The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer’ Psalm 18:2It’s coming up to seven years since I became parish priest at Christ Church Stannington. As many of you know my role is only part-time – I also organise the curate training programme for the diocese which has increased significantly since I started. Because of this I’ve been asked to go full time in the curate training role which means I will unfortunately be standing down as priest in charge of Christ Church from September. I have very much enjoyed serving in this parish and I never cease to be amazed at the beauty of this place. It has been a privilege and delight to serve alongside such a gracious church family and kind community.With regard to the next steps, there needs to be a discussion with our church council and our archdeacon – please can I encourage you to be praying about this.There are changing times ahead for us all of us as we start to come out of lockdown. And change can be very unsettling, even good change – some are nervous about reopening facilities, others are fearful about their finances and jobs and as a church we are wondering what the future holds in terms of leadership. But the reality is life always involves change but as Christians we have the truth that in God we have One who never changes - who is always there for us, always to be relied upon and always there to guide us and be our strength. The psalm highlighted above refers to God as our Rock – our ultimate security and this brings us comfort and hope, especially in these uncertain times. Let’s focus our attention on Him each day as we face the future.With love and God blessTim
Read our latest edition of Stannington, our parish magazine, here. Hardcopies of Stannington are available free of charge from Stannington Post Office, Stanwood Post Office, Stannington News, and Stannington Library.
Connect service 210321 Aim: to grow in our understanding of what the Bible says regarding sexualitySome updates regarding opening the church building following our church council meeting last week bearing in mind that some public buildings will begin to open from 12/4. Still need to be very cautious as the latest variant of coronavirus is 50% more contagious that the 1<sup>st</sup>. So subject to risk assessments we hope to have a 9am HC from 18/4 as before (hands/face/space & using a booking system). Also as some outdoor activities are being allowed we propose to have a small outdoor Dawn service in the church yard at 6am on Easter Day with other events online for Holy Week and Easter Day. We will aim to get details on our website and noticeboard once confirmed.Diocesan PrayerLiving God, Jesus calls his followers to seek first your Kingdom. Renew us as we make your love known; Release us to share freely together in mission; and Rejuvenate us to be fruitful in your service. Give us courage, wisdom and compassion, that strengthened with the grace of the Holy Spirit, we may, as the Diocese of Sheffield, both flourish and grow through Christ our Lord. AmenThe Lord be with youConfession Wash me thoroughly from my wickednessand cleanse me from my sin:Lord, have mercy.Lord, have mercy.Make me a clean heart, O God,and renew a right spirit within me:Christ, have mercy.Christ, have mercy.Cast me not away from your presenceand take not your holy spirit from me:Lord, have mercy.Lord, have mercy.AbsolutionMay the Father forgive usby the death of his Sonand strengthen usto live in the power of the Spiritall our days.Amen.CollectGracious Father,you gave up your Sonout of love for the world:lead us to ponder the mysteries of his passion,that we may know eternal peacethrough the shedding of our Saviour’s blood,Jesus Christ our Lord.AmenResponsive creed:Do you believe and trust in God the Father,source of all being and life,the one for whom we exist?All We believe and trust in him.Do you believe and trust in God the Son,who took our human nature,died for us and rose again?All We believe and trust in him.Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit,who gives life to the people of Godand makes Christ known in the world?All We believe and trust in him.This is the faith of the Church.All This is our faith.We believe and trust in one God,Father, Son and Holy Spirit.Amen.Bible readings 1Corinthians 13 It’s worth saying that we will be talking about a controversial subject this morning – let’s seek to do that in love. Matthew 7:24-29We watched a video on interpreting the Bible (following up on this Bible passage) noting that the Bible is made up of Poetry, Letters, Law & History, recognising we need to take time to listen carefully, bearing in mind context & culture (this video is available on the Church of England website under the resources section: ‘Living in Love and faith’ – in part one of the course of that name).We had a look at some of the different ways Christians interpret the Bible: - Leviticus 11:9-10 food laws in ancient times & their original purpose & their relevance today e.g. law forbidding eating certain sea food like shell fish- 1Corinthians 14:34 content from a letter to a church in Corinth regarding women speaking in church & its relevance today with our culture- Leviticus 20:9 a shocking law about children cursing parents in Hebrew culture but recognising the important underlying principle behind this- Genesis 19:1-7 following discussion in breakout groups we had a plenary which noted that the passage appears to be more about male rape than a comment on homosexuality in general- 1Corinthians 6:9 recognising the different Bible translations available with the Greek word malakoi translated as ‘male prostitute’ or ‘effeminate’ or ‘passive homosexual partners’ or not at all (noting that translation itself involves interpretation from the original Greek). We considered if this was a passage directed towards male prostitution of minors in the Graeco-Roman world rather than homosexuality in general but also noted the general reference of Romans 1:26f.- We considered how science, tradition, prejudice & changing social attitudes can impact on our understanding & interpretation of the Bible. It was noted that as Christians we are to look to the teaching of Christ who said not to judge, encouraged care for the poor & outcast, and highlighted the priority of love. PrayersPray for God’s wisdom & grace in the issues raised today<div>Pray for God’s wisdom in decisions national & local leaders face re coronvirusPray for those who are sick or in particular needLord’s Prayer Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name,your kingdom come,your will be done,on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sinsas we forgive those who sin against us.Lead us not into temptationbut deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power,and the glory are yoursnow and for ever.Amen.The issues relating to identity, sexuality, relationships & marriage involve a story of hurt in both church & society today, and difficulty in finding resolution to conflict surrounding such matters. Reflecting on God’s word reminds us of God’s grace and the importance of ongoing learning in this subject.Grace : May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, evermore. AmenCommon Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England (2000) (including the Psalter as published with the common worship) material from which is included in this service, is/are copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000. </div>
Explore service 070321: to be thankful for and receive God’s compassion as shown in Jesus The Lord be with youBible readings Philippians 2:1-11 Question 1: ‘how did Jesus’ actions demonstrate God’s compassion?’Plenary comments: God gave us Jesus who gives us all we need. Jesus gave up everything to be with us. Jesus took nature of a servant, showing us how to live. Jesus had time for people that society rejected. Jesus was willing to listen & was not bound by set rules. Jesus came alongside us as our friend – all you would want as a good friend (there through good & bad times). Jesus gave his life for us & suffered a cruel death for us. Luke 7:10-15Question 2: ‘in what way do Jesus’ actions show His compassion?’Plenary comments: Jesus showed pity and did something: at the right place & at the right time, in bringing the widow’s son back to life. The woman faced destitution and Jesus met her at her point of need.Clip: https://www.solas-cpc.org/does-the-existence-of-suffering-prove-there-is-no-god-andy-bannister/ Question 3: ‘What is your response to this and the comment, “only in Jesus is the beginning to the answer to the biggest problem facing humanity” – and in what way is it only the beginning?’Plenary comments: Andy Bannister explains how Jesus is an example of compassion (suffering with – not just empathising with pain). Being a disciple is a start (the beginning) in following God & not an entry to a ‘quiet way of life’ (in a lot of ways just the opposite). Jesus came to comfort the challenged & challenge the comfortable (which includes us). The church toilet twinning venture is an example of us seeking to come alongside those in poorer countries without good sanitation to make provision for toilets & good health education. The children at church have supported this through cake selling & giving of their pocket money to raise significant amounts of money with support of parents & others in the church family. This is harder than writing a cheque & reminds us of the importance of ‘getting our hands dirty’ and that there is ‘pain in the offering’ of our lives. We were also reminded of the 300k step challenge for Christian Aid (more details in the upcoming March church magazine – available on the website) as a way of supporting those in poorer countries. Suffering with regard to mental health (not just physical suffering) was mentioned (a subject highlighted at yesterday’s men’s breakfast – support links are available) and this is an area which affect a lot of people in relation to the isolation suffered as part of the pandemic. Suffering is a big issue to deal with and can seem overwhelming at times but God has done something about this in sending Jesus – we are called to play our part in this too & simply making a start (beginning) is important (not feeling we have to sort it all out in one go) being there at the right time at the right place. In this way as disciples of Christ we participate in the sufferings of Christ and God can help us grow as Christians through this – Romans 5:3-5 talks of suffering producing perseverance, perseverance, character & character, hope. And 2Corinthians 1:4 talks of us helping others with the help we have received from the God of compassion. In this way Jesus continues to make a difference in the suffering in our world.Responsive creed: Do you believe and trust in God the Father,source of all being and life,the one for whom we exist?All We believe and trust in him.Do you believe and trust in God the Son,who took our human nature,died for us and rose again?All We believe and trust in him.Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit,who gives life to the people of Godand makes Christ known in the world?All We believe and trust in him.This is the faith of the Church.All This is our faith.We believe and trust in one God,Father, Son and Holy Spirit.Amen.ConfessionCompassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God,though we have rebelled against him.Let us then renounce our wilfulness and ask his mercyby confessing our sins in penitence and faith.We confess to you our selfishness and lack of love:fill us with your Spirit.Lord, have mercy.Lord, have mercy.We confess to you our fear and failure in sharing our faith:fill us with your Spirit.Christ, have mercy.Christ, have mercy.We confess to you our stubbornness and lack of trust:fill us with your Spirit.Lord, have mercy.Lord, have mercy.AbsolutionMay the Father forgive usby the death of his Sonand strengthen usto live in the power of the Spiritall our days. Amen.Collect Eternal God, give us insight to discern your will for us, to give up what harms us, and to seek the perfection we are promised in Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenPrayers: Heavenly Father thank you for your love, as seen in sending Jesus; thank you that we are never alone in suffering, and that you are always with us.Please help us to show such love as we seek to care for others; please help all those who care for others at this difficult time.Please help those in need to know your love, and that with you, they are never alone.AmenLord’s Prayer Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.Song: ‘Come now is the time to worship’ Summary: God meets us in our suffering. Jesus understands and is with us. Holy Spirit helps us to show compassion.Grace: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, evermore. AmenCommon Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England (2000) (including the Psalter as published with the common worship) material from which is included in this service, is/are copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000.
