Lectionary 14/02/2024
- Ash Wednesday - Years A, B & C
Lectionary Readings
Related Products
Ash Wednesday Liturgy
Ash Wednesday Liturgy
by John Birch
A liturgy for use on Ash Wednesday or as part of Lent worship, with responsive prayer and scope for several voices to be involved. Into your presence we come, Lord a few moments of quietness in a busy world that demands our attention Breathe on us now that we might know your pres…
HYMN - God we lose our moral compass
HYMN - God we lose our moral compass
by Andrew Pratt
God, we lose our moral compass, stagger blindly, miss the mark, wander deep in self-deception, finding life is cold and stark; in our darkness, in our hunger, in the shadows bring your spark. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: MANNHEIM Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 12/2/2010 Stainer &…
Jesus Chooses Twelve Disciples
Jesus Chooses Twelve Disciples
by Dave Hopwood
Feet of Clay and the Breath of God Bible Ref: Isaiah 42; Matthew 5-8 & 10; Mark 3; Luke 6 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrato…
The Beatitudes
The Beatitudes
by Dave Hopwood
Feet of Clay and the Breath of God Bible Ref: Isaiah 42; Matthew 5-8 & 10; Mark 3; Luke 6 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrat…
Salt and Light
Salt and Light
by Dave Hopwood
Feet of Clay and the Breath of God Bible Ref: Isaiah 42; Matthew 5-8 & 10; Mark 3; Luke 6 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrat…
Lights for the World
Lights for the World
by Dave Hopwood
Feet of Clay and the Breath of God Bible Ref: Isaiah 42; Matthew 5-8 & 10; Mark 3; Luke 6 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrato…
Bear One Another's Burdens
Bear One Another's Burdens
by Dave Hopwood
Feet of Clay and the Breath of God Bible Ref: Isaiah 42; Matthew 5-8 & 10; Mark 3; Luke 6 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrator to …
Specks and Logs
Specks and Logs
by Dave Hopwood
Feet of Clay and the Breath of God Bible Ref: Isaiah 42; Matthew 5-8 & 10; Mark 3; Luke 6 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrator to …
The Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments
by Dave Hopwood
Feet of Clay and the Breath of God Bible Ref: Isaiah 42; Matthew 5-8 & 10; Mark 3; Luke 6 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrator to …
Praying
Praying
by Dave Hopwood
Feet of Clay and the Breath of God Bible Ref: Isaiah 42; Matthew 5-8 & 10; Mark 3; Luke 6 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrator to …
The Lord's Prayer
The Lord's Prayer
by Dave Hopwood
Feet of Clay and the Breath of God Bible Ref: Isaiah 42; Matthew 5-8 & 10; Mark 3; Luke 6 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrator to …
Good Gifts
Good Gifts
by Dave Hopwood
Feet of Clay and the Breath of God Bible Ref: Isaiah 42; Matthew 5-8 & 10; Mark 3; Luke 6 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrator to …
Money and Worry
Money and Worry
by Dave Hopwood
Feet of Clay and the Breath of God Bible Ref: Isaiah 42; Matthew 5-8 & 10; Mark 3; Luke 6 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrator to …
The Narrow Way
The Narrow Way
by Dave Hopwood
Feet of Clay and the Breath of God Bible Ref: Isaiah 42; Matthew 5-8 & 10; Mark 3; Luke 6 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrator to …
The Two Houses - Wise and Foolish
The Two Houses - Wise and Foolish
by Dave Hopwood
Feet of Clay and the Breath of God Bible Ref: Isaiah 42; Matthew 5-8 & 10; Mark 3; Luke 6 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrator to …
A Persistent Canaanite Woman
A Persistent Canaanite Woman
by Dave Hopwood
Food and Water Bible Ref: Matthew 9-11 & 13-16; Mark 6-8; Luke 9; John 6-7 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrator to read the linkin…
Intercessions for Years A, B and C Book - Ash Wednesday
Intercessions for Years A, B and C Book - Ash Wednesday
by SPCK - Ian Black
Ash Wednesday – Years A, B and C In your loving-kindness, O God Have mercy and hear our prayer. Merciful Lord, cleanse our hearts that we may offer praise worthy of your name. Give to your Church true penitence and mourning for the sins that would drive a wedge between who we are…
Twelve Months of Sundays Year A - Proper 1 Year A
Twelve Months of Sundays Year A - Proper 1 Year A
by SPCK - N T Wright
Proper 1 - Year A Isaiah 58.1–12 1 Corinthians 2.1–16 Matthew 5.13–20 Isaiah’s stinging rebuke contains the seeds of the Sermon on the Mount. True piety must be part of the outward movement to share your blessing with the world. Fasting is useless if injustice goes unchecked. L…
Fasting - an alternative view of Isaiah 58: 1-9a
Fasting - an alternative view of Isaiah 58: 1-9a
by Marjorie Dobson
Monologue: Fasting – an alternative view to Isaiah 58. 1-9a I always say there’s nothing like a good day’s fasting to clear out the system, especially right after a few feast days. Doesn’t do you any harm. I mean, you’ve already over-eaten and drunk too much wine, so what’s the h…
Lectionary Reflections Year A - Proper 1 Year A
Lectionary Reflections Year A - Proper 1 Year A
by SPCK - Jane Williams
Proper 1 - Year A Isaiah 58.1–12 1 Corinthians 2.1–16 Matthew 5.13–20 God is about to give you a present. You are very excited about this because, after all, a present from God is likely to be a particularly fine one. You also hope that God has been listening to the large hints y…
Lent for Everyone Year A - Ash Wednesday
Lent for Everyone Year A - Ash Wednesday
by SPCK - N T Wright
ASH WEDNESDAY Matthew 1-2; focused on 1.18-25 We know very, very little about Joseph. Some legends make him an old man who died while Jesus was growing up, but we don’t know that for sure. We know he worked in the building trade, including what we call carpentry. We know he could…
HYMN - False is the fasting, and foul is the purpose
HYMN - False is the fasting, and foul is the purpose
by Andrew Pratt
False is the fasting, and foul is the purpose, rich the injustice the Godless pursue; this is the judgment we hear prophets speaking, seeking to challenge, restore and renew. Where are the humble and those who are open, facing in honesty all they have done Where are the righteous…
The Worlds no stage where we are acting
The Worlds no stage where we are acting
by Andrew Pratt
The world’s no stage where we are acting to show how good we think we are; this is no place to call attention, or seek acclaim from near or far. Our prayers are worthless, void and empty when uttered for the crowd’s applause, much more of worth are silent actions, compassion show…
Lent for Everyone Mark Year B - Thursday after Ash Wednesday Year B
Lent for Everyone Mark Year B - Thursday after Ash Wednesday Year B
by SPCK - N T Wright
Lent for Everyone Mark Year B THURSDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY... ...It was the organist’s night off. His deputy, fresh from college and looking even younger than he actually was, took charge of the choir. The singers – a good-hearted lot, but choirs will be choirs – were, almost ins…
Matthew for Everyone Part 1 - The Lord's Prayer
Matthew for Everyone Part 1 - The Lord's Prayer
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Lord’s Prayer Matthew 6.7-15 I was talking to a friend who had the reputation of being one of the finest preachers in the area. How did he go about it, I asked. He had no particular technique, he said; he just puzzled over the biblical readings that were set for that day unti…
The Proper Fast
The Proper Fast
by Norman J Goreham (1931-2021)
The Proper Fast (A Hymn for Ash Wednesday) “When you come to me with fasting‚ show repentance true and lasting‚ all your sins upon me casting‚” I‚ your righteous God‚ have said. “Bring your sorrow to fruition in a godly full contrition‚ not in hollow exhibition‚” I‚ your ri…
Poem: Ash Wednesday
Poem: Ash Wednesday
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem: Ash Wednesday Ashes come from crosses, symbolically palm-leafed for joyful jubilation, yet shaped for betrayal and condemnation. Crosses carried last Lent as emblems of enlightenment and hand-held holiness, now tired and tainted by a year of faults and failing to follow the…
Now is the time to reassess
Now is the time to reassess
by Andrew Pratt
Now is the time to reassess our place within God's grace, a time for calm, reflective prayer, to meet God face to face. Now is the time for honesty for God is by our side; each action seen and understood, no way that we can hide. Verses 3-4 follow Metre: CM Tune: FINGAL Andrew …
Journeying with Luke - Passion - Holy Week
Journeying with Luke - Passion - Holy Week
by SPCK - Woodward, Gooder and Pryce
5 Passion – Holy Week Exploring the text In the previous chapter we noted the way in which the theme of temptation weaves its way through the whole of the Gospel of Luke, reaching its climax at Jesus’ crucifixion where he is tempted three times – first by the leaders, then by the…
Open with God Book - February/March - Ash Wednesday
Open with God Book - February/March - Ash Wednesday
by Christine Odell
February/ March – Ash Wednesday Calendar of Prayers Reading Matthew 6.1-6 Ask those present to write down on pieces of paper what they are giving or taking up for Lent. These will be placed in a bowl during the prayer. All-seeing God, you know us through and through...
friends, FOES and families - Ash Wednesday: in order to know what is in your heart
friends, FOES and families - Ash Wednesday: in order to know what is in your heart
by SPCK - Judith Dimond
ASH WEDNESDAY: in order to know what is in your heart Mark 1.12, 13 Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart. (Deuteronomy 8.2)...
friends, FOES and families - But we have the mind of Christ
friends, FOES and families - But we have the mind of Christ
by SPCK - Judith Dimond
But we have the mind of Christ 1 Corinthians 1—2; Luke 6, 12 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? (1 Corinthians 1.20)...
Isaiah 58:12
Isaiah 58:12
by BigBible
Created by Jo Brown. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. NIV Translation Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2…
There is a season - Ash Wednesday Introduction
There is a season - Ash Wednesday Introduction
by SPCK - Margaret Pritchard Houston
ASH WEDNESDAY Behold, I make all things new INTRODUCTION There is an understandable reluctance among many Sunday School and RE leaders to discuss sin with children. We want our children to feel a strong sense of self, to feel positive about themselves, and to believe in a God who…
There is a season - Ash Wednesday Liturgy
There is a season - Ash Wednesday Liturgy
by SPCK - Margaret Pritchard Houston
ASH WEDNESDAY Behold, I make all things new We enter the church in silence. We sit in chairs in a semi-circle around the altar. Leader….. O God, make speed to save us. All….. O Lord, make haste to help us. reading Isaiah 53.3 – 6...
PAUL AND THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD - The Central Argument
PAUL AND THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD - The Central Argument
by SPCK - N T Wright
Part 1: PAUL AND HIS WORLD Chapter One RETURN OF THE RUNAWAY? 1. A World of Difference (iv) The Central Argument These discussions about the actual situation and the request Paul made have tended, as I said, to make exegetes overlook the point which is just as important in its wa…
Paul and the Faithfulness of God - Sources
Paul and the Faithfulness of God - Sources
by SPCK - N T Wright
Part 1: PAUL AND HIS WORLD Chapter One RETURN OF THE RUNAWAY? 2 Philemon and the Study of Paul (v) Sources The first question most historians ask has to do with sources. Here we face a problem as much of scholarly fashion as of historical substance. Since the present volume is de…
Barefoot Prayers - Week 1 - Gatherings
Barefoot Prayers - Week 1 - Gatherings
by SPCK - Stephen Cherry
Week 1 GATHERINGS This collection begins on the Sunday before Lent. Lent is itself a season of preparation, but even preparation can benefit from preparation. Shrove Tuesday is the focus of this, and can helpfully take the form of a day of clearing out and carnival. It begins on …
PAUL AND THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD - Cynics and Sceptics
PAUL AND THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD - Cynics and Sceptics
by SPCK - N T Wright
3. Athene and Her Owl: the Wisdom of the Greeks (v) Cynics and Sceptics From Stoicism proper it is a short step to that disparate phenomenon – more of a mood than a movement – that was called Cynicism. The Cynics (again, our English meanings let us down here, though there is some…
LWPT Meditations - Ash Wednesday - Year A
LWPT Meditations - Ash Wednesday - Year A
by Susan Thorne
Meditation – Ash Wednesday Year A Isaiah 58:1-12 Psalm 51:1-17 2nd Corinthians 5 ;20b-6:10 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 It is a common practice among Christians to “give up something for Lent” – quite often it is chocolate; not exactly a necessity. It is also becoming popular to have a “…
New Testament Prayer for Everyone - Prayer in Secret
New Testament Prayer for Everyone - Prayer in Secret
by SPCK - N T Wright
PART 1 NEW TESTAMENT TEACHING ON PRAYER THE TEACHING OF JESUS PRAYER IN SECRET Matthew 6: 5-6 Once, when living in the Middle East, I went out for a walk in the afternoon. On my way home, feeling slightly hungry, I bought a bar of chocolate at a wayside stall. I got back home, we…
New Testament Prayer for Everyone - The Lord's Prayer
New Testament Prayer for Everyone - The Lord's Prayer
by SPCK - N T Wright
PART 1 NEW TESTAMENT TEACHING ON PRAYER THE TEACHING OF JESUS THE LORD’S PRAYER Matthew 6: 7-15 I was talking to a friend who had the reputation of being one of the finest preachers in the area. How did he go about it, I asked. He had no particular technique, he said; he just puz…
Fire
Fire
by Rose humphrey
TIP- PowerPoint Slide Size- The ideal way to insert into PowerPoint is:- • Reduce the image size to 1024x768 pixels using your image editing software. (Will reduce image proportionally) • Insert as Picture in the normal way. • If needed fill the slide area by placing the image in…
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday
by Rose humphrey
TIP- PowerPoint Slide Size- The ideal way to insert into PowerPoint is:- • Reduce the image size to 1024x768 pixels using your image editing software. (Will reduce image proportionally) • Insert as Picture in the normal way. • If needed fill the slide area by placing the image in…
Burning Palm Cross
Burning Palm Cross
by Rose humphrey
TIP- PowerPoint Slide Size- The ideal way to insert into PowerPoint is:- • Reduce the image size to 1024x768 pixels using your image editing software. (Will reduce image proportionally) • Insert as Picture in the normal way. • If needed fill the slide area by placing the image in…
Ashes
Ashes
by Rose humphrey
TIP- PowerPoint Slide Size- The ideal way to insert into PowerPoint is:- • Reduce the image size to 1024x768 pixels using your image editing software. (Will reduce image proportionally) • Insert as Picture in the normal way. • If needed fill the slide area by placing the image in…
Ash Wednesday Title
Ash Wednesday Title
by Twelvebaskets and Rose Humphrey
Original image 'Ash Wednesday 2' by Rosemary Humphrey Image modified and text added by Twelvebaskets Ltd TIP- PowerPoint Slide Size- The ideal way to insert into PowerPoint is:- • Reduce the image size to 1024x768 pixels using your image editing software. (Will reduce image propo…
Times and Seasons - Full Service - Ash Wednesday - Year A
Times and Seasons - Full Service - Ash Wednesday - Year A
by Andrew Pratt and Marjorie Dobson
Ash Wednesday - Year A Service contains: Opening Hymn: Can we by searching find out God or God, we lose our moral compass, Prayer: Patient God Hymn: The King of love my shepherd is or Confession is communion with God Reading: Joel 2:1-2, 12–17 or Isaiah 58:1–12 Hymn: Father of he…
Times and Seasons - Where can a sense of grace be found
Times and Seasons - Where can a sense of grace be found
by Andrew Pratt
Where can a sense of grace be found? Where is God's song of love to sound? We need to hear that we are safe when words of criticism chafe. Verse 2 follows Tune: RIVAULX Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 19/2/2014 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England, www.stainer.co.uk. Please in…
Now is the acceptable time
Now is the acceptable time
by Twelvebaskets and Alan Jones
Original Image 'Engine' by Alan Jones Image modified and text added by Twelvebaskets Ltd TIP- PowerPoint Slide Size- The ideal way to insert into PowerPoint is:- • Reduce the image size to 1024x768 pixels using your image editing software. (Will reduce image proportionally) • Ins…
Rhythms of remembering - Lent - Wednesday Morning Prayer
Rhythms of remembering - Lent - Wednesday Morning Prayer
by SPCK - Hannah Ward & Jennifer Wild
LENT - Wednesday Morning Prayer Blessed are you, O God: you made us to care for the earth. The earth is God’s and all that is in it, the world and all who dwell therein. For it is God who founded it upon the sea and made it firm upon the rivers of the deep...
Rhythms of remembering - Lent - Tuesday Evening Prayer
Rhythms of remembering - Lent - Tuesday Evening Prayer
by SPCK - Hannah Ward & Jennifer Wild
LENT - Tuesday Evening Prayer Blessed are you, O God: you keep renewing the earth. Blessed Creator, Father and Mother of all that is made, Fashioner of planet Earth, where Lent is springtime, seed-time, new life emerging,...
Psalms for Everyone Part 2 - How to Persuade Your Heart
Psalms for Everyone Part 2 - How to Persuade Your Heart
by SPCK - John Goldingay
How to Persuade Your Heart Psalm 103 Some years ago I went through one of those periods when God didn’t seem to be real. I don’t mean I was going through some intellectual questioning, though I have done that at other times, but rather that I didn’t feel that God was there. I wou…
Four Gospels, One Jesus - Another Moses?
Four Gospels, One Jesus - Another Moses?
by SPCK - Richard A Burridge
Another Moses? Beginning ministry, Matthew 3—8.1 In the picture of Matthew in the Lindisfarne Gospels, there is another bearded figure peering out from behind the curtain, holding a book. Some scholars and art historians suggest this might be Moses, with the Law. Certainly, Old T…
Four Gospels, One Jesus - The new teaching
Four Gospels, One Jesus - The new teaching
by SPCK - Richard A Burridge
The new teaching The Discourses, Matthew 5—7, 10, 13, 18, 23—25 While Mark has very little actual teaching, Matthew builds the character of Jesus as the Teacher of Israel, and structures the gospel around his five great blocks of teaching – the discourses punctuating the narrativ…
Four Gospels, One Jesus - Righteousness, morality and judgement
Four Gospels, One Jesus - Righteousness, morality and judgement
by SPCK - Richard A Burridge
Righteousness, morality and judgement Matthew’s Teacher is concerned about moral teaching; one of his key words (occurring seven times in Matthew, once in Luke, and never in Mark) is dikaiosune, justice or righteousness, with its adjective dikaios (fifteen times in Matthew; once …
the greatest prayer - Prologue The Strangest Prayer
the greatest prayer - Prologue The Strangest Prayer
by SPCK - John Dominic Crossan
PROLOGUE The Strangest Prayer The Lord’s Prayer is Christianity’s greatest prayer. It is also Christianity’s strangest prayer. It is prayed by all Christians, but it never mentions Christ. It is prayed in all churches, but it never mentions church. It is prayed on all Sundays, bu…
the greatest prayer - Our Father in Heaven
the greatest prayer - Our Father in Heaven
by SPCK - John Dominic Crossan
2 Our Father in Heaven Our Father which art in heaven . . . Our Father in heaven . . . Matthew 6:9, NRSV Her name was Babatha and she lived in Maoza, on the southern tip of Israel’s Dead Sea coast. She was illiterate, wealthy, and financially very competent, moving easily within …
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - The Sermon on the Mount
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - The Sermon on the Mount
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5: 1- 7: 29) Beatitudes and Antitheses. Matthew’s Gospel offers five teaching discourses: the Sermon on the Mount (5:1–7:29); missionary instructions (10:1–42); parables concerning the kingdom (Gk. basileia) of heaven (13:1–53); church guidelines …
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Book II
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Book II
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
Book II (Psalms 42-72) Book II of the Psalter, like Book I, contains many lament psalms. But unlike Book I, not all of the psalms are attributed to David. The Korahites, who were, according to the book of Chronicles, temple singers during the reigns of David and Solomon, mix thei…
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Status Negotiations
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Status Negotiations
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
Status Negotiations (2 Corinthian 1-7) These chapters are exceedingly difficult, with abrupt changes in tone and interrupted trains of thought. Even in sections where the subject matter remains fairly constant, sentences are repetitive, convoluted, at times almost incoherent. Whe…
52 Reflections on Faith - Ash Wednesday: depending on God
52 Reflections on Faith - Ash Wednesday: depending on God
by BRF - Stephen W. Need
4 Ash Wednesday: Depending on God Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the period of 40 days before Easter. Lent is a season of fasting and repentance in preparation for the joyous celebration of the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Day. The 40-day period comes from Jesus’ 40 d…
Traces of Glory Year B - Proper 13 - Year B
Traces of Glory Year B - Proper 13 - Year B
by SPCK - David Adam
Proper 13 Traces of Glory Year B O Lord our God, you give us the true bread that comes down from heaven, even your son Jesus Christ our Lord; grant that as they receive him into your life we may be filled with the fullness of his love and abide in him as he abides in us; through …
Isaiah for everyone - (Un)spiritual Practices
Isaiah for everyone - (Un)spiritual Practices
by SPCK - John Goldingay
(Un)spiritual Practices I was talking with a friend about the way Christians in our culture have got interested in “spiritual practices” such as meditation, silence, and fasting. This development is taking place in a context where Christians don’t have as much sense of God as the…
The Womens' Bible Commentary - Third Isaiah
The Womens' Bible Commentary - Third Isaiah
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
Third Isaiah The last eleven chapters, set in Jerusalem after the return from exile, further Zion’s story while developing a variety of themes from previous chapters. Not only does personified Zion continue, but other themes of interest, such as inclusion and justice, both human …
52 Reflections on Faith - The ten commandments: Doing what you like
52 Reflections on Faith - The ten commandments: Doing what you like
by BRF - Stephen W. Need
The ten commandments: Doing what you like The fourth-century North African bishop St Augustine once wrote, ‘Love and do what you will’, which is often rendered ‘Love God and do what you like.’ It sounds ideal— as if there were no moral requirements made of us as Christians…
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs for Everyone - Remember You Are Going to Die, and it May Be Sooner than You Think
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs for Everyone - Remember You Are Going to Die, and it May Be Sooner than You Think
by SPCK - John Goldingay
Remember You Are Going to Die, and it May Be Sooner than You Think I’d like to finish writing The Old Testament for Everyone, but I’m not taking for granted that I will. I need another year, and who knows whether I’ll get one?…
The Women's Bible Commentary - The Lord’s Prayer
The Women's Bible Commentary - The Lord’s Prayer
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
The Lord’s Prayer The address “father in heaven” (6:9; see also 5:16, 45, 48; 6:1, 15, 18, 26, 32, and so on) can prove difficult for readers who suffered abuse at the hands of their fathers or who chafe at patriarchal language…
CHRISTIANITY AND THE RENEWAL OF NATURE - 1d Creative engagement with nature
CHRISTIANITY AND THE RENEWAL OF NATURE - 1d Creative engagement with nature
by SPCK - Sebastian C.H. Kim and Jonathan Draper
Creative engagement with nature Renewing the face of the earth, then, is an enterprise not of imposing some private human vision on a passive nature but of living in such a way as to bring more clearly to light the interconnectedness of all things and their dependence on what we …
The Fatherhood of God
The Fatherhood of God
by Colin Smith
The fatherhood of God is explored In this short (1430 word) reflection/sermon. In it, the tenderness of God as a loving father is contrasted with his apparent remoteness as he resides in heaven. The tenderness and remoteness are reconciled by thinking of God as creator for both…
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Reflection/meditation: Agreement
Reflection/meditation: Agreement
by Marjorie Dobson
Reflection/meditation: Agreement It’s all about personal responsibility, isn’t it? It’s all about not being able to pass the blame back to a past generation, or excuse personal behaviour by claiming that it’s all in the genetic structure. At one time everyone relied totally on Go…
Prayer: God of all grace and glory
Prayer: God of all grace and glory
by Andrew Pratt
Prayer: God of all grace and glory God of all grace and glory you have given us everything we need. Through hardship and affliction you have walked with us. When nights have been sleepless, or broken by the crash and thunder of rioting you have guarded and protected us. In conseq…
The Proper Fast
The Proper Fast
by Norman J Goreham (1931-2021)
The Proper Fast (A Hymn for Ash Wednesday) “When you come to me with fasting‚ show repentance true and lasting‚ all your sins upon me casting‚” I‚ your righteous God‚ have said. “Bring your sorrow to fruition in a godly full contrition‚ not in hollow exhibition‚” I‚ your ri…
Prayer: Facing contempt
Prayer: Facing contempt
by Marjorie Dobson
Prayer: Facing contempt Dear God, it is so difficult to deal with the contemptuous attitude that some people have towards our faith and our work for you. It’s as if they have a mind-set that blinds itself to any good that we do and only focuses on imagined practices that we do no…
Hymn: The troubles of the age
Hymn: The troubles of the age
by Michael Docker
The troubles of the age, from fear to endless war, As wealth flows to the rich While walls surround the poor, Are by God's power Promised to be Destroyed by He Whose love is sure. The landscapes of the mind, from lower thoughts to high ; From cold indifference to every hurt we cr…
Prayer: Great and wonderful God
Prayer: Great and wonderful God
by Marjorie Dobson
Great and wonderful God, we sing about your glory, but we can only imagine what it would be like to be right in the middle of it. Now we are here in this more ordinary place to worship you and to give you thanks. Yet even if we are not dazzled by glorious lights and seeing strang…
Here in cosmic signs and symbols
Here in cosmic signs and symbols
by Andrew Pratt
Here in cosmic signs and symbols Amos warns of things to come, words that tumble, words that rumble, words that sing and words that drum. Fruit will rot within a basket, summer fruit once offered hope, now as mildew is predicted how will faithful people cope? Verses 3-5 follow Tu…
Twelve Months of Sundays Year A - Proper 1 Year A
Twelve Months of Sundays Year A - Proper 1 Year A
by SPCK - N T Wright
Proper 1 - Year A Isaiah 58.1–12 1 Corinthians 2.1–16 Matthew 5.13–20 Isaiah’s stinging rebuke contains the seeds of the Sermon on the Mount. True piety must be part of the outward movement to share your blessing with the world. Fasting is useless if injustice goes unchecked. L…
The cry of the poor should bring grief to the people
The cry of the poor should bring grief to the people
by Andrew Pratt
The cry of the poor should bring grief to the people, yet balm is not found, there is mourning instead. The harvest is past and the summer is ended, the winter is coming, dread raises its head. Verses 2-3 follow Metre: 12 11 12 11 Tune: STREETS OF LAREDO Andrew Pratt (born 1948…
Rhythms of remembering - Ordinary Time - Friday Evening Prayer
Rhythms of remembering - Ordinary Time - Friday Evening Prayer
by SPCK - Hannah Ward & Jennifer Wild
ORDINARY TIME - Friday Evening Prayer Blessed are you, O God: your work is perfect. For your wonderful creation, we praise you, our Maker. For the labour of redemption, we thank you, Jesus our saviour...
POPPIES AND SNOWDROPS - Blessing/Prayer: God holds you through the weeping hours
POPPIES AND SNOWDROPS - Blessing/Prayer: God holds you through the weeping hours
by Marjorie Dobson
Blessing/Prayer: God holds you through the weeping hours God holds you through the weeping hours. God watches through the sleepless nights. God comes into the lonely room. God loves you through your time of loss. God understands and blesses you. ©Marjorie Dobson (first published …
Monologue: Jesus and Herod
Monologue: Jesus and Herod
by Andrew Pratt
Monologue: Jesus and Herod I love me. No, don't get me wrong. I know you can see me! And I see myself in the mirror...each morning. Seeing me waking up is not a pretty sight! I'm not always proud of what I say or do. I have my regrets, oh yes. But...you knew there'd be a but, but…
LWPT Meditations - Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C
LWPT Meditations - Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C
by Susan Thorne
Meditation – 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr C Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 1st Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-10 If we do not believe that we are infinitely precious to God, we will miss the significance of so much that is in the scriptures. The doctrine of God’s grace focuses on the fact…
Prayer: Watchful God
Prayer: Watchful God
by Marjorie Dobson
Prayer: Watchful God The prophet Amos warned that it is the everyday deceits – the token observance of the Sabbath, the sharp business practices, the cheating and exploitation of the poor, the selling of poor quality goods – that will be noticed and judged by God and the punishme…
Prayer: Discerning God
Prayer: Discerning God
by Marjorie Dobson
Prayer: Discerning God Discerning God, how often our behaviour must frustrate and concern you. We behave so foolishly, thinking that you do not know when we have been selfish, greedy and uncaring in our attitudes towards others. We forget that when our petty squabbles turn into o…
How much more?
How much more?
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem: How much more? Proper 19 Year A Psalm 103: 8-13 Parents can forgive and forget the mistakes their children make; the heartache they often cause; the irresponsible behaviour, the outbursts of temper, the wilfulness and waywardness that youngsters can exhibit. For love is the…
Forgetting the faith that has brought us salvation
Forgetting the faith that has brought us salvation
by Andrew Pratt
Forgetting the faith that has brought us salvation, we lose track of honesty, twist what is true; we grasp at each fortune that fate will present us, calling corruption constructive and new. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: ST CATHERINE’S COURT Metre: 12.11.12.11 Andrew Pratt (born 1948…
Various Prayers for any Sunday through the year
Various Prayers for any Sunday through the year
by David John Woodman
These are prayers I have used and written myself. There are opening prayers of praise & thanks, confession & forgiveness, intercessory prayers and prayers for blessing the giving (One area completely ignored by most books of prayers). I am happy for these prayers to be used as…
Graveyard angel
Graveyard angel
by Glen Scott Robson
TIP- PowerPoint Slide Size- The ideal way to insert into PowerPoint is:- • Reduce the image size to 1024x768 pixels using your image editing software. (Will reduce image proportionally) • Insert as Picture in the normal way. • If needed fill the slide area by placing the image in…
Hymn: Star strewn garments clothe the heavens
Hymn: Star strewn garments clothe the heavens
by Andrew Pratt
Star strewn garments clothe the heavens, robes of beauty, source of awe; Spirit God transcending hist'ry, way beyond where pulsars soar. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: STUTTGART Metre: 8.7.8.7 Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 24/9/2012 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England, www.staine…
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - The Golden Calf and Its Aftermath
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - The Golden Calf and Its Aftermath
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
The Golden Calf and Its Aftermath (Exodus 31: 18-34: 35) For forty days and forty nights Moses is on Mount Sinai, where he receives instructions from YHWH (24:18). The text does not specify how much time has elapsed, but during this time, the people approach Aaron and ask him to …
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs for Everyone - Yahweh's Name Is a Refuge
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs for Everyone - Yahweh's Name Is a Refuge
by SPCK - John Goldingay
Yahweh's Name Is a Refuge We recently went for nine days to a country we had not previously visited. For some time beforehand, my wife was apprehensive because she had a sense that demonic spirits were active in this country. Kathleen doesn’t often talk in these terms, and neithe…
Isaiah for Everyone - Meanwhile, back in Jerusalem
Isaiah for Everyone - Meanwhile, back in Jerusalem
by SPCK - John Goldingay
Meanwhile, Back in Jerusalem I have just come off the phone from a conversation with a former student in England who was in tears about failing a degree program. She doesn’t claim that her exam performance was brilliant; she sees herself as a poor examinee. But she doesn’t think …
Poem: Armour
Poem: Armour
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem: Armour Flak jackets and body armour, protective helmets and rocket launchers may be essentials in personal protection in war zones today, but most of us – thankfully – will never need to use them. Not in the business of coping with living and dealing with people we meet eve…
Acts for Everyone part 1 - Human Inventions and Divine Instructions
Acts for Everyone part 1 - Human Inventions and Divine Instructions
by SPCK - N T Wright
Human Interventions and Divine Instructions Acts 5.27-42 We stared at the parcel as it lay on the floor inside the front door. Nobody had heard the delivery man. Nobody knew why it had arrived at this time of the day. The parcel was bulky, somewhat misshapen, with various semi-le…
glimpses of glory - Christmas Day - Year C
glimpses of glory - Christmas Day - Year C
by SPCK - David Adam
Christmas Day Almighty Father, we rejoice in the coming of Christ our Lord. We pray that, as he has taken on our humanity, through your grace and goodness we may share in your divinity, and so partake in the radiance of your glory; through him who came down for us and is alive an…
Twelve Months of Sundays Year B - The Second Sunday of Advent Year B
Twelve Months of Sundays Year B - The Second Sunday of Advent Year B
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Second Sunday of Advent Isaiah 40.1–11 2 Peter 3.8–15a Mark 1.1–8 If John the Baptist was going to raise up the valleys and flatten out the mountains, he started in the right place. Jericho lies a long way below the road-sign that says ‘sea level’; Jerusalem, a long way abo…
Poem: From Heaven …?
Poem: From Heaven …?
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem: From Heaven …? Typical dispute. Focussed on the specific. Missing the main point altogether. The debate was not about the symbolism of living bread – spiritual food for ever – but on the claim that Jesus came down from heaven. Continues... ©Marjorie Dobson
Mark The People's Bible Commentary - Before the Sanhedrin
Mark The People's Bible Commentary - Before the Sanhedrin
by BRF - Dick France
BEFORE the SANHEDRIN Mark carefully sets the scene at the high priest’s house on a double stage: Jesus before the full council of the Sanhedrin (v. 53; note again the full listing of the dignitaries) and Peter out in the courtyard among the servants (v. 54). As the spotlight fall…
Blessed are the feet of those who bring the good news
Blessed are the feet of those who bring the good news
by Anna Blanch Rabe
TIP- PowerPoint Slide Size- The ideal way to insert into PowerPoint is:- Reduce the image size to 1024x768 pixels using your image editing software. (Will reduce image proportionally) Insert as Picture in the normal way. If needed fill the slide area by placing the image in the t…
Lectionary lessons - Adopted Into the Family of God
Lectionary lessons - Adopted Into the Family of God
by Jesus Without Language
This January JWL is welcoming your kids into the Church as we explore our place in it. We will learn that we are adopted into the family, welcomed with the Holy Spirit, empowered by it's gifts, given a role to play and equipped with the most powerful thing on earth - Love!
Gazing on the Gospels Year B - Christ the King Year B
Gazing on the Gospels Year B - Christ the King Year B
by SPCK - Judith Dimond
Christ the King John 18: 33-37 Gaze on the gaudy colours of the luxurious Imperial Palace, the wealth of velvet and silk, armour and flags, which decorate the towers and gates that keep the people out. Gaze on the hierarchy of officials and servants, there to make visible the Emp…
Lectionary Reflections - Year B - The Second Sunday of Easter Year B
Lectionary Reflections - Year B - The Second Sunday of Easter Year B
by SPCK - Jane Williams
The Second Sunday of Easter Acts 4.32–35 1 1 John 1.1—2.2 John 20.19–31 The recent popularity of The Lord of the Rings has helpfully given new vitality to the word ‘fellowship’. The people who make up the ‘fellowship of the ring’ are not natural allies. They have little in comm…
Imagining the Lectionary: God's grace is always more than enough (Proper 20A/Ordinary 25A)
Imagining the Lectionary: God's grace is always more than enough (Proper 20A/Ordinary 25A)
by David Perry
Imagining the Lectionary: God's grace is always more than enough (Proper 20A/Ordinary 25A) Reflection accompanying images “You shall see the glory of the Lord”, “Gods grace is always more than enough” and “No strings attached” The people are grumbling, complaining and turning inw…
Gazing on the Gospels Year A - Proper 17 Year A
Gazing on the Gospels Year A - Proper 17 Year A
by SPCK - Judith Dimond
Proper 17 - Year A Meditation on Matthew 16: 21-28 Gaze on Peter dragging Jesus off to a corner of the room where they are lodging, and Jesus and Peter standing with their backs to the rest of the group, as Peter berates him! Or perhaps this episode took place as they were walkin…
Echoing the Word - The common texts of the Eucharistic Prayer
Echoing the Word - The common texts of the Eucharistic Prayer
by SPCK - Paula Gooder & Michael Perham
6 The common texts of the Eucharistic Prayer For all their variety, the Eucharistic Prayers of Common Worship have some common texts and share these with the eucharistic rites of other provinces and churches. These are an opening dialogue, a song usually called by its Latin name,…
Twelve Months of Sundays Year A - Trinity Sunday Year A
Twelve Months of Sundays Year A - Trinity Sunday Year A
by SPCK - N T Wright
Trinity Sunday - Year A Isaiah 40.12–17, 27–31 2 Corinthians 13.11–13 Matthew 28.16–20 The doctrine of the Trinity used to be caricatured as a piece of irrelevant theory: learned people using human philosophy to make simple things overly complex. The charge often rebounds on …
Quarrelsome people
Quarrelsome people
by Andrew Pratt
3rd Sunday in Lent Exodus 17: 1 – 7 Hymn: Quarrelsome people Quarrelsome people, out in the desert, thirsty for water, longing for home, ‘Why did you bring us’, they moan at Moses, ‘why make us hungry, why make us roam?’ They would have stoned him in their frustration... Andre…
God's full and perfect justice
God's full and perfect justice
by Andrew T Murphy
This is a big hymn which asks for a big theory of atonement. 'How does God deal with sin?' This is a question that demands a fuller answer than simply "And on the cross as Jesus died the wrath of God was satisfied". Jesus simply 'taking my punishment' does little to make sense…
Acts for Everyone Part 2 - Glossary
Acts for Everyone Part 2 - Glossary
by SPCK - N T Wright
GLOSSARY Acts for Everyone Part 2 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 circle of twelve; but Pau…
Imagining the Lectionary:A seasonal sign of fruitful giving
Imagining the Lectionary:A seasonal sign of fruitful giving
by David Perry
A seasonal sign of fruitful giving (Proper 22/Ordinary 27) Year C Reflection accompanying image “A seasonal sign of fruitful giving” Walking our dog in the early morning sunshine I noticed the numerous empty horse chestnut fruits littering the path, lying open and highlighted so …
One Day at a Time: Meditations for Carers - 22. Rags, and losing them
One Day at a Time: Meditations for Carers - 22. Rags, and losing them
by SPCK - Dorothy M Stewart
ONE DAY AT A TIME Meditations for Carers 22. Rags, and losing them Ephesians 4.26a I like to think of myself as basically an okay person – and I’m sure that you are much better than okay! But one of the things I dislike most about being a carer is that it shows me up to myself …
We come to you, Lord Jesus
We come to you, Lord Jesus
by Avis Palmer
We come to you, Lord Jesus With much we need to say. In hope and love and longing, We seek a way to pray. We yearn for understanding For peace in place of fear, Assure of your presence, Show us that you are near. Verses 2-4 follow © Avis Palmer Tune: Aurelia (H&P 515)
Imagining the Lectionary: There was a rich man (Proper 21C / Pentecost 19C)
Imagining the Lectionary: There was a rich man (Proper 21C / Pentecost 19C)
by David Perry
Imagining the Lectionary: There was a rich man (Proper 21Yr C / Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost Yr C) Reflection accompanying images “There was a rich man - Clock sculpture Manchester peoples history museum 2 - Clock sculpture Manchester peoples history museum 3 - Enough food f…
One Day at a Time: Meditations for Carers - 21. Ouch! I'm trying to help
One Day at a Time: Meditations for Carers - 21. Ouch! I'm trying to help
by SPCK - Dorothy M Stewart
ONE DAY AT A TIME Meditations for Carers 21. Ouch! I’m trying to help . . . Romans 12.18 I saw a woman in the supermarket yesterday. She had the generally washed-out look of the over-exhausted long-term carer and was hurrying to get her shopping done. Then I noticed the tell-ta…
Numbers and Deuteronomy for Everyone - On Killing Enemies
Numbers and Deuteronomy for Everyone - On Killing Enemies
by SPCK - John Goldingay
On Killing Enemies Deuteronomy 7: 1-6 In the modern age, the way the Old Testament talks about the Israelites’ destroying people troubles many Jews and Christians in the United States. It did not do so before the modern period, and it is not felt as so much of a problem in other …
Imagining the Lectionary: Open Hands (Epiphany)
Imagining the Lectionary: Open Hands (Epiphany)
by David Perry
Imagining the Lectionary: Open Hands (Epiphany) Reflection accompanying images “Hands that offer hands that receive ” and “Hands that offer hands that receive bw ” The vision of God's glory which we celebrate at Epiphany is a story of extravagant open-handedness which brings the …
Poppies and Snowdrops - Blessing: Though your heart is broken
Poppies and Snowdrops - Blessing: Though your heart is broken
by Marjorie Dobson
Blessing: Though your heart is broken Though your heart is broken, God will bring healing, when you are ready to receive it. Though deep darkness fills your soul, God will not let the light go out completely. Continues... ©Marjorie Dobson (First published in POPPIES AND SNOWDROPS…
1 and 2 Samuel for Everyone - The Price the Family Begin to Pay
1 and 2 Samuel for Everyone - The Price the Family Begin to Pay
by SPCK - John Goldingay
The Price the Family Begins to Pay 2 Samuel 12: 15b- 13: 14 At a concert last night a singer was telling us the background to a song about her grandfather. He was French-Canadian, spoke mostly in French, and died when she was a child. For both reasons she feels she never really g…
Psalm 119:174-176
Psalm 119:174-176
by BigBible
Created by Jo Brown. I long for your salvation, LORD, and your law gives me delight.Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me.I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments. ESV Translation. The Holy Bible, English…
He touched the ones that others would despise
He touched the ones that others would despise
by Andrew Pratt
He touched the ones that others would despise, he lifted up the poor to help them rise, he stemmed the hypocrites within their pride and drew the little children to his side. He stopped the ones who'd stone a woman dead, then offered care, forgiving her instead. He called his fri…
The Sheep and the Goats
The Sheep and the Goats
by Dave Hopwood
Triumph, Tears and Talents Bible Ref: Matthew 21-26; Mark 11-14; Luke 19-22; John 11&12 Each of the following sketches (scenes) can be used to form the basis for a complete act of worship or used as individual scenes on separate occasions. Each scene will require a narrator to re…
Father God - Prayer
Father God - Prayer
by Marjorie Dobson
Prayer - Father God Sixth Sunday of Easter Psalm 66: 8 - 20 Father God! What a comfort there is in those words. You don’t know how much I need a loving father right now. But then you do, don’t you? That’s the whole point! You know when I feel low and sad and need a shoulder to cr…
Isaiah 54:10 Mountains PPT Size
Isaiah 54:10 Mountains PPT Size
by Hannah Soar
Original size image - Click Here Image without text: - Original Size - Click Here PowerPoint Size - Click Here Use of biblical text in this image: THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights …
Hymn: Our call: to prophesy with love