Steve Nicholson
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Sunday 21st March 2021

You are welcome to join our in person services each week, but here are some resources for those who would rather stay at home for now.

You can download a Children’s Sunday Sheet to accompany this service here.

Preparation

"Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God," (Psalm 51:9–10)

Heavenly Father, as we gather today help us to sing your praise, confess our sins, hear your word and bring our prayer for others to you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn

Summary of the Law

Our Lord Jesus Christ said: the first commandment is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

We have not loved you with our whole heart. Lord, have mercy.

We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.  Christ, have mercy.

We have not kept your good and righteous commands to us. Lord, have mercy.

"There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life has set you free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1–2)

Word of God

Please read Jeremiah 31:31-34 and John 12:20-33.

Reflection: The Prophesied Kingdom

“I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am” ― John Newton

The Christian journey is about change. By God’s grace, I know ways that I am not what I used to be like. What we do, what we say, what we think, even what we want changes by God’s work in us. How does that change happen? When we’re in the trenches of life, progress can feel impossible. It can seem beyond us to respond well to the daily challenges and temptations. Often, we’re not sure what is wise and good to do. I find it so easy to despair unless I remember that real change is promised by God for us.

This lent we are journeying through the Old Testament to trace the promises of God’s kingdom. Today we’re thinking about the prophets, and particularly Jeremiah 31. But first we need to remind ourselves where we are in the story.

Where are we in the story?

After the fall of Adam and Eve, God promised that he would re-gather his people in his glorious and perfect place under his good rule and blessing. Those promises had a partial fulfilment when the nation of Israel lived as his people in the promised land, under the blessing of his king and covenant.  The high point of this was the reigns of David and his son Solomon.

But from here things dramatically declined.  On Solomon’s death the kingdom split in two. Many of their kings led the people away from God to idolatry, most were not wholehearted for the Lord and their history was marred by corruption and compromise. God’s promises looked in tatters. Even though God had done so much for them, they had turned away from him: “I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt … they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 31:32)

The prophets speak throughout this history. The prophets spoke God’s words to the people and enforced the covenant: calling them back to true worship of God and warning them of turning away.  They show how God’s promises have not failed but they point to a greater and lasting fulfilment of his promise: his people, in his place, under his rule and blessing.

We need to hear this message of hope, that we might trust God’s powerful work in us to change us.

God’s New Covenant

Jeremiah speaks of a new covenant that would not be like the first covenant. It would tackle the heart of their problem forever.

A renewed heart forever:

We know our hearts are often wayward.  Even when we know what is right, we can find it hard to do. None of us have perfectly kept God’s law even though his commands are clear. The desires of our hearts continually wander from God’s good ways. When we feel like that, we are experiencing the problem of the first covenant: external rules don’t change my heart.

God’s solution is to write his law inside us: “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.” (Jeremiah 31:33). That doesn’t just mean that we know his law but that our hearts are shaped to want his ways.

Some in our culture claim that our desires shape who we are: that what I love and want is an essential part of me. When God’s law is written on our hearts, his ways shape who we are: he works to change what we want and love. He changes our anger and fears, our selfishness and our boasts so that we become more like him in every way.

A renewed relationship forever:

Throughout the Old Testament, God’s people had been offered relationship with God as he says,         “I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:33)

Yet that relationship was fragile (needing perpetual sacrifices to deal with ongoing sin), distant (through the mediation of priest and regular sacrifices) and ultimately failed in exile for their covenant unfaithfulness.

Yet Jeremiah looks forward to what we enjoy by Christ and will experience in full in the new Creation. Everyone personally knows God: secure, unmediated, “‘they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,’ declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 31:34)

A renewed start forever:

Finally, God promises the fresh start of total forgiveness. Not the partial and temporary forgiveness of the Old Testament sacrifices but a forever forgiveness. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34)

When God says he won’t remember our sins, he’s not forgetful, but he’s promising never to bring it up against us. When we forgive someone, we don’t need to pretend that it didn’t happen but we do make a commitment not to bring it up again.  Not bring it up with them in accusation, not with others in gossip or with ourselves in grumbling and bitterness. Also with God: he offers us complete forgiveness. Our sins and wickedness will never be brought up against us.

A renewed heart, a renewed relationship and a renewed start forever. Jeremiah’s readers, like us sometimes, may have been very aware of their own weak and wavering hearts.  But hope and change come from God. He promises “I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:33). With Newton we can say “I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am.”

Prayers

Most merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ delivered and saved the world: grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross we may triumph in the power of his victory; 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.

You may like to continue with your own prayers and the Lord’s Prayer. You may wish to pray for one or two from our church family by name, and for mercy for our world facing Covid-19.

Conclusion

May Christ give you grace to grow in holiness, to deny yourselves, take up your cross, and follow him; and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be among us and remain with us always. Amen.



Hymn

Online Service: Sunday 21st February 2021

Dear Friends,

"We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable,
and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place,
until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts." (2 Peter 1:19)

I am deeply thankful that in these troubling times, God has spoken to us and has given us his great and precious promises. I do hope you are staying warm and well. I’m greatly missing being able to meet together as church and if you’d like to get in touch, I’d love to hear from you and know how you are. This week’s service is below. It has been kindly prepared by Rev. Alan Reynolds and marks the First Sunday of Lent.

First Sunday of Lent – February 21st 2021

......” Make me a clean heart, O God ... and renew a right spirit within me” .. ...Ps. 51

Welcome to this time of worship and reflection as we begin the season of Lent. Your Bible, hymn book and Prayer Book may be useful.

Hymn: Be still for the presence of the Lord

Preparation: Collect for Purity:

Almighty God to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Summary of the Law. (Matt. 22.38)

The first Commandment is this: “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord. You shall Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The Second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other Commandment greater than these. On these two Commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Amen. Lord, have mercy.

Scripture Readings

Psalm 51:1-11.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Gospel Reading. Mark 1 vs. 9-15

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven. ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.

Reflection: Theme: We all face – testing – challenges – temptations.

Life is always throwing up challenges. One came along during some lock-down exercise. Due to the then recent heavy rains and snow melt we had taken to walking along dry lanes. That is until we came upon several extensive puddles stretched across the lane. Fortunately the hedgerows had a narrow grassy bank that we could edge along avoiding the build up of water. Feeling pleased at surviving the challenge, we turned a bend to find something more like a canal – some 100 metres long, with water right up to the hedges. What to do? Wade through? Turn back (adding time and distance)?

Life in general often rises up to set some tricky problems. Practical problems are one thing, but what about those situations that test us morally and spiritually? These kind of problems are linked to what we believe, about life, about others, about God. They test our integrity as a person and the quality of our responses to life each day. Other people are always involved some way in what we do. As the Dean of St. Paul’s, John Donne wrote some 400 years ago in his now famous phrase, “no man is an island, entire unto himself.” It means we cannot turn our backs on life or others. We are involved. We are dependent upon them, and our attitudes and actions always affect others and perhaps one day we shall need those whom we choose to ignore.

Today’s Gospel Reading (Mark 1.9-15) present Jesus at the turning point in his life. He faces his great testing moment. First to commit to public life in the act of Baptism. Then to face the inner challenge this will bring, by being in the Judean wilderness in spiritual reflection and prayer. We note that throughout this time Jesus is being watched over by the Holy Spirit – at the Baptism with blessing and anointing, and then, surprisingly ‘driving’ him into the wastelands. Here, Jesus will do some soul searching that will be the foundation of an earth shaking saving ministry that will follow.

No one can walk into a great work without preparation. For Jesus it involved coming to terms with the huge responsibility resting upon him. How will he set about his new ministry? With other people’s lives involved there can be no mistakes or personal ambition creeping in to spoil everything. Fundamentally it always comes down to being sure why we do something. Who are we serving in doing this? For what do we put our lives on the line?

Its all too easy to paper over the cracks - pretend, even to ourselves, that we always act from the highest motives – at least most of the time. Do we know what our inner psychological, emotional needs are? Rather than examine our inner motives, it is easy to simply go on presenting our caring, helpful and well meaning face to the world.

Mark deals with Temptation time in just one verse. Matthew and Luke give us the familiar 3 fold assault on Jesus by the ‘adversary’/’Satan’. It is presented as a dialogue. Each part comes as a thought that sounds good but when on reflection turns out to be profoundly false.

(i)              ‘turn the stones into bread’. Surely God does not want you to die here. You have gifts and power to help yourself and then others. Jesus replies with the well known quote, “man does not live by bread alone ....” (Deut. 8.3.) a reference of God’s provision of manna (sort of bread) in the wilderness for the people during the Exodus. The implication is that God can meet my needs now. And with hindsight, we have communion with God through Jesus in the spiritual food of the bread and wine.

(ii)             “Jump off the high temple wall” - demonstrates that God will look after you, and the people will come flocking to you. Jesus replies with, “do not tempt the Lord your God”, (Deut 7.16) God does not work through the false glamour of dubious ‘miracles’ - smacking of the Romans in keeping people happy with ‘bread and circuses’. Again, later we can add that God’s care/love is shown through the Cross and Resurrection.

(iii)           “All the Kingdoms – everything could be yours”. I can give you this, just follow and honour my lead. This is a huge lie. It is selling ones soul to the highest bidder for personal gain. Jesus replies with a quote from Deut. 6.13. There is only one who is worthy of such – following and serving – God our Creator. Again we can now add – there is a far greater Kingdom freely available – seek this one and not self glory.

All the testings, temptations, challenges are about revealing our truest integrity in life and actions. It leads to questions, What are our real aims? Who is the real source of our life? Whom do we serve – ourselves and our needs or God and his Kingdom?

It becomes clear that the path to which Jesus calls us - ‘follow me’ - involves at times some deep soul searching. The siren call of our unhealed ‘wants’ within, and the seduction of the world’s ambiguous calls, will always keep us on our toes.

If we are to be spiritually alert:

  • we shall see that we need to keep on growing. We do not come ready made. We need to ensure that as our heart and soul grow in God’s love, we are re-clothed in “love, joy, peace.....”

  • we shall need protection. It’s a tough world, with many possible pitfalls. Jesus uses the Scriptures to see a way through. He is not deflected or undermined from the chosen path. We too can have a well stocked biblical mind if we set aside a little regular time.

  • we shall need companionship. Jesus has the constant life with the Father/Abba. He is not alone. There is the sustaining Spirit who walks with him through the trials. Later he will encourage those who follow his path. “I am with you always.” (Matt. 28,) An abiding Presence.

Lent is given to us as a time of both recalling our particular problems and weaknesses before God, and for discovering more of the treasures available to help in life’s journey. It does no good to be continually beating ourselves over our seemingly endless shortcomings. That would be like the gardener forever digging up the weeds and never quite getting around to planting those beautiful flowers. Far better to use our Lent time (and many do have extra time at present!) to allow ourselves to be ‘hugged’ by the Love that loves us first. Far better to stay ever closer to the One who passed through his testing times, with us in mind. Far better to immerse ourselves in His Life that ever flows into our souls with His hope and joy.

PS. You may remember the challenge we faced on the lane with flood water in front and behind. Well, I carry an old battered map and it indicated a field path we could take. It was very muddy but proved to be more than adequate. We do not have to listen to the voices of hopelessness and gloom.

Apostles Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father, He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his Kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayer of Intercession

Most holy Lord, be our strength in times of weakness.

We bring to you – all who are struggling in life this day.

  • all bringing help, healing, hope.

  • all serving through the churches

  • all who carry responsibility in these challenging times

  • all who have gone before us in life’s journey.

Lord in your mercy – Hear our prayer. 

Lord’s Prayer

Collect for Lent

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ fasted 40 days in the wilderness and was tempted as we are, yet without sin, give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit : and as you know our weakness, so may we know your power to save, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Hymn: Lead us Heavenly Father, Lead Us.

Closing Prayer

Go before us Lord, in all we do, with your gracious favour and guide us with your continual help: that in all our work, begun, continued and ended in you we may praise your holy name. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, In the name of Christ. Amen.

Revision of Church Electoral Roll

Notice is hereby given

that the Church Electoral Roll of the above parish will be revised by the Parochial Church Council,
beginning on SUNDAY the TWENTY-EIGHTH day of FEBRUARY 2021,
and ending on MONDAY the FIRST day of MARCH 2021. 

After the revision, a copy of the Roll will be published by the Parochial Church Council at the church doors for at least 14 days and a copy of the Roll will be available for inspection on a reasonable request being made to the Council.

Under the Church Representation Rules any lay persons are entitled to have their names entered on the roll if the person is—

(a) is baptised,

(b) is aged 16 or over, and

(c) has made one of the following three declarations and duly applied for enrolment.

 

The first declaration is that the person is a member of the Church of England or of a Church in communion with it and is resident in the parish.

The second declaration is that the person is a member of the Church of England or of a Church in communion with it, is not resident in the parish, but has habitually attended public worship in the parish during the preceding six months.

The third declaration is that the person is a member in good standing of a Church which is not in communion with the Church of England but subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and is also a member of the Church of England and has habitually attended public worship in the parish during the preceding six months.

Application Forms for enrolment can be obtained from the Church Electoral Roll Officer or our website. In order for a person to be entitled to attend the annual parochial church meeting and to take part in its proceedings, an Application Form for enrolment must be returned by the date shown above for the ending of the revision of the Church Electoral Roll by the Parochial Church Council.

Any error discovered in the Roll should at once be reported to the Church Electoral Roll Officer.

Dated this TWENTY-NINTH of JANUARY 2021.  

Completed forms to: B Leonard, Polmear, Daywell, Gobowen SY10 7EJ

 

Christianity Explored

We’d love questions and those who ask them. You are very welcome to join us in an informal and relaxed online setting (via Zoom) to think about some of the bigger questions in life. There will be space to ask any question you may have about the Christian faith: no question is too big or too small!

Over the seven weeks, we will look at a book of the Bible to find out first-hand who Jesus is and why he came. You don’t need to know anything about the Bible, and you won’t be asked to pray or sing! Feel free to join with your camera off and listen along.

We regularly run courses like this and our next course is starting, 8pm on Sunday 18th April. But please feel free just to give the first few sessions a try.

If you’d like to join us, please contact Steve on allsaintsgobowen@gmail.com

COVID Update: Jan 2021

We know our hope is in our Lord Jesus. We belong to him in all circumstances. Our country has entered a new national lockdown, and to support the efforts to reduce the risk of transmission, we have taken the decision not to meet in person at church at the moment. We will suspend services until the end of February.

We long to be able to meet again as a church family and we pray that we will soon be able to do this safely. Until then, please let me know if I can help with practical support, prayer or conversation.

This Sunday I will send an online service so that we can join together in heart from home. And you are also welcome to join us by Zoom for a group chat from 12:00-12:30pm. I will send details by Sunday.

Many churches are also providing extra online resources at the moment which you might find helpful. I've been particularly encouraged by the St Ebbe's daily service.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus… And the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:6-7, 9)

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)

In our Lord Jesus,
Steve

Finding Christmas

Finding Christmas

Join us to celebrate Christmas this year. Below are details of all our events. Please get in touch here – we’d love to hear from you.

 
with our prayers this Christmas
 
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
— John 1:14 NIV

We are committed to making All Saints’ a safe place for all and especially to safeguarding children, young people, victims of domestic abuse and vulnerable adults. Please see our safeguarding page for more details.