BURTON JOYCE
COMMUNITY CHURCH
Sunday 28th February 2021
The Second Sunday in Lent
With Nottingham North East Circuit
Adapted from the service prepared by the Revd John Wiseman.
Spend a few moments with God, as others share with you.
Songs of Fellowship (SoF)
The hymns are chosen mostly from the church hymnbook Songs of Fellowship (SoF). If you don't have a copy of the hymnbook at home, you can often find a video of the hymn on Youtube with the words displayed on video. Also, you can find the Bible readings online at several websites. Search for the specific chapter and verse (e.g. Exodus16, 1-15)
Let’s begin by singing SoF 1120:
Will you come and follow me
Opening prayers
Father God, you are faithful and kind. You are near to all who call. Your love draws us and your mercy & grace bring us to repentance. Forgive us for not loving you wholeheartedly and for failing to be salt & light in the world; for caring about our own pleasure while ignoring those in need.
Lord Jesus Christ, we come to your cross. By your blood, we are cleansed and by your stripes we are healed. In your love, we are forgiven.
Holy Spirit, create in us a clean heart. Give us a hunger for your words. Convict and convince us as we come to worship. Strengthen us for the journey.
Glory be with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, Amen.
Psalm 66:1-9 & 16-20:
Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth
Bible reading Mark 2:13-17:
The call of Levi, a tax-collector
Hymn SoF 593: What a friend we have in Jesus
Today’s message with audio link
https://app.box.com/s/fwrm1159lubegvs03gdnxo37ny ywsx3x
It’s not a job for the easily offended or faint hearted: working as a tax collector in the border town of Capernaum on behalf of Herod Antipas, an unpopular ruler who was a puppet of the hated Roman Empire. Customs officer might be a better description and, as such, the job offered plenty of opportunities for shady dealing and exploitation. Tax collectors had a bad reputation.
So how could the supposed Messiah, the one people expected to free them from the shackles of Rome, take one of Rome’s very own oppressors into his inner circle? Given his association with Rome, his occupation, his contact with Gentiles and doubts about his honesty, Levi was not the kind of man pious and devout Jews wanted anything to do with. But Jesus invites Levi to follow him, to come and be part of his inner circle, to be one of his disciples and despite having what one must assume was a steady job, that’s exactly what Levi does: making an immediate, spur of the moment, life changing decision.
As Jesus cures, he also heals. He restores. He makes things straight, cleanses, and reintegrates people back into society. Here, right at the start of his public ministry, Jesus declares that this new Kingdom will be for the least, the lost and the lonely. What better way to demonstrate this than to sit down to a meal with Levi and a houseful of tax collectors and sinners. Having received the call and love of Jesus into his own life, Levi turns round and extends the invitation to others just like him. Rather than drop his friends and associates, like he did his job, Levi invites them to share the encounter with Jesus in their own lives.
Jesus doesn’t attempt simply to avoid those classified as ‘unclean’, he actually seeks them out, actively engages with them, actively shares in God’s provisions with them. After all which one of us, to paraphrase Jesus response to the scribe, would want a doctor to be available to see us only when we were healthy? Jesus extends grace to us, acceptance and an open armed welcome, before we have even repented or changed anything in our lives.
Who do you identify with in this story?
- Do you find it difficult to believe that God would want to spend time with you?
- Are you quick to judge, condemn and criticize?
- Do you extend the invitation to family, friends, colleagues and strangers?
What are we waiting for?
The table is set, the food is ready and there are plenty of spaces available!
Let’s sing SoF 738:
Go forth and tell
Prayers of Intercession
- Pray for the stories and situations foremost in our thoughts this week
- Pray for all those who feel excluded from God’s great banquet
- Pray for all fearful of offering or accepting the invitation for fear of rejection
Pray for the for Women’s World Day of Prayer (5 March)
Pray for the people of Wales with St David’s Day tomorrow (1 March)
Pray for our local family of faith in these strange times
Let’s keep a time of silence before God
We join together to say the words of the Lord’s prayer:
Our Father
Let's sing S0F 1583:
We have a gospel to proclaim
A blessing...
Having received from around God’s table, let us offer that same invitation to come and dine to all we meet. And may the God of grace go with us, leading us in the way, walking beside us, and keeping us safe on the journey, in Jesus name. Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment