Updated: 1 month 3 weeks ago
URC Daily Devotion Tuesday 4 February 2025
96
URC Daily Devotion Tuesday 4 February 2025
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Tuesday 4th February 2025
St Luke 11: 29-32
I wonder, what would Jesus do?...
--> Today's writer Sam Goodman, Assembly Accredited Lay Preacher, Derby Central URC Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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St Luke 11: 29-32
When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, ‘This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise at the judgement with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!
Reflection
Jesus calling a generation evil sounds harsh. Is it because they ask for signs? Or maybe Jesus is saying, can you really not sense the signs all around?
You're looking for, waiting for, longing for a Messiah. How do you not realise that your Messiah is standing in your midst?
The parallel to Jonah seems to suggest that those who feel less worthy and in need of forgiveness will recognise the hope of salvation.
Maybe there's also a frustration from Jesus with his own people, in effect his own extended family - why can't they see the obvious signs that already exist?
What more do they need?
The people of Nineveh saw that they needed to change, and they wholeheartedly embraced a turnaround in how they lived.
Jesus sees the half-hearted attitudes and stubbornness of some of the people he met. How was his message of hope going to spread and bring the Kingdom of God closer to the world if God's own people couldn't understand that prophecy was being fulfilled before their eyes?
Move forward to here and now, and what does this message say to us? Are we like the people of Nineveh, prepared to examine ourselves and make the changes that God requires? Or are we like that generation that Jesus despaired of, comfortable in thinking we are God's people and we are doing what God asks/needs from us?
Could it be that an evil generation is full of good people who say the right things, look outwardly like people who obey God's word but ignore the suffering and inequality around them in their rush to get to church? A busyness of godly practice, but the omission of God-like compassion and care? Faith stopping short of making God's love real, ouch!I wonder, what would Jesus do?...
Prayer
Challenging God
remind us that following you is about actions not just words
when we ask for signs show us the wonder of your world
and the example of Jesus, Amen
--> Today's writer Sam Goodman, Assembly Accredited Lay Preacher, Derby Central URC Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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URC Daily Devotion 3rd February 2025
96
URC Daily Devotion 3rd February 2025
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Monday 3 February 2025
St Luke 11: 27 - 28
While Jesus was saying this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!’ But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!’
Reflection
Is this a bit of repartee between Jesus and a spirited woman in the crowd or something deeper?
In our contemporary culture there’s a high view of family which is seen as the building block of society. One can’t read agony aunt columns without seeing some dilemma about family relations. Reality TV shows look at family rifts and reunions; in the paper this morning I read a moving account of Matt and Luke Goss, once part of the band Bros, whose estrangement has lasted decades. Our nations are often told about estrangements in the Windsor family with Andrew’s latest misadventure with a Chinese spy leading to his removal from the Christmas gathering at Sandringham and with Harry and William living out their estrangement in the media.
It’s not surprising that family is seen with such importance - for many of us it’s where we’ve been nurtured and taught, loved and held secure. It’s something that’s redefined as couples (same or opposite sex) move in together and have children without getting married first and as same sex couples marry. Even after divorce there’s still family where kids are concerned. This institution is at the heart of our society even as it develops and is redefined. And yet…for many family is not safe, loving, and secure. For many it can be a place of pain, violence, horror and estrangement.
It’s puzzling, then, that the Church has wedded itself to traditional understandings of family rather than, say alongside models of love and support based on friendship. Jesus, as far as we know, never married. His public years were spent in the company of friends, not family, as he breathed his last he created a new family relationship between his mother and “the disciple he loved”. Perhaps his words in today’s passage indicate a reluctance to valorise family relationships over others; surprising as if anyone was blessed it was his mother! As ever, Jesus is more nuanced about our social building blocks than we realise.
Prayer
Lord Jesus
help us to find love in likely and unlikely places
to seek bonds of affection, care, and security
wherein we grow and develop,
wherever you provide them,
that we may be blessed
as we hear and respond to your call.
Amen.
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St Luke 11: 27 - 28
While Jesus was saying this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!’ But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!’
Reflection
Is this a bit of repartee between Jesus and a spirited woman in the crowd or something deeper?
In our contemporary culture there’s a high view of family which is seen as the building block of society. One can’t read agony aunt columns without seeing some dilemma about family relations. Reality TV shows look at family rifts and reunions; in the paper this morning I read a moving account of Matt and Luke Goss, once part of the band Bros, whose estrangement has lasted decades. Our nations are often told about estrangements in the Windsor family with Andrew’s latest misadventure with a Chinese spy leading to his removal from the Christmas gathering at Sandringham and with Harry and William living out their estrangement in the media.
It’s not surprising that family is seen with such importance - for many of us it’s where we’ve been nurtured and taught, loved and held secure. It’s something that’s redefined as couples (same or opposite sex) move in together and have children without getting married first and as same sex couples marry. Even after divorce there’s still family where kids are concerned. This institution is at the heart of our society even as it develops and is redefined. And yet…for many family is not safe, loving, and secure. For many it can be a place of pain, violence, horror and estrangement.
It’s puzzling, then, that the Church has wedded itself to traditional understandings of family rather than, say alongside models of love and support based on friendship. Jesus, as far as we know, never married. His public years were spent in the company of friends, not family, as he breathed his last he created a new family relationship between his mother and “the disciple he loved”. Perhaps his words in today’s passage indicate a reluctance to valorise family relationships over others; surprising as if anyone was blessed it was his mother! As ever, Jesus is more nuanced about our social building blocks than we realise.
Prayer
Lord Jesus
help us to find love in likely and unlikely places
to seek bonds of affection, care, and security
wherein we grow and develop,
wherever you provide them,
that we may be blessed
as we hear and respond to your call.
Amen.
--> Today's writer
The Revd Andy Braunston is the URC’s Minister for Digital Worship and a member of the Peedie Kirk URC in Kirkwall, Orkney.
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Sunday Worship 2 February 2025
96
Sunday Worship 2 February 2025
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Worship Services from the URC
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Order of Service
Below you will find the Order of Service, prayers, hymns and sermon for today's service. You can either simply read this or you can
click here
to listen to the service and sing along with the hymns. This will open up a new screen, at the bottom of the screen you will see a play symbol. Press that, then come back to this window so you can follow along with the service. Sunday Worship from the United Reformed Church
for Sunday 2 February
Today’s service is led by the Revd Andy Braunston
Welcome
Again and again in my thinking and services I turn to the Canadian Jewish songwriter and singer Leonard Cohen for ways into deep themes. Today we started worship with some of his You Want It Darker. In this song it is as if there are two voices at work – the cynic who sees God as the source of both good and evil and who declines to get involved in the suffering of the world and the voice of the believer who cries “hineni, I’m ready, my Lord.” In our spiritual lives we often have these two steams of thought going on – the bitter believer asserting that waiting for God to help can lead to anger and devastation and the profound believer who lacks doubt and hostility. We see these thoughts reflected in our readings today as we ponder our response to God’s call to us. Let’s join in worship together whether we be cynical or profound.
Call to Worship
Gather us into Your presence, O Most High. Let all be welcome here, the lost and forsaken, the blind and the lame, the rich and the haughty, the proud and the strong, the meek and the lowly. Gather us in! Gather us into Your presence, Lord Jesus, as we yearn for Your face, as we long to explore our lives and our faith, and as we seek to understand all You call us to. Gather us in! Gather us into Your presence Most Holy Spirit. As we meet here around this table nourish us with and teach us to fashion lives that are holy and hearts that are true. Gather us in!
Hymn Gather Us In
Marty Haugen © 1982, GIA Publications, Inc OneLicence # A-734713 performed by Emmaus Music and used with their kind permission.
Here in this place new light is streaming
now is the darkness vanished away.
See in this space our fears and our dreamings
brought here to you in the light of this day.
Gather us in, the lost and forsaken.
Gather us in, the blind and the lame.
Call to us now and we shall awaken.
We shall arise at the sound of our name.
We are the young, our lives are a mystery.
We are the old who yearn for your face.
We have been sung throughout all of history,
called to be light to the whole human race.
Gather us in, the rich and the haughty.
Gather us in, the proud and the strong.
Give us a heart so meek and so lowly.
Give us the courage to enter the song.
Here we will take the wine and the water;
here we will take the bread of new birth.
Here you shall call your sons and your daughters;
call us anew to be salt for the earth.
Give us to drink the wine of compassion.
Give us to eat the bread that is You.
Nourish us well and teach us to fashion
lives that are holy and hearts that are true.
Prayers of Approach, Confession and Grace
In You, O Most High we take refuge
for You are a strong rock,
a place of safety in the storm, and a fort in the battle.
When the struggles of life seem too much,
when the waves seem to overpower us and the storms surround us,
we find, in You, our true security. For this we praise You.
In You, Risen Lord Jesus, we find the confidence to follow
despite the wiles of the wicked;
out of our mothers’ wombs You bought us,
that we may be a blessing to others. For this we praise You.
Even as we praise You, however,
we become conscious when we’ve turned away,
when we’ve been found wicked ourselves,
when we’ve failed to love and denied ourselves refuge in You.
Give us time, Lord Jesus, to change and turn back to You.
In You, Most Holy Spirit, we find wonder and delight.
Through Your love we find forgiveness and the strength to forgive others,
even the strength to forgive ourselves.
May our hearts and mouths be full of adoration and praise.
In Your life, Most Holy Trinity, we find life;
in Your love we find love; in Your delight we find joy.
Help us to praise Your splendour all day long. Amen.
Introduction to Readings
In our first reading we have God’s powerful call to Jeremiah and Jeremiah’s attempts to tell God that he wasn’t ready. God overrides Jeremiah’s reservations and commissions him for a powerful yet difficult ministry. The Psalmist who wrote today’s ancient poem knew the joys and rewards of discipleship and cried to God for protection from wicked and violent people yet, even in agony knew that refuge is found in praise of God. In our Gospel reading we read a synopsis of Jesus’ first sermon in Nazareth and how the people not only rejected him but tried to kill him. Following God is not always easy!
Prayer of Illumination
Your Word comes to us in many ways, O God,
to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant, always to bring about change.
We hear You in ancient words and contemporary interpretation
but, most of all, we hear You in Jesus Christ, Your word made flesh. Amen.
Reading Jeremiah 1:4-10
Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a boy,' for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD." Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me, "Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant."
Hymn Psalm 71: 1-6
Text © The Praise and Psalmody Committee of the Free Church of Scotland and used with their kind permission. Sung by unknown Free Church Choir arranged by Connor Quigley.
In you, O LORD, I’ve taken refuge; protect me ever from disgrace.
Rescue and save me in your justice; turn to me as I seek your face.
Be my strong rock and my sure refuge to which I always may resort;
Give the command to help and save me, because you are my rock and fort.
From wicked hands, my God, O save me, from cruel hands of violence.
For, Sov’reign LORD, you’ve been my refuge and since my youth my confidence.
From birth I have relied upon you; you are the guide of all my ways.
Out of my mother’s womb you brought me; to you I ever will give praise.
To many I’m a cause of wonder, but you are still my refuge strong.
My mouth is filled with adoration, praising your splendour all day long
Reading St Luke 4:21-30
Then Jesus began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, "Is this not Joseph's son?" He said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Doctor, cure yourself!' And you will say, 'Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.'" And he said, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months and there was a severe famine over all the land, yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many with a skin disease in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.
Sermon
Leonard Cohen encapsulated, it seems to me, both the bitter cynical believer who had been through the fire but couldn’t quite let go of belief and the devout believer who offered his life to God. Raised an Orthodox Jew, Cohen spent some time in a Buddhist monastery. His songs have Biblical, and often Christian, motifs. This was a man who knew what faith is about and for whom simplistic answers were never going to satisfy. There’s a restlessness in much of Cohen’s work and in his You Want It Darker we have a bitter reproach to God “if you are the dealer I’m out of the game | if you are the healer, it means I’m broken and lame | if thine is the glory then mine must be the shame.” God is reproached for not helping "a million candles burning for the help that never came." Yet at the same time the Cohen prays “I’m ready Lord.” Clearly Cohen knew the complexities of call and response and of discipleship in the contemporary world. In our readings today we see a reluctant prophet, an exhausted Psalmist, and a nearly murdered Messiah. I wonder if they’d have had some sympathy with the nuances of Leonard Cohen’s bitter yet faithful discipleship.
In our reading from Jeremiah, we see the reluctant prophet who resisted God’s call. He felt inexperienced and not up to the task. Unlike Isaiah’s “hear I am send me” (albeit after a heavenly vision) Jeremiah is rather more ordinary and pedestrian in his response. In almost every part of the book of Jeremiah we see his reluctance, fear, anxiety, resistance, inadequacy and even resentment that God gave him the task of prophecy. Now, to be fair, God told Jeremiah to forecast doom, an approaching invasion, and eventual exile so it’s not as if his message would have been welcome! Neither Jeremiah’s confidence nor his achievements qualified him – he was qualified by God’s call alone. Clearly, if we are to believe Jeremiah, he didn’t fulfil the job description. He wasn’t qualified! Yet he was chosen, before the ages, and sent to a people and ruling elite that didn’t want to hear. In an ever more managerial culture, we’re used to only applying for jobs we can prove we’re qualified for. We fill in our equal opportunities applications studiously evidencing all the things in the essential and desirable columns and generally show weary shortlisting panels that we’re up to the job. In the upside-down values of the Kingdom, we’re called before we’re trained or experienced. God is interested in our values, our response, and our faithfulness more than our abilities or skills – which can, after all, be learnt. Eventually we stop telling God we can’t do it and get on with it!
Our Psalmist, ever aware of God’s presence, longs to be snatched away from enemies and critics. Like Jeremiah the Psalmist is assured of God’s direction even before birth but, also like Jeremiah, the Psalmist encounters, detractors and enemies. Here is a plaintive cry for protection, a cry born out of the very real experience of ministry and vocation. Many a cleric has cried for justice and refuge after a difficult period of ministry. More than a few have wondered about critics being smote from on high! Worse, the Psalmist needs to be rescued not just from wicked hands but from violence. Yet amid adversity time is found for praise. These verses speak of one who knows how to be faithful in responding to God’s call but also of one who knows the cost of discipleship. This is no “oh praise you God everything is wonderful” but a deeply felt trust in difficult times with a realism about the consequences of following God. In a world ever more concerned about rights, service delivery, and getting one’s own way any vocation to follow God is problematic. People might treat churches as yet another thing to be evaluated and consumed. Whilst we don’t, yet, review worship on Trip Advisor it probably won’t be too long before Elders are worrying about social media reviews of services, fellowship, the foodbank, the old folks’ group, and messy Church. Every one of us who responds to God call to find our everyday vocation must be aware of the critics and detractors who beset our paths.
Jesus, of course, knew a thing or so about adversity in vocation. Here at his first sermon in his home synagogue he both delights and horrifies. There must be a background story for why Jesus would not perform wonders in Nazareth; he implies both that the people want miracles but also that they do not recognise him as a prophet. Worse he draws parallels with Biblical figures who took their ministry outwith Isreal and healed and fed pagans. The good folk of Nazareth clearly didn’t like being told the pagans were more favoured than them – God’s chosen people! And so they tried to kill Jesus. As difficult as ministry has been at times I’ve not, yet, had a congregation try to kill me after a poorly received sermon!
I don’t know enough about Leonard Cohen’s highs and lows in life and discipleship to understand neither his bitterness nor his faithfulness, but I listen with interest, objection, and admiration in almost equal measure! Clearly Cohen had a strong sense of vocation to sing God’s praises in ways that made sense in the contemporary world. Equally clearly he knew the pain and cost that comes from faithful discipleship. Like these three passages connected with this idea of calling, there are rich seams to mine. Jeremiah resisted his calling, the Psalmist suffered due to enemies, and Jesus was true to his despite the threat to his life.
We gather here at worship in response to God’s call; we know God is at work within us and calls each of us to follow. What it means to follow will be different for us all.
So today pray for those struggling with vocation; those putting off what they know they are called to, those finding excuses, those discouraged by others, and those who doubt they can do it. And pray for yourself too that you may hear and follow and, in hearing and responding realise, like the Psalmist, even in adversity we need to sing our praises. Let’s pray.
I’m ready Lord,
ready to follow, to the count the cost, to be faithful.
Magnified and sanctified be Your holy name,
let my praise of You energise during times of vilification,
give direction when all seems dark,
and remind me of your loving presence.
Give me the courage to test out what I know you’re calling me to.
I’m ready Lord, Amen.
Hymn Have You Heard God’s Voice?
Text Jacqui G Jones © 2008 Used with permission. Performed by Ruth and Joy Everingham and used with their kind permission.
Have you heard God's voice; has your heart been stirred?
Are you still prepared to follow?
Have you made a choice to remain and serve,
though the way be rough and narrow?
Will you walk the path that will cost you much
and embrace the love and sorrow?
Will you trust in One who entrusts to you
the disciples of tomorrow?
Will you use your voice; will you not sit down
when the multitudes are silent?
Will you make a choice to stand your ground
when the crowds are turning violent?
Will you walk the path that will cost you much
and embrace the love and sorrow?
Will you trust in One who entrusts to you
the disciples of tomorrow?
In your city streets will you be God's heart?
Will you listen to the voiceless?
Will you stop and eat, and when friendships start,
will you share your faith with the faithless?
Will you walk the path that will cost you much
and embrace the love and sorrow?
Will you trust in One who entrusts to you
the disciples of tomorrow?
Will you watch the news with the eyes of faith
and believe it could be different?
Will you share your views using words of grace?
Will you leave a thoughtful imprint?
We will walk the path that will cost us much
and embrace the love and sorrow.
We will trust in One who entrusts to us
the disciples of tomorrow.
Affirmation of Faith
We believe there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God's own purpose, we are convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Offertory
Jesus tells us to count the cost of discipleship; time and again in the Gospels he makes clear that following him is not easy and makes demands of time, talent, and treasure. We, however, often make discipleship about gentle manners and Victorian hymnody! Instead, we are called to follow and to understand the requirements of committed discipleship. As God’s people we are gathered to gain strength for our journeys and to give – of our time, our talents and, at this point, our treasure. We may give in the plate or direct to the bank; we may gave a lot or a tiny amount; what’s vital is the giving that we might receive from the One who calls us to follow. Let’s pray.
Lord Jesus as we follow you, help us to realistically count the cost
and find in You inspiration for the journey.
Bless these gifts and the love they represent
that we may use them wisely and be a blessing to others. Amen.
Intercessions
We bring our prayers to God, the Eternal Trinity, who hears our longing, knows our pain, and responds to in love.
Eternal God we lift before you the nations of our world,
places of pain and terror, war and disease
and places of love and joy, diversity and wonder.
Give grace to all how dare to lead in our world,
that they may know wisdom, humility, and the courage to follow You.
Keep always in their minds the plight of the poor,
minorities, and the very earth itself, that we may not perish but live.
God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Risen Lord, we pray that Your Church
will again become a place of safety and blessing,
a place of refuge and energy, a place of calm and meaning,
a place to work out our callings and a place to challenge injustice.
Give grace to those who dare to lead Your Church,
that abuse may be named and dealt with,
that bad shepherds will be removed from office,
and that all members of Your Church will know their calling
and be encouraged to follow.
God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Most Holy Spirit, we pray that the Church, again,
becomes a place of vitality,
where people find nourishment, healing and grace,
and where we may all encourage each other to respond
to the various callings you give.
God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In a moment’s silence we bring to God our own needs and prayers…
We join all our prayers together as, with courage we pray as Jesus taught saying…Our Father…
Hymn Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult
Cecil Frances Alexander (1852) Public Domain Sung by the Episcopal Church of the Advocate, Virtual Choir Chapel Hill, NC
Jesus calls us! O'er the tumult of our life's wild, restless sea;
day by day his voice is sounding, saying, 'Christian, follow me'.
As, of old, Saint Andrew heard it by the Galilean lake,
turned from home and toil and kindred, leaving all for his dear sake.
Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world's golden store,
from each idol that would keep us, saying, 'Christian, love me more'.
In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease,
still he calls, in cares and pleasures, 'Christian, love me more than these.'
Jesus calls us! By thy mercy, Saviour, make us hear thy call,
give our hearts to thine obedience, serve and love thee best of all.
Holy Communion
Eternal Majesty,
before the ages began you formed the heavens and the earth,
the moon and the stars proclaim your glory,
and all that was created sings your praise.
You make humanity in your own image,
intending us to glorify and enjoy you forever.
Again and again, we turn away from your love,
despite the guidance of your Law and the warnings of your prophets.
In the fullness of time, you emptied yourself of all but love
and dwelt with us.
O Jesus, our Saviour,
you proclaimed good news to the poor,
freedom for prisoners,
sight for the blind and liberation for the oppressed,
but we preferred to turn away from freedom
choosing the bondage of sin, and nailed you to the Cross.
Yet you defeated the powers of death and evil
and revealed a new life for all who follow you.
Before you were given over to the powers of your age,
you shared in the simplicity of a meal with your friends,
and, during that meal, you took bread, said the ancient blessing,
broke the bread and gave it to your friends, saying
Take this all of you and eat it, for this is my body which is broken for you.
Do this in memory of me.
When Supper was over, you took the cup of wine, again prayed the ancient prayer of blessing, gave the cup to your friends and said:
Take this all of you and drink from it, this is the cup of my blood,
the blood of the new and everlasting covenant
so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me.
Let us proclaim the mystery of our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Come, O Holy Spirit, on these gifts of bread and wine,
that they may be, for us, the body and blood of Christ.
Lift us into your presence that our faith may be renewed,
our commitment to follow strengthened,
and our understanding of Church deepened.
Bless those who serve the Church
that through prayerful discernment we may know Your will,
and that we might all be strengthened in our mission
of worship and witness, evangelism and service,
so that the bruised and broken find healing,
the proud and mighty find humility,
and the poor and lowly find their dignity.
Through Jesus, with Jesus, in Jesus, in the loving power of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory are Yours, O Most High, forever and ever, Amen.
These are God’s holy gifts for God’s holy people!
Let us eat and drink as we show forth Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross,
and acknowledge his presence here, risen and ascended,
for our spiritual nourishment and growth in grace.
United with the entire Church on earth and in heaven,
we gather here to present our offering of praise and thanksgiving,
to renew the offering of ourselves,
and to rejoice at Jesus’ promise to come again in glory.
Music for Communion Jesus Invites His Saints
Isaac Watts, Public Domain, Sung by Lythan and Phil Nevard
Post Communion Prayer
In our joys and in our sorrows,
in days of toil and hours of ease, in care and pleasure,
You still call us, Eternal One to love and follow You.
So we have gathered at this, Your table,
to remember Your love, discern Your call
and find strength for the journey.
Bless as we depart, that we may remember Your love,
respond to Your grace, and follow Your call. Amen.
Hymn I The Lord of Sea and Sky
© 1981, Daniel L Schutte, New Dawn Music OneLicence # A-734713. Sung by Chris Brunelle and used with his kind permission.
I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my words to them. Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will send the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them. My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
Blessing
May the One who formed you in the womb,
the One who calls you to follow,
and the One who speaks in the silence of your heart,
form you, call you and speak to you anew
and the blessing of Almighty God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
be with you now and always, Amen.
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Below you will find the Order of Service, prayers, hymns and sermon for today's service. You can either simply read this or you can
click here
to listen to the service and sing along with the hymns. This will open up a new screen, at the bottom of the screen you will see a play symbol. Press that, then come back to this window so you can follow along with the service. Sunday Worship from the United Reformed Church
for Sunday 2 February
Today’s service is led by the Revd Andy Braunston
Welcome
Again and again in my thinking and services I turn to the Canadian Jewish songwriter and singer Leonard Cohen for ways into deep themes. Today we started worship with some of his You Want It Darker. In this song it is as if there are two voices at work – the cynic who sees God as the source of both good and evil and who declines to get involved in the suffering of the world and the voice of the believer who cries “hineni, I’m ready, my Lord.” In our spiritual lives we often have these two steams of thought going on – the bitter believer asserting that waiting for God to help can lead to anger and devastation and the profound believer who lacks doubt and hostility. We see these thoughts reflected in our readings today as we ponder our response to God’s call to us. Let’s join in worship together whether we be cynical or profound.
Call to Worship
Gather us into Your presence, O Most High. Let all be welcome here, the lost and forsaken, the blind and the lame, the rich and the haughty, the proud and the strong, the meek and the lowly. Gather us in! Gather us into Your presence, Lord Jesus, as we yearn for Your face, as we long to explore our lives and our faith, and as we seek to understand all You call us to. Gather us in! Gather us into Your presence Most Holy Spirit. As we meet here around this table nourish us with and teach us to fashion lives that are holy and hearts that are true. Gather us in!
Hymn Gather Us In
Marty Haugen © 1982, GIA Publications, Inc OneLicence # A-734713 performed by Emmaus Music and used with their kind permission.
Here in this place new light is streaming
now is the darkness vanished away.
See in this space our fears and our dreamings
brought here to you in the light of this day.
Gather us in, the lost and forsaken.
Gather us in, the blind and the lame.
Call to us now and we shall awaken.
We shall arise at the sound of our name.
We are the young, our lives are a mystery.
We are the old who yearn for your face.
We have been sung throughout all of history,
called to be light to the whole human race.
Gather us in, the rich and the haughty.
Gather us in, the proud and the strong.
Give us a heart so meek and so lowly.
Give us the courage to enter the song.
Here we will take the wine and the water;
here we will take the bread of new birth.
Here you shall call your sons and your daughters;
call us anew to be salt for the earth.
Give us to drink the wine of compassion.
Give us to eat the bread that is You.
Nourish us well and teach us to fashion
lives that are holy and hearts that are true.
Prayers of Approach, Confession and Grace
In You, O Most High we take refuge
for You are a strong rock,
a place of safety in the storm, and a fort in the battle.
When the struggles of life seem too much,
when the waves seem to overpower us and the storms surround us,
we find, in You, our true security. For this we praise You.
In You, Risen Lord Jesus, we find the confidence to follow
despite the wiles of the wicked;
out of our mothers’ wombs You bought us,
that we may be a blessing to others. For this we praise You.
Even as we praise You, however,
we become conscious when we’ve turned away,
when we’ve been found wicked ourselves,
when we’ve failed to love and denied ourselves refuge in You.
Give us time, Lord Jesus, to change and turn back to You.
In You, Most Holy Spirit, we find wonder and delight.
Through Your love we find forgiveness and the strength to forgive others,
even the strength to forgive ourselves.
May our hearts and mouths be full of adoration and praise.
In Your life, Most Holy Trinity, we find life;
in Your love we find love; in Your delight we find joy.
Help us to praise Your splendour all day long. Amen.
Introduction to Readings
In our first reading we have God’s powerful call to Jeremiah and Jeremiah’s attempts to tell God that he wasn’t ready. God overrides Jeremiah’s reservations and commissions him for a powerful yet difficult ministry. The Psalmist who wrote today’s ancient poem knew the joys and rewards of discipleship and cried to God for protection from wicked and violent people yet, even in agony knew that refuge is found in praise of God. In our Gospel reading we read a synopsis of Jesus’ first sermon in Nazareth and how the people not only rejected him but tried to kill him. Following God is not always easy!
Prayer of Illumination
Your Word comes to us in many ways, O God,
to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant, always to bring about change.
We hear You in ancient words and contemporary interpretation
but, most of all, we hear You in Jesus Christ, Your word made flesh. Amen.
Reading Jeremiah 1:4-10
Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a boy,' for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD." Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me, "Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant."
Hymn Psalm 71: 1-6
Text © The Praise and Psalmody Committee of the Free Church of Scotland and used with their kind permission. Sung by unknown Free Church Choir arranged by Connor Quigley.
In you, O LORD, I’ve taken refuge; protect me ever from disgrace.
Rescue and save me in your justice; turn to me as I seek your face.
Be my strong rock and my sure refuge to which I always may resort;
Give the command to help and save me, because you are my rock and fort.
From wicked hands, my God, O save me, from cruel hands of violence.
For, Sov’reign LORD, you’ve been my refuge and since my youth my confidence.
From birth I have relied upon you; you are the guide of all my ways.
Out of my mother’s womb you brought me; to you I ever will give praise.
To many I’m a cause of wonder, but you are still my refuge strong.
My mouth is filled with adoration, praising your splendour all day long
Reading St Luke 4:21-30
Then Jesus began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, "Is this not Joseph's son?" He said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Doctor, cure yourself!' And you will say, 'Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.'" And he said, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months and there was a severe famine over all the land, yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many with a skin disease in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.
Sermon
Leonard Cohen encapsulated, it seems to me, both the bitter cynical believer who had been through the fire but couldn’t quite let go of belief and the devout believer who offered his life to God. Raised an Orthodox Jew, Cohen spent some time in a Buddhist monastery. His songs have Biblical, and often Christian, motifs. This was a man who knew what faith is about and for whom simplistic answers were never going to satisfy. There’s a restlessness in much of Cohen’s work and in his You Want It Darker we have a bitter reproach to God “if you are the dealer I’m out of the game | if you are the healer, it means I’m broken and lame | if thine is the glory then mine must be the shame.” God is reproached for not helping "a million candles burning for the help that never came." Yet at the same time the Cohen prays “I’m ready Lord.” Clearly Cohen knew the complexities of call and response and of discipleship in the contemporary world. In our readings today we see a reluctant prophet, an exhausted Psalmist, and a nearly murdered Messiah. I wonder if they’d have had some sympathy with the nuances of Leonard Cohen’s bitter yet faithful discipleship.
In our reading from Jeremiah, we see the reluctant prophet who resisted God’s call. He felt inexperienced and not up to the task. Unlike Isaiah’s “hear I am send me” (albeit after a heavenly vision) Jeremiah is rather more ordinary and pedestrian in his response. In almost every part of the book of Jeremiah we see his reluctance, fear, anxiety, resistance, inadequacy and even resentment that God gave him the task of prophecy. Now, to be fair, God told Jeremiah to forecast doom, an approaching invasion, and eventual exile so it’s not as if his message would have been welcome! Neither Jeremiah’s confidence nor his achievements qualified him – he was qualified by God’s call alone. Clearly, if we are to believe Jeremiah, he didn’t fulfil the job description. He wasn’t qualified! Yet he was chosen, before the ages, and sent to a people and ruling elite that didn’t want to hear. In an ever more managerial culture, we’re used to only applying for jobs we can prove we’re qualified for. We fill in our equal opportunities applications studiously evidencing all the things in the essential and desirable columns and generally show weary shortlisting panels that we’re up to the job. In the upside-down values of the Kingdom, we’re called before we’re trained or experienced. God is interested in our values, our response, and our faithfulness more than our abilities or skills – which can, after all, be learnt. Eventually we stop telling God we can’t do it and get on with it!
Our Psalmist, ever aware of God’s presence, longs to be snatched away from enemies and critics. Like Jeremiah the Psalmist is assured of God’s direction even before birth but, also like Jeremiah, the Psalmist encounters, detractors and enemies. Here is a plaintive cry for protection, a cry born out of the very real experience of ministry and vocation. Many a cleric has cried for justice and refuge after a difficult period of ministry. More than a few have wondered about critics being smote from on high! Worse, the Psalmist needs to be rescued not just from wicked hands but from violence. Yet amid adversity time is found for praise. These verses speak of one who knows how to be faithful in responding to God’s call but also of one who knows the cost of discipleship. This is no “oh praise you God everything is wonderful” but a deeply felt trust in difficult times with a realism about the consequences of following God. In a world ever more concerned about rights, service delivery, and getting one’s own way any vocation to follow God is problematic. People might treat churches as yet another thing to be evaluated and consumed. Whilst we don’t, yet, review worship on Trip Advisor it probably won’t be too long before Elders are worrying about social media reviews of services, fellowship, the foodbank, the old folks’ group, and messy Church. Every one of us who responds to God call to find our everyday vocation must be aware of the critics and detractors who beset our paths.
Jesus, of course, knew a thing or so about adversity in vocation. Here at his first sermon in his home synagogue he both delights and horrifies. There must be a background story for why Jesus would not perform wonders in Nazareth; he implies both that the people want miracles but also that they do not recognise him as a prophet. Worse he draws parallels with Biblical figures who took their ministry outwith Isreal and healed and fed pagans. The good folk of Nazareth clearly didn’t like being told the pagans were more favoured than them – God’s chosen people! And so they tried to kill Jesus. As difficult as ministry has been at times I’ve not, yet, had a congregation try to kill me after a poorly received sermon!
I don’t know enough about Leonard Cohen’s highs and lows in life and discipleship to understand neither his bitterness nor his faithfulness, but I listen with interest, objection, and admiration in almost equal measure! Clearly Cohen had a strong sense of vocation to sing God’s praises in ways that made sense in the contemporary world. Equally clearly he knew the pain and cost that comes from faithful discipleship. Like these three passages connected with this idea of calling, there are rich seams to mine. Jeremiah resisted his calling, the Psalmist suffered due to enemies, and Jesus was true to his despite the threat to his life.
We gather here at worship in response to God’s call; we know God is at work within us and calls each of us to follow. What it means to follow will be different for us all.
- We may look at the newcomer to church and be very annoyed no one is talking to her until we realise it’s our job too.
- We may worry about whether there’s enough food in the foodbank and remember that we could donate something.
- We may see a need for a friendship group for the lonely, a children or youth ministry, a place for asylum seekers to get food, warmth and company, a place for single mums to find rest, a need for a sensory garden or a quiet room in a busy town.
- We may sense a deep call to some formal ministry within the Church but are afraid to talk to the minister or elders about it in case our sense of call isn’t recognised or, worse, in case it is!
So today pray for those struggling with vocation; those putting off what they know they are called to, those finding excuses, those discouraged by others, and those who doubt they can do it. And pray for yourself too that you may hear and follow and, in hearing and responding realise, like the Psalmist, even in adversity we need to sing our praises. Let’s pray.
I’m ready Lord,
ready to follow, to the count the cost, to be faithful.
Magnified and sanctified be Your holy name,
let my praise of You energise during times of vilification,
give direction when all seems dark,
and remind me of your loving presence.
Give me the courage to test out what I know you’re calling me to.
I’m ready Lord, Amen.
Hymn Have You Heard God’s Voice?
Text Jacqui G Jones © 2008 Used with permission. Performed by Ruth and Joy Everingham and used with their kind permission.
Have you heard God's voice; has your heart been stirred?
Are you still prepared to follow?
Have you made a choice to remain and serve,
though the way be rough and narrow?
Will you walk the path that will cost you much
and embrace the love and sorrow?
Will you trust in One who entrusts to you
the disciples of tomorrow?
Will you use your voice; will you not sit down
when the multitudes are silent?
Will you make a choice to stand your ground
when the crowds are turning violent?
Will you walk the path that will cost you much
and embrace the love and sorrow?
Will you trust in One who entrusts to you
the disciples of tomorrow?
In your city streets will you be God's heart?
Will you listen to the voiceless?
Will you stop and eat, and when friendships start,
will you share your faith with the faithless?
Will you walk the path that will cost you much
and embrace the love and sorrow?
Will you trust in One who entrusts to you
the disciples of tomorrow?
Will you watch the news with the eyes of faith
and believe it could be different?
Will you share your views using words of grace?
Will you leave a thoughtful imprint?
We will walk the path that will cost us much
and embrace the love and sorrow.
We will trust in One who entrusts to us
the disciples of tomorrow.
Affirmation of Faith
We believe there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God's own purpose, we are convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Offertory
Jesus tells us to count the cost of discipleship; time and again in the Gospels he makes clear that following him is not easy and makes demands of time, talent, and treasure. We, however, often make discipleship about gentle manners and Victorian hymnody! Instead, we are called to follow and to understand the requirements of committed discipleship. As God’s people we are gathered to gain strength for our journeys and to give – of our time, our talents and, at this point, our treasure. We may give in the plate or direct to the bank; we may gave a lot or a tiny amount; what’s vital is the giving that we might receive from the One who calls us to follow. Let’s pray.
Lord Jesus as we follow you, help us to realistically count the cost
and find in You inspiration for the journey.
Bless these gifts and the love they represent
that we may use them wisely and be a blessing to others. Amen.
Intercessions
We bring our prayers to God, the Eternal Trinity, who hears our longing, knows our pain, and responds to in love.
Eternal God we lift before you the nations of our world,
places of pain and terror, war and disease
and places of love and joy, diversity and wonder.
Give grace to all how dare to lead in our world,
that they may know wisdom, humility, and the courage to follow You.
Keep always in their minds the plight of the poor,
minorities, and the very earth itself, that we may not perish but live.
God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Risen Lord, we pray that Your Church
will again become a place of safety and blessing,
a place of refuge and energy, a place of calm and meaning,
a place to work out our callings and a place to challenge injustice.
Give grace to those who dare to lead Your Church,
that abuse may be named and dealt with,
that bad shepherds will be removed from office,
and that all members of Your Church will know their calling
and be encouraged to follow.
God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Most Holy Spirit, we pray that the Church, again,
becomes a place of vitality,
where people find nourishment, healing and grace,
and where we may all encourage each other to respond
to the various callings you give.
God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In a moment’s silence we bring to God our own needs and prayers…
We join all our prayers together as, with courage we pray as Jesus taught saying…Our Father…
Hymn Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult
Cecil Frances Alexander (1852) Public Domain Sung by the Episcopal Church of the Advocate, Virtual Choir Chapel Hill, NC
Jesus calls us! O'er the tumult of our life's wild, restless sea;
day by day his voice is sounding, saying, 'Christian, follow me'.
As, of old, Saint Andrew heard it by the Galilean lake,
turned from home and toil and kindred, leaving all for his dear sake.
Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world's golden store,
from each idol that would keep us, saying, 'Christian, love me more'.
In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease,
still he calls, in cares and pleasures, 'Christian, love me more than these.'
Jesus calls us! By thy mercy, Saviour, make us hear thy call,
give our hearts to thine obedience, serve and love thee best of all.
Holy Communion
Eternal Majesty,
before the ages began you formed the heavens and the earth,
the moon and the stars proclaim your glory,
and all that was created sings your praise.
You make humanity in your own image,
intending us to glorify and enjoy you forever.
Again and again, we turn away from your love,
despite the guidance of your Law and the warnings of your prophets.
In the fullness of time, you emptied yourself of all but love
and dwelt with us.
O Jesus, our Saviour,
you proclaimed good news to the poor,
freedom for prisoners,
sight for the blind and liberation for the oppressed,
but we preferred to turn away from freedom
choosing the bondage of sin, and nailed you to the Cross.
Yet you defeated the powers of death and evil
and revealed a new life for all who follow you.
Before you were given over to the powers of your age,
you shared in the simplicity of a meal with your friends,
and, during that meal, you took bread, said the ancient blessing,
broke the bread and gave it to your friends, saying
Take this all of you and eat it, for this is my body which is broken for you.
Do this in memory of me.
When Supper was over, you took the cup of wine, again prayed the ancient prayer of blessing, gave the cup to your friends and said:
Take this all of you and drink from it, this is the cup of my blood,
the blood of the new and everlasting covenant
so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me.
Let us proclaim the mystery of our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Come, O Holy Spirit, on these gifts of bread and wine,
that they may be, for us, the body and blood of Christ.
Lift us into your presence that our faith may be renewed,
our commitment to follow strengthened,
and our understanding of Church deepened.
Bless those who serve the Church
that through prayerful discernment we may know Your will,
and that we might all be strengthened in our mission
of worship and witness, evangelism and service,
so that the bruised and broken find healing,
the proud and mighty find humility,
and the poor and lowly find their dignity.
Through Jesus, with Jesus, in Jesus, in the loving power of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory are Yours, O Most High, forever and ever, Amen.
These are God’s holy gifts for God’s holy people!
Let us eat and drink as we show forth Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross,
and acknowledge his presence here, risen and ascended,
for our spiritual nourishment and growth in grace.
United with the entire Church on earth and in heaven,
we gather here to present our offering of praise and thanksgiving,
to renew the offering of ourselves,
and to rejoice at Jesus’ promise to come again in glory.
Music for Communion Jesus Invites His Saints
Isaac Watts, Public Domain, Sung by Lythan and Phil Nevard
Post Communion Prayer
In our joys and in our sorrows,
in days of toil and hours of ease, in care and pleasure,
You still call us, Eternal One to love and follow You.
So we have gathered at this, Your table,
to remember Your love, discern Your call
and find strength for the journey.
Bless as we depart, that we may remember Your love,
respond to Your grace, and follow Your call. Amen.
Hymn I The Lord of Sea and Sky
© 1981, Daniel L Schutte, New Dawn Music OneLicence # A-734713. Sung by Chris Brunelle and used with his kind permission.
I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my words to them. Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will send the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them. My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
Blessing
May the One who formed you in the womb,
the One who calls you to follow,
and the One who speaks in the silence of your heart,
form you, call you and speak to you anew
and the blessing of Almighty God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
be with you now and always, Amen.
--> Where words are copyright reproduced and streamed under the terms of ONE LICENSE A-734713
PRS Limited Online Music Licence LE-0019762
--> --> Share This on Facebook Tweet this Forward to a Friend --> Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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URC Daily Devotion 2nd February 2025
96
URC Daily Devotion 2nd February 2025
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Sunday 2nd February 2025
Presentation of the Lord Psalm 67 O God, be gracious and bless us
and let your face shed its light upon us.
So will your ways be known upon earth
and all nations learn your saving help.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
Let the nations be glad and exult
for you rule the world with justice.
With fairness you rule the peoples,
you guide the nations on earth.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
The earth has yielded its fruit
for God, our God, has blessed us.
May God still give us his blessing
till the ends of the earth revere him.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you. Reflection So that’s it. It’s over. February 2nd is marked as Candlemas when the 40 days of Christmas come to an end. Traditionalists will be taking down their Christmas decorations and in special services echoing the words of Simeon (Luke 2.25-35) as they pass the light of God from person to person with lit candles. Simeon’s words remind us that the light of salvation is prepared for all peoples - he himself echoing Isaiah 49.6. There God charges Israel, God’s servant, to be “a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth” - the very words in Psalm 67 today.
This psalm tells us that the light of God’s face will demonstrate God’s ways and teach all nations of God’s saving help. Let the peoples praise you - but much more than that - let ALL the peoples praise you. It’s a memorable chorus to give the psalm a usable shape and help its message lodge in people’s minds and hearts. It is also a massive mission going, as it does, far beyond our local reach and way out of our comfort zone.
February can be a pretty grim month. Statistically it is the low point of the year for many people, a combination of being fed up with winter, a lack of sunlight and a lack of holiday and celebration times in the near future. We could perhaps keep an even closer eye on each other for the next few weeks for signs of withdrawal and depression. An extra phone call or the occasional treat delivered would help spread the light. Maybe we could even take Candlemass back into our liturgically stripped back church life and celebrate the light that is to come, and the light we carry within us. The light of God’s own face. Prayer
The Nunc dimittis
- A part of every Evensong for many hundreds of years.
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
(The Book of Common Prayer 1662)
--> Today's Writer The Revd Carole Elphick Retired Minister worshipping at Muswell Hill URC Copyright The Psalms: The Grail Translation, Inclusive Language Version, Collins, 2009. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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Presentation of the Lord Psalm 67 O God, be gracious and bless us
and let your face shed its light upon us.
So will your ways be known upon earth
and all nations learn your saving help.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
Let the nations be glad and exult
for you rule the world with justice.
With fairness you rule the peoples,
you guide the nations on earth.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
The earth has yielded its fruit
for God, our God, has blessed us.
May God still give us his blessing
till the ends of the earth revere him.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you. Reflection So that’s it. It’s over. February 2nd is marked as Candlemas when the 40 days of Christmas come to an end. Traditionalists will be taking down their Christmas decorations and in special services echoing the words of Simeon (Luke 2.25-35) as they pass the light of God from person to person with lit candles. Simeon’s words remind us that the light of salvation is prepared for all peoples - he himself echoing Isaiah 49.6. There God charges Israel, God’s servant, to be “a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth” - the very words in Psalm 67 today.
This psalm tells us that the light of God’s face will demonstrate God’s ways and teach all nations of God’s saving help. Let the peoples praise you - but much more than that - let ALL the peoples praise you. It’s a memorable chorus to give the psalm a usable shape and help its message lodge in people’s minds and hearts. It is also a massive mission going, as it does, far beyond our local reach and way out of our comfort zone.
February can be a pretty grim month. Statistically it is the low point of the year for many people, a combination of being fed up with winter, a lack of sunlight and a lack of holiday and celebration times in the near future. We could perhaps keep an even closer eye on each other for the next few weeks for signs of withdrawal and depression. An extra phone call or the occasional treat delivered would help spread the light. Maybe we could even take Candlemass back into our liturgically stripped back church life and celebrate the light that is to come, and the light we carry within us. The light of God’s own face. Prayer
The Nunc dimittis
- A part of every Evensong for many hundreds of years.
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
(The Book of Common Prayer 1662)
--> Today's Writer The Revd Carole Elphick Retired Minister worshipping at Muswell Hill URC Copyright The Psalms: The Grail Translation, Inclusive Language Version, Collins, 2009. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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URC Daily Devotion 1st February 2025
96
URC Daily Devotion 1st February 2025
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Saturday 1 February 2025
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St Luke 11: 14 - 27
Now Jesus was casting out a demon that was mute; when the demon had gone out, the one who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. But some of them said, ‘He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.’ Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven. But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls on house. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? —for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armour in which he trusted and divides his plunder. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. ‘When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting-place, but not finding any, it says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” When it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first.’
Reflection
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here,” says the king’s son Ferdinand in Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
These were the words that sprang to mind when reading today’s passage from Luke’s gospel. We see Jesus healing a troubled person in God’s name, but some of the mob gossip that Beelzebub (Satan) had more to do with Jesus’ healing powers than God.
His comments – “Whoever is not with me is against me” - have the effect of dividing the listeners into those who stand by the truth in front of their eyes and those who want to muddy the waters. So the number of evil spirits multiply. All we seem to lack are a few of Harry Potter’s Dementors to disturb us further!
I must confess that I have little interest in the foul creatures that appear to inhabit this passage as well as numerous horror films; yet transferring the meaning to today’s world starts to make some sense for us.
Look around our planet and it often feels as if the devils with us now take the form of amoral and unjustified attack on others who are innocent of wrongdoing themselves. Wars are initiated and inflated by power-seekers. Lies are swallowed eagerly by the gullible. Fear seeps through whole populations bringing confusion and distress. The hungry starve when powerful commercial interests seize their land for ventures that will further deplete our ability to save Earth from destruction by flood and fire.
In that context, the message Jesus is giving his hearers is simple enough. Stop sitting on the fence. Stop mumbling angrily in the background when we witness things that we know to be wrong or evil. Stand by the truth. Stand by Jesus. Watch, pray and offer practical support where possible. That’s it.
Prayer
Lord, it is not always easy to discern truth from lies.
Help us to interpret events around us in an honest light.
Inspire us to prayer and to action where it is possible. Amen
--> Today's writer
Pat Stannard, Elder, Muswell Hill URC
Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.Want to change how you receive these emails? You can
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URC Daily Devotion Friday 31 January 2025
96
URC Daily Devotion Friday 31 January 2025
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31 January 2025
St Luke 11: 5 - 13
And he said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.” And he answers from within, “Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.” I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.
‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’
Reflection
--> Today's writer The Revd Sue Cossey, NSM and Synod Pastoral Advisor, Bristol Area. Member of Zion United Church, Frampton Cotterell (read by david Shimmin) Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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St Luke 11: 5 - 13
And he said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.” And he answers from within, “Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.” I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.
‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’
Reflection
I don’t think I have ever met a Christian who is completely happy with their prayer life. Most people (including me) feel that we should pray more often, in a more structured way, set aside periods of quiet time and so on. For some people that may be true.
Today’s passage follows on from the disciples’ request to be taught to pray – to which the first response was the Lord’s prayer, reflected on in yesterday’s devotion.
Now Jesus shares with the disciples how God responds to our prayers, and how we should not be afraid to ask for what we need.
Jesus speaks of a person called upon in an emergency – late night guests needing food. Persistence pays when reluctantly the gift is made and the emergency is averted. God is never reluctant to help, and will always respond to our needs.
But, I hear you say, God does not always respond to prayers. It can feel that way when loved ones are sick and don’t recover or when prayed for outcomes don’t turn out as we hope. Indeed, assuming God will provide the outcome we desire in response to our prayer may lead to disappointment. I’m reminded of the film Bruce Almighty, when Bruce (Jim Carrey) takes on God’s role in listening to and answering prayer. He grants the lottery win to all who ask – resulting in a tiny amount each, and a lot of disgruntled people!
Sometimes, we may be tempted to treat prayer as a transaction with God – and the wording in this passage: ask / receive, seek / find, knock / open may give that impression. But God is not transactional, God is generous – so when we ask, we receive the Holy Spirit; when we seek, we find God; when we knock, God opens the door and welcomes us in.
Prayer is a habit we can build, bringing our praise, our worries, our desires and our searching to God. Our reward is a deepening relationship with our Creator, helping us to face whatever life brings.
Prayer
Mother and Father God, help us when we pray to remember that you already know what we need, what we desire and what we are searching for. Help us to learn that the answer to all our searching is you – loving, nourishing, strengthening and enabling us to face life’s difficulties with you at our side, behind us and before us – surrounding us with your love. Amen
--> Today's writer The Revd Sue Cossey, NSM and Synod Pastoral Advisor, Bristol Area. Member of Zion United Church, Frampton Cotterell (read by david Shimmin) Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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URC Daily Devotion Thursday 30 January 2025
96
URC Daily Devotion Thursday 30 January 2025
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Thursday 30 January 2025
St Luke 11: 1 - 4
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.’
Reflection
What can one say about the most familiar prayer of all that hasn’t been said before? A prayer that most of us can easily say without hesitation, almost by rote - even non-church-goers!
And yet its familiarity somehow doesn’t make it lose its effectiveness and power. Unlike the Creeds, which in the church of my youth we said every week and they appeared (to me at least) a virtually meaningless mash-up of words. Say them periodically, taking the time to consider what we are saying and their deep expression of faith resounds. Likewise the Methodist Covenant Prayer said once a year is powerful and moving, something that I suspect would be lost if said frequently.
Somehow, though, this simple prayer, taught by Jesus to his disciples, never seems to lose its potency, no matter how often it is said. Indeed I cannot conceive of a Sunday Service without it being in there somewhere!
Yet it is not without its problems - a past church member had a sexually-abusing father and had serious challenges praying to a heavenly Father-figure.
On a smaller scale, some insist on sticking to ‘thees’ and ‘thous’ and ‘trespasses’ (whatever they are). In school, in Scotland we said ‘forgive us our debts’ which I found obtuse and yet later found that of course it is how Luke recorded the line.
When the Church of England tried to replace the line about not leading us into temptation (as if God would ever do that!) with not bringing us to the time of trial, there was uproar and it was quietly sidelined, even though, to me, it makes much more sense.
Is it a magisterial source that gives it its power - after all there were very few things that Jesus specifically told us to do. Or is it its deeply personal nature, combined with spiritual simplicity? I don’t know but I plan to continue to pray frequently just as Jesus suggested, confidently expecting it to be as meaningful as ever.
Prayer
Say slowly, pausing between each line:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Amen
--> Today's writer
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St Luke 11: 1 - 4
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.’
Reflection
What can one say about the most familiar prayer of all that hasn’t been said before? A prayer that most of us can easily say without hesitation, almost by rote - even non-church-goers!
And yet its familiarity somehow doesn’t make it lose its effectiveness and power. Unlike the Creeds, which in the church of my youth we said every week and they appeared (to me at least) a virtually meaningless mash-up of words. Say them periodically, taking the time to consider what we are saying and their deep expression of faith resounds. Likewise the Methodist Covenant Prayer said once a year is powerful and moving, something that I suspect would be lost if said frequently.
Somehow, though, this simple prayer, taught by Jesus to his disciples, never seems to lose its potency, no matter how often it is said. Indeed I cannot conceive of a Sunday Service without it being in there somewhere!
Yet it is not without its problems - a past church member had a sexually-abusing father and had serious challenges praying to a heavenly Father-figure.
On a smaller scale, some insist on sticking to ‘thees’ and ‘thous’ and ‘trespasses’ (whatever they are). In school, in Scotland we said ‘forgive us our debts’ which I found obtuse and yet later found that of course it is how Luke recorded the line.
When the Church of England tried to replace the line about not leading us into temptation (as if God would ever do that!) with not bringing us to the time of trial, there was uproar and it was quietly sidelined, even though, to me, it makes much more sense.
Is it a magisterial source that gives it its power - after all there were very few things that Jesus specifically told us to do. Or is it its deeply personal nature, combined with spiritual simplicity? I don’t know but I plan to continue to pray frequently just as Jesus suggested, confidently expecting it to be as meaningful as ever.
Prayer
Say slowly, pausing between each line:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Amen
--> Today's writer
The Revd Peter Clark, retired Minister & Member of Bridport United Church
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URC Daily Devotion 29 January 2025
96
URC Daily Devotion 29 January 2025
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Wednesday 29 January 2025
St Luke 10: 38 - 42
Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’
Reflection
If you’re someone who has many burdens laid on them, who feels as if you’re the only one doing the work, then it is easy to see yourself in this story – even down to the lashing out at those whom you love. If you’re someone who spends time in contemplation and reflection, then this passage might resonate because you may have felt yourself belittled and chastised because others don’t think that you pull your weight.
In reading this passage, it is all too easy to jump to the conclusion that one type – the reflective and meditative type exemplified by Mary – is better than the busy and hardworking type that is exemplified by Martha. Jesus is obviously making a distinction between the sisters, but it can in no way suggest that there is only one way to behave whatever the time or situation. If that were the case, then very little, if anything would ever be achieved at all.
We should be wary of trying to distinguish and classify different ways of being faithful. There is a place for reflection and contemplation, just as there is a place for action. Neither is good in isolation, and neither is to be seen as being superior.
It is not what we do, per se, that is the problem, but it is the motivation behind our action that reveals our heart. It was not that Martha was busying herself preparing food and exercising hospitality that was an issue, for surely Jesus would have appreciated whatever provision was given to him.
What was a problem however, was that Martha seemed to be more caught up in the doing, in the fulfilment of the role of hostess, than she was in the actual care of her guest. Martha was not aware of what Jesus wanted, she was only aware of what she thought she had to do.
William Barclay draws our attention to this tendency to ‘decide that we have to do something’ that is in us all. He says, “So often we want to be kind to people – but we want to be kind to them in our way.”
This is a dangerous way to model our actions and we need to guard against it. Whenever we seek to care for others, we truly need to look to their needs and not our own.
Prayer
Loving God,
Help us to reflect your compassionate heart in our lives.
Help us to truly look out for others’ needs
and not simply give them what we think will be best for them.
May we give as we have ourselves received,
without prejudice, and without expecting anything in return.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen. --> Today's writer The Revd Martyn Neads, Minister, Mid Herts Pastorate Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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St Luke 10: 38 - 42
Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’
Reflection
If you’re someone who has many burdens laid on them, who feels as if you’re the only one doing the work, then it is easy to see yourself in this story – even down to the lashing out at those whom you love. If you’re someone who spends time in contemplation and reflection, then this passage might resonate because you may have felt yourself belittled and chastised because others don’t think that you pull your weight.
In reading this passage, it is all too easy to jump to the conclusion that one type – the reflective and meditative type exemplified by Mary – is better than the busy and hardworking type that is exemplified by Martha. Jesus is obviously making a distinction between the sisters, but it can in no way suggest that there is only one way to behave whatever the time or situation. If that were the case, then very little, if anything would ever be achieved at all.
We should be wary of trying to distinguish and classify different ways of being faithful. There is a place for reflection and contemplation, just as there is a place for action. Neither is good in isolation, and neither is to be seen as being superior.
It is not what we do, per se, that is the problem, but it is the motivation behind our action that reveals our heart. It was not that Martha was busying herself preparing food and exercising hospitality that was an issue, for surely Jesus would have appreciated whatever provision was given to him.
What was a problem however, was that Martha seemed to be more caught up in the doing, in the fulfilment of the role of hostess, than she was in the actual care of her guest. Martha was not aware of what Jesus wanted, she was only aware of what she thought she had to do.
William Barclay draws our attention to this tendency to ‘decide that we have to do something’ that is in us all. He says, “So often we want to be kind to people – but we want to be kind to them in our way.”
This is a dangerous way to model our actions and we need to guard against it. Whenever we seek to care for others, we truly need to look to their needs and not our own.
Prayer
Loving God,
Help us to reflect your compassionate heart in our lives.
Help us to truly look out for others’ needs
and not simply give them what we think will be best for them.
May we give as we have ourselves received,
without prejudice, and without expecting anything in return.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen. --> Today's writer The Revd Martyn Neads, Minister, Mid Herts Pastorate Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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URC Daily Devotion 28th January 2025
96
URC Daily Devotion 28th January 2025
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Tuesday 28 January 2025 (read by John Wilcox)
St Luke 10: 25 - 37
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’ But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’
Reflection
Go and do likewise.
Four words. But they’re dynamite.
I’ve just come back from a university visit with my daughter: ‘Design for Performance’. It’s a very hands-on course. We saw workshops and paint rooms, mannequins and dye rooms, theatres, saw benches and 3D printers. The nearest thing to a classroom was the CAD suite.
I do hope she gets in. She’ll have her socks worked off but she’ll have a ball, helping stage dozens of productions each year and working alongside names like the BBC, Badwolf Studios and the Royal Opera House.Because that’s how we learn, isn’t it? By doing. I learned to knit by watching my mum; I learned to use a micrometer by watching my dad. Even if we study from a book, the most useful parts are the worked examples. “Here’s how I’m doing it; now you have a go.”
What’s not so useful is reading the page and skipping the exercises. Or watching someone crochet but never picking up a hook yourself. Or knowing what the spark plug’s gap should be, but never having a go with the feeler gauges. We have to do it to really know it.
So that’s what Jesus is saying to this expert in the law. Jesus knows he’s a good guy – reads his Bible diligently, probably a house group leader – and praises him for his answer. “You have answered correctly,” he says. “Do this and you will live.” But the knowledge is too much theory and not enough practice, so Jesus tells his story with a sting in the tail and ends, “Go and do likewise.”
Jesus doesn’t tell him to discuss the story at Bible study group where they might agree that, yes, having mercy on the less fortunate is good and then pray for the homeless people in their town. “Go and do likewise,” says Jesus. What, actually get off my bum and, like, do? Yup.
What will you do today?
Go and do likewise. It’s dynamite.
Prayer
Dear God,
I am happy in my comfortable chair with my mug of tea and my Bible,
reading about your wonderful words and your marvellous deeds.
I am less happy getting out of my comfortable chair and copying what you did,
because that might be inconvenient or get me looked at weirdly.
Disturb me Lord, I pray.
Shake me from my cosy complacency
that I might do one thing differently because I am yours. Amen.
--> Today's writer Fay Rowland is a member Christ the King C of E, Kettering Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
Want to change how you receive these emails? You can
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St Luke 10: 25 - 37
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’ But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’
Reflection
Go and do likewise.
Four words. But they’re dynamite.
I’ve just come back from a university visit with my daughter: ‘Design for Performance’. It’s a very hands-on course. We saw workshops and paint rooms, mannequins and dye rooms, theatres, saw benches and 3D printers. The nearest thing to a classroom was the CAD suite.
I do hope she gets in. She’ll have her socks worked off but she’ll have a ball, helping stage dozens of productions each year and working alongside names like the BBC, Badwolf Studios and the Royal Opera House.Because that’s how we learn, isn’t it? By doing. I learned to knit by watching my mum; I learned to use a micrometer by watching my dad. Even if we study from a book, the most useful parts are the worked examples. “Here’s how I’m doing it; now you have a go.”
What’s not so useful is reading the page and skipping the exercises. Or watching someone crochet but never picking up a hook yourself. Or knowing what the spark plug’s gap should be, but never having a go with the feeler gauges. We have to do it to really know it.
So that’s what Jesus is saying to this expert in the law. Jesus knows he’s a good guy – reads his Bible diligently, probably a house group leader – and praises him for his answer. “You have answered correctly,” he says. “Do this and you will live.” But the knowledge is too much theory and not enough practice, so Jesus tells his story with a sting in the tail and ends, “Go and do likewise.”
Jesus doesn’t tell him to discuss the story at Bible study group where they might agree that, yes, having mercy on the less fortunate is good and then pray for the homeless people in their town. “Go and do likewise,” says Jesus. What, actually get off my bum and, like, do? Yup.
What will you do today?
Go and do likewise. It’s dynamite.
Prayer
Dear God,
I am happy in my comfortable chair with my mug of tea and my Bible,
reading about your wonderful words and your marvellous deeds.
I am less happy getting out of my comfortable chair and copying what you did,
because that might be inconvenient or get me looked at weirdly.
Disturb me Lord, I pray.
Shake me from my cosy complacency
that I might do one thing differently because I am yours. Amen.
--> Today's writer Fay Rowland is a member Christ the King C of E, Kettering Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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URC Daily Devotion for Tuesday 28th January 2025
96
URC Daily Devotion for Tuesday 28th January 2025
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Tuesday 28 January 2025
St Luke 10: 25 - 37
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’ But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’
Reflection
Go and do likewise.
Four words. But they’re dynamite.
I’ve just come back from a university visit with my daughter: ‘Design for Performance’. It’s a very hands-on course. We saw workshops and paint rooms, mannequins and dye rooms, theatres, saw benches and 3D printers. The nearest thing to a classroom was the CAD suite.
I do hope she gets in. She’ll have her socks worked off but she’ll have a ball, helping stage dozens of productions each year and working alongside names like the BBC, Badwolf Studios and the Royal Opera House.
Because that’s how we learn, isn’t it? By doing. I learned to knit by watching my mum; I learned to use a micrometer by watching my dad. Even if we study from a book, the most useful parts are the worked examples. “Here’s how I’m doing it; now you have a go.”
What’s not so useful is reading the page and skipping the exercises. Or watching someone crochet but never picking up a hook yourself. Or knowing what the spark plug’s gap should be, but never having a go with the feeler gauges. We have to do it to really know it.
So that’s what Jesus is saying to this expert in the law. Jesus knows he’s a good guy – reads his Bible diligently, probably a house group leader – and praises him for his answer. “You have answered correctly,” he says. “Do this and you will live.” But the knowledge is too much theory and not enough practice, so Jesus tells his story with a sting in the tail and ends, “Go and do likewise.”
Jesus doesn’t tell him to discuss the story at Bible study group where they might agree that, yes, having mercy on the less fortunate is good and then pray for the homeless people in their town. “Go and do likewise,” says Jesus. What, actually get off my bum and, like, do? Yup.
What will you do today?
Go and do likewise. It’s dynamite.
Prayer
Dear God,
I am happy in my comfortable chair with my mug of tea and my Bible,
reading about your wonderful words and your marvellous deeds.
I am less happy getting out of my comfortable chair and copying what you did,
because that might be inconvenient or get me looked at weirdly.
Disturb me Lord, I pray.
Shake me from my cosy complacency
that I might do one thing differently because I am yours. Amen. --> Today's writer Fay Rowland is a member Christ the King C of E, Kettering Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
Want to change how you receive these emails? You can
Change Your Email Address
or
Unsubscribe
St Luke 10: 25 - 37
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’ But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’
Reflection
Go and do likewise.
Four words. But they’re dynamite.
I’ve just come back from a university visit with my daughter: ‘Design for Performance’. It’s a very hands-on course. We saw workshops and paint rooms, mannequins and dye rooms, theatres, saw benches and 3D printers. The nearest thing to a classroom was the CAD suite.
I do hope she gets in. She’ll have her socks worked off but she’ll have a ball, helping stage dozens of productions each year and working alongside names like the BBC, Badwolf Studios and the Royal Opera House.
Because that’s how we learn, isn’t it? By doing. I learned to knit by watching my mum; I learned to use a micrometer by watching my dad. Even if we study from a book, the most useful parts are the worked examples. “Here’s how I’m doing it; now you have a go.”
What’s not so useful is reading the page and skipping the exercises. Or watching someone crochet but never picking up a hook yourself. Or knowing what the spark plug’s gap should be, but never having a go with the feeler gauges. We have to do it to really know it.
So that’s what Jesus is saying to this expert in the law. Jesus knows he’s a good guy – reads his Bible diligently, probably a house group leader – and praises him for his answer. “You have answered correctly,” he says. “Do this and you will live.” But the knowledge is too much theory and not enough practice, so Jesus tells his story with a sting in the tail and ends, “Go and do likewise.”
Jesus doesn’t tell him to discuss the story at Bible study group where they might agree that, yes, having mercy on the less fortunate is good and then pray for the homeless people in their town. “Go and do likewise,” says Jesus. What, actually get off my bum and, like, do? Yup.
What will you do today?
Go and do likewise. It’s dynamite.
Prayer
Dear God,
I am happy in my comfortable chair with my mug of tea and my Bible,
reading about your wonderful words and your marvellous deeds.
I am less happy getting out of my comfortable chair and copying what you did,
because that might be inconvenient or get me looked at weirdly.
Disturb me Lord, I pray.
Shake me from my cosy complacency
that I might do one thing differently because I am yours. Amen. --> Today's writer Fay Rowland is a member Christ the King C of E, Kettering Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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URC Daily Devotion 27th January 2025
96
URC Daily Devotion 27th January 2025
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Monday 27 January 2025
St Luke 10: 21 - 24
At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’ Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.’
Reflection
Is “rejoiced in the Holy Spirit” Biblical code for “had a big belly laugh”? Isn’t it funny when children show up the grownups with their innocent questions or observations? Cute even. Entertaining. Smile indulgently and move on, back to the serious stuff that only the educated and experienced adults could possibly understand….
And miss that God’s gracious will is to play hide and seek with children and anyone still childlike enough to ask, seek and knock on closed lids and doors in a spirit of curiosity. What an encouragement to keep open minded, open hearted and open handed – to always assume there is more of God to see and hear, to find and have opened to us, to share tentatively with others. How blessed. How joyful. How hard for stuck in our ways and worn down grownups. Thank God for children to show us the way.
Prayer
Peek-a-boo God
You have blessed us with eyes and ears,
with questions and curiosity.
Help us as your children
to be active askers, seekers and barrier removers;
to keep expecting to find more of you in hidden and unexpected places.
That we might make you laugh with joy
and we and others might join in with that playful, contagious laughter.
Amen
--> Today's writer
Dr Sam Richards, serving as Head of Children’s and Youth Work, Messy Church team St Mary’s Chalgrove Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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St Luke 10: 21 - 24
At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’ Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.’
Reflection
Is “rejoiced in the Holy Spirit” Biblical code for “had a big belly laugh”? Isn’t it funny when children show up the grownups with their innocent questions or observations? Cute even. Entertaining. Smile indulgently and move on, back to the serious stuff that only the educated and experienced adults could possibly understand….
And miss that God’s gracious will is to play hide and seek with children and anyone still childlike enough to ask, seek and knock on closed lids and doors in a spirit of curiosity. What an encouragement to keep open minded, open hearted and open handed – to always assume there is more of God to see and hear, to find and have opened to us, to share tentatively with others. How blessed. How joyful. How hard for stuck in our ways and worn down grownups. Thank God for children to show us the way.
Prayer
Peek-a-boo God
You have blessed us with eyes and ears,
with questions and curiosity.
Help us as your children
to be active askers, seekers and barrier removers;
to keep expecting to find more of you in hidden and unexpected places.
That we might make you laugh with joy
and we and others might join in with that playful, contagious laughter.
Amen
--> Today's writer
Dr Sam Richards, serving as Head of Children’s and Youth Work, Messy Church team St Mary’s Chalgrove Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
Want to change how you receive these emails? You can
Change Your Email Address
or
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URC Daily Devotion for Monday 27th January 2025
96
URC Daily Devotion for Monday 27th January 2025
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Monday 27 January 2025
St Luke 10: 21 - 24
At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’ Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.’
Reflection
Is “rejoiced in the Holy Spirit” Biblical code for “had a big belly laugh”? Isn’t it funny when children show up the grownups with their innocent questions or observations? Cute even. Entertaining. Smile indulgently and move on, back to the serious stuff that only the educated and experienced adults could possibly understand….
And miss that God’s gracious will is to play hide and seek with children and anyone still childlike enough to ask, seek and knock on closed lids and doors in a spirit of curiosity. What an encouragement to keep open minded, open hearted and open handed – to always assume there is more of God to see and hear, to find and have opened to us, to share tentatively with others. How blessed. How joyful. How hard for stuck in our ways and worn down grownups. Thank God for children to show us the way.
Prayer
Peek-a-boo God
You have blessed us with eyes and ears,
with questions and curiosity.
Help us as your children
to be active askers, seekers and barrier removers;
to keep expecting to find more of you in hidden and unexpected places.
That we might make you laugh with joy
and we and others might join in with that playful, contagious laughter.
Amen --> Today's writer Dr Sam Richards, serving as Head of Children’s and Youth Work, Messy Church team St Mary’s Chalgrove Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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St Luke 10: 21 - 24
At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’ Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.’
Reflection
Is “rejoiced in the Holy Spirit” Biblical code for “had a big belly laugh”? Isn’t it funny when children show up the grownups with their innocent questions or observations? Cute even. Entertaining. Smile indulgently and move on, back to the serious stuff that only the educated and experienced adults could possibly understand….
And miss that God’s gracious will is to play hide and seek with children and anyone still childlike enough to ask, seek and knock on closed lids and doors in a spirit of curiosity. What an encouragement to keep open minded, open hearted and open handed – to always assume there is more of God to see and hear, to find and have opened to us, to share tentatively with others. How blessed. How joyful. How hard for stuck in our ways and worn down grownups. Thank God for children to show us the way.
Prayer
Peek-a-boo God
You have blessed us with eyes and ears,
with questions and curiosity.
Help us as your children
to be active askers, seekers and barrier removers;
to keep expecting to find more of you in hidden and unexpected places.
That we might make you laugh with joy
and we and others might join in with that playful, contagious laughter.
Amen --> Today's writer Dr Sam Richards, serving as Head of Children’s and Youth Work, Messy Church team St Mary’s Chalgrove Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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Sunday Worship 26 January 2025
96
Sunday Worship 26 January 2025
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Worship Services from the URC
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Order of Service
Below you will find the Order of Service, prayers, hymns and sermon for today's service. You can either simply read this or you can
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to listen to the service and sing along with the hymns. This will open up a new screen, at the bottom of the screen you will see a play symbol. Press that, then come back to this window so you can follow along with the service. Sunday Worship from the United Reformed Church
for Sunday 26 January 2025 - Epiphany 3
Today’s service is led by the Revd Nicola Furley-Smith
Who’s agenda?
Welcome & Call to Worship
Good morning and welcome to this morning's service, which comes to you from Purley United Reformed Church. My name is Nicola Furley Smith and I am the Secretary for Ministries. The Psalmist says: “How clearly the sky reveals God's glory! How plainly it shows what he has done! Each day announces it to the following day; each night repeats it to the next. No speech or words are used, no sound is heard; yet their message goes out to all the world and is heard to the ends of the earth.”
Hymn O Sing a Song of Bethlehem
Louis F Benson 1889 Public Domain Sung by members of the Highland Baptist Church, Kitchener, Calfornia
O sing a song of Bethlehem, of shepherds watching there,
and of the news that came to them from angels in the air:
the light that shone on Bethlehem fills all the world today;
of Jesus' birth and peace on earth the angels sing alway.
O sing a song of Nazareth, of sunny days of joy,
O sing of fragrant flowers' breath, and of the sinless boy:
for now the flow'rs of Nazareth in ev'ry heart may grow;
now spreads the fame of his dear name on all the winds that blow.
O sing a song of Galilee, of lake and woods and hill,
of him who walked upon the sea and bade the waves be still:
for though, like waves on Galilee, dark seas of trouble roll,
when faith has heard the Master's word, falls peace upon the soul.
O sing a song of Calvary, its glory and dismay;
of him who hung upon the tree, and took our sins away:
for he who died on Calvary is risen from the grave,
and Christ, our Lord, by heav'n adored, is mighty now to save.
Prayer of Approach
May the words that we use in our worship be formed by God,
focused on Jesus and filled with the Spirit.
God the Father, we stand in awe of you,
the one who spoke and brought the world into being,
who shaped our bodies and breathed into us the gift of life.
Majestic, awesome and wonderful,
yet at the same time, tender, loving and kind,
God the Son, we stand in awe of you,
who became incarnate to live on this planet alongside us.
You showed us how life should be lived,
and paid the price in full on the cross.
God the Spirit, we stand in awe of you,
the one alongside the Father at creation;
you inspired and strengthened his Son on earth,
and came in your fullness to be our companion,
to lead and inspire your people today.
Creative God, by your word comes life.
Forgiving Son, by your word comes love.
Empowering Spirit, by your word comes liberation.
Speak your word to us now and our lives shall proclaim your glory. Amen.
A Prayer of Confession
God, you gave us the power to speak.
Words enable us to tell each other what is happening, how we are feeling, why we are behaving in the way we are.
Sometimes someone cannot speak the words,
or cannot communicate because the language is strange,
or is afraid to say what needs to be said.
There are times when I did not speak; I was distracted, I was silenced.
I was afraid of the consequences or even said words that meant nothing.
Forgive us when we did not speak as we ought.
And in the knowledge that you are indeed a forgiving God
let your word come alive in our words.
Let our words become Good News.
Let the Gospel be welcomed by all.
We pray in the name and spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
O Lord, your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Give us grace to receive your truth in faith and love, and strength to follow on the path you set before us; may your kingdom come and your will be done. the name of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Reading Nehemiah 8.1-3, 5-6. 8-10
All the people assembled with one accord in the broad space in front of the Water Gate, and requested Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had enjoined upon Israel. On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the law before the whole assembly, both men and women, and all who were capable of understanding what they heard. From early morning till noon he read aloud from it, facing the square in front of the Water Gate, in the presence of the men and the women, and those who could understand; the people all listened attentively to the book of the law. Then Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above them; and when he opened it, they all stood. Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people raised their hands and responded, `Amen, Amen'; then they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves before the Lord. They read from the book of the law of God clearly, made its sense plain, and gave instruction in what was read. Then Nehemiah the governor and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who instructed the people, said to them all, `This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep'; for the people had all been weeping while they listened to the words of the law.
‘Go now,' he continued, `feast yourselves on rich food and sweet drinks, and send a share to all who cannot provide for themselves, for the day is holy to our Lord. Let there be no sadness, for joy in the Lord is your strength.'
Hymn Thy hand, O God, Has Guided
E. H. Plumptre (1864) BBC Songs of Praise
Thy hand, O God, has guided thy flock, from age to age;
the wondrous tale is written, full clear, on every page;
thine people owned thy goodness, and we their deeds record;
and both of this bear witness: one Church, one faith, one Lord.
Thy heralds brought glad tidings to greatest, as to least;
they bade them rise, and hasten to share the King's great feast;
and this was all their teaching, in every deed and word,
to all alike proclaiming one Church, one faith, one Lord.
Thy mercy will not fail us, nor leave thy work undone;
with thy right hand to help us, the victory shall be won;
and then, by all creation, thy name shall be adored,
and this shall be their anthem: one Church, one faith, one Lord.
Reading Luke 4.14-21
Then Jesus, armed with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee; and reports about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues and everyone sang his praises. He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and went to the synagogue on the sabbath day as he regularly did. He stood up to read the lesson and was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the scroll and found the passage which says, `The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me; he has sent me to announce good news to the poor, to proclaim release for prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind; to let the broken victims go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour.' He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him. He began to address them: `Today', he said, `in your hearing this text has come true.
Sermon
Whose agenda is it? As someone who sits in meeting after meeting, I sometimes wonder, who sets what we should or should not do as the church? Who sets what we should be or not be as the whole people of God? General Assembly? Synod? Church Meeting? We are the people of the Word. We come from a long tradition where the Word is given supremacy. I am a minister of the Word and Sacraments. And yet we do not live in a word-driven society. We live in an image-driven society. So, what does that say about the church? When I was a child, sermons were often 30 - 45 minutes depending on the preacher. People can no longer sit for 45 minutes and listen to the Word.
In today's story from the Gospel of Luke, Jesus goes to the opposite extreme and preaches what could be the shortest sermon in history. He goes to the synagogue in Nazareth where he had been brought up, he is given the Scroll of Isaiah by the synagogue officer, and he reads from Isaiah 61.
"The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring the Good News to the poor. He has sent me to announce release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind; to set at liberty those who have been oppressed; and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour."
Then he sits down. When a rabbi sat down, it didn't mean they were finished. That's the position from which they taught or preached. The Gospels contain several incidents where Jesus sat to teach the disciples. And Jesus sat down and said: "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing". That's it. That is a very short sermon.
Our Old Testament reading this morning shows us what happens when a community comes together to hear the written word proclaimed and interpreted. The reason that the people gather that year is twofold. First, they have just finished the city walls of Jerusalem a few days earlier and the new moon festival seemed like a great time to celebrate what is a massive accomplishment. Jerusalem is a walled, protected city once again, for the first time in generations! Secondly, they gather for the festival of trumpets on the first day of the month of Tishrei, our modern-day Rosh Hashanah. The people gathered, and they wanted to hear Ezra proclaim the law, but they did not know how it will affect them. So what happens? The people bless God. The people give voice to their certainty, their faith, and their trust. The people let the actions of their bodies match the words in their ears and on their lips, lifting their hands to God in petition because they recognise that God alone gives life. The people fall to the ground in profound humility, knowing that God alone can lift them up and help them to stand. When they hear the written word proclaimed and interpreted, people weep because they hear their sins spoken out loud and they know they are not innocent, but guilty. People weep because they do not know how to bridge the gulf that separates sinful humanity from the faithful God who made them. But as surely as the Torah reveals to us their sins, it also reveals to the, the source of their hope: the God who keeps promises.
Think of their context. Is it very different from our own? The people have recently returned to the Promised Land after spending five decades in Exile in Babylon. Here they are, gathered together in the square next to the Water Gate in Jerusalem, men, women, and children and there the Law of Moses is read to them and explained to them from early in the morning till mid-day for close to six hours! Not for 15 – 20 minutes but six hours. Yet that is not the reaction of the people to this incredibly long proclamation of God's Word.
Far from it. In fact the people are completely wrapped up in it. They cry. They shout Amen. They raise their hands to heaven. They fall down on the ground and bow their heads low and pray. In short, they are completely involved with the word that they hear. For it touches them deeply. When was the last time I was moved by the Word of God! When was the last time it caused you or I to cry, or to fall upon our knees, or to lift up our hands in thanksgiving, or to say with enthusiasm and with joy - Amen! Amen!
Perhaps we have become too familiar with the scriptures or perhaps we are not familiar enough with them or perhaps we have simply lost our hunger our sense of our need for something more for something divine, for someone to help us make sense of it all. Perhaps a better understanding of Ezra’s time would help us with our context. There are two groups hearing Ezra: those who could understand and those who could not, but who were still listening attentively. Ezra had specially chosen assistants and Levites whose job it was to explain what he was reading to the people. These assistants read from the Law, translated it, and then interpreted it in the hearing of the people. Many men and women understood the law as it was read. But others needed to have it translated and then interpreted for them. Which is why they meet at the Water-gate and not the temple so that all may hear not just the select few.
For the people of Israel, the explanation of their reaction to Ezra's reading of The Word is found in their lack of familiarity with it and in the awesome sense that they had when they heard it proclaimed for the first time in many years of just how much they had strayed from God's path, and just how much goodness from God's hands that they had missed for so many years. Of course, the people of Israel 2500 years ago believed in God. They believed in living a good life, but they didn't really pay attention to what God wanted of them to what was said in the scriptures. They didn't pay a lot of attention to what God wanted of them or to the promises that God made to them and how it was they could claim those promises for themselves and for their nation. They were a lot like us. Before the time of exile there was the business to look after, the relatives to entertain, a living to be sought and, of course, some time to relax. The Sabbath worship was enough for some, for the rest the annual trips to the temple during Passover or for Yom Kipper was enough. They were a lot like us with changes in church going sometimes reduced to high days and holidays…Christmas Candlelight Services and very occasionally Easter Day.
When the people of Israel return from exile and all are finally are gathered to hear the Word of God it was a great eye opener to them. In listening to it, they knew the goodness of God. They heard the laws God had given them for their own conduct so that he might bless them and they realized just how far they were away from that law and just why it was they had suffered so much, and they wept for what they done wrong, for how they had offended God and for what they had missed because of it. They mourned who they were who they had become they mourned and they prayed to God for help. And Ezra and Nehemiah the Governor of the Land, and the rest of the priests, see them weeping and say:
"This day is Holy to the Lord your God - this time is special to God - do not mourn or weep. Go your way, celebrate - eat the best food and the drink the best wine and share it with those who have nothing to eat or drink - for this day is Holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved - do not sorrow - for the Joy of the Lord is your strength."
Of course it is. Today is an important day, a holy day to our God for those of you who really hear the Word of God for those of you who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for wholeness for salvation, Now is a Holy Time! Have we had our eye-opener moment? What is the Word that we have heard that is powerful, inclusive, and brings about transformation in a community in need of learning to live in the reality of God’s love. The sermon that Jesus gave in the temple in reaction to the word of God as it is found in the prophet Isaiah is the same word that Ezra and Nehemiah and all who understand the word of God right down the ages have proclaimed. Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing! Today is the day of salvation. Today is the time of God's favour of God's forgiveness, of God's jubilee. Today the scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. Listen to it...Listen with more than your ears. Listen with your hunger and your needs Listen with hope. Listen with the Spirit that God has given you for that purpose. So I ask you again whose agenda is it? Amen.
Hymn God’s Spirit is in My Heart
V1 and refrain Alan T. Dale (1902–1979) vv. 2-4 Hubert Richards (b. 1921) © 1969 Vanguard Music Corp OneLicence # A-734713 Sung by the Frodsham Methodist Cloud Choir and used with their kind permission.
God’s Spirit is in my heart; He has called me and set me apart.
This is what I have to do, what I have to do.
He sent me to give the good news to the poor, tell prisoners that they are prisoners no more,
tell blind people that they can see, and set the down trodden free,
and go tell everyone the news that the Kingdom of God has come;
And go tell everyone the news that God’s Kingdom has come!
Just as the Father sent me so I’m sending you out to be
my witnesses throughout the world - the whole of the world.
He sent me to give the good news to the poor, tell prisoners that they are prisoners no more,
tell blind people that they can see, and set the down trodden free,
and go tell everyone the news that the Kingdom of God has come;
And go tell everyone the news that God’s Kingdom has come!
Don’t carry a load in your pack; You don’t need two shirts
on your back God’s workers earn their own keep - can earn their own keep.
He sent me to give the good news to the poor, tell prisoners that they are prisoners no more,
tell blind people that they can see, and set the down trodden free,
and go tell everyone the news that the Kingdom of God has come;
And go tell everyone the news that God’s Kingdom has come!
Don’t worry what you have to say; don’t worry because on that day
God’s Spirit will speak in your heart - will speak in your heart.
He sent me to give the good news to the poor, tell prisoners that they are prisoners no more,
tell blind people that they can see, and set the down trodden free,
and go tell everyone the news that the Kingdom of God has come;
And go tell everyone the news that God’s Kingdom has come!
Intercessions
O Lord, your Word contains truth for each new generation.
Thank you for fresh and exciting reminders
of the power and glory of your sovereign love.
Help us to seek the wisdom to use your words wisely,
to pray for who cannot speak or who are inarticulate,
who depend on others to speak for them
Thank you for your Word which reminds us
of your concern for justice for the poor and oppressed.
Help us to announce your good news;
to proclaim your liberty to those held captive;
to work and pray for a better world.
Thank you for your Word which reminds us
of the ways in which you want us to live.
Help us to share the hope we have in you;
to proclaim your love for every individual;
to work and pray for new life for humankind.
Thank you for your Word which reminds us
of our calling as members of Christ's body.
Help us to be united in love and respect for one another;
to proclaim your salvation to the world;
to work and pray under the guidance of your Spirit. Amen.
Offertory and Dedication
Generous God,
giving abundantly more than we can know or ask,
our promise is to justly share ourselves in celebration of your word.
Take our gifts to use in your service, Amen.
Hymn The Kingdom of God is Justice and Joy
Bryn Rees (1973) © 1973 Alexander Scott OneLicence # A-734713 Sung by Paul Robinson and used with his kind permission.
The kingdom of God is justice and joy;
for Jesus restores what sin would destroy.
God's power and glory in Jesus we know;
and here and hereafter the kingdom shall grow.
The kingdom of God is mercy and grace;
the captives are freed, the sinners find place,
the outcast are welcomed God's banquet to share;
and hope is awakened in place of despair.
The kingdom of God is challenge and choice:
believe the good news, repent and rejoice!
God's love for us sinners brought Christ to his Cross:
our crisis of judgement for gain or for loss.
God's kingdom is come, the gift and the goal;
in Jesus begun, in heaven made whole.
The heirs of the kingdom shall answer his call;
and all things cry "Glory!" to God all in all.
Blessing
Go to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release for all who are imprisonoed, recovery of sight for the blind and let the oppressed be valued in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
And the blessing of God Almighty Father, Son and Holy Spirit
be amongst us and remain with us, this day and for evermore. Amen.
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Below you will find the Order of Service, prayers, hymns and sermon for today's service. You can either simply read this or you can
click here
to listen to the service and sing along with the hymns. This will open up a new screen, at the bottom of the screen you will see a play symbol. Press that, then come back to this window so you can follow along with the service. Sunday Worship from the United Reformed Church
for Sunday 26 January 2025 - Epiphany 3
Today’s service is led by the Revd Nicola Furley-Smith
Who’s agenda?
Welcome & Call to Worship
Good morning and welcome to this morning's service, which comes to you from Purley United Reformed Church. My name is Nicola Furley Smith and I am the Secretary for Ministries. The Psalmist says: “How clearly the sky reveals God's glory! How plainly it shows what he has done! Each day announces it to the following day; each night repeats it to the next. No speech or words are used, no sound is heard; yet their message goes out to all the world and is heard to the ends of the earth.”
Hymn O Sing a Song of Bethlehem
Louis F Benson 1889 Public Domain Sung by members of the Highland Baptist Church, Kitchener, Calfornia
O sing a song of Bethlehem, of shepherds watching there,
and of the news that came to them from angels in the air:
the light that shone on Bethlehem fills all the world today;
of Jesus' birth and peace on earth the angels sing alway.
O sing a song of Nazareth, of sunny days of joy,
O sing of fragrant flowers' breath, and of the sinless boy:
for now the flow'rs of Nazareth in ev'ry heart may grow;
now spreads the fame of his dear name on all the winds that blow.
O sing a song of Galilee, of lake and woods and hill,
of him who walked upon the sea and bade the waves be still:
for though, like waves on Galilee, dark seas of trouble roll,
when faith has heard the Master's word, falls peace upon the soul.
O sing a song of Calvary, its glory and dismay;
of him who hung upon the tree, and took our sins away:
for he who died on Calvary is risen from the grave,
and Christ, our Lord, by heav'n adored, is mighty now to save.
Prayer of Approach
May the words that we use in our worship be formed by God,
focused on Jesus and filled with the Spirit.
God the Father, we stand in awe of you,
the one who spoke and brought the world into being,
who shaped our bodies and breathed into us the gift of life.
Majestic, awesome and wonderful,
yet at the same time, tender, loving and kind,
God the Son, we stand in awe of you,
who became incarnate to live on this planet alongside us.
You showed us how life should be lived,
and paid the price in full on the cross.
God the Spirit, we stand in awe of you,
the one alongside the Father at creation;
you inspired and strengthened his Son on earth,
and came in your fullness to be our companion,
to lead and inspire your people today.
Creative God, by your word comes life.
Forgiving Son, by your word comes love.
Empowering Spirit, by your word comes liberation.
Speak your word to us now and our lives shall proclaim your glory. Amen.
A Prayer of Confession
God, you gave us the power to speak.
Words enable us to tell each other what is happening, how we are feeling, why we are behaving in the way we are.
Sometimes someone cannot speak the words,
or cannot communicate because the language is strange,
or is afraid to say what needs to be said.
There are times when I did not speak; I was distracted, I was silenced.
I was afraid of the consequences or even said words that meant nothing.
Forgive us when we did not speak as we ought.
And in the knowledge that you are indeed a forgiving God
let your word come alive in our words.
Let our words become Good News.
Let the Gospel be welcomed by all.
We pray in the name and spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
O Lord, your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Give us grace to receive your truth in faith and love, and strength to follow on the path you set before us; may your kingdom come and your will be done. the name of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Reading Nehemiah 8.1-3, 5-6. 8-10
All the people assembled with one accord in the broad space in front of the Water Gate, and requested Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had enjoined upon Israel. On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the law before the whole assembly, both men and women, and all who were capable of understanding what they heard. From early morning till noon he read aloud from it, facing the square in front of the Water Gate, in the presence of the men and the women, and those who could understand; the people all listened attentively to the book of the law. Then Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above them; and when he opened it, they all stood. Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people raised their hands and responded, `Amen, Amen'; then they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves before the Lord. They read from the book of the law of God clearly, made its sense plain, and gave instruction in what was read. Then Nehemiah the governor and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who instructed the people, said to them all, `This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep'; for the people had all been weeping while they listened to the words of the law.
‘Go now,' he continued, `feast yourselves on rich food and sweet drinks, and send a share to all who cannot provide for themselves, for the day is holy to our Lord. Let there be no sadness, for joy in the Lord is your strength.'
Hymn Thy hand, O God, Has Guided
E. H. Plumptre (1864) BBC Songs of Praise
Thy hand, O God, has guided thy flock, from age to age;
the wondrous tale is written, full clear, on every page;
thine people owned thy goodness, and we their deeds record;
and both of this bear witness: one Church, one faith, one Lord.
Thy heralds brought glad tidings to greatest, as to least;
they bade them rise, and hasten to share the King's great feast;
and this was all their teaching, in every deed and word,
to all alike proclaiming one Church, one faith, one Lord.
Thy mercy will not fail us, nor leave thy work undone;
with thy right hand to help us, the victory shall be won;
and then, by all creation, thy name shall be adored,
and this shall be their anthem: one Church, one faith, one Lord.
Reading Luke 4.14-21
Then Jesus, armed with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee; and reports about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues and everyone sang his praises. He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and went to the synagogue on the sabbath day as he regularly did. He stood up to read the lesson and was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the scroll and found the passage which says, `The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me; he has sent me to announce good news to the poor, to proclaim release for prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind; to let the broken victims go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour.' He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him. He began to address them: `Today', he said, `in your hearing this text has come true.
Sermon
Whose agenda is it? As someone who sits in meeting after meeting, I sometimes wonder, who sets what we should or should not do as the church? Who sets what we should be or not be as the whole people of God? General Assembly? Synod? Church Meeting? We are the people of the Word. We come from a long tradition where the Word is given supremacy. I am a minister of the Word and Sacraments. And yet we do not live in a word-driven society. We live in an image-driven society. So, what does that say about the church? When I was a child, sermons were often 30 - 45 minutes depending on the preacher. People can no longer sit for 45 minutes and listen to the Word.
In today's story from the Gospel of Luke, Jesus goes to the opposite extreme and preaches what could be the shortest sermon in history. He goes to the synagogue in Nazareth where he had been brought up, he is given the Scroll of Isaiah by the synagogue officer, and he reads from Isaiah 61.
"The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring the Good News to the poor. He has sent me to announce release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind; to set at liberty those who have been oppressed; and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour."
Then he sits down. When a rabbi sat down, it didn't mean they were finished. That's the position from which they taught or preached. The Gospels contain several incidents where Jesus sat to teach the disciples. And Jesus sat down and said: "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing". That's it. That is a very short sermon.
Our Old Testament reading this morning shows us what happens when a community comes together to hear the written word proclaimed and interpreted. The reason that the people gather that year is twofold. First, they have just finished the city walls of Jerusalem a few days earlier and the new moon festival seemed like a great time to celebrate what is a massive accomplishment. Jerusalem is a walled, protected city once again, for the first time in generations! Secondly, they gather for the festival of trumpets on the first day of the month of Tishrei, our modern-day Rosh Hashanah. The people gathered, and they wanted to hear Ezra proclaim the law, but they did not know how it will affect them. So what happens? The people bless God. The people give voice to their certainty, their faith, and their trust. The people let the actions of their bodies match the words in their ears and on their lips, lifting their hands to God in petition because they recognise that God alone gives life. The people fall to the ground in profound humility, knowing that God alone can lift them up and help them to stand. When they hear the written word proclaimed and interpreted, people weep because they hear their sins spoken out loud and they know they are not innocent, but guilty. People weep because they do not know how to bridge the gulf that separates sinful humanity from the faithful God who made them. But as surely as the Torah reveals to us their sins, it also reveals to the, the source of their hope: the God who keeps promises.
Think of their context. Is it very different from our own? The people have recently returned to the Promised Land after spending five decades in Exile in Babylon. Here they are, gathered together in the square next to the Water Gate in Jerusalem, men, women, and children and there the Law of Moses is read to them and explained to them from early in the morning till mid-day for close to six hours! Not for 15 – 20 minutes but six hours. Yet that is not the reaction of the people to this incredibly long proclamation of God's Word.
Far from it. In fact the people are completely wrapped up in it. They cry. They shout Amen. They raise their hands to heaven. They fall down on the ground and bow their heads low and pray. In short, they are completely involved with the word that they hear. For it touches them deeply. When was the last time I was moved by the Word of God! When was the last time it caused you or I to cry, or to fall upon our knees, or to lift up our hands in thanksgiving, or to say with enthusiasm and with joy - Amen! Amen!
Perhaps we have become too familiar with the scriptures or perhaps we are not familiar enough with them or perhaps we have simply lost our hunger our sense of our need for something more for something divine, for someone to help us make sense of it all. Perhaps a better understanding of Ezra’s time would help us with our context. There are two groups hearing Ezra: those who could understand and those who could not, but who were still listening attentively. Ezra had specially chosen assistants and Levites whose job it was to explain what he was reading to the people. These assistants read from the Law, translated it, and then interpreted it in the hearing of the people. Many men and women understood the law as it was read. But others needed to have it translated and then interpreted for them. Which is why they meet at the Water-gate and not the temple so that all may hear not just the select few.
For the people of Israel, the explanation of their reaction to Ezra's reading of The Word is found in their lack of familiarity with it and in the awesome sense that they had when they heard it proclaimed for the first time in many years of just how much they had strayed from God's path, and just how much goodness from God's hands that they had missed for so many years. Of course, the people of Israel 2500 years ago believed in God. They believed in living a good life, but they didn't really pay attention to what God wanted of them to what was said in the scriptures. They didn't pay a lot of attention to what God wanted of them or to the promises that God made to them and how it was they could claim those promises for themselves and for their nation. They were a lot like us. Before the time of exile there was the business to look after, the relatives to entertain, a living to be sought and, of course, some time to relax. The Sabbath worship was enough for some, for the rest the annual trips to the temple during Passover or for Yom Kipper was enough. They were a lot like us with changes in church going sometimes reduced to high days and holidays…Christmas Candlelight Services and very occasionally Easter Day.
When the people of Israel return from exile and all are finally are gathered to hear the Word of God it was a great eye opener to them. In listening to it, they knew the goodness of God. They heard the laws God had given them for their own conduct so that he might bless them and they realized just how far they were away from that law and just why it was they had suffered so much, and they wept for what they done wrong, for how they had offended God and for what they had missed because of it. They mourned who they were who they had become they mourned and they prayed to God for help. And Ezra and Nehemiah the Governor of the Land, and the rest of the priests, see them weeping and say:
"This day is Holy to the Lord your God - this time is special to God - do not mourn or weep. Go your way, celebrate - eat the best food and the drink the best wine and share it with those who have nothing to eat or drink - for this day is Holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved - do not sorrow - for the Joy of the Lord is your strength."
Of course it is. Today is an important day, a holy day to our God for those of you who really hear the Word of God for those of you who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for wholeness for salvation, Now is a Holy Time! Have we had our eye-opener moment? What is the Word that we have heard that is powerful, inclusive, and brings about transformation in a community in need of learning to live in the reality of God’s love. The sermon that Jesus gave in the temple in reaction to the word of God as it is found in the prophet Isaiah is the same word that Ezra and Nehemiah and all who understand the word of God right down the ages have proclaimed. Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing! Today is the day of salvation. Today is the time of God's favour of God's forgiveness, of God's jubilee. Today the scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. Listen to it...Listen with more than your ears. Listen with your hunger and your needs Listen with hope. Listen with the Spirit that God has given you for that purpose. So I ask you again whose agenda is it? Amen.
Hymn God’s Spirit is in My Heart
V1 and refrain Alan T. Dale (1902–1979) vv. 2-4 Hubert Richards (b. 1921) © 1969 Vanguard Music Corp OneLicence # A-734713 Sung by the Frodsham Methodist Cloud Choir and used with their kind permission.
God’s Spirit is in my heart; He has called me and set me apart.
This is what I have to do, what I have to do.
He sent me to give the good news to the poor, tell prisoners that they are prisoners no more,
tell blind people that they can see, and set the down trodden free,
and go tell everyone the news that the Kingdom of God has come;
And go tell everyone the news that God’s Kingdom has come!
Just as the Father sent me so I’m sending you out to be
my witnesses throughout the world - the whole of the world.
He sent me to give the good news to the poor, tell prisoners that they are prisoners no more,
tell blind people that they can see, and set the down trodden free,
and go tell everyone the news that the Kingdom of God has come;
And go tell everyone the news that God’s Kingdom has come!
Don’t carry a load in your pack; You don’t need two shirts
on your back God’s workers earn their own keep - can earn their own keep.
He sent me to give the good news to the poor, tell prisoners that they are prisoners no more,
tell blind people that they can see, and set the down trodden free,
and go tell everyone the news that the Kingdom of God has come;
And go tell everyone the news that God’s Kingdom has come!
Don’t worry what you have to say; don’t worry because on that day
God’s Spirit will speak in your heart - will speak in your heart.
He sent me to give the good news to the poor, tell prisoners that they are prisoners no more,
tell blind people that they can see, and set the down trodden free,
and go tell everyone the news that the Kingdom of God has come;
And go tell everyone the news that God’s Kingdom has come!
Intercessions
O Lord, your Word contains truth for each new generation.
Thank you for fresh and exciting reminders
of the power and glory of your sovereign love.
Help us to seek the wisdom to use your words wisely,
to pray for who cannot speak or who are inarticulate,
who depend on others to speak for them
Thank you for your Word which reminds us
of your concern for justice for the poor and oppressed.
Help us to announce your good news;
to proclaim your liberty to those held captive;
to work and pray for a better world.
Thank you for your Word which reminds us
of the ways in which you want us to live.
Help us to share the hope we have in you;
to proclaim your love for every individual;
to work and pray for new life for humankind.
Thank you for your Word which reminds us
of our calling as members of Christ's body.
Help us to be united in love and respect for one another;
to proclaim your salvation to the world;
to work and pray under the guidance of your Spirit. Amen.
Offertory and Dedication
Generous God,
giving abundantly more than we can know or ask,
our promise is to justly share ourselves in celebration of your word.
Take our gifts to use in your service, Amen.
Hymn The Kingdom of God is Justice and Joy
Bryn Rees (1973) © 1973 Alexander Scott OneLicence # A-734713 Sung by Paul Robinson and used with his kind permission.
The kingdom of God is justice and joy;
for Jesus restores what sin would destroy.
God's power and glory in Jesus we know;
and here and hereafter the kingdom shall grow.
The kingdom of God is mercy and grace;
the captives are freed, the sinners find place,
the outcast are welcomed God's banquet to share;
and hope is awakened in place of despair.
The kingdom of God is challenge and choice:
believe the good news, repent and rejoice!
God's love for us sinners brought Christ to his Cross:
our crisis of judgement for gain or for loss.
God's kingdom is come, the gift and the goal;
in Jesus begun, in heaven made whole.
The heirs of the kingdom shall answer his call;
and all things cry "Glory!" to God all in all.
Blessing
Go to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release for all who are imprisonoed, recovery of sight for the blind and let the oppressed be valued in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
And the blessing of God Almighty Father, Son and Holy Spirit
be amongst us and remain with us, this day and for evermore. Amen.
--> Where words are copyright reproduced and streamed under the terms of ONE LICENSE A-734713
PRS Limited Online Music Licence LE-0019762
Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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URC Daily Devotion 26th January 2025
96
URC Daily Devotion 26th January 2025
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26 January 2025
Third Sunday after Epiphany
Psalm 66
Cry out with joy to God all the earth,
O sing to the glory of his name.
O render him glorious praise.
Say to God: "How tremendous are your deeds!
Because of the greatness of your strength
your enemies cringe before you.
Before you all the earth shall bow,
shall sing to you, sing to your name!"
Come and see the works of God,
tremendous his deeds among the peoples.
He turned the sea into dry land,
they passed through the river dry-shod.
Let our joy then be in him;
he rules forever by his might.
His eyes keep watch over the nations:
let rebels not rise against him.
O peoples, bless our God;
let the voice of his praise resound,
of the God who gave life to our souls
and kept our feet from stumbling.
For you, O God, have tested us,
you have tried us as silver is tried;
you led us, God, into the snare;
you laid a heavy burden on our backs.
You let foes ride over our heads;
we went through fire and through water
but then you brought us relief.
Burnt offering I bring to your house;
to you I will pay my vows,
the vows which my lips have uttered,
which my mouth spoke in my distress.
I will offer burnt offerings of fatlings
with the smoke of burning rams.
I will offer bullocks and goats.
Come and hear, all who fear God,
I will tell what he did for my soul:
to him I cried aloud,
with high praise ready on my tongue.
If there had been evil in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened.
But truly God has listened;
he has heeded the voice of my prayer.
Blessed be God who did not reject my prayer
nor withhold his love from me.
Reflection
This is a psalm operating at two levels – the collective and the individual. I imagine different groups in the congregation singing each section as call and response, taking it in turns to sing some of the verses as laid out here.
It starts with everyone praising God who is all powerful and towers over cringing enemies. Then one group remembers part of their history when Moses led God’s people to freedom. In verses 5 to 7 a different chorus reminds everyone how life has been hard and yet they have come through the worst, simultaneously held and tested by their God. Then the psalm shifts from collective to individual reflection, as a soloist sings on behalf of the whole gathering about paying their dues to God. The prophets might well scoff at the offer of rams, bullocks and goats questioning whether that’s the kind of sacrifice that God wants. No matter, in verses 10 to 12 another individual sings of their gratitude for what God has done for them, ending with a hint of a covenant relationship with God.
The constant flux between the collective and individual in worship seems familiar. Within a gathering of people, however small or large, there will be a variety of emotions, needs and expectations. The ones who provide energy when the singing flags stand next to the troubled individual who wonders why God is testing them. Some look back to what God has done in the past and learn from it, while others are caught up in the present moment of connection with the divine. It can be a giddy cacophony, with the worship leader themselves pulled in competing directions as they sense the different dynamics within the worshipping congregation.
Prayer
Thank you God,
for staying steady when we are all over the place;
for accepting the joyful noise we make;
for bringing us to a spacious place;
for listening to our barely articulated desires;
for understanding the vows we make when our backs are against the wall.
Thank you God,
for bearing with all our giddiness,
and keeping on loving us. Amen
--> Today's writer
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Psalm 66
Cry out with joy to God all the earth,
O sing to the glory of his name.
O render him glorious praise.
Say to God: "How tremendous are your deeds!
Because of the greatness of your strength
your enemies cringe before you.
Before you all the earth shall bow,
shall sing to you, sing to your name!"
Come and see the works of God,
tremendous his deeds among the peoples.
He turned the sea into dry land,
they passed through the river dry-shod.
Let our joy then be in him;
he rules forever by his might.
His eyes keep watch over the nations:
let rebels not rise against him.
O peoples, bless our God;
let the voice of his praise resound,
of the God who gave life to our souls
and kept our feet from stumbling.
For you, O God, have tested us,
you have tried us as silver is tried;
you led us, God, into the snare;
you laid a heavy burden on our backs.
You let foes ride over our heads;
we went through fire and through water
but then you brought us relief.
Burnt offering I bring to your house;
to you I will pay my vows,
the vows which my lips have uttered,
which my mouth spoke in my distress.
I will offer burnt offerings of fatlings
with the smoke of burning rams.
I will offer bullocks and goats.
Come and hear, all who fear God,
I will tell what he did for my soul:
to him I cried aloud,
with high praise ready on my tongue.
If there had been evil in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened.
But truly God has listened;
he has heeded the voice of my prayer.
Blessed be God who did not reject my prayer
nor withhold his love from me.
Reflection
This is a psalm operating at two levels – the collective and the individual. I imagine different groups in the congregation singing each section as call and response, taking it in turns to sing some of the verses as laid out here.
It starts with everyone praising God who is all powerful and towers over cringing enemies. Then one group remembers part of their history when Moses led God’s people to freedom. In verses 5 to 7 a different chorus reminds everyone how life has been hard and yet they have come through the worst, simultaneously held and tested by their God. Then the psalm shifts from collective to individual reflection, as a soloist sings on behalf of the whole gathering about paying their dues to God. The prophets might well scoff at the offer of rams, bullocks and goats questioning whether that’s the kind of sacrifice that God wants. No matter, in verses 10 to 12 another individual sings of their gratitude for what God has done for them, ending with a hint of a covenant relationship with God.
The constant flux between the collective and individual in worship seems familiar. Within a gathering of people, however small or large, there will be a variety of emotions, needs and expectations. The ones who provide energy when the singing flags stand next to the troubled individual who wonders why God is testing them. Some look back to what God has done in the past and learn from it, while others are caught up in the present moment of connection with the divine. It can be a giddy cacophony, with the worship leader themselves pulled in competing directions as they sense the different dynamics within the worshipping congregation.
Prayer
Thank you God,
for staying steady when we are all over the place;
for accepting the joyful noise we make;
for bringing us to a spacious place;
for listening to our barely articulated desires;
for understanding the vows we make when our backs are against the wall.
Thank you God,
for bearing with all our giddiness,
and keeping on loving us. Amen
--> Today's writer
The Revd Fiona Thomas, in transitional ministry with Bellingham, Catford and Lee Green
Copyright The Psalms: The Grail Translation, Inclusive Language Version, Collins, 2009. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.Want to change how you receive these emails? You can
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URC Daily Devotion 25 January 2025
96
URC Daily Devotion 25 January 2025
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Saturday 25 January 2025
St Luke 10: 17 - 20
The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’ He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’
Reflection
Sometimes I wonder if I have a particularly short attention span. The sending out of the 70 is very familiar, but I did not immediately recognise this story of their return, which I must have read or heard read many times over the years. Perhaps that’s because we are often focused on sending people out into the world, sharing the good news, and trying to make the world more like God’s kingdom. Should we ask more about what those people find and learn?
Knowing as we do where Luke will take us later in the Gospel, the power of the 70 is quite jarring. No Jonah-like “We told them but they didn’t want to listen”, but rather an apparently unblemished record of casting out demons and other achievements. If Jesus had the power to inspire normal people to such achievements, why didn’t he surge to a peaceful triumph over the power of evil, rather than end his life on the cross? Maybe that is too literal a reading of Luke’s words - maybe the 70 were celebrating the successes they had had, even as they were mixed with failures and disappointments, rather than reporting that every interaction was successful.
There are two points that I am particularly taking away from this reading:
Prayer
Lord,
We confess that we sometimes feel like failures
That others seem to glide along effortlessly achieving great things
While we seem to stumble and struggle with intractable problems.
Help us to remember that you love us whatever we achieve
That even when we feel weak, we may be serving you
That our very weakness may be the factor that emboldens someone to ask us for help.
As we celebrate the love that you have for all humanity,
We pray that your kingdom may come.
Amen.
--> Today's writer Gordon Woods, Elder, St. Columba’s URC, Oxford Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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St Luke 10: 17 - 20
The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’ He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’
Reflection
Sometimes I wonder if I have a particularly short attention span. The sending out of the 70 is very familiar, but I did not immediately recognise this story of their return, which I must have read or heard read many times over the years. Perhaps that’s because we are often focused on sending people out into the world, sharing the good news, and trying to make the world more like God’s kingdom. Should we ask more about what those people find and learn?
Knowing as we do where Luke will take us later in the Gospel, the power of the 70 is quite jarring. No Jonah-like “We told them but they didn’t want to listen”, but rather an apparently unblemished record of casting out demons and other achievements. If Jesus had the power to inspire normal people to such achievements, why didn’t he surge to a peaceful triumph over the power of evil, rather than end his life on the cross? Maybe that is too literal a reading of Luke’s words - maybe the 70 were celebrating the successes they had had, even as they were mixed with failures and disappointments, rather than reporting that every interaction was successful.
There are two points that I am particularly taking away from this reading:
- The power of inspiration - Jesus’ faith in the 70 gave them confidence to do things they never thought they could do. Who could we inspire to live out their talents more fully?
- The importance of wearing success lightly - Jesus tells the 70 not to rejoice in their experiences, but that they were loved by God. If we get too focused on chasing success, in whatever field, we risk losing sight of the blessings of normal life, and may miss God’s promptings that we should perhaps be seeking new directions.
Prayer
Lord,
We confess that we sometimes feel like failures
That others seem to glide along effortlessly achieving great things
While we seem to stumble and struggle with intractable problems.
Help us to remember that you love us whatever we achieve
That even when we feel weak, we may be serving you
That our very weakness may be the factor that emboldens someone to ask us for help.
As we celebrate the love that you have for all humanity,
We pray that your kingdom may come.
Amen.
--> Today's writer Gordon Woods, Elder, St. Columba’s URC, Oxford Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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URC Daily Devotion 24 January 2025
96
URC Daily Devotion 24 January 2025
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Friday 24 January 2025
St Luke 10: 13 - 16
Jesus said ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But at the judgement it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum,
will you be exalted to heaven?
No, you will be brought down to Hades.
‘Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.’
Reflection
Yesterday Jesus sent his disciples out to proclaim the Kingdom. Today, he seems to advocate a churlish response to those towns who do not respond. Not only should the disciples shake the dust off their feet, Jesus calls down woe upon them.
So what is annoying Jesus? Firstly, ingratitude. Remarkable things happen in Chorazin and Bethsaida. If the pagan cities of Tyre and Sidon had witnessed them, they would have responded with thanksgiving and penance. But the supposedly godly people of these Israelite towns cannot be bothered. Why be grateful for a few healings? Why respond in penitence when we are getting no more than we deserve?
It is Jesus’s prerogative to call down woe, but I admit I have been tempted. Those times when I have put my heart and soul into crafting worship, and the only response is a complaint about the hymns. Or that powerful call to repentance for our planetary greed, which produces the response “Nice sermon!” when it was not supposed to be nice at all. Even more when someone else’s efforts are dismissed - the person who bravely gives a testimony about a life-changing moment and is told “Oh, that kind of thing happens all the time. It’s no big deal.”
Or when I am in the congregation, and I catch myself thinking “that was rather pedestrian”, “not very well constructed”, “that did go on”. It is then that I need to read these verses again. Woe to me when I mentally trash someone else’s sincere efforts to bring people closer to God. Woe to me when I am superior about the books I have read or the experiences I have had. Woe to me when I think “I’ve heard this one before” and drift off.
It is then that I need to be chastened with the thought that in being supercilious about the leadership that day, I am rejecting Jesus. So may I - and you - learn the eternal value of gratitude.
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
thank you for those who make the effort to lead worship, prayer, Bible study;
those who care about being an EcoChurch, an Inclusive Church, a community,
and work at it caringly and lovingly.
Help me to overlook what I think are the imperfections of their style and approach
and hear You in their words and see You in their actions,
so that I may never reject You again. Amen.
--> Today's writer The Revd Gethin Rhys, Policy Officer for Cytûn (Churches together in Wales), member of Parkminster URC, Cardiff Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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St Luke 10: 13 - 16
Jesus said ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But at the judgement it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum,
will you be exalted to heaven?
No, you will be brought down to Hades.
‘Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.’
Reflection
Yesterday Jesus sent his disciples out to proclaim the Kingdom. Today, he seems to advocate a churlish response to those towns who do not respond. Not only should the disciples shake the dust off their feet, Jesus calls down woe upon them.
So what is annoying Jesus? Firstly, ingratitude. Remarkable things happen in Chorazin and Bethsaida. If the pagan cities of Tyre and Sidon had witnessed them, they would have responded with thanksgiving and penance. But the supposedly godly people of these Israelite towns cannot be bothered. Why be grateful for a few healings? Why respond in penitence when we are getting no more than we deserve?
It is Jesus’s prerogative to call down woe, but I admit I have been tempted. Those times when I have put my heart and soul into crafting worship, and the only response is a complaint about the hymns. Or that powerful call to repentance for our planetary greed, which produces the response “Nice sermon!” when it was not supposed to be nice at all. Even more when someone else’s efforts are dismissed - the person who bravely gives a testimony about a life-changing moment and is told “Oh, that kind of thing happens all the time. It’s no big deal.”
Or when I am in the congregation, and I catch myself thinking “that was rather pedestrian”, “not very well constructed”, “that did go on”. It is then that I need to read these verses again. Woe to me when I mentally trash someone else’s sincere efforts to bring people closer to God. Woe to me when I am superior about the books I have read or the experiences I have had. Woe to me when I think “I’ve heard this one before” and drift off.
It is then that I need to be chastened with the thought that in being supercilious about the leadership that day, I am rejecting Jesus. So may I - and you - learn the eternal value of gratitude.
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
thank you for those who make the effort to lead worship, prayer, Bible study;
those who care about being an EcoChurch, an Inclusive Church, a community,
and work at it caringly and lovingly.
Help me to overlook what I think are the imperfections of their style and approach
and hear You in their words and see You in their actions,
so that I may never reject You again. Amen.
--> Today's writer The Revd Gethin Rhys, Policy Officer for Cytûn (Churches together in Wales), member of Parkminster URC, Cardiff Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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URC Daily Devotion 23 January 2025
96
URC Daily Devotion 23 January 2025
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Thursday 23 January 2025
St Luke 10: 1 - 12
After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, “Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.” I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town.
Reflection
My friend Jean heard these words anew in her youth in the 1960s and trained as a nurse, midwife and missionary. Growing up in the Brethren, Jean was bemused to find that, as a missionary, she had to lead worship, preach, and preside at Communion - but only in the mission fields! Based in Macao she went over the border into China to run a clinic. One day, during the Cultural Revolution, the border closed and Jean was imprisoned with a group of nuns. The horrors of imprisonment led to an ecumenism unusual in Jean’s background and, even more unusually, made her promise God that she’d become honest about her sexuality. After her release she worked with LGBT people within an affirming church context. Her gifts of encouragement touched many people and sustained me in my earliest years in ministry.
Jesus, when he sent these disciples off, didn't promise it would be easy. Peace was to be shared but it would not always be accepted. Great things were commanded of disciples - cure the sick, proclaim the kingdom, eat what’s provided - but there will be hard times when the message is not accepted. Inhospitality will be dealt with as it was with the people of Sodom. Heady words!
We read these words anew and, perhaps, see the message about few workers more than the one about the harvest being ready. It’s hard to work as a missionary or minister in our contemporary age; we’re in the midst of social changes that we can only slightly grasp; we know spirituality attracts yet the Church doesn’t. We know more are called than take up the challenge and yet…the saints of old inspire us as they followed without counting the cost, as they tried to work out the changes they were swept up in, as they tried to make sense of the Gospel in their own contexts and, like my friend Jean, they found in that discipleship meaning and fulfilment. I pray you do too.
Prayer
God of the harvest,
help us to see the needs around us,
the desire for authentic spirituality,
a thirst for You
amidst the cries for justice.
As the workers are few, O God,
equip us to both work for You,
and see more clearly where You call us to go.
That we may be content,
speak peace,
heal the wounded,
and proclaim Your coming Kingdom.
Amen.
--> Today's writer The Revd Andy Braunston is the URC’s Minister for Digital Worship and a member of the Peedie Kirk URC, Kirkwall, Orkney. Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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St Luke 10: 1 - 12
After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, “Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.” I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town.
Reflection
My friend Jean heard these words anew in her youth in the 1960s and trained as a nurse, midwife and missionary. Growing up in the Brethren, Jean was bemused to find that, as a missionary, she had to lead worship, preach, and preside at Communion - but only in the mission fields! Based in Macao she went over the border into China to run a clinic. One day, during the Cultural Revolution, the border closed and Jean was imprisoned with a group of nuns. The horrors of imprisonment led to an ecumenism unusual in Jean’s background and, even more unusually, made her promise God that she’d become honest about her sexuality. After her release she worked with LGBT people within an affirming church context. Her gifts of encouragement touched many people and sustained me in my earliest years in ministry.
Jesus, when he sent these disciples off, didn't promise it would be easy. Peace was to be shared but it would not always be accepted. Great things were commanded of disciples - cure the sick, proclaim the kingdom, eat what’s provided - but there will be hard times when the message is not accepted. Inhospitality will be dealt with as it was with the people of Sodom. Heady words!
We read these words anew and, perhaps, see the message about few workers more than the one about the harvest being ready. It’s hard to work as a missionary or minister in our contemporary age; we’re in the midst of social changes that we can only slightly grasp; we know spirituality attracts yet the Church doesn’t. We know more are called than take up the challenge and yet…the saints of old inspire us as they followed without counting the cost, as they tried to work out the changes they were swept up in, as they tried to make sense of the Gospel in their own contexts and, like my friend Jean, they found in that discipleship meaning and fulfilment. I pray you do too.
Prayer
God of the harvest,
help us to see the needs around us,
the desire for authentic spirituality,
a thirst for You
amidst the cries for justice.
As the workers are few, O God,
equip us to both work for You,
and see more clearly where You call us to go.
That we may be content,
speak peace,
heal the wounded,
and proclaim Your coming Kingdom.
Amen.
--> Today's writer The Revd Andy Braunston is the URC’s Minister for Digital Worship and a member of the Peedie Kirk URC, Kirkwall, Orkney. Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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URC Daily Devotion Wednesday 22 January 2025
96
URC Daily Devotion Wednesday 22 January 2025
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Wednesday 22 January 2025
St Luke 9: 57 - 62
As they were going along the road, someone said to Jesus, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ To another he said, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ Another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’
Reflection
Earlier in the chapter Jesus had said that his followers need to take up their cross and follow (Luke 9:23).
To follow Jesus means rejection and persecution, and for some, at least it means leaving home and family.
One says that they will follow wherever Jesus goes. To this person Jesus describes in metaphors what it means becoming homeless.
Jesus and those going with him will need hospitality, but it will not always be provided. Those who follow will be worse off than the foxes who have holes and birds of the air who have nests.
It could be that these words are also hinting at political persecution, for word ‘fox’ appears later in the Gospel as Jesus describes Herod as a ‘fox’ (Luke 13:32).
The word 'follow' comes like a refrain. Jesus calls one to follow, but first the person wants to bury his father. Jesus tells him that the dead are to bury the dead, but he is to go and proclaim the Kingdom of God, whether this is a hyperbole or not Jesus is declaring that the call of discipleship has priority even over solemn and important duties to the family.
A third person says that they want to follow but Jesus tells him "No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God”. There is a contrast with Elisha, commissioned by Elijah while ploughing a field, he is given permission to kiss his mother and father (1 Kings 19:19-21).
Jesus and his disciples are on a journey, and there is an utmost seriousness to this journey, they may well face persecution and hardship, they cannot risk the distractions of family and unfinished tasks.
We are not told whether any of the three potential disciples follow or not.
George Caird in his commentary on Luke writes 'the most difficult choices in life are not between good and evil, but between the good and the best'.
Prayer
Gracious God,
we thank you for those who have been called to follow Jesus,
those through the ages.
You continue call people to follow
and be your disciples today.
We thank you for your Spirit,
who leads us and inspires us in all we do.
In Christ’s name. Amen. --> Today's writer The Revd Dr David Whiting, Retired Minister living in Sunderland Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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St Luke 9: 57 - 62
As they were going along the road, someone said to Jesus, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ To another he said, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ Another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’
Reflection
Earlier in the chapter Jesus had said that his followers need to take up their cross and follow (Luke 9:23).
To follow Jesus means rejection and persecution, and for some, at least it means leaving home and family.
One says that they will follow wherever Jesus goes. To this person Jesus describes in metaphors what it means becoming homeless.
Jesus and those going with him will need hospitality, but it will not always be provided. Those who follow will be worse off than the foxes who have holes and birds of the air who have nests.
It could be that these words are also hinting at political persecution, for word ‘fox’ appears later in the Gospel as Jesus describes Herod as a ‘fox’ (Luke 13:32).
The word 'follow' comes like a refrain. Jesus calls one to follow, but first the person wants to bury his father. Jesus tells him that the dead are to bury the dead, but he is to go and proclaim the Kingdom of God, whether this is a hyperbole or not Jesus is declaring that the call of discipleship has priority even over solemn and important duties to the family.
A third person says that they want to follow but Jesus tells him "No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God”. There is a contrast with Elisha, commissioned by Elijah while ploughing a field, he is given permission to kiss his mother and father (1 Kings 19:19-21).
Jesus and his disciples are on a journey, and there is an utmost seriousness to this journey, they may well face persecution and hardship, they cannot risk the distractions of family and unfinished tasks.
We are not told whether any of the three potential disciples follow or not.
George Caird in his commentary on Luke writes 'the most difficult choices in life are not between good and evil, but between the good and the best'.
Prayer
Gracious God,
we thank you for those who have been called to follow Jesus,
those through the ages.
You continue call people to follow
and be your disciples today.
We thank you for your Spirit,
who leads us and inspires us in all we do.
In Christ’s name. Amen. --> Today's writer The Revd Dr David Whiting, Retired Minister living in Sunderland Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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URC Daily Devotion Tuesday 21 January 2025
96
URC Daily Devotion Tuesday 21 January 2025
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Tuesday 21 January 2025
St Luke 9: 51 - 56
When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set towards Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.
Reflection
The opening words in this passage mark a turning point in Luke’s Gospel. We have come to the end of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee and he is going to Jerusalem. In the Gospel the journey takes some time, about nine chapters.
The journey does not begin well. Jesus sends messengers ahead of them, they enter a Samaritan village who will not receive Jesus.
James and John chip in at this point, and they suggest that he should command fire to come down and consume the village. In 2 Kings 1 Elijah calls fire down upon fifty men sent to him by the King of Samaria (2 Kings 1:9-12), we may wonder if this is behind the thoughts of the disciples.
As we think about what James and John were saying, we may begin to wonder what they have learned, or rather failed to learn. Were they absent when Jesus told the disciples that they should love their enemies, do good to those who hate them, bless those who curse them, pray for those who ill-treat them (Luke 6:27,28). They do not seem to have taken in Jesus’ teaching about true greatness, where Jesus places a child in their midst, and John himself has been told that whoever is not against you is for you (Luke 9:46-50).
Jesus rejects the use of violence, and he rebukes the two disciples.
Jesus and his disciples are going to need hospitality, but when such hospitality is refused you do not threaten those who refuse with destruction.
It is interesting that in the Acts of the Apostles Philip goes to this region of Samaria. He proclaims the Messiah in the city and the people listen eagerly, the outcome is not destruction but joy (Acts 8:4-8).
As modern-day disciples of Jesus, there may be times when we face rejection, our response should not be one of bitterness but one of patience and forgiveness.
Prayer
Gracious God,
there are times when we face disagreement,
times when we feel rejected.
May we not be bitter and full of anger.
May we be patient,
and always ready to forgive others,
as Christ forgives us.
Amen. --> Today's writer The Revd Dr David Whiting, Retired Minister living in Sunderland Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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St Luke 9: 51 - 56
When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set towards Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.
Reflection
The opening words in this passage mark a turning point in Luke’s Gospel. We have come to the end of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee and he is going to Jerusalem. In the Gospel the journey takes some time, about nine chapters.
The journey does not begin well. Jesus sends messengers ahead of them, they enter a Samaritan village who will not receive Jesus.
James and John chip in at this point, and they suggest that he should command fire to come down and consume the village. In 2 Kings 1 Elijah calls fire down upon fifty men sent to him by the King of Samaria (2 Kings 1:9-12), we may wonder if this is behind the thoughts of the disciples.
As we think about what James and John were saying, we may begin to wonder what they have learned, or rather failed to learn. Were they absent when Jesus told the disciples that they should love their enemies, do good to those who hate them, bless those who curse them, pray for those who ill-treat them (Luke 6:27,28). They do not seem to have taken in Jesus’ teaching about true greatness, where Jesus places a child in their midst, and John himself has been told that whoever is not against you is for you (Luke 9:46-50).
Jesus rejects the use of violence, and he rebukes the two disciples.
Jesus and his disciples are going to need hospitality, but when such hospitality is refused you do not threaten those who refuse with destruction.
It is interesting that in the Acts of the Apostles Philip goes to this region of Samaria. He proclaims the Messiah in the city and the people listen eagerly, the outcome is not destruction but joy (Acts 8:4-8).
As modern-day disciples of Jesus, there may be times when we face rejection, our response should not be one of bitterness but one of patience and forgiveness.
Prayer
Gracious God,
there are times when we face disagreement,
times when we feel rejected.
May we not be bitter and full of anger.
May we be patient,
and always ready to forgive others,
as Christ forgives us.
Amen. --> Today's writer The Revd Dr David Whiting, Retired Minister living in Sunderland Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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URC Daily Devotion Monday 20 January 2025
96
URC Daily Devotion Monday 20 January 2025
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Monday 20 January 2025
--> Today's writer The Revd Roberta Ritson, minister at North Tyne Local Ecumenical Partnerships and Horsley Village Church Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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St Luke 9: 49 - 50
John answered, ‘Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Do not stop him; for whoever is not against you is for you.’
ReflectionWhat a short, punchy reading today: words of Jesus advocating the virtues of generosity and an open-mind. It’s acceptable for those regarded as ‘other’ to call upon his name. If they can restore health and balance to distressed people then leave them be.
What a rallying cry for inclusivity. There should be no more ‘us’ and ‘them’.
How well I remember the first lunchtime on my first day ever at the Scottish Episcopal Institute (where I undertook some of my training for URC ministry alongside the Scottish College). I’d dared to suggest that denominations might be an affront to Jesus. Surely we were all ‘humble learners in the school of Christ.’(1)
To feel comfortable in diverse worship situations is a sure way to arouse suspicion. “You’re denominationally unstable!”, exclaimed the tutor. Other people have said “You’re like someone with odd socks on. How can you readily take part in Anglican worship*?” (*alongside URC services and, earlier, Quaker meetings).
I’m all for odd socks. I also think it’s better to be ‘out’ than ‘in’ if conformity means betraying one’s core values and hard-earned life experience.
Our faith journeys are not necessarily linear. We learn and change.
And yet…. Many churches, including the URC, exercise great care in selecting and educating ministers, whether lay preachers, community workers or ministers of some other kind. There is a healthy tension between our dissenting tradition (‘all may be led by the Spirit…’ ) and well founded guidelines, rules some find smacking of control freakery.
Without a pastoral heart and selfless desire to serve, worship leaders and healers could do harm as well as good. They may have broken away from another group, never saying their farewells with gratitude. They may carry grudges and discontent. We must exercise great discernment.
One rule of thumb is to ask, is this one, claiming to act in the name of Jesus, able to listen deeply as well as to speak?
Prayer
A wise old bird sat in an oak,
the more he saw the less he spoke.
The more he spoke the less he heard.
Why can’t we all be like that wise old bird?
Jesus, give us wisdom whenever we minister.
May our discernment also be shrewd and prayerful.
Teach us when to say ‘no’ as well as saying ‘yes’.
(1) Edgar G. Dunstan, section 1.2, Quaker Faith and Practice
--> Today's writer The Revd Roberta Ritson, minister at North Tyne Local Ecumenical Partnerships and Horsley Village Church Copyright New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright © 2025 United Reformed Church, All rights reserved.
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