“When did you last read Habakkuk?” one of our tutors often used to say. I knew I hadn’t read it recently, if at all. I wonder if you have? The Bible doesn’t make for easy reading, especially the Old Testament. That isn’t surprising. It covers a lot of ground. It wasn’t originally written in English. In fact, many of its books were handed down orally before they were written down at all. The 66 books vary in genre, including poetry and wisdom stories as well as records of events. The people who are spoken about lived in very different worlds, from each other and from us. And yet, in our Bible study group before the pandemic we agreed time and time again that human nature hasn’t changed. Neither has God, although many perceive God differently since Jesus came to show us the way.I put it to you though that the Bible is the most important book you’ll ever read. It certainly changed my direction in life when I read the New Testament and came to believe in Jesus. The Bible turns the ways of the world on their head - not only the ancient worlds in which the books were written, but the ways of our world today. The reason that each book was handed down from one generation to another and is treated as sacred is because the power of God comes through it in some way. People are touched, influenced, and responsive in the spirit when touched by the Holy Spirit through the words of the Bible. We know it to be the truth, and we know it to be good, even though it’s not easy, it’s incomprehensible, it’s challenging as well as affirming. So is God.I remember as a child hearing ‘Bible-basher’ as a derogatory term for people who liked to quote from the Bible to try to control other people or to coerce them into believing in God. It had the adverse effect. It put people off. The Bible isn’t there for that reason, or for us to use the bits we like out of context. Jesus was scathing toward the religious people of his time who were doing this. “You don’t have <the Father’s> word abiding in you, because you don’t believe him whom he has sent” he said. “You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf... But I know that you do not have the love of God in you.” (John 5: 38, 39, 42). The Bible extends an invitation for us to engage with God, through Jesus, and to know the love of God.We spend time every day watching TV, reading novels or newspapers, surfing the Internet, or listening to the radio, all of which influence us. Do we spend time every day prayerfully reading the Bible? Paul said “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).The Bible doesn’t make for easy reading, but the Bible is complete in its 66 books. It has all of life in there, in this world and the next. Through it we can draw near to God, and come to know the love of God. We need to be both challenged and affirmed in order to grow in spirit, to draw ever closer to God, through Christ Jesus.When did you last read Habakkuk? Amen.Julie Rubidge, Lay Minister
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.‘Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting. Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre.’ (Psalm 147)Hymn: Saint Luke, beloved physician...2 Timothy 4:5-17The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.Let us now confess our disobedience to him: 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: Almighty God, you called Luke the physician, whose praise is in the gospel, to be an evangelist and physician of the soul: by the grace of the Spirit and through the wholesome medicine of the gospel, give your Church the same love and power to heal; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.Luke 10:1-9Please see the message from the minister.Let us join in prayer, asking for God’s loving presence to be known to everyone:We pray for St Peter’s Church and the Church throughout the world, that people will be drawn together by God’s love. We pray for the world, for compassion and loving kindness to grow in people’s hearts so that all will flourish. We remember today the victims of modern day slavery.We pray for our friends, families and neighbours as we continue to share God’s love and build relationships. We pray for people who are sick or suffering, and especially those on our hearts and minds today, that they will know God’s healing presence.We pray for the departed, remembering all who mourn. We especially think today of the family and friends of Sue Caunter-Jackson.He heals the broken-hearted, and binds up their wounds. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. (Psalm 147)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: Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire...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.
This St Luke-tide is 16 years since I took life vows - having spent five years as a novice and then in first vows. I had come to Sheringham to give my life to God - working within the ethos of our community which is prayer and care. At least that’s what I thought.I remember the first night as I sat in my room with quite a heavy heart having said goodbye to my family and to the church congregation to which I belonged - all of whom had come to my clothing - a service where I was given my habit. I said to my Lord ‘Well here I am. I suppose that I’m never going to have the opportunity to travel - what’s worse having left my family I won’t see much of them. Little did I know -I’ve travelled to more new places than I ever had before. As for family - my son and one daughter, with their families live close by, giving plenty of opportunities for visits. God always gives us far more than we could ever give him and it’s not only in the outward blessings - but it’s also in the inward gifts of joy, patience, love, peace, and kindness.One of the things that happened during the noviciate was that I had to come to terms with the fact that I wasn’t ‘St Julie’. As I came face to face with my faults - I discovered that this ‘lump of coal was a long way from becoming a diamond’. And when I look back at that period of formation I realise it wasn’t a process just taking place during the noviciate but that it will continue until the end of my life. And that my friends is the same for all of us, for you see, you don’t have to be a monk or a nun or wear a clerical collar to grow in depth of faith - to take a closer walk with God. All we need to do on our part is to have a regular prayer pattern, read scripture or maybe immerse ourselves in religious music or art. All of these enhance our communication with God, thus allowing us to be more receptive when God breaks through into our lives.When we look at Luke it doesn’t take long to realise that his gospel focussed on the caring and compassionate side of Jesus’ nature. We have the story of the widow of Nain, whose only son had died, leaving her destitute and reliant on charity. Jesus took care of that by restoring life to her son - who in turn could now earn a living and look after her. We are told and I’ll quote ‘When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her’. He saw her pain and was moved to do something about it.And the last two years have been a time of immense suffering. The pain of the COVID epidemic - the pain of wars and violence in our own country - and finally the pain of natural disasters, some of which have been attributed to global warming. Inevitably all this suffering has led to many deaths which, in turn, has led to the pain of bereavement.Whilst we may have the opportunity to physically help others in some of these situations - it is our Christian calling to pray earnestly for those who have fallen upon hard times. For it is in engaging in prayer and grappling with difficult, often upsetting calamities, that we grow more compassionate and have greater empathy. In other words, whilst these prayers are being offered, God has the opportunity to break through into our lives encouraging us to be more like Jesus - to become caring and compassionate people. Amen.Mother Julie Wiseman, Society of St Luke
Harvest is such an evocative time of year. For farmers, the hard work of harvesting their crops is finished. There is, of course, much else to be done, but the big push is over – the sheaves have been brought into the barns, as Psalm 126 puts it. During this time of year, we shift away from the happy noise and bustle of summer, the bright flowers in the garden – and the long days that seem to go on forever. The poet, John Keats, wrote an ode to Autumn, calling it the ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’. I thought of that poem this morning when I woke up to a misty sky diffusing the light of a watery sun. Harvest is a time for giving thanks – especially for all those who produce the food we eat. It is a time to think about the people who grow and tend the fruits, vegetables and grains we eat, the livestock, dairy and poultry farmers, and all those who then bring us beautiful fresh produce or who turn the raw materials into flour, yeast and sugar and all the other ingredients needed even for a slice of buttered toast or a biscuit with our tea.And along with our thanks to all these people, we also give thanks to God, for providing for us, and for providing not only for our physical and material needs but also for our spiritual needs. Jesus told his friends that he had come to bring life – life in all its abundance. Harvest reminds us of all kinds of abundance in our lives, and encourages us to reflect on the nature of the One who is the Source of all abundance.We did not come up with the concept of our material or spiritual existence. We didn’t invent the elements necessary for life on earth to exist. Our planet, our lives and the existence of all other forms of life, is a gift. Every breath we take is a gift. Every dawn we see is a gift. Every loved one is a gift. Even in the inevitable times of suffering, our lives are a gift. This year, perhaps we could reflect on the kind of harvest we are producing. Have we been growing the fruits of the Spirit as listed in Galatians 5:22, including love, joy, peace, patience and gentleness? Have we been growing in steadfast faith and trust in the One who made us, loves us and sustains us? Have we been cultivating a generosity of spirit, a compassionate outlook and an obedient heart? Autumn reminds us of the seasons of life and of the passing away of some things, just as it reveals the fulfilment and ongoing life of other things. Our lives are always changing, and we know that some years are more challenging or more fruitful than others. This year, how do you feel as you lay your personal harvest before God? Can you approach God as a trusting child, confident in God’s love for you? Can you sense God’s delight in you, as you delight in all God’s good gifts to you? Will you let God praise you for your bright blooms of cheerfulness? Will you accept God’s pride in your bumper crop of faithfulness and courage? Will you blush as God congratulates you on your huge marrows of generosity and kindness? This Harvest-time, let us give thanks for the bounties of the natural harvests we all rely on. Let us also give thanks for the harvests that each of us, by the grace of God, has been producing, harvests perhaps known only to God.The Revd Christina Rees
