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.