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Hymn: The power of three surrounds us
Hymn: The power of three surrounds us
by Michael Docker
The power of three surrounds us; In story, joke and song - The three-legged chair most stable; The three-strand rope most strong; The independent witness Adds weight when two agree; The worlds of science and nature Affirm the power of three - And so we sing the story Of God the T…
Reflection/meditation/poem: Compulsion
Reflection/meditation/poem: Compulsion
by Marjorie Dobson
Reflection/meditation/poem: Compulsion There are times when I wish I didn’t have to do it. There are times when I think that it is a complete waste of time. There are times when other people think I should stop doing it. But I must go on. There are people who consider me to be ol…
New Jerusalem
New Jerusalem
by Andrew T Murphy
Seen alongside William Blake's original poem, this is a reworking for Christian congregations, using the same tune (by Parry). Suitable especially for occasions where 'Jerusalem' is requested but the words of the original are not relevant. The first verse deals with the mystery…
Paul for Everyone Romans part 2 - God Calls a Remnant
Paul for Everyone Romans part 2 - God Calls a Remnant
by SPCK - N T Wright
God Calls a Remnant ROMANS 9.25-29 The Beatles once recorded a song called ‘Nowhere Man’. It grew out of a casual, dismissive remark one of them had made about somebody they’d just met: ‘He’s a real “nowhere man”.’ It was meant as a scornful put-down, and if the person they were …
Paul for Everyone Romans part 2 - The Call to the World, and the Father of Israel
Paul for Everyone Romans part 2 - The Call to the World, and the Father of Israel
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Call to the World, and the Failure of Israel ROMANS 10.14-21 Not long ago, some friends of ours came into possession of a large old house, and decided to do a first-class job of restoring it. To make sure all the details were taken care of, they hired a consultant to oversee …
Matthew for Everyone Part 1 - The Canaanite Woman
Matthew for Everyone Part 1 - The Canaanite Woman
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Canaanite Woman Matthew 15.21-28 One of the great moral and cultural issues of the last hundred years has been racial identity. The world was horrified to learn that the German Nazis had killed six million people whose only crime was to be Jews. The world was then increasingl…
Revelation for Everyone - The Letter to Pergamum
Revelation for Everyone - The Letter to Pergamum
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Letter to Pergamum Revelation 2.12-17 From the train, many miles away, you can see the skyscrapers. You come up through New Jersey, from the direction of Philadelphia, past the lovely town of Princeton, and on through somewhat less lovely townships; and then, if you’re lookin…
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Partners in a Heavenly Calling
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - Partners in a Heavenly Calling
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
Partners in a Heavenly Calling (Hebrews 1: 1- 4: 16) The first part, 1:1–4:16, focused on Jesus as Son of God and apostle, speaker from God to human beings, uses Scripture to compare “the son” to both the angels (1:1–2:4) and Moses (3:1–6)…
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - The Incarnation
THE WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY - The Incarnation
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
The Incarnation (John 1) The classic statement of 1:14 (my trans.), “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth,” establishes the incarnation theme. It is further amplified by 1:1…
Hymn: Who's my mother, sister, brother
Hymn: Who's my mother, sister, brother
by Andrew Pratt
Who's my mother, sister, brother, when the odds are piled up high, when the allegations clatter, when the insults sing and fly? Will you stand in strength beside me, or will you deride, deny, calling me the prince of devils, will you hide behind a lie? Verses 2-3 follow Tune: BET…
It seems that people love to praise
It seems that people love to praise
by Andrew Pratt
It seems that people love to praise. Is this God's expectation? Or can we serve in other ways, or find a new direction? The simple task, the gentle word, within the midst of crisis: can this be offered in God's praise, a simple act of kindness? Verse 3 follows Tune: BARBARA ALLEN…
Our needs are plain and simple
Our needs are plain and simple
by Andrew Pratt
Our needs are plain and simple, the things that we require to follow Christ's example, to raise the Spirit's fire; no purse, no bag, no sandals; we all must travel light, the baggage that we carry can strengthen or can blight. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: AURELIA 7.6.7.6D Andrew Pra…
Hymn: 'Come follow me, come follow fast
Hymn: 'Come follow me, come follow fast
by Andrew Pratt
'Come follow me, come follow fast, and leave the rest behind, reach after realms of mystery, yes, seek, and you will find'. What holds us in this human realm? What treasures keep us back from giving all we have and are? This confidence we lack! Verses 2-3 follow Tune: KINGSFOLD M…
Hymn: Necessary separation
Hymn: Necessary separation
by Andrew Pratt
Necessary separation, Jesus’ parting frees the saints, now their calling is to action, living love without constraints. Verses 2-3 follow Tune: ANIMAE HOMINUN; ALL FOR JESUS Metre: 8.7.8.7 Andrew Pratt (born 1948) Words © 27/4/2012 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England, www.sta…
The Pastoral Letters - God's Word is not Tied Up
The Pastoral Letters - God's Word is not Tied Up
by SPCK - N T Wright
God’s Word Is Not Tied Up 2Timothy 2.8-13 ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones,’ goes the old rhyme, ‘but calling names won’t hurt me.’ It may be good to mutter little jingles like that if people are being rude to you, but actually the rhyme is only partly true. And when it come…
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…
Genesis for Everyone Part 1 - Do Not Be Afraid
Genesis for Everyone Part 1 - Do Not Be Afraid
by SPCK - John Goldingay
Do Not Be Afraid Genesis 15: 1-6a When my mother died, I rode to her funeral with our rector. I say “our rector” though he had arrived at the church only after I was myself ordained, and he reminded me that one of the first services he conducted had been my father’s funeral. Whil…
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