Worship for 14th March 2021

Message:

Mothering Sunday or Mother’s Day? Mothering Sunday has its roots in church traditions going back 400 years or more; Mother’s Day was started in America in 1907 and is celebrated on 2^nd Sunday in May. In this country the two events have been merged for many years as a day to Thank our Mothers, or, those who have been like Mothers to us – a day to celebrate.

But we need to remember that for some, it can be a very difficult day. For some it is a day of great sadness as we are not all blessed with good memories of happy families and loving homes. Not everyone who longs for a child, is blessed in that way and some have the great sadness of having lost a child – today can be very painful for all of them, so let us remember all who are sad today and pray that God will touch them with his love.

Around 400 years ago people in small villages made a point of going to the nearest large church to worship, this was considered to be their “Mother church” and they went to give thanks to God for “Mother church” – we can all still join in the thanks for the church of God.

For youngsters working away from their families, it was a day that they were allowed to travel home to see their families. Girls would often take a Simnel cake and the boys would collect bunches of wild flowers on their way home. It was a day to rejoice and thank Mothers for all they do for us. Saying Thank you is always a good thing. I still like to call today Mothering Sunday and look forward to some daffodils.

In our homes, we are family, in the church, we are family and in the whole of creation, we are family. Today we thank God for families and for our Mothers and those who have been like Mothers to us and we can all thank God that we are all part of His family. We are all his children, he knows each one of us and he loves us all equally and unconditionally – isn’t that amazing?

The verses from Colossians tell us that we should be clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; we should forgive others and above all we should love. Looking at that list, aren’t they the virtues you would expect/hope to find in all Mums?

A teacher asked a boy this question: “Suppose your mother baked a pie and there were 7 of you – your parents and five children. What part of the pie would you get?” “A sixth” replied the boy. “I’m afraid you don’t know your fractions,” said the teacher “Remember there are 7 of you” “Yes, teacher, but you don’t know my Mum, she would say she didn’t want any pie” said the boy.

A Mum putting the needs of her family before her own.  Jesus put others first too and loved, but to a whole new level.

The reading from John tells of Jesus on the cross – suffering great pain for each one of us, showing a love far greater than we can ever imagine. He was in agony and yet, even at that time he looked and saw Mary, the woman who had given birth to him and had nurtured him as a child, and he showed compassion and kindness and love in making sure that she would be looked after. Still putting others first even when facing death on the cross.

Isn’t that an amazing example to us who proclaim to be followers of Jesus? Whatever our role in life, we all need to follow the example of Jesus and clothe ourselves with those virtues so that others can get to know about the love of God. As we journey through Lent, getting closer to the cross, maybe we need to ask ourselves if those things shine out from us. Are we good examples of the Methodist/Christian Way of Life, do our lives reflect the example that Jesus set for us?

Let us thank God for families and for his great love for his family. More importantly, let’s put our thanks into action by showing his love in our words and deeds each day – there is no better way to show our thanks to our God who loves each one of us so much that he gave his Son. We need to show our response to His love each day.

A Prayer from “Finding the Way”

Gracious God, thank you for your extraordinary love shown to us in Jesus.

Help us to live each moment of each day in gratitude, loving those around us and witnessing to the ways of your kingdom.
Refresh us continually in the power of the Holy Spirit to be people of the Way.

Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

Loving Heavenly Father we come to you now to bring our concerns knowing that you love us and will hear our prayers.

On this day we bring to you all families everywhere. We rejoice with those who are happy and blessed. We bring also, those who are having difficulties. We bring those who find today full of pain because of bad memories or unfulfilled hopes. Surround all families with your love and healing. Be among us to bless, guide and keep safe those special units of love, patience and forgiveness.

Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

Lord, you created the whole earth, you made each one to be your child, to be a part of your family. As we look around the world, we see many of your children suffering through hatred, greed, bloodshed, famine and war.
We feel helpless, but help us never to give up and to keep praying for peace and justice, and to support any ways to bring relief to those who suffer. Touch them and let them know that they are loved by you.

Lord in your mercy: Hear our Prayer.

Lord on this day, we give thanks for the church. We thank you for those who have nurtured us in the faith. Guide each one at this time of challenge and uncertainty that we may always seek your will for our church and circuit.

Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

Loving Lord, we pray for ourselves and those we love. We are all struggling from being separated from those we care about and so we pause to name in our hearts those we love and those who have special needs at this time  Be close to each of us and bless and heal all in need at this time.

Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

As we journey onwards to the cross, clear away all the unnecessary things from our lives to allow room for you at the centre of all we do. Help us always to look towards the cross and to feel the love and forgiveness that flows from there. Make us living gospels to bring light into a dark world.