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Minister Prayers

Jacob: 2 August 2020

I’ve often found borders to be interesting places. Sometimes they are markers. Whenever we head north, getting over the border is a time to pause ready for the next leg of the journey. There was a time when we would cheer or boo depending on the direction of travel! The landscape doesn’t change significantly, and yet there can be a different atmosphere and language. At the moment borders are being used to control or define the management of Covid-19. We are now allowed to go north and cross that border, some are heading west to cross that border, and those coming from Spain have to pause 14 days. But we can not yet visit our son in Leicester. 

Our Bible reading this week is set at a border crossing. A few weeks ago I was listening to the experience of people who visited Palestine as part of a URC visit. They found the  checkpoints to be a means of control and oppression, and Bethlehem, so beloved in our Christmas narrative is suffering because of it. At the same time I was writing a prayer for a Synod pamphlet that will be published later in the year, so this was the prayer I submitted.

Skip with the Peacemakers

May we play hopscotch at checkpoints,

chanting ancient skipping rhymes.

Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around.

 

May we patch daisies onto khaki pockets,

cultivating landing strips with seed-bombs.

Say a prayer, say a prayer, touch the ground.

 

May we dance freestyle at the border

sharing welcome howls of laughter.

Teddy bear, teddy bear, jump up high.

 

May we throw petals at broken fences

widening pathways for hand-crafters.

Say a prayer, say a prayer, bless our cry.

 

May we stroll through deserted camps

picking over well worn pointless phrases.

Teddy bear, teddy bear, bend down low.

 

May we spray arrows of hope and awe,

spinning rainbow yarns of tenderness.

Say a prayer, say a prayer, peace may grow.

Prayers & Reflection for 2 August 2020

Prayer

The Lord is gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger and rich in love

The Lord is good to all,

with compassion on all that has been made.

Psalm 145: 8-9,

Hymn

Take this moment, sign, and space

take my friends around

here among us make the place

where your love is found.

 

Take the time to call my name,

take the time to mend

who I am and what I’ve been

all I’ve failed to tend.

Bible Genesis 32:22-31. 

Reflection

We have moved forward some 20 years. Leah, Rachel, Jacob and their family have prospered. Jacob’s management of the flock, his ability to breed spotted or speckled sheep and goats and to ensure that the strongest animals became part of his flock have served them well. But of course this has also bred resentment from Laban and his sons, and so together they decide it’s time to leave and head to Canaan. We meet them again at the border, there is no way back and yet ahead of them is Esau. Does he still resent Jacob for stealing his blessing? Jacob sends forward peace offerings, then his wives, maidservants and children and spends the night alone. 

Perhaps this is the first time he has been alone since he fled from Esau, and once again in this solitude, filled with fear and uncertainty, he experiences God. This encounter is far more visceral than the first. There is no encouraging vision, instead they wrestle through the night, matching one another in power and ferocity. At daybreak  Jacob demands a blessing before he will let this wrestler go. The blessing is forthcoming, but with it comes a new name and permanent limp. Jacob is now Israel, one who has striven with God and with humans, and has prevailed.

There are moments in any lifetime that are a struggle. Often the way in which we respond to those struggles will determine how we feel about such times. We live in a moment where the consequences of 500 years of profiteering are being confronted. Whether it is the legacy of slavery, nation building, or climate catastrophe it feels like we are standing on a border, struggling with our past and striving with alternative visions for the future direction of humanity. Such places will never feel easy, but we also know that Jesus has crossed these borders before us, given us the talents and skills to share with one another. God trusts us to strive for communities filled with peace and justice. May we know the name we have been given, the scars we carry and the blessings of God’s abundant love. 

Prayer

The Lord upholds all who fall

and lifts up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look to you

and you give them their food at the proper time.

You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

Psalm 145:14-16

Hymn

Take my talents and my skills

take what’s yet to be;

let my life be yours, and yet

let it still be me.

John Bell (b1949) & Graham Maule (1958-2020)

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Minister Prayers

Leah & Rachel: 26 July 2020

I’m writing this whilst we watch a programme about Paramedics during Covid-19. It highlights the difficulties faced by people who have had to continue working through the lockdown. They have been under pressure, worried for their own health and the health of their own families whilst caring for the whole community. I can also see the thrill of it, and with the work I have done I understand that sense of wanting to be at the heart of things. I think that is what I have found strangest about the last few months. We had to close down our work at St. Columba’s which had allowed me to be at the centre of community action. Instead, I’ve been working away at home and aware that I’ve been out of touch with much of what is happening in large parts of the community. It doesn’t look like we will be able to continue work at St. Columba’s again, and we still wait to see if we begin new work at Ball Hill and how we can shape life at Ansty Road once we return to the building. So even as others are getting back to work, I’m still feeling disorientated and struggling to know what plans to make for now and the future.

I’m aware that similar changes are happening for some of you. Things that have been at the heart of your life have already been lost. Some of you are caring for people who are very ill, or dealing with illness yourselves. Even if you are beginning to meet up with family and friends again, it’s under different circumstances, with restrictions in place and uncertainty about every plan made. 

Please look out for one another, give people a ring, join us in praying for one another and for our world. We have all been affected by this time, and the long term impact will not be known for a long time.

The funeral of Eddie Jones will be next Wednesday (29th). Obviously we can not make the general invitation that we would normally do, so please pray for his family. It will be the first funeral I have taken through this period – so another new experience.

 

Prayer

Eternal God, you are with us this day in the fullness of your love.

In the love of one for another we see your will for all creation

In the tenderness of love’s embrace we remember your love once made flesh for us.

Hymn

Put peace into each other’s hands

and like a treasure hold it,

protect it like a candle flame,

with tenderness fold it.

 

Put peace into each other’s hands

with loving expectation;

be gentle in your words and ways,

in touch with God’s creation.

Bible Genesis 29:15-28 

Reflection Jacob has arrived at Haran, and we have once again been to the well so that he can check out the local women. He meets his cousin Rachel and is instantly smitten. This passage picks up the story whilst he is living in Laban’s house and we could focus on these two tricksters trying to outsmart one another, but let’s ignore them for a while and look to the sisters Leah and Rachel. From the encounter at the well we know that Rachel works with her father’s sheep and is welcoming to this stranger. But now we see them described by their looks, the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah’s eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and beautiful. (NRSV). In other translations Leah’s eyes are weak, didn’t sparkle, nice, tender and Rachel has a good figure, stunning, well favoured. As the story goes on their relationship will be defined by the children they produce. Is this really the only way a woman has value? 

We also see the nature of biblical marriage. One man married to two sisters, later with their handmaidens providing surrogate children. It’s very different to our idea of conventional marriage. Yet it is consistent. Throughout the Bible and Christian history the people of God have followed the customs and traditions of their culture. Sometimes there are adjustments, and always, an expectation of faithfulness within those customs. But, our concepts of marriage are constantly shifting and many will have seen that within their own lifetimes. Leah and Rachel, Zilpah and Bilhah will eventually create a new family together. There will be tensions between them rivalry and jealousy will be ever present. But so is co-operation, the expectation of providence and the following of God’s call. 

God calls us into a new family. Sometimes it’s a strange family with difficult relationships  and challenging behaviour. But at our best we can care for one another, we can welcome new people into the family, we can adapt to new environments and we continue to be faithful to God’s call. It’s a lovely place to be.

Prayer

May God who is light shine in your darkness

May God who is love be the love between you.

May God who is life be your life everlasting.

Hymn

As at communion, shape your hands

into a waiting cradle;

the gift of Christ receive, revere,

hunted round the table.

 

Put Christ into each other’s hands,

he is love deepest measure;

in love make peace, give peace a chance

and share it like a treasure.

Fred Kaan (1929- 2009)

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Minister Prayers

Jacob: 19 July 2020

I’m not sure what to do with myself at the moment. Whilst others are either back in church or planning for September our situations at both churches mean that we won’t be making those plans until at least September. In addition, whilst many are meeting up with more and more people, I’m still being careful, Chris has been at school and I have regularly been at Ansty Road mixing with the builders, where there is some social distancing, but sometimes it can be a bit lax. So I’m wary of mixing with others too widely. 

We would normally mark this time of year with a general invitation to our Garden for afternoon tea. But the rules on such things are awkward, so we will look at how we might be able to do that – but I know from other conversations that many of you are also uncertain, so please forgive us if that also proves too hard to do. I do hope however that Chris and I can manage some day trips somewhere. We are also still planning a holiday at the end of August, but the festivals we go to have all been cancelled, so even the summer doesn’t give us treats to look forward to. 

Which all sounds very down beat. Below, I share a blessing and write about the blessings that God promises. However down beat I’m feeling, I do know that I have been blessed in the life I have been able to live, the people around me and the work God has called me to. I do know the many privileges that my life gives me, so I won’t be grumbling for too long – sometimes we just need to have a moment!

 

Prayer

The Lord bless you and keep you

The Lord make his face to shine upon you

and be gracious unto you.

Hymn

Morning glory, starlit sky

sorting music, scholars truth,

flight of swallows, autumn leaves,

memory’s treasure, grace of youth.

 

open are the gifts of God

gifts of love to mind and sense

hidden is love’s agony

love’s endeavour, love’s expense.

Bible Genesis 28:10-22. 

Reflection The lectionary has jumped forward, so you might also like to read Genesis 27:1 – 28:9. We focus on Jacob, alone and afraid. Some might say it is his own fault. He has broken trust with his father and brother, he has refused to engage with the wider community, his trickiness has found him out and he is banished. It is now, at this low point, that he begins to be aware of God’s presence with him. Not just God, but the angels are coming to him, opening up the space between heaven and earth, finding Jacob in despair and preparing him to hear God’s word. 

When God speaks, it is with three important messages. 

I am with you.

I will keep you. 

You will be a blessing.

I am with you, will become the promise of Jesus – Emmanuel, God with us; the last word in Matthew’s gospel, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” I will keep you, will be a recurrent theme, The Lord bless you and keep you (Num 6:24-26). You will be a blessing – will be the good news that Jesus proclaims, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 5:1-10). 

On Tuesday I was at two conferences. The first asked, “Do black lives matter in the URC?” The second reflected on a URC visit to Palestine in 2019. In both, I was left reflecting on the way we are cursed by human conflict and our need to dominate one another leaves everyone brutalised and frightened. Jacob still has much wrestling to do, but he does so knowing that God is with him, keeps him and blesses him and his descendants. May we also know that for ourselves. 

Prayer

May you know God’s presence always with you

May you know God’s protection keeping you safe

May you know God’s promise blessing your days.

Hymn

Therefore he who shows us God

helpless hangs upon the tree;

and the nails and crown of thorns

tell us what God’s love must be.

 

Here is God, no monarch he.

throned in easy state to reign

here is God, whose arms of love

aching, spent, the world sustain

W H Vanstone (1923-99)

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Minister Prayers

Esau & Jacob: 12 July 2020

May I start this week with a poem?

Striding

Three boys, brothers 

by their gaze and gait;

the taller two steps 

ahead. The smaller 

messing with stuffed

pockets half runs 

to keep up.

 

Did we walk that way?

Me strutting ahead

embarrassed by your

childishness, playing

it cool, almost a man.

 

We walk together now,

measured pace.

Three men, brothers. 

Craig Muir, 2019

This poem came to mind because this Sunday we look at the brothers Esau and Jacob. Our sibling relationships can often be difficult. We know the buttons to press and have been doing it for a lifetime. The three of us have certainly had our moments, but at this time we use our differing abilities to manage the care of our parents, supporting each other and the wider family. 

We sometimes think of church as a family. We know how to discomfort one another, yet can also be incredibly supportive and encouraging. We are living in times where we need to learn new things from one another. People we have relied upon are having to rethink their availability and the rhythm of life. We are looking for new generations to emerge and help, and this is a time when different gifts and skills are required, so may we learn how to walk together, measured pace. And talking of learning, I’m told that the numbers below are too small for some, so …..

Our midweek fellowship at 7pm on Thursday will be a time of prayer using the same link as we use each Sunday.

Prayer

Your word is a lamp giving light where we walk.

Your laws are fair-minded, we give you our word.

Accept these offerings, teach us your ways

Hear our pain, lighten our load

 

Hymn

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father

there is no shadow of turning with thee

thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not

as thou hast been thou for ever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness

morning by morning, new mercies I see:

all I have needed thy hand hath provided

great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.

Bible Genesis 25:19-34

Reflection

Abraham has exited and we turn to a new generation. But, the focus quickly moves past Isaac, and onto his sons Esau and Jacob. Like other biblical births, they arrive when God is ready as an answer to prayer and as a story of struggle. It is the struggle of siblings for attention, prominence, inheritance. It is the striving of nations to be stronger than the other, to shape their own destiny. Sets fast food against slow cooking, instant gratification against the long game. It challenges notions of entitled inheritance and asks questions about the birthright anyone is able to claim.

Competition seems to be ingrained. It can be expressed through sport, comparing houses, salaries or status. Do we naturally support the winners or the underdog? Do we admire Esau’s brute strength, the rugged outdoors type or Jacob’s quickness of mind? Are our competitive instincts wetted by SkySports or Bake Off?  Sometimes such rivalry has produced great achievements, yet in others we can see centuries of enmity. We know the benefits of worldwide co-operation, yet still the mantra is to be world-beating. 

Jacob inherits the promise made to his grandparents. But he will not acquire that promise by birthright, or by his own skill or because he is stronger, wiser, greater than anyone else. He will be a child of promise because he is chosen by God. He is not chosen for his obvious good qualities, indeed some might look at Jacob and wonder if he has any good qualities. Yet, there is a faithfulness, a precariousness about him, that will trust in God. He has some freedom to live life as he chooses, and yet freedom is bounded by choices God has made on Jacob’s behalf. Just as the choices we can make are restricted by so many factors, including the call God makes upon us. Here, at the beginning of this story we see Jacob and Esau in conflict with their birthrights.  

Prayer

Garland us with hope, 

Hold us with love

Catch us with joy

Turn us to your course 

Hymn

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside. 

Great is thy faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness

morning by morning, new mercies I see:

all I have needed thy hand hath provided

great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.

T G Chisolm (1866-1960)