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In touch
Up-to-the-minute jumping-off points for sermons, linking the reading to the latest news and global issues
Peace begins in me
God’s peace cannot be forced upon us; we must embrace it with our entire being. (Luke 1:47)
Context
Listen to the Center for Action and Contemplation podcasts to learn about transformative practices which make for peace.
Want to join a movement of peace-building?
It’s a sad commentary that an Internet search for “inner peace” leads almost anywhere except to Christian web sites!
Ideas for sermons or interactive talks
Micah speaks of peace being brought by the future Messiah, and Luke’s Gospel has Mary offering praise for what God has done—with an implied peace for Israel. Without careful reading, these passages can lead us towards a passivity/complacency that “peace” comes to us from without. However, closer examination of Mary’s and Micah’s words makes clear that, had they not been internally convinced and moved by God’s approach to them, we would never have received their words.
As the lectionary offers meagre substance regarding “peace, actually”, I want to suggest a look at Romans 12:2 wherein the Apostle Paul writes, “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect.” The renewing of the mind of which Paul speaks is metanoia in Greek. Metanoia bespeaks a fundamental change in our point of view — of how we see the world and the people in it. In this world, peace is considered to be the absence of conflict; but this is not the discernment given by God. Until God’s peace reigns within each and every one of us, there will not be a peaceable kingdom anywhere on this earth. Peace really does begin in us.
Questions for discussion
When have you felt most at peace — with(in) yourself, with God, with others? What preceded that sense of peace? How can you cultivate a peaceful life?
My wife and I were recently wronged by someone who chose to tell lies about us to many of our friends. We decided to leave it with God and neither seek redress nor revenge …but in my mind there still proliferated myriad ways to seek revenge! Have you been in such a situation? How did you feel? How hard was it to follow the path of peace as opposed to self-justification or revenge? Why does turning the other cheek feel like lifting 500 kilos?
Revd Dr Jack Lawson is a free-lance writer and novelist. For more information visit: www.jacknlawson.com; https://jacknlawson.com/blog; https://wingsepress.com/pages/lawson-jack-n
Check-in
Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people
School is breaking up and shops are full of tinsel and ‘Santa stop here’ signs. The news is full of stories about inflation (going up) and winter fuel benefits (which have been stopped) making peace feel a long way away for many people. Christmas is a great time for families coming together but that also makes it a great time for arguments as the stress of getting things done hits the multiplier of people’s expectations.
Mary’s situation was full of potential stress - how would Joseph react? What would her parents do? What was everyone in the neighbourhood going to say? Her response was to find someone she trusted and to visit them - finding some space and peace to process what was happening.
Sometimes we are in Mary’s position, dealing with changes that weren’t of our choosing and looking for some time and space to think things through. Sometimes we can be an Elizabeth, seeing someone looking to us for encouragement and hope.
Whichever of these resonates for you, it’s worth thinking about how and when you can access God’s peace - and who you can look to for encouragement in the hectic days of Christmas. Look at what is under your control, what you can change, and then let as much of the rest go past without needing to react to it. As Mary did, recognise that God is in control and trust that he is with you in everything that you and your friends are facing.
Steve Taylor shares the job of joint-vicar of St Paul’s CofE Church, Harrow with his wife, Ali. They share their home with their youngest child, two cats and numerous fish.
Views expressed are the authors' own. Hypertext links to other websites are for the convenience of users only and do not constitute any endorsement or authorisation by Roots for Churches Ltd.
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The week in focus for week beginning Sunday 15 December 2024
Sermon ideas on Zephaniah 3.14-20 for adults and young people - Intergenerational sermon and discussion ideas based on this week's news including: Syrian uprising; fall of Assad; Syrian prisoner release; World Cup Saudi 2034; Home-comings; What is home?; Being at home with God
In touch
Up-to-the-minute jumping-off points for sermons, linking the reading to the latest news and global issues
Coming home
Where is home? Think about what this means and how with God we are always at home.
Context
It feels like the theme ‘coming home’ unites a few disparate news stories this week. from the serious to the not so serious. The main, and most consequential story, is of course the dramatic change in power in Syria and fall of Bashir al Assad. The images of prisoners being released and allowed to return home to their families after years of incarceration were both shocking and moving.
We’ve also witnessed thousands of exiles crossing the Syrian border to return to their homeland, return to the families they left behind and return to lives interrupted by the regime.
It’s a fast-moving story full of complex homecomings.
In the world of UK politics issues around immigration rumble on, the subject this week dominating PMQs. Whichever side of the debate we find ourselves on, at the heart of the matter is the problematic issue of ‘home’. Where is it? Can you find a new one? Who and who cannot call this country home?
Finally, in the world of sport, the English anthem of ‘it’s coming home’ has been quietly playing in the background as the thorny issue of the World Cup being hosted by Saudi Arabia exercises the world of punditry. Will the English team be bringing it home from the middle east in 2034?
Despite the very different weight of the stories and issues in this week's news, the idea of home resonates. Going home; being at home; and bringing something back home are powerful ideas that speak to people across the globe.
Zephaniah’s words in chapter 3 speak passionately about home. It describes being brought home and the outpouring of rejoicing that takes place when this happens. Reading Zephaniah in today’s world, with today’s wars and violence is complex but the sentiments around a homecoming embedded into the text give us all pause for thought. Where is home for us? What does it mean?
A couple 2000 years ago had to change their home when they were instructed to return to their place of birth for a census. They had to temporarily set up home in a stable ready for the birth of their son. An unsatisfactory home in many ways. But despite the external issues this new home was filled with love and light, that extended well beyond their home to all of us. So, wherever we are, at home or not, we can rest in the home of God’s love and hope.
Ideas for sermons or interactive talks
- Give everyone a piece of paper and pencil and invite them to draw a picture called ‘home’. Stress that the quality of the art is unimportant. More important is the image that comes to mind when someone says ‘home’. Once people have had some sketching time, ask people to show their drawing to someone sitting nearby and explain what it represents and why they chose this for their drawing.
- Put up an image of the stable in the Christmas story. Invite people to spend a minute reflecting on this ‘home’.
Pray
Thank you for the stable home that brought love and hope to all of us wherever we are.
May we find our way home this Christmas.
Not just to the house or flat we live in,
Not to our favourite holiday place,
Not even to our country of birth,
But to our home in Christ,
To live in love and hope wherever we are, at all times.
Amen
Questions for discussion
Fiona is a freelance leadership consultant and mediator.
Check-in
Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people
Joyful news
“Joy to the world the Lord is come
Let earth receive her king!”
- How festive are you feeling?
- Is your tree finally up?
- Are you busy Christmas shopping and now over halfway through your advent calendar?
- How do the festive activities make us feel? Joyful? Excited? Overwhelmed? Sometimes the events leading up to Christmas Day can leave us more exhausted than joyous!
Our passage this week seeks to bring a deep joy in the Lord and the joy of a better future - of what is yet to come: I will restore you in those future days.’
How do we then, having already received Jesus and the joyful news which is prophesied about here, seek to find joy? How do we make the promise of a joyful future a joyful present?
I did some searching for joy and came across this uplifting newspaper – The Happy News - which celebrates moments of joy. Have a look for yourself and celebrate the joyful news of others by praising God for each article and story.
But of course real joy isn’t a good news story. It’s a deep-rooted joy, a joy that can only come from God. And this joy isn’t just for the good times and the festivities - it's for all year round and throughout all that life brings. I’m often struck by the lyric from Cody Carnes Firm Foundation: I’ve still got joy in chaos.
So this week as the Christmas planning and traditions perhaps are a struggle, or appear to be turning into chaos, let our hearts be filled with deep joy, true joy of the Lord, and all that is still yet to come.
Natasia Bullock, Company Director, The B Tales
Views expressed are the authors' own. Hypertext links to other websites are for the convenience of users only and do not constitute any endorsement or authorisation by Roots for Churches Ltd.
The week in focus is also available via Twitter/X, facebook and Instagram.
ROOTS publishes weekly lectionary-based worship and learning resources online and in two magazines. FIND OUT MORE.
The week in focus for week beginning Sunday 8 December 2024
Sermon ideas on Luke 1.68-79 (Benedictus) for adults and young people - Intergenerational sermon and discussion ideas based on this week's news including: Israel-Lebanon ceasefire; Strictly come dancing shock Dance-Off results; Conclave film release; God's unexpected workings; finding peace in Advent
In touch
Up-to-the-minute jumping-off points for sermons, linking the reading to the latest news and global issues
God in the silence
Seeing the outcome of God’s silent activity in Luke 1:76-79.
Context
The ceasefire in Lebanon continues.
Strictly Come Dancing’s Pete and Jowita avoid the dance off despite being bottom of the leaderboard.
Conclave, the film of Robert Harris’ book about the election of a new Pope is released.
Ideas for sermons and interactive talks
In the Benedictus (Luke 1:68-79) we hear the voice of Zechariah, a voice that had been silenced as a result of his reaction to the news of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. In his silence God has been at work and the initial outcome is the birth of John. Zechariah here prophesies of the nature and work that John will accomplish. We are not told how John will be prepared for this vocation but Zechariah’s words are clear and are fulfilled. The ceasefire in Lebanon appeared to come out of the blue but it is similarly evidence of God working silently through diplomats to achieve a peace - however temporary.
Pete and Jowita came bottom of the leaderboard in last week’s Strictly Come Dancing. The judges gave them low marks but they were saved by the public. The general reaction to the announcement that they were not in the Dance Off was a surprise. Pete and Jowita responded with amazement and joy. Zechariah’s reaction to the birth of John and his vision of John’s mission was to praise God. There are times when the silent unexpected workings of God take us by surprise. The wise will see God at work here and respond accordingly.
Conclave is a mystery thriller where, following the death of the Pope, the College of Cardinals gathers for a papal conclave to choose the new pope. It is a story filled with twists and turns and attempts at power-politics in which the leading character, Cardinal Lawrence played by Ralph Fiennes, seeks to see the action of God and rediscover his own faith.
The way God works is not always obvious as it is happening. Sometimes it is only by looking back that we see the real purposes of God’s activity. At the time Zechariah’s statements in Luke 1 were brave and audacious and we are not told how they were received. However, with the benefit of our knowledge of both John’s and Jesus’ missions, we see the inherent truth in what Zechariah said.
Questions for discussion
- Have you ever been surprised by God’s answer to prayer?
- What has happened recently that you think God should be praised for?
- Can you suggest ways to help someone whose faith is wavering?
- What does it mean today to say that 'the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.’ ?
Revd Stuart Wild is a Methodist Minister serving God on the Lancashire coast.
Check-in
Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people
What does the word ‘Peace’ mean to you? I invite you to close your eyes for a moment and think about how peace makes you feel. What does it look like? When have you experienced peace? Is there anything that gets in the way of feeling that peace?
It can be hard to believe that God has a loving plan when the world around us seems to be filled with such little peace. Finding love amongst it all is difficult to say the least. Life has thrown me a few curve balls this year, so I can only speak from experience here when I say that practising trust during these times helps to find that peace. Isaac Newton is quoted as viewing himself as a boy playing on the seashore occasionally finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than usual, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before him. This brings one of Corrie Ten Boom’s quotes to me. She once said "We should never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.".
"The great ocean of truth and life lies undiscovered before us." How wonderful is that? I would encourage you to find peace in the pebbles you find as you journey through Advent. Let us use them as a reminder of God’s loving plan that lies unknown before us.
Lindsay Wright is a freelance writer and designer from Lancashire www.lwcreative.co.uk
Views expressed are the authors' own. Hypertext links to other websites are for the convenience of users only and do not constitute any endorsement or authorisation by Roots for Churches Ltd.
ROOTS publishes weekly lectionary-based worship and learning resources online and in two magazines. FIND OUT MORE.