Shipley Church Self-ServiceSunday 9th August 2020Thought for the Week – Jesus walking on waterIt was a spectacular and unforgettable event when Jesus walked on the Sea of Galilee to re-join his disciples who had departed ahead of him in a small boat. When he reached them, the storm they had been caught in subsided, and his disciples who had feared for their lives, then worshiped him as the true Son of God. (Matthew 14: 22-33) What are our fears and doubts that need to be calmed, today? When a frightening encounter occurs, people often turn to God, as Peter did and cried “Lord, save me!” Today’s Covid19 pandemic breeds fear, as did the plagues and epidemics of the past – Spanish flu of 1918 that claimed more lives than those killed in the Great War, SARS in 2002, Ebola in 2014, and HIV/Aids in the 1980’s. But amidst the fear and uncertainty, these crises have spawned an outpouring of mass volunteerism and self-sacrifice; often we dread the difficult experiences of life such as illness, the loss of loved ones, financial hardship etc., only to discover that they can bring Jesus closer to us. Today’s Gospel reading is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. A flock of gulls can sit serenely and securely upon the waves, but it is not for us to walk on water. Jesus, though, proved himself to be in command of the elements, and thus revealed himself to us through his disciples who recognised him and responded with a confession of faith in Jesus as God. Hymn for the DayEternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm doth bind the restless wave, Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep; O hear us when we cry to thee For those in peril on the sea.PrayersWe pray, God will calm our fears and be at our side through the nights of doubt and sorrow. If sometimes we are unable to perceive his presence, he may possibly even be walking on water, while quietly choosing what is best for us. Note: The Readings set for today can be downloaded from the top right corner of this page.
Shipley Church Self-Service Sunday 2nd August 2020Thought for the Week – Feeding of the 5,000 with five loaves and two fishFood is the theme of this Sunday’s readings – the food we need to sustain our bodies as well as the spiritual food with which we need to nourish our souls. In the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus offers both. The story also tells us to be compassionate for the needy. Its symbolism is, of course, connected to the Jewish Passover and to the Eucharist, as Jesus feeds the multitude until their “cup runneth over” with the blessings of not only their earthly satisfaction, but eternal life. (Matthew 14: 13-21)The famous television advertisement in which a small boy wheels his bike, with its basket full of bread, up the steep hill known as Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, Dorset, to the accompaniment of Dvorak’s New World Symphony, was made in 1973 to promote the Hovis loaf. First called “Hominis Vis” (meaning Strength of Man) in 1886, and then shortened to “Hovis”, it re-introduced wheatgerm to the British loaf. By 1986 Hovis had become one of two giant bakeries producing over two thirds of the nine million or so loaves we eat each day in Britain. Perhaps we should try to understand how God works in our lives, and that what we can expect from him is far greater than we could ever imagine. HymnGuide me, O thou great Redeemer, Pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but thou art mighty, Hold me with thy powerful hand: Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more.PrayersWe pray for the many millions in the world today who are hungry and are at the mercy of disease. Make us instruments of God’s purpose to relieve their sufferings.Note: The Set Prayers and Gospel for today can be downloaded from the top right corner of this page.
Shipley Church Self-ServiceSunday 26th July 2020Thought for the Week – Blessed are those who fear the LordOne of the most important spiritual concepts found in the Bible is the “fear of the Lord”. What exactly does it mean? Put simply, “fearing” the Lord has a strong connection to an obedience to God’s will; those who obey God by “fearing” him and who walk in his ways, shall be declared “blessed”. (Psalm 128)The Bible lists seven amazing promises made to those who cultivate a “fear of the Lord” in their daily lives, and who keep his commandments: 1.Knowledge through God’s Word 2.Divine Wisdom 3.Resistance against Sin 4.God’s complete Forgiveness & Infinite Mercy 5.Living of life to its Richest Measure 6.Protection for You & your Children 7.Friendship with God. Scripture makes it clear that the eternal benefits of “fearing” the Lord, with a humble and reverend obedience to God’s will & purposes, and a repentant heart, transforms human lives.Hymn for the Day <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Happy are they, they that love God,</span> Whose hearts have Christ confest, Who by his cross have found their life, And ‘neath his yoke their rest.PrayersWe pray and reflect on such life-shaping questions as the “fear of our Lord”, and ask ourselves whether we give our time and energy to the things that we value the most. The set prayers, readings and Gospel for today can be downloaded from the top right hand of this page.
Shipley Church Self-ServiceSunday 19th July 2020Thought for the Week – God is merciful, just and kindThe book Wisdom of Solomon is an ancient Jewish writing from the 1st century BC and is not recognised as scripture and therefore not included in the Bible. But it speaks of the character of God and describes him as “merciful, just and kind”. Psalm 85 asserts, “God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness”. What might it mean for our church today to reflect God’s character in the world? St Paul, in his letter to the Romans, preaches that as God’s children we who follow him shall inherit his character of kindness and mercy, and eventually share in his glory and become a light and hope to the world. A high calling, indeed.(Romans 8: 12-17)A dear friend of mine living in London has an unusual prayer life and relationship with God. She chooses the simplicity of everyday situations to capture and reveal tender and loving spiritual conversations that she has with God. Kindness, she writes in her remarkable book, is like salt and enhances the flavour of life. It can even season the most difficult times with both hope and courage. Like salt, Kindness cleanses many wounds. Be kind and compassionate to one another. (Ephesians 4:32).Hymn for the Day All my hope on God is founded;He doth still my trust renew.Me through change and chance he guideth,Only good and only true.God unknown, He aloneCalls my heart to be his own.PrayersWe pray, “Let us with a gladsome mind praise the Lord, for he is kind; For his mercies shall endure, ever faithful, ever sure.” John MiltonThe Gospel and Set Prayers for today can be downloaded from the top right corner of this page
