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. ‘The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork ...’ (Psalm 19:1)Hymn: All heaven declares the glory of the risen Lord...James 5:13-20The gospel calls us to turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ. As we offer ourselves to him in penitence and faith, we renew our confidence and trust in his mercy. Let us confess our sins: 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 have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you: pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself, and so bring us at last to your heavenly city where we shall see you face to face;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.Mark 9: 38-50 ‘Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.’ (Mark 9:50b)Let us pray: We pray for St Peter’s Church and the Church throughout the world: for the strength and courage to share God’s love; We pray for the world: for reconciliation where there is conflict, for justice and peace; We pray for our communities, families and friends: for relationships to flourish; We pray for all who are sick or suffering: for healing in mind, body and spirit; We pray for people who have been bereaved: for comfort in their grief. Let us pray 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: Just as I am, without one plea...May the love of the 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 and be with us always. Amen. Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in the name of Christ. Amen.
Today Christina Rees will be ordained in Norwich Cathedral. We welcome her as our curate in St Peter’s Church.You may watch the service on YouTube here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRDpIc368n8DrfB6kH7hYvw
Greatness We are all created in the image of God, born with unique special qualities that nobody else in the world has. How amazing is that! However we often are not content with how God has formed us and want the qualities of somebody else, who we see as more intelligent, beautiful, popular or whatever than we are. We might even make somebody into an idol to copy and follow.We are all given natural, inborn abilities that are God given. Some are teachers, some apostles, some preachers and so on but we often want somebody else’s gifts. In our Gospel today the disciples were arguing over who was the greatest. However when Jesus asked them what they were quarrelling about they kept quiet. How much easier life would be if we could be open and honest about how we feel as when things are not expressed they build up.Jesus was trying to teach his disciples that he would not be with them long. He knew he would be crucified. Of course the disciples did not want to accept this as they thought the messiah would be an earthly king freeing them from the tyranny of Roman oppression. They did not understand that Jesus brings them and us freedom of a different kind. Freedom to be our authentic self by tuning into his workings in our lives, recognising and accepting the gifts he has given us and using them in his service. In short choosing to live in God’s Upside down kingdom.Fights and Quarrels In our Reading James asks what causes fights and quarrels? He suggests they come from our desires that battle within us. We can sometimes be our own worst enemy. The battles that go on in our minds can overwhelm us. We have options requiring us to make choices often from many possibilities. As Christians we are required to make the right choices but how do we know what they are? Also, when we ask God we do not always receive because we ask with the wrong motives. We ask for our wants but only God knows our needs. We ask according to how we perceive the situation instead of seeking to align ourselves with God’s way through prayer, reading scripture and seeking advice from elders of the church. James tells us to Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.Spiritual Battles: Battles are not always between flesh and blood but are going on in the heavenly realm between principalities and powers. We cannot see and do not know about the things going on above. However, we do known that there are evil forces as well as good and we can get caught up in these battles unawares. This happened to Job.To protect ourselves from evil we must put on the armour of God and seek the wisdom that comes from heaven. James tells us that is pure, peace-loving, gentle, compassionate, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits.Greatness: Jesus tells us greatness comes through service to others, by putting ourselves not first but last! Jesus scoops up a little dependant, vulnerable child to demonstrate his point. By taking care of those who are most in need, those with little influence or power we measure our greatness not by what we do, but by the love, encouragement and care we give to others.I’m so small said the mole. Yes but you make a huge difference said the boy. (Charlie Mackey)The disciples fell into their petty arguments about who is the greatest on the road to Jerusalem. While the disciples misunderstand, don’t believe, or ignore what he is saying, Jesus is walking the road to Jerusalem and the cross willingly in order to sacrifice everything for them and for us. Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. (Martin Luther King Jr)Angela Stewart, 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. ‘Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you..’ (James 4:8a)Hymn: Meekness ad Majesty, manhood and deity...James 3:13-4:3,7-8aThe gospel calls us to turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ. As we offer ourselves to him in penitence and faith, we renew our confidence and trust in his mercy. Let us confess our sins: 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: Lord of creation, whose glory is around and within us: open our eyes to your wonders, that we may serve you with reverence and know your peace at our lives’ end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Mark 9:30-37 Please see the Message from the Minister. Let us pray: We pray for St Peter’s Church and the Church throughout the world: for the strength and courage to share God’s love; We pray for the world: for reconciliation where there is conflict, for justice and peace; We pray for our communities, families and friends: for relationships to flourish; We pray for all who are sick or suffering: for healing in mind, body and spirit; We pray for people who have been bereaved: for comfort in their grief. Let us pray 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: At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow...May the love of the 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 and be with us always. Amen. Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in the name of Christ. Amen.
