Sunday 09 July 2023 is the Sixth Sunday of Pentecost.
Today’s “How to” answer is, as you probably guessed, “Jesus”. As with many of these things, at first sight it may seem contradictory but Rev. Geoff McKee explains it all in his sermon. In the words of Eugene Peterson (from The Message, below), it’s about learning “the unforced rhythms of grace”.
Today’s main Bible readings
Matthew 11:16-19 (from The Message translation of the Bible)
16-19 “How can I account for this generation? The people have been like spoiled children whining to their parents, ‘We wanted to skip rope, and you were always too tired; we wanted to talk, but you were always too busy.’ John came fasting and they called him crazy. I came feasting and they called me a boozer, a friend of the misfits. Opinion polls don’t count for much, do they? The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”
Matthew 11:25-30
25-26 Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: “Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.”
27 Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. “The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I’m not keeping it to myself; I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen.
28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Order of Service
Welcome and Intimations
Call to Worship
Praise: MP 1000 King of kings, majesty
Prayers of Adoration and Confession
Children’s Address
Praise: JP 46 Follow me, says Jesus x2
Sing of the Lord’s goodness
Readings: Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 & Psalm 45:10-17
Praise: MP 266 I cannot tell
Readings: Romans 7:15-25a & Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Sermon
Praise: MP 1158 Beneath the cross of Jesus
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Praise: MP 275 (ii) I heard the voice of Jesus say
Benediction & Threefold Amen
Video recording of today’s service from St. James’
Note that you can find a previous version of this sermon, with the full text set out, on this website here.
