I am the bread of life. John 6.35 & John 6.48These words repeated twice in this mornings reading are at the heart of St John’s Gospel. All through this gospel John wants his readers to be clear about who Jesus is.The first clue to who Jesus is came from that familiar reading from St John on Christmas morning: “In the beginning was the word...(which) became flesh and lived among us...full of grace and truth.”Now in chapter 6, John gets to the heart of the matter: the relationship between the human and divine. In a discussion with religious leaders this relationship is given some practical application.As regards the human, the facts of the paternity of Jesus are not in dispute. Jesus is human, he is the son of Joseph conceived out of wedlock, and he is out of Nazareth a town with a dreadful reputation. Jesus stands in solidarity with us all in being dependant on God for everything in this life.As regards the divine: Jesus is not only out of Nazareth but out of God the Father, he has come down from heaven, he was sent by God as manna from heaven to make a difference to the way we look at life.St John wants us to see that Jesus embodies both human and divine characteristics.This is important for us as followers of Jesus, because today as on every Sunday, sometimes on a Thursday, we come together to share in the Holy Communion. We taste the bread and the wine, the body and blood of Christ crucified and risen to new life.God not only sent Jesus all those years ago; God has sent Jesus into our life. Our Christian way of life enables us to live within the teaching of Jesus who in turn learned it from God.The reading from the ancient writings of the first book of Kings shows how God sustained and refreshed the prophet Elijah at a time when he was frightened by life and was seeking safety. Similarly, we are sustained and refreshed in our Christian life by sharing in Holy Communion. The teaching of Jesus is developed by St Paul in his letters, expanding ideas to encompass how our Christian behaviour needs to reflect the values of the Kingdom of God. In the reading from Ephesians St Paul emphases Honesty in our dealings with people. Being the sort of people who can be trusted reflects the love God has for all of us. We are reminded of the love of God as we taste again the bread and the wine in Holy Communion.Bread is a staple food for us. Wine is a refreshing drink for us. Combined with ideas of new life in Christ, the bread and the wine refreshes our Christian life with the body and blood of Christ. Jesus is the bread of life, sent by God to bring us to experience a different way of living our life.The Revd Malcolm France
Lord, direct our thoughts, and teach us to pray. Lift up our hearts to worship you in spirit and in truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.‘O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.’ (Psalm 34:3)Hymn: I am the bread of life...1 Kings 19: 4-8; Ephesians 4:25 - 5:2‘God is love, and those who live in love live in God and God lives in them.’ 1 John 4:16 Let us pray: Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.May the God of love bring us back to himself, forgive us our sins, and assure us of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Prayer for the day: God of glory, the end of our searching, help us to lay aside all that prevents us from seeking your kingdom, and to give all that we have to gain the pearl beyond all price, through our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.John 6: 35, 41-51Let us join in prayer and ask for God’s empowering love to impact: the Church, that all may know and serve the Lord, to give our all in his good service; the world, that peace will reign and that all people will care and share; our neighbours, families and friends, that relationships will thrive; people who are sick or suffering, for the healing power of the Holy Spirit to be known; those who have been bereaved, that all who mourn will be comforted.Let us pray for the coming of God’s kingdom in the prayer that Jesus 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, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.Hymn: Guide me, O Thou Great Redeemer...May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all for evermore. Amen.Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in the name of Christ. Amen.
Sheringham Beach Life is four days of free activities for children and young people, aged 0 -16 years, at the end of the summer holidays, on the sea front, in local churches and other community facilities. This four day event sees around 200 children and young people participating in a full programme of fun and sharing the gospel. Sheringham Beach Life was launched in 2012 after the closure of the Scripture Union Beach Mission that had run for over 100 years in the town. The churches in Sheringham came together to further this work and we are now approaching our 12th Beach Life event this summer. We have a brilliant team of over 70 volunteers from our local churches who give up their time to ensure the children and young people have a great time and find out more about what it means to live ‘Life to the full in Jesus’. About 15 of those who volunteer are young leaders age 16 to 18 years old who have attended ‘Beach Life’ in previous years and want to now be part of the team. We also have people from our churches who help to feed the team during the week, a group who look after the technical aspects of the events and most importantly a prayer team who spend time during the week praying for us all.Each Beach Life day starts with a team breakfast followed by a time for preparation for the day. A duty minister will offer a reflection and time of prayer before the practicalities of the day are addressed. Then together we make our way to the Leas where we have put up a marquee for the event. Once the children and young people are registered we have the ‘Beach Special’ which is an all age family service and includes challenges, drama, an introduction to the daily Bible story, praise including a special medley of songs, prayer and the daily ‘gunge tank’.After the ‘Beach Special’ we split into age groups and make our way to different churches. This part of the programme is called ‘Going Deeper’. The Bible story is presented in an age relevant way and provides opportunities for questions and discussion amongst the activities. The afternoon and evening programme include family and youth activities and take place on the beach, on the Leas and in the town. We also hire the Reef so that the children and young people can enjoy a free swim. Beach Life takes place during the last week of the school summer holidays when parents’ ideas and school holiday budgets may be running thin. The event is open to everyone from 0 to 16 years of age and we welcome children and young people who live locally but also those who are on holiday. We adapt our activities to ensure that the event is inclusive for all. During the year a small group from each church meet to plan and raise money for the event. We are extremely fortunate to be able to access various grants and receive donations to support our work.It is wonderful that each year we see children and young people making a response, some for the first time, and for others it is a fresh sense of their commitment to follow Jesus, as they develop and mature. We know that many seeds are sown and that each year as children and young people return their understanding of the gospel and their faith becomes stronger. The event helps to build the churches locally as we encourage these children and young people and their families to connect with a church in Sheringham. But it also has an impact on the church wider afield: one family were on holiday in Sheringham and spontaneously joined in with ‘Beach Life’, and from that experience they found themselves a church locally to them when they returned home and are now very much involved in that congregation. We also have a family who comes over each year from Germany to participate in ‘Beach Life’. There are so many fantastic outcomes during the week with the visual presence of the churches in Sheringham working together in the local community. The opportunities we have to minister to children and young people and their families, raising the awareness of who Jesus is, has answered many prayers. The camaraderie in the team and the chance to work together to ensure that the children and young people engage with Jesus and realise how He can transform their lives is an amazing opportunity.For a real flavour of what ‘Beach Life’ is about watch this years promo video on our website: www.sheringhambeachlife.co.uk. This year our theme is Super Heroes. Each morning we will be exploring a story from the Bible. Tuesday the children and young people will learn about the Large Catch of Fish; Wednesday, the Calming of the Storm; Thursday the Feeding of the 5,000 and on Friday the story of Doubting Thomas. In the afternoon and evening there will be a Treasure Hunt in the town, Beach Sculptures on the beach, Inflatables and the Boating Lake junk challenge. We are organising an Alternative Olympic Games at the High School, a free swim at the Reef and the very popular ‘Sheropoly’. We will finish on the Friday with a family picnic and the very competitive Tide Fight. Please do look out for us around the town or come and join us on the Leas. Perhaps you would like to be part of our prayer team? It is so good to know that we have people in our churches praying for us. Below are some ideas for you to consider in your prayers: For God to establish a strong, united team to lead ‘Beach Life’ and build on last year. For wisdom and guidance as we plan the organisation of the event. For a good number of children and young people to attend. For safety and protection over all involved. For children and young people to be drawn to Jesus and see that He offers life to the full. For children and young people and their families to be encouraged to join a local church. For sunshine! For Jesus to be glorified as his people come together to make him known. Thank you.
Lord, direct our thoughts, and teach us to pray. Lift up our hearts to worship you in spirit and in truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.‘When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?’ (Psalm 8:3-4)Hymn: You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace...Ezekiel 47: 7-12‘God is love, and those who live in love live in God and God lives in them.’ 1 John 4:16 Let us pray: Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.May the God of love bring us back to himself, forgive us our sins, and assure us of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Prayer for the day: Almighty God, who sent your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of your Church: open our hearts to the riches of your grace, that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in love and joy and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.John 21: 1-13Let us join in prayer and ask for God’s empowering love to impact: the Church, that all may know and serve the Lord, to give our all in his good service; the world, that peace will reign and that all people will care and share; our neighbours, families and friends, that relationships will thrive; people who are sick or suffering, for the healing power of the Holy Spirit to be known; those who have been bereaved, that all who mourn will be comforted.Let us pray for the coming of God’s kingdom in the prayer that Jesus 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, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.Hymn: If I were a butterfly...May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all for evermore. Amen.Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in the name of Christ. Amen.
