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Live Service for Sunday 28th June – 3rd Sunday after Trinity

Click here to watch the service streamed live at 10.30am on Sunday 28th June – the 3rd Sunday after Trinity.

Click here to watch a special musical performance from Liz, Toby and Hugh.

Hymns, Songs, Readings and other links for 3rd Sunday of Trinity –

“A New Church for a New Age (Part 3):

the story of the work of the Spirit in “The Shoot out of the Stump of Jesse” in Isaiah ch 11 and ch 12 – part of the focus for

“40 Days on the Life and work of the Spirit” – by Jack Levison

Bible Readings:

Key Bible Reading:

Isaiah ch 11 and 12 – the beginning of this passage is well-known because it is often read at Carol Services, but today we are going to look at the whole text.

It is made up of four parts:

  • “The Shoot that will come out of the stump of Jesse” (vs 1-5) – upon whom the Spirit of the Lord will rest – this part of the passage has always been seen as referring to Jesus.
  • The impact this ‘shoot’ has upon the world will be to bring healing and hope to the world (see vs 11-16) and is symbolised by the images of the hoped for ‘harmony of Creation’ (vs 6-9).
  • Key as to how this will all come about is vs 10, “In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting-place will be glorious.”  What is this root? The true Tree of Jesse – The Cross.
  • The song of joy and praise on the lips of those who understand the implication of this mystery and victory – the means of salvation the world and the Devil will never understand or overcome.  Such is the wisdom, the power and the glory of our God (Ch 12 vs 1-6)

All this because “the Spirit of the Lord rested upon Him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of inward strength, the Spirit of the knowledge of the Lord and of true godliness – and He will delight in the love of the Lord.” (Isaiah ch 11:2-3).

Supporting Text:

Ephesians 6:10-13 – Putting on the whole armour of God and to stand – this is a well-known passage and can so easily inspire strength and protection, whereas in fact, it is meant to be a call to walk the way of vulnerability and to hold fast to the person and character of Christ.

In that sense Eph ch6 is for forerunner to the adage – “WWJD” – “What would Jesus do?”  And it is the Holy Spirit that can help us to reach out and indeed hold fast for this.

Set Readings for today:

Jeremiah 28:5-9 – Jeremiah speaks out not just of events to come but of a “Prophet” who will bring true peace – that prophet has come in the person of Jesus.

Romans 6:12-end – Paul’s contrasts very starkly the choices we make – towards a life lived by sin and death or towards a life lived by grace and eternal life.  We are called from one to the other.

Matthew 10:40-end – continuing on from last week, Jesus teaches all worldly honour and honour systems are nothing in comparison the reward those who show Acts Kindness will receive from the Lord who sees all, including the intentions of the human heart.

Hymns and Songs for 3rd Sunday after Trinity:

Traditional:

  1. TRY AND LISTEN TO THIS – “Gwahoddiad – I hear Thy Welcome Voice” – Songs of Praise – this less well-known hymn outside of Wales captures so clearly the mystery and yet the deep meaning of the true Tree of Jesse – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucbPZW446Cc
  • “Only Boys Aloud” came to popular acclaim through their appearance on “Britain’s Got Talent” – they embody the spirit of our reading today, finding hope and purpose out of adversity – here is the recording that shot them to fame -“Calon Lan,” this song that they sing was originally composed as a hymn in the 1890’s but has become part of Welsh identity – I detail below the beauty of their poetry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AARrVAHnkdY

Calon Lân English Translation

I don’t ask for a luxurious life
the world’s gold or its fine pearls,
I ask for a happy heart,
an honest heart, a pure heart.

A pure heart full of goodness
Is fairer than the pretty lily,
None but a pure heart can sing,
Sing in the day and sing in the night.

If I wished for worldly wealth,
It would swiftly go to seed;
The riches of a virtuous, pure heart
Will bear eternal profit.

(Chorus)

Evening and morning, my wish
Rising to heaven on the wing of song
For God, for the sake of my Saviour,
To give me a pure heart.

Song for Refection:

  • A shorter version with lyrics

Modern Music:

Really been getting into Kirk Franklin following recommending two of his songs from last week.  This week two more:

  • “Strong God” – this was just released on 1st June and speaks into the #Black Lives Matter campaign in America and around the world.  WARNING: language is ok, but the video does contain some strong images – not suitable for younger children.

Adults/Parents PLEASE check you are happy first before showing to your young people.  At the same time, video is how many Black Young People see things, so good to be informed – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dnl9ZvrM_yQ

  1. “Lean on Me” – I wasn’t going to include this because it’s another song by Kirk Franklin, so wanted to find something different.  But each time came back to it – such an inspiring version and video, finding the God of Hope in amongst the trials and pain of it all.  No wonder 64M hits –   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXBKaOkmQhw

Videos:

  1. “Sergio and Rhoda – Nazareth Village” – although this short video doesn’t show an actual Olive Tree with the new growth coming from its stump (although we saw one for ourselves when we were there ourselves in 2018), this whole project embodies the spirit of Isaiah ch 11 and 12 – refusing to lie down and born to bring hope that is distinctive and a wonderful authentic witness not just to Israel, but to the whole Christian world – there’s nowhere quite like it – and I think Kirsty would quite literally love to be a tour guide here –  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyDyIyn-yRE

Films:

  1. “Brassed Off” – At first this does not seem a particularly ‘Christian’ film, there is no mention of God or of a person who is a Christian character within it.  But like the Book of Ruth it is full of God’s Spirit, especially in the way is gives a practical example and demonstration to all that we have been talking about today.

Set in the coal mining villages of North Yorkshire during the mining shutdown of the 80’s and 90’s, it follows the life of the Grimley Colliery Band and of some of the characters within it as they discover “what really matters.”

PLEASE NOTE: To PARENTS – It is a 15Cert – it does deal with some strong scenes, and does have some strong language in places.  At the same time it is both endearing and a wonderful caricature of both mining life and of the humour and pain of these times.