13 July 2008

Welcome to St Alban’s Anglican Church 

Today's Scripture (HC) : Isaiah 55:10-13 Rom 8:1-11 S. Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Today's Liturgy: 9.00a.m. BCP Matins; 9.30a.m. Holy Communion ; EP 6.00 p.m. (Summer Schedule.)

Tues - Wed 12.30 p.m. Midday Prayer. Rector & Mrs Sykes on leave from17^th July.

8^th After Trinity

O God, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which be profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

FAITH IN FOCUS: SPREAD THE WORD

We all know the parable of the sower. A farmer sows seed on his land; it falls into four different types of soil and it produces anything from no crops at all to a field full of harvest. Usually we say that God is the sower, the seed is the word of God and we are the various types of soil.

But why should we bother to read or listen to the word of God? How can it help? Isn’t it just a collection of old books with limited value in the third millennium? And surely if we’re looking for advice on how to live life today then there are plenty of modern books in the library or the bookshops?

We put a premium on the bible not because it contains words about God but because it contains the words of God. In fact, it contains the word, the message of God. And scripture is the place that God has chosen to reveal himself. Using human beings as the writers of the bible’s books God inspires them with the Holy Spirit. So Christians believe that the bible is not simply religious opinion or outlook; it is what has been revealed through close faith in God and it comes from a people living cheek by jowl with God. So scripture is not simply one source about God among many others; it is the privileged place from which God chooses to speak to us. To be ignorant of scripture is to be ignorant of God.

And why should we bother to sow the word? The call that God makes to us through his word is compelling. We freely choose to accept it but then we are impelled to tell others about it because it is the most important ingredient in our daily lives. God’s call infuses everything we do and cannot be kept as a sideline to be looked at like a stamp collection or played with like a model train set. It is the dynamo of our existence, what gives us hope and provides us with direction to our lives.

If Christians don’t read and study the word of God then they atrophy, they wither. If Christians don’t use every means to propagate the seed of the word then they fail to comply with the conditions of God’s call to go out and teach all nations. Today’s parable asks us to be both an assiduous farmer and good soil. Without these nothing will grow. Least of all us.

WORD OF GOD

The word that goes from my mouth does not return to me empty, without carrying out my will and succeeding in what it was sent to do. (Isaiah 55:11)

 

WORD FOR TODAY

God promises to guide our lives with his word. Do we make it our concern to study the word of God? Is it central to our lives? Or is it just something we hear for a few moments each week in church?

SEA SUNDAY (July 13^th) - For the Shipping Industry

Almighty God, we pray for the shipping industry; for those who build, own and manage ships. We thank you for every company which cares for those who go to sea on its ships. Grant to all who work at sea the blessings of safe ships, good food and just rewards for all their work.

 

THE DEVIL fears the word of God. He can’t bite it because it breaks his teeth. (Martin Luther)

SO WHY READ THE BIBLE? I can think of no reason at all, except one: that it claims to be, and is, God’s written revelation to mankind, and that reading it is an essential part of coming to know God. That’s the only reason. If you’re an academic historian, or a professor of comparative religions, you may have other reasons. But for most of us, the only good reason to read the Bible is that this is where God can be found. This is how He chose to reveal Himself to us. (Alan Perkins)

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE READINGS

Mon: 1 Sam 14: 24-46, Luke 23:13-25, James 2: 1-13

Tues: 1 Sam 15:1-23, Luke 23:26-43, James 2:14-end

Wed: 1 Sam 16, Luke 23:44-56a, James 3

Thurs: 1 Sam 17: 1-30, Lk 23:56b - 24:12, James 4: 1-12

Fri : 1 Sam 17:31-54, Luke 24:13-35, James 4:13 -5:6

Sat : 1 Sam 17:55 - 18:16, Lk 24:36-end, James 5:7-end

NEXT SUNDAY : Wisdom 12:13, 16-19 or Isaiah 44:6-8, Romans 8:12-25 or S. Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43