St Thomas Methodist Church, Exeter
Weekly Worship Resources
February 2025
02 February – Tough love
Having read from the Scriptures, Jesus declares that they have been fulfilled and declares himself a prophet. Jesus continues by telling stories of Elijah and Elisha and how they helped outsiders, not just their own people. The people are enraged and respond by trying to throw him off a cliff, but Jesus walks through them and goes on his way.
God calls us to be loving to others but sometimes this means showing ‘tough love’ and speaking the truth to them whether they want to hear it or not.
Lectionary Bible readings for RCL Epiphany 4 Year C: Jeremiah 1.4-10; Psalm 71.1-6; 1 Corinthians 13.1-13; Luke 4.21-30
Luke 4:21-30 [NRSVA]
21 Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, ‘Is not this Joseph’s son?’ 23 He said to them, ‘Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, “Doctor, cure yourself!” And you will say, “Do here also in your home town the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.”’ 24 And he said, ‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town. 25 But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up for three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; 26 yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27 There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except
Naaman the Syrian.’ 28 When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. 29 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. 30 But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.
Thought for the week
‘I hate you!’ These can be the hardest words for a parent to hear from a child, but the nature of parenting is often to say things that children don’t want to hear. Whether it’s about an aspect of their behaviour or their attitude towards study or housework, parenting always involves setting healthy boundaries and then dealing with the consequences of those boundaries being broken.
The story is told of a parent who has a ‘no mobiles in bedrooms’ rule. It’s very simple but apparently very hard to keep! Often, the parent goes from bedroom to bedroom checking whether devices have been plugged in to charge overnight before turning the child’s lights out. On one occasion they hadn’t done this and suddenly realised, as they were going to bed, that they hadn’t seen their youngest child’s phone charging anywhere. Their usual method of locating a phone is to call it from another mobile. On this occasion it caused the child’s pillow to ring! The phone was found, confiscated and the consequence of a 24-hour phone ban was applied, as per the family rule. Confiscating the phone did not make the parent popular; they didn’t enjoy doing it but loving their child means helping them grow in healthy habits. It’s a form of tough love.
When Jesus began preaching, Israel had become inward-looking and isolated from other nations. It was not fulfilling its God-given mission to be a blessing to the nations around them. Jesus listed examples of God’s grace experienced by foreigners and outsiders – his audience rioted and wanted to kill him. Throughout Jesus’ ministry, we see him unafraid to say difficult things to the people God chose and loved. Similarly, Jesus will also sometimes say hard things to us, not because he doesn’t love us but precisely because his love is so great he cannot leave us set in ways that will hurt us or others. If we are brave, we will hear this message of tough love and be changed for the better.
A prayer of confession and assurance of forgiveness
We are sorry, God, that we are often weak and helpless. Come O God, you are our Saviour, forgive us. We are sorry, God, that we do not always like to hear the truth because it hurts. Come O God, you are our Saviour, forgive us. We are sorry, God, that we so often lack motivation to speak out about the way of life and the gift of love you give to us. Come O God, you are our Saviour, forgive us.
God, who is full of mercy, hears our confession, knows our penitence and forgives us our sins, our wrongdoing, our outbursts and our silences. Thanks be to God. Amen
09 February – Whom shall I send?
Jesus calls his first disciples, among them fishermen including Simon (later Peter). Simon and Jesus already knew each other, but, as a result of the miraculous catch of fish, Simon sees Jesus in a new light, and he is given a new task to do – to catch people.
Simon Peter is changed by an encounter with God’s power and glory. We too need to have a fresh glimpse of God’s majesty as he forgives us, cleanses us and equips us to go into the world for him.
Lectionary Bible readings for RCL Epiphany 5 Year C: Isaiah 6.1-8,(9-13); Psalm 138; 1 Corinthians 15.1-11; Luke 5.1-11
Luke 5:1-11 [NRSVA]
Jesus Calls the First Disciples
5 Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, 2 he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ 5 Simon answered, ‘Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.’ 6 When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. 7 So they because And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!’ 9 For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.’ 11 When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
Thought for the week
What qualifies you to be a missionary? Is it a knowledge of other languages? Depth of biblical understanding? An ability to blend in
with different cultures? A young man once spent a year teaching English in the Middle East. He said that he had felt really special when they’d accepted his application and went out feeling like he was going to make such a difference to the people there. Reflecting on the experience after he returned, he realised that the main reason he had been chosen was that, in a competitive school environment, a native English-speaking teacher is a selling point. As a result, he had been paraded before parents to show that this school had teachers with a genuine English accent. ‘I had done all that they wanted from me in a week – they weren’t worried how good my teaching was,’ he said. Perhaps you think this a sad story, but he continued: ‘I thought I was going to change the whole country. Instead, God changed me and used me in a number of really small ways with certain people. God could have used someone else but, because I was there, I was able to be part of things he was doing and my picture of God and of the world got bigger.’ Both Simon Peter and Isaiah are chosen when they recognise who God is and obey his call. Their obedience is their only qualification. Isaiah is made clean only by the angel’s intervention and Peter knows he isn’t good enough to be with Jesus. By recognising something of who God is, and following what he tells them, Peter and Isaiah show us all that we need to do if we are to be missionaries, telling others about Jesus.
Prayers of intercession
Father, today we pray for all who are going through difficulties that make belief hard: for those who are suffering physical and mental illness, that they may feel the comfort of your healing touch; for the bereaved, that they may know your presence as they walk the valley of the shadow; for those who have been hurt, abused or betrayed by people they loved and trusted, that they will come to believe in the One who rose above all human fallibility and did not sin.
Ease open all hurting eyes and hearts, Lord. Push aside all barriers to belief. Shine your light in our darkness, so that faith may flourish even in the midst of sorrow. Amen
16 February – Growing deep roots
The psalmist draws a contrast between the ‘happy’ who resist the temptation to be drawn away from God’s ways and the ‘wicked’. The former are compared to flourishing and healthy trees, while the latter will be blown away like chaff in the wind.
This week we explore how we might grow deep roots that will enable us to withstand the storms of life.
Lectionary Bible readings for RCL Epiphany 6 Year C: Jeremiah 17.5-10; Psalm 1; 1 Corinthians 15.12-20; Luke 6.17-26
Psalm 1 [NRSVA]
The Two Ways
1 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; 2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. 3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.
4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6 for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Luke 6:17-26 [NRSVA]
Jesus Teaches and Heals
17 He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. 18 They had come to hear
him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19 And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.
Blessings and Woes
20 Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 ‘Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. ‘Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
22 ‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
24 ‘But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25 ‘Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. ‘Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.
26 ‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.
Thought for the week
For many in our society today, being rich and famous is the aim. Advertising suggests that we need to have the latest phone or gadget,
up-to-date fashion items, a dream house, a fast car and a luxury holiday. Without these our life is deemed to be impoverished. We are missing out, underachieving. Being a celebrity – be it a film star, football player or social media ‘influencer’ – is seen as a pinnacle of achievement.
Our readings this week present a different picture. In Psalm 1, the ‘happy’ and successful are those deeply rooted in God’s guidance. Jesus’ words in Luke’s Gospel also seem counter-cultural and ‘topsy-turvy’. They challenge the principles that are so prevalent in society. The poor, the hungry, the weeping and the reviled are the ones being blessed and rewarded in heaven. The rich, the well-fed, the laughing and the popular are the ones who are unfortunate and distressed.
Luke’s audience is made up of the poor and outcast of society, people often with little status, and those who were not Jewish. At that time there was, as today, a big divide between rich and poor. The distribution of wealth and status left many in poverty both physically and politically. This injustice is a key factor in Luke’s account of Jesus’ words.
In addressing the poor and the hungry, Jesus is reaching out to those struggling to make ends meet. He speaks to people who are weeping, acknowledging the pain and suffering caused by injustice. He is acknowledging a broken society and the hardships experienced by those who have little or no status, and no voice to challenge or bring about change. He calls these people ‘blessed’ and the injustices they endure now will be eradicated.
Lifestyle and attitude changes are needed for the kingdom values taught by Jesus to be experienced by all. What about those who have built up riches, power, status? Jesus’ repetition of the phrase ‘woe to you’ indicates that a time will come when these people will be called to account. What they have gained will be reversed. They will suffer as they have caused suffering. Living in a society where kingdom values prevail will deny these people the power and status they built and they will feel their loss.
What is the challenge to us today? Are we ‘rooted’ in superficial values, surface things that will pass away? Or are our roots deep in God’s word and living out the values of God’s kingdom?
A prayer of adoration Almighty, everlasting God, you give us good ground to grow in, rich and full of life. You are our foundation, our rock, our scaffold. You support us and uphold us. You soothe our pains, are balm to our suffering, a comfort in our distress and hope eternal. You stand with us, walk with us, talk with us, feed us and quench our thirst. You bless us day by day and we worship and adore you. Amen
23 February – Having a generous spirit
Jesus continues his teaching on how to behave as God’s children. He challenges his hearers to not only love those who treat them well but to go beyond this and to love their enemies.
Jesus challenges us to think about how having a generous spirit benefits ourselves and others.
Lectionary Bible readings for RCL Epiphany 7 Year C: Genesis 45.3-11,15; Psalm 37.1-11,39-40; 1 Corinthians 15.35-38,42-50; Luke 6.27-38
Luke 6:27-38 [NRSVA]
Love for Enemies
27 ‘But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 ‘If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Judging Others
37 ‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.’
Thought for the week
The words in this passage from Luke 6 seem to be so counter-cultural:
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Is Luke overstating or exaggerating the expected reactions in the situations he mentions?
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Might he be grabbing our attention to encourage us to look at our motivation to act, and challenge what might have become our and society’s norm?
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Maybe he wants us to look at what happens to us if we build up animosity towards our enemies and those who wrong us.
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What happens if we build up anger and a sense of being cheated or a sense of complacency or lack of compassion when faced with those less fortunate than us?
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Where is our desire to love and be and do like Christ?
Jesus’ teaching here has a focus on the actions and responsibilities of the people of God, people who are learning to live by kingdom values. In the bigger picture, is Jesus encouraging us to take our eyes off ourselves and look at the people around us? In shifting our focus, we become more aware of the needs of others and become open to sharing the love God has shown to us with others, both those we like and those with whom we may have a more strained relationship. These are the actions coming out of a spirit of generosity, a generosity that has already been shown to us through Christ’s love and is developing in us as we try to live by his values.
As we interact with others, we too can expect to be recipients of generosity. The generosity shown goes beyond what can be earned or bought. It goes beyond what is deserved or not deserved. It is generosity echoing the generosity of God who loves unconditionally.
This is echoed in verse 31 – ‘do to others as you would have them do to you’ – and is also echoed at the end of the passage when we are encouraged to act as we would like others to act towards us. How grateful are we when we are shown generosity of spirit, when we are treated not as we deserve? This is how God treats us, showing mercy and love. When we treat others with the same mercy and love we are responding with the same generosity as shown by God. We are also beneficiaries of these actions as bitterness, hatred, unforgiveness and retribution can rob us of peace and fellowship with God. Although the passage can be seen to be overstating our expected generosity, it
is with the aim of making our relationship with God our life focus, rather than material wealth and status.
A prayer of praise and thanksgiving Praise to the Lord in whom we trust. Give thanks to the Lord who puts trust into our hands. Praise the Lord who blesses us with happiness. Give thanks to the Lord that we can share it with others. Praise the Lord for being patient with us. Give thanks to the Lord that we are taught patience with each other. For all God’s blessings to us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, we give thanks and praise. Amen
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