Today, the First Sunday of Advent, begins a new year in the Church’s liturgical and lectionary cycle. This year it is the turn for Luke’s Gospel to take the lead. The Gospel reading for the First Sunday of Advent is part of Luke’s adaptation of the thirteenth chapter of Mark’s Gospel, the Apocalyptic discourse. The teaching is stimulated by the disciples’ question, ‘Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?’ Luke’s message to the disciples is to be on guard so that day should not catch them unawares. This passage has been chosen for the First Sunday of Advent to remind us that we, too, need to be on guard and to be prepared for the Lord’s coming.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of Advent calendar. In today’s picture from his book, Lights, Teddy Horsley is beginning to count down the days until Christmas. Lord Jesus Christ, we look forward to your birth at Christmas. Stay with us as we count the days, so that we are ready to welcome you; for you are our God. Amen. Next Sunday, the Second Sunday of Advent, introduces John the Baptist preparing for the ministry of Jesus. The image to help prepare for next Sunday’s theme is Christmas decorations. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials.
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Today is the last Sunday before Advent, the last Sunday of the Church’s lectionary year, the day when the Church celebrates the Feast of Christ the King. Here is the triumphal acknowledgement that Christ reigns. The image offered from John’s Gospel is from the conversation between Jesus and Pilate. Pilate asks Jesus the direct question ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus takes this as an opportunity to define his kingdom as ‘not from this world’. The theme of Christ the King provides an appropriate reason for celebration before the more sombre days of Advent begin. One way to celebrate is by holding a festival.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of festival time. In today’s picture from their book, Exploring Buddhism, Sara and Rees are enjoying an outdoor festival with their friends. Lord Jesus, you are Christ the King, your reign has no end. Inspire us to live as your disciples, to display your reign in our lives, and to rejoice in your glory; now and always. Amen. Next Sunday, Advent Sunday, opens a new year in the life of the Church. During this new year we will be following Luke’s Gospel. The season of Advent calls us to be ready to welcome the birth of Christ on Christmas Day. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday’s theme is Advent calendar. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. You are warmly invited to join us in worship online. We are livestreaming our 10:30am service on both our Facebook and YouTube pages. To access the service on Facebook, follow this link to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolCathedral. To access the service on YouTube, follow this link to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/LiverpoolCathedral/videos. Today is the Second Sunday before Advent. The Gospel reading comes from Mark chapter 13, a chapter that stands apart from the rest of Mark’s Gospel. Known as ‘the apocalyptic discourse’, chapter 13 stands between Jesus’ final days in Jerusalem (chapter 12) and the passion narrative (chapters 14 and 15). In chapter 13 Jesus prepares the disciples and the church for the last days by emphasising two clear points. On the one hand, Jesus affirms the reality of the last days. On the other hand, Jesus projects this time into the future. The temple will be destroyed, but that in itself will not be a sign that the end is near.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of demolition. In today’s picture from their book, Signs and Symbols, Aled and Sian go looking for the ancient castle to explore what has survived and what has been demolished over the years. Lord Jesus Christ, all things decay, but you endure for ever. Teach us to place our trust in the things that last, that we may live our lives for you; for you are our God. Amen. Next Sunday, the Feast of Christ the King draws to a close the Church’s lectionary year. Here is the triumphant acknowledgement that Christ reigns. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday’s theme is festival time. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. You are warmly invited to join us in worship online. We are livestreaming our 10:30am service on both our Facebook and YouTube pages. To access the service on Facebook, follow this link to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolCathedral. To access the service on YouTube, follow this link to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/LiverpoolCathedral/videos. Today begins a new phase of the Church’s year. Today is the Third Sunday before Advent. The Gospel reading reminds us of our call into discipleship as we hear again how those first four disciples were called away from their trade as fishermen. Jesus called Simon and Andrew as they were casting a net into the sea; he called James and John as they were mending their nets. Called away from their trade as fishermen, Jesus equipped them to fish for people.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of fishing nets. In today’s picture from his book, Teddy Horsley meets Jesus’ Disciples, Teddy Horsley is helping James and John mend their nets. Lord Jesus Christ, you called Simon and Andrew, you called James and John, away from their boats to follow you. Help us to leave behind all that stands in the way of our calling, that we may follow you in obedience and love; for you are our God. Amen. Next Sunday, the Second Sunday before Advent turns our attention to Mark 13 where Jesus foretells the destruction of the Temple. Renewing our call to discipleship also reminds us that some things have to be left behind. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday’s theme is demolition. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. You are warmly invited to join us in worship online. We are livestreaming our 10:30am service on both our Facebook and YouTube pages. To access the service on Facebook, follow this link to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolCathedral. To access the service on YouTube, follow this link to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/LiverpoolCathedral/videos. Today’s Gospel reading concerns Jesus’ celebrated teaching about the law of love. Mark’s Gospel sets the context as Jesus’ final days in Jerusalem before the crucifixion. During those days Jesus confronts three potentially controversial questions, a political question concerning the poll-tax, a theological question concerning the resurrection, and a legal question concerning the greatest commandment. Jesus responds to the third of these issues by emphasising the law of love. The first command is to ‘love the Lord your God’. The second command is to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of sincere smiles. In today’s picture from their book, Exploring Buddhism, Rees and Sara celebrate their friendship with James and Hana with faces displaying sincere smiles. Lord God, we are created in your image. Give us grace to love you with all our heart, to praise you with all our soul, to trust you with all our mind, and to serve you with all our strength, that we may grow in your likeness, and love others in your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Next Sunday begins a new phase of the Church’s year. It is the Third Sunday before Advent. The Gospel reading reminds us of our call into discipleship, as we hear again how those first four disciples were called away from their trade as fishermen. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday’s theme is fishing nets. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. You are warmly invited to join us in worship online. We are livestreaming our 10:30am service on both our Facebook and YouTube pages. To access the service on Facebook, follow this link to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolCathedral. To access the service on YouTube, follow this link to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/LiverpoolCathedral/videos. Today’s Gospel reading, the healing of the blind beggar, Bartimaeus, brings to a close the section of Mark’s Gospel opened by Peter’s confession at Caesarea Philippi (Mark 8: 29). At Caesarea Philippi Peter confessed Jesus as Messiah for the first time. Since then Jesus has been reshaping the disciples’ understanding of Messiahship, although they have found this teaching difficult to grasp. But now even the blind man sees Jesus for who he really is and, as a consequence, his blindness is healed.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of eyes. In today’s picture from their book, Special People, Aled and Sian are visiting the health centre. Sian is next in line to have her eyesight tested. Lord Jesus Christ, you bring sight to the eyes and insight to the mind. Open our eyes to see you for who you are, open our minds to know and to do your will; now and always. Amen. Next Sunday’s Gospel reading is Mark’s account of Jesus’ summary of the Law. The first commandment is to love God, and the second is to love your neighbour as yourself. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday’s theme is sincere smiles. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. You are warmly invited to join us in worship online. We are livestreaming our 10:30am service on both our Facebook and YouTube pages. To access the service on Facebook, follow this link to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolCathedral. To access the service on YouTube, follow this link to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/LiverpoolCathedral/videos. Today’s Gospel reading returns to our systematic journey through Mark’s Gospel. In chapter 10 the third and fullest prediction of Jesus’ passion and death is followed by a strange request from James and John to be given special status alongside the Messiah. The other disciples are angry with James and John, possibly because they wished that they had asked first. Once again the disciples have failed to grasp Jesus’ teaching about what it means to be Messiah. Jesus replies that he came not to be served but to serve. The disciples must learn from his example.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of servant leader. In today’s picture from their book, The Big Chapel, Aled and Sian meet the Salvation Army Officer who is using the kitchen in the Big Chapel to feed the hungry and to care for the homeless. Here is a servant leader in action. Lord Jesus Christ, you came not to be served, but to serve others. Inspire us to follow your example of serving others, that we in turn may welcome your service to us; for you are our servant leader. Amen. Next Sunday’s Gospel reading is Mark’s narrative concerning Jesus’ healing of the blind beggar, Bartimaeus. Now even the blind man sees Jesus for who he really is and, as a consequence, his blindness is healed. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday’s theme is eyes. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. You are warmly invited to join us in worship online. We are livestreaming our 10:30am service on both our Facebook and YouTube pages. To access the service on Facebook, follow this link to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolCathedral. To access the service on YouTube, follow this link to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/LiverpoolCathedral/videos. Today’s Gospel reading, chosen by the Church of England to focus our attention on God’s generosity and on our response, is an intriguing narrative from Luke’s Gospel that is in neither Mark nor Matthew. As Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem (where he knew that he would be put to death), he was met by ten lepers. All ten lepers were healed, but just one returned to give thanks to Jesus. The one who returned was a Samaritan, a foreigner. Jesus’ reply to the Samaritan, ‘Your faith has made you well’ can mean more than simply healed from leprosy. All ten had been healed from leprosy, but returning to give thanks was of added benefit. The Greek could also be translated, ‘Your faith has saved you’. Bringing healing and salvation to the Samaritan prefigured in Luke’s Gospel opening the Kingdom of God to the Gentiles.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of saying thank you. In today’s picture from the book, Harvest Thanksgiving, Aled and Sian are coming to the harvest thanksgiving service in their church to say ‘thank you’ to God for God’s generosity. Generous God, we receive your gifts with gratitude, and we return with songs of thanks and praise. Now stir our hearts to show our gratitude by dedicating our lives and our resources to your service; today and everyday. Amen. Next Sunday’s Gospel reading returns to our systematic journey through Mark’s Gospel. Earlier in chapter 10 we have heard Jesus’ third prediction of his passion and death. Now Jesus explains clearly what it means to be Messiah. He came not to be served but to serve. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday’s theme is servant leader. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. You are warmly invited to join us in worship online. We are livestreaming our 10:30am service on both our Facebook and YouTube pages. To access the service on Facebook, follow this link to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolCathedral. To access the service on YouTube, follow this link to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/LiverpoolCathedral/videos. Today’s Gospel reading has been chosen by the Church of England to focus our attention on God’s grace and on God’s generosity. Chapter 6 of Matthew’s Gospel, part of the well-known Sermon on the Mount, presents two memorable vignettes in which Jesus invites his listeners to look at the birds of the air and to consider the lilies of the field. For Jesus the birds of the air and the lilies of the field spoke clearly of God’s grace. God who provides generously for the birds and for the lilies provides with even greater generosity for the human race, created in God’s image.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of birds. In today’s picture from the book Light, Aled and Sian see the squawking seagulls surprised by the bright flash of lightening. This is just one of the many images of birds that may spark our imagination. God of grace, you care for the birds of the air, feeding and clothing them with your love. Help us to know your love and care that we may always place our faith in you; for you are a gracious and generous God, now and always. Amen. Next Sunday’s Gospel reading marks the second of two weeks when the Church of England is focusing our attention on God’s generosity and our response. Next Sunday’s Gospel invites us to reflect on a narrative presented by Luke. In that narrative ten lepers come to Jesus to seek healing. All ten are healed, and one returns to give thanks. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday’s theme is saying thank you. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. You are warmly invited to join us in worship online. We are livestreaming our 10:30am service on both our Facebook and YouTube pages. To access the service on Facebook, follow this link to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolCathedral. To access the service on YouTube, follow this link to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/LiverpoolCathedral/videos. Chapter 9 of Mark’s Gospel began with the revelation of Jesus as the ‘beloved Son’ on the Mount of Transfiguration and with the second prediction of Jesus’ passion and death. This is followed immediately by two controversies, the controversy about who is greatest among the disciples, and the controversy about who counts as a disciple. In today’s passage Jesus affirms the exorcist who casts out demons in his name, even though this exorcist is working independently of the close band of followers. The church, like Jesus, must be willing to recognise the activity of God in a wider context. For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of supporters’ clubs. In today’s picture from the book Exploring Sikhism, Rees and Sara are playing with their friends Sanjit and Yasmin who are Sikhs. They may belong to different religious traditions, but they share so much in common. Lord Jesus Christ, you welcomed all who worked through your name. Help us to work with your followers from other churches and other traditions, that your kingdom may grow; now and always. Amen. Next Sunday’s Gospel reading moves us away from the lectionary cycle to the first of two weeks when the Church of England is focusing our attention on God’s generosity and our response. Next Sunday’s Gospel invites us to reflect on Matthew’s teaching about how God cares for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday’s theme is birds. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. During the autumn we are reviewing the pattern of livestreaming services, and on Sunday 26th the team will be away from the Cathedral with the choir, for the annual visit to Colomendy, North Wales, so there will not be a livestream this week. From next week the Sunday Eucharist at 10:30 am and Sunday Choral Evensong at 3 pm will be live-streamed again, from the Cathedral Facebook page and YouTube page. To stream a service on Facebook, follow this link to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolCathedral. To stream a service on YouTube, follow this link to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/LiverpoolCathedral/videos. |
supporting you during these uncertain times AuthorLiverpool Cathedral is a place of encounter. Built by the people, for the people, to the Glory of God Archives
September 2022
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Prayer for Liverpool
brought to you from Liverpool Cathedral St James Mount Liverpool L1 7AZ |
Liverpool Cathedral is a place of encounter.
Built by the people, for the people, to the Glory of God www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk |