Sunday's coming!

I'm not preaching this week: not tried going away in Lent before but really looking forward to a deep breath before Holy Week. But readings for this week are: Jeremiah 31:31-34 Hebrews 5:5-10 John 12:20-33 I'm always fascinated by the story of the Greeks coming to see Jesus - and being told 'the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified'. It seems to me that Jesus is pointing towards a sense that it is not enough to see him as a good teacher or healer - to 'see' Jesus, to really understand and encounter who he is - they (and we) must understand Jesus the one who is crucified and who then rises from death. The whole of Lent & Easter is about helping us 'see' Jesus - see what he has really done, who he truly is, and accept what it means to be in communion with him, to enter into the new covenant promised by Jeremiah. Sorry, I won't be elaborating on these thoughts as I'm trying to get ahead on Planning the 9 services of Holy Week.

After preaching this very brief sermon I celebrated communion & realised as I did that in the window above the altar was an image of Christ on the cross, just behind the altar is a silver cross bearing the emblem of the lamb in the throne, so as I lifted up the host the 3 symbols came together: I also reaised that we then declared this same threefold symbolism of the lifting up of Christ : "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again". I hope perhaps some of the congregation also shared this moment of realisation!

Only a short sermon for the 8am (Mothering Sunday being marked at the main services - and I'm not preaching) Numbers 21: 4-9 John 3: 14-21 The story from Numbers is a strange one to our ears. The people of God, wandering for 40 years have many times when they grumble to Moses about their fate. On this occasion , they are punished for it – God sends poisonous snakes & then provides a cure through the symbol of the very thing that has caused them harm. John, in his gospel, has Jesus refer to this story, when he speaks of his own ‘being lifted up’. John’s gospel is full of signs which reveal who Jesus truly is and what his mission is: this is one of those signs – the sign of being lifted up. This could refer to Jesus’ crucifixion – being literally lifted up on the cross. Then that symbol of the very thing which causes people harm – evil and suffering an death – becomes the cure for humanity. When Jesus dies he transforms death and we need no longer be afraid. Or ‘being lifted up’ ...

I have decided to use 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 instead of Exodus - since at the Parish church we will be getting the 10 commandments in any case (being Lent). The sermon is sort of done - I'll look at it again tomorrow to try to make the end less abrupt - but this is more or less it: Lent 3 (1 Corinthians 1:18-25 John 2:13-22) One of the great things about reading the Bible is that every now and then you read or notice something that is completely new to you. That happened to me this week, reading the gospel reading set for today. The cleansing of the temple by Jesus – we read it every Lent, it’s part of the story of the growing opposition to Jesus from the religious authorities: opposition which ultimately leads to the crucifixion of Jesus. Matthew relates it in chapter 21, just after his account of Palm Sunday. But this year we read it in John. Chapter 2. Hang on – chapter 2, that’s very early in Jesus’ ministry, surely. Yes, John places this story very early, after his prolog...

This week's readings: Exodus 20:1-17 John 2:13-22 I'm thinking along the lines of barriers to God: the law, meant as a way into relationship with God, can become a barrier when we fall into the 'earning God's love' trap; the temple precincts, meant as the court of the gentiles, is over-run with people wanting to turn a profit; Jesus comes to remove barriers & restore relationship. So what blocks us from God? and how can Jesus help us? Not sure how to answer my last questions, though! Except that many of the conversations I've had with people over the last week or so have been about making sense of suffering: is suffering the barrier which keeps us from God? Then Jesus deals with that - embracing the cross to pass through suffering & demonstrate that God's love is stronger than death.

Some weeks I think and read and pray and write and re-write and finally craft a sermon I feel pleased with. I preach... and no-one seems to be listening, no-one reacts, no-one comments on anything other than the weather. This week I thought the sermon was 'light' - based on one reasonable idea but I didn't really have time to turn it anything much. And a number of people said 'you told us what we already know, but you reminded us of what's important & it was just what I needed to hear this week, Gods word came alive' (or words to that effect). And the lesson for this preacher today is: “But we have this treasure in clay jars to show that its extraordinary power comes from God and not from us.” (2 Cor. 4:7) _________________________________________

Readings: Genesis 17: 1-7, 15 & 16, Mark 8: 31-38 This is a very 'particular' sermon for just one congregation but I hope there's something of value here for anyone who reads it - I really am excited by the idea that God is still doing what he did to Abraham! Lent 2 Do you ever wonder what the story of Abraham (from about 4000 years ago) can possibly have to do with us? Then let me tell you an amazing story from nearer home. This week the European Court has ruled that employees can be forced to retire at 65 – and I know many of you here would say that that means you’ve still got enough energy to enjoy your retirement. But we all know that as the decades pass we have slightly less energy than before – and I hope that whatever happens to working lives in the future, by the time I’m 70 I’m allowed to slow down a bit! When we’re looking for people to do jobs in the church, we often look around for someone younger –with more energy – who God might be calling to so a piece o...

This is a different style of service, with breaking up into groups & an informal feel... will also post the sermon when it's thought about! ‘What is Lent all about?’ Gather: Call to worship Sing: ‘Will you come and follow me..’ Prayer Intro Scripture: Mark 8: 31-38 (as dramatic reading - below) Sing: Take O take me as I am (Iona - unaccompanied) Each person given a ‘fold-up’ cross & proceed to one of 3 stations (to rotate around) – or under 5s may go to children’s area (We sing ‘take O take me’ as we move each time) Station 1 Confession: On Ash Wednesday we ask God for a new start as lent begins Take a quarter of the cross shape Write on it the things you would like God to take out of your life Burn it (Ian can decide how best to do this!) The ash could be placed on the forehead on back of hand, in a cross as a sign of forgiveness Station 2 Life is about balance. Lent is about GUS (give something up) & TOM (take on more) Take 2 more quarters of the cross and write on ...