Week beginning 24th October

 Song: We have come into his house

We Have Come Into His House - Voices In Prayer - With lyrics - YouTube

Prayers:

Eternal God, we believe that your purpose is unalterable love, also that you are active, moving and making. We are thankful that your spirit can change people for the better, and that wherever your sovereignty is recognised, your creation is being renewed.

Yet, we are afraid of change. We rely on known paths and settled ways. Sometimes we would like to use your changelessness as a cushion in the midst of life’s turmoil. You comfort us when we feel like that; but you show us that you can do better for us. You can keep us awake to the present, and alive to the possibilities of the future.

Father, we often do not know how to apply the gospel to the choices that confront us. Keep us tending in the right direction. We want to be able to change when change is required, and yet not be reeds, bent by every wind. In your love, achieve it for us and in us.

Amen.

Song: How sweet the name

How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds (Tune: St Peter - 6vv) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube

Reading: Jeremiah chapter 30: verses 12-17

Reading: Luke 23: 1-25

Song: I want to walk with Jesus Christ

I want to walk with Jesus Christ • Clive Simmonds 1964 © - YouTube

As a boy, my father attended St Judes Church. We used to joke that this had shaped his life. St, Jude is the patron saint of lost causes, and my father espoused many such.

We read of Jeremiah espousing an apparently lost cause in God’s name.

Israel been suffering, and this was seen as punishment for wrong doing. People had deserted the Lord.

The people would have expected God to forsake them and abandon them to their fate. But instead, he promises to redeem them.

Much of the Old Testament would seem to indicate that this is another lost cause. The people are always rebelling. In chapter 7, the people are urged to stop pretending that an outward show of religion is all that is needed, something more practical is required. This has a echo in the New Testament book of James.

If today’s reading is anything to go by it did not havce the desired effect.

A friend at college was talking to me about the virtues of independent, fee-paying education. This was not my belief.

I took the opportunity to look in my concordance. After a few false starts I found;

“It does a fool no good to spend money on an education, because he has no common sense.” Proverbs 17: 16. This was the way it is phrased in the Good News Bible, which we sued at the time.

The New International Version says “Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it?”

Proverbs is a book book very difficult to preach on, or even read. There are many different, unrelated ideas, and a lack of consistent story. It is a collection of ideas, and wisdom.

The book can be used for many purposes, but the way described before is not what it was intended for. Although we had a good laugh!

But what does this passage mean? Why is it in Scripture?

In the ancient world, education would not be a right. It would be a privilege. Apart from the religious aspects, in synagogue, it was only for those with money. But even then, only some can gain from it.

More modern way of expressing the sentiments of Proverbs 17: 16 might be, “You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear!”

As far as it goes, this remains as true now as it was thousands of years ago.

How many of you are D I Y ers? In my experience there are those who enjoy DIY, those who tolerate it, and those who get someone in!

If you have ever painted a door, you will know how frustrating it can be when, just as you finish, you get a run in the paint. With the confidence of amateur, you say “I can fix that! It will only take a little touch with the brush!”

But the real solution is to wait until it is dry, sand it down, and start again. But we don’t.

“You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear!”

We say that drastic situation call for drastic measures. God adopted a drastic measure.

We approaching the time of year when we remember God’s solution. This is what Advent and Christmas are about. God tried other solutions first, but then sent his son to bring the people back to himself.

People did not want to hear the truth. Jesus had to suffer, as we read in the Gospel passage.

God will not forsake his people. His promises stand firm. Even though there are difficulties. The church is often portrayed negatively, as spent, finished. This is similar to time of Jeremiah.

“I will make you well again, I will heal your wounds, though your enemies say “Zion Is An Outcast, Noone Cares About Her.” I The Lord have spoken.

The Lord will heal our wounds, he will make us well again.

I am not a scientific gardener.

Pruning. Shrubs and bushes. But I do know that it is necessary to cut back shrubs and bushes. This is to allow new growth next year. It has been said that you should let your worst enemy prune your roses.!

Hard and ruthless pruning produces the best growth.

“I will make you well again, I will heal your wounds, though your enemies say “Zion Is An Outcast, Noone Cares About Her.”

We can’t “Can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear!” but God Can!

Song: In loving kindness Jesus came

He Lifted Me - YouTube

But I will restore you to health
and heal your wounds,’
declares the Lord,
‘because you are called an outcast,
Zion for whom no one cares.’

Week beginning October 17th

 Apologies for the late posting.  This is due to technical difficulties.  Hopefully, these have now been resolved.

Morning has broken

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5D3LEjGF8A

Genesis 1: 1 – 10. The first Book in the Holy Bible

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

6 And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” 7 So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.

9 And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good

Prayer

Living God enthroned in glory I cover my face with shame for

I have unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, I am full of sin. Have Mersey on me and forgive me pause for reflection

Put a clean spirit with in me make me worthy to come into your presence for There is none like you- O God. You are the only living God. I praise your holy name

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Living God How great are your works, I wonder at the beauty of your creation. The power and majesty of the seas. The soaring mountains and rolling hills. The lofty sky's the sun to warm us the night to bring us Rest. Help me to be still in your holy presence pause for thought and your own prayer

Who is like unto thee, There is none like you O God You are the only living God.

I praise your holy name

Living God through out the world people are gathering to worship you some in buildings some in the open air, some in secret some in houses, different denominations, different styles of worship, but through you holy spirit you unite us together pray for the world and the country you live in

Amen

Isaiah 6: 1 – 10

1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;   the whole earth is full of his glory.”

4 At the sound of their voices the door posts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”9 He said, “Go and tell this people:“‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding;  be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ 10 Make the heart of this people calloused;   make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes,  hear with their ears,  understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

Great God of wonders

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxJSzA0dLcM

O T Reading Proverbs 30: 1 – 4

1 The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh—an inspired utterance.

This man’s utterance to Ithiel: “I am weary, God,  but I can prevail.
2 Surely I am only a brute, not a man;  I do not have human understanding.
3 I have not learned wisdom   nor have I attained to the knowledge of the Holy One. 4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak?  Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son?   Surely you know!

How shall they hear who have not heard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQuJtfuPD7A

We are going to look a bit more closely at the reading from Proverbs.

1 The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh

We don’t know much about Agur except what we can glean from this one chapter.
The name Agur comes from a Hebrew word meaning “collector.” Agur and Jakeh are only mentioned here in the Bible and are otherwise unknown.
Agur’s proverbs offer insight regarding his thoughts on life. Agur was weary and worn out (verse 1), he did not consider himself wise (verses 2–4),

“I am weary, God,  but I can prevail.

Do we find ourselves weary but we carry on some times in our own strength which is exhausting, some times in God’s strength which enables us.

2 Surely I am only a brute, not a man;

It is hard to recognise that we as human beings are not as pleasant as we should blinded by our ignorance
    I do not have human understanding. It is hard to know one another's thoughts. I was driving this afternoon and the car just stopped at the lights my husband pushed it to the side of the road while I steered it. I do not know what the drivers around me thought. So no human never mind how clever they are can know or understand God’s thinking.

3 I have not learned wisdom,

Solomon when He knew he was to be king asked God for wisdom and not riches. There is a saying “wise after the act.” O for hindsight,

Another saying my Grandma would say “You shut the stable door after the horse bolted.”

I found this one hard to understand as a young child. but found our later in my early teens when at the riding school a horse had got out, he was soon found up the road eating the hedge, I was so glad he had not galloped away. I always checked all the stable doors after each rider had stabled their mount.
    nor have I attained to the knowledge of the Holy One.

How do we attain knowledge.? By reading God’s word. By books and the internet.

by asking a Christian. This is the challenge, being a Christian is not just to give God an hour or so on a week on Sunday or a couple of hours during the week. A Christian is all day every day. If any one says to you they are not good enough for Church / God one answer you can try is the one I have used in the past “I am not good enough either that is why I go to Church to gain knowledge of God and His amazing love. Why don’t you come along with me”

4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down?

Jesus after He died was buried in a tomb three days later He arose from the grave and appeared to his friends not as a ghost but real flesh and blood, He ate and drank with them then. He ascended into heaven to make a home for us so we can be with Him for ever in glory.

 Whose hands have gathered up the wind?

In Marks gospel chapter 4 :35- 41 Jesus shows He is God, for the winds obey him.

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!

Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak?

In Genesis it is written God spirit moving on the face of the waters and in verse 10 God gathered waters he called ‘seas’. 
   Who has established all the ends of the earth?

God shows the answer to the question In the beginning God created the earth and In the book of Revelation God states

I AM the Alpha (start ) and the Omega,”(end)  says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

(Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”)

What is his name, and what is the name of his son?  Surely you know!

We receive the answer to this final line of verse 4 of proverbs In Revelation.

Which is the last book of the Bible

chapter 1 from verse 9 John’s Vision of Jesus Christ

9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to  Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

17 When I saw him, I fell at his fee as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. (Hell)

Prayer

let us pray At your feet we fall , mighty risen Lord,
As we come before Your throne to worship You. Once your face was marred, scarred with our sin but now You're glorified, Thank you for forgiving us and showing us the father’s love . We give you thanks that by Your Spirit's power that are hearts are filled with your love, We thank you for showing us how to pray so we join with with our brothers and sisters around the world and with the company in heaven as we say to together the prayer you taught us. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

At your feet we fall

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyiYyKfFU_Q&t=12s

Benediction

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—  to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and for evermore!  Amen

Who is like unto thee,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3M1PPVgKyc

God Bless You This day and always.

Susannah

Week beginning 10th October

 

The calling of the Apostles

Song: The Lord Jehovah reigns

MHB 58 THE LORD JEHOVAH REIGNS (SONGS FOR REFLECTION) - YouTube

Prayer:

Father, it would hardly surprise us to learn that you had long ago given us up as hopeless. Certainly we often feel like despairing of ourselves, when we remember the temptations we have wilfully sought out, the known danger signals we have recklessly ignored , the harm we have done in countless ways to other people and to ourselves.

Yet you have not rejected us. Far from giving us up as hopeless, you have kept on coming to look for us. When we see Jesus eating with sinners, we know that there is hope for us. May his love be brought home to our hearts by your Spirit today.

Amen.

Reading: The book of Isaiah chapter 6

Song: Who is on the Lord’s side?

Who is on the Lords side - YouTube

Reading: The gospel of Mark chapter 3, verses 13 to 19

Song: Give me the faith which can remove

Give Me The Faith Which Can Remove StF 661 - YouTube

What is an Apostle?

What do we think of when we hear this word? What image does it bring to mind? A quick internet search for “Apostles” Images will, produce a number of ‘Saintly’ pictures, artists’ impressions of them. But did they really look like this saintly crowd?

Apostle means one sent out. A preacher, or missionary.(which comes from the Latin word missio, sent out)

Who were they?

Simon

to whom he gave the name Peter

He was the son of John, from Bethsaida, a fisherman. He confessed Jesus as the Messiah and Ddenied Jesus three times. Tradition has him as the first Pope. Preached on the day of Pentecost. Believed to be a source of Mark for his gospel.

Andrew

Simon's brother. Also son of John. Fisherman. Tradition has him well travelled and crucified on a saltire, X shaped cross.

James, son of Zebedee

One of the “sons of Thunder” Apparently impetuous. He was called “James the great” to distinguish from the other James. Zebedee is presented as a man of some means, married to a woman called Salome. James was the first apostle to be martyred (Acts 12)

John (James' brother)

The other of the “sons of thunder.” Traditionally regarded as John the evangelist, author of John's gospel, the letters and the Revelation. The one whom Jesus loved. Traditionally outlived all the other apostles and was the only one not to be martyred.

Philip

From Bethsaida. Features most prominently in John's gospel

Bartholomew

Born in Cana. Identified with Nathanael in John's account. Friend of Philip.

Matthew

Identified with Levi, son of Alphaeus. The tax collector. Would have been literate in Greek and Aramaic. Traditionally the Author of Matthew's gospel. Traditionally well travelled, although different traditions differ as to where .

Thomas

The twin. Also known as Didymus.(twin) Famously known as a sceptic. “Doubting Thomas” but he ultimately was a believer. Traditionally travelled widely, as far as India. St Thomas Christians or Nasranis trace themselves back to his witness.

James, son of Alphaeus

Also known as “James the less” (younger/smaller?). Some consider that he is James the brother of Jesus, although the name makes this less likely. Levi is also referred to as Levi son of Alphaeus. Perhaps he is Levi/Matthew's brother, or perhaps there was another Alphaeus.

Thaddeus

Means “Heart” or “Courageous Heart”. Could be a Nickname. Identified with “Jude, son of James” (Luke) and “Jude, not Iscariot” (John) Could be Jude, the brother of Jesus, but not certain.

Simon, the Zealot

The Cananean. The freedom fighter. The zealots believed that God was the ruler of Israel, no taxes should be paid to Rome. Involved in revolts and rebellions. Some might have known him as Simon the Terrorist? It would have depended on your side.

Judas Iscariot

Best known for betrayal. Selling Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

What does Iscariot mean?

1. Man of Kerioth (region or town (at least 2 such))

2. A member of a band of assassins called the sicarii, carried dagger.

3. The liar or the false one.

4. Red colour

5. to deliver.

6. Chokiness or constriction. Applied posthumously to relate to his death. However, he is referred to as son of Simon Iscariot.

All these descriptions identify the people. They make them “real”.to the reader of the time. But descriptions such as names and nicknames are often only related to particular times. If we don't know who Alphaeus, of Zebedee were, than the fact that someone was their son tells us nothing.

If you are a fan of “Red Dwarf” (A British science fiction comedy), you may remember that a character describes a monster as having “More teeth than the entire Osmond family!” This is only helpful to people of a certain age. If we remember, Alan,Wayne, Merril, Jay, Donny and Jimmy, along with Marie, and older brothers George and Tom, we will instantly understand the reference. If we are too young to know who they are, then it is an unhelpful description

The descriptions of these people would have identified them to the readers.

They were a difficult crowd.

Could have been younger than Jesus. Some say that the description “Son of” indicates this, but Jesus is referred to as Son of Joseph. More likely just a way of identifying them. We have no real way of telling their age. None are recorded as being married. (Although Simon Peter is recorded as having a mother in law......) It would have been unusual for a man not to be married by the age Jesus was (30), and difficult to wander about the region if they were.

We have this image of them wandering about as a gang of 13 for the three years of Jesus' ministry. The recorded events would not take 3 years. Several of the recorded events only detail a smaller number, perhaps the rest were working some of the time, perhaps Jesus was? We can only guess.

They were a troublesome crowd.

James and John wanted to be seated on Jesus's right and left.

Judas reportedly stole from the common purse.

Jesus rebuked them for their failure to understand.

Simon Peter was armed with a sword when Jesus was arrested, and used it.

They were a “sent out crowd”.

Even when unwelcome, even when apparently useless, (like Isaiah) Even when no results are apparent. The seed will be in the ground.

They were just like us.

Difficult, argumentative, flawed. Jesus accepted what was available. Not as his students, not as his trainees, but as his preachers, his missionaries, his evangelists. He did not look exclusively for wealthy, educated, literate, trained people (although undoubtedly some of them were!) He took what there was, as they were. He did not expect them to change before they could join. (although he probably anticipated that they would change after they had joined.)

They were also just like those outside.

Just as the apostles are like us, so they are like them. Those outside. The people we claim to be concerned with, that we want to convert and bring inside the fold. We proudly sing “Just as I am” but we also need to remember that it is just as true to say “Just as they are”. Jesus accepts them just as they are, with all their faults, shortcomings and reservations, just as he accepted the apostles with all their faults, reservations and shortcomings, just as he accepts us with all our faults, reservations and shortcomings.

We must be looking for ways to make it easier for people to come in and not be putting barriers in their way. Too often the message of the church is “Change and then we will let you meet with Jesus”, but the message of the gospels is “Meet with Jesus and then you will change” We have to let people have that meeting.

Once those 12 men were accepted by Jesus, they changed, and then they changed the world. In spite of all their faults, shortcomings and reservations.

Once we were accepted by Jesus, we changed, and we can change the world, in spite of all our faults, reservations and shortcomings.

Once “They” out there are accepted by Jesus they can change and they can change the world, in spite of all their faults, reservations and shortcomings.

May we present them with their opportunity to start on that journey.

Song: Lord speak to me

Lord, Speak to Me - YouTube

Prayer

We pray that the newness that only you can bring may be found in our lives and in the life of the world.

May your new life transform our work. Help us to trust that our work has a place in your purpose.

May your new life transform our neighbourhoods. Help us to overcome the shyness and hesitation which hold us back from getting to know people.

May your new life transform our family relationships. Help us to always believe in the possibility of reconciliation and renewal in our family life.

May your new life transform the church. Give us the courage to be like the apostles and only carry with us what we need to do Christ’s work today.

May your new life transform relations between nations and peoples. Inspire us to establish justice, to forgive former enemies, and to break the circle of war and hate.

God our father, you are always at world creating new life. Help us really to believe this, to live constructively, and to play our part in the renewal of your creation.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Song: God’s spirit is in my heart.

God's Spirit is in My Heart (Go Tell Everyone - 4vv+refrain) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube

Week beginning 3rd October 2021

Reading: Psalm 65

Hymn:

All things praise Thee, Lord most high - YouTube

Prayers:

Heavenly Father, we praise you for our birth, the dawning consciousness of self poised for life; eager for experience, yet ready to dart at a shadow.

We praise you for our first steps in life, the awareness of strength in body and mind- exploring life’s possibilities; yet soon disenchanted and easily hurt.

We praise you for our new birth in Christ, the awakening of your hope beating in our heart, and you life flowing in our veins.

We thank you for the eagerness which knows no fear, and experience which does not pall.

Heavenly Father, you make us in your image; but we indulge ourselves and lose shape.

You command the light to shine, but we prefer to hide in the dark.

You have spoken and offered us life, but to our dismay we find that we have chosen death.

Father, be patient with us; Make us realise that our conceit will let us down, and give us the life which lasts.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Hymn:

For the Beauty of the Earth -with lyrics - YouTube

Reading: Deuteronomy chapter 26: verses 1 to 11

Reading: Matthew’s gospel, chapter 13: verses 24 - 33

Hymn:

Great is thy faithfulness - YouTube

In my lifetime harvest festivals have changed a great deal. When I was a boy, even though I lived in a town, people brought things that they had grown. Often in boxes or baskets decorated with plants and flowers from their gardens or hedgerows around the area. Some gifts were brought by the adults in advance and used to decorate the church, the children brought their gifts to the front during the service, where they were collected by the minister or Sunday School teacher and arranged on a table.

After the services, the produce was divided up. Some was taken round to deserving members of the congregation and local community; some was used to prepare a meal for the harvest supper during the following week; and the rest was auctioned for church funds.

As time went by, the produce gradually changed from what was grown to what could be bought at the local shops, but most of the rest of the arrangements stayed the same.

Later still, there came the thought that in the modern world, much more that was used and produced was factory-made and not agricultural. At the same time, the realisation that God was still in the midst of all of it. This realisation only took about 200 years! Hymns like “God of Concrete” were written about this time. Many harvest festivals were celebrated as “Token Harvests” about this time, so there was nothing to sell or distribute.

Nowadays, many harvest celebrations are used as opportunities to bring contributions to causes which need food or other useful items, and at the same time to celebrate God’s goodness to us in His creation. This is our current custom, whereby we support the work of the St Wilfrid’s Centre.

In doing this, we are really following in the tradition of Deuteronomy. In the passage which we read, people are urged to bring their produce to the temple so that it can be used for the relief of poverty and need.

But, I have often wondered what someone who doesn’t actually make or grow things can bring in to the temple? What do those people give to enable the work of the church to continue? to enable the relief of needs in the community?

Nowadays, the church have changed from the times of Deuteronomy. In those days the state played no, or very little part in health and social care and so the Temple was very occupied in this role. In the early Christian era, this continued and the church ran hospitals, schools and welfare operations.

Nowadays, in many countries, the state has taken on some or all of these responsibilities, and so the church needs less in the way of foods and such to provide services. However, there are still needs which, for whatever reason, the state does not meet, and the church can fill these gaps.

There are many opportunities for relief of need which do not involve the provision of food. The church needs people to enable it to meet needs.

We can all carefully consider what services are needed, and what we can do. Sometimes, we cannot see what the need is. Sometimes we can see what the problem is, but it seems too big for us to be able to do anything about it.

People are often shy or embarrassed to speak out, but our talent might be just what is needed.

There is a hymn “What service shall I render Thee?” It is written as a patriotic hymn, but it can be just as easily interpreted as referring to the spiritual kingdom to which we belong; the kingdom of God. What service can we offer?

There was a church which was encouraging its members to offer their talents in God’s service. One lady was a bit reticent, but eventually said that her talent was that she could make tea. Ever after that, she made the tea after the evening service for the congregation. It may not have seemed important, but she did it for God, and played her part in the mission of that congregation.

Perhaps you have had had an urging to go somewhere, or do something. It may have resulted in something happening that would otherwise not have been done.

Many years ago, I had the opportunity of a job in a town some distance from where I was living. To take it would have meant leaving a job I liked, in a nice place to live. After a while, I became convinced that God wanted me in that place, and that I should take the job. I moved there, convinced that God wanted me in that town. 13 years later I moved on. It was always my conviction that God wanted me in that place, but I never did find out what it was that he wanted me there for!

Our offering of service is our harvest. Our talents are what we need to bring to the church to enable the work of the church to succeed. Along with the tangible representations of God’s goodness which we see before us, we need to remember to offer our God-given talents to the opportunities which God will provide for us to serve him.

Hymn:

O Lord My God! (How Great Thou Art) - YouTube

Go forth into the world in peace;

be of good courage;

hold fast that which is good;

render to no-one evil for evil;

strengthen the faint-hearted;

support the weak;

help the afflicted;

honour all people;

love and serve the Lord,

rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.