18th Sunday after Trinity – Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist.
21st September 2008
Steve Worsley
Readings
Psalm 119:65-72
Prov 3:13-18
2Cor 4: 1-6
Matt 9:9-13
Helen’s asked if I would cover the sermon slot this week. I said yes – I can never say no :o) Then it hit me what was I going to talk about? How could I follow on from the last one I did – I wondered what I had actually agreed to. But not to worry put your faith in God Steve and it will all work out fine.
I looked for inspiration and found nothing, it’s like one of the desert moments in our lives, then I found out what today’s reading were. Matthew 9:9-13, God must be working in my life; I knew this passage in fact I knew it very well. I read this passage a lot. It’s one of those passages I turn to on a regular basis.
Why do I read it, Jesus calling Matthew and a big feast with cheats, liars, robbers – Great story, do you not think so?
It reminds me of why I follow Jesus; it reminds me where I was and where I wanted to be.
I think, my life is very similar to Matthews, I don’t mean I work for the Inland Revenue or anything like that but over the years I have done, said and thought all sorts of things that I’m not proud of and I’m sure Matthew is thinking just that when Jesus says to him “Follow Me”
This story is about an ordinary person, an ordinary person like me and like you being called by Jesus to be one of his first disciples
Jesus saw something in Matthew that made him think that he was a suitable prospect to help in spreading the good news.
This ordinary person was a tax collector and you may not think that’s much but like to earlier when I said Inland Revenue and you all winced, tax collectors in the time of Jesus were even worse, they were hated for being embezzlers, cheats, they were corrupt and as they were working for Rome they were viewed as traitors.
How can this tax collector be a suitable prospect for the job of running the kingdom? Tax collectors are not admired, he didn’t seem to have any particular talents, he was so to speak one of the little people and he was invited to become one of the foundation stones of Church and eventually write a Gospel.
Like Mathew, I didn’t think I had any particular talents and a small fish in a big pond.
So why Matthew, I think Matthew, at the bottom of his heart wanted to change, he didn’t like what he was doing, he didn’t like what his life stood for, he knew there must be something more. As soon as Jesus said follow me he did.
Once Matthew had accepted his new post, he did what we all do, hold a celebration. Matthew had a feast over at his house and invited all his friends, other tax collectors, cheats and robbers and Jesus joins them and eats with them. Matthew new what social customs he was violating of course, but Matthew had already learned the lesson that was about to be taught to the others.
Now this is what I do – imagine yourself in the scene, you have been invited to the feast.
Are you sat at the table?
We know where the sinful people are but what about the righteousness? What are the Pharisee doing? Remember they are strict observers of the traditions especially when it comes to ceremonial cleanliness.
Where are the Pharisees in the room?
The Pharisee are outside the room probably wondering why Jesus is eating with such a bad crowd. Are you sitting at the table eating with Jesus or stood outside with the Pharisees?
I know once upon a time I would have been stood outside,
Imagine who could be sat at your table today, a drunk, a drug addict, a gang member, the local tramp - would you be happy sitting with these people, at your table?
I read this passage to remind me that I’m not righteous, I have imperfections but I want to change and I have responded to Jesus’ Follow Me.
Jesus mingled with these people and said:
Matt9:12-13
Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick…….
In this call of Matthew followed by the feast at his house, I think Jesus taught some important lessons concerning discipleship and evangelism;
Don’t prejudge yourself or others……
Few could surpass Paul for the things he was guilty of - READ (get a Bible) 1 TIM 1:12-16
Jesus see’s people, not for what they are but for what they can become….
Peter did not live up to his name (a rock), until several years of growth as a disciple
We must never forget….
No Christian is perfect only forgiven
A Saint is a sinner who keeps trying
Churches grow out of weakness, not strength
That is we are willing to accept weak, imperfect members and help them to grow
This is re-iterated when Jesus told the chief priests in Matthew 21: 31 Truly I tell, you the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the Kingdom of God ahead of you…
So, if, on honest reflection you see yourself more like the Pharisee than his new found disciple you are indeed in need of spiritual healing provided by the great physician.
So let us ordinary as we may be in our calling, in our profession, in our work and in our abilities know that Jesus has called us to his friendship and to share in his mission in bringing him to the world around us. We may be ordinary but we have a great resource to sustain us, the Holy Spirit so let us use it and share our faith with others..
Let us finish with a prayer…..
Heavenly Father, who creates all things for a reason,shape us like clay to your purpose, tell us our true names.Fire us with the Holy Spirit, in darkness and in light.Guide us to the people and places that can work your will in us.For we are ready, Lord,to be made your servants and your disciples in Jesus’ name.Amen.
Monday, 22 September 2008
Sunday, 21 September 2008
Building a Railway - A Life's Ambition
Over a period of time I will show how the railway progresses. My main problem has been space and lack of it, however the new loft will become available soon. It is because of this new loft space I have stopped work, I may be able to build something larger.
The layout at the moment is fairly basic, I have been collecting potential track plans and base board information. Lets see how it progresses.
The layout at the moment is fairly basic, I have been collecting potential track plans and base board information. Lets see how it progresses.
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
Intercessions 16/9/08
Let's pause for a minute and think about all the occasions when we have to decide which path to take, which person to support, what life choices to make. Let's take a moment to think, too, about how we react to other people who make choices that are different from our own.
Let us pray:
Hear our prayer, Lord, for the whole family of your church. Bless our Bishop’s and clergy, give your grace to our lay people here at All Saints, that they may lead us with strength and unity. Help them to see their work as service and their role as stewards of your church.
Give courage to those who are discerning their own calling within your church, show them your will, help them to understand and see your work in the world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
We pray for our country. Let your love surround the Queen and her family; give wisdom and guidance to our statesmen and leaders, and to all who have responsibility. During these times of economic hardship guide those making decisions to make things easier for the majority, may they do this without greed or selfishness.
We pray for our world, have mercy for those in distress from war, famine and other natural disasters. Heal the sick and injured, give peace to the dying, comfort those living with loss and to those trying to bring relief and order give wisdom, courage and strength.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Hear our prayer, Lord, for the friendship we find within the family of our church both here at All Saints and our friends at other churches in Stretford.
The comfort, peace and love of Christian friendship gives us strength. As we find these joys in our own lives may we also give them to others.
Almighty God, open our hearts that we may welcome and share our faith with others; open wide our minds that we may receive new truth and understand your will; open wide our doors that as we have come in to worship so we may go out with you to the service of the world; open wide our lives that through discipline and prayer we may experience your power in daily living.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
We thank you, O Lord, that in a world where many disagreements exist between men, women and nations, your gospel comes to break down the barriers that divide, bringing friendship that extends across all boundaries because of our common faith in Jesus Christ.
We pray today for people in countries other than our own; in countries where governments are hostile, war and natural disasters cause suffering, healing God lay your hands on those who are suffering so that they may know the support of your presence.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Hear our prayer, Lord, for the children and young people especially those revising and getting ready for exams.
They are part of this church family which you have brought together in fellowship and care. For those leading the young in our church may your Holy Spirit increase in them the gifts and skills they bring to their work; grant them patience, imagination and love sufficient for their work. Help us all to respond to their needs.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Hear our prayer, Lord, for those who are old. Our thoughts are especially with those who have become frail and weak, those whose eyesight is failing; those who find it difficult to hear. We think of the lonely, with many memories and few friends to fill the long hours of the day; those who must have things done for them, when they wish so much they could still do them for themselves; those who are housebound, or living in hospitals or homes.
We pray for those who care for them and we pray that we ourselves may never neglect any opportunity to offer friendship and help. Teach us to be watchful for their needs and patient with their frailty and slowness, loving and serving them as honoured members of your family.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Hear our prayer, Lord, for people who are ill in mind body and spirit, in hospitals, at home, or wherever they may be.
Especially those who have been made know to us……………. PEW SHEET
Give them courage, hope and peace, and the knowledge that you are present in their weakness, pain and suffering.
Heavenly Father, we pray for those whose hearts have been saddened by the death of someone close and dear to them. Give to them, Father, the strong comfort which no one else can give, and let them know the comforting power of the resurrection of Jesus.
We remember those whose anniversaries fall at this time………………..
Eternal God, in your unchanging love receive all those who have died in faith, that they may rejoice in you for ever.
Merciful Father:accept these prayers for the sake of your Son,our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
16/Sept/2008
Psalm 74
Mark 14: 12-25
Let us pray:
Hear our prayer, Lord, for the whole family of your church. Bless our Bishop’s and clergy, give your grace to our lay people here at All Saints, that they may lead us with strength and unity. Help them to see their work as service and their role as stewards of your church.
Give courage to those who are discerning their own calling within your church, show them your will, help them to understand and see your work in the world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
We pray for our country. Let your love surround the Queen and her family; give wisdom and guidance to our statesmen and leaders, and to all who have responsibility. During these times of economic hardship guide those making decisions to make things easier for the majority, may they do this without greed or selfishness.
We pray for our world, have mercy for those in distress from war, famine and other natural disasters. Heal the sick and injured, give peace to the dying, comfort those living with loss and to those trying to bring relief and order give wisdom, courage and strength.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Hear our prayer, Lord, for the friendship we find within the family of our church both here at All Saints and our friends at other churches in Stretford.
The comfort, peace and love of Christian friendship gives us strength. As we find these joys in our own lives may we also give them to others.
Almighty God, open our hearts that we may welcome and share our faith with others; open wide our minds that we may receive new truth and understand your will; open wide our doors that as we have come in to worship so we may go out with you to the service of the world; open wide our lives that through discipline and prayer we may experience your power in daily living.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
We thank you, O Lord, that in a world where many disagreements exist between men, women and nations, your gospel comes to break down the barriers that divide, bringing friendship that extends across all boundaries because of our common faith in Jesus Christ.
We pray today for people in countries other than our own; in countries where governments are hostile, war and natural disasters cause suffering, healing God lay your hands on those who are suffering so that they may know the support of your presence.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Hear our prayer, Lord, for the children and young people especially those revising and getting ready for exams.
They are part of this church family which you have brought together in fellowship and care. For those leading the young in our church may your Holy Spirit increase in them the gifts and skills they bring to their work; grant them patience, imagination and love sufficient for their work. Help us all to respond to their needs.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Hear our prayer, Lord, for those who are old. Our thoughts are especially with those who have become frail and weak, those whose eyesight is failing; those who find it difficult to hear. We think of the lonely, with many memories and few friends to fill the long hours of the day; those who must have things done for them, when they wish so much they could still do them for themselves; those who are housebound, or living in hospitals or homes.
We pray for those who care for them and we pray that we ourselves may never neglect any opportunity to offer friendship and help. Teach us to be watchful for their needs and patient with their frailty and slowness, loving and serving them as honoured members of your family.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Hear our prayer, Lord, for people who are ill in mind body and spirit, in hospitals, at home, or wherever they may be.
Especially those who have been made know to us……………. PEW SHEET
Give them courage, hope and peace, and the knowledge that you are present in their weakness, pain and suffering.
Heavenly Father, we pray for those whose hearts have been saddened by the death of someone close and dear to them. Give to them, Father, the strong comfort which no one else can give, and let them know the comforting power of the resurrection of Jesus.
We remember those whose anniversaries fall at this time………………..
Eternal God, in your unchanging love receive all those who have died in faith, that they may rejoice in you for ever.
Merciful Father:accept these prayers for the sake of your Son,our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
16/Sept/2008
Psalm 74
Mark 14: 12-25
Thursday, 11 September 2008
Workbench - 6093 Austrian Infantry 1798-1805
Italeri 1/72 Austrian Infantry 1798-1805
Plastic Soldier Review: http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.asp?manu=ITA&code=6093
Images of progress to follow.....................
Plastic Soldier Review: http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.asp?manu=ITA&code=6093
Images of progress to follow.....................
Sunday, 7 September 2008
Intercessions 7/9/08
Heavenly Father, you are the father of all people and we bring our prayers knowing that you will hear us and help us.
Hear our prayer, Lord, for the whole family of your church. Give the leaders of your Church our bishops, ministers and lay people grace to see their work as service and their role as stewards.
Grant that we, and all your people, may be built up in our faith, and always show in our lives the love we see in Jesus.
Give courage to those who find it hard to follow you; to those who are finding it difficult to have faith because of a personal hardship or tragedy and to those who are made to suffer for their faith. Let your Holy Spirit support them, and may all Christians stand firm in the hope that your kingdom of love will come into the whole world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
We pray for our country. Let your love surround the Queen and her family; give wisdom and guidance to our statesmen and leaders, and to all who have responsibility in education, industry, and commerce.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Hear our prayer, Lord, for the friendship we find within the family of our church. We are grateful for the support and goodwill of Christian friends around us. This is part of the joy of belonging to the church family. The comfort, peace and love of Christian friendship gives us strength. As we find these joys in our own lives may we also give them to others. Help us to understand, love and serve each other so that our thankfulness is expressed in deed as well as word.
Almighty God, open our hearts that we may welcome and share our faith with others; open wide our minds that we may receive new truth and understand your will; open wide our doors that as we have come in to worship so we may go out with you to the service of the world; open wide our lives that through discipline and prayer we may experience your power in daily living.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
We thank you, O Lord, that in a world where many disagreements exist between men, women and nations, your gospel comes to break down the barriers that divide, bringing friendship that extends across all boundaries because of our common faith in Jesus Christ.
We pray today for people in countries other than our own; in countries where governments are hostile, war and natural disasters cause suffering, healing God lay your hands on those who are suffering so that they may know the support of your presence.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Hear our prayer, Lord, for the children and young people of our church, and for those who are beginning to sense the wonder, the mystery, and the difficulty of life. They are part of this church family which you have brought together in fellowship and care. We pray for understanding and wisdom in our worship and life together, so that all we do may lead our children into a fuller and richer understanding of your love and purpose. Help us to respond to their needs. Give us patience and compassion. Help us to offer them our time and our experience with true sincerity and love.
We thank you Lord, for those who have accepted the care and leadership of children and young people in the church. May your Holy Spirit increase in them the gifts and skills they bring to their work; grant them patience, imagination and love sufficient for their tasks and in the fullness of time, crown their service with true success.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Hear our prayer, Lord, for those who are old. Our thoughts are especially with those who have become frail and weak, those whose eyesight is failing; those who find it difficult to hear. We think of the lonely, with many memories and few friends to fill the long hours of the day; those who must have things done for them, when they wish so much they could still do them for themselves; those who are housebound, or living in hospitals or homes.
We pray for those who care for them and we pray that we ourselves may never neglect any opportunity to offer friendship and help. Teach us to be watchful for their needs and patient with their frailty and slowness, loving and serving them as honoured members of your family.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Hear our prayer, Lord, for people who are ill in mind body and spirit, in hospitals, at home, or wherever they may be.
Especially those who have been made know to us……………. PEW SHEET
Give them courage, hope and peace, and the knowledge that you are present in their weakness, pain and suffering.
Heavenly Father, we pray for those whose hearts have been saddened by the death of someone close and dear to them. Give to them, Father, the strong comfort which no one else can give, and let them know the comforting power of the resurrection of Jesus.
We remember those whose anniversaries fall at this time………………..
Eternal God, in your unchanging love receive all those who have died in faith, that they may rejoice in you for ever.
Merciful Father:accept these prayers for the sake of your Son,our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Hear our prayer, Lord, for the whole family of your church. Give the leaders of your Church our bishops, ministers and lay people grace to see their work as service and their role as stewards.
Grant that we, and all your people, may be built up in our faith, and always show in our lives the love we see in Jesus.
Give courage to those who find it hard to follow you; to those who are finding it difficult to have faith because of a personal hardship or tragedy and to those who are made to suffer for their faith. Let your Holy Spirit support them, and may all Christians stand firm in the hope that your kingdom of love will come into the whole world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
We pray for our country. Let your love surround the Queen and her family; give wisdom and guidance to our statesmen and leaders, and to all who have responsibility in education, industry, and commerce.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Hear our prayer, Lord, for the friendship we find within the family of our church. We are grateful for the support and goodwill of Christian friends around us. This is part of the joy of belonging to the church family. The comfort, peace and love of Christian friendship gives us strength. As we find these joys in our own lives may we also give them to others. Help us to understand, love and serve each other so that our thankfulness is expressed in deed as well as word.
Almighty God, open our hearts that we may welcome and share our faith with others; open wide our minds that we may receive new truth and understand your will; open wide our doors that as we have come in to worship so we may go out with you to the service of the world; open wide our lives that through discipline and prayer we may experience your power in daily living.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
We thank you, O Lord, that in a world where many disagreements exist between men, women and nations, your gospel comes to break down the barriers that divide, bringing friendship that extends across all boundaries because of our common faith in Jesus Christ.
We pray today for people in countries other than our own; in countries where governments are hostile, war and natural disasters cause suffering, healing God lay your hands on those who are suffering so that they may know the support of your presence.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Hear our prayer, Lord, for the children and young people of our church, and for those who are beginning to sense the wonder, the mystery, and the difficulty of life. They are part of this church family which you have brought together in fellowship and care. We pray for understanding and wisdom in our worship and life together, so that all we do may lead our children into a fuller and richer understanding of your love and purpose. Help us to respond to their needs. Give us patience and compassion. Help us to offer them our time and our experience with true sincerity and love.
We thank you Lord, for those who have accepted the care and leadership of children and young people in the church. May your Holy Spirit increase in them the gifts and skills they bring to their work; grant them patience, imagination and love sufficient for their tasks and in the fullness of time, crown their service with true success.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Hear our prayer, Lord, for those who are old. Our thoughts are especially with those who have become frail and weak, those whose eyesight is failing; those who find it difficult to hear. We think of the lonely, with many memories and few friends to fill the long hours of the day; those who must have things done for them, when they wish so much they could still do them for themselves; those who are housebound, or living in hospitals or homes.
We pray for those who care for them and we pray that we ourselves may never neglect any opportunity to offer friendship and help. Teach us to be watchful for their needs and patient with their frailty and slowness, loving and serving them as honoured members of your family.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Hear our prayer, Lord, for people who are ill in mind body and spirit, in hospitals, at home, or wherever they may be.
Especially those who have been made know to us……………. PEW SHEET
Give them courage, hope and peace, and the knowledge that you are present in their weakness, pain and suffering.
Heavenly Father, we pray for those whose hearts have been saddened by the death of someone close and dear to them. Give to them, Father, the strong comfort which no one else can give, and let them know the comforting power of the resurrection of Jesus.
We remember those whose anniversaries fall at this time………………..
Eternal God, in your unchanging love receive all those who have died in faith, that they may rejoice in you for ever.
Merciful Father:accept these prayers for the sake of your Son,our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Thursday, 4 September 2008
CHILL FACTORe
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Luke, Rebecca and Bethany on a day out at the Chill Factore.
Tubing they call it.
Good fun and some good food afterwards ;o)
Next time we want to do climbing.
http://www.chillfactore.com/
Tubing they call it.
Good fun and some good food afterwards ;o)
Next time we want to do climbing.
http://www.chillfactore.com/
Sunday, 31 August 2008
PCC Meetings (1)
September and PCC meetings start again.
I love going to PCC's. In fact, when the agenda comes, I am excited and looking forward to how we are going to discuss and work with God's big plan for our small church. We get on well, we have fun - in fact they are a really important time of fellowship for me, because we pray together and study the bible each meeting and helps us. We have made some key decisions recently, which we have communicated to the rest of the church and most people - after all, you can't please everyone - are happy and encouraged. But then again we only want to discern what is God's way forward for our church.
hmmm.... we can do things better and we have to be able to adapt and be flexible. The PCC is not the best aspect of the life of the church but it could be. We need to consult together and that means consult God and then discuss with each other.
Do we really need to discuss the Summer Fayre in January?
Do we need to look at our agenda's? Can you see God at work in your agenda?
Do we need to understand the PCC primary roles?
Pastoral - The PCC is responsible and accountable for the pastoral work of the church.
Evangelistic - The PCC is responsible for the local churches emphasis on how we tell people the good news.
Social - It's not the role of the PCC to arrange socials but having a responsibility to the sustaining of churches.
Ecumenical - Working together developing mission opportunities
I love going to PCC's. In fact, when the agenda comes, I am excited and looking forward to how we are going to discuss and work with God's big plan for our small church. We get on well, we have fun - in fact they are a really important time of fellowship for me, because we pray together and study the bible each meeting and helps us. We have made some key decisions recently, which we have communicated to the rest of the church and most people - after all, you can't please everyone - are happy and encouraged. But then again we only want to discern what is God's way forward for our church.
hmmm.... we can do things better and we have to be able to adapt and be flexible. The PCC is not the best aspect of the life of the church but it could be. We need to consult together and that means consult God and then discuss with each other.
Do we really need to discuss the Summer Fayre in January?
Do we need to look at our agenda's? Can you see God at work in your agenda?
Do we need to understand the PCC primary roles?
Pastoral - The PCC is responsible and accountable for the pastoral work of the church.
Evangelistic - The PCC is responsible for the local churches emphasis on how we tell people the good news.
Social - It's not the role of the PCC to arrange socials but having a responsibility to the sustaining of churches.
Ecumenical - Working together developing mission opportunities
Workbench - Never mind the workbench
These are still in the cupboard and will be done as and when time permits :o)
Saturday, 30 August 2008
Workbench - 6066 French Infantry
Plastic Soldier Review: http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.asp?manu=ITA&code=6066
Napoleon Bonaparte, (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821)The Battle of Waterloo was fought on 18th June 1815 between the British, Germans, Belgians, Dutch and Prussians against the French Grande Armée.
The Duke of Wellington marshalled the british with Marshal Blucher (Prussians) and the Prince of Orange against the Emperor Napoleon. There were 23,000 British troops with 44,000 allied troops and 160 guns against 74,000 French troops and 250 guns. The British, Germans, Belgians, Dutch and Prussians were the eventual winners.
Recreating this battle scene is a favourite past time. I use 1/72 models currently the French Infantry, French Artillery have been painted and mounted and the Austrian Infantry are a work in progress.
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Workbench - 6017 Napoleonic War Accessories
Plastic Soldiers Review: http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.asp?manu=ITA&code=6017
Images to follow..................
Sunday, 10 August 2008
Workbench - 6018 French Line/Guard Artillery
Plastic Soldier Review: http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.asp?manu=ITA&code=6018Images to follow....
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
Intercessions Tues 8/7/08
Tuesday Prayers
The response
Let us spend a moment in quiet to let God’s presence be felt and help us to hear you during our prayers.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, For you reach out to each of us in love and peace.
You offer us healing and power and you call us to share in teling this Good News to all people.
Blessed are you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer
Lord God, we pray for your church and for the good news of the gospel.
We pray for your Church here at All Saints and all who help to keep things moving whilst we await our new minister.
We ask your blessing upon all who seek to share in the mission and outreach of Christ.
We pray that all within your Church may be enabled to fulfil their vocation.
May the Church grow in holiness, in outreach and in number.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer
Lord God, we pray for your world, for those who harvest the crops.
We pray that the hungry can be fed, the homeless, the displaced for whatever reason can be cared for.
We ask you to guide those who are in charge of food and aid distribution and may no one suffer from greed and selfishness.
We ask for your blessing on all who are striving to bring peace to our world and at this time remember Zimbawbe, Burma, China at there troubled times
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer
Lord God, we pray for our community, we give thanks to those who help others in need so that they may enjoy life to the full.
We ask for your blessing on our homes and families and those who seek to strengthen family life and to improve our surroundings.
We pray for our friends and neighbours who may feel lonely or unwanted
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer
Lord God, we pray for those that are ill in mind body and spirit, we pray for those who are ill at home or in hospital.
Those that are depressed, discouraged, those that have fallen to weariness or sorrow.
We pray for those that are known to us and need your help in a moment of silence or out loud…..
Jean Ingham
Mrs Cheshire
And we pray for those who have been made known to us………………..
We pray for all who are separated from their loved ones through illness.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer
Lord God, we give thanks that you offer us eternal life in Christ Jesus.
Bless our loved ones and friends who have departed from us.
We pray for those know in our hearts……
May they rest in peace and rise in glory.
Lord God, trusting in your love and mercy, we lay these prayers before you, which we ask in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Merciful father
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
The response
Let us spend a moment in quiet to let God’s presence be felt and help us to hear you during our prayers.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, For you reach out to each of us in love and peace.
You offer us healing and power and you call us to share in teling this Good News to all people.
Blessed are you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer
Lord God, we pray for your church and for the good news of the gospel.
We pray for your Church here at All Saints and all who help to keep things moving whilst we await our new minister.
We ask your blessing upon all who seek to share in the mission and outreach of Christ.
We pray that all within your Church may be enabled to fulfil their vocation.
May the Church grow in holiness, in outreach and in number.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer
Lord God, we pray for your world, for those who harvest the crops.
We pray that the hungry can be fed, the homeless, the displaced for whatever reason can be cared for.
We ask you to guide those who are in charge of food and aid distribution and may no one suffer from greed and selfishness.
We ask for your blessing on all who are striving to bring peace to our world and at this time remember Zimbawbe, Burma, China at there troubled times
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer
Lord God, we pray for our community, we give thanks to those who help others in need so that they may enjoy life to the full.
We ask for your blessing on our homes and families and those who seek to strengthen family life and to improve our surroundings.
We pray for our friends and neighbours who may feel lonely or unwanted
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer
Lord God, we pray for those that are ill in mind body and spirit, we pray for those who are ill at home or in hospital.
Those that are depressed, discouraged, those that have fallen to weariness or sorrow.
We pray for those that are known to us and need your help in a moment of silence or out loud…..
Jean Ingham
Mrs Cheshire
And we pray for those who have been made known to us………………..
We pray for all who are separated from their loved ones through illness.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer
Lord God, we give thanks that you offer us eternal life in Christ Jesus.
Bless our loved ones and friends who have departed from us.
We pray for those know in our hearts……
May they rest in peace and rise in glory.
Lord God, trusting in your love and mercy, we lay these prayers before you, which we ask in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Merciful father
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Friday, 21 March 2008
Easter 2008
A couple of pictures from our Easter service.
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Making sure the cross has plenty of flowers on for Easter Sunday
The altar cloth was designed and prepared by the local school
Making sure the cross has plenty of flowers on for Easter Sunday
Sunday, 24 February 2008
First Sermon, Lent - Faith Journey
Robert asked me some time ago if I would tell my faith journey during Lent, originally I said no but in a moment of weakness over the last couple of weeks I agreed. So Here I am standing here in front of you all.
Not all journeys are very exciting and mine isn't I don't suppose that much different from most peoples. I'm sure we have at some point shared the same feelings, doubt, forgiveness. I have not had a religious experience in the sense of visions and burning bushes but some where along my path God has spoken to me and continues to speak to me in a quiet unsuspecting way.
I did not come from a religious family; I did not attend church every week. I was baptised here at All Saints some years ago.
My first recollection of church was attending Sunday School when I was very young. The church was on the opposite side of the road from where I used to live and all I remember going for is the sweets :o)
But when did my faith journey begin I'm not to sure?
I try delve deep into my memory and I can recall certain things that turned me away from God but I can't really remember when or how I began to believe in God. I must have believed though because how can you reject God if you don't believe? I rejected God for a considerable part of my life.
I'm going to go back to when I started secondary school - I was given a Gideon Bible (maybe this was when I first met God?)
I was at a very good school, Stretford Grammar and I enjoyed the first couple of years. My favourite lesson was Religious Education - I actually came top of my class in this subject.
I enjoyed learning about this amazing man called Jesus doing amazing things. (maybe this was when I first met God?)
I went to church with scouts every month - I was in Quest, down the road at the time. I enjoyed attending and joining in with the activities, doing my badges.
As I said the first couple of years were good and then things went a bit pear shaped, I was 13 (1978) I got in trouble with the police - not once but twice, school work deteriorated, I hated going to school, life didn't feel very good at this time. I felt I had failed everyone, my family, my friends lots of people, I failed myself. I remember some very scary moments - maybe I could be taken away, you never know with police and courts. You feel very unsupported and agree to all sorts of things. Moments I didn't cope with very well and have stuck with me ever since.
I believed that God didn't love me, how could he, why would he for these things I had done previously. I didn't even think about being forgiven at this stage or want to be forgiven.
I can see this with the story of the young Samaritan women by the well in today's gospel, "How is it that you a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria? Samaritans were the lowest of society according to the Jews and this is how I felt.
Over the following years I had a lot to do, working, setting up a home with Jackie, the births of Luke Rebecca and Bethany, raising them, and all these events make me who I am. These were busy times and I did not have much time for God, an easy excuse not to deal with anything. I'm sure he was around though and it was up to me whether I listened or not and for the most part I did not. If God was testing me at this time I failed at most things.
I did Sometimes when I did go to church I felt comfortable and at ease and i would be ok for a while and then the doubts came back and I left again. I did enjoy the comfort of a church but for me it wasn't enough, I was riddled with guilt.
Sometimes I did feel that God loved me then just as quick that feeling left and guilt returned. I felt I was a bad person. To better myself I volunteered a scout leader which lasted for almost 20 years.
I enjoyed scouting and it did provide a level of comfort but was it what God wanted me to do? That and other questions constantly in my mind never getting answers or maybe I never got the answer I thought I wanted..
I was very confused. I was listening to the voices, whose voice? I know now it was not always Gods voice. These thoughts that say I was bad or God doesn't want me, I thought it best to ignore them - that was the easy option. I didn't have to face up to anything, ignore them and they will go away.
1991 My gran died, this was really the first death I had known that really affected me personally, my gran was very close to me, I remember that she prayed (maybe this was when I first met God?), I remember her rosary that she used very well and I have had one for a good few years now. I wouldn't be without it. My grans death was very sad, she died of cancer. Why does God make people suffer like that? More questions for God. I have known other people to die and death is very sad but to now know that life isn't wasted and now I live for the promise of eternal life.
.
One of the questions that my Grans death brought to mind was " Why would God let me into heaven when I died?" I know my gran would go to heaven.
Well I wasn't going to heaven or at least God had an excuse not to let me in and I knew I had to make God change his mind.
I believed some of me was doing what God wanted but there was a proportion of me that wasn't. I wanted to change this bit. I needed to be a whole person
That was my life before and it was about to change.
It was a pleasant Thursday in February 2005 and this is the beginning of my new life. I remember I had been in some intensive deep conversations with God prior to this particular day. Jackie can vouch for the sleepless nights tossing and turning debating my life with God.
When I woke up I had a wonderful feeling - I knew that God did love me no matter what I had done or how I had lived my life and that I was forgiven, I had a nice warm fuzzy feeling.
I believed His son Jesus had died so that I could be saved. Now I think that is pretty awesome. I mean would you let your son or daughter die to save someone else? It was a very strange feeling indeed it was like everything had been placed in order like when you actually finish that jigsaw. I knew I had to change, I had to listen.
It was like everything came clear to me that morning and I knew I had to do something about it. I needed to answer God and tell him I wanted to change my life and I wanted to let everyone know.
I had a shower, got dressed and got in the car. Drove around the corner and stopped. Sitting in the car I called Jackie at work and told her I was sat outside the rectory and was about to go and asked to be confirmed - OK She said, it's took you this long. I knocked on the door, a young(ish) man opened the door, are you the vicar? and I asked to be confirmed now, he looked at me, kept me on the step while I strarted to tell him, then Robert invited me in to the rectory and after 2/3 hours of chatting I left.
I was back in the church, it was different this time, after all these years it now felt right. As the Samaritan women didn't understand all she had to do was ask, ask I did and received living water and now I have tasted this water I am more thirsty than ever.
There were no confirmation classes for adults, there wasn't much time before the next service for confirmation, oh dear everything was falling apart again but God must have been watching and decided I would do my confirmation class with the children and I would be confirmed at the next service in Manchester cathedral. Luke was also confirmed at the same time and it was a very proud day for us both.
On my confirmation day I left my old life and I am now feel guided by the Holy Spirit and I am More aware God is now at work in my life and with me on this journey.
I know some people that have made this profession of faith in Jesus but unfortunately their lifestyle remains self centered and Godless as before, I want to change and I know God doesn't want me to return to my old life.
It's not easy I'm sure you will agree. I can understand some people failing, I wish somebody told me that to live for God instead of myself is a change of seismic proportion, it isn't easy at all , everyday is a challenge but a challenge I enjoy trying to achieve.
I look at my life now my concerns have changed and continue to change, I am more aware of the surrounding world, I am more concerned for the people, family, friends, people I don't even know. I try to love more, I try not to judge straight away, I try to understand others needs and I have a church and a community of extended friends and family.
My journey has not finished it has just started on a new path, it's exciting, I have no idea where I am going or what will happen. It is my faith and trust in God that sees me through. My initial asking of God has lead to me grow spiritually and able to worship in spirit and truth.
I have an analogy for you, I see my journey like the life cycle of a caterpillar, it may work for you.
The caterpillar through its journey sheds it skin, eats and eats more then sheds it skins again and then one day, the caterpillar has no idea why or when but it forms a chrysalis and after a short period of time hatches from the chrysalis into a magnificent butterfly.
Can you see each new experience of God I receive and change another layer of me is shed, then I thirst and hunger for more and shed another layer, throughout my life I will shed more layers eventually revealing a a person that God wants me to be not what I want to be.
Hopefully you can see the similarities, it works for me.
As you talk to God and ask God , the closer you become the more receptive to Gods voice you will be and the more you will receive.
God has a plan for me and I see the doors he opens for me that makes things happen, not always what I expect. I feel I am a happier/better person because God is in my life, I still have a long way to go, I still fail but when I do fail I ask God to help me so that I can put it right for next time. I know one day I will look back at my journey again and see what a wonderful changes have happened.
I hope I have inspired someone else here to tell others there journey, on a recent evangelist course I attended they said the best way to bring people to God is to tell your story so over lent take some time to sit down and write your journey out, you will find events may not have happened quite as you thought and there will be some other significant events that you forgot about - try it.
It is the best story to tell, they are our stories.
Amen.
Not all journeys are very exciting and mine isn't I don't suppose that much different from most peoples. I'm sure we have at some point shared the same feelings, doubt, forgiveness. I have not had a religious experience in the sense of visions and burning bushes but some where along my path God has spoken to me and continues to speak to me in a quiet unsuspecting way.
I did not come from a religious family; I did not attend church every week. I was baptised here at All Saints some years ago.
My first recollection of church was attending Sunday School when I was very young. The church was on the opposite side of the road from where I used to live and all I remember going for is the sweets :o)
But when did my faith journey begin I'm not to sure?
I try delve deep into my memory and I can recall certain things that turned me away from God but I can't really remember when or how I began to believe in God. I must have believed though because how can you reject God if you don't believe? I rejected God for a considerable part of my life.
I'm going to go back to when I started secondary school - I was given a Gideon Bible (maybe this was when I first met God?)
I was at a very good school, Stretford Grammar and I enjoyed the first couple of years. My favourite lesson was Religious Education - I actually came top of my class in this subject.
I enjoyed learning about this amazing man called Jesus doing amazing things. (maybe this was when I first met God?)
I went to church with scouts every month - I was in Quest, down the road at the time. I enjoyed attending and joining in with the activities, doing my badges.
As I said the first couple of years were good and then things went a bit pear shaped, I was 13 (1978) I got in trouble with the police - not once but twice, school work deteriorated, I hated going to school, life didn't feel very good at this time. I felt I had failed everyone, my family, my friends lots of people, I failed myself. I remember some very scary moments - maybe I could be taken away, you never know with police and courts. You feel very unsupported and agree to all sorts of things. Moments I didn't cope with very well and have stuck with me ever since.
I believed that God didn't love me, how could he, why would he for these things I had done previously. I didn't even think about being forgiven at this stage or want to be forgiven.
I can see this with the story of the young Samaritan women by the well in today's gospel, "How is it that you a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria? Samaritans were the lowest of society according to the Jews and this is how I felt.
Over the following years I had a lot to do, working, setting up a home with Jackie, the births of Luke Rebecca and Bethany, raising them, and all these events make me who I am. These were busy times and I did not have much time for God, an easy excuse not to deal with anything. I'm sure he was around though and it was up to me whether I listened or not and for the most part I did not. If God was testing me at this time I failed at most things.
I did Sometimes when I did go to church I felt comfortable and at ease and i would be ok for a while and then the doubts came back and I left again. I did enjoy the comfort of a church but for me it wasn't enough, I was riddled with guilt.
Sometimes I did feel that God loved me then just as quick that feeling left and guilt returned. I felt I was a bad person. To better myself I volunteered a scout leader which lasted for almost 20 years.
I enjoyed scouting and it did provide a level of comfort but was it what God wanted me to do? That and other questions constantly in my mind never getting answers or maybe I never got the answer I thought I wanted..
I was very confused. I was listening to the voices, whose voice? I know now it was not always Gods voice. These thoughts that say I was bad or God doesn't want me, I thought it best to ignore them - that was the easy option. I didn't have to face up to anything, ignore them and they will go away.
1991 My gran died, this was really the first death I had known that really affected me personally, my gran was very close to me, I remember that she prayed (maybe this was when I first met God?), I remember her rosary that she used very well and I have had one for a good few years now. I wouldn't be without it. My grans death was very sad, she died of cancer. Why does God make people suffer like that? More questions for God. I have known other people to die and death is very sad but to now know that life isn't wasted and now I live for the promise of eternal life.
.
One of the questions that my Grans death brought to mind was " Why would God let me into heaven when I died?" I know my gran would go to heaven.
Well I wasn't going to heaven or at least God had an excuse not to let me in and I knew I had to make God change his mind.
I believed some of me was doing what God wanted but there was a proportion of me that wasn't. I wanted to change this bit. I needed to be a whole person
That was my life before and it was about to change.
It was a pleasant Thursday in February 2005 and this is the beginning of my new life. I remember I had been in some intensive deep conversations with God prior to this particular day. Jackie can vouch for the sleepless nights tossing and turning debating my life with God.
When I woke up I had a wonderful feeling - I knew that God did love me no matter what I had done or how I had lived my life and that I was forgiven, I had a nice warm fuzzy feeling.
I believed His son Jesus had died so that I could be saved. Now I think that is pretty awesome. I mean would you let your son or daughter die to save someone else? It was a very strange feeling indeed it was like everything had been placed in order like when you actually finish that jigsaw. I knew I had to change, I had to listen.
It was like everything came clear to me that morning and I knew I had to do something about it. I needed to answer God and tell him I wanted to change my life and I wanted to let everyone know.
I had a shower, got dressed and got in the car. Drove around the corner and stopped. Sitting in the car I called Jackie at work and told her I was sat outside the rectory and was about to go and asked to be confirmed - OK She said, it's took you this long. I knocked on the door, a young(ish) man opened the door, are you the vicar? and I asked to be confirmed now, he looked at me, kept me on the step while I strarted to tell him, then Robert invited me in to the rectory and after 2/3 hours of chatting I left.
I was back in the church, it was different this time, after all these years it now felt right. As the Samaritan women didn't understand all she had to do was ask, ask I did and received living water and now I have tasted this water I am more thirsty than ever.
There were no confirmation classes for adults, there wasn't much time before the next service for confirmation, oh dear everything was falling apart again but God must have been watching and decided I would do my confirmation class with the children and I would be confirmed at the next service in Manchester cathedral. Luke was also confirmed at the same time and it was a very proud day for us both.
On my confirmation day I left my old life and I am now feel guided by the Holy Spirit and I am More aware God is now at work in my life and with me on this journey.
I know some people that have made this profession of faith in Jesus but unfortunately their lifestyle remains self centered and Godless as before, I want to change and I know God doesn't want me to return to my old life.
It's not easy I'm sure you will agree. I can understand some people failing, I wish somebody told me that to live for God instead of myself is a change of seismic proportion, it isn't easy at all , everyday is a challenge but a challenge I enjoy trying to achieve.
I look at my life now my concerns have changed and continue to change, I am more aware of the surrounding world, I am more concerned for the people, family, friends, people I don't even know. I try to love more, I try not to judge straight away, I try to understand others needs and I have a church and a community of extended friends and family.
My journey has not finished it has just started on a new path, it's exciting, I have no idea where I am going or what will happen. It is my faith and trust in God that sees me through. My initial asking of God has lead to me grow spiritually and able to worship in spirit and truth.
I have an analogy for you, I see my journey like the life cycle of a caterpillar, it may work for you.
The caterpillar through its journey sheds it skin, eats and eats more then sheds it skins again and then one day, the caterpillar has no idea why or when but it forms a chrysalis and after a short period of time hatches from the chrysalis into a magnificent butterfly.
Can you see each new experience of God I receive and change another layer of me is shed, then I thirst and hunger for more and shed another layer, throughout my life I will shed more layers eventually revealing a a person that God wants me to be not what I want to be.
Hopefully you can see the similarities, it works for me.
As you talk to God and ask God , the closer you become the more receptive to Gods voice you will be and the more you will receive.
God has a plan for me and I see the doors he opens for me that makes things happen, not always what I expect. I feel I am a happier/better person because God is in my life, I still have a long way to go, I still fail but when I do fail I ask God to help me so that I can put it right for next time. I know one day I will look back at my journey again and see what a wonderful changes have happened.
I hope I have inspired someone else here to tell others there journey, on a recent evangelist course I attended they said the best way to bring people to God is to tell your story so over lent take some time to sit down and write your journey out, you will find events may not have happened quite as you thought and there will be some other significant events that you forgot about - try it.
It is the best story to tell, they are our stories.
Amen.
Saturday, 9 February 2008
Trip to Germany - Mainz
The view from my hotel window, you can see The Dom in the distance.
St. Martin Cathedral (in German Mainzer Dom, sometimes Der Hohe Dom zu Mainz)
Mainz Cathedral is predominantly Romanesque in style, but later exterior additions over many centuries have resulted in the appearance of various architectural influences seen today. It comprises three naves and stands under the patronage of Saint Martin of Tours. The eastern quire is dedicated to Saint Stephen.
The interior of the cathedral houses tombs and funerary monuments of former powerful Electoral-prince-archbishops, or Kurfürst-Erzbischöfe, of the diocese and contains religious works of art spanning a millennium. The cathedral also has a central courtyard and statues of St. Boniface and The Madonna on its grounds.
The Dom Well
St. Martin Cathedral (in German Mainzer Dom, sometimes Der Hohe Dom zu Mainz)Mainz Cathedral is predominantly Romanesque in style, but later exterior additions over many centuries have resulted in the appearance of various architectural influences seen today. It comprises three naves and stands under the patronage of Saint Martin of Tours. The eastern quire is dedicated to Saint Stephen.
The interior of the cathedral houses tombs and funerary monuments of former powerful Electoral-prince-archbishops, or Kurfürst-Erzbischöfe, of the diocese and contains religious works of art spanning a millennium. The cathedral also has a central courtyard and statues of St. Boniface and The Madonna on its grounds.
The Dom Well
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