Sunday 14 June: Second Sunday after Trinity
Our 9.30am service will be led by Revd Carol Cooper and Revd Fiona Ellingham
On the second Sunday after Trinity, we reflect upon the faith and teachings of Jesus Christ and their application to our daily life.
This week, in our Reading, Gospel and Sermon Series “Hope in the mess of life”, our theme is faithfulness through adversity … hope when life feels so unfair.
Despite temptation, false accusation and humiliation through imprisonment, Joseph maintains a dignified silence and retains his moral integrity.
Jesus too is falsely accused, mocked and humiliated by Pilate’s soldiers. Despised and rejected, Jesus, the “man of suffering” (Isaiah 53: 3) , submits to His Father’s plan for redemption:
“Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain.” (Isaiah 53: 10)
Reading and Gospel
Our first reading is from Genesis 39: 6b-23 which starts on page 38 of the Old Testament in our pew bibles.
Despite being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph is blessed by the Lord and has risen to an important position as overseer in the household of his master Potiphar, captain of Pharaoh’s guard.
Joseph resists repeated temptations from Potiphar’s wife and asserts his faithfulness both to God and his master:
“How then could I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (verse 9)
Falsely accused and put in the King’s prison, Joseph is still able to prosper through adversity and hardship due to his faithfulness and obedience to the Lord:
“But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love” (verse 21)
The Gospel reading from Matthew 27:27-31 is on page 34 of the New Testament in our pew bibles.
Pilate has literally washed his hands of Jesus and handed him over for crucifixion. Surrounded by perhaps as many as five hundred soldiers, Jesus is stripped, spat upon and mocked with symbols of kingship including a scarlet robe and a crown of thorns.
Christ’s silence in the face of such insults and his trust in His Father’s justice is best described by Peter:
“When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.” (1 Peter: 2: 23)
Notices
1. Music at All Saints’ Marlow 3.30pm on Sunday 14 June
Choral Evensong is a one hour church service sung by the Choir of All Saints' Church Marlow and takes place every 2nd Sunday of the month. All are welcome!
2. Chatty Café at Bisham Abbey 11.00am on Tuesday 16 June
A friendly and relaxed senior social group for those living with dementia, their friends, family and caregivers in the local community. No need to book, just turn up! Every third Tuesday of the month.
3. Coffee Morning at Marlow Sailing Club 10.30am – 1.00pm on Saturday 20 June
Fundraising in aid of the RNLI. Marlow Sailing Club, Temple Lane, Bisham SL7 1SA
4. Supporters’ Evening at All Saints’ Bisham – Monday 29 June
Join us from 6pm – 9pm for a relaxed evening in the Church. Come along and say hello, look around the Church and see how you can help support its future. Drinks and finger buffet will be served.
Services and Events
Sunday 14 June 9.30am at All Saints’ Bisham
Morning Communion Service
Sunday 21 June 9.30am at All Saints’ Bisham
Morning Communion Service
Thursday 25 June 10.00am – 12.00pm
Bisham Church Friends Coffee Morning and History Talk – “The Shape of the Village: 1851 Tithe Map”
Sunday 28 June 9.30am at All Saints’ Bisham
Morning Communion Service
Monday 29 June 6.00pm – 9.00pm at All Saints’ Bisham
Supporters’ Evening
Thank you for reading this week’s, Pew News.
With love.
Mark and Carol