Christ Church Selly Park

Remembrance Sunday 2020

Chris Turner | Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23  

An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."

On Remembrance Sunday, when we focus especially on those who lost their lives in war, Chris reminds us of God's call to care for refugees, many of whom are driven from their homelands by war and persecution. That call goes back to the times of the ancient nation of Israel which was itself born out of exile. The recording is an edited version of our Sunday service introduced by Rachel Fasham with a reading from Sarah Trinder and prayers from the Brownies and Guides.

The full video version of the service, including music and more contributions from the Christ Church Guide and Scout groups, can be viewed on YouTube.

The army of God

John Lanchbury | 2 Timothy 2:1-7 | Ephesians 6:10-20 

Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

It's easy to forget that we are in a battle, says John, but it's real all the same and we need to be well equipped to take part. Fortunately the Commander provides everything we need, and we fight together, not on our own. The recording is an edited version of our Sunday service introduced by Martin Garrod with a reading from Alison Cooper and prayers from Phil Ennis.

The full video version of the service, including music, can be viewed on YouTube.

The building of Christ

Peter Frere | 1 Corinthians 3:9-17 

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

As Peter explains, this is one of the big themes of the Bible. The place where God meets with his people is no longer a physical building, but instead is made of living stones - that's each of us today. How can we live that out, even when we are separated by coronavirus restrictions? The recording is an edited version of our Sunday service introduced by Susan Haynes with a reading from John Mason and prayers from one of our home groups.

The full video version of the service, including music, can be viewed on YouTube.

The body of Christ

Chris Turner | 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptised by one Spirit so as to form one body - whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free - and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. And so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

This is one of the most familiar images of the church, says Chris. Each of us has our own unique role, working together for a common purpose. What happens in a time of stress such as we are experiencing at the moment? The recording is an edited version of our Sunday service introduced by Dan Parnell with a reading from Alison Cooper and prayers from Dave Lucking.

The full video version of the service, including music, can be viewed on YouTube.

The family of God

Susan Haynes | Romans 8:15-17 

God's Spirit doesn't make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father. God's Spirit makes us sure that we are his children. His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with him.

This week's recording begins with Susan introducing our new series "Being church in a COVID world", and then she explains some of the implications of being a family: complicated relationships yet a sense of belonging. How can we live out our lives as the family of God when we are separated by pandemic restrictions? The recording also includes a reading from Susan Mole, prayers from Phil Ennis and closing prayers from John Lanchbury.

The full video version of this service, including music, can be viewed on YouTube.

All-In Service: Harvest

Dan Parnell | Deuteronomy 8:7-11 | Ruth 2:14b-18 

[Moses said,] 'The Lord your God is bringing you into a good land - a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig-trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.'

As [Ruth] got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, 'Let her gather among the sheaves and don't reprimand her. Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don’t rebuke her.' So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening.

Harvest in lockdown: while we couldn't celebrate in the normal way, we were still able to give thanks for God's provision for us and remember the need to share what we have with those in need. This livestreamed service includes a talk from Dan and contributions from other members of the All-In team and extra helpers.

The full video version of this service, including music, can be viewed on YouTube. All the links to the various follow-up activities are on our website. 

Continuing to live the good life

Allan Bartlam | Matthew 7:24-29 

[Jesus said,] 'Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.'

This livestreamed service brings us to the end of our series looking at Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. Allan explains the consequences of the choices we make, and how we can go about that long, slow task of building our lives on a firm foundation. Janet Chalmers introduces the service, with a reading from Val Hanson and prayers from Cathie Bartlam.

The full video version of this service, including music, can be viewed on YouTube.

Ensuring we are in the kingdom

Bobbie Frere | Matthew 7:13-23 

[Jesus said,] 'Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.'

Jesus challenges us to choose between two ways to live and two paths to follow. How do we find the right one, and be sure we are on it? Peter and Bobbie Frere lead this week's reflection, which also includes Cheryl Homer's account of fitting a day of special devotion into a busy, multi-tasking life.

The full video version of this service, including music and a video report on children's activities, can be viewed on YouTube.

Learning not to judge

Chris Turner | Matthew 7:1-12 

[Jesus said,] 'Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, "Let me take the speck out of your eye," when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.'

Criticism is easy to give, but hard to receive. Yet, as Chris reminds us, criticism given in the right spirit and for the right motives can be beneficial, even essential if we are to grow as followers of Jesus. This recorded talk forms part of a service livestreamed from our building, with an introduction from Dan Parnell and contributions from James Howley, Judy Ward and Ann and Richard Fasham.

The full video version of this service, including music, can be viewed on YouTube.

Learning not to worry

John Lanchbury | Matthew 6:25-34 

[Jesus said,] 'So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.'

Jesus was speaking to people who mainly lived a hand to mouth existence. How does his teaching work out in our far more complex world, that is currently beset by anxiety? John points us to the eternal principles of the kingdom of God, and has practical suggestions for handling the worry that we all encounter. The recording is introduced by Martin Garrod with contributions from Dilys Garrod, Pat Clayton and Phil Ennis.

The full video version of this Sunday morning reflection, including music, can be viewed on YouTube.