Dear Brothers and Sisters
I’m sure I can’t have been the only priest in the country to have had a sleepless night after the Government announcement of the new Coronavirus measures coming in on Monday; the ‘rule of six.’ There was a lot of conjecture about us being allowed to have 30 people at a Wedding, a Funeral or a Baptism but only 6 at Sunday worship. Thankfully the Government has clarified that situation and we are allowed to continue with worship as we have been doing. More guidelines on what we can and cannot do in church buildings over the next few months will be coming out next week; so watch this space. The PCC meetings and the APCMs that are planned should all be fine as we are linking them to an act of worship.
Now is a good time to remind us all of what we need to do to keep each other safe. We should not come to church if we have Coronavirus symptoms. We need to sanitise our hands as we arrive and make sure that our contact details are recorded just in case someone at that service subsequently becomes ill. We need to wear our mask and keep physically distant from those we don’t live with. Each of our churches has a different way of identifying where to sit but do please use these indications. We have moved away from single use printed orders of service to laminated cards that can been cleaned between use so please use these. And please sanitise your hands when leaving church. I think that the key thing we can all do just now is to wash our hands for 20 seconds (or sanitise) as often as we can. Saying the Lord’s Prayer as we wash our hands is a great way to time 20 seconds, and to help us pray regularly throughout the day. These are such difficult times but prayer will keep us going.
Sunday’s Readings
A Reading from the book of Genesis
Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, ‘What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?’ So they approached Joseph, saying, ‘Your father gave this instruction before he died, “Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.” Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.’ Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, ‘We are here as your slaves.’ But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.’ In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them. (50:15-21)
The Gospel according to Matthew
Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’ (18:21-35)
Services next Sunday 20th September
- Denton 9.30am
- Blubberhouses 11.00am
- Farnley 2.30pm
Services for Sunday 27th September
- Weston 9.30am
- Leathley 11.00am
- Fewston 2.30pm
Annual Parochial Church Meetings will be taking place in September and October. Dates are: 20th September Farnley, 27th September Fewston, 18th October Denton and 25th October Leathley. Electoral Roll lists will be revised prior to these meetings. Please make sure you are on the appropriate roll.
Please remember in your prayers: Those still struggling with loss and trauma caused by war, terrorism or civil unrest. The peoples of the United States as they prepare to elect their President. The people of Beirut, where tens of thousands are still without shelter. Those made homeless by the fires in Lesbos. For those on holiday and those who will have to be in quarantine on their return from abroad. For our schools and universities, for all who teach our young people. For the sick and ill and all who care for them. For the dying and the dead and for their families and all who mourn them.
God bless you all.
Stephen