Shipley Church Self-ServiceSunday 7th February 2021Thought for the Week – This is the Word of the LordJesus is like an authorised visual aid to understanding God, because he entered into our midst and dwelt among us. The opening of John’s Gospel is heard again, but in the context of understanding what is meant by the Word of God: “In the beginning was the Word; we have seen his glory” (John 1: 1-14). This famous – almost poetic - passage forms the preface of John’s Gospel which, like the overture to an opera, introduces an immense amount of theology into a few, precise lines. How could the dynamic person of Jesus claim also to be God entering into human history, taking on the entire experience of existence as a human being? Here was someone exercising the right to forgive sin – totally obedient to God – but who was also clearly human. His word was Creative : By the word of the Lord, the heavens were made; his word was Incarnate: God glorified the flesh of Man; his word was the Written word: Thanks to God whose word was written in the Scriptures; and his word was Spoken: The preaching of Jesus during his ministry. My friend, who imagines having regular spiritual conversations with God, once asked Him if he would play Scrabble with her, so that he could give her some high-scoring triple-letter words to help her live her life to the full. God answered her: My words will never pass away, for the Word of the Lord is right and true (Psalm 33:4).Hymn for TodayLord thy word abideth, And our footsteps guideth; Who its truth believeth, Light and joy receiveth. Word of mercy, givingSuccour to the living;Word of life, supplyingComfort to the dying.Prayer for TodayWe pray: O God, grant that we may hear thy word with a real desire to receive what it promises and to practise what it commands.Note: The Readings and Gospel set for today can be downloaded from the top right of this page
Shipley Church Self-Service Sunday 31 January 2021 Thought for the Week – From heaven you came Today’s Gospel continues the pattern of revealing throughout the Epiphany season precisely who Jesus is. He began teaching in his local synagogue, and wherever he went, crowds gathered, attracted by both the substance of his teaching and the authority with which he spoke. They were astounded as they saw him exorcise an evil spirit from a passing tramp (Mark 1: 21-28). Later Jesus healed a paralytic, saying to him, “Get up, take your bed and walk”. Those watching were amazed (Mark 2: 4-12). The revelation that this was truly “the Holy One of God”, comes from an unlikely source – a man with an unclean spirit, and another individual who was disabled. How prepared are we to accept profound insights from those on the margins of society, or even from outside the walls of the Church? The Christian answer, grounded in the doctrine of the incarnation, initially seems astonishing, then appears to be arrogant, before finally being recognised as deeply satisfying: Jesus is authorised to speak of God because he is God. When the Christ child was presented in the Temple at Candlemas, Simeon, a righteous and devout man, took him in his arms and uttered, Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen thy salvation. (Luke2) Hymn for TodayAt the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, Every tongue confess him King of glory now; ‘Tis the Father’s pleasure we should call him Lord, Who from the beginning was the mighty Word.Prayers for TodayWe pray that despite being unable to come to church during health restrictions for Covid19, God may lift us out of our doubts and anxieties into the calm of his presence.Note: The Gospel and Readings set for today can be downloaded from the top right of this page.
Shipley Church Self-Service Sunday 24th January 2021 Thought for the Week – Getting to know you, getting to know all about you! The song “Getting to know you” from the Rogers & Hammerstein musical “The King and I” concludes with … “haven’t you noticed? Suddenly I’m bright and breezy, because of all the beautiful and new, things I’m learning about you, day by day”. The coming of Jesus into human history introduced something new and dynamic, that the old ways of thinking were not capable of grasping. To the amazement of the disciples, Jesus turned a large quantity of water into wine, at a wedding feast in the Galilean village of Cana. There were suddenly “new” things to see and understand as Jesus’ ministry gathered momentum with the first of his miraculous signs. (John 2: 1-11) People find in Jesus a reason for living, a firm stronghold in times of despair, and joy and confidence in what they find so compelling about him – even without fully understanding who he is - that they choose to follow him. The incident that took place at Cana catapulted forward the process of working out Jesus’ identity. Might what once was inconceivable have actually happened? And, if so, who was it that the disciples had chosen to follow?Hymn for todayLead us, heavenly Father, lead us O’er the world’s tempestuous sea; Guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us, For we have no help but thee; Yet possessing every blessing If our God our Father be.Prayer for TodayWe pray that God will give skill, wisdom and gentleness to all who minister to the sick. We pray that he will continue his work of healing amongst us, and regard with tender compassion the anxious and bereaved. Help us also to know who he is, and what he wants us to be.Note: The Gospel and Readings set for today can be downloaded from the top right corner of this page.
Shipley Church Self-Service Sunday 17<span style="font-size: 12px;">th</span> January 2021 Thought for the Week – Will you come and follow me? Jesus called for twelve men – mostly fisherman, one a tax collector – to be his disciples: Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Jude, Simon, & Judas. His call to them appears so compelling that they follow almost without question. Jesus’ personality and character must have displayed a quality of leadership and charismatic charm so compelling, that it enabled him to exercise magnetic persuasion in inspiring the devotion of others. The main purpose that Jesus had for the 12 disciples was for them to witness the beginning of his public ministry, and to accept a commission for teaching every nation to observe his commandments. (Matthew 28:19) St Paul recognised that no one would be fooled by a so-called Christian preacher trying to sell a lifestyle that they themselves were not living. So the way to promote Christianity was to live it yourself (1 Timothy 4:16) How, then, should we become effective evangelists? Have we listened for, and responded to, God’s call to us? (John 1: 40-51) Hymn for TodayO Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end; Be now and ever near me, my master and my friend: I shall not fear the battle if you are by my side, Nor wander from the pathway if you will be my guide.Prayer for TodayWe pray to our God, the servant king; he calls us now to follow him: Help me, Lord, to speak your name, my daily labour to pursue. You alone, I long to know, in all I think or speak or do.Note: The Gospel and Readings set for today can be downloaded from the top right corner of this page.
