Sunday 22nd August 2021

 BURTON JOYCE 

COMMUNITY CHURCH

Sunday 22 August 2021 

with Nottingham North East Circuit 

Prepared by Deacon Helen Snowball and adapted for Burton Joyce Community Church by Phil Colbourn. Hymns: Songs of Fellowship (SoF)

A Methodist Way of Life 3: Service

Psalm 25:1-10 

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul

Hymn SoF 470 

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

Let’s pray 

Eternal God, you are the source of all life, the fount of all wisdom, the wellspring of all grace. Your days are without end and your loving mercies without number and I depend on you and remember your goodness to me and to those who have gone before. 

Your story has been told in every generation, the Lord Jesus Christ lived among us, full of grace and truth, revealing your tender mercy, he healed the sick, comforted the broken and lost, in humility he washed the feet of his disciples, calling us to follow his example as one who serves. 

You are my God, ahead of me, leading me, guiding me and calling me. You are the Lord God, the all-wise, the all- compassionate, and I lift my heart in worship, today and for ever. Amen

Methodist Diaconal Order Daily Prayer. 

Confession 

For the times when we have forgotten you, Lord, we are sorry.
For the times when we have not acted as you would wish; when we have neglected someone, when we have been selfish or greedy, or inconsiderate, we are sorry. Lord in your mercy, forgive us. Amen

We have two readings today, the first is from Isaiah 61:1-6

Our second Bible reading is John 13:1-18 

He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet 

Hymn SoF 120 

From heaven you came (Servant King)

Ghislaine Howard  The washing of the feet from the Methodist Modern Art Collection © TMCP used with permission   www.methodist.org.uk/artcollection

Reflection 

As a Deacon, these two passages are particularly important to me. They are both included in the ordination service, and are often used at Convocation and diaconal gatherings, especially the John 13 passage. These Isaiah 61 verses talk of a servant ministry, of Jesus coming to serve, not to be served, and that is what we try to do. Along with other passages in the book of Isaiah, the beginning of chapter 61 is often used to point to Jesus as Messiah, as the anointed one and as servant.

These verses point to themes of release, of the year of the Lord’s favour, of comfort being given to the oppressed, and it speaks of joyful tasks. These joyful tasks being bringing good news to the oppressed, binding up the broken-hearted, and releasing the prisoners. It is a little similar to the Beatitudes of Matthew 5:3-11, in that it points forward, it shows what will happen. 

In Matthew, Jesus says ‘blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted’. In this Isaiah reading, we read that God’s anointed one will comfort all who mourn, God’s anointed one will not stand far above all others and rule, he will be with those who need him the most, he will be doing the comforting, he will be binding up the broken-hearted, he will be alongside. It is about helping people, blessing those who need the blessing of God the most. 

In John 13, we see these promises acted out. This is sometimes called Towel and Bowl Christianity and refers to Jesus acting out for the disciples what servant ministry looks like, showing his humility and his vulnerability. There is an image just before this reflection, which shows Jesus washing Peter’s feet. Now, if you didn’t know that this was Jesus and Peter, the image takes on a different tone. 

The kneeling man is incredibly vulnerable to attack, and the seated person could be about to hit him. He could be the master, telling his servant the water is too cold, his raised hand points to violence, to a hard slap because of displeasure. It could be an image of power and servitude, of a master and victim. Instead, we know it is Peter, seated looking down at Jesus, saying ’no master, you shall not wash my feet’. Jesus, the kneeling servant, replies that he must do this, he must demonstrate to all the disciples what servant ministry means. 

It is not thrones, power, war horses and prestige. Instead, it is servant ministry, vulnerability, caring for the least of society, doing the work others would turn away from. I must admit, I am not a fan of feet. Even those with manicured and seemingly perfect feet – still have horrible feet. And, as a deacon, the image of towel and bowl is often used, and it always makes me slightly uncomfortable because I doubt that I could ever do that. 

Perhaps this is something I need to pray about and actually get on my knees and do it for someone next Easter. We’ll see. Jesus, of course, has no such squeamishness. He eats with lepers, prostitutes, the sick, the tax collector, the outcast. He meets them where they are, talks to them, prays and heals, and turns their lives around. 

It's incredibly significant that when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet – he washed all the disciples’ feet – including Judas. He knew Judas was about to betray him, and he knew what the consequences would be, but of course he couldn’t perform this act of humility and get to Judas and say, ‘not you’. He showed his vulnerability and his humility, and his love for all by still washing Judas’ feet. 

I wonder how Judas felt at that moment. I wonder if he understood the significance of Jesus’ actions – he wanted a warrior king, someone to overthrow the Roman oppressors, and he had pinned his hopes on this man who was now kneeling as a servant at his feet, doing this most menial of tasks. 

Jesus’ servant ministry was key to his message – he had not come to rule, to be a king and have servants of his own – he was to be the servant, he would be servant to all the people who were in desperate need, those who needed love and care, and the touch of someone who would not judge or condemn. Judas didn’t understand this, he expected a war and victory. Of course, there was victory over death, but Judas wouldn’t have understood that. He misunderstood Jesus’ whole ministry. What about you? Have you misunderstood Jesus’ ministry? Service is part of God’s calling, he calls us all to care for others, to preach, teach and seek out the lonely and the vulnerable. 

What is your servant ministry like? The world is full of people who need us, those who are desperate. Are you able to show what true belief in Christ looks like, even if it is uncomfortable? Are you able to show true vulnerability in Christ? Are you able to – even if metaphorically - kneel in humility and wash someone’s feet? Amen

Prayers of intercession 

·      Pray for the world, for the countries in war, the countries in drought desperate for what we take for granted - clean water

·      Pray for all affected by flood and by fire

·      Pray for South Africa, as it deals with political and civil unrest 

·      Pray for Afghanistan, especially for women and girls

·      Pray for freedom in speech and protest, that we can express ourselves graciously, without causing hurt to others

·      Pray for our government, for all the leaders who make decisions that affect all of us 

·      Pray for the NHS, as it continues to work so hard for all of us 

·      Pray for our families and friends, especially those who are struggling at the moment. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer 

Our final hymn is SoF 54 

Brother, sister, let me serve you

We are pilgrims on a journey, and companions on the road; 

we are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load. 

Blessing  

The peace of the earth be to you, 

The peace of the heavens too,
The peace of the rivers be with you, 

The peace of the oceans too. 

Deep peace fall over you, God’s peace, 

God’s peace growing in you.

Guatemalan Text. Translated by Christine Carson (b. 1965). 

Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord, In the name of Christ.
Amen