5th Sunday in Lent
We come into the presence of Jesus to worship him today.
Wherever we are, may it be a place where
all are welcome and all are included.
Amen
Hymn – All people that on earth do dwell www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OEZKECfgNc
1 All people that on earth do dwell,
sing to the Lord with cheerful voice:
him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell;
come ye before him and rejoice.
2 The Lord, ye know, is God indeed;
without our aid he did us make:
we are his folk, he doth us feed;
and for his sheep he doth us take.
3 O enter then his gates with praise;
approach with joy his courts unto;
praise, laud, and bless his name always,
for it is seemly so to do.
4 For why, the Lord our God is good;
his mercy is for ever sure;
his truth at all times firmly stood,
and shall from age to age endure.
5 To Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
the God whom heaven and earth adore,
from earth and from the angel host
be praise and glory evermore.
William Kethe (d. 1594)
Prayer
Yours, Lord, were the arms stretched wide on the cross, a welcome to all in the midst of your agony.
Yours were the arms spread in blessing after the resurrection.
Crucified Lord, risen Lord, we adore you in your pain and in your victory, your welcome ever the same, gathering us to you and blessing us, enfolding us in your loving embrace.
Amen.
Lord, forgive us for not welcoming others as you do, for looking askance at the stranger in our midst.
We confess that we are quick to note the differences between ourselves and others, but you treat all people the same.
Forgive us for revelling in the presumed privilege of being your children.
Help us to break down barriers to you; we cannot keep you to ourselves.
Help us to welcome, unconditionally, all who seek you, and to take your welcome wherever we go – to be church without walls.
Amen.
God, we thank you for welcoming us back no matter what we have done;
for that initial embrace that welcomed us, though we were sinners;
for the forgiveness that greets us every time we turn back to you.
Help us to embody your forgiveness in our dealings with one another and with those outside the flock.
May our welcome be the sign of the greater welcome that comes from you.
Amen.
Readings
Jeremiah 31: 31-34 - A New Covenant
31 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. 33But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord’, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
John 12: 20-33 - Some Greeks Wish to See Jesus
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ 22Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.
Jesus Speaks about His Death
27 ‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour.28Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ 29The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’30Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine.31Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ 33He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.
Hymn – Man of sorrows! What a name www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP9ftwrQgZs
1 Man of Sorrows! What a name
for the Son of God, who came
ruined sinners to reclaim!
Alleluia! What a Saviour!
2 Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
in my place condemned he stood;
sealed my pardon with his blood:
Alleluia! What a Saviour!
3 Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
spotless Lamb of God was he:
full atonement, can it be?
Alleluia! What a Saviour!
4 Lifted up was he to die;
‘It is finished!' was his cry;
now in heaven exalted high:
Alleluia! What a Saviour!
5 When he comes, our glorious King,
all his ransomed home to bring,
then anew this song we'll sing:
Alleluia! What a Saviour!
Philipp Paul Bliss (1838–1876)
Reflection
For those of you who have been joining the Chatback sessions over the last few weeks, this passage from John’s gospel will be familiar.
It comes from the middle of John’s gospel, and marks a change from Jesus’ public ministry to a more intimate time of teaching his disciples, and leading to his death and resurrection. The key to this passage lies in the people who were wanting to approach Jesus. John describes them as Greeks, but this does not refer to their nationality, but to the fact that they were not Jewish, strangers from another place and tradition. We might also call them gentiles. And so this point in John’s gospel also marks a change from Jesus’ ministry to the Jewish people, to a ministry to the whole world. The barriers between people that the world puts in place are torn down as Jesus welcomes everyone to share in his promise of salvation.
Whilst we would reject any discrimination against others, we are also guilty in perhaps less obvious ways. The history of mining in this area, and the allegiance of people to the pit in their village, is still present long after the mines themselves have closed. Sadly, this creates divides between people which didn’t make sense then, and certainly does not make sense now. Sadly, I also see these divisions surfacing in our churches, as many good Christian folk seem to be unwilling to worship anywhere else other than their church. The promise of salvation is for all people, wherever they are from.
John goes on to describe the effect of the anticipated pain and suffering which awaits Jesus in Jerusalem. We see the vulnerability of his humanity as he says that his “soul is troubled”. That would seem to be a massive understatement! Who would have blamed Jesus for asking God to save him from the things that are to come? Who would have blamed him for turning has back and running away? But he knew that the events about to unfold were the events that his whole life had been leading towards, and his obedience to God’s will had to take precedence over his own desires. Words echoed in the Covenant prayer that we make each year, when we say “Your will, not mine, be done in all things”. The reality of these words may be difficult for us, but will probably not lead to crucifixion.
We read in scripture of many occasions when Jesus takes himself off to a quiet place to pray, but here, his prayer is made very public. It seems that Jesus needs everyone else to hear his words, and to hear God’s response. For all his anxiety, we should not forget the anxiety of the others who have been following him. Clearly they sense that something momentous is about to happen. Jesus himself, is talking about his death and suffering, and the future looks bleak and frightening for them. Perhaps they are encouraging him to flee and avoid what is to come. But Jesus needs them to know that the events which are about to unfold are part of God’s plan for him, and for the world, and cannot be avoided. The voice from heaven confirms God’s presence amongst the people. Whether they understood the words being said, or just heard a noise like thunder, the message that God was with them, that God was in control, despite all that they could see before them, should have been reassuring.
When God speaks to us, is it reassuring, or troubling? How do we know it is God speaking, or distinguish his will from our own, especially when those around us think we are misguided? We are helped by the infamous “Methodist Quadrilateral”!
- Scripture – does it fit with our understanding of God as revealed in scripture?
- Tradition – does it fit with what has gone before us?
- Reason – we use our minds to think things through and critical thinking to make sense of our understanding of God’s world
- Experience – we gain wisdom by experiencing God’s grace working in our lives
Jesus prayed aloud, so that all those who were gathered would hear and be strengthened for the days to come. May we all listen for God’s word at the heart of our mission.
Amen
Intercessions & Lords Prayer
The events of the last couple of weeks have reminded us of the value of each person, regardless of colour or gender, and our duty to welcome everyone, regardless of where they are from.
As we remember all those who are adversely treated because of their place of origin or their skin tone or their gender, we pray for the time to come when all people will rejoice in the diversity of different colours and races, different cultures and backgrounds.
Your kingdom come on earth as in heaven.
As we remember those who have suffered abuse at the hands of friend or stranger, and who bear the scars physical, mental and emotional,
we pray for the time when all women and all men will respect each other, and where children will not fear violence or abuse.
Your kingdom come on earth as in heaven.
As we remember those whose human rights are ignored, those used as political pawns in disputes between nations, those who live in constant fear of the bomb or the bullet, and as we especially remember for the people of Myanmar and Yemen, and the continuing war in Syria,
we pray for the time when peace will reign throughout the world.
Your kingdom come on earth as in heaven.
As we remember those who are alone and isolated, those who mourn, those who are ill and those who look after loved ones, we especially remember…
We pray for the time when there will be no more pain or tears and when we will all live in full community.
Your kingdom come on earth as in heaven.
Loving Lord, as we look upon each other may we see your image which we all share; may we love as we are loved, and may we welcome as we have been welcomed by you.
In your name we pray.
Amen.
We pray with the churches in our Circuit, this week particularly for Chew Stoke, and for the Circuit in general as it seeks to address its finances, and with Churches Together with Radstock and Westfield we pray for St Nicholas’ Church in Radstock, and their vicar David Izzard.
Amen
Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has 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.
This week we said farewell to a Paulton Church Member. At her funeral we listened to this beautiful version of Amazing Grace, and we shall end our service with this hymn today.
Hymn – Amazing Grace www.youtube.com/watch?v=Obp-9BEZe1c
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone, I’ve been set free
My God, my Saviour has ransomed me
And like a flood, His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures
My chains are gone
I’ve been set free (been set free)
My God, my Saviour has ransomed me (ransomed me)
And like a flood (like a flood) His mercy reigns (mercy reigns)
Unending love, oh, Amazing grace
The Earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Saviour has ransomed me
And like a flood, His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace (grace)
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind (was blind), but now (but now) I see
Blessing
Welcoming God, thank you for the welcome that Jesus offers out of his great love for all people.
Help us to follow his example.
Teach us to consider the needs of others even when this means we must lay something down.
Bless us as we meet with others, day by day; give us a spirit of welcome and friendship.
As you welcome us, help us to welcome those whom you send to us.
Amen.
And the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you, now and forever more. Amen
Rev. Martin Slocombe
CCLI Licence 354889
Daffodils growing at Chew Stoke Methodist Church this week