Sermon Series – ‘Holy Habits’

A series of sermons being preached around the Benefice in the Spring of 2025 called ‘Holy Habits’ in which we look at the characteristics of being a disciple of Jesus, someone who reads the Bible, is in fellowship with others, helps grow faith in others, shares resources, serves and prayers.

Part 1: Rogation Sunday – Rev Simon

Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 17:14-20 and Luke 24:13-32

Rogation Sunday is an ancient church festival where we wish to seek blessing for our communities and their well being. Rogation comes from the Latin verb rogare meaning to ask. We simply ask God to take care of us, which needs to be a daily prayer rather than an annual one! In rural communities which was the case in all parishes to begin with, there was a strong connection with provision for farming and crops. The walk would beat the bounds of the parish boundaries. Psalm 103 and 104 were commonly sung speaking of God’s creative power and provision.

Let us be thankful to God for all that we have received and for his blessings into the future.

Part 2: Fellowship – Rev Louise

Bible Readings: Genesis 18:1-16 and Matthew 18:15-20

In the second of our mini sermon series on Holy Habits (how do we live our lives as followers of Jesus)  we look at fellowship.

It’s a word that can be interpreted in a number of ways, but at its heart it refers to welcome, hospitality and friendship. Perhaps the simplest way of expressing this would be when a stranger arrives at any event they are made an honoured guest as if they’ve been known for a long time. It is something we feel as a result of how we are treated.

The Christian family should be one where barriers of any kind that divide us from one another are called to be challenged and broken down. Far easier to write than to live out!

God invites us to create a family friendly atmosphere in all we do and we need his help to continue to create this. It can do so with as simple a question as asking ‘How are you?’ and being prepared to give the time and space to hear the answer.

Part 3: Sharing Resources – Rev Simon

Bible Readings: Isaiah 58:6-14 and Matthew 25:14-30

One of many childhood sound bites is where parents regale their children with the phrase, ‘you need to learn to share’. Endless squabbles have found their origin regardless of our age in the premise that something belongs exclusively to us. Modern marketing hints that we deserve our luxuries, why should we need to think of others?

There is no doubt that when it comes to sharing resources (our Holy Habit this week) most of us have a long way to go. Have you ever lent an item of value to someone and then it never came back, or not as it was originally, and you decide that’s the end of it. Have you lent your car to someone in need or housed people in crisis?

We are invited as followers of Jesus to continually review how we manage the wealth that we have been given. Ultimately the way that we use it, speaks to who we say owns it. God invites us to a far more joyous way of living and loving through generosity than we imagine might be possible.

How can we share what we have to benefit others and the wider world? What you are doing or plan to do in sharing more widely?

Part 4: Prayer – Rev Louise

Bible Readings: Psalm 43 and Matthew 6:5-15

Prayer is a foundational and transformative Holy Habit. A way of being, it is the breath of spiritual life. It re-orientates us in right relationships with God, with others and the world. Prayer is a conversation with God; it is waiting on God-both in listening and serving. Prayer is sustaining, encouraging, nurturing, exciting and engaging. It is the lifeblood of faith. This summer time, when life has a different pace and many of us will take a break from our usual routines, we are invited to take a deeper dive into prayer. There are opportunities to try new ways of praying, new ways of being with others in prayer, and a few suggestions to explore. All have at their centre an invitation from Jesus- come closer, come deeper, come further, take more time with me. Please do look through the suggestions made here, or choose your own way of answering the call in these precious summer weeks.

You can find some ideas for Summer Prayers here