Shipley Church Self-ServiceSunday 6th September 2020Thought for the Week – Where two or three are gathered together in my nameToday’s gospel reading explores how we are to deal with difficulties that may arise between us, and how disagreements should be settled. (Matthew 18:15-20) Paul also speaks in his letter to the Romans of how Christians are to behave towards one another – Love your neighbour as yourself. (Romans 13:8-10) Jesus explains that if you have an issue with someone in the church, offer them opportunities for making amends, but understand that in all such circumstances Jesus will be there with you throughout the process – There am I in the midst of them. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit is present whenever believers adopt the habit of meeting together, eating together and worshipping together. The anonymous text that is usually called the Prayer of St Francis is a widely known Christian prayer for peace. Margaret Thatcher, after winning the 1979 general election, paraphrased it on the steps of 10 Downing Street: Where there is discord, may we bring harmony; where there is error, may we bring truth; and where there is despair, may we bring hope . . . etc. The hymn version of the prayer is “Make me a channel of your peace”, which follows. HymnMake me a channel of your peaceMake me a channel of your peace Where there is hatred, let me bring your love, Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord, And where there’s doubt, true faith in you. O Master, grant that I may never seekSo much to be consoled as to console,To be understood, as to understand,To be loved as to love with all my soul.PrayersWe pray that we may grow in respect for human dignity, and use our own liberty with scrupulous care not to infringe the rights of others, having concern and mutual respect for their needs and challenges.Note: The Gospel and Readings set for today can be downloaded from the top right hand corner of this page.
Shipley Church Self-ServiceSunday 30th August 2020Thought for the Week – Get thee behind me, SatanWhen Jesus predicted to his disciples that he was to die and afterwards be raised to life, Peter instinctively replied, “Surely not. This will never happen to you, Lord!” But Jesus reproves him for dissuading him from his eventual destiny with the words, “Get thee behind me, Satan” – the very same words with which Jesus responded to Satan when he was originally tempted by him in the desert. (Matthew 4:1-10) The context here is that Jesus recognised Satan to be working through his own followers, (Judas, too, was persuaded to betray Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane). Though Peter loved Jesus and didn’t want to see him die, he was suggesting that he would not be raised from the dead, and thus was unwittingly opposed to the will of God. (Matthew 16:21-27) Devil’s Dyke on the South Downs is described in local folklore as the work of the Devil. He is supposed to have started digging a trench 300ft deep one night to allow the sea to flood the many Christian churches of the Sussex Weald. But he mistook an old lady’s candle and the sound of a cock crowing for the approach of dawn, and fled before he could complete the job. The last shovel of earth he threw over his shoulder fell into the sea, forming the Isle of Wight! The defeat of the Devil’s work was achieved through Jesus’ death.HymnThe Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord; She is her new creation, by water and the word; From heav’n he came and sought her to be his holy bride, With his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.PrayersWe pray for God’s great mercy to guide us to his will, to make our minds steadfast, and to strengthen us against temptation and shield us against our foes.Note: The Readings set for today can be downloaded from the top right hand corner of this page
Shipley Church Self-ServiceSunday 23rd August 2020Thought for the Week – Peter declares Jesus to be the MessiahIn today’s Gospel reading Jesus asks a question of his disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” The crowds that followed him had many answers, but Simon Peter responded by affirming Jesus’ true identity as the Son of God. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”, he said. To which Jesus replied, “Peter, on this rock I will build my church”. It is an affecting and very human moment. This passage is one of the most discussed passages of the New Testament. (Matthew 16: 13-20) Some interpret “the rock” to be humanity’s choice in being able to accept and embrace the kingdom of God (the apostolic doctrine itself), as instanced by Peter’s own conviction. The second approach suggests Peter himself is the foundation-stone of the church, to whom Jesus gives his authority to become first among the apostles, and to spread the gospel by developing the early Christian church. To truly believe is to allow the character and the will of God to shine through us. This power was given in a special sense to Peter.Hymn for Today - Take my life, and let it beTake my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord to Thee; Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise.Prayers for TodayWe pray that, as we are all familiar with Jesus telling his disciples he is the way, the truth, and the life, we might live in the knowledge of Him, and believe with certainty that he will lead us along the right path, and be the ultimate fulfilment of our lives here on earth. Note: The Gospel and Readings for today can be downloaded from the top right of this page
Shipley Church Self-ServiceSunday 16th August 2020Thought for the Week – My soul doth magnify the LordThe Magnificat, known also as the “Song of Mary”, has been celebrated in art, music and poetry throughout the centuries. Mary’s song of joy and adoration communicates beautifully her wonder and humble acceptance at being chosen to give birth to the promised Messiah. Can we ourselves approach God with anything like Mary’s acceptance and level of sanctity as the mother of Jesus? Today we celebrate the Feast of St Mary the Virgin in whose name our church is dedicated – our patronal festival. Out of around 16,500 churches in the Church of England, the most common dedications are to St Mary (2,368), All Saints (1,467), and St Peter (1,327). Around the time our church in Shipley was built in 1140 AD, the veneration of saints, particularly the Blessed Virgin Mary, had been a feature of life in the middle ages. It then found expression in the solemn dedication of churches as buildings set apart for Christian worship. People believed their patron saint would intervene with the Almighty on their behalf for their spiritual well-being as well as protection from everyday hazards such as childbirth, travel, hunger, and shelter. St Ambrose once said, “Let Mary’s soul be in us to glorify the Lord; let her spirit be in us that we may rejoice in God our Saviour”. (Luke 1: 39-56)HymnTell out, my soul, the greatness of the LordTell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord: Unnumbered blessings, give my spirit voice; Tender to me the promise of his word; In God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.PrayersWe pray this wonderful prayer, Mary’s Magnificat, may provide for us and for all who receive God’s word a message of hope. We look for the same purity of heart and humility as was manifested in the Mother of our Lord, our Patron Saint.The Gospel and Readings for today can be downloaded from the top right of this page
