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In touch

Up-to-the-minute jumping-off points for sermons, linking the reading to the latest news and global issues

 

Worth looking for

Paul’s testimony gives us the ultimate narrative of hope. (1 Tim 1:12-17)

 

Context

There has been a lot of dark news this week. From bombs dropped in Qatar, drones shot down over Poland, to more murky details emerging around the Epstein files, and that’s before we get to UK politics.

The global and local landscapes appear to be relentlessly gloomy. Perhaps that’s why the occasional points of joy or light are so powerful. You don’t need to be a non-stop 5Live listener to have noticed that the England football team finally had a stunning win over Serbia on Tuesday night. Even the usual armchair pundits who generally feel they could be doing a much better job than all eleven players on the pitch and the manager were able to enjoy the 5-0 victory and bask in a warm moment of England having won the match, and won it convincingly. It may be only a game, but it is a narrative that offers a bit of hopefulness in a sea of worrying global stories.

This weekend we have the Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter finals which will be another high spot for at least four teams! But perhaps, whoever you support, or even if you don’t love sport, the matches will still be a moment to engage with something uplifting - a narrative of hope and courage which is always worth looking for.

In telling his story in 1 Timothy, Paul creates for the readers of his letter a moment of light. The story of his encounter with the Lord is a narrative of hope and joy. Paul was shown mercy and love in a world which, like ours, might have felt lacking in both from time-to-time. The gospel message and its impact on human lives is always worth looking for. Paul’s message of hope is better than the fleeting moment of glory on a sports field, even when it’s a 5-0 win, because the light it casts is permanent, it shines even in the worst moments and it's open to all of us, all the time. It’s the ultimate narrative of hope for our world.

 

Ideas for reflection

Either Invite members of the congregation to talk to each other in small groups about their own stories and testimonies of hope in God or ask a couple of people to speak from the front about their encounters with Jesus.

After the stories play the song ‘Waymaker’. 

Encourage people to engage with the words of the song and the words they have heard during the service.

 

Fiona is a freelance leadership consultant and mediator.

 

 

Check-in

Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people

Browsing the BBC news website, I came across a headline in the culture section which really appealed to me.

“Panto pinch-me moment for CBeebies Presenter.”

“It's only September. Surely that is rather early for panto news.” I thought. But as a lover of traditional Christmas entertainment I could not resist clicking the link and reading the story.

The presenter George Webster who has Down’s syndrome is looking forward to sword fighting and the Tinkerbell stuff whilst appearing as Pirate Starkey in Peter Pan in Northampton. It is highly unlikely that when he was filmed by Sky TV in 2019 volunteering at his local Park Run, anyone thought he would develop such a successful and varied career. It would have been easy to write him off. However somebody saw a spark of potential in him and so have others at various times over the years.

Paul’s character and experience were completely different. He had never heard of television, CBeebies or pantomime. He wrote in his letter to Timothy (1:13) that he was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because he had acted in ignorance and unbelief, he was shown mercy. God saw a spark of potential in him as a Christian evangelist. He chose him, called him and equipped him. In fact in many ways Paul was a surprising choice. Yet what a wonderful choice he proved.

When God looks upon each one of us, our potential is seen. We may be surprising choices but the grace of God can bring forgiveness and power to enable us to fulfill our potential and glorify God. That is more than a pinch-me moment. It is a cause for celebration.

Panto lover Stuart Wild is the Superintendent minister of the Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit.

 

 

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