Sunday 10th July 2005

The sower

Call to Worship

The word of God is alive and active:

it is the living person of Jesus our Lord.

This morning may he speak his word to you,

May you open your hearts to Him

and may the Lord Jesus be with us.

Let all who have ears, hear.

Song: Morning has broken like the first morning

Prayers

Gracious Lord, we come before you this morning, and we praise you and thank you for being Lord of our lives.  We thank you that you call us friends, and you love us.  You have been merciful and patient with us since we last met together in this way, and your grace and love have been constantly with us.  This morning in worship we and look again to you.  We seek your approval, to want to receiving your blessing, it is our privilege to respond to this invitation to share time with you and each other in your house. 

 

Father we make some private prayers to you in the silence of our own hearts -

 

As we do we also bring our prayers of confession . 

Loving God, Sower and Reaper of grace,

we admit to you that we are like stony fields,

capable of growing goodness and sharing it around,

but also prone to allow goodness to wither and weeds to flourish..

 

We are not half as smart as we pretend we are,

      we are not anywhere near as loving as we want to be.

Your mercy has taken root in us but we do not share enough of it,

      your justice has inspired us but we have inadequately implemented it,

      your truth has shone on us but we have hidden it under a false modesty,

      your inclusive love has brought us together but we indulge the things that separate.

 

Most loving God, please open the furrows of our lives to receive again the seeds of your Gospel. Rain your mercy upon us, shine your warmth and light into every dark place, and bring forth in us not the harvest we deserve but the harvest that in your glorious love you have purposed for us. Through Christ Jesus our Saviour.

Amen!.

 

FORGIVENESS

It is written: “Where sin abounds grace much more abounds”. Receive it and give thanks. You, my sisters and brothers, are among the richest people in the world. You have the wealth of Christ with you always, even to the end of time.

Thanks be to God.

The Lords prayer

Notices and Offering

Bible Readings:

Isaiah 55:10-13

Song: This little light of mine 

Service of Infant Blessing: Maliek Dante and Rafael Harlem Abrahams

 

Introduction

In the name of Jesus Christ we welcome Hyacinth and Karl and their sons   Mal- leek and Raf-el.

 

Hyacinth and Karl are here to present their children before the Lord, as Jesus was presented in the Temple by his parents.  In so doing they recognise that Mal- leek and Raf-el are not their personal property but belongs also to God, and that as parents they have responsibilities before God.  In their promises they will commit themselves to fulfil those responsibilities.

 

Those special friends chosen by Hyacinth and Karl will promise to nurture and encourage Mal- leek and Raf-el throughout their life.

 

And as a church, we shall welcome Mal- leek and Raf-el into our family, as Jesus welcomed children brought to him. Also we shall promise in the presence of God to offer out support and friendship to this child and her family, and to join with Hyacinth and Karl in sharing our faith in Jesus Christ in the hope that she may one day discover such a faith for herself.

 

Finally, we shall ask God’s blessing on  Mal- leek and Raf-el.

 

 

First some verses from Matthews Gospel 18: 3-4.

Jesus said:  Truly, I tell you, unless you turn round and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Whoever humbles himself and becomes like this child will be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven”.

 

 

Let us pray:

Living God, we praise you, the creator of all things,

 The giver of all life, and the Father of each person.

Joyfully we thank you for the gift of new life in the birth of this child.

For all that you have given and will give to us through her.

For the potential of her new life;

For the love and hope she has awakened

And for the care which surrounds her

Accept our thanks and praise

In the name of Jesus Christ – Amen.

 

The Promise:                          The parents are asked by the minister:

 

 

Minister       Hyacinth and Karl do you thank God for his gift of your child, and do you accept the joys and duties of parenthood, promising to give love and care to your child?

 

Parents        We do.

 

Minister      Do you promise to bring your daughter up within the Christian community and to share your own faith with her?

 

Parents       We do.

 

Minister       What names have you given to your Sons

 

Parents          Rafael Harlem Abrahams and Maliek Dante Abrahams

 

Minister then takes the child from the mother and going to the centre of the church, says:

Taking the child from the mother and going to the front or centre of the church, the leader says:

 

Minister to Congregation:  Do you, as a congregation of God’s people, receive Mal-leek and Raf-fel  in the name of Christ,  promising to play your part in their Christian upbringing, by providing instruction in the Christian faith, by the example of your lives, and the strong support of Christian fellowship?

 

minister    Mal-leek  we welcome you in the name of the Lord.

                 Raf-el  we welcome you in the name of the Lord

 

                   Turn to Godparents: (Julia and ???

 

Minister       Do you the God parents accept the privilege and responsibility of Godparent to Hannah to stand with Hyacinth and Karl and help them in every way you can and to join with them in the nurturing and encouragement of this these little ones

 

Godparents:  We do!

 

Blessing-   Placing hand on the child’s head, the leader says:

minister  Rafael, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.                                                                            Numbers 6:24-26

 Maliek, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.                                                                              Numbers 6:24-26

Minister gives Baby back to Father:

Presentation of candle and certificate.  

This light is a reminder of Jesus to you – Jesus who said:  I am the light of the world.

May his light shine on ….. always, and may she know his guidance and peace.

Presentation of candle and certificate.  

This light is a reminder of Jesus to you – Jesus who said:  I am the light of the world.

Let this light burn in your homes as a reminder of the Light of Christ with you always.

Jesus, Light of the world,
When I am afraid and unsure,
Comfort me with the light of
Your presence.
When loneliness chills me,
Warm me with the light of
Your Love.
When the road ahead seems dark,
Guide me with the light of
Your way.
When I don't understand and
My thoughts are unclear,
Fill me with the light of
Your wisdom,
When I seem spent like a
Candle consumed,
Replenish me with the light of
Your life.
Then, so filled with Your light, use me,
So that I, with You, may be
Light for the world!

 

Hymn: Give me joy in my heart

Children leave

Bible  Reading: Matthew 13:1 - 9; 18-23

Song: Thou, whose almighty word

Sermon:

Intro

Pic:  Sower - Vincent Van

Anyone who knows anything about Jesus knows he taught in parables in stories.  He used illustration and allegory, took everyday things around him and had an amazing ability to make people see in a different light.  They were not easy stories - the idea of the parable is that later, sometimes much later - the penny drops and suddenly you are left with the realisation that maybe things are not so black and white after all. 

 

The majority of the parables are Kingdom parables - insights into what the Kingdom of God is really like.  It' s like a net, a mustard seed, a treasure in a field, a party.  It is difficult to fathom, yet there is no doubt from the parables Jesus told that the Kingdom of God is an amazing concept. The Kingdom of God is yet to come, and yet the Kingdom of God is here and now - we are members of this Kingdom. 

 

There is a mutuality about images of the Kingdom, for the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, and in the various parables that Jesus tells he emphasises this as he paints a picture of the Kingdom,  and we can begin to understand and wonder.

 

Compassion:

Pic:  Blair at the G8

Every now and then we get glimpses in our world today of Kingdom values.  This week, as our own Prime Minister stood shoulder to shoulder with the world leaders at the G8 summit, and they wanted us to know that the world was standing with British people after the terrible happenings in our own city. Here we catch a glimpse of Kingdom life.   The shared feelings that provoked statements such as "all of our countries have suffered from the impact of terrorism; this was not an attack on one nation, but on all nations".

 

Pic: compassion

The Kingdom of God is shared feeling - St. Paul wrote "when one suffers, we all suffer, when one rejoices we all rejoice".   One of the great Kingdom values is compassion. Compassion means "to suffer with".   God is a compassionate God - a God who suffers with us.  A God who shares our journey, knows our heart and feels our pain.  Do you know this God?  A God who doesn’t just sit in perfection, removed from our condition - but God who journeys with us though the pain, and the hurt.  God who cares and weeps with us?  This is our God! 

 

In Buddhism there is a great understanding of the God of Compassion; compassion that goes hand in hand with our suffering; as we endure suffering - God is compassion.  Do we have this view of God?  All too often, bad teaching has removed God from compassion - we suffer because we are being punished, because we have lessons to learn, because we deserve nothing else.    But the God of the Bible  is compassionate - and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. (Exo 34: 6-7)  

 

Pic: Beach

When I first went to visit Hyacinth, we spoke about the poem "Footprints", and how these words had been with Hyacinth in the years of building a home and settling down with Karl, and having a family.  These words are about a God of compassion - a God who cares -

 

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD.

Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand.  He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints.

He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it:

"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."

The LORD replied: "My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."

 

These verses have become like a modern day parable to many thousands of people - for in this reading the compassion of God is experienced.  This is our God - who carries us close to his heart, in time of suffering and pain.  God who loves us and through the hard times ahead, assures us of his presence and peace. 

 

Pic: flowers at Kings Cross

In the wake of the events in London in the past few days these familiar words are poignant.  We need to remember this morning those who have lost loved ones, and those who still sit and wait for news, may they especially know this compassionate God at this time of tragedy and loss.

 

As the news reports came in, again and again there were stories of prayer and people crying out to God. One man said, the people on the tube were praying to God, pleading that God would save them.  I believe God heard their prayers, and shares their pain.  An underground worker told how she sat for hours with a man who knew he had lost the use of a limb, he asked her to say The Lord's Prayer with him. 

 

At these times when things are bad, we all need to know that we are not alone, that our compassionate God is with us, and that he carries us through. 

 

Be compassionate:

Pic: Group Help

And it is God himself who calls us to be compassionate, to suffer with those who suffer, to enter those places of hurt and hearts of pain and to seek lasting change of their suffering.  (Luke 6:36; Matt. 25:31-46). The apostle Paul writes (Gal 6:2)  Help carry one another’s burdens, in that way you will fulfil the law of Christ. 

 

This is why we have become so involved with the whole G8 summit as a church- because those who are heirs to the Kingdom should daily strive to demonstrate the Kingdom value of compassion for those who share our world.  And in this day of mixed emotions we rejoice that the news on Aid and debt cancellation is good, yet still the challenge remains to keep praying about fair trade rules, that the meetings later this year will bring about substantial change that will benefit the lives of many.  We are Kingdom People - Kingdom people committed to pray for change and justice.

 

 

Determination

Pic: determination

As our Prime Minister was whisked away from the G8 Summit to return to London he said " Today's bombings will not weaken in any way our resolve to uphold the most deeply held principles of our societies and to defeat those who would impose their fanaticism and extremism on all of us. We shall prevail and they shall not."

 

Here we see again this week demonstrated by our world leaders another Kingdom Value, that unwavering determination to strive for that which is right, even in the face of suffering for we know that - suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us.

 

I challenge you to always look out for modern day parables in events around you - as Jesus watched the sower and brought out the truth - may we each learn how to do the theology and reflect on the world around us in the light of the Kingdom. 

 

The apostle Paul towards the end of his life, was able to say,  “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (II Tim. 4:7).  For Paul the determination to strive for what is right was steadfast.  We are called to exercise this Kingdom Value - to be determined - even in the face of suffering.

 

The Sower

The sower picture

Let's get back to the parable of the sower for a moment - did the sower demonstrate determination as he went out to sow?  Well, one may say yes, and other may say no. 

 

The parable is removed from out world today, where farming is done by machine, and farm land carefully prepared before the seed is sowed.  Here we have a sower liberally, generously, freely, unreservedly throwing around good seed on an assortment of terrain.  Throwing in on the path, amongst the rocks, where the thorns grow, and some on the good soil.  Just throwing seemingly hap-hazardly - carelessly.

 

As Jesus explains the parable he says that the seed is the word of God.  The good news of life - the message full of potential and possibility to turn your life upside down.  And this good seed is shared without prejudice.

 

Those who appear to lack the capacity to grasp the  message - it is shared with them, those who don't ever get the point of it, it is shared with them,  those who seek instant gratification,  see something of the good news, but quickly let it go, it is shared with them, and others who do allow that seed to take root - its shared with them too.

 

You see God does not judge us as to whether or not we will respond - but his good news - the seed of the Kingdom is to be shared with all.  Generously, liberally, freely, unreservedly.

 

I was thinking about you Hyacinth and Karl as I prepared this, and thinking how, as parents sometimes our words to our children will be those seed of hope. 

 

There are days when our children don't want to hear the words you will share that are for their growth and development. 

Times when you will almost see the birds come and steal the wisdom that you share. There are other times when it looks good, but tomorrow they seem to have forgotten everything you have said.

Then there will be  times especially as they grow and are influenced by others, when your words of wisdom will be choked by their desire to  do their own things -

but my prayer for you is that you will also know those times when you share your faith and God's love to your sons and you will know that they have not only heard, but that they have taken in deep within their hearts, inspiring them to follow Christ, challenging them to develop their own faith,  where you can visible see them growing in grace and truth right before your eyes, embracing those Kingdom values that set part the people of God.

 

Parenting takes determination, and calls for compassion - all good relationships require such Kingdom Values.   We are to display Gods love and mercy generously, liberally, freely and unreservedly. 

 

Conclusion:

Pic: Olympic success

The events of Thursday in London were so very different from scenes the day before.

Amy, Robert and I went to Stratford for lunch on Wednesday.  We stood around by the station with many other people and heard the surprising news that London has got the 2012 Olympics!   There was great rejoicing on that day.  It was good to be part of this celebration. 

 

Pic: foot

This has been a week of highs and lows - of rejoicing and tears. Extreme examples of the stuff of life itself. In your life; in your joys and sorrows - may the seed of the Good News of Jesus take root in your heart, and may your life bear much fruit, may the God of compassion carry you through.

 

Taize Chant:  Bless the Lord my soul.

 

Pic:  Firemans prayer

Prayers for this week: 

 

Lord, we pray for those who have been bereaved.

 

 In the darkness of their journey may they find the light of your presence.
 Help them to trust the one who has died into your hands.
 Be beside them in the lifelessness and despair of loss and lead them in time to find
 for themselves new life and new hope.

 

Be with those who have been maimed.

 

 Be their lifeline, their shelter from the storm of shock and horror at what has  happened to them.
 Surround them with the loving care, affirmation and skill of men and women of good
 will.
 And in the new world in which they must now live may they discover also new
 possibilities and friendship and a continuing sense of the significance of their lives.

 

Be with those who have witnessed terrible things.

 

 Sit beside them through the time of numbness and be with them in the night.
 Send those who will listen when they need to speak.
 And may the morning come when at last the nightmare is over.

 

Be with those who are exhausted - the Police and the Firemen, the Ambulance crews and the medical staff.

 

 We thank you for them and commend them to your healing and restoring love.

 

Lord have mercy upon us, forgive those men and women of violence who believe that right is on their side.
And may we proclaim with added urgency, the gospel of your love and the sovereignty of the Prince of Peace.

 

In the name of Jesus Christ.

 

Taize Chant:  Bless the Lord my soul.

Pic: WW2 logo

The of World War II - 60th Anniversary
Litany of reconciliation

Let us commit ourselves to work together for reconciliation and peace
throughout the world according to God's will.

God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself:
He has entrusted us with the message of reconciliation.

When anyone is united to Christ there is a new creation:
The old order has gone; a new order has already begun.

He has entrusted us with the message of reconciliation:
In Christ's name be reconciled to God.

Taize Chant:  Bless the Lord my soul.

And we pray for our selves and our loved ones.

Pic: Praying

Taize Chant:  Bless the Lord my soul.

Hymn: All I once held dear (Knowing you Jesus)

Benediction:

In the name of the God
who creates see and calls each one good;

In the name of the God
who knows the dangers of weeds and thorns;

In the name of the God
who carries safely to good soil, now and forever;

In the name of the God
go forth from this place to blossom and bear fruit.
Amen.