete debt cancellation, more and better aid and trade justice for the world's poorest people.
As I write this I am reminded of the words of the hymn: When I needed a neighbour were you there, were you there, when I needed a neighbour were you there, and the creed and colour and name won't matter were you there.
Jesus himself told us that we must love our neighbours as ourselves. As Christians we try to live by his commandments. We need to be there for each other whatever the cost.
Please continue to pray for the G8 summit and the world leaders, for the right decisions to be made, also that God will give each of us wisdom and discernment to do the right thing in helping to Make Poverty History.
Barbara Chambers
Power in the Spirit
In some peoples eyes the book in the Bible called "The Acts of the Apostles" should really be called "The Acts of the Holy Spirit", because right from the second chapter the power and influence of God's Holy Spirit is evident in the lives of the Apostles.
Here we see the boldness of Peter as he speaks out in front of the Jewish leaders. Tragically these leaders weren't interested in the fact that God's power had been evident and that a man who had been a "cripple" for forty years had been healed. Their only concern was that what had happened was 'unorthodox' - outside their official channels. Despite this they were amazed at Peter and John's boldness and greatly struck by the fact that they had no special qualifications; they weren't theologically or academically trained.
This should be an encouragement to each of us in that we don't all need to be specialists to be active witnesses for Jesus. All we need is to know what we believe and be committed to that belief. Here we see the commitment of the believers as they pray for the ability to preach boldly, and for God to demonstrate his power with more miracles.
What about us? Surely we should be a church (a body of Christians) who preach boldly about Jesus, and expect to see God act in power. We need to be the sort of all-age community that the Holy Spirit builds in every generation to witness to what God has done in Christ in each of our lives.
Stan Woods
Today is Trinity Sunday and we reflect upon the wonderful work of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Three persons yet one God. As Christians we experience the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
God is holy. He created the world by the word of his mouth and breathed the life of his Spirit into creation. He is awesome and powerful and has to be respected. We should approach him with reverence and fear. Yet this same Lord has revealed his amazing love for us by sending his most precious son. By giving his life for us Jesus has brought us the free gift of forgiveness and salvation. His sacrifice opens up the way into God's presence. By trusting in Jesus we need no longer be fearful in God's presence because we can be freely forgiven and know the peace of God.
The Father and the Son send us the Holy Spirit and we can know true fellowship with God and each other. It is a wonderful thing to know the peace of God which the Bible says is beyond our comprehension. Do you know this peace? It can only be found through the Lord Jesus, God's Son.
Alan Lewney
Pentecost
When Jesus ascended into heaven he didn't send the disciples out into the world but back to Jerusalem to wait. He had promised to send them his Spirit to help them remember all that he had taught them. His Spirit would begin to transform their characters so that they would become more like Jesus. His Spirit would fill them so that Jesus' work of healing, for example, would continue through them.
What did the disciples do while they waited? They prayed. Today we remember the day when the Spirit came in power upon those first Christians and the huge impact it made. Their prayers were answered. They had given themselves to prayer and had met every day. God chooses to work through us and he will not act unless we pray. We will never know how many of our prayers are answered. At the same time, we will never know what would have happened if we had not prayed. Prayer is never to be evaluated in terms of answers but whether it brings us closer to the heart of God.
Jesus still sends his Spirit to those who want to receive him today. All you have to do is pray.
Pete Spiers
Today and over the next few months we will hear a lot about the Make Poverty History campaign. The dictionary interpretation of poverty is the state of being poor, the want, scarcity or lack of the necessities of life.
We can see the injustice around the world that needs to be tackled. The rules of world trade that work against the poorest nations who remain in debt. The painfully slow moves towards peace in many countries. It's easy to feel totally inadequate in the face of such a challenge.
But there are also positive signs of the times to take into account. For example for the first time in history, governments are agreeing together to reduce poverty. Other signs will be talked of in our services today.
A democracy offers us countless openings to raise our voice, put pen to paper, to act in the name of justice for others. This year we have a unique opportunity to influence world leaders, to make a response and try to influence our government at the G8 summit in Edinburgh in July.
As Christians, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2: 5-9). We have a responsibility to God's people to get involved, we hold a royal position, children of the King of Kings, able to enter his presence without fear. He even promises the Holy Spirit will give us the right words when we want to speak to him for others!
When Jesus speaks of separation of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25 : 31-40 this ends with "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Now is the time to get involved.
Barbara Chambers
On Thursday, we will have the opportunity to decide who we would like to govern our country for the next 5 years. It is an important decision. We need to acknowledge how privileged we are to be able to vote freely and how our electoral system is free from corruption (postal voting notwithstanding!). We need also to actually vote. The turnout in 2001 was low and it seems that people have become increasingly disillusioned with politics to deliver a better society. As Christians we are to use our influence to try and stop society "going off". Jesus used the analogy of salt which was a preservative and also gives flavour! That's what we're meant to do! Then we need to ask God how he would like us to cast our vote. Which candidate or which party will best represent Christian values and uphold them? We haven't heard a lot about family life in this election which is a pity because it plays such an important part in the good health of society. Finally we need to remember that the General Election takes place on Ascension Day when we recognize that Jesus is not only Lord and Saviour but also King of the world. His kingdom come, his will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Pete Spiers
This week we welcome Peter Spiers and his family to St Luke's. We have had surprisingly few vicars considering the church has existed for over 150 years. This is perhaps reassuring as it means that there is something enduring and permanent about the church's ministry here in Crosby, and many of us look back with affection at the significant moments we have shared with our vicars and clergy over the years.
Today we are looking forward and this means that we are in a way beginning a new journey as a church. Many of the key changes for God's people in the Bible begin with a journey. Abraham believed God and by faith left his home and went to the place God showed him. We believe that this is true of Peter and his family and we welcome them all with open arms and open hearts. We are on this journey together and, whilst we continue to draw comfort from the past, we must all be open to God leading each one of us and should be listening to God's voice as we look forward to the future.
Alan Lewney
King of Kings & Lord of Lords
At this moment in history the whole world is mourning the death of Pope John Paul II. Four million people have queued for hours to file past his body lying in state, he earned the love and respect from world leaders of many faiths and cultures. Happening so soon after Easter, it is hard not to compare his death with that of someone else 2000 Easters ago. Pope John Paul died naturally at the age of 84 after a long and fulfilled life and was bade farewell by millions of mourners world-wide who were either present or who witnessed a wonderful funeral.
By comparison Jesus, the King of the Universe, despised and rejected by men, was convicted on trumped up charges and brutally executed in his prime, his body hastily bundled into somebody else's tomb while his supporters hid in terror. Isn't it ironic that Pope John Paul had so much more recognition than his Lord whom he loved so much. Isn't is heartbreaking to realize that God-in-the-flesh went unrecognized by almost everyone. He deserved so much more honour both in life and death.
But we know that's not the end of the story; had there been a public mourning period it would have ended abruptly on the third day!! In Revelation 5 John sees a lamb looking as if it had been slain, reminding us that Jesus in heaven still bears the marks of his suffering for us but he is standing in the centre of the throne exercising control over history. All heaven erupts in praise of him. "Who is worthy?" asks the angel. "Worthy is the lamb" comes the reply from every creature everywhere, in heaven, on earth, under the earth and on the sea, their worship engaging heart, mind, soul and body. Jesus the lamb has purchased people for God from every tribe and nation. What an encouragement and whatever appearances may be to the contrary the lamb has triumphed and we are safe in him.
Shirley Wallin
On the evening of that first Easter day Jesus walked the road to Emmaus with two of his followers. That journey led not only from Jerusalem to Emmaus, but from sadness to joy, from hopelessness to hope as they recognized the Risen Christ as he blessed and broke the bread at their evening meal.
As we reflect on this wonderful experience, and perhaps are longing to experience the reality of Christ's presence, let us remind ourselves that it was JESUS who came alongside them on the road, and that he was there all the time waiting for them to recognize him.
And we can reflect on three circumstances which enables Cleopas and his friend to recognize Jesus -
- They reached out in practical compassion to a lonely traveller facing darkness.
- They opened their hearts to him and allowed the stranger to share the intimacy of their home.
- Through it all, they kept their minds constantly focussed on Jesus.
So as we journey through life, Christ invites us to allow him to share our journey. May we practise those qualities of single-minded compassion, openness, and trust, which will lead us to recognize with joy the presence of the Risen Christ in our lives and in those we meet on our way.
Margaret Quayle
The first Christians staked everything on the resurrection. Saint Paul wrote, "If Christ has not been raised from death, then we have nothing to preach and nothing to believe." Jesus said, "Happy are those who have not seen and yet have believed." We all fall into the category of not having seen the living Lord and it is probable that only believers saw Jesus after his death. We need to have faith in order to believe and this is important because it brings great blessing.
I suspect that deep down we all want to believe that there is life after death. Without hope there seems to be little meaning to our existence. The apostles were left without any doubts and by faith we can be sure that we will live with him forever. Because of the resurrection Easter becomes a preview of the ultimate reality, new life in Jesus. In spite of our human frailty our lives can be underpinned by a deep undercurrent of joy because even though we have not seen we have believed. If we believe nothing may appear to change. We will still have our lives to lead just were we are. But because Jesus is alive everything has changed. Hallelujah!!
Alan Lewney
Easter Sunday New Life
There is a certain crematorium chapel where, at the end of the service, the great doors at the east end are thrown open, and the congregation may rise and walk out to a wide sunlit lawn, painted over - in springtime - with white and purple and yellow crocuses. What a dramatic representation of our deepest hopes!
"Joy out of mourning, flowers instead of ashes…." One of the mourners, a self-confessed agnostic, and the chaplain were standing amid the green grass and the blossoms. The chaplain, said, "It says something to us, doesn't it?" The mourner said, "But the question is, is what it says true?" The chaplain said, "If the crocuses cannot convince you, then I can't!"
As with crocuses the life of Jesus says a lot to us for He trusted that to believe as He did, and die for it meant there was something beyond death. And the Resurrection shows that this something is life itself and through faith in Jesus, death has no more dominion over us.
Bill Pierce
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and as we think about the meaning of what happened, we see the high expectations of the people. What did they expect of Jesus and why did they turn away so quickly from following after him? The answer must surely be their lack of understanding. They were looking for a King who would free them and give them back their pride so cruelly repressed by the Romans. Jesus, until now, had walked away whenever they threatened to promote him, but now that the end is in sight he can no longer restrain the crowd.
The Gospels devote around a third of their length to the final week of the life of Jesus. We have the full story and much of the meaning of his death is made clear to us yet we still struggle to accept his claims and his call to discipleship. Jesus is the King, his death made it possible for us to reign with him, but his Kingdom is not of this world and we, like him, must surrender to the cross in order to live with him. Have we surrendered to him or are we still part of the crowd looking on, still not fully understanding who he really is and not really prepared to submit to his Lordship?
Alan Lewney
As we continue to focus on the Easter story, will we ever really understand
the completed work of the cross and the resurrection of Jesus?
Each one of us however weak or strong our faith may be, God has sheltered in a crucified Lord. From before the foundation of the world,
one whole and complete church, composed of the chosen people of God, has been placed on redemption ground in Jesus Christ our Lord. God
has taken hold of every man and woman and lifted them, in Christ, into heavenly places. God has taken the weakest Christian, the one
most conscious of failing, together with the pillar of the church, the strongest Christian ever born, and has placed a whole, complete
church in Jesus on resurrection ground. Neither the weakest Christian nor the strongest struggles toward victory-he already stands in
it. Nor does either fight to achieve a blessing - he steps up by faith and accepts all that God has for him. In Jesus Christ, that is
our position. If we are believers in the Lord Jesus, however weak we are, however feeble our faith is, in the sight of God we are on
redemption ground in Jesus, that is our position. We have already identified with Jesus in his death, his resurrection and his ascension
and we already spiritually reign with him, we have been given authority over the world the flesh and the devil. His work is finished,
he has won for us the forgiveness of our sins, the power of the Holy Spirit, victory over death, a place with him in heaven, we are accepted,
adopted as his children, bought with a price, placed in the body of Christ, children of God, secure, free from condemnation and rejection,
significant, chosen, God's temple. Let's thank him for the completed work of the cross.
Shirley Wallin
Mothering Sunday
Mothering Sunday is a time when we reflect on our own lives in the light of the love and care we experienced when we were at our most vulnerable as a child. Looking after those in need of care and protection is an awesome responsibility and involves sacrifice. It may mean giving up time, financial independence, self fulfilment or personal development. Some fit naturally into a caring role whilst others struggle and feel guilty when frustrated by the restrictions that caring imposes.
Each child is a gift from God and in response to that gift we need to clothe ourselves in love and let the peace of God rule in our hearts (Colossians 3:12). Today we thank God for the love we have received and the lessons we have learned from those who have cared for us. True love always has a cost and our greatest example is Jesus who gave up everything for us without complaint. In a touching moment on the cross, Jesus showed his appreciation for his mother by placing her in the hands of John, who he knew would take care of her. Let us thank God today for his love and the love of all those who care for us. Lord help us to respond by clothing ourselves in that same love.
Alan Lewney
I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who
summons you by name. [Isaiah 45:3]
Over the next few weeks as our thoughts turn to the end of Jesus' life, it's always good to come to the Easter story with a fresh and open mind expecting to learn something new. That long, long night from the Last Supper through to the moment when Jesus is led out to be crucified when spiritual darkness is closing in Luke 22:53 "But this is your hour when darkness reigns". Jesus is betrayed, denied, misunderstood and let down by his closest friends. He is mocked, beaten, insulted and falsely accused by his enemies. He touches depths of mental and emotional agony that we will never experience. Yet in the darkness we glimpse treasure-friendship and love are there alongside separation and disappointment. Hope and unconditional acceptance go alongside failure-failure of the disciples to grasp the significance of what Jesus was telling them at the Last Supper, arguing instead about their own self importance-failure of Peter, his betrayal and denial and yet Jesus responds to him with compassion, hope and purpose for the future. Strength to go on is there beside deep anguish. Mercy is there alongside terrible injustice, Jesus clearly innocent given the death penalty while Barabbas guilty of murder goes free, this reveals the heart of the suffering and sacrifice which Jesus willingly went through. His death gave another life, the guilty goes free. Think about the merciful justice of God who offers you life through Jesus' death.
Like Peter we are faced also with our own inadequacy and inability to deal with life's ups and downs, like the disciples we are faced with our own lack of understanding, like Barabbas we are faced with our own guilt. How wonderful that Jesus is our friend and saviour who knows our failings, but still loves and accepts us, takes our guilt and sets us free. We cannot avoid life's darker moments but it is in these moments that God gives us priceless treasure that lasts for ever.
Shirley Wallin
John 3:1-17 The Three-in-One God
Nicodemus and Jesus have been talking about being born again, and Jesus
deliberately uses a word which can also be interpreted as being born from above. Jesus begins to explain his words. "The wind
blows where it will", Jesus says, "and so it is with the Spirit."
Like the wind, the Spirit is not under the control of human beings. The Spirit is a mystery beyond human knowledge and control.
There was no doctrine of the Trinity, the three-in-one God, when John's gospel was written, but this passage about Nicodemus brings together
God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
My human brain stalls when I try to understand everything about the Trinity. I can cope with three individuals, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I can even cope with three individuals somehow intimately connected into an incredible unity. And I can cope with three different aspects of one god - like ice, water and steam are three aspects of one element.
But none of the understandings tell the whole story. There don't seem to be any illustrations which fully explain the mystery, for each is fully God and fully one, yet fully God and fully three. And to complicate it further, Jesus is fully God and fully human.
Prayer:
Father God, help me to accept the paradox of your trinity in unity and enjoy the richness and colour you offer through yourself. And
help me to realize that I don't have to understand every last detail in order to receive from you. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Barbara Chambers
What is a Christian?
Going to church doesn't make you a Christian, nor does trying hard to be nice. It's a matter of the heart. According to Jesus, his followers are people who have a personal relationship with him. Knowing about Jesus simply isn't enough. As you read the Bible you come face to face with the claims Jesus made about himself. Most importantly, Jesus says he's the Son of God-with authority over each one of us-and we need to consider how we are going to respond.
The world is full of people who haven't found what they are looking for. There's something missing. A restless feeling inside. Jesus teaches that real satisfaction and purpose come when we put him at the centre of our lives. The separation between us and God that was caused by our sinful natures can be ended when we understand the mission of his Son who came to reconcile us through the ultimate penalty-his own innocent life given for us, the guilty.
Jesus makes this offer to all of us: "I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him."
There are times in our life that are difficult, when we feel overwhelmed and discouraged by the weight of our problems or responsibilities. The disciples clearly found the announcement by Jesus of His coming death too much to bear. A week later Jesus must have been feeling overwhelmed. The night of prayer on the mountain with his closest friends became a critical moment for them all. Jesus was transformed before their eyes, Moses and Elijah came and spoke with him and God himself confirmed his mission from the heavens.
When we feel overwhelmed, God has not forgotten us. If we continue prayerfully to seek God's will, his abiding presence will be confirmed to us. Maybe by the encouragement of a friend, a word from God speaking directly to our hearts or occasionally by a real sense of his presence through the Holy Spirit. God has not forgotten us, his presence is still with us and he encourages us to listen to his Son in whom he is well pleased. At the end Jesus was all alone once again but he was encouraged. We can't always be on the mountain tops but we can strive to listen to his voice and continue in him our Saviour and Lord. He will never leave us or forsake us.
Alan Lewney
How Should We Pray?
The question of how to pray has troubled Christians right down the ages ever since the time the disciples first said to Jesus "Lord, teach us to pray…" It is therefore imperative for us to look closely at the example Jesus set us both by his words and his example. Jesus has shown us, by his teaching, that our inner attitudes matter as much as our outward actions. He stressed continually the need for generous, practical love as well as daily dependence on God. The key to his teaching is our real need for quiet disciplined prayer that seeks God's honour before our comfort, his will before our desire, and which is as concerned for others as it is ourselves. He led as busy a life as many of us today, with crowds hounding him from morning to night, but always made time to pray before hard, vital decisions. He often made time in the early morning for deep, personal communion with his father. In answer to the disciples request he gave them what we now call 'The Lord's Prayer' which shows us the need for a balance of worship and intercession and for personal and wider concerns. Surely the most glorious fact about prayer is that we do not have to pretend with God. He knows all about us anyway. He simply wants us to share every part of our lives with him which includes our fears and failings, our moods and emotions, our thoughts and anxieties, in fact everything. As soon as we are open with God, he can work gently in our lives and will then be able to mould us more into the likeness of Christ.
Stan Woods
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a worldwide movement of Christians of many denominations, languages, and great diversity of race and culture, who are engaged in praying and working for unity and peace of all peoples. Every year the dates are the same, 18 to 25 January, regardless of the days of the week. Praying for unity does not involve prayer for any specific schemes for unity. It is about being faithful to the prayer of Jesus Christ, as seen in John 17, "that they may be one". Today we offer a very warm welcome as preacher at our 9 o'clock service to Mgr John Furnival, Parish Priest at SS Peter and Paul. Mgr Furnival will be leading two pilgrimages, on behalf of Churches Together in Crosby, one to Canterbury in October 2005 and the second to Iona in May 2006. Do have a word with him if you would like to take part.
This afternoon at 3.30 pm everybody is invited to a special service in SS Peter & Paul's Church to mark the week of prayer for christian unity when the speaker will be Clare Curtis-Thomas, our member of parliament.
The ninth Sunday before Easter is traditionally set aside by all the Christian Churches in this country as Education Sunday, and this will be our focus at the 11 o'clock service. It is the day when churches join together to offer to God the work of education, in schools of all kinds, in colleges and universities and in the church. It is the time to celebrate the achievements of education and to recognize the challenges, and support and pray for all who are involved in education.
Eric Linford
Isaiah 49:1-7 The Servant's Commission
The servant poems bring a completely new attitude to Israel, giving them
hope, identifying qualities to be admired even though those
qualities were universally regarded as signs of weakness by the surrounding tribes, and reassuring Israel of God's presence with them
and God's hand in their fortunes.
Jesus, the servant, had been designated by God for special office from before
his birth, and prepared for the teaching and preaching of God's word. Kings and rulers do worship God in Christ. Self simply didn't
matter to Jesus, for his self was utterly enveloped in God.
Fearlessness like that produces enormous strength and enormous power. Isaiah knew it two and a half millennia ago and Jesus proved it
two thousand years ago; servant qualities are qualities of strength, not weakness.
Let us ask God for a servant heart to enable us to follow Jesus and listen to his voice.
Barbara Chambers
In one of the many news reports of the recent tsunami tragedy a survivor was being interviewed at Heathrow after his safe arrival here. He had needed hospital treatment in Thailand, and in the course of the interview praised the efficiency and calmness of the Thai people involved in rescues, and dealing with the situation.
He said, "But these people are Buddhists, and their religion teaches them to be calm and peaceful, and that must have helped them to deal with the awful things that were happening. There was absolutely no panic, they just dealt with everything in such a calm way."
Today we remember Jesus offering himself for baptism by John — an act which announced his true identity as the Son of God. We too are called to show forth our true identity as believers in a God of love who supports and guides, and requires us to love and serve him by serving each other.
The tsunami survivor saw the power of the Buddhist faith in the behaviour of the Thai people, do people see the power of the Christian faith we claim to uphold in our daily lives?
Margaret Quayle