“Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.”13 He replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” 14 (About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.” Luke 9:12-17 NIV
God, Lord,
Today many will be walking to cenotaphs around the country in memory of those who died in wars. Today I turn my thoughts to sunnier days and a crowd who walked to hear Jesus speak. A simple story, we know well, set late afternoon on a busy day. Probably up with the sun at daybreak, and to get to the remote place they were in, they would have walked miles. By now a little weary and in need of sustenance!
They could even represent a picture of mankind. Men, women, boys and girls, all ages. All weary and in need of something meaningful to feed them. Not just satisfy them for the day or the hour, but in need of something that will fully satisfy mind, body and soul.
Today we rejoice because this scripture shows us that You are able to feed all that come to You. As the hymnist says, “Feed me ’till I want no more.” The spiritual food that we need to live and be satisfied. Only You can satisfy our hunger for forgiveness and inner peace with both You, God, and with ourselves. Only You can satisfy that yearning to belong to You, our creator, know You and know where we are going. To have a reason to be, and to belong to a great fellowship of like-minded people, Your family in Christ Jesus.
You are in the detail. 12 baskets left over for the Disciples. Today You feed us and one day we will feast together with You in Heaven, face to face. Today we remember and give thanks that there is war, there is peace.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Wonderful God, Almighty Lord,
We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For them individually, for their needs to be met, to know they are loved and to be kept safe in Your care.
For our ministers, pastors and youth workers and all that is done by those belonging to churches to support, help and bless their local communities.
For our Government, that You would guide and shape it, for the good of the nation.
For our King and Queen and those who work for the best future for our nation.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord a miracle of peace.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to this conflict.
For our armed services. For our emergency services and all those who keep our nation functioning.
For those in the midst of conflict, whose share their faith, to see people choose Christ Jesus.
For all the official remembrance services and parades today. That there would be no trouble.
For ourselves, that we would be open to receiving Your Word, Your peace and Your joy wherever we may be found today.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 12th November 2023
Says it all . . .
Break thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,
as thou didst break the loaves beside the sea.
Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord;
my spirit pants for Thee, O living Word.
Thou art the bread of life, O Lord, to me,
Thy holy word the truth that saveth me.
Give me to eat and live with Thee above;
teach me to love Thy truth, for Thou art love.
O send Thy Spirit, Lord, now unto me,
that he may touch my eyes and make me see.
Show me the truth made plain within your Word,
for in your book revealed I see you, Lord.
Bless Thou the truth, dear Lord, to me, to me,
As Thou didst bless the loaves by Galilee.
Then shall all bondage cease, all fetters fall,
And I shall find my peace, my all in all.
Mary A. Lathbury (1877)