29th June: Trinity 2
SS.Peter & Paul
online Holy Communion.
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18
Paul writes a very personal and intimate letter describing his own sufferings. He gives glory to God who has rescued him and fellow sufferers.
As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Matthew 16:13-19
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’
Something to think about
Jesus’ reference to the ‘son of man’ (a translation of the Hebrew phrase ‘a human being’, as found in Daniel 7:13-15), Peter’s bold response, ‘You are the Messiah’- also an OT figure but representing an earthly ruler, is accepted by Jesus. He goes on to speak to Simon Peter by his name Peter, which in Aramaic meant “rock’. The commission Jesus gave him became important to the early church as it developed its ministry.
Collect
Faithful Creator, whose mercy never fails:
deepen our faithfulness to you and to your living Word,
Jesus Christ our Lord..
Post Communion
Loving Father,
we thank you for feeding us at the supper of your Son:
sustain us with your Spirit, that we may serve you here on earth
until our joy is complete in heaven, and we share in the eternal banquet
with Jesus Christ our Lord.
Next Sunday’s (6th) Readings:
Galatians 6:7-16
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Please remember in your prayers this week:
Those who are unable to be with us in church, including Reina Hammond, Linda Torr and Arthur Williams.
The recently bereaved, especially the family and friends of James Litchfield, Mick Chell, Marie Bacon, Mollie Moon, Margaret Marsden, Lindsey Harrison, Bob Bates and Paul Clarke.
Areas of conflict: the Ukraine, the Middle East and too many others.
Our local churches, as they face up to the problems of the future.
Our Ministry Team: Maggie, Nigel & Lynda and her support: Simon.