8 March 2009

Welcome to St Alban’s Anglican Church

Today's Scripture : Genesis 17: 1-7     Romans 4:13-end      S. Mark 8: 31-end

Today: 8.35 a.m. BCP Matins;    9.00 a.m. Church Sch/Script Sudy;     9.30 a.m. Holy Communion;     EP 6 p.m.

This Week: Fri 12.30 p.m. Midday Prayers

 

2^nd Sunday in Lent

Almighty God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

FAITH IN FOCUS: A KNITTING MONKEY?

In the midst of all the economic doom and gloom about the global recession our news programmes try to find the occasional thing to cheer us up. So after yet another High Street name has gone bankrupt we are treated to a story about a monkey that can knit or an octogenarian who has just gone over Niagara Falls in a barrel. It helps us to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel. But of course it doesn’t take the recession away.

The disciples had their moments of gloom too. Just before the account of the Transfiguration Jesus had been talking to them about taking up their cross and suffering, about losing their lives for the sake of the gospel. That can’t have cheered them up much. But the Transfiguration had the opposite effect on them. They were privileged to see Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah, to see his appearance changed before their very eyes and to hear the voice of God coming from the cloud.

It was a boost to their faith, to put it mildly. Such an experience would keep them going strong through all sorts of setbacks that lay in store for them. That’s why Peter wanted to set up three tents, so that he could keep going back and savouring the moment again. If the temptations of Jesus last week represent him as human, then the Transfiguration shows his divine side. The three disciples caught a glimpse of his glory, a glory that is normally hidden from view in this life.

What keeps you going in your life of faith? In the ups and downs of daily life there are times when we wonder if it is all worthwhile and yet there are other moments when the presence of God breaks through loud and clear and we feel that we could almost reach out and touch God’s presence.

Lent is a time for taking stock. Perhaps one thing we could take stock of is how we come across God in our daily lives. If you had three tents and could put something in each of them that would speak to you about the close presence of God, about those moments when you can almost smell God, what would you put in each one of them? You can have anything you want, except a monkey that knits!

 

WORD FOR TODAY

Abraham underwent so many tests of his trust in God that he is known as "Father in Faith". Lent invites us to trust God in the dark areas of our lives and to have faith so that we may achieve union with God. During these forty days what is the guiding light that leads us towards Easter? What inspires our faith?

 

WORD OF GOD

I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. (Genesis 17:7)

TO LIFT UP THE HANDS in prayer gives God glory, but a man with a dung-fork in his hand, a woman with a slop-pail, give him glory too.

(Gerard Manley Hopkins)

 

THE WORLD will never starve for want of wonders, but only for want of wonder.

(G K Chesterton )

 

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE READINGS

Mon: Jeremiah 7: 21-end, John 6:41-51, Hebrews 1

Tues: Jer 8: 1-15, John 6: 52-59, Hebrews 2:1-9

Wed: Jer 8:18 - 9:11, John 6:60-end, Hebrews 2:10-end

Thurs: Jer 9:12-24, John 7: 1-13, Hebrews 3:1-6

Fri : Jer 10: 1-16, John 7: 14-24, Hebrews 3:7-end

Sat: Jer 10: 17-24, John 7: 25-36, Hebrews 4: 1-13

NEXT SUNDAY: Exodus 20: 1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, S. John 2: 13-22