St Paul wrote to his friends in Ephesus and said: “I have heard of your faith…” Ephesians 1.15When St Paul wrote “I have heard of your faith”, he could have been writing about you and the church in Sheringham. Be of no doubt, the people you meet every day have heard of your faith. People have noticed the respect and love you share with each other and with them, for you are all followers of St Peter, at St Peter’s Church, Sheringham. We all worship Christ the King, King of our life.It is quite remarkable that the things St Paul wrote about the Christians in Ephesus nearly 2000 years ago, can be said of the Christians in Sheringham today.Like those folk in Ephesus, I am also sure that you are well aware of the hope of your calling. For you have found that to follow the Christian way, in the footsteps of the risen Christ, is to live in the hope that life can be of a superior quality. We in the Church of St Peter’s Sheringham, are Christ’s body; our worship, our actions, our views shared, and our influence in society - all witness to the fullness of life to which faith in God has given us access.Our faith makes a difference. It is because of our faith that we live life differently. Just how differently is described in that parable we heard earlier from the Gospel of St Matthew. It is as different as Sheep are from Goats.Or as the prophet Ezekiel put it: its as different as Fat Sheep from Lean Sheep.In Jesus’ story, Ezekiel’s description of the offer by God to support his people in the life of faith is repurposed to highlight the difference made to life when faith in Christ is attempted. The approach to life by the sheep and by the goats have important differences: the sheep have been living the life of the Kingdom, with Christ as King; the goats have been living for self alone, without Christ.When the story is applied to ourselves, we find that our faith has led us to look at life differently from the way most other people look at life. Most other people don’t even know that when they live for themselves they are missing out on the Kingdom Quality of life made available in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.If you were to tell most people they are missing out, they would ask: “when do we miss out?”That’s why the ”Goats” were so surprised when challenged about things they had not done.When did we see you as a stranger, hungry, thirsty, sick or in prison? they ask.The implication being that had they known Jesus then they would have done differently. But they didn’t do differently.They did not recognise Jesus in the people around them.They never got around to sorting out anyone else but themselves. They don’t know what it is they don’t know. So they miss out on the Kingdom Life.You on the other hand, by putting others first, automatically live the life of the Kingdom.It is so automatic that this morning you may be as surprised as those “Sheep” were in the story to find yourselves being commended for your lifestyle. You don’t realise what it is you don’t realise. You don’t realise what it is that others see in you. You don’t realise that you are living life differently; those not living life differently notice because its not how they live life. You live a life of a different quality; that’s what the Kingdom of God is: a quality of life which just comes naturally. But, when people around you do get around to giving the matter some thought, they do notice that you have a different way of looking at life. They do notice when you put others first; they notice when you share ideas that they find challenging. Sometimes they do more than notice; sometimes they wonder what it is you are on; occasionally they even want some of it.So, just as with the Christians in Ephesus all those years ago, its up to us to continue living in the faith with one foot in the Kingdom of God.To keep on looking out for the stranger, the needy, and the folk who lack spiritual awareness. For to do so is to bring life closer to the kingdom of God. It’s an approach to living, which provides access to a life ruled over by Christ the King.The Revd Malcolm France
Lord, direct our thoughts, and teach us to pray. Lift up our hearts to worship you in spirit and in truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.‘O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!’ (Ps 95:1-2)Hymn: Crown him with many crowns...Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Ephesians 1:15-23Jesus says, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ So let us turn away from sin and turn to Christ, confessing our sins in penitence and faith:Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.May the God of love bring us back to himself, forgive us our sins, and assure us of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Prayer for the day: God the Father, help us to hear the call of Christ the King and to follow in his service, whose kingdom has no end; for he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, one glory. Amen.Matthew 25:31-46Please see the message from the minister.Let us join in prayer, asking for the loving presence of Christ the King to be known to everyone as we live day by day:We pray for the Church, that Christ will rule in all hearts;We pray for the world, for compassion and loving kindness to overpower conflict;We pray for our families and community as we share God’s love and build relationships;We pray for people who are sick or suffering, that they will know God’s healing presence;We pray for the departed, remembering all who mourn.Let us pray for the coming of God’s kingdom in the prayer that Jesus taught us:Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.Hymn: Rejoice! The Lord is King! ...May the love of our Lord Jesus draw us to himself, the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in his service, the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our hearts: and may the blessing of God Almighty who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon us and remain with us always.Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in the name of Christ. Amen.
Our Heating is Broken!Please note that as our heating system is broken you will need to wrap up warmly in the winter months if you attend any of our events or services in the church building. We are currently raising funds to fix the heating, but it is an old system and the cost will be considerable - we anticipate around £40, 000!If you would like to donate toward the heating fund, you may do so following the QR code below, through Parish Giving, by using the card machine inside the church, by sending us a cheque, or by bringing in cash on a Sunday or Thursday morning. Thank you for your generosity, and for your understanding.
Double Your MoneyDo you remember the old television quiz show with Hughie Green?In today’s Gospel we have a similar scenario. 3 servants are entrusted with the responsibility of managing their master’s money while he is away. He returns to find that the servants given 5 and 2 talents have, through sound investment, doubled his money. However, the servant given 1 talent just buried it in the ground. A talent was a lot of money, equivalent to thousands of pounds today. The master commended the servants who had doubled his money and invited them to share in the abundance his life, but the third servant was severely punished and banished from the kingdom.Jesus is demonstrating in this parable that, as part of God’s kingdom, we have a responsibility to use the talents (or gifts) we have been given to do God’s work. In whatever we are called to do, to spread the good news that we are all children of light. The 1 talent servant buried his light in darkness. He was probably miffed because the others had been given more than him but God gives according to our ability and equips us. Diversity and creativity are built into all creation. In Genesis God placed Adam in the garden and gave him the responsibility to tend it and care for it and produce good fruits. We too are given responsibility to produce good fruits. God knows our characters, qualities, and capabilities and gives us everything needed to do what he has called us to.The servant let fear immobilise him and made a judgement about his master not being a fair man. We are told to trust in the Lord and not to lean on our own understanding.What about the relationship and communication between the 3 servants? It seems as if the 1 talent man had taken himself off and done his own thing. He was piqued and felt slighted that he had been given less than the others, although he had been given abundance (thousands of pounds) he was not satisfied! He wanted more! He did not have an attitude of gratitude!Comparing ourselves with others, instead of rejoicing in our uniqueness is harmful. We are all beautifully and wonderfully made as part of God’s design for creation. The 1 talent man saw himself as worth less than the others, instead of giving thanks for life. We are all God’s children of light, and diversity is woven into creation. We are commissioned to spread the light of the Gospel in the world, wherever God has placed us. Not to bury and hide our light as the servant did. St. Paul tells us to encourage one another and build each other up in love. At first, we might sympathise with the 1 talent man as he did give at least give back what he was given but the pointJesus is making is that he wasted opportunities for abundance! We are required to grab opportunities to spread the good news and be part of growing God’s kingdom on earth.The prophet Zephaniah, in our first reading, spoke of The Day of The Lord’s return and God punishing those who rest complacently, as they are like wine dregs that become sediment. They become cut off from the vine, living church, withered, and withdrawn and cannot bear good fruit. However, it is not all doom and gloom for St. Paul tells us that the day of The Lord’s return will come like a thief in the night, we do not know where or when but we do need to be ready. We need to be in relationship with God and listen to His voice for our lives. To keep awake and be active, put on the breastplate of faith and love and helmet of salvation and do what God calls and equips us to do.Amen.Angela Stewart, Lay Minister
