​Lord Jesus Christ, Messiah, name above all names,
we worship and adore you for revealing yourself to us,

Call to Worship
Come, let us find God’s true Messiah, and offer worship. Then God will be our strength, and Jesus
our confidence, as we engage with the world and all its needs.

Hymn Stf 45 Earth’s creator, everyday God

Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Messiah, name above all names,
we worship and adore you for revealing yourself to us,
becoming one of us and calling each of us by name.
In you, we discover who we truly are,
for you lead us to become the people you mean us to be,
one with you and with one another in your Church.
Lord, we confess that sometimes we lose sight of who you are.
We forget about you, or we take you for granted,
failing to recognise or acknowledge that you are the Messiah.
We also forget who we are in you;
where we fit into your Church, who you mean us to be.
We are distracted by the world and its problems and temptations.
We turn back to you, Lord,
seeking to renew our relationship with you.
We want to realise our full potential in you,
to grow and move forward, making right choices and decisions,
living in you, and you in us.
Amen.
​
Hymn Stf 594 Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us

Reading Matthew 16 v 13 – 20
13  When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his
disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’
14  They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others,
Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’
15  ‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’
16  Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’
17  Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed
to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.  18  And I tell you that you
are Peter, [b]  and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades [c]  will
not overcome it.  19  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever
you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth
will be loosed in heaven.’  20  Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone
that he was the Messiah.

​Hymn Stf 689 Summoned by the God who made us

​Message
Do you sometimes think that the world has got the Church all wrong?
Christians are often accused of being pious fools who think it isn’t their job to
get stuck into the world’s troubles but to wait for God to do something. This
week’s Gospel passage shows just how wrong such Christians would be – if
there really are any. On the one hand the disciples are told that Jesus is ‘the
Messiah, the Son of the living God’, and therefore invested with God’s power.
On the other, they’re not to make any great claims as followers of a divine
leader, but to think and pray and support one another under Peter’s leadership
as they work out how to bring in the kingdom. Peter and the others will be
responsible for doing this because, from here on, there will be no more signs
and wonders: those to whom insight has been given by God’s grace have
realised who Jesus is. The rest of humanity are to be convinced by human
means, by the moral choices Jesus’ followers make, in the strength of their
convictions.
 
Then again, we might think back to last year (2022) when churches, and in
particular certain church leaders, were accused of the opposite fault – not of
inactivity, but of taking their courage in both hands and being too active in
political debate, taking issue with what they saw as dishonesty, self-
indulgence, callousness or greed among those in positions of power and
authority. Should the scheme to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda have been
allowed? Was there the greatest integrity in high places? Should the

Government have been more active in providing sustained support to those
really struggling with the cost of living? Did we play the right role in the conflict
in Ukraine (whether militarily, or in response to the many refugees)? No doubt,
people with different political views will offer different answers to particular
questions. The point is, in the light of today’s Bible passage, that it is hard to
say that religious leaders should not exercise their right to raise such issues.
To all intents and purposes, Jesus was a political figure who challenged both
religious and secular leaders in Israel during his lifetime. May each one of us
have the courage to do likewise and stand for justice as we journey with him
today and in the future.

Hymn Stf 713 Show me how to stand for justice

​Prayer
​ Everlasting God, we thank you for the gift of your Son Jesus Christ and
for revealing him as Messiah and Saviour of the World.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Everlasting God, we thank you for those early disciples like Peter who gave us
the gift of the universal church.  We pray for all who preach your word. Inspire,
lead, and help us to grow as disciples as we reach out to those in need in our
communities and in our world.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Creator God, we pray for our world leaders, for our national and community
leaders and for those in public office dealing with difficult situations. May they
act with honesty and integrity to give justice for all people.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Father God, we pray for our young people. Those who have received exam
results as they plan for their future and those who are preparing to return or
go to new schools, colleges, and universities to continue their education  Help
all students in their daily lessons; give them the wisdom to listen and learn. 
Help their teachers and give them patience and knowledge to teach well and
help them all as together they learn the lessons of life. Lord in
your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Loving God, we ask for your wisdom to discern your wishes and direction in our
lives and ask for your help to know how to relate to all people we meet each
day.  May we never be a “stumbling block” to others.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Gracious God, we pray for all who we know who are housebound and in
nursing homes; those in hospitals, in recovery and rehabilitation. We thank you
for our local hospitals, health centres and clinics and for all those working in
the caring professions both there and in sheltered accommodation, care
homes and our communities.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Merciful God, we pray for all those who have died and for those who mourn
the loss of friends and loved ones. Help us to be sympathetic, caring and loving
with the bereaved and always ready to help practically and to pray diligently in
their time of greatest need.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Holy God, we thank you that your wisdom not only enlightens us but
transforms us and guides us as we approach this coming week on our journey
with you.
Loving God. Accept our prayers in the name of your Son our Saviour Jesus
Christ. Amen

Lords Prayer
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.
 Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen
​
 Hymn Stf 608 All praise to our redeeming Lord

Blessing
Go back to the daily round of life
and may what you have learned here,
transform all that you do and experience there.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen

Compiled and produced by ''Five Ducks''

​Over the last few days and no doubt during the coming week. Many will be saying
“Have you heard?” As they say what their exam results are - for good or ill!

Prayer
Your people have praised you down the years Lord and so do we. They knew You as their guide, their
strength and ever present with them in every situation - so they could do nothing else but be filled with
praise and we are as well. But we haven’t just heard but we have experienced You as our living Lord
day by day and experienced Your blessings this last week so we have to thank as well as praise You.
However we do fail You at times and are slow to acknowledge You, we are quick to take credit for
ourselves and for get Your Living Presence. But even as we say sorry we know that Your Love is
beyond compare and You are willing to accept us. The words of the hymn true as when written “Jesus
hath died and risen again pardon and peace to bestow” and it’s in that confidence that we bring our
worship to You asking that through the words below Your Name might be Glorified Amen

lords prayer
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.
 Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen

StF ​440 Amazing Grace

2 Chronicles 9:1-12 New International Version
The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon9 When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, she came to
Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. Arriving with a very great caravan—with camels carrying
spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all
she had on her mind. 2 Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for him to explain to her.
 3 When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, as well as the palace he had built, 4 the food on
his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, the cupbearers in their robes
and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed.
5 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your
wisdom is true. 6 But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not
even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard. 7 How
happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and
hear your wisdom! 8 Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on his throne
 as king to rule for the Lord your God. Because of the love of your God for Israel and his desire to uphold
them forever, he has made you king over them, to maintain justice and righteousness.”
9 Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. There had never
been such spices as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
10 (The servants of Hiram and the servants of Solomon brought gold from Ophir; they also brought algumwood 
and precious stones. 11 The king used the algumwood to make steps for the temple of the Lord and for the
royal palace, and to make harps and lyres for the musicians. Nothing like them had ever been seen in Judah.)
12 King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired and asked for; he gave her more than she had
brought to him. Then she left and returned with her retinue to her own country.

Romans 10:14-18 New International Version
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom
they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone
preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! 
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:
“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.''

StF 639 Through the Love

Prayer
Yes Lord we know that we can have confidence in You. You have never failed us and Your strength
has always been available for us. We lift upto You those who this day need to have that confidence.
They may need Your guiding hand as they make decisions, they may need Your strength as they face
challenges and they may need to be reminded of Your presence as they feel forgotten or alone this
day.
We particularly remember (along with those we name in our hearts) those facing changes to their lives
and new challenges as they move into a new Methodist Year, those who have or will receive exam
results, those caught up in warfare, those rebuilding their lives after natural disasters.
Finally we bring ourselves to You asking for Your guiding hand, the knowledge of Your strength in all
we will face this coming week and that You will continue to work through us
Above all we ask that Your will might be done through out the World
Amen

StF 666 Master speak

​Prayer:- Come Lord and Fill us, Guide us and Bless us throughout this coming week Amen

Sermon
Text Words of Queen of Sheba ‘I did not believe their words until I saw with mine own eyes’

I Chron IX v6

Introduction:- Over the last few days and no doubt during the coming week. Many will be saying
“Have you heard?” As they say what their exam results are - for good or ill! With the start to the
season for two clubs - both of which I grew up with - many have been saying “Have you heard?” How
they are playing, how the injuries are mounting and how they were when they played against each
other. Never mind it will improve (or so we trust!!).
How Word spread in Scripture:-
Have you heard?
In the Old Testament word often spread as to what God’s servants were saying and what they were
doing. Sometimes the word spread to individuals - the servant girl and Nathan “Have you heard of
what the Lord can do?”. The challenge to the Kings of Judah and Israel when they didn’t walk in God’s
way nor listen to His Word. Sometimes it spread to other countries - yes even to Sheba!
In N.T. during Jesus’ earthly ministry how often did word spread from one to another ‘Have you heard
of this Jesus?” His preaching - speaking with power asking God’s Word live. His healing, His
friendship, His reflection of God’s Love.
Paul reflected the importance of telling and hearing in our New Testament Lesson and we remind
ourselves of it with many of the hymns that we have sung down the years ( I have put in brackets
where you can find them if you wish to remind yourself of them)
I love to hear the story (M.H.B. 856)
Tell me the Old old story (M.H.B.161)
Tell me the stories of Jesus (M.H.B. 858)
We’ve a story to tell to the Nations (M.P. 261)
But Queen of Sheba came and saw for herself she experienced - what she had heard about. Healing
came in the story of Nathan not when heard but when experienced and washed in obedience to what
told. The effect during Jesus’ ministry was when the crowds experienced him for themselves. On the
first Pentecost the assembled disciples and crowd didn’t just hear - nor tell - but experienced for
themselves.
But beyond that they Queen of Sheba came. The crowds came and heard experienced for
themselves.

Naaman when told and heard - but then obeyed and experienced
On the first Pentecost - as gathered in Jerusalem - experienced for themselves.
It has been, is and will continue to be for ourselves. We don’t just hear, don’t just tell but we
experience - as individuals and God’s Fellowship - His Love, power and acceptance for ourselves.
Typical Andrew referring to a hymn again but if you look at Hark the Gospel News is sounding (M.H.B.
315) as we move through the hymn we move through from telling, to hearing onto experiencing.
Then a call comes to us not just to hear, tell and experience but to actually Live the story. Allow God to
work through us, to strengthen us, to fill us with His presence and Reflect His Love through us. Thus
giving the opportunity for more to hear, tell and experience what He has to offer to all who will respond.
No doubt the question will continue to come “ Have you heard?” May we continue to ask the question
“have you heard?” Also “have you experienced?”
May it continue to be true of us that:-
We love to hear the story
We love to tell the story
We love to experience the story
We love to live the story
Amen

 StF 67 This This is the God

Blessing

Go and proclaim the Gospel,
through what you say,
what you do,
and who you are.
May others, as they meet with you,
meet with Christ,
and know his living presence for themselves.
Amen

Jesus calls us to walk with him. To each one of us he says “come!”

Prayer
Loving God, you remind us over and over in your Word that you are always
with us. You tell us not to fear and you draw us close into your Presence. You
are the only place we find refuge in the storms that surround us and the only
place we can find peace and strength. We ask you for your words of truth and
power to strengthen us and we lift our hearts to you. Thank you for your
goodness and thank you that you know the journey that we undertake.
Forgive us when we ignore your call, when we choose to go our own way,
when our attitudes and unkind behaviour and words cause hurt to others and
when we are blind to the injustice, suffering and pain experienced by so many
in this cruel, unkind world. Help us to open our minds and our hearts and to be
beacons of your light and love to others. In the name of your dear son Jesus.
Amen
​
Reading. Matthew 14 v 22 -33
22  Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of
him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.  23  After he had dismissed
them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he
was there alone,  24  and the boat was already a considerable distance from land,
buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25  Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.  26  When the
disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they
said, and cried out in fear.
27  But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28  “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29  “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward
Jesus.  30  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried
out, “Lord, save me!”
31  Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little
faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Hymn StF 629 God of my faith, I offer you my doubt.

​Message
Jesus had been busy feeding the five thousand and caring for them. Afterwards
he needed time alone with God his father. So, he sent the crowds away and
the disciples off in their boat and went up a mountain to pray. We all need
regular contact with God when our lives are at their busiest – time for renewal
and rest.
Jesus was alone that evening and the disciples got caught up in a terrifying
storm, their boat battered by the wind and waves. Our lives are sometimes like
that too – peaceful one day and then overwhelmed by problems and
difficulties – our personal storms. For the disciples Jesus was there – he came
when they needed his calming presence. Perhaps he had realised that the wind
had become so violent that they could be in danger. We are told that he
walked on the water – however he got there he came with those reassuring
words “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Those words are ours to grasp too – during our own “storms” in life Jesus is
there just waiting for us to call upon him. Peter was so relieved and excited to
see Jesus that his fears left him briefly and he wanted to get across the water
to reach him. Jesus invited him to “come” and Peter started the journey before
being overwhelmed by his own fears and beginning to sink. Isn’t that a parallel
with what happens to us at times? We need to turn to Jesus just as Peter did
and have the courage to say “Lord, save me.”
The logo of the World Council of Churches is perhaps appropriately of a boat
on a stormy sea and this reading reminds us that however small our faith God
is with us and ready to uphold us as we go through the challenges of our own
lives.
Julian of Norwich or Mother Julian Lived in the 14 th century as an “Anchoress”
or religious recluse and lived through the Black Death – the pandemic of
bubonic plague which killed millions of people around the world. She was
critically ill and almost died at the age of 30 but the visions she had at that time
led to the strengthening of her faith and her writings which still exist today.
One of those says “he did not say, ‘you shall not be tempest tossed; you shall
not be work-weary; you shall not be distressed’. But he did say, ‘you shall not
be overcome’.” She was acutely aware of God’s love, of his power and of his
presence.
The RNLI is the United Kingdom’s Sea rescue service, and it will sometimes
simply “stand by” and keep watch on a boat or ship in trouble ready to
intervene if the situation deteriorates and it is called upon to help. Our God
could be said to always be on standby too. In Hebrews 13 v 5 we are told that
God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” We do not have
to face our troubles alone, but we do need to trust him and call out to him.
Have you the courage to put your hand into the hand of God and trust him to
“never leave you or forsake you”?
​
Hymn StF 624 Calm me Lord, as you calmed the storm

​Prayer of Intercession
Loving God, There is so much turmoil in this world. We see on the news the
storms of war. We pray for those who are caught up in conflicts: for soldiers
having to fight for their country; for their families worrying about their safety;
for those living in fear of their homes being destroyed. Lord, help everyone to
look to you to be their support and guide. We pray for all those caught up in
ongoing conflicts in Yemen, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Niger. Help them to find
their comfort in you.
We pray for those whose livelihood is on the sea. We pray for their safety. We
pray for migrants who are travelling in tiny boats across huge seas trying to
reach safety and a better way of living. We ask you to bring them safely to
shore. We pray for their families who wait anxiously for news of their safety.
We pray for the people smugglers too, that you would give them eyes to see
that they are dealing with human beings, made in your image, who deserve
respect and love. We pray that you will convict them and help them turn away
from what they are doing.
We pray for those who are living through rough seas now: for those who are
suffering with constant pain; those facing difficult diagnoses; those who mourn
the loss of a beloved family member or friend; those who are depressed or
anxious. Lord, reach out and lift them. Help them to know your presence and
reassure them that you will never let them go.
Loving God, we think about climate change and it’s effects this summer, so wet
in some places, life-threateningly hot in others. We pray for farmers watching
their crops ruined by rain, while fire and drought ravages that of others. Help
those in power to work together to find solutions to the problems of climate
change and bring hope for the future.
We pray for all who have taken exams this summer. Give them peace of mind
and heart as they await their results and look forward to uncertain futures. Be
with them all as they negotiate the storms and calms ahead of them.
Loving God, we commit this week to you. Go before us into all the places we
expect to be and help us to find you in any new and unexpected places and
situations. Help us to listen to your voice. Help us to see all the possibilities
that you have in store for us.
Lord, when the storms get close:
save us, lift us, and help us keep our eyes fixed on you.
Thank you for being there for us in all the storms of life.
Help us to step out in faith and follow your lead,
secure in the knowledge that you are always there to lift us up. Amen

Hymn StF 645 Will your anchor hold in the storms of life?

Blessing
Peter only knew life as a fisherman.
But he got out of the boat and followed you, Lord.
Help us to hear your voice,
get out of our boats and follow you.
In the week ahead,
may the world and its problems decrease
as you increase in our lives.
Keep us focused on your way,
looking ahead and trusting you.
Amen.

Blessings are a sign that God touches and enriches our lives – in lots of different ways. This is not about
having material riches but in celebrating God’s generosity to us (which we don’t deserve) and which
we receive in different ways.

Call to worship
“And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy  and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6 v 8)

Prayer of thanks and forgiveness.
Loving God, we praise you for your generosity of spirit.
Thank you for your ever-open heart and hands,
swift to forgive and to bless,
to feed our souls and to unburden our spirits.
Thank you for your nurturing nature,
enfolding us in compassion and encouragement every day.
We praise you for having all the time in the world for us,
even when we don’t make time for you.
Day by day, may we grow in love and grace,
learning from you and becoming more like you, we pray.
Loving God, we thank you for your assurance of forgiveness
even when we have wandered far from you,
when we have failed to be open to others;
when we have neglected to show hospitality.
Thank you for all your blessings and for forgiving and nurturing us always.
In the name of Jesus Christ your son.
Amen.

Part 1 How blessed are we?
There is an old song with familiar words: ‘Count your many blessings, name
them one by one. And it will surprise you what the Lord has done’.
In the service we will discuss 3 questions (try to answer these questions for
yourself):
1. In what ways do you feel blessed in your life? Make a (mental) ‘list’.
2. Has anyone been surprised by what is in this ‘list’?
3. What does your ‘list’ say to you?
Blessings are a sign that God touches and enriches our lives – in lots of
different ways. This is not about having material riches but in celebrating God’s
generosity to us (which we don’t deserve) and which we receive in different
ways.
In today’s readings we will think about what it is that God requires of his
people, and how God blesses us. Later, we will think about how we might
share those blessings with others.

 Reading – Micah 6 1-8
6 Listen to what the Lord says:
“Stand up, plead my case before the mountains;
    let the hills hear what you have to say.
2 “Hear, you mountains, the Lord’s accusation;
    listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth.
For the Lord has a case against his people;
    he is lodging a charge against Israel.
3 “My people, what have I done to you?
    How have I burdened you? Answer me.
4 I brought you up out of Egypt
    and redeemed you from the land of slavery.
I sent Moses to lead you,
    also Aaron and Miriam.
5 My people, remember
    what Balak king of Moab plotted
    and what Balaam son of Beor answered.
Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal,
    that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.”
6 With what shall I come before the Lord
    and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
    with calves a year old?
7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
    with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
    the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.

 Matthew 5 1-12
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
The BeatitudesHe said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you
because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same waythey persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 StF 161 – Speak, O Lord, as we come to you

​Part 2 – Micah and the Sermon on the Mount
‘And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to
walk humbly with your God.’ Micah 6, v.8
It seems to me that there are many practical guidelines in the Bible as to how
we should live; todays readings are no exception. The prophet Micah is
described by theologians as a ‘minor prophet’, but that nickname seems to
underplay the power of his message. Micah was around in the kingdom of
Judah about 700 years BC. He was a contemporary of Isaiah and followed on by
Jeremiah.
This dramatic passage starts with a complaint from God to his people; ‘O my
people, what have I done to you?’ Look at how I helped you to escape
from Egypt; look at the leaders I gave you like Moses. And yet you are still
letting me down.
The people feel guilty and respond with extravagant offers of worship and
sacrifice. But Micah brings them down-to-earth with a reminder of what God
really wants from them.
‘And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to
walk humbly with your God.’
It’s not extravagant worship or sacrifice that are required, but the
responsibility to follow a faithful day-by-day lifestyle which reflects God’s
values and shows reverence towards him. 
Three values – to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. Three
attitudes of moral seriousness which reflect God’s graciousness and purpose,
and which Micah wants them (& us) to adopt in daily life.
So, it seems appropriate to follow Micah’s words with a reading from the
Sermon on the Mount. Jesus describes eight qualities or commitments that
overlap and expand these three attitudes of Micah. And, as we know from our
reading of the Bible, Jesus lives out these qualities in his ministry, his death and
his resurrection.
Earlier in the service we thought about the blessings that we enjoy. But you
would have to live on a desert island to realise that life is not exactly blessed
just now for everyone.
We only have to hear the news to see what is going on in the world; or to focus
on things happen in our own lives or in the lives of those we care about to
know that things are difficult. War & environmental challenges, energy costs,
wider cost of living pressures, health challenges all too often impact our ability
to recognise God’s blessings.
So how timely the words of Micah and Matthew seem, as they remind us that
the blessings of God, which value justice, mercy & humility, remain a constant.
And those blessings invite us to walk humbly with God, wherever we go and
whatever circumstances we might face.
The way that Matthew presents his gospel suggests that Jesus teaching was of
primary importance. Today’s passage is preceded by an urgent description of
Jesus touring the Galilee area teaching, preaching and healing those who
presented themselves to him. His reputation had clearly spread with the result
that he was followed by large crowds – of gentiles as well as Jews.
On Mt Sinai Jesus sits to teach, and I assume that his teaching would radiate
through the crowd. Who might those people in the crowd be?
I think we can surmise from the language and subject of Jesus teaching that he
was mainly followed by those who were poor and powerless, those who
struggled with their situations, those seeking healing and peace in their lives.
and who didn’t have the means to rise above their circumstances. But like
Micah, in so doing he is also warning the rich and the self-satisfied. So, Jesus
words were intended to be both encouraging and challenging, as he directly
addresses expectations which mark the Kingdom of God.
Jesus takes them and us to the heart of what God’s blessing is about, and in so
doing he turns accepted wisdom on its head. He declares that God’s blessing is
for the poor, the hungry, the persecuted, and those who weep, as well as
those who are merciful, pure in heart and peacemakers. Their blessing is to
consider themselves to be part of the kingdom of heaven.
This must have been a revolutionary message for those bound by the strictures
of the Jewish religion, or suffering the oppression of Roman occupation, or for
those Gentile outcasts. Here is Jesus telling them that they were each valued
by God. And, that in Jesus (who was sitting in front of them), God was assuring
them of their value.
So, how might we understand this idea today? Who will receive God’s
blessing? Nadia Bolz-Weber, who is an American Lutheran pastor and writer
offers us a contemporary take on Jesus words. She writes:
‘Maybe the Sermon on the Mount is all about Jesus’ lavish blessing of the
people around him on that hillside who his world—like ours—didn’t seem to
have much time for: people in pain, people who work for peace instead of
profit, people who exercise mercy instead of vengeance. Maybe Jesus was
simply blessing the ones around him that day who didn’t otherwise receive
blessing, who had come to believe that, for them, blessings would never be on
the cards.’
Indeed, when we truly understand the blessing of God, and that we are all
truly blessed by God, then we can set aside our obsession with stuff, with self,
with status, and reputation, and focus on how we can enter the Kingdom &
share God’s blessing widely.
And how can we share God’s blessing widely? Think about the following 2
questions for a few minutes.
1. How are we a blessing to each other and to those around us – as a church
and as individuals? Write a list.
2. What more could/should we be doing to be a blessing to others?
This is not an attempt to pat ourselves on the back, but to encourage us all to
continue and grow this vital work which points towards the Kingdom of God
and its values, and which offers others the opportunity to find that peace,
wholeness, and value for themselves.
And finding that wholeness within themselves means that they can find peace
with God, and with those around them, and perspective perhaps for the
circumstances that they face.
In Jesus name. Amen

 StF 251 – Jesus Christ is waiting

 Prayers of Intercession & Lord’s Prayer
Loving God, you tell us: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven.” We pray for those whose spirit fails them, that they might be
strengthened in their faith; for those whose poverty is physical, that they
might have an equal share in the fruits of your kingdom; for those whose
outlook on life is poor, that they might have a glimpse of hope and purpose.
You tell us: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” We
pray for all who are cast down by grief – from recent losses or a deep-seated
sorrow over many years – that they might know the comfort of hope, the
comfort of love, the comfort of new life. And we give thanks in our prayers for
all those we have known and loved who are now with you. You tell us:
​ “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” We pray for
leaders and followers, for big people and little people, for the proud and the
humble, that by your grace, we might work together for the good of all.
You tell us: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for
they will be filled.” So, we pray that we, who seek to live in righteousness,
might indeed be filled with wonder and joy.
You tell us: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.” Help us to
forgive others so that we know and understand the true meaning of fforgiveness.
You tell us: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” So, make our
hearts pure so that we can truly know your love.
You tell us: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children
of God.” We pray for all who work for peace: peace in relationships; peace in
communities; peace in politics; peace in places of conflict; peace for our
bodies, minds and souls ... so that we can see ourselves and others as God’s
children.
You tell us: “Blessed are those who are persecuted ... for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven.” We pray for the broken and despised, the marginalised and the
downtrodden, the victims and the dispossessed, the refugees and the
homeless ... your kingdom on earth, our precious kingdom, belongs to them
too. As we pray for others now, we pray that you will draw us always close to
you. We ask all these things in the name of your dear son Jesus. Amen​

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.
 Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen

 StF 673 – Will you come and follow me

 Blessing
Go, today, knowing that you are truly blessed as you journey with all God’s
children on earth. Go now, with the blessings of God the Father, Son and Holy
Spirit, now and always. Amen