Easter Sunday 4th April 2021Thought for the Week – “I have seen the Lord”In John’s Gospel, Mary Magdalene is the first to see the resurrected Jesus. What an amazing and moving reading it is! (John 20: 1-18). But Mary’s recognition of Jesus, after discovering the empty tomb, was not immediate; her initial reaction was not joy at the risen Christ, but confusion and fear of the unknown. Only when Jesus calls her by her name, does she realise it is He standing before her. “I have seen the Lord!” she tells the disciples. Often in the bible, direct encounters with God evoke a sense of awe and anxiety. When the shepherds, watching their flocks in the fields near Bethlehem, saw the glory of the Lord around them, their response was fear (Luke 2: 8-9). Again, the Archangel Gabriel’s declaration to Mary – that she would bear the holy child – left her shocked and astonished.But with the Easter story, we are presented with the fulfillment of the prophecy of the Old Testament (Isaiah 53), which suddenly ceases to be an abstract idea and becomes something particular and specific that will transform lives and the life of the world. As we gradually emerge from winter into Spring, nature’s cycle of life, death and rebirth is at its most visible. The endlessly recurring rhythm of the seasons helps us to believe we can escape the finality of death. Can we offer ourselves as an expression of God’s love to its unfolding? And are we able to recognise and pay witness to our risen Lord?Easter Hymn Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son, Endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won; Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away, Kept the folded grave-clothes where thy body lay. Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son, Endless is the vict’ry thou o’er death hast won.Easter PrayerWe pray, Lord you have taught us that death is not the final word. As the sun rises this Easter morning, will you rise in our lives to be our hope, our life, and our joy.Note: The Gospel and Readings set for today can be downloaded from the top right of this page
Shipley Church Self-ServicePalm Sunday 28th March 2021Thought for the week – Jesus’ triumphal entry into JerusalemThe Passion narrative moves rapidly through the events of this week, as we journey with Jesus when he enters Jerusalem (Mark 1: 1-11), to the placing of his body in the tomb. In the best and most widely known hymns on the Crucifixion, attention is concentrated upon the unique nature of his sorrows and suffering. “See from his head, his hands, his feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down; Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?” He himself knew no sin, but sorrowed for those who did. It is well to realise that Jesus’ sufferings were occasioned by his genuine love and pity for mankind. He sorrowed on account of sin - not his own, but yours, and mine. At the Lord’s Supper, the eating of bread and drinking of wine, which all Christians do as a memorial of Christ’s “passion”, was also – according to Jesus himself – a foretaste of the glory of God’s Kingdom to come. (Matthew 26: 27-29) The momentous events of Palm Sunday remind us to ask ourselves, how should we prepare to honour Jesus as our King? Hymn for the Day On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suffering and shame; And I love that old cross where the dearest and bestFor a world of lost sinners was slain.Come to the CrossFold a piece of A5 paper in half, vertically; then about one third of the way down, fold it horizontally. As it’s opened out again it will be marked with the shape of a cross. Write: In the top left corner, a member of your family; In the top right, a particular friend; in the bottom left, someone you’ve heard of recently with problems to face; and in the bottom right, yourself. Prayer for the DayPray, Heavenly Father, we bring to your cross these people we know and care for, and ask you to show your love for them and for all humanity.Note: The Gospel and readings set for today can be downloaded from the top right of this page.
Shipley Church Self-Service The 5th Sunday of Lent 21st March 2021Thought for the Week – The place where Jesus gathers all people to himselfAs the cross casts its shadow over the coming fortnight, it is not always easy to see where we’re going, but it can help to notice just where we’ve been already. Jesus doesn’t seem to pluck us out of the tougher times so much as to promise to walk us through them. “Goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life” (Psalm 23)Soon we shall be at the place where love “so amazing, so divine” is revealed in all its fullness. (John 12: 20-33) Christ accepted a violent and undeserved death, and through taking our nature and teaching us by word and example, he bound us (and all of humanity) to himself through his death and resurrection. The pouring out of his earthly life – signified by the New Testament phrase “the blood of Christ” – reveals the total self-sacrifice he made on the cross for the salvation of mankind. Hymn for the Day When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss And pour contempt on all my pride. Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were an offering far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.Prayer for TodayMeditation: At this time of turbulence, when our lives have been turned upside down and our fixed points uprooted, we can’t even raise our voices in song or press a hand as a sign of peace. But there is comfort in knowing that God is unchanging, and that “the truth of the Lord endureth for ever” (Psalm 117).Note: The Gospel and readings set for today can be downloaded from the top right of this page.
Shipley Church Self-Service Mothering Sunday 14th March 2021 Thought for the Week – Jesus commends his mother Mary to John’s care Observance of Mothering Sunday began in the 16th century, when it was a tradition for people to return to their “mother church” on the 4th Sunday in Lent. Gradually, it altered into a celebration of motherhood and the maternal nature of God’s love. For every parent, love involves a willingness to allow their child to grow and follow its own path through life. Just as the process of caring for people as a mother reaches its agonising crisis for Mary, as she stands by the crucifixion of her son, the sufferings of Christ also are at their greatest. Yet, at that very moment, Jesus demonstrates that no amount of suffering can extinguish the capacity for love, as from the cross he entrusts his Mother into the care of his closest disciple, John. (John 19: 25-27)Hymn for todayLord Jesus Christ, you have come to us, You are one with us, Mary’s Son. Cleansing our souls from all our sins, Pouring your love and goodness in, Jesus, our love for you we sing, Living Lord.Prayer for todayWe thank God, in our prayers, for all those who work in ways, great and small, to help others. As with a mother’s unconditional love, they do this instinctively, without any expectation of thanks or recognition. Note: The Gospel and Readings set for today can be downloaded from the top right of this page.
