Sunday's Service
Every Sunday, across the world, Christians share an agreed three year cycle of Bible Readings in Sunday worship, this is called the Common Lectionary. We offer materials including prayers bible study and worship resources for each one of these Sunday's via our Lectionary Bible Notes Section.
Third Sunday before Lent
The episode from the Gospel of Mark today is beautiful and
yet disturbing. There is a lovely story of Jesus healing
Peter's mother-in-law. We don't know anything about Peter's
wife, but at least we do know that he was married. Moreover
when Peter has a problem in his home he turns to Jesus for
help and finds the answer to his needs. Jesus is concerned
about the needs we have in our ordinary lives. He does not
heal the woman to grab attention it is just a sign of his
natural desire to help.
The funny part of the story can be seen when we are told
that when she was well she got up and served them. We can
almost hear Peter saying,
'How are you feeling then, better? Well go and get the
kettle on would you, and how about some sandwiches?'
But there is a serious side to the flow of events. Jesus cares, the woman finds strength and she serves. So many people simply recover from one illness and then move on to tell us endlessly about their next complaint. She desires to be well so that she can be of use. How many more people would be healed if they sought health to enable them to continue to serve others?
Give to us or take from us, conform our will to yours. May we not desire health or life except to spend them in service of you. Use all that we have to proclaim the good news of your kingdom, to cure the sick and relieve your suffering children, to the praise and glory of your holy name. Amen.
Read this week's sermon by Charles Royden about Jesus casting out an unclean spirit
Read more in this week's Bible Notes
Read this week's prayers by Mrs Morag Stewart
Read this week's prayers by Mr Ian Farthing
Lectionary Material for every Sunday in Years A, B, C
Please note some churches will celebrate services on different dates over Christmas
January 1 |
8 January |
15 January | 22 January |
29 January |
5 February |
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Epiphany 1 Methodist lectionary
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12 February |
19 February |
26 February |
4 March |
11 March |
18 March |
