APC 27th September 2020            “Love always hopes.”
 
Welcome and Introduction           Michael
Good morning everyone and welcome to our Sunday morning worship.  Today we will be reflecting on the words of St. Paul, “Love always hopes.”  What will it mean for us to remain hopeful in these difficult days and through that, to bear witness to our Christian faith to those around us?
 
But before we consider that, let me lead you in a prayer of worship as we thank God for His faithful presence in all circumstances and for the hope that we enjoy in Him.
Let us pray…
 
Opening Prayer      “Hope in despair”
Gracious God, we thank you that you are always with us, in the bad times as well as the good, the difficult as well as the easy, the sad as well as the happy.
Lord of all hopefulness, hear our prayer.
We thank you that though we have sometimes been unsure of the way ahead, you have always been there to guide us, though we have felt discouraged, you have offered us fresh inspiration, though we have been in despair, you have given us hope.
Lord of all hopefulness, hear our prayer.
We thank you for the assurance this brings us that your steadfast love never ceases, that your mercies are new every morning, that great is your faithfulness.
Lord of all hopefulness, hear our prayer.
May that conviction give us confidence in the days ahead, so that whatever problems we face, whatever disappointments we experience, whatever sorrows may befall us, we will still find reason to look forward, reason to believe in the future and reason to hope.
Lord of all hopefulness, hear our prayer.
In Jesus name we ask it, Amen.
 
Join with me as we say the Lord’s Prayer together…
 
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever, AMEN.
 
Bible Readings
Jeremiah 29 v 10 – 14
This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.[a] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
 
Romans 5 v 1-5
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
 
1 Corinth 13 v 4-7    
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
 
Reflection                       “Love always hopes.”
Without this, students get discouraged and drop out of college.  Sports teams fall into a slump and continue to lose.  Addicts return to their habits, marriage partners decide to divorce. Inventors, artists, entertainers and entrepreneurs lose their creativity.  What am I talking about?.....Hope! 
Hope isn’t merely a nice option that helps us temporarily clear a hurdle.  It is something that is essential to our very survival.  One of the greatest examples of this can be found in the experience of the psychologist Victor Frankl.
In 1941 Frankl married his first wife, Tilly Grosser who later that year was forced to have an abortion by the Gestapo to prevent Jewish overpopulation.  In 1942 Frankl, his wife and parents were relocated to the Theresienstadt Ghetto where his father was laid to rest due to starvation and exhaustion. Frankl’s wife and mother were then murdered in the gas chambers at Auschwitz.
Over the next three years, Frankl was subjected to the horrible conditions of the concentration camps. During his imprisonment in the camps Frankl dug ditches, set up a suicide prevention program, and volunteered at the typhus ward.
In addition to these activities, one of the things that kept Frankl alive was the hope that if he himself could mentally and emotionally survive the holocaust then one day in the future he would be able to help other people who were suffering from mental and emotional problems.  Here is an extract from his book “Man’s Search for Meaning” where he describes one incident in the concentration camp where he discovers the power of love to conquer evil and to bring hope in a situation of complete despair…
“We stumbled on in the darkness, over big stones and through large puddles, along the one road running through the camp. The accompanying guards kept shouting at us and driving us with the butts of their rifles. Anyone with very sore feet supported himself on his neighbour's arm. Hardly a word was spoken; the icy wind did not encourage talk. Hiding his hand behind his upturned collar, the man marching next to me whispered suddenly: "If our wives could see us now! I do hope they are better off in their camps and don't know what is happening to us."
 
That brought thoughts of my own wife to mind. And as we stumbled on for miles, slipping on icy spots, supporting each other time and again, dragging one another on and upward, nothing was said, but we both knew: each of us was thinking of his wife. Occasionally I looked at the sky, where the stars were fading and the pink light of the morning was beginning to spread behind a dark bank of clouds. But my mind clung to my wife's image, imagining it with an uncanny acuteness. I heard her answering me, saw her smile, her frank and encouraging look. Real or not, her look then was more luminous than the sun which was beginning to rise.
 
A thought transfixed me: for the first time in my life I saw the truth as it is set into song by so many poets, proclaimed as the final wisdom by so many thinkers. The truth--that love is the ultimate and the highest goal to which man can aspire. Then I grasped the meaning of the greatest secret that human poetry and human thought and belief have to impart: The salvation of man is through love and in love. I understood how a man who has nothing left in this world may still know bliss, be it only for a brief moment, in the contemplation of his beloved. In a position of utter desolation, when a man cannot express himself in positive action, when his only achievement may consist in enduring his sufferings in the right way--an honourable way--in such a position man can, through loving contemplation of the image he carries of his beloved, achieve fulfilment. For the first time in my life, I was able to understand the words, "The angels are lost in perpetual contemplation of an infinite glory."
 
It was the belief that his suffering had a greater purpose that enabled Victor Frankl to survive the Holocaust.  It was his focus on the love of His wife that enabled him to sustain hope in a situation where that seemed impossible.
So too, writing to the Corinthian church which was riddled with problems, strife, division and colourful characters whose actions could easily have graced many a tabloid headline, Paul encourages them to persevere with the reminder that, “Love hopes all things.”
You see, given the circumstances, it would have been so easy for people in the Corinthian congregation to throw in the towel and walk away.  At that time in history, in that part of the world, that would not have meant simply joining a neighbouring parish.  The truth is there wasn’t one.  It would have meant giving up on Christianity altogether.
“I know you’re sorely tempted,” says Paul, “I can totally empathise with what you’re feeling”, “but please, please hang in there, because love always hopes.” 
The word Paul uses for hope is the Greek word ‘Elpizo’ which means to ‘trust’ or ‘expect’.  It describes an assured expectancy and belief that however difficult life is, God has a plan and purpose for us that is good.  It is to hold onto the promises that
God is always for us, not against us and that He can do immeasurably more than we can ever ask or imagine.  It is to understand that nothing is impossible for God, that with Him we can do all things.  It is to be assured that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness and to know that ultimately nothing, not even death itself, can ever separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.
Listen, I’m aware that we’re all continuing to find this pandemic a challenge physically and emotionally.  I’m aware of some of the other challenges that many of you are facing.  And be assured by the way, that if you share something with me, it will be kept in the strictest confidence.  But there will also be things that I’m unaware of or that you don’t feel you can share.  And there are things that to be honest, I would never really be able to empathise with because I’ve never experienced it personally.  But whatever those things are, however painful or difficult, however much they cause you to despair, or tempt you to walk away from God or to give up on life altogether, let me encourage you that “love hopes all things.” 
That’s what Victor Frankyl discovered.  Against all the odds, the love of his wife and the hope that somehow his suffering had a purpose, enabled Victor Frankyl to survive the Haulocost.  As he had hoped, his experiences enabled him to become one of the greatest psychologists of all time, helping thousands of people to find purpose in their suffering.
You know there is an old Arabian proverb that says, “All sunshine brings a desert”.
It’s a way of reminding us that often the greatest lessons we learn are through our failures or the mistakes we make.
Often the things we see as our greatest weakness are also our greatest strength.  It’s learning to cope with a chronic illness that creates within us the strength of resilience and the empathy to draw alongside other people in ways that no one else can.
Often it’s the thunderstorms in our lives that cause the ripest fruit to grow in our hearts.  
You know, when silver is being purified it must be held in a hot flame until all the impurities are burned away.  If it is held in the flame for even a fraction too long it will be destroyed.  When a silversmith was asked, “how do you know when to remove the silver from the flame”, she replied, “When I can see my reflection.”
So often, it’s the times in life when we feel the burn, that the character of Jesus will be reflected most brightly. 
Love hopes all things.  It believes that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are being conformed into His likeness.  Hope trusts in the long-term game plan of God to make us like Jesus.  It never considers anyone a lost cause.  It motivates us to stop and pick one another up when we fall down however badly.  It accepts that we are all a work in progress especially on those days when it’s hard to see.  It is slow to criticise and quick to encourage.  It has the courage to gently challenge rather than quietly letting someone drift out of the game.  It trusts that God has a plan and a purpose – to purify us into the likeness of his Son.  To transform the entire cosmos one day and restore it to its former glory.  To give us a share in that future new heaven and earth where there will be no more sickness, suffering or death.
God has begun this work in our world and even within us.  He will never walk away from that and will bring what he has started to completion.
So let me ask you as I’ve asked myself this week…
What is it that is causing you sleepless nights?
What is holding you back personally?
Who have you almost given up on?
Let the spirit of God fill you once again with Hope.  Hope to believe that God is still at work, in you, in other people and in this world, even in the things that are tough.
Love always hopes.  Let us pray…
 
Prayers for Others         “Broken Dreams”
Loving God, we pray for those whose dreams have been destroyed, those who no longer have the heart to look forward, who have lost their vision for the future.  So many people, known and unknown – whose happiness and hopes have been dashed by tragedy, whose faith in loved ones has been betrayed, who face poverty, unemployment, homelessness, disease, starvation, even death p whose trust in you has been tested beyond the limit.
God of hope, light a new flame in their hearts.
We pray for all those who plod wearily through life with no sense of purpose – those who feel the future is empty, bereft of promise, and those who live only for today, fearful of tomorrow.
God of hope, light a new flame in their hearts.
Touch their hearts we pray, stir their imagination, rekindle their faith, renew their hope.  And so may new dreams and new visions be born in the most broken of lives.
God of hope, light a new flame in their hearts.
Take a few moments in quiet now to pray for the renewal of your own hope and for the renewal of hope and purpose in people who you know who are struggling at the minute…
God of hope, hear our prayers, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
 
Closing Words
It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today.  Thanks again for logging on. 
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s reflection on the nature of Christian love.  Please do spend some time in quiet over the next few days.  Take time to reflect on the truth that love always hopes.  Then ask God the Holy spirit to fill you with real hope that God has a plan and purpose for you that is good.
 
Two weeks ago we recommenced our midweek bible study.  We’ve been enjoying a fantastic time reflecting on the Lord’s Prayer together using the video series called the Prayer Course by Pete Greig.  If you are unable to join us, you can catch it online by searching the Prayer Course online or on our website and clicking on Sessions 1, 2 and 3.  Even if you missed the last few weeks you are still more than welcome to attend this week.  It will be in the church again tomorrow night from 7pm to 8pm.  The premises will have had a deep clean, hands will be sanitised on entry and exit, we will be socially distanced and all participants are asked to wear face coverings.
 
Next Sunday we will be having a special presentation to Emily Kearon to thank her for the amazing commitment she has given to our church over nearly 20 years as the Clerk of Session.  Emily will be retiring from this role while maintaining her responsibilities as an elder.  We will also be officially welcoming Edna Crammond as our new Clerk of Session.  We are so thrilled that Edna has agreed to take up this important position.
 
On Sunday 18th October we will be celebrating Harvest.  At that service we will be hearing brief reports from the two charitable organisations that we have agreed to support this year.  That’s Purple House Cancer Support and the Arklow Lifeboat.  So please do put that in your diary.
At our session meeting a few weeks ago we agreed to the phased opening of a number of our activities.  Sunday School and Youth Fellowship and the Women’s Bible Study hope to start back at some point in October.  The Wednesday Club and Coffee Doc will begin after the Halloween holidays and the Friday club will start in January.   The Sunday School hopes to restart a week or two after the Harvest service.  Further details for the other activities will follow in the days to come.
 
Next Sunday we will be thinking about how love ‘always perseveres’.  In these difficult days that will be an important reminder for us to help us keep positive.
 
With changes to government guidelines we are now able to have two pods of up to 50 providing each pod is separate and socially distancing of 2m is maintained within each pod.  This will enable us to have more than 50 people in total safely accommodated between our church sanctuary and the hall.  So in short, we are now allowed a few more people than 50.  The same rules of socially distancing, hand sanitising, wearing face masks and pre booking apply.  So don’t forget, if you’re coming to church, to send Aleida a text by Friday evening at the latest.
 
Do stay tuned at the end of this recording to listen to a beautiful song reminding us of the wonderful hope we have in Christ. 
 
In the meantime, let me lead you in a Benediction after which I invite you as always, to say the grace together…
                               
Benediction
We thank You, Lord, for re-igniting the flame of hope within us, for filling our hearts with light and evicting the darkness,
and for giving us a new vision of the hope that we have in Christ.
 
So go now, as light-bearers to a world in darkness,
Go now, as hope-carriers to a world in despair;
 
And May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and forevermore, Amen.
 
 

APC 20th September 2020            “Love always protects.”
 
Welcome and Introduction           Michael
Good morning everyone and welcome to our Sunday morning worship.  We bring a special congratulations to David and Agreneth and their families and friends as they gathered in church today for the baptism of their son Luke.  And so it’s very appropriate today that we will be reflecting on the words of St. Paul, “Love always protects.”  What will it mean for you and me to protect not only our children and family members, but everyone whom God has created?
 
But first, let me lead you in a prayer of worship as we tell God how much we value His love and protection in our own lives.
Let us pray…
 
Opening Prayer
Glory and honour are offered to you,
O Lord Most High, Almighty King of creation.

In you, O Lord my God, do we trust!
You have been our refuge, our shelter from the storms of life,
and we rest securely in you,
for you are our dwelling place.

You protect us from the evils of the day and night.
You guard and guide our footsteps,
and even when we trip and fall—you are there,
to hold us fast in your strong hands of love.

We rest in you, O Lord our God;
we trust in your holy Name;
we cling to your side,
trusting in your saving and redeeming power.

Whenever we call, you are always there for us.
You give us a deep sense of satisfaction,
because we know our lives are in your hands.
 
Heavenly Father, as we gather to worship you today, we pray that you will draw near to us to encourage us, reassure us and give us confidence in you.  May the knowledge of your protection inspire us to do all we can to love and protect everyone we know and all the people of our world. 
 
Let us now thoughtfully and sincerely share in the words of the Lord’s Prayer together…
 
The Lord’s Prayer         
 
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever, AMEN.
        
Bible Reading 1     Psalm 91         ‘God our Protector’
 
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”
Bible Reading 2      1 Corinth 13 v 4-7       “Love explained”
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
 
Reflection               “Love always protects” 

Let me introduce you to the “Deborah Savings Group” (See image above).   It is a happy band of 14 women and two men, from a church in Haiti that is a partner to the aid agency Hope International.
Inspired by the Old Testament prophetess, Deborah, they faithfully gather to battle against the isolation, fear, and injustices of poverty—not only in their own lives, but in those of their neighbors as well.
One member of the group, Kerline, describes what they do like this…
“If there is a community member in need, even when that person isn’t part of the group, we collect money together. We have an offering within the group to support that person,”
The group means everything to Kerline who runs a small restaurant alongside a bustling highway in Haiti.
At one point she and her children were on the verge of losing their home and the restaurant.  She told the savings group about her situation.  They gave her a small loan and through that she was able to secure her accommodation and continue her business.
Being a member of the savings group has meant more to Kerline than just housing and income, though. On her birthday, group members visited her home to clean it and bring her gifts to celebrate. “I felt like I was part of a family,” she shares. “I feel valued when I’m part of the group—and I know that when I’m with the group, I feel important.”
And Kerline says that the hope she’s found is rooted in Christ: “It’s really different when I’m comparing my spiritual life before the saving group and after the savings group. Sometimes, before, I used to think, ‘What am I going to do with these children that I have to raise?’ But now, I don’t think about these things, because I have more confidence that God will sustain me.”
Kerline’s story is a perfect example of what Paul means when writing to the Christians in Corinth he says, “Love always protects.”
The word that he uses is the Greek word ‘stegei’ which literally means ‘to cover’.  It carries the idea of protecting or preserving.
We all know what it’s like to get caught out in a heavy shower.  What a relief it is when a friend runs over and allows us to stand under their umbrella.
Baptism is a bit like that.  When we baptise a child, as we did in church this morning, they are brought under God’s umbrella.  They are brought under the protection of God’s family the church.
It’s important for us as parents and as God’s people to realise that and to take our responsibility to protect children seriously.  That’s why all churches including the Presbyterian church are legally obligated to have a Child Protection policy in place and to ensure that any people who work with children are Garda vetted.
But loving our children and loving each other the way God loves us will also involve so many other things…
It will mean providing physical protection.  Sometimes we become weary of Health and Safety Policies including everything that we are currently trying to do to prevent the spread of Covid 19.  But at the end of the day, these are practical ways of showing God’s love by protecting people from danger.
Driving within speed limits, putting warning signs on chemicals, having age limits for drinking, providing a dependable car and a secure home for your family, resisting the temptation to gamble with our finances, acting with discretion with the opposite sex, and implementing a GDPR policy can all be ways of physically protecting those we love.
But as well as physical protection, it’s important that we also provide our children and other people with emotional protection.  Taking time at the end of a school day to listen to our children, a spouse or a work colleague, praising and encouraging people rather than always pointing out their faults, refusing to use an aggressive tone or hurtful words, avoiding racist or homophobic attitudes, giving people proper breaks from work and taking any form of bullying seriously- these are all examples of how we can afford people the emotional protection that they deserve.
The last thought I want to leave with you is the responsibility we have to protect someone’s reputation and humanity even when they have let themselves, us and others down.
A beautiful example of this comes from the story of the birth of Jesus.  When Mary became pregnant, Joseph was faced with a choice.  To expose her to public disgrace or to divorce her quietly.  Joseph being a righteous man, decided to keep the matter quiet, covering what he saw as the fault of Mary and protecting her from public shame.
When someone sins, it’s very tempting to become self-righteous like the religious leaders who dragged a woman who’d had an affair into the public eye.  But that is not love.  Love seeks to cover other people’s failures.  Even when we’ve been hurt, love shows mercy and discretion.  When we are tempted to gossip and say, “Here, did you hear about so and so…” we are not acting in love.  Rather, love conceals what is not attractive in another person and refuses to tarnish their reputation.  In a similar way, even when we have to say difficult things to someone, love cushions the blow.  Instead of pointing the finger, when correcting someone, we should approach people with grace and in a way that will make it clear to them that we understand the truth, “but for the grace of God there go I”.
Of course, none of what I’ve said means we excuse or seek to hide wrongdoing.  It doesn’t mean that we try to avoid the seriousness or devastating consequences of some sins.  Love always seeks to strengthen what is weak, shield those that are vulnerable and provide healing to those who have been hurt.
But it also mean that we seek to protect our own sanity and souls by somehow finding it in our hearts to forgive.  And it demands that we somehow look to see the image of the divine in every human being however marred, and hope beyond hope that somehow they might find the transforming power of God to change their ways and make amends.
 
Reflection
Love always protects…
Who or what is God calling you to protect?
What will that look like physically, emotionally and spiritually?
 
Prayer for others
Sovereign God, we pray for the weak and vulnerable in our world – those who feel powerless in the face of the massive problems that confront them.
Help of the helpless, reach out to strengthen and support.
We pray for the poor, the hungry, the diseased the dying.
Help of the helpless, reach out to strengthen and support.
We pray for the oppressed, the exploited, the abused, the tortured,
Help of the helpless, reach out to strengthen and support.
We pray for the frightened, the lonely, the hurt, the depressed,
Help of the helpless, reach out to strengthen and support.
We pray for those who live in lands racked by tension, those who face famine and starvation, those who are unemployed, those who are homeless.
Help of the helpless, reach out to strengthen and support.
Sovereign God, you have expressed a special concern for the bruised, the needy and the weak of our world.  May that concern bring strength to all in such need, and may it inspire people everywhere to work for a more just society, standing up for the needy, and working for that time when there will be an end to suffering, mourning and pain; that time when your Kingdom will come and your will be done.
Help of the helpless, reach out to strengthen and support.
In the name of Christ, Amen.
 
Closing Words
It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today.  Thanks again for logging on. 
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s reflection on the nature of Christian love.  Please do spend some time in quiet over the next few days.  Take time to reflect on the truth that God is your protector.  Then ask God to show you the ways that he would like you to protect other people. 
 
Two weeks ago we recommenced our midweek bible study.  We’ve been enjoying a fantastic time reflecting on the Lord’s Prayer together using the video series called the Prayer Course by Pete Greig.  If you are unable to join us, you can catch it online by searching the Prayer Course online or on our website and clicking on Sessions 1 and 2.  Even if you missed the last 2 weeks you are still more than welcome to attend this week.  It will be in the church again tomorrow night from 7pm to 8pm.  The premises will have had a deep clean, hands will be sanitised on entry and exit, we will be socially distanced and all participants are asked to wear face coverings.
 
At our session meeting last week we agreed to the phased opening of a number of our activities.  Sunday School and Youth Fellowship and the Women’s Bible Study hope to start back at some point in October.  The Wednesday Club and Coffee Doc will begin after the Halloween holidays and the Friday club will start in January.   We will give you further details in the days to come.
 
Next Sunday we will be thinking about how love ‘always hopes’.  In these difficult days that will be an important reminder for us to help us keep positive.
 
Don’t forget, if you’re coming to church, to send Aleida a text by Friday evening at the latest.
Do stay tuned at the end of this recording to listen to a beautiful song that we sang in church this morning.  It’s St Patrick’s Breastplate and it reminds us that whether we are just starting out on life, or we’ve been on the road for many years, Christ our Protector walks beside us every step along the way.
 
In the meantime, let me lead you in a Benediction after which I invite you as always, to say the grace together…
 
Benediction
As you go from here remember the promise of God: “I will rescue those who love me.  I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honour them.”  So go from here with joy, confident that the love and mercy of God goes with you. 
 
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.”
 
 

APC 13th September 2020     “Love always trusts / believes all things.”
 
Welcome and Introduction          
Good morning everyone and welcome to our Sunday morning worship.  Today we’ll be asking ourselves - what did Paul mean when he says “love always trusts and always believes all things?” 
 
Let’s begin by reminding ourselves why we’ve tuned in – because God has called us to worship Him, to learn from Him and receive His help.  And so as always let’s take a moment to talk to God, let’s pray…
 
Let us pray…
 
Opening Prayer
 
Almighty and loving God, we thank you for the assurance we have that you are always with us, that in you we will find help and strength in times of trouble, that whatever we face you will always be there to reach out and save us.
 
Great is your faithfulness from one generation to another.
 
We thank you that you are present not only here but everywhere, that no one is outside your love and no place beyond your concern.
Great is your faithfulness from one generation to another.
 
We thank you that you hold firmly to us, even when we try and struggle from your grasp.
Great is your faithfulness from one generation to another.
We thank you that your mercy never runs dry despite our repeated faithlessness.
Great is your faithfulness from one generation to another.
 
We thank you that your patience is never exhausted, no matter how many times we let you down.
Great is your faithfulness from one generation to another.
 
So now we worship you, you who alone are God, worthy of praise and honour.
Great is your faithfulness from one generation to another.
 
We come with gladness and thanksgiving, joy and celebration.
Great is your faithfulness from one generation to another.
 
We come in awe and wonder, hope and faith.
Great is your faithfulness from one generation to another.
 
We come to make our confession, offer our petition and bring our intercessions.
Great is your faithfulness from one generation to another.
 
Almighty and loving God, take our faith, weak though it is.  Kindle the sparks of life within us and fan a new flame of love within our hearts; and so may we set out into another week with renewed purpose, resolved to live and work for you, in the assurance that you are with us, now and always.
Great is your faithfulness from one generation to another.
Thanks be to God, Amen.
 
Join with me as we say the Lord’s Prayer together
 
The Lord’s Prayer          On Screen (All say together)
 
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever, AMEN.
 
Bible Reading 1      Acts 9: 19-31 (Barnabus ‘believes’ in Paul)
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a] but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
 
Bible Reading 2      1 Corinth 13 v 4-7           
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
 
Short Reflection             “Love always trusts / believes all things” 
 
“When I am down, and, oh, my soul, so weary
When troubles come, and my heart burdened be,
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be.”
“You Raise Me Up” was composed by an Irish-Norwegian duo known as ‘Secret Garden’, performers of primarily instrumental music.   The music was composed by Rolf Lovland.  The song was originally written as an instrumental piece, with parts of the melody drawing on inspiration from Londonderry Air, which is the tune used for Danny Boy.
Lovland performed the song the first time at his mother’s funeral.  He noted “there’s something about the song people are embracing – which becomes emotionally strong. I believe people think of it as a song they use for their own stuff.”
The melody was originally titled “Silent Story”.  When in studio, the original mix was made with the violin.
Lovland then approached author and songwriter Brendan Graham to write the lyrics.  Graham is said to have finished the song that very night with no rewrites needed. The song was first performed in 2002 by the group, with Brian Kennedy, serving as lead singer.  The song was released on the Secret Garden album ‘Once in a Red Moon’.   When Brian Kennedy became ill and unable to tour, Jan Werner Danielsen, a Norweigan singer took his place and later recorded the song with the group. The release had moderate success but did not chart. In 2003, Producer David Foster was introduced to the song and decided on an up-and coming young musician Josh Groban, to record the song.
Groban’s version made it to #1 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart in early 2004 and remained there for six weeks.  This version was nominated for a 2005 Grammy Award.
When Groban performed the song at the 2004 Super Bowl, on the Oprah Winfrey Show, and various other television appearances, the song gained national and international exposure.
In 2007, Groban appeared on the BBC talent show Any Dream Will Do, and soon after charted in the UK.
There have been over 125 covers of this song over the years and my personal favourite is the one sung by the Irish singer Brian Kennedy.  But the person who made it famous was the singer Josh Groban.
‘You raise me up’ is not specifically a Christian song but it’s been a song that over the years I have turned to again and again when I have been going through ‘stuff’. 
Perhaps Rolf Lovland was recalling his mother’s encouragement when he composed this music for her funeral.  Perhaps Brendan Graham was thinking about all the friends and mentors in his life when he added the lyrics.
For Josh Groban, the song has spiritual significance for he says that it is God who raises him up. 
I begin with this introduction because I believe this is exactly what the apostle Paul is referring to when he reminds the Corinthian Christians that ‘love believes all things’ or as it’s often translated, ‘love always trusts’.
Of course, Paul is not saying that love is naïve or gullible.  He is not advocating that we should never stop to make wise judgements especially when we get phone calls from a complete stranger asking us to send them our bank details!
He is not saying that we can believe and act anyway we want.  No, God is real, the bible is His word and the guidelines for living that we find in its pages are wise and will help us to get the greatest enjoyment out of life and our relationships.
What Paul is saying is that love trusts God, love believes that He has our best interests at heart even when the dark clouds come.  Even when church life is painful as it was for the Corinthians, we need to trust that God will help us through.
Do you know, for me the Christian church has been the place where I have received the greatest encouragements and the deepest hurts.  I’ve also lived long enough and sat in enough front rooms and beside hospital beds to know that some of life is just painful.  There are things that have happened in my life and the lives of people I’ve walked with and things that I see happening in our world today, which, if I’m honest, at times make me question my faith.  I call these things my ‘coffee shop’ moments.
What I mean by that is this-  If I said, “I’ll meet you at Costa at 11.00am”.  By 11.30am you still haven’t arrived.  At 11.45 there’s still no sign of you.  By 12 noon I realize you aren’t coming.  At that moment I don’t know why you haven’t shown up but I know there must be some explanation.  In that moment I don’t suddenly think, “right that’s it, our friendship is over”.  I go back to what I do know about you and realize that there must be some genuine reason you couldn’t make it and weren’t able to get in touch. 
In the same way, there are many things in my life and many things I see in the world around me where it seems as if God hasn’t shown up – my ‘coffee shop’ moments.  In those times I go back to what I do know about God.  I try to visualize Jesus on the cross and I remember that it cost Him very dearly to restore me to Himself.  I look at the beauty of the world and consider all the seeds, fruits and vegetables that grow.  All of these things remind me that God loves us and cares deeply about us.  I try to remember some of the promises of God.  Especially where he says that a day is coming when Christ will return.  On that day I will have many genuine questions to ask Him and I believe in mercy He will give me the answers.  But I know that ultimately, however long the delay, God has promised to bring redemption to this entire universe – to put it back into the perfect state it had at the beginning.  And on that day, He will judge the world in righteousness and every wrong will be righted for those who failed to receive justice on earth.
This side of heaven I won’t get answers to some of the questions I have, but I know without any doubt that God loves me, that He is good and fair and kind. I know that He has promised to right all wrongs and to restore this universe to its former glory. That, for me, is enough to keep me wanting to be His friend.
That’s what I think Paul means when he says, “Love believes all things”.  Love takes God at His word and trusts that however much circumstances or other people may be telling us otherwise, God is good, God is love, and He is ultimately for us, not against us.  When we exercise this love, we will find God raising us up to overcome our sorrow, to find healing for our hurts, to find the energy to wash our hands and don our face coverings one more time.
But there’s something else in Paul’s words.  In fact, given the circumstances which led to Paul writing this phrase, I think this is probably the primary lesson Paul is teaching when he says, “love always trusts” or “love believes all things.”
Given the divisions and internal fighting within the Corinthian congregation it was tempting for people to just give up on each other.  It was tempting for people to allow the hurts and the hypocrisies that they had experienced to cause them to stop interacting with each other, to stop including certain individuals or even to walk away from church altogether.  So Paul writes to them to say, you’ve got to keep believing.  You’ve got to keep looking for the potential in one another.  You’ve got to keep trusting that people can change and that there will be better days ahead.
Commenting on this passage the commentator William Barclay says, “We make people what we believe them to be.  If we show that we do not trust people we may make them untrustworthy.  If we show people that we trust them absolutely we make them trustworthy.”
History is full of inspirational stories of how people have fulfilled their potential because someone believed in them despite all the odds or signs to the contrary.
Two examples are the lives of Helen Keller and Emily Blunt.
When Helen Keller was just nineteen months old, she developed an illness that resulted in both blindness and deafness. As Helen grew into a young girl, she and her family became increasingly frustrated with her inability to communicate and her violent outbursts. Not knowing what to do, Helen’s parents consulted Alexander Graham Bell, who worked with the deaf. He suggested they hire a young woman by the name of Anne Sullivan as Helen’s teacher and mentor. This decision changed Helen’s life forever.
After establishing what would become a lifelong friendship, Anne began to teach Helen the alphabet by finger-spelling the sign language letters into the palm of Helen’s hand. The most challenging lesson was to help Helen make the connection between a word and a concept. The world-changing breakthrough happened when Anne pumped well water into one of Helen’s hands while finger spelling the word water onto her other one. At that moment, Helen understood that a word represented a concept or a thing. Soon, Helen began recognizing the letter combinations and this lit a fire within her soul. From that point on, Anne had helped Helen develop a relentless desire to learn. With Anne’s help Helen soon learned how to read Braille, write, and even started trying to speak. With her newfound love for learning, Helen began to have a strong desire to attend college. Although she experienced many trials and hardships along the way, she didn’t allow her physical challenges to set her back from dreaming big and then acting on those dreams.
In 1903 she published ‘The Story of My Life’ at the age of 22. It has since been widely published and is still in print in over fifty languages. It was adapted into the famous Tony award winning play and Oscar winning Hollywood film both entitled ‘The Miracle Worker’. In total, Helen Keller wrote 12 published books during her writing career.
In 1904, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and in so doing became the first deaf blind person to earn a bachelor’s degree.
In 1915 along with George Kessler, she founded the Helen Keller International. This organization combats the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition throughout the world.  Today, it is active in 22 countries and ranks among the most effective charities in the world with its programs benefiting millions of people.
Helen Keller was a member of the Socialist Party and actively campaigned and wrote in support of the working class from 1909 to 1921. She was a vocal supporter of women’s right to vote and their right to birth control and campaigned for equal rights for black people.
In 1924, Helen Keller began work for the American Foundation for the Blind, which she continued for more than 40 years.  She devoted much of her later life to raising funds for the organization. Today it is a leader in expanding possibilities for more than 20 million Americans living with vision loss.
Helen Keller was a world renowned speaker.  She travelled across the world making appearances and giving motivational speeches. Many of her speeches are preserved in the Helen Keller Archives owned by the American Foundation for the Blind.
In 1964, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award of the United States. In 1965, she was one of the 20 women who were elected to the National Women’s Hall of Fame at the New York World’s Fair.
In 1999, the TIME magazine included Keller in its list of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century.
Her appearances around the world drew considerable attention to the plight of people with disabilities in the countries she visited leading to improvement in their conditions. Her life story, achievements and speeches continue to be a source of inspiration to millions of people across the globe.
But none of this would have been possible without the influence and intervention of someone who ‘believed all things’ and who ‘always trusted’ in the innate potential of all humanity.  I wonder how different Helen Keller’s life would have been if a blind teacher called Anne Sullivan had not dedicated her life to helping Helen succeed?
The second inspiring story about the power of ‘love always believing’ comes from the life of Holywood actress Emily Blunt.
Blunt was born in Wandsworth, London.  Before Blunt was getting nominated for Golden Globes and landing leading roles on the stage and big screen, she could barely carry a conversation with her classmates: Between ages seven and 14, Emily had a major stutter. As she told W magazine, "I was a smart kid, and had a lot to say, but I just couldn't say it. It would just haunt me. I never thought I'd be able to sit and talk to someone like I'm talking to you right now."
When asked by a journalist – “So what happened?” Emily said this…

“It was a combination of a few things. One was just growing out of it. Another one was gaining some kind of confidence. I had a really amazing teacher at that age, when I was 12, and he was really kind and helpful and encouraged me to be in the class plays, which previously I had no interest in being in ‘cause I couldn’t talk. He said, “Well, why don’t you try it in a different voice? Try to do a funny voice or an accent. Maybe that would help.” But it really did, I was actually able to speak fluently. Once you’re able to hear yourself speak fluently, albeit in a ridiculous accent, you gain the confidence to think this could happen again and again. It was easier after that night, of that school play. It all became a bit easier.”
Emily has gone on to win a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and was nominated for two British Academy Film Awards.
She is best known for her roles in the comedy-drama The Devil Wears Prada, the science fiction films Looper and Edge of Tomorrow , the crime thriller Sicario (2015), the mystery thriller The Girl on the Train , the horror film A Quiet Place and the musical fantasies Into the Woods and Mary Poppins Returns.
Like Helen Keller, we are left wondering what would have become of this stuttering child if it hadn’t been for the love of a secondary school teacher who never stopped believing and always trusted that Emily could overcome her speech impediment and be on the stage.
 
It would have been so easy for people to write off both of these now famous women.  How easy it is for us to do the same in the Christian church.  When conflicts arise, or things don’t go the way we want it’s so easy to start judging and stop loving.  We stop giving people the benefit of the doubt.  We expect others to fail, we think they won’t respond the way they should, we doubt if they will keep their promises, we suspect their motives and intentions.  We analyze every remark, anticipate being offended and rehearse our responses in our minds.  But this is not love and sadly when we live like this, there are consequences.  Above all, it costs us friendship.  Even when we do it to protect ourselves from being hurt, when we doubt others, we close the door to developing deep relationships and strengthening the bonds of Christian fellowship.
Ultimately to live with these attitudes is an offense against God. To doubt people is to doubt the power of God to change people.  It is to doubt God’s promise to complete the work He begins in us to make us more like Christ.  When we refuse to believe in one another and trust in our potential in Christ, we question God’s work and think of Him as someone who begins and then forgets.
Love says Paul is radically different.  It “believe all things.”  That means that we give others the benefit of the doubt. It means that we expect the best. It means that we are able to overlook the offences and failure of others. It means we believe that over time we can commit ourselves to one another. “Believing all things” means that we are willing to trust one another.
Let us love one another here this morning.  Let’s trust others to come through for us when we need them. Let us trust one another’s motives. Let us trust that others have our best purposes in mind. Let us trust that other are looking out for us. Let us believe that God is at work is the lives of other. Let us see the innate potential in others.  Let us open ourselves to others, not fearing being hurt or let down, but being willing to endure momentary offences and failures in light of what God is doing in each of our lives.
Let me finish by quoting again the words of William Barclay who said, -
 “We make people what we believe them to be.  If we show that we do not trust people we may make them untrustworthy.  If we show people that we trust them absolutely we make them trustworthy.”
When times are difficult, let us look to God to raise us up to keep trusting Him and in His plans and purposes for us.
And through our encouragement and prayers let us raise one another up to be all that that God wants us to be.
 
Prayer for others   
Living God, we pray for those people who have lost hope – in their dreams, their circumstances or in life itself. 
Lord of all hopefulness, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who have lost the hope of finding a partner or of raising a family, the hope of going to college, university or further studies, the hope of finding a home or any permanent roof over their heads, the hope of securing employment or a use for their skills.
Lord of all hopefulness, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who despair of seeing freedom, justice, peace or reconciliation; those who despair of finding adequate food and clothing, those who despair of receiving help and healing.
Lord of all hopefulness, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who have given up on life – those with terminal illness, who have lost the will to keep fighting; those whose spirits have been crushed so that they can no longer bounce back; those who want to take their own lives because they have lost all hope; those so afflicted by starvation and disease that they cannot carry on.
Lord of all hopefulness, hear our prayer.
Living God there is much despair in our world, and for many there seems little reason to hope. Reach out we pray to all whose belief in the future has been destroyed, and grant new dreams where the old have died, rekindled purpose where confidence has been undermined, support when there seems to be nothing left to hold on to, and hope that one day your Kingdom will come and your will be done.
Lord of all hopefulness, hear our prayer.
In the name of Christ, Amen.
 
Closing Words
It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today.  Thanks again for logging on. 
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s reflection on the nature of Christian love.  Please do spend some time in quiet over the next few days asking the Lord to encourage you to believe in yourself.  Ask Him also to give you the gift of encouragement so that you might learn to always look for the potential in other people.
 
Last Monday we began our midweek bible study.  It was a fantastic evening as we explored the beginning of the Lord’s Prayer together using the video series called the Prayer Course by Pete Greig.  If you missed last week you can catch it online by searching the Prayer Course online or on our website and clicking on Session number 1.  Even if you missed last week you are more than welcome to attend this week.  It will be in the church again tomorrow night from 7pm to 8pm.  The premises will have had a deep clean, hands will be sanitised on entry and exit, we will be socially distanced and all participants are asked to wear face coverings. If you would like to come to the bible study please let Philip or myself know in advance.  Even if you can’t come to the bible study for the whole year, it would be fantastic to see as many of us make time to come to this amazing course.  It will inspire all of us to go deeper in our prayer as individuals and as a community of God’s people. 
 
At our session meeting this last week we agreed to the phased opening of a number of our activities.  Sunday School and Youth Fellowship hope to start back at some point in October once the teachers and youth leaders have had time to be trained and discuss how our programs might be run safely within the current restrictions.  The Wednesday Club and Coffee Doc will begin after Halloween holidays and the Friday club will start in January.   We will give you further details in the days to come.
 
Next Sunday we will be thinking about how love always protects and we will be celebrating the baptism of Luke Redmond.  It will be fantastic in these difficult days to be able to share in such a happy occasion.  There are 13 people in the baptismal party which leaves us 37 further spaces for anyone else who wishes to attend.  So if you would like to attend church next week please book in early so you will not be disappointed.  Next Friday evening is the final deadline so that we can arrange the seating on Saturday morning.
 
Stay tuned at the end of this recording stay tuned to listen to the wonderful voice of Pete Groban as he sings “You raise me up”.
 
In the meantime, let me lead you in a Benediction after which I invite you as always, to say the grace together…
 
Benediction   
Gracious God, send us back into the world with your eyes rather than ours.  Help us to see not only the bad but the good, not simply the ugly but the beautiful, not just the worst but the best.  Help us to see around us the seeds of your Kingdom and to nurture them lovingly until that day comes when your will is done and you are all in all.
 
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.”
 
 
 
 

APC 6th September 2020       “Love is not hot tempered.”
 
Welcome and Introduction           Michael
Good morning everyone and welcome to our Sunday morning worship.  Today we have gathered because God calls us to worship Him.  We come gladly because God is worthy of our worship.  Part of that means listening to what God says and with his help aligning our lives to his wise advice.  One of the most important things God calls us to, is ‘Love’.  We find one of the greatest descriptions of what love looks like in Pauls’ letter to the Corinthians.  That’s what we’ve been thinking about over the last number of weeks.  As we understand what Love looks like and as we begin to live more like this we worship God with our minds and our lives.  So far we have discovered that true love ‘is not selfish’ that ‘it keeps no records of wrongs’ that ‘it is not jealous’, ‘it is not proud’, ‘it does not take delight in the misfortunes of others,’ it is patient, it is kind and it is not rude.  Today we will be reflecting on the truth that ‘love is not hot tempered’ and seeing what that means for us.  But as always let us begin by talking to God.  Let us pray…
 
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus we thank you for all those who have heard your call across the ages- all those from different walks of life who have come together, at different times, in different ways and in different places to be your people. 
 
Lord Jesus, for your surprising call, receive our thanks.
 
We thank you for the way you have consistently brought together the most unlikely of individuals – from different races, different cultures with different characters and different gifts to become your church.
 
Lord Jesus, for your surprising call, receive our thanks.
 
And above all we thank you that you have called us here with our different outlooks, contrasting temperaments, diverging backgrounds and variety of experiences to be your church in this place.
 
Lord Jesus, for your surprising call, receive our thanks.
 
Lord Jesus Christ, teach us that whoever we are you can use us – you can use anyone and everyone for your Kingdom.  Help us to accept one another and ourselves as we really are- united in our diversity by one common cause.  Take us and use us just as we are, to demonstrate your transforming love and to work for the coming of your Kingdom.
 
Lord Jesus, for your surprising call, receive our thanks.
Amen.
 
The Lord’s Prayer 
 
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever, AMEN.
 
Bible Reading 1      Ephesians 4 v 26 – 32
26 “In your anger do not sin”[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
 
Bible Reading 2      1 Corinth 13 v 4-7           
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
 
 “Love is not Easily Angered”
 
“If you can keep your head when all around are losing theirs and blaming it on you….you’ll be a man, my son.” 
Those are the opening and closing words of one of Rudyard Kipling’s most famous poems.  Secretly we probably aspire to be a person who always exhibits the unruffled composure he describes.  If only we could sail through the storms of life with calm and peace.  If only we could sleep at night no matter what the day had brought or the morning promised.  But perhaps as Kipling is suggesting by the title of his poem, to be able to live like that, is all a big “If”.
You see the truth is none of us are like that.  None of us are unflappable never mind infallible!  All of us are susceptible to anxiety and stress.  And sometimes, if the right buttons are pushed for long enough, all of us can explode with anger.  This can happen at home, at work and at the clubs and societies we’re involved in.  It can even happen within the church.
It was obviously happening within the church in Corinth.  People were boasting about the gifts they had and despising the abilities of others.  They were forming cliques based on who their favourite preacher was.  The rich were arriving at their communal communion lunches with fancy picnic hampers and refusing to share with their poor brothers and sisters who had nothing.  There was anarchy in their worship services as people talked over the top of one another and shouted out questions.  As a result, tensions were high, divisions were wide and tempers were flying into angry words that were causing deep hurts.
That’s why in the 13th Chapter of his letter, Paul reminds this group of Christians that if they don’t get back to loving each other they will simply implode.  Then he spells out practically what this will look like in one of the most famous descriptions of love ever composed.  In the middle of that poem Paul says “Love is not easily angered.”
You see the truth is that many of us are like walking time bombs.  The frustrations of life and the words of others, have caused a deep pool of anger to well up within us.  At any moment we might suddenly explode and potentially damage our relationships with friends, colleagues and family.
The good news is that bombs can be defused.  So it’s imperative that as Christian people we learn to become experts in recognising and defusing anger within ourselves and the people we live and work with.
As Christian people and as a Christian minister this can be particularly challenging for a number of reasons.  Firstly because there is a perception that Christians and Christian ministers in particular are never meant to be angry.  Through the Holy Spirit they are always expected to be full of peace.  If we’re honest, we often feel the pressure of this public perception.  We try our best to never let the side down and to always present an exterior that seems calm and content.  The problem is that inside we can be full of suppressed anger and bitterness.
So the very first thing that we all need to do is allow ourselves permission to feel angry and frustrated at times.  Whatever else Paul is saying here, he is not saying that we should never disagree, or never feel frustrated or angry.  Conflict is normal.  It will always occur when you get people together.  So we need to release the pressure valve and allow ourselves to feel this way and not feel guilty when we do.  It is not a sin to feel angry or frustrated or to have differences of opinion which at times may even lead to conflict.  That’s why in his letter to the church in Ephesus Paul says, “Be angry, but don’t sin.”
The second positive truth it’s important to realise is that feelings of frustration and anger and having conflict are not just normal, they are neutral!  They have the potential to be destructive but they also have the potential for learning important lessons, deepening our relationships and can even be the seedbed for positive change.  So what’s important is not whether we experience these strong emotions – we will!  What’s important is how we handle them!  The good news is that we can all develop the necessary skills to help us deal with feelings of anger and frustration. 
One of those skills is to remember that we all say and do things at times that cause offence.  We all make decisions that even with the best intentions, may not be the best ones.  For that reason, all of us need to try not to be too prickly.  We need to be willing to accept that when people are tired or under pressure they can easily say or do things which might annoy us.  But most of those things we need to let go of and forgive.  We don’t need to be pulling people up for every little thing they may say or do that wasn’t quite right.  That’s probably the very literal meaning of what Paul is saying here – don’t be too sensitive, don’t allow yourself to get upset too easily.
Having said that, there will be times when things are said or done in a way that causes us deep frustration and anger that is not easily brushed aside.  Those issues may be keeping us awake at night or causing us to give someone a wide birth or dread the thought of meeting them.  Or perhaps we can’t wait to meet them so we can tell them exactly what we think of them!  How do we manage these feelings of anger in a constructive way? 
Well, unwise ways of dealing with it would be to repress it.  That will only allow bitterness and malice to develop inside us with all the unhappiness they bring.  So Paul exhorts the Ephesian Christians not to internalise things by saying “get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger… along with every form of malice.”
Another way would be to gossip about it to as many other people as will listen.  Paul describes this as “slander.”  While that might make us feel better in the short term, long term it will simply escalate the problem.  When we choose to gossip, an issue which begins as a small spark can quickly become a forest fire.  These fires are much more difficult to extinguish whether they happen in a family, a company or a Christian fellowship.  The third unwise way to manage our feelings is to allow our anger to simply explode by lashing out angrily and aggressively with words or actions.  So Paul says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs that it may benefit those who listen.” And he adds “no brawling!”  Again. in the long term this is only likely to make the problem worse and to cause us significant public embarrassment.
So what are wise ways to manage our anger?
Well one way might be to talk to a trusted friend or colleague.  In doing this we can be discreet so that we don’t undermine the person who has hurt us.  At the same time we can be honest knowing that they will listen and help us understand the reasons why we are angry.  They will affirm us and help us to develop a plan for addressing the situation. 
It’s good to remind ourselves that God loves us and is there to help us.  It’s also good to talk to ourselves, to pray to God and ask Him to help us try and understand ourselves.  Even to ask ourselves- “why am I reacting so strongly?”  It may be that others are being unreasonable but often there’s more to it than that.  Our reactions are often wrapped up in our own ego or sense of security or ambitions or whatever.  God, family, friends, church leaders or even counsellors can all be important sources of help for understanding ourselves and why we might be reacting the way we are.
Above all, we need to make time to prayerfully reflect and to try and identify the issue that is causing such a strong response within us.  If we simply focus on the person or persons that have caused these emotions or even if we focus on the emotions themselves we will probably end up responding in unconstructive ways.  We must learn somehow to focus on the issues that have given rise to our frustrations.  Once we have identified and are clear about the issues and why we feel so frustrated or angry, then we will be in a better position to address things.  Once we have done this we must choose to act rather than simply brushing things under the carpet. So how do we address the issues in a constructive way?
Take the initiative -
Approach the other person and arrange a time when you can both talk, rather than dealing with it immediately.  You may need time to cool down.  The other person may be unaware that there is a problem and need time to think before discussing.  If it’s a committee of people, then ask for the issue to be placed as an item on the next agenda.
 
Speak directly to the other person -
Don’t phone, don’t write a letter and resist the temptation to talk to other people about it.
Think beforehand about what you want to say so that you can express how and why you feel and enable the other person to understand. 
 
Speak to the person privately -
Choose a good time and place.  Allow enough time.  Choose a place where you won’t be disturbed and where you won’t feel trapped.  A public place is often good because it means that neither person feels trapped, and it has a natural capacity to encourage a moderate approach to discussion.
 
Speak to them humbly -
Don’t blame or focus on the other person’s character.  Don’t blame them or tell them what should be done.  Focus on the issue or the behaviour rather than personality.
Be specific and give specific examples.
Listen carefully.  Give the other person time to talk and find out how they feel.  Let them see that you are listening and are glad that you are talking.
Give information (about how you see the problem)
Talk it through, even the difficult areas that bother you.  Don’t forget to ask ‘Is there anything else?’
Agree on the best way forward and be specific about what you have agreed.
 
Have a rain check - Meet up again privately a few weeks down the line just to see how things have been improving.
 
Refuse to get involved -
If someone comes to you with a complaint about George, politely say to them, “I think you need to talk to George about that.”
 
99 times out a hundred following these steps will lead to a resolution to a conflict and the defusing of our frustration and anger.  On the rare occasions this does not work, it is wise to seek the help of someone more senior or a mutual friend who can mediate well.  In that situation in my experience it is always best to discuss things with everyone who is involved around the table. 
 
It’s also important to remember in group or committee situations that despite feeling at times that others are blocking our plans, it is good for all of us to take constructive feedback, to acknowledge that something might not be working or might not be the best idea after all.  We must always be willing to step back and take another look. 
 
Last but not least, whatever happens after following the advice explained, we have a very important choice to make however strong our emotions.  We must choose to forgive. 
We have a right to feel hurt and angry and we have a right to respond.  It is good to own that right.  But then we must sacrifice that right by choosing to forgive.  Forgiveness is surrendering my right to hurt you back if you hurt me.  When we forgive it is for our benefit.  It releases us from the burden of carrying that person or that group around with us everywhere we go.  But it also means that we can receive the forgiveness of God.  George Herbert said,
 
“He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven for everyone has need to be forgiven.” 
 
It can be hard to forgive but meditating on the cross of Christ can help us to do this. That’s why Paul says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as Christ forgave you.”
 
Ultimately we must forgive because God has forgiven us.  We may never forget but we must choose with God’s help to let go.
                                                                                                                                           
Prayerful Reflection…
 
Are you bitter or angry about something or with someone?
 
What is God saying to you today about what you should do about that?
 
Think about Jesus dying on the cross.  Think how differently it would be if he treated you as your sins deserved.
 
Now ask the Lord to give you the grace to let go, to choose to forgive those who have hurt you because He has chosen to forgive you…
 
Prayer for others
Living God, we rejoice that you are a God who is slow to anger and full of steadfast love, infinitely patient, understanding and merciful, always seeking to forgive, to forget, to restore and renew.  Yet do not let us become complacent fro there are times when even your patience is tested to the limit and your anger blazes against us – when we wilfully and stubbornly disobey you when our actions or failure to act causes harm to others when our faithlessness becomes a stumbling block to those who seek you.  Forgive us those times and help us to put right our mistakes.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Loving God help us to realise there are occasions when you have no choice but to feel angry and help us to recognise sometimes that we should feel the same.  Help us to know when those occasions are.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Teach us when anger is unjustified, foolish, petty selfish, when it is more about our hurt pride than right and wrong, when it says more about ourselves than the cause we attribute anger to.  Save us from the errors it might lead us into – thoughtless words, careless deeds and destructive attitudes – and help us then to control our anger.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
But teach us also when we ought to be angry.  When we are faced by anything that denies full living, that demeans and destroys that feeds injustice or exploitation, that cheats corrupts wounds or hurts, that leads the innocent astray, that divides people from one another and from you, teach us then to feel a genuine fury and to express that with proper passion, translating anger into action, speaking out against falsehood, working to right wrongs, overcoming evil with good, giving all for your Kingdom.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Take a moment now to pray for people or circumstances that are on your mind at this time…
In the name of Christ our Lord, Amen.
 
Closing Words
It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today.  Thanks again for logging on.  I hope that you have felt part of our congregation as they are meeting at the same time as this online broadcast.  We are sorry that you aren’t able to join us because of your current circumstances but we hope that in the near future  you will be able to be with us. 
 
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s reflection on the nature of Christian love.  Please do spend some time in quiet over the next few days asking the Lord to show you any blind bittermness or anger in your life and to guide you and give you courage to address it.  May you ask the Lord to give you his grace to forgive.
 
We are hoping to restart our midweek bible study.  This year we are holding it on a Monday night from 7 - 8pm in the church starting on the 7th of September.  We will observe all recommendations for hand hygiene and social distancing and all participants are advised to wear face coverings. For the first semester we will be running a short course on Prayer called ‘The Prayer Course’ designed by Pete Greig.  Each week we will watch a short video focussed on one line of the Lord’s Prayer.  Afterwards there will be opportunity to discuss the video among ourselves and then to spend some time together in prayer.  There is a book which accompanies the course which you can read at your leisure.  If you would like to come to the bible study please let Philip or myself know in advance.  If you would like to pre-order a book, then again please speak to Philip or myself.  Even if you can’t come to the bible study for the whole year, it would be fantastic to see as many of us make time to come to this amazing course.  It will inspire all of us to go deeper in our prayer as individuals and as a community of God’s people.  There is a link on our website to the course if you would like to find out more…
 
We are currently looking tentatively at what it might look like for our Sunday School and Youth activities to restart.  Our denomination has advised that if these do recommence, they should not start until nearer October.  This will allow children time to readjust to returning to school and give us time to assess how that is progressing.  There will be further details on this soon. 
 
Remember if you are planning to come to church next Sunday- do bring your signed Covid 19 policy if you haven’t already emailed that to us.  Remember, we will aim to start at 10.00am as usual but if you can be there earlier than normal that will enable us to get everyone safely seated before we start.  Don’t forget to let us know you are coming by emailing Aleida before next Friday evening.  That will give us time to arrange the seating for Sunday.  In the meantime, let me lead you in a Benediction after which I invite you as always, to say the grace together…
 
Benediction   
Our worship has not ended it has only just begun for God is with us every moment of every day.  Go then and offer the worship He desires – to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with Him every step along the way.
 
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.”