BURTON JOYCE
COMMUNITY CHURCH
Sunday 20 June 2021
with Nottingham North East Circuit
Psalm 133 A Song of Ascents.
1 How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord ordained his blessing, life for evermore.
Hymn SoF 1157:
All glory, laud and honour
Let’s pray:
Calm me Lord, as you calmed the storm. Still me, Lord, keep me from harm. Let all the tumult within me cease. Uphold me, Lord, in your peace. [David Adam]
For those who seek you, Lord, you are a refuge, a stronghold, when circumstances conspire against us and we have nowhere else to turn.
For those who seek you, Lord, you are the word of truth, your Spirit gives wisdom when faith is tested so we can witness to your name.
For those who seek you, Lord, you are the source of life; your love, like living water, pours into our hearts, and brings us to you in praise.
When anything we say or do causes one of your dear ones to stumble, please, Lord, forgive us. Sometimes we fail to see the damage our words and actions can cause. Help us to always only have you at the centre of all we do, forgive us when we say things or act in a way that causes hurt. Forgive us, too, when we cause pain by our inaction.
In your grace and mercy, we live knowing we are forgiven by your love for us, our saving Lord, Jesus Christ, and we thank you.
It’s good to know in stormy days that wind and waves obey your word, and in the midst of our stress your calling voice can still be heard. Amen
[© John Birch Act of Prayer adapted.]
Today’s Bible reading:
Mark 4:35-41
Let’s sing again. SoF 902:
Lord of all Hopefulness
Reflection
This is a story about power and trust, and perhaps knowing who God is through Jesus Christ.
Here we have Jesus, in a boat with his disciples, after spending some time teaching using his familiar way of parables. He has spoken about the Kingdom of God being like a mustard seed, it starts off tiny, but when it is sown in good soil it grows and becomes strong, so strong in fact that birds can nest in its powerful branches. This is the first extension of his Jesus’ ministry into Gentile territory, which the writer Mark sees as especially important. This is the spread of Jesus’ teaching to a much wider audience and Jesus has been preaching and teaching, healing and generally being out and about with the public, he probably needed a bit of peace and sleep. And so, he curls up in the bottom of the boat and nods off.
Whilst he is asleep, a storm gathers pace and threatens to sink the boat. From what we read in the gospels this is no ordinary storm. It isn’t just strong winds and rain blowing the boat about, causing some waves – no this is a tremendous storm, waves casting the boat from side to side, rain pouring down on the frightened disciples. Maybe thunder and lightning, howling wind no doubt making the boat hard to handle. The disciples are terrified, and yet Jesus remains asleep in the bottom of the boat. I think the fact that the disciples are so afraid tells us how much of a storm this must have been. These are hardened fishermen, they are used to the weather out on the open water, used to a certain amount of danger when fishing, but this particular storm sees them terrified for their lives.
The disciples think Jesus doesn’t care about them, why isn’t he bothered that we’re all going to die they wonder. How can he sleep through all this? However, at the same time, the disciples are fully aware that Jesus can do something about this, otherwise what would it matter whether he was asleep or awake? They expect him to be able to do something to somehow fix this. And of course, he does fix it. The same way he heals the sick and casts out demons, he orders the storm to desist. He rebukes the wind. ‘Peace.’ He says. ‘Be still!’ and immediately the wind ceases, and all is calm. Jesus asks the disciples why are they scared? He is completely in control, Jesus shows his power, over all things, he has previously shown power over demons, over disease, and now he even has authority and power over the weather, the very forces of nature.
It’s interesting that Jesus asks the question – ‘why are you afraid?’ Surely, he would realise they are afraid of drowning in a ferocious storm? They have not yet come to realise the power of the man, that he can control these waves with a simple command. And yet... they know that he can do something about this, they realise that here is the man asleep who can save them. Jesus sleeps, they panic, he sleeps the sleep of the content, the man with trust in a higher power – he knows that God has got this, Jesus himself has complete trust in God.
It's interesting that this incident comes just after Jesus has talked about faith, when he has mentioned the tiny mustard seed growing into something remarkable and powerful. The disciples have Jesus in their actual boat, and yet they still don’t have the faith in him that they need. Jesus, even though asleep, still has faith that God can deal with this, he isn’t worried, but the disciples see the rain, the wind and the way the boat is tossed about, isn’t it understandable they’d be afraid? And, even being with Jesus and seeing what he can do, isn’t it a natural reaction to be scared by such a storm? Jesus, as ever, is calm and thoughtful. He knows what he has to do, and he knows what he will be up against.
Today is World Refugee Day, a day to think of the people who have travelled sometimes thousands of miles, to find a safe haven, a better life. We’ve all seen pictures in the newspapers and on TV of boats – little more than dinghies – packed with men, women and children, all desperately seeking a new place to live, crossing storm tossed seas in desperation. Often, these voyages end in tragedy, and we can wonder why people have taken such a risk. Perhaps they are seeking refuge because of persecution, because of economic strife or famine and disease. People are searching for a better life, a safer life with their families, living without fear. Covid 19 has of course caused much greater danger for people, there are many, many countries that do not have the health service like the NHS that we are blessed with. It’s easy to see the people on the news coming to the UK, and for people to feel negativity towards them, perhaps by not understanding their reasons for seeking help in the west. And we may not understand the reasons behind people making these perilous journeys, but what we can understand is that Jesus is the source of all compassion and love.
Jesus saved the disciples by calming the storm, has he calmed storms for you recently? We all go through turbulent times in our lives, and it’s important to remember that we can rely on Jesus to help us, to support us and to renew our faith. That doesn’t mean all will be perfect, we know that - things go wrong, we have hard times and tragedies, but Christ is alongside us, when our lives and filled with storms, we remember that Jesus is with us, he is in the boat being rocked by storms, alongside us. Amen
Prayers of intercession
On this, World Refugee Day, we pray for people fleeing danger, disease and war, bringing families to find a safer place to live. Help us to be compassionate, to find space in our hearts for those who need somewhere safe to lay their heads.
For all those who are dealing with storms of life, at home or abroad. We think of the situation in India, fighting Covid 19, and of Israel / Palestine, the fighting and the unjust systems. Give those in power, Lord, compassion, wisdom and the grace to listen to the other side.
For the NHS and its continuing work, whether Covid related or other needs, we pray for those working so hard to care for the sick.
For the Methodist Church, as it prepares for Conference, that the business of the church will be undertaken safely and graciously, and that decisions are made peacefully for all the members of the church.
For ourselves, for families and friends we are not able to see, miss and worry about; ill or worried, lonely or anxious, grieving or sad.
We bring all these prayers to you, Lord out God, through the name of your Son, our Saving Lord, Jesus Christ.
Lord’s Prayer
Our final hymn is SoF 238:
In heavenly love abiding
Blessing
May the love of the Father, the tenderness of the Son, and the presence of the Spirit, gladden your heart and bring peace to your soul, this day and all days. Amen.
Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord, In the name of Christ. Amen
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