Sunday 22nd January  - Christian Unity week

Morning Worship led by

Rev Sheila Swarbrick (Exeter Central Parish)

Talk Part 1           Turn around – God’s rule is here

Don’t you just love the story of Jonah – the hero running away from God but ending up in a mess, thrown overboard in a storm to save the lives of  others though this was the last resort by the sailors; miraculously saved and turns back to God so second time round Jonah obeys and delivers the message to the city of Nineveh. ‘The end is nigh’ – judgment is coming. The king leads the people in repentance – they turn away from the violence and evil and hope that they will not be punished by God. AND God does indeed decide not to destroy them. But then in the final chapter we see that our hero has not really learnt this lesson himself, he if full of self-righteous anger and does not want to be loving towards foreigners. His basic attitudes and belief system had not changed despite his experiences.

After an opening sentence and some quotes from scripture about a messenger preparing the way, Mark begins his account of the life of Jesus with John the baptizer in the wilderness proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. This is like the prophets who had gone before, calling the people back to a living relationship with God. John also points forward to one more powerful. Then we have the baptism of Jesus and a very brief account of his temptation in the wilderness before the introduction ends with the two verses we have just heard. The scene is set John’s ministry is over he has been arrested. Jesus comes to Galilee and proclaims the good news – God is in control. It may not look like it – the Romans are still ruling but the kingdom of God has come near – or is at hand – the alternative reading. Apparently this second reading showing the kingdom coming – draws near is better than has come. Also there is debate whether Mark intends Jesus’ words here to mean the rule of God or an actual geographical or political kingdom. There is no explanation but there is the call to repent and believe – to turn around and have faith that God is about to establish his kingdom.

In society repent or repentance is not used and even the word ‘sorry’ may be rarely heard. We see people justifying themselves, making excuses and blaming others rather than admit mistakes and change their minds. Just look at our political and financial leaders. The Greek New Testament word metanoia, which is often translated as repentance, will involve feelings of penitence and confession but it also has a wider and more positive aspect suggesting new understandings, fresh insights and a larger awareness of the possibilities of life.  This metanoia needs to be regularly experienced or exercised as habits are formed and we can easily slip into inertia preferring the comfort of the known and familiar to the challenge of change. Jesus call is ‘the kingdom of God is at hand, turn around and believe.’

But what is the kingdom of God – our next hymn by Bryn Rees gives us some descriptions. It is justice and joy, mercy and grace where hope is awakened. It is challenge and choice so let us sing

Talk Part 2           Will you join in?

The familiarity of this story can make us indifferent to the implications that it makes. Not that I am suggesting that we should all leave our homes and occupations, though for some that is right, but that we can see that Jesus calls people to be wholeheartedly with him, a radical commitment, not a social club and that we should be willing to trust Jesus as he leads us into the unknown.

Do you remember when Jesus first called you? For some this can be a dramatic experience while for others it is a gradual awareness. Some Christians then have a specific call to a new job or ministry while again others find that people and circumstances lead them to different places. My life definitely follows the latter course – opportunities seem to happen. I am an Anglican because my father’s mother married an Anglican, her father was a Methodist minister and her sister married a Methodist minister. I grew up in the local parish church, had bible teaching from Crusaders, was involved with Charismatic Christians, realized in my mid 20s that I could serve God as an ordained minister and so trained. I had no idea then of the variety of situations God would lead me to – inner city Derby, suburban Chesterfield, rural Bedfordshire with some ministry to a local firm and advocacy work for someone with learning difficulties, a taste of hospital chaplaincy before parish ministry on the edge of Leicester plus opportunities to travel and see something of the worldwide church. Then almost 5 years ago I married and moved to Devon to an unknown area and for a year had no role outside adjusting to married life and moving house. Now I am a chaplain at the RD&E, an associate priest with the Parish of Central Exeter and involved with Celebrate Together – the monthly service with people with learning difficulties. God’s call for me has been one of gradual changes.

I was challenged this week when I read an article in the Guardian Weekly about a journalist from New Delhi who made a drastic change in her life to find people who are making a difference to others. She calls it her 100 heroes project. I will read from the article. Tithiya Sharma, 29, says “I’d become so used to being a journalist in India, making good money, renting a fancy apartment. It was such an easy trap to fall into and I knew that if I was going to make a change it had to be something really drastic. So I quit my job, sold all my stuff, move back in with my parents and decided I wanted to do this.” This meant travelling the world on her own to find individuals who are making a difference to their community. One example is a social worker providing counseling to slum residents in Rio de Janerio. Sharma says “All it takes is that one  person who takes it upon themselves to put all of the pieces of the puzzle together, to inspire, to bring people together, that one person who doesn’t give up. Sometimes it’s just about deconstructing the way people think. One amazing idea can disrupt the thinking of an entire community or country.” The article ends with another quote “After time every church starts looking the same, What I will remember most about this trip is the people - the undiluted love, welcoming and hospitality that I’ve experienced everywhere I’ve gone. It’s a reminder of how lucky I am, how fortunate and privileged to be here and now and having this experience. To be able to bear witness.”

She is an example and challenge to us (as are her heroes) to bear witness – do we bear witness to the abundant life that Jesus gives us, are we calling others to join his movement. Jesus said to Simon and Andrew that he would make them fishers of people – this is a metaphor for making disciples – but Jesus doesn’t say go and do this but come with me, I will make you fishers of people, I will train and equip you to do this.

Over the centuries Christians have done this in diverse ways and today, no less than in previous generations, we have great opportunities to bear witness and retell the Jesus story. In Britain our ancient parish churches and Cathedrals can show something of the reality of God but as Tithiya Sharma, our Indian writer said – it is people she remembers not buildings. This summer St Stephen’s will reopen and as a parish we are praying and thinking about how we can use our refurbished building to share the love of God and tell the biblical stories to many who know nothing, how we can lead people on from their vague hopes and prayers to a deeper faith and awareness of God. It is a challenge that you face too at the Mint.

However we go with the help of God for it is God who calls us and God who will do it or as in the words of our next hymn Jesus calls us – come with me, come wander, come welcome the world …discover that love which the world never ends.

Order Of Service

Praise

Leader:                  O Lord open our lips

All:                       and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Leader:                  From the rising of the sun to its setting

All:                       your glory is proclaimed in all the world.

Hymn 56              “King of glory, King of peace”

Prayer                 

Gracious God, as we rejoice in the gift of this new day, may the light of your presence set our hearts on fire with love for you, now and for ever. Amen.  Blessed are you, Sovereign God, king of the nations, to you be praise and glory for ever. From therising of the sun to its setting your name is proclaimed in all the world. As the Sun of Righteousness dawns in our hearts anoint our lips with the seal of your Spirit that we may witness to your gospel and sing your praise in all the world. Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

All                       

Blessed be God for ever. God of heaven, you send the gospel to the ends of the earth and your messengers to every nation: send your Holy Spirit to transform us by the good news of everlasting life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Response Story   ‘Follow Me’

Hymn 247            “The Lord of the Dance”

The Peace

          Leader:        Let us share the peace

          Adults:         The peace of the Lord be with you

          Children:      And also with you

          Leader:        Go in peace.

(Young people leave for their own sessions)

Bible readings     Jonah 3 v 1-5, 10 and Mark 1 v 14-15

Talk Part 1                   “Turn around – God’s rule is here”

Hymn 255            “The Kingdom of God”

Bible reading       Mark 1 v 16-20

Talk Part 2                   “Will you join in?”

Hymn 462            “Come with me, come wander”

Offertory

Prayers

Hymn 564            “O thou who camest from above”

Blessing

The organist this morning is John Draisey

The Stewards were Alan Worthington and Irene Jarvis