Lectionary 19/10/2025
- Proper 24 /Ordinary 29 - Year C
Lectionary Readings
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All the praying, all the pounding
All the praying, all the pounding
by Andrew Pratt
All the praying, all the pounding, all the crying at God’s door cannot make God more attentive, cannot make God love us more. Here through our persistent waiting we will find a present grace, grace for patient expectation, till we meet God face to face. Verses 3-5 follow 8.7.8.7 …
Imagining the Lectionary: wholeheartedly faithful (Proper 24C / Ordinary 29C)
Imagining the Lectionary: wholeheartedly faithful (Proper 24C / Ordinary 29C)
by David Perry
Reflection based on Psalm 119 to go with the image "Statue in a whirl" or "Comedy and Tragedy" could also be used to illustrate the comedy and tragedy aspect, but you will need 'Statue in the Whirl' image when you you refer to it within the text.
Prayer of thanksgiving and intercession
Prayer of thanksgiving and intercession
by Michaela Youngson
Proper 24 (CW)/Ordinary 29 (MW)/Sunday between 16 & 22 October (CO) - Year C 2 Timothy 3.14 – 4.5 & Luke 18.1-8 Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession God of all patience, who teaches us through your Spirit, we bring our prayers. Thank you for those who have taught us, with pati…
Looking towards the langdale pikes psalm 121v1
Looking towards the langdale pikes psalm 121v1
by David Perry
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…
All Desires Known - God's Fruitful Word Collect
All Desires Known - God's Fruitful Word Collect
by SPCK - Janet Morley
GOD’S FRUITFUL WORD Collect Isaiah 55.1–11; Luke 1.46b–55; Luke 4.14–21; 2 Timothy 3.14—4.5 O God our disturber, whose speech is pregnant with power and whose word will be fulfilled... Advent 3 (ABC); Epiphany 3 (C); Easter Vigil (ABC); Easter 6 (B); Proper 3 (B); Proper 10 (AC);…
Lent for Everyone Mark Year B - Sunday: Week 5 in Lent Year B
Lent for Everyone Mark Year B - Sunday: Week 5 in Lent Year B
by SPCK - N T Wright
Lent for Everyone Mark Year B WEEK 5 SUNDAY... ...‘Sticks and stones may break my bones,’ goes the old jingle, ‘but words will never hurt me.’ It’s a lie. Don’t believe it. Words are far, far more powerful than anything else. A sword can maim or kill, but only in the crudest of f…
Luke for Everyone - The Persistent Widow and the Tax-Collector
Luke for Everyone - The Persistent Widow and the Tax-Collector
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Persistent Widow and the Tax-Collector Luke 18.1-14 Come with me into a court of law, where a civil case is being tried. I haven’t often been in a court, but we see them on the television and in the newspapers, and from time to time legal cases are widely reported and make hi…
Lectionary Reflection Year C - Proper 24 Year C
Lectionary Reflection Year C - Proper 24 Year C
by SPCK - Jane Williams
Proper 24 Genesis 32.22–31 2 Timothy 3.14—4.5 Luke 18.1–8 This odd little parable in Luke gives us the key to all of today’s readings: they are about faithful endurance. The story of the judge and the woman is vivid and full of little ironies. The contrast is set up between the j…
Twelve Months of Sunday year c - Proper 24 Year C
Twelve Months of Sunday year c - Proper 24 Year C
by SPCK - N T Wright
Proper 24 Jeremiah 31.27–34 2 Timothy 3.14—4.5 Luke 18.1–8 The passages from 2 Timothy and Luke 18 both envisage God’s people hanging on, sustaining their energy and sense of direction, even though things seem to go from bad to worse. By contrast, Jeremiah 31 sees through the lon…
The Pastoral Letters - Beware of False Teaching!
The Pastoral Letters - Beware of False Teaching!
by SPCK - N T Wright
Beware of False Teaching! 1Timothy 4.1-5 Jane grew up in a family which was always playing games. Outdoor games, whenever possible; but if the weather was bad, and especially on long winter evenings, the children would curl up around the fire and play – well, you name it: Scrabbl…
The Pastoral Letters - Continue in the Scriptures
The Pastoral Letters - Continue in the Scriptures
by SPCK - N T Wright
Continue in the Scriptures! 2Timothy 3.10-17 There was once an American professor who went for a year to Oxford as a visiting academic. When he and his wife arrived, they were looking round one of the older parts of the college of which he was to be a member. Amid what appeared t…
Meditation - 2th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
Meditation - 2th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
by David Middleton
Meditation – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr C Don’t get discouraged Luke 18: 1-8 It was one of those rare occasions without crowds; We were on our way to Jerusalem, gradually, And Jesus turned to us and started to tell us a story About a godless, contemptuous judge Who gave in t…
Meditation - 29th Sunday in Ordianry Time Year C
Meditation - 29th Sunday in Ordianry Time Year C
by David Middleton
Meditation – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr C Don’t get discouraged Luke 18: 1-8 It was one of those rare occasions without crowds; We were on our way to Jerusalem, gradually, And Jesus turned to us and started to tell us a story About a godless, contemptuous judge Who gave in t…
With My WholeHeart - Psalm 119:10-11
With My WholeHeart - Psalm 119:10-11
by SPCK - James Jones
Psalm 119:10-11 It is one thing to think a thought, it is quite another to bury it and hide it in the heart. Years ago people would learn verses of the Bible off by heart; sadly this is no longer in vogue educationally. Pity! We deprive ourselves. Memorizing a verse, meditating o…
With My WholeHeart - Psalm 119:80
With My WholeHeart - Psalm 119:80
by SPCK - James Jones
Psalm 119:80 Shame has all but disappeared from our society like vinyl records and black Bakelite phones. Symptomatic, I think, of a culture that would like to shrug off guilt in the quest to feel good. Today’s mantra is that nobody should ever feel bad about themselves. This is …
With My WholeHeart - Psalm 119:111-112
With My WholeHeart - Psalm 119:111-112
by SPCK - James Jones
Psalm 119:111, 112 The word of God comes to us in several ways. Supremely in Jesus who was ‘the Word made flesh’ (cf. John 1.14). Without the Bible Jesus is a contentless word. It is Scripture that gives substance and meaning to his life, death and resurrection. Jesus’ own atti…
With My WholeHeart - Psalm 149:4
With My WholeHeart - Psalm 149:4
by SPCK - James Jones
Psalm 149:4 What a glorious place to end! The thought that God takes pleasure in us supplants all those other false notions of God being rather fed up with us. The problem with low self-esteem, which afflicts so many of us, is that we project this on to how God must see us. When …
With My WholeHeart - Psalm 119: 10-11
With My WholeHeart - Psalm 119: 10-11
by SPCK - James Jones
Psalm 119. 10, 11 It is one thing to think a thought, it is quite another to bury it and hide it in the heart. Years ago people would learn verses of the Bible off by heart; sadly this is no longer in vogue educationally. Pity! We deprive ourselves. Memorizing a verse, meditating…
Genesis for Everyone Part 2 - God Struggles
Genesis for Everyone Part 2 - God Struggles
by SPCK - John Goldingay
God Struggles Genesis 32:24b-33:17 Every Sunday on the way to church we drive past a particular bus shelter with a huge advertising placard, and for some while this placard proclaimed, “You can never have enough money.” I can’t remember what it was advertising (which shows that a…
LWPT Meditations - Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C
LWPT Meditations - Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C
by Susan Thorne
Meditation – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr C Jeremiah 31:27-34 Psalm 119:97-104 2nd Timothy 3:14-4:5 Luke 18:1-8 Christians are called to a lifetime of patience, devotion, faith and unrelenting prayer. In the parable of the persistent widow, Jesus’ message regarding prayer is t…
Gazing on the Gospels Year C - Proper 24 Year C
Gazing on the Gospels Year C - Proper 24 Year C
by SPCK - Judith Dimond
Proper 24 Luke 18: 1-8 Gaze on all the people in this world who have lost heart. It won’t be obvious who they are, for we are good at hiding the signs, but everyone at some time in their life will be in danger of losing heart. Then gaze on this widow, who is demanding justice. Wh…
If all the world could live as if
If all the world could live as if
by Andrew Pratt
If all the world could live as if the love of God was in each heart. If every one in every place became as one, they could not part. A vast community of love would come to being on the earth, while everyone of every creed would value one another's worth. Verses 3-4 follow Tune: B…
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…
Dialogue/Drama: Goody two shoes!
Dialogue/Drama: Goody two shoes!
by Andrew Pratt
Dialogue/Drama: Goody two shoes! Directions: Each line of this piece should be read alternately by two people. As they talk they are looking over the way to someone who is making no eye contact with them but who looks supremely confident and self-assured. At the end of the piece …
Reflection/poem: Questioning the Psalm
Reflection/poem: Questioning the Psalm
by Marjorie Dobson
Reflection/poem: Questioning the Psalm If God’s law is so loveable, why do so many people find it impossible to live by it? If God’s law gives the power to defeat the enemy, why do so many people suffer for their beliefs? If God’s law grants superior knowledge, why do so many peo…
Drama/dialogue: The unjust judge
Drama/dialogue: The unjust judge
by Marjorie Dobson
Drama/dialogue: The unjust judge (Three characters – woman, judge and narrator. A slight pause is needed after each of the judge’s comments.) Woman: I won’t stop knocking on your door. I won’t stop shouting at your window. I won’t give up until you listen. You can’t get rid of me…
God-botherer's call with their prayers and their praises
God-botherer's call with their prayers and their praises
by Andrew Pratt
God-botherer's call with their prayers and their praises, incessantly knocking on doors that seem barred, until through persistence God listens and raises an answer to heartfelt, persistent demands. Verse 2 follows Tune: STREETS OF LAREDO Metre: 12.11.12.11 Andrew Pratt (born 1…
Gathering Prayers and Blessing based on Psalm 121
Gathering Prayers and Blessing based on Psalm 121
by Christine Dutton
Gathering Prayers based on Psalm 121 I will lift my eyes up to the hills Creator God, who shaped and continues to shape the mountains, gather us together to worship you. Creator God, gather us together to look up and around us as we worship, noticing the world in which you have p…
Prayer after Psalm 121
Prayer after Psalm 121
by Phil Nevard
Reflective prayer based on Psalm 121:1 - A prayer of approach I lift my eyes to the quiet hills There’s something solid and permanent about the hills they have stood the test of time they live to a different rhythm So often my life is pressed around with busyness so often my lif…
PAUL AND THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD - Praxis and Symbol: Torag and Temple
PAUL AND THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD - Praxis and Symbol: Torag and Temple
by SPCK - N T Wright
Chapter TWO LIKE BIRDS HOVERING OVERHEAD: THE FAITHFULNESS OF THE GOD OF ISRAEL 3. Praxis and Symbol: Torah and Temple In worldview terms, ancient Jewish praxis and symbol ran closely together, precisely because the symbols were what they were. I was going to write that the Torah…
The Living God - Images as windows into God
The Living God - Images as windows into God
by SPCK - Alister McGrath
Which God Are We Talking About? 1 Images as windows into God A picture is worth a thousand words.’ Being able to show someone a picture of a beautiful scene, a complicated piece of machinery or a pet cat goes a long way towards making up for the limitations of human words. So per…
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 - Advent - Sunday Morning Prayer
Rhythms of remembering - Advent - Sunday Morning Prayer
by SPCK - Hannah Ward & Jennifer Wild
ADVENT - Sunday Morning Prayer O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you. O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence – as when fire kindles brushwood...
Psalms for Everyone Part 2 - God’s Laws as the Way to Blessing
Psalms for Everyone Part 2 - God’s Laws as the Way to Blessing
by SPCK - John Goldingay
God’s Laws as the Way to Blessing Psalm 119: 1-24 After church today, a friend asked me a question that had arisen out of a conversation he’d had with a co-worker. My friend was surprised that the co-worker was willing to work seven days a week—what about the commandment concerni…
Psalms for Everyone Part 2 - Standing on the Promises
Psalms for Everyone Part 2 - Standing on the Promises
by SPCK - John Goldingay
Standing on the Promises Psalm 119: 25-48 Yesterday I got our congregation to write out their thanksgivings, uncertainties, and commitments for the coming year, in line with the plan I mentioned in connection with Psalm 105. Just before doing so, I realized that there was another…
Psalms for Everyone Part 2 - Teach Me
Psalms for Everyone Part 2 - Teach Me
by SPCK - John Goldingay
Teach Me Psalm 119: 49-72 I’m grading student papers, and one effect that has on me (alongside making me want to commit suicide) is to make me puzzle over what it is that enables people to learn. There are people who have read the Scriptures with fresh eyes, seen things they had …
Psalms for Everyone Part 2 - The Faithful Master
Psalms for Everyone Part 2 - The Faithful Master
by SPCK - John Goldingay
The Faithful Master Psalm 119:121-144 One of my former colleagues used to delight to talk about her first appointment with her boss. His opening words to her were “How can I serve you?” “What can I do for you?” “How can I help you do your job?” In a way the questions seem smarmy …
Psalms for Everyone Part 2 - Peaceableness and Peacefulness
Psalms for Everyone Part 2 - Peaceableness and Peacefulness
by SPCK - John Goldingay
Peaceableness and Peacefulness Psalm 120-121 After a journey that took twenty-four hours, some friends of mine arrived yesterday in the capital of one of the toughest and poorest countries in Africa, which they visit from time to time seeking to help refugees there make their voi…
Psalm 121v1
Psalm 121v1
by Doug Burke
Langdale Valley, Lake District 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 are…
Psalm 121 v1
Psalm 121 v1
by Doug Burke
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…
Four Gospels, One Jesus - What about the authors?
Four Gospels, One Jesus - What about the authors?
by SPCK - Richard A Burridge
What about the authors? Redaction and composition I cannot always read my favourite newspaper at coffee-time in our staff common room, because someone else has bagged it already! Never mind, there are others around, and reading various papers reveals their different styles and vi…
Four Gospels, One Jesus - Creativity and inspiration
Four Gospels, One Jesus - Creativity and inspiration
by SPCK - Richard A Burridge
Creativity and inspiration Criticism of scripture Some of our actual readers may be feeling by now that this is all very exciting, but perhaps a bit much! It is usually a good idea in a picture gallery to sit down and take stock occasionally. So far, we have seen that the four go…
Four Gospels, One Jesus - Mountains
Four Gospels, One Jesus - Mountains
by SPCK - Richard A Burridge
Mountains For some strange reason, human beings connect mountains with God. In many ancient religions, worship took place on the ‘high places’. Even today, we talk of ‘mountain-top experiences’, despite having left behind the notion that mountains are closer to God’s supposed dwe…
Four Gospels, One Jesus - The ox plods a long, slow journey
Four Gospels, One Jesus - The ox plods a long, slow journey
by SPCK - Richard A Burridge
The ox plods a long, slow journey Luke’s style and structure Unlike Mark’s disorderly rushing about, Luke writes an ‘orderly account’ (1.4). His preface has a calm, literary self-confidence, and this continues into the main narrative. While Mark introduces everything ‘and immedia…
Four Gospels, One Jesus - Those who are burdened with heavy loads
Four Gospels, One Jesus - Those who are burdened with heavy loads
by SPCK - Richard A Burridge
Those who are burdened with heavy loads The ministry of the ox The keynote for Luke’s portrait of Jesus is set in his initial visit to the synagogue at Nazareth (4.16–30). Luke’s story is three times longer than the equivalent accounts which occur much later in Mark and Matthew (…
Four Gospels, One Jesus - Strength to bear the burdens
Four Gospels, One Jesus - Strength to bear the burdens
by SPCK - Richard A Burridge
Strength to bear the burdens Luke’s spirituality As well as a patient steady plodder, carrying heavy loads, the ox was a very religious symbol for Jews, being used for sacrifice, and its horns representing the power of God. If Luke is the evangelist who depicts Jesus as the beare…
Times and Seasons - Full Service - Proper 24 (29) - Year A
Times and Seasons - Full Service - Proper 24 (29) - Year A
by Andrew Pratt and Marjorie Dobson
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 24(29) Hymn: Now thank we all our God or Incendiary God, your fire of love Prayer: Let us thank God Hymn: Jesus where’re thy people meet or Some listen to the emptiness Reading: Psalm 99 / Exodus 33:12-23 Hymn: Christ be my leader by nig…
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 …
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Book V
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Book V
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
Book V (Psalms 107-150) Book V of the Psalter opens with Psalm 107, a community hymn celebrating God’s graciousness in delivering the community of faith from exile in Babylon. The psalmist says: “Let the redeemed of YHWH say so, those he redeemed from trouble and gathered in from…
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - New Covenant
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - New Covenant
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
New Covenant Jeremiah 31: 31-34 A fundamental aspect of that restored society is that in it everyone “from the least of them to the greatest” will live in covenant relationship. In this famous passage (31:31–34), God promises to make a new covenant with the whole of Israel…
50 Praise, Pray and Play Sessions - Persistence
50 Praise, Pray and Play Sessions - Persistence
by BRF - Rona Orme
It is easy to become discouraged from praying regularly, but Jesus emphasised the importance of being persistent. It is important to encourage everyone to find different ways to maintain interest and different reminders to help them persist. To know that Jesus told everyone to ke…
Traces of Glory Year B - Bible Sunday - Year B
Traces of Glory Year B - Bible Sunday - Year B
by SPCK - David Adam
Bible Sunday Father, we give you thanks for your holy word spoken of old by the prophets and apostles, for all that is written in the Scriptures, that is proclaimed by evangelists and preachers; we pray that we may heed your word and come to know the Word made flesh, even Jesus C…
Jeremiah for everyone - The Power of Being Forgiven
Jeremiah for everyone - The Power of Being Forgiven
by SPCK - John Goldingay
The Power of Being Forgiven Last night we listened to one of our favorite singer-songwriters performing an upbeat song with a downbeat account of her life (well, a downbeat account of a life—one mustn’t imagine that every song is autobiographical)…
Fresh Thoughts For Sunday - Fresh Thoughts For Sunday Issue 138
Fresh Thoughts For Sunday - Fresh Thoughts For Sunday Issue 138
by Twelvebaskets Ltd
A selection of commentary, reflection and prayer ideas from various Christian authors and the full bible texts from the NRSV for this week's lectionary. NOW INCLUDING SERIALISED BOOKS FROM SPCK AND CONTRIBUTIONS FROM BRF. Check below for details. Subscribe to Fresh Thoughts For S…
Times and Seasons - Full Service - Proper 24 (29) - Year C
Times and Seasons - Full Service - Proper 24 (29) - Year C
by Andrew Pratt and Marjorie Dobson
Proper 24 (29) - Year C Service contents: Hymn: Sing of the Lord’s goodness or Great is thy faithfulness or God in this worship renew and enliven us Prayer: Creator God, we thank you Reading: Psalm 119:97-104 Dialogue/Drama: Goody two shoes! Reflection/poem: Questioning the Psalm…
CHRISTIANITY AND THE RENEWAL OF NATURE - 3c Reading Luke and saving the planet
CHRISTIANITY AND THE RENEWAL OF NATURE - 3c Reading Luke and saving the planet
by SPCK - Sebastian C.H. Kim and Jonathan Draper
Reading Luke and saving the planet After this brief snapshot of Palestine then and now, I return to the central issue: how does reading Luke affect the agenda of global warming? We have looked at the context for Jesus’ ministry, but what of its content?…
Reflections on the Bible
Reflections on the Bible
by Colin Smith
This reflection/sermon (1020 words) reminds us of the origin and importance of the Bible to Christians. It relates to St Paul's advice to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16, and suggests that it is much more than a historical document and moral guide. Thus, it identifies other important …
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by SPCK - N T Wright
Mark For Everyone MARK 10.1–16 Teachings on Divorce... ...In Britain during the early 1990s, from time to time a journalist would telephone a bishop or theologian to ask about divorce. It happened to me once. It’s a question every church, every member of the clergy, has to think …
No turning back, God's path can lead us forward
No turning back, God's path can lead us forward
by Andrew Pratt
No turning back, God's path can lead us forward, this is the time of challenge, time for choice, to set our sights on all that lies before us, to wallow in the past or to rejoice. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: INTERCESSOR Metre:11.10.11.10 Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 11/6/2013 S…
Mark for Everyone - Jesus Calms the Storm
Mark for Everyone - Jesus Calms the Storm
by SPCK - N T Wright
Mark For Everyone MARK 4.35–41 Jesus Calms the Storm... ...It isn’t only boats that are in danger on the Sea of Galilee. To this day, the car parks on the western shore have signs warning drivers of what happens in high winds. The sea can get very rough very quickly, and big wave…
Luke for Everyone - The Calling of Zacchaeus
Luke for Everyone - The Calling of Zacchaeus
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Calling of Zacchaeus Luke 19.1-10 Sunday schools love Zacchaeus. At least, they love to act out his story and sing about him. The little man who climbs up a tree to see Jesus provides one of the most vivid short stories in the whole Bible. Children can identify with Zacchaeus…
The Things He Carried - 5. The Hopes of God
The Things He Carried - 5. The Hopes of God
by SPCK - Stephen Cottrell
HE THINGS HE CARRIED 5. The Hopes of God He carried the hopes of God. This is how he had come to see it – searching the scriptures, sucking the marrow of wisdom from the very bones of his faith. That God had spent everything to try and create community with his beloved; that is, …
Advent
Advent
by Digistry
Four short movies for Advent Clip 1 - God is coming A call to Worship Based on Mark 13:24-37 Lectionary: Advent 1 B Clip 2 - Prepare the way A call to Worship Based on Isaiah 40:1-11 And Mark 1:1-8 Lectionary: Advent 2 B Clip 3 - Testify to the Light A call to Worship Based on Jo…
Heaven - Bible Study
Heaven - Bible Study
by Tim Marshall
A Bible Study which relies heavily on discussion rather than leading. Using the song "Heaven" (by Bryan Adams) as a starting point and then looking at a variety of passages (which can be obtained from the web in a variety of different translations) There are questions to help sta…
Numbers in the Bible Assembly Collection - 30 Pieces of Silver Assembly
Numbers in the Bible Assembly Collection - 30 Pieces of Silver Assembly
by Christian Assembly Team
Thirty Pieces of Silver (30) Bible ref: Matthew 26:14-16 and Matthew 27:3 Excellent as one of the last assemblies before Easter, this can also be used at any time to demonstrate trust and betrayal. The Bible includes thousands of stories; many of them include significant or speci…
Nectar
Nectar
by Rose humphrey
Bumble Bee on Verbena. 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 pla…
Mystical hints
Mystical hints
by Michaela Youngson
First Published in The Weaver, The Word and Wisdom Mystical hints Reflection on Genesis 1.1-5 and John 1.1-5 The strands of God’s identity weave together in the blending of these creation stories. John offers the reader mystical and metaphysical hints to the mystery of the Word, …
Times and Seasons - Prayer: Human instincts
Times and Seasons - Prayer: Human instincts
by Marjorie Dobson
Romans 12: 9-21 Prayer: Human instincts Vengeance is a natural reaction and most children have the instinct from an early age. We have to be taught to share, to forgive, to live in peace with one another and to resist our automatic reaction to get our own back. So we pray: When o…
Poem: Determination
Poem: Determination
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem: Determination Nothing could deter him. Not religious opposition. Not the wily Herod. Not the prophetic predictions. Not the Pharisees with their plotting, nor the teachers with their testing, nor the disciples and their doubting. Nothing could stop him. Continues... ©Marjor…
John for Everyone Part 1 - Bread from Heaven
John for Everyone Part 1 - Bread from Heaven
by SPCK - N T Wright
Bread From Heaven John 6.26-35 The historian was in a hurry to finish his Ph.D. There was one chapter to go, which concerned the painting that had been so important during his period, and the influence the artists had had on the wider thought and culture of the time. He went hast…
Paul for Everyone Romans part 1 - The Triumphant Reign of Grace
Paul for Everyone Romans part 1 - The Triumphant Reign of Grace
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Triumphant Reign of Grace ROMANS 5.18-21 God has done it; God will do it. That is the message of this dramatic little passage, summing up the whole story of the letter so far. That might sound strange, since the word ‘God’ doesn’t occur in these verses. But what Paul has done…
Mark for Everyone - Clean and Unclean
Mark for Everyone - Clean and Unclean
by SPCK - N T Wright
Mark For Everyone MARK 7.14–23 ..Back to jokes again. Have you ever told a joke and seen a row of blank stares? They didn’t get it? What can you do? Explain it? Surely that’ll take all the fun out of it. Yes, but a parable isn’t a joke. This one in particular was no laughing matt…
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…
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…
Mark for Everyone - The Resurrection
Mark for Everyone - The Resurrection
by SPCK - N T Wright
Mark For Everyone MARK 16.1–8 The Resurrection... ...Mark’s ending is missing. I am convinced of it. Two of our best manuscripts, both from the fourth century, end where this text breaks off. The alternative endings in several other manuscripts, which I shall deal with in an extr…
Hymn: Forgiveness is ridiculous
Hymn: Forgiveness is ridiculous
by Andrew Pratt
Forgiveness is ridiculous, unsettles justice, riddles faith, when love has a monopoly as evidence of given grace; It sets the cosmos spinning round, it turns our values upside down it makes our temples tumble down and every beggar wears a crown. Verse 3 follow Tune: ALFRETON; CAM…
Sometimes words are not enough
Sometimes words are not enough
by John Birch
Sometimes words are not enough to express the language of our hearts, sometimes minds are filled with prayers without expression. Sometimes there are not enough spare moments in each day, sometimes regret is all we have as our confession. Sometimes faith is not enough ... Continu…
Paul for Everyone Romans part 1 - Dying to the Law
Paul for Everyone Romans part 1 - Dying to the Law
by SPCK - N T Wright
Dying to the Law ROMANS 7.1-6 I have done my best, in this book and the others like it, to use illustrations which will help my readers get to the heart of the point in each passage. Some reviewers have questioned both the wisdom of this attempt and my skill in achieving it, but …
Prayer: Weeping God
Prayer: Weeping God
by Marjorie Dobson
Prayer: Weeping God Weeping God, we come to join in your tears for those people who are refugees, or have been taken captive from their own country. We weep for those fleeing from violence and oppression; for those falsely accused of rebellion, when only seeking for justice; for …
The Joy Of God's Word
The Joy Of God's Word
by Norman J Goreham (1931-2021)
This hymn is based on the prayer of the Venerable Bede (673-735), teacher of the faith and translator of the Scriptures: “I pray you, good Jesus, that, as you have given me the grace to drink in with joy the word that gives knowledge of you, so, in your goodness, you will grant m…
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…
Revelation for Everyone - Reaping the Harvest
Revelation for Everyone - Reaping the Harvest
by SPCK - N T Wright
Reaping the Harvest Revelation 14.14-20 We watched, last summer, as the reapers went to and fro across the fields. Gradually the landscape changed from golden to brown, with the rich grain being replaced by the earth that would then wait for the next sowing. I was put to shame, o…
Revelation for Everyone - Reigning for a Thousand Years
Revelation for Everyone - Reigning for a Thousand Years
by SPCK - N T Wright
Reigning for a Thousand Years Revelation 20.1-6 After I published my book Surprised by Hope, I had a number of letters and emails from people telling me their experiences with thinking it through, leading study groups on it, and in some cases preaching in the new way I was recomm…
Love that breaks the heart of God
Love that breaks the heart of God
by Andrew Pratt
Love that breaks the heart of God, love of Israel, you or me, love that taught a child to walk, has the power to set us free. Loving kindness now ignored, people turn their backs on grace, turn away from faith and hope, fear to see God's loving face. Verse 2 follows Tune: ABERYST…
What news is good? What words give hope?
What news is good? What words give hope?
by Andrew Pratt
What news is good? What words give hope? What sense of value do we feel when meeting with our God in Christ, what gives the sense, provides the seal? This seal of perfect love and faith, this hope of holiness and grace, the knowledge that our path is right, is given in our saviou…
Early Christian Letters for Everyone - Faith and Works
Early Christian Letters for Everyone - Faith and Works
by SPCK - N T Wright
Faith and Works James 2.14-26 That’s the wrong way round, isn’t it? That’s what we are inclined to think as we read that final verse. If I were to use ‘the body and the spirit’ as a picture for ‘faith and works’, I would make ‘faith’ correspond to the ‘spirit’ and ‘works’ to the …
Paul for Everyone Romans part 2 - The Fulfilment of the Covenant
Paul for Everyone Romans part 2 - The Fulfilment of the Covenant
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Fulfilment of the Covenant ROMANS 10.5-13 Edward Elgar was the greatest English composer of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Among his many works, perhaps the best known is the Enigma Variations. As the second word of its name implies, it is a set of variation…
Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians - Christ the Seed, Christ the Mediator
Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians - Christ the Seed, Christ the Mediator
by SPCK - N T Wright
Christ the Seed, Christ the Mediator Galatians 3.15-22 ‘It’s what he would have wanted.’ How often has that phrase been used to settle an argument, when someone has died and the family are trying to organize the funeral, or the disposal of property, or the appropriate way to brin…
Hebrews for Everyone - From Mount Sinai to Mount Sion
Hebrews for Everyone - From Mount Sinai to Mount Sion
by SPCK - N T Wright
From Mount Sinai to Mount Sion Hebrews 12.18-24 ‘The year we moved to London we gave each of the children a map of the city and a small guide to the main attractions. Predictably, each of them became excited over different things which the city had to offer. One was noting the ma…
Hymn: Hard sayings of Jesus that challenge and test
Hymn: Hard sayings of Jesus that challenge and test
by Andrew Pratt
Hard sayings of Jesus that challenge and test, that bring us to crisis, will not let us rest. Confronted by holiness, righteousness, light, our lives are exposed whether wrongful or right. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: DATCHET Metre: 11.11.11.11 Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 23/8/…
Path of peace
Path of peace
by Doug Burke
River Rothay, Ambleside, Lake District 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 s…
Strange holiness: the glory of the Godhead
Strange holiness: the glory of the Godhead
by Andrew Pratt
Strange holiness: the glory of the Godhead, once named as love, the voice of living grace, the Word that spoke the cosmos into being: now Moses met that glory face to face. Unveiled he took that same un-borrowed glory, the covenant was given to his hand; two tablets of the law ga…
Hymn: What does it mean to love our God
Hymn: What does it mean to love our God
by Andrew Pratt
What does it mean to love our God,to see the Christ in those around, to seek God's heaven on this earth, while all around is shaking ground? How can we face the present time of chaos that we meet and find, while Jesus says we need to love with all our soul, our strength and mind?…
Some voice! it splinters beams of cedar
Some voice! it splinters beams of cedar
by Andrew Pratt
Some voice! it splinters beams of cedar, it flashes out in flames of fire, it thunders over mighty waters, it makes the theme of praise run higher. The shaking earth moves with that thunder, the ground is rattled, rough and raw; this quaking land disturbs the ocean, destructive w…
Fresh Thoughts For Sunday - Fresh Thoughts For Sunday Issue 116 15/05/16
Fresh Thoughts For Sunday - Fresh Thoughts For Sunday Issue 116 15/05/16
by Twelvebaskets Ltd
A selection of commentary, reflection and prayer ideas from various Christian authors and the full bible texts from the NRSV for this week's lectionary. NOW INCLUDING SERIALISED BOOKS FROM SPCK AND CONTRIBUTIONS FROM BRF. Check below for details. Subscribe to Fresh Thoughts For S…
Hymn: Fierce waves have shaken fractured stone
Hymn: Fierce waves have shaken fractured stone
by Andrew Pratt
Fierce waves have shaken fractured stone, while cliffs have crumbled into sand, but faith is founded on a rock, eternal love will always stand. Our God, though humble, born of flesh, will hold, renew, restore, refresh. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: ABINGDON Andrew Pratt (born 1948) W…
Gazing on the Gospels Year B - The Seventh Sunday of Easter Year B
Gazing on the Gospels Year B - The Seventh Sunday of Easter Year B
by SPCK - Judith Dimond
The Seventh Sunday of Easter John 17:6-19 Gaze on the face of Jesus, rapt with attention. At this point, he is so deep in prayer that the disciples dare not fidget or interrupt such a holy moment. They do not cough or break the stillness of Jesus, who is directing his entire ener…
Eggs And Ashes PPT - Lent 1 Yr A
Eggs And Ashes PPT - Lent 1 Yr A
by R Burgess/C Polhill/ A Lindley (Wild Goose Publ)
Taken from the Wild Goose Book, Eggs and Ashes, this powerpoint provides accompanying images for the liturgy. Creator God Walking in the garden BREATHE LIFE INTO US Tempted God Praying in the desert BREATHE LIFE INTO US Holy God Travelling towards the city BREATHE LIFE INTO US …
Paul for Everyone Romans part 2 - The Remnant of Grace
Paul for Everyone Romans part 2 - The Remnant of Grace
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Remnant of Grace ROMANS 11.1-6 These days, we know quite a lot about depression. Many books are written about it, many different therapies are on offer for it, and it is no longer a taboo subject in the way it was not long ago. The story of Elijah in 1 Kings 18 and 19 offers …
The Pastoral Letters - Vessels for God's Use
The Pastoral Letters - Vessels for God's Use
by SPCK - N T Wright
Vessels for God’s Use 2Timothy 2.20-26 ‘My wife and I are about to move house again. We’ve done it quite often enough already, but I have a new job to go to, and there it is. And so, once more, we’ve had to think about all the things we own – the clutter of old china and furnitur…
In the stress of expectation
In the stress of expectation
by Andrew Pratt
In the stress of expectation, Jesus feared his coming fate, here in anxiousness he waited unjust judgement of the state: but then fired with righteous anger brought the hypocrites to book, challenging their suppositions, then disarming with a look. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: CALON L…
O God, we strive to love you still
O God, we strive to love you still
by Pete Brazier
Based on the greatest commandments. O God, we strive to love you still, With mind and soul and heart; We try to love our neighbours as Ourselves right from the start. May this be written on our hearts, And written in our eyes; May this be seen in every place, That Christian folk …
Ordinary 1 and 2 Year B
Ordinary 1 and 2 Year B
by Digistry
Four Mini Movies for Ordinary 1 and 2 Year B Holy Spirit - Call to Worship Based on Mark 1:4-11 Lectionary: Ordinary 1 B Creation - Reflection Based on Genesis 1:1-15 Lectionary: Ordinary 1 B Search for Me - Praise - Prayer Based on Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-18 Lectionary: Ordinary 2 B…
Hymn: We have drunk wine from the grapes in this vinery
Hymn: We have drunk wine from the grapes in this vinery
by Andrew Pratt
We have drunk wine from the grapes in this vinery grapes that have hung in the sun, now a sign: Jesus taught plainly, with words of simplicity, 'you are those branches and I am that vine'. Look at it this way, imagine a scene with me: look at the gardener tending each branch. Tho…
Reflection on Psalm 124
Reflection on Psalm 124
by Marjorie Dobson
Reflection on Psalm 124 One small boy – nine years old, perhaps – stood proudly to say the psalm he’d learned by heart and proclaimed those words, ‘If it had not been the Lord who was on our side when our enemies attacked us, then we would have been swallowed alive …’ And all tho…
Paul for Everyone Romans part 1 - Good News, Salvation and the Justice of God
Paul for Everyone Romans part 1 - Good News, Salvation and the Justice of God
by SPCK - N T Wright
Good News, Salvation and the Justice of God ROMANS 1.14-17 When I was a boy, one of my regular holiday occupations was making plastic model aeroplanes. I remember the excitement of getting the parts out of the box, carefully cutting them off the stem which held them together, and…
Paul for Everyone Romans part 1 - Nothing Separate Us from God's Love
Paul for Everyone Romans part 1 - Nothing Separate Us from God's Love
by SPCK - N T Wright
Nothing Shall Separate Us from God’s Love ROMANS 8.31-39 Terrible tales emerge from wars, terrorist action, and other violent scenes. Those held hostage in Lebanon in the 1980s tell of more than one occasion when they were taken off, blindfolded, and told they were going to die. …
Hebrews for Everyone - Suffering in Hope
Hebrews for Everyone - Suffering in Hope
by SPCK - N T Wright
Suffering in Hope Hebrews 10.32-39 He had watched and prayed and warned the people of what would happen if they didn’t turn away from their evil ways. He had hoped that some at least would listen, and that the nation as a whole would gradually be brought round to hear and obey. H…
Paul for Everyone The Prison Letters - Citizens of Heaven
Paul for Everyone The Prison Letters - Citizens of Heaven
by SPCK - N T Wright
Citizens of Heaven Philippians 3.17-4.1 The word ‘colony’ today is not exactly popular. It rings of the old days of imperialism, when several European countries were expanding their influence in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and were vying with each other to see who could grab …
Revelation for Everyone - The Song of Triumph
Revelation for Everyone - The Song of Triumph
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Song of Triumph Revelation 11.15-19 Inscribed over the high altar in Westminster Abbey, one of the most famous churches in the world, is the King James Version translation of verse 15, which reads, ‘The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Ch…
The Open Gate - Confession - Prayers 1&2