Imagining the Lectionary: Espalier for the soul (Advent 1C)
Imagining the Lectionary: Espalier for the soul (Advent 1C)
by David Perry
Imagining the Lectionary: Espalier for the soul (Advent 1C) Reflection accompanying images: “Espaliered trees against stone wall” and “Espaliered trees detail of binding and support” And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we ab…
The Lion's World - 3 - Not a tame lion
The Lion's World - 3 - Not a tame lion
by SPCK - Rowan Williams
Not a tame lion The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe carefully prepares the way for Aslan’s appearance. When in Chapter 7 Mr Beaver confides ‘in a low whisper’ that ‘They say Aslan is on the move’ (p. 141), we are given a glimpse of what is instantly evoked by the name for the ch…
The Lion's World - 2 - Narnia and its crtitics
The Lion's World - 2 - Narnia and its crtitics
by SPCK - Rowan Williams
Narnia and its critics I mentioned earlier the way in which Philip Pullman had conceived his own trilogy as a sort of riposte to the Narnia books. The parallels are clear enough – an alternative universe including talking animals, even (though Pullman might dispute this) an activ…
Prayer: Awesome God, Creator of all
Prayer: Awesome God, Creator of all
by John Birch
Prayers of Adoration, Confession and Thanksgiving by John Birch ADORATION Awesome One, creator of all, the light of your glory fills the heavens, the breath of your Spirit blows through the skies, stars above stand silent witness to the power of our God. Continues... CONFESSION Y…
Gazing on the Gospels year c - Introduction
Gazing on the Gospels year c - Introduction
by SPCK - Judith Dimond
Introduction This is the second in the series of Gospel reflections following the Anglican Church’s lectionary, and it follows the same simple pattern as before, which even busy people can find time for as they approach Sunday. It will take no more time to read than would a quick…
Advent III
Advent III
by Michael Docker
Advent III The candle is lit for the witnesses, For those who have heard and are living By the way that is laid from cradle to cross That leads from self to the challenge of loss To the duty of service, the joys of giving, This is the way of the witnesses. The candle shines for t…
Advent II
Advent II
by Michael Docker
Poem- Advent II The candle we light is a sign of the Word Today we will honour its promise and power; It will shine here for not much more than an hour; The Word lasts for ever – haven't you heard? The candle we light remains silent, but say, Haven't you heard that when God speak…
Advent IV
Advent IV
by Michael Docker
Advent IV The candle, like Mary, is frail and small - In the grand scheme of things just a guttering flame. And we, like Mary, like the candle, like Bethlehem, - Are frail but infused with the scent of God's call. The candle, like Mary, is humble and poor When compared with the w…
Matthew for Everyone Part 2 - Glossary
Matthew for Everyone Part 2 - Glossary
by SPCK - N T Wright
GLOSSARY MATTHEW FOR EVERYONE PART 2 accuser, see the satan age to come, see present age apostle, disciple, the Twelve ‘Apostle’ means ‘one who is sent’. It could be used of an ambassador or official delegate. In the New Testament it is sometimes used specifically of Jesus’ inner…
Revelation for Everyone - Introduction
Revelation for Everyone - Introduction
by SPCK - N T Wright
INTRODUCTION Revelation for Everyone On the very first occasion when someone stood up in public to tell people about Jesus, he made it very clear: this message is for everyone. It was a great day – sometimes called the birthday of the church. The great wind of God’s spirit had sw…
Matthew for Everyone Part 2 - The Unexpected Coming
Matthew for Everyone Part 2 - The Unexpected Coming
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Unexpected Coming Matthew 24.36-44 It was a fine Saturday afternoon in the heat of summer. The family, some on holiday from work, were relaxing in the house and the garden. Books and magazines were lying around the place, along with coffee mugs, newspapers and packets of bisc…
Matthew for Everyone Part 2 - The Wise and Wicked Slaves
Matthew for Everyone Part 2 - The Wise and Wicked Slaves
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Wise and Wicked Slaves Matthew 24.45-51 The managing director was returning from a meeting out of town, when he saw a familiar but unexpected sight. There, turning out of a street ahead of him, was one of his own company’s vans. What was it doing here? The company didn’t do b…
Advent prayers
Advent prayers
by John Birch
Prayers of Adoration, Confession and Thanksgiving for Advent ADORATION God of majesty and power, who spoke and this world was, who breathed and this world lived, who counts the hairs upon our head, who sees our thoughts and reads our hearts, who loves us more than we deserve, Con…
Matthew for Everyone Part 2 - Jesus Rides Into Jerusalem
Matthew for Everyone Part 2 - Jesus Rides Into Jerusalem
by SPCK - N T Wright
Jesus Rides Into Jerusalem Matthew 21.1-11 There is a famous story of Sir Walter Raleigh, one of the great explorers and travellers during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I and King James I of England. On one occasion he was with the queen when she was walking through London, and c…
Matthew for Everyone Part 2 - The Question about John
Matthew for Everyone Part 2 - The Question about John
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Question about John Matthew 21.23-32 When the police finally caught up with the man, they took him off to a police station and sat him down. They let him get his breath back, and then the questions began. ‘What were you doing in that street at that time of night? What right d…
Monologue/Reflection: A tribute to David
Monologue/Reflection: A tribute to David
by Marjorie Dobson
Monologue/Reflection: A tribute to David (We are used to hearing funeral tributes. This is an imagined one from the past.) He was a good king! Not necessarily a perfect man, but he was a good king. He tried to be wise in his judgements and to be fair to everyone. He believed in w…
Matthew for Everyone Part 2 - The Workers in the Vineyard