11 July 2010

Welcome to  St Alban’s Anglican Church  

Today's Scripture:  Deuteronomy 30: 9-14                 Colossians 1: 1-14          S. Luke 10: 25–37

Today: 9.00 a.m. Matins; 9.30 a.m. Holy Eucharist; 6 p.m. Evening Prayer. 

This Week: Tues - Fri 12.30 p.m. Midday Prayers. 

Next Sunday: 9.00 a.m. Matins; 9.30 a.m. Holy Eucharist; 6 p.m. EP

Sixth Sunday after Trinity

O God, who hast prepared for them that love thee such good things as pass man's understanding: Pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

FAITH IN FOCUS: A TALE OF THREE PITIES

It was late on Sunday evening when Paddy Walsh was knocked into the gutter by a hit and run driver.

It happened on Baker Row and there weren't many people about. But perhaps help was at hand when Wayne Thompson came down the road and saw Paddy lying in a pool of blood. Wayne had recently been made redundant and was off to his weekly drinking session with his mates in the Rose and Crown. As he approached Paddy, he noticed his wallet in the inside pocket of his jacket. It contained more than enough for a good night's drinking and a few extras during the week. Wayne took it and left Paddy lying there, unconscious.

On the opposite side of the road was St Luke's Church and Canon Smith had just put on his slippers after the last service of the day and was looking forward to a relaxing evening by the fire with a good book. As he glanced out of the window he noticed Paddy on the other side of the street. He did nothing because he knew someone else would be along soon and, after all, Sunday was his most tiring day and he was entitled to a bit of rest after looking after people for the other six days of the week. Yes, someone would be along soon.

Baker Row Shelter for the Homeless would shortly be opening its doors for the night, and John Grime was hoping to be first in the queue and get one of the beds closest to the radiators and a bowl of soup while it was still hot. He saw Paddy, by now groaning in the gutter, and was moved to pity. Opposite was a public phone box and John went and called 999. Within a short time the ambulance arrived and took Paddy off to hospital. He wanted to go with the ambulance but the police needed to interview him and take a statement from him down at the Police Station. It meant that he ended up last in the queue for the shelter.

For Wayne Thompson, Paddy was prey, fair game. For Canon Smith he was a nuisance and an inconvenience. For John Grime he was not only someone in need but someone who offered him a chance to serve and minister to his needs.

 

WORD OF GOD

Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the brigands' hands? (Luke 10:36)

 

WORD FOR TODAY

Do you see people in need as a chance to get something for yourself, as a nuisance or as an opportunity to give of your time, talents and possibly money? These are the three attitudes in the parable of the Good Samaritan and they are as true today as they ever were.                                                                                                                          

 

 THE FIRST QUESTION which the priest and the Levite asked was, "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But the Good Samaritan reversed the question, "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?" (Martin Luther King)

 

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE READINGS 

Mon: 1 Sam 5, Luke 20: 41 - 21:4, 2 Cor 6:1 - 7:1

Tues : 1 Sam 6:1–16, Luke 21: 5-19, 2 Cor 7: 2–end

Wed: 1 Sam 7, Luke 21: 20–28, 2 Cor 8: 1-15

Thurs: 1 Sam 8, Luke 21: 29–end, 2 Cor 8:16 - 9:5

Fri: 1 Sam 9:1–14, Luke 22: 1-13, 2 Cor 9: 6-end

Sat: 1 Sam 9:15 - 10:1, Luke 22: 14-23, 2 Cor 10

NEXT SUNDAY : Genesis 18: 1–10a, Colossians 1: 15-28,   S. Luke 10: 38–end