Ground Breaking
Quartz Forest Church in June. Gather at 2pm outside the Crichton Chapel. Please dress for the weather! We will be enjoying the lawn this Sunday, and will perhaps have a picnic – if it is cold we will retreat to the Crichton central.
Radical means rooted.
Peace
All are invited. Whether you consider yourself a close friend of Jesus, or are just a wee bit curious we meet in his name and share his peace.
We will meet in Peace and make peace through meeting.
Reading from the book
Most of the people reading this will be “conflict averse”. We have been brought up with stories of Peter being wild and emotional, but learning to be humble. But let go of that for a while, and try a “wild” reading of this passage.
‘A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!
‘So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
‘Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.
‘Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
For I have come to set a man against his father,
and a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 10: 24 – 39
This is what I got:
- They will call you a devil and worse.
- Have no fear.
- The secret whispers you receive from God are meant for public broadcast.
- You are loved from the tips of your hair to the root of your being. Your home is heaven, now. Live it fully, no half measures.
Reading From Creation
We are gathering in am environment shaped by empire and built from the proceeds of the east India company. It is also a space experimenting with rewilding, a centre for learning and environmental study, and with a heritage of healthcare. There is a mixed inheritance of slavery, exploitation, drug abuse, as well as charity, healthcare, and education.
If we ‘cut through it with a sword’, what falls to one side and what falls to the other?
If Jesus is our first born example, it is him we should imitate. So Lets use his temptation in the wilderness, where he works out how his mission will be carried out, to filter our response to his words.
You could wander and practice #SensingSpirituality, or for a more led meditation, use the labyrinth and carry one of these questions with you each time you walk it.
The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ 4 But he answered, ‘It is written,
“One does not live by bread alone,
Matthew 4: 1 to 11
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’
God knows we need to eat! Take time to reflect on what makes you feel secure.
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,
“He will command his angels concerning you”,
and “On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.”’Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”’
Matthew 4: 1 to 11
There are many divine promises we can trust in. Take time to reflect on how you discern the difference between demanding proof of God and realising that it is time to “step out of the boat” with faith
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; 9 and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ 10 Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
“Worship the Lord your God,
Matthew 4: 1 to 11
and serve only him.”’
Take time to reflect on what things will last, or have shown themselves to be true. Where does your heart make its home?
Gathering Song
When I needed a neighbour
When I needed a neighbour were you there, were you there?
When I needed a neighbour were you there?
And the creed and the colour and the name won’t matter,
Were you there?I was hungry and thirsty, were you there, were you there?
I was hungry and thirsty, were you there?
And the creed and the colour and the name won’t matter,
Were you there?I was cold, I was naked, were you there, were you there?
I was cold, I was naked, were you there?
And the creed and the colour and the name won’t matter,
Were you there?When I needed a shelter were you there, were you there?
When I needed a shelter were you there?
And the creed and the colour and the name won’t matter,
Were you there?When I needed a healer were you there, were you there?
When I needed a healer were you there?
And the creed and the colour and the name won’t matter,
Were you there?Wherever you travel, I’ll be there, I’ll be there,
Words and music by Sydney Carter. © Stainer & Bell Ltd
Wherever you travel, I’ll be there.
And the creed and the colour and the name won’t matter,
I’ll be there.
And the creed and the colour and the name won’t matter,
I’ll be there.
Prayer
O Lord,
in your mercy hear our prayers:
and as you give us the desire to pray,
grant us your help and protection;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end.
