Week beginning 2nd October

 

Harvest service

If you wish to participate in the holy communion, prepare with a little cup of water, juice or wine and a small piece of bread.

Hymn: How great thou art.

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

Reading: Psalm 8: verses 3 to 9

3 When I consider your heavens,  the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars,  which you have set in place, 4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,  human beings that you care for them? 5 You have made them a little lower than the angels   and crowned them with glory and honour. 6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: 7 all flocks and herds,  and the animals of the wild, 8 the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. 9 Lord, our Lord,  how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Hymn: God in his love for us. Written by Rev Fred Pratt Green

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwBLsS6M4jQ

Prayer:
God you made this world and gave it a purpose in time and in space:
Small as a spark from the fire of creation you created a cradle of life and gave us a home.

Thanks you God for its bounty and beauty, thank you for life that sustains us.

We pray for those who are ill in body and mind:
You have provided plenty for all, help us to learn how to share it,

May all peoples turn from selfishness and pride.
Fill us with the love of your riches not worldly riches. Fill us with understanding of things that we have not dreamed of, may we seek your will, and to share your love with others ..
Long have our human wars ruined its harvest; Long has earth bowed to the terror of force

We pray for the people who are casualties of conflict.

We pray for leaders of countries that they may work together for good of all peoples.
Long have we wasted what others have need of, we pray for those in need of water food and clothing.
Water of life comes from our Lord but through our ignorance and sins we have poisoned the fountain of life at its source. Forgive us Jesus.

Earth is yours O Lord, it is ours to enjoy, we are your stewards, to farm and defend.
Help us to be wise, help us understand the damage of pollution,

help us all not to misuse, earths resources. And teach us to cease its destruction,
Good Lord, deliver us, world without end! Amen

Fred Pratt Green was born 2 September 1903 Roby, Lancashire, He was one of the best-known of the contemporary school of hymn writers in the British Isles. His name and writings appear in practically every new hymnal and "hymn supplement" wherever English is spoken and sung. And now they are appearing in American hymnals, poetry magazines, and anthologies. he has been district superintendent in Brighton and York, and in the 1960 s served in Norwich, Dad knew him well. There he continued to write hymns well into his retirement. He died 22 October 2000.

Hymn: For the fruits of His creation Pause after 1st verse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBXHDbesb7k

Reading:

Galatians chapter 5: verses 13 to 15 then 22 to 26

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Go to verse 22

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and

desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Prayer based on hymn Where there are …….. pause to contemplate.

For the fruits of His creation,…….give thanks to God;

for the gifts of every nation,………give thanks to God;

for the ploughing,….sowing,…Reaping give thanks to God

silent growth while we are sleeping,…. give thanks to God

future needs in earth's safe-keeping,…. give thanks to God.

In the just reward of labour,----we think of people being trafficked held as slaves. I pray for the ones working in sweat shops. ……….

pray for the work of fair trade. Through their witness, your will is done …….

pray for fellow Christians, that are witnessing through out the world……...

bind us together through the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen

The hymn goes on to say in the 2^nd verse in the help we give our neighbour.

Who is our neighbour?

Reading: Luke’s gospel, chapter 10: verses 25 to 37

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?”30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

For the fruits of His creation verse 2 pause after verse 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBXHDbesb7

In our world-wide task of caring. What do we mean by the word caring ?

In the dictionary it reads KIND – warm, soft, tender, feelings, concerned, attentive, thoughtful, loving, humane, sympathetic, gentle, benevolent, understanding, long suffering, patient.

It is easy to care for the people we love and like, but Jesus says we must love our neighbour, for the hungry and despairing. A few months ago during a heat wave a homeless man in my town was thirsty I took him into a near by shop and made sure the security guard did not tell him to get out of the shop before he bought a bottle of pop.

When I was a girl a retired vicar told me this story. Two years before he retired a young couple who were travellers wanted to get married after a few months it was arranged by the vicar, But the couple did not have a ring, the vicar took the ring of his little finger it was his late mothers and gave it to the young man. The ring fitted the young bride perfectly. He thought that he would never see it again, but hoped the couple would be happy. A year later the couple returned, the wife was pregnant. They thanked the vicar for his kindness and showed him a silver band on her finger, and handed him back his mothers ring. Then arranged for him to baptise the baby when it is born and asked him his name and his late mothers he replied David, Alice. The man smiled Then they asked for a Holy Bible,

six weeks later the couple were back at his door with a baby girl named Alice.

The Vicar who told me the story often thought of them them.

I wondered what would have happened if he had turned them away.

If some one comes to you in need What will you do?

Matthew 25:31-40

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, “I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

In the harvests we are sharing, God's will is done. A country farmer delivered box of fruit & Veg and bale hay. To the church ready for the harvest that evening a Hen came out of the fruit box and roosted on the hay. Every one in the morning service was greatly surprised to see a hen one of the congregation went and fetched her cat basket the ministers wife popped the hen in it, as she was still sitting on the hay, There on the hay were two large brown eggs. At end of the service it was taken back to the farm. All the produce was taken to the local centre where they made meals for all in need.

For the fruits of His creation last verse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBXHDbesb7

For the harvests of the Spirit,------ thanks be to God;

When we follow Jesus the spirit lives with in us, God fills us with the Holy spirit

Galatians chapter 5: verses 22 to 23 St Paul writes  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

John’s gospel, chapter 15: verses 1 to 17   1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

1I, I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.  15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

Holy Communion

Hymn: Bind us together Lord

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6TdMMJEZs0

Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth.

For this is what the Lord himself has said about his Table, and I have passed it on to you before: That on the night when Judas betrayed him, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks to God for it, he broke it and gave it to his disciples and said, “Take this and eat it. This is my body, which is given  for you. Do this to remember me.” 25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new agreement between God and you that has been established and set in motion by my blood. Do this in remembrance of me whenever you drink it.” 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you are retelling the message of the Lord’s death, that he has died for you. Do this until he comes again.

Eat the bread and then drink.

Prayer. Thank you O God for feeding me with this sacrament and uniting me with Christ and giving me a foretaste of the heavenly banquet prepared for all people. Amen

Hymn: A New commandment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=485btt72V2o

Benediction

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. Show love to everyone.

Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit;

Thanks be to the father for the good we all inherit,

Thanks be to the son for the wonders that astound us,

Thanks to the Spirit that love has found us.

Thanks be to God.

Amen

Week beginning 25th September

 

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.

For the Lord is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.

Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.

Psalm 95. verses 1 to 7

Song: Praise You Lord

Praise You, Lord For The Wonder Song Lyrics Video - Divine Hymns - YouTube

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 

First letter of John, chapter 1, verses 6 & 7

Prayer:

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father;

We have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.

We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts.

We have offended against thy holy laws.

We have left undone those things which we ought to have done;

And we have done those things which we ought not to have done;

And there is no health in us.

But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders.

Spare thou those, O God, who confess their faults.

Restore thou those who are penitent;

According to thy promises declared unto mankind In Christ Jesus our Lord.

And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake;

That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life,

To the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.

Taken from www.stmichaelsanglican.org

Song: From heaven you came

From Heaven You Came (Servant King - 4vv+refrain) k [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube

Reading: Book of Isaiah, chapter 53, verses 1 to 8

Prayer:

Lord, we pray for those who are suffering;

those caught up in the war in the Ukraine;

the refugees who are fleeing from war, we pray that wherever they are, they will be welcome, and will adjust to the culture of their hosts.

We pray for an end to conflict, And the return of people to their homes.

We pray that you will stay the hand of Vladimir Putin, and other people of war, that we may avoid another world war.

Lord we pray for our own country;

for our king, and Prime minister, both new in their positions;

give them wisdom in their decision-making, may they be aware of the seriousness of the decisions they have to make. We pray that the people of the U.K. may be treated fairly, without favouritism.

We pray for places where Christians are experiencing persecution.

At the moment, we hear reports from India, traditionally a country of religious freedom, of legislation being enacted which prevents the conversion of people to Christianity. There are stories of violence against property and ministers. We pray for the protection of people and property, and the ability to practise their faith without fear.

We pray that the kingdom of this world may become the kingdom of God. Amen.

Song: Jesus is the name we honour.

Jesus is the name we honour worship song with Lyrics - YouTube

Reading: John’s gospel, chapter 1, verses 29 to 34.

In the modern world, we are used to seeing “famous” people being used to endorse a variety of products. Often, stars are used to promote products, such as watches, which the majority of us could never afford. My problem is that often, I can remember the star, but the name of the product or service escapes me totally.

If you holiday in Royal Deeside in Scotland, there is a town called Ballater. This is the closest to to Balmoral, one of the Royal Castles. In the town there is a station, which no longer has trains, but it was built, along with the railway, to take the monarch to Balmoral. Most of the traders in the town have the Royal Arms on display to signify that they supply “by Royal Appointment”. We take this to indicate that the product or service is worth having.

In John’s gospel, we hear of John the Baptist endorsing Jesus and his ministry. He is saying that Jesus’ message is worth having!

A little later, John refers to Jesus as the “Lamb of God”.

What does this mean to you and I? The message of the bible is intended to be practical for the reader.

The title of “Lamb” is used 29 times in the book of Revelation. Paul refers to Jesus as the “Passover Lamb”, Peter uses the title of “A lamb without blemish”.

These are probably allusions to the idea of the passover lamb. Used in the celebration of the Passover, the event when the blood of a lamb was smeared on the door post, and the angel of death passed over the occupants of the houses so treated.

The message is that only Jesus can save us, deliver us from the sinful nature. In John’s gospel, chapter 3, we hear of Nicodemus coming to Jesus by night. We can guess that he came by night in order to avoid being seen,

In the letter to the Hebrews, We are told that Christ was sacrificed to take away the sins of the many.

Many people find themselves in positions where they have to make sacrifices for their faith. Perhaps they are told to do things that their conscience won’t allow them to do. Perhaps they feel they have to speak up against something that has been said or done. These stands can mean that someone’s career is damaged, perhaps beyond repair.

John the baptist’s father was Zechariah, a priest. John would have been familiar with the requirements of sacrifice, where a lamb was offered for the sins of individuals, and for the people. Hence his prophetic description of Jesus.

In Jesus alone we have the sacrifice to give complete freedom from sin and its consequences.

Jesus as the Lamb of God, is our only hope, our only access to the presence of God.

“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah, chapter 53, verse 6.

Song: Meekness and Majesty

08 MEEKNESS AND MAJESTY Graham Kendrick - YouTube

Week beginning 18th September

Song: Sing we the King who is coming to reign

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2VboZhk6rE

Reading: Psalm 34

Prayer:

All the way my Saviour leads me–
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Saviour leads me–
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for ev'ry trial,
Feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.

All the way my Saviour leads me–
Oh, the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way.

Fanny Crosby

Taken from Hymnary.org

Reading: Book of Isaiah, chapter 49, verses 8 to 13

Song: Cause me to come to the river O Lord

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79lUSwtyITI

Reading: John’s gospel, chapter 4, verses 1 to 15

Solo: As water to the thirsty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79lUSwtyITI

Something stands out in the reading from St John’s gospel in the authorised version. Verse 5 refers to a “parcel of ground” which Jacob gave to Joseph. “Parcel” sounds like a gift or a present, something unexpected. The women went to the well and received a gift, something unexpected.

Wells are mentioned in many places in the scriptures, especially the old testament. It was at a well where Jacob first cast eyes on Rachel; and at a well where Moses rescued the daughters of Jethro.

It was at this well where the Samaritan woman met Jesus, a meeting of mercy. She had travelled to the well when nobody else was there, presumably because she had been made to feel unwelcome, perhaps her lifestyle had led to her being got at. She appears not to have led a good life, perhaps she had problems of some sort.

The last thing she expected was to see a Jew. But Jesus disregards prejudices, even though Jews and Samaritans did not associate. He was driven by a passion to communicate; he had no interest in why she was an outcast; she is His creation and he loves her.

She was a long way from understanding him. We can only speculate on how she knew He was a Jew, as far as we know they had never met. There must have been something about Him, manner of speech, style of dress, or just some sort of aura, that identified Him to her.

She must have been afraid, she was a Samaritan, He was a Jew, and a man.

The first thing He is recorded as saying is “Give me a drink.” It is hard to understand her feelings, it must have been mind-blowing for her.

Jesus asks us, just as He knew about her, He know about us. Everything about us!?, Yes, even that!

And yet, He comes to us, to me! He asks us for a drink, even though He knows all about us.

“But you can’t draw water” she said. “You have nothing to draw with.” Perhaps we say the same. “You can’t draw water from the deep, dark well that is me.” But Jesus doesn’t have to bring water down, nor to raise it up, He is the water, the Living Water.

Sometimes we are overwhelmed by God, He is bigger than we know, bigger than we can know.

If you receive the Living Stream which is Jesus, it is no use of you hang on to it. It is flowing, living water, which has to go out, it cannot be contained, it must be shared. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus says that if you do things for one of His little ones, you are doing it for Him. Whatever you give, you are giving to the Lord.

At a communion service, a minister said “Come and see how friendly your God is”

In Matthew’s gospel, chapter 11, verse 28 Jesus says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”

Come to the waters

Come to the Father

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Song: Come to the waters

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

Prayer:

ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies, we thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all men; We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we shew forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives; by giving up ourselves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

General thanksgiving,

Taken from churchofengland.org

Song: Here is love, vast as the ocean

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbZeHNkT91c

or, if you prefer it in Welsh:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buts-X-Po74

Like cold water to a weary soul
is good news from a distant land.

Proverbs, chapter 25, verse 25

Week beginning 11th September

 

We open with a minute’s silence in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Giving thanks for her life and achievements

Song: National Anthem, God save our gracious King!

God Save the King - The British National Anthem 2022 Lyrics. - YouTube

It is right that we think of our new King, Charles III, starting a new job, at an age when most of us would be retired. (73)

Prayers:

God, our companion – in times of uncertainty and testing, bless us with;

Peace to hold us.

Grace to strengthen us.

Wisdom to guide us.

God our healer – in times of sorrow and loss, grant us;

The spirit of love and gentleness.

The patience of hope.

The gift of new life and the courage to face life.

God our maker – when our burdens seem heavy and we are tempted to fear, restore is us;

The joy of loving and being loved.

The spirit of generosity and compassion.

The serenity of acceptance.

And in all things, keep us in the way of Christ and obedient to your will. Amen.

Keith Davies.

Song: Lord, the light of your love is shining

Lord, the light of Your love (Shine, Jesus, shine) - YouTube

Reading: Psalm 62, verses 5 to 12

Reading: Matthew’s gospel, chapter 5, verses 13 to 16

Song: Lord of creation

Lord of creation, to you be all praise - YouTube

Prayers:

God our Father, We ask that you give wisdom to all in authority, As Solomon asked for Wisdom to rule the people, so we ask that you will give wisdom to his Majesty King Charles III. May our nation follow the path of justice and peace, and may the resources available to governments be used for the good of all, and not the narrow self interest of a few.

Father, we pray for those who are mourning. Especially we pray for the members of the royal family who have lost a mother, grandmother or great grandmother; an aunty, a cousin and a friend. Comfort and heal all those who suffer, give them courage and hope, and bring them the joy of your salvation. We rejoice in the faithful witness of Her Majesty, and the example she has set to us all.

We pray that we too may be faithful in our witness, and reveal your glory to the world.

Amen

Song: I want to walk with Jesus Christ

I Want To Walk With Jesus Christ Song Lyrics Video - YouTube

There can be few weeks when the theme has been set so firmly. Queen Elizabeth had a long life and a long reign. The newspaper I picked up on the bus on Friday was entirely devoted to her life and times.

There were many deeds recorded, many memories. There were accounts of events, both great and small. The great affairs of state sat alongside more personal anecdotes.

The role of the monarch in the United Kingdom is one of very little power, but great influence.

There was a story of small boy who was playing at Windsor, and he fell on the gravel, badly cutting his knee. The queen picked him up, comforted him and dressed his wound. Many will remember the story of the man who drove off the road near Sandringham. The next motorist along the road, stopped her Range Rover and towed him out. That driver was Her Majesty.

There were also great things; awards for organisations, such as the Queen’s badge in the Boys’ Brigade received her personal attention. Her campaign for a green canopy was a topic dear to her heart. Her contribution to relations between nations has been immense.

There are many about the Queen which show her “normality”.

There is a story of a group of walkers who walked up a group of picnickers in Scotland, “My friends say that you are the Queen”, said the boldest of the group. “I am” replied the picnicker. “Why are you here” asked the walker. “I live here” she replied.

Walking in the town, in company with her protection officer, the queen was approached by a tourist. “Have you ever seen the Queen?” asked the tourist. “No, but he has!” replied the Queen, looking at her protection officer.

She served in ATS during the war and trained as a driver and mechanic. It is said that she kept in touch with girls/women she met for a long time.

How relevant is all this to our lives? None of us is likely to have an entire edition of a newspaper dedicated to us, for any reason, esp when we die!

What did Jesus say?

“You are salt of the earth”

You are what the make the earth better. Only small amounts of salt are needed for most uses. But if you have ever missed the salt out of a recipe, you notice its absence.

“You are the light of the world”

A small amount of light can be seen for a great distance. The internet quotes between 1.6 miles and 30 miles for the distance which a candle can be seen. A city on a hill cannot be hid!

Good cannot be hidden. We notice if it is not there.

In Romans chapter 2, verse 6, Paul says that God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” quoting psalm 62.

This is a difficult passage, most say that what deeds we do is nothing to do with our salvation, but here, Paul suggest the opposite.

Why should we do good deeds? For our own benefit? For the reward we hope to get?

There is an image of St Michael weighing our deeds before the throne of God, and then God judging us. This is not an image from Scripture, but the idea of being judged according to our deeds is!

In Matthew, J says  “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

It is our deeds which enable others to be able to glorify God. No mention of how large or small those deeds are, nor of how attractive or otherwise they are to the person doing them,

It is the glorification of God which is important. The ways in which we enable others to see God’s presence in our lives, and how good it is for them.

As we remember her majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we can reflect on how she has enabled others to see God by her actions. We can pause to wonder how we have enabled others to glorify God by our actions. We can pray that our new King will enable others to glorify God by his actions.

Song: Lord for the years

Lord, For the Years (Tune: Lord of the Years - 5vv) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube

Week beginning 4th September