THE GIFT OF PAIN. Rev d John Monaghan, Curate

Transcription

1 25th JUNE 2017

2 THE GIFT OF PAIN Rev d John Monaghan, Curate As a Physiotherapist, I used to facilitate an NHS workshop for patients on our three week inpatient chronic pain management programme. The workshop was bizarrely called the gift of pain. It wasn t given that title because Physiotherapists are sadistic and uncaring (although if you ve had a Physio working on you recently, you might be forgiven for thinking that!). It was given this provocative title because we wanted to address the truth that the presence of physical pain is vital to our existence. Pain alerts our bodies to the presence of harm, so that we can take immediate corrective action to promote healing and wholeness in our bodies. Even the presence of mild pain in our backside after twenty minutes of sitting in the same position, subconsciously alerts our brain to move position, allowing blood flow and oxygen back into an otherwise compressed and oxygen-starved area. Fear and pain, are far too often misconstrued in our culture as something negative, and something to be avoided at all costs, whereas they are, in many cases, God given gifts that promote physical and spiritual wellbeing. People who have no fear or ability to sense pain are in constant danger. In our bible passage from Matthew chapter 10 this week, Jesus tells us that there is a healthy, Godgiven fear that should motivate us in and towards his Kingdom. Jesus talked a lot about love, grace and forgiveness, but he also talked a lot about

3 A B B E Y DIARY THIS SUNDAY: June 25th 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm All Age Holy Communion 6.30pm Choral Evensong with prayers for the re-elected Mayor of Malmesbury judgment, and the consequences of living as we like. He did this not so we would be feardriven into his Kingdom, but so that we can take corrective action, and reposition our hearts and minds in reverential surrender before a holy God. Let's pray with the Psalmist that we would all develop a healthy fear of the Lord, rather than a fear of mankind. The bible says that, this kind of fear is the beginning of wisdom (Ps ). John THIS WEEK EACH DAY 9am Morning Prayer MON 26 th 10am Little Stars 7.30pm Book Club - Mark's Gospel at Old Bell WED 28 th 10.30am Communion THUR 29 th 10.30am Time for Chat 7pm Choir Practice FRI 30 th Refresh at the farm (page 6) NEXT SUNDAY: July 2 nd 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm Informal worship & Junior Church ADVANCE DIARY 3-5 July Lifepath 8 th July MAMS concert 11 th July 12-3pm Songways a capella choir pop up concert free 7.30pm Glory! 15 th July William of Malmesbury day of talks

4 M AT T H E W 10: The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! 26 So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Additional Reading: Romans 6:1b-11

5 DISCIPLESHI P 1. Read Matthew 10: In verses Jesus talks about two types of fears - one is an unhealthy fear that will incapacitate our mission for God and one is a godly fear that will drive us towards mission. Describe these two types of fear? 2. Read verse 28 in the Message translation. Can you give an example of how you are affected by a) the fear of God, and b) the fear of man 3. If the fear of God in our lives outweighs the fear of man, we will grow in our discipleship and Christian witness. Name some of the ways you are affected by the fear of man (e.g. worry what other s think, follow the crowd, avoid conflict, don t share the gospel with friends ). 4. Read Psalm 147:11 and pray that the Holy Spirit would help you to overcome these fears and that you grow in the fear of the Lord. D A I LY R E A D I N G S Monday Psalm 44 Job 19 Romans 9:1-18 Tuesday Psalm 48 Job 21 Romans 9:19-end Wednesday Psalm 119:57-80 Job 22 Romans 10:1-10 Thursday Psalm Timothy 4:6-8, Matthew 16:13-19 Friday Psalm 51 Job 24 Romans 11:1-12 R E G U L A R G I V I N G If you would like to give regularly to the mission and ministry of the Abbey as part of your discipleship, please alan@malmesburyabbey.com.

6 M U S I C I A N S N E E D E D T O D AY! If you love to worship the Lord in song, and play an instrument or sing (in tune!), we are in need of musicians for our 4pm music bands. Please speak to Rev d John Monaghan if you would like to find out more. john@malmesburyabbey.com Please make sure that you have completed and handed in a blue form (available at the back of the Abbey) if you would like your contact details included in the new Parish Directory. (Please do this even if your details have been included in the past). This is not compulsory but if you consider Malmesbury Abbey as your home we would really like you to share your contact details with us so that we can stay in touch and have an efficiently running church. R E F R E S H! Don t forget to book your place for Fri pm - Roberts Berry Farm, Grittleton. Join us for a reflective farm walk, food round the campfire, hot chocolate, cake & marshmallows. 5 Suggested donation. If possible book by Friday 23 June and we will send you further details and directions. (The Parish Office will be closed for a few days next week so please contact Katharine on or peteandkatharine@gmail.com. ) In the event of heavy rain the walk will be cancelled! P E R S E C U T E D C H U R C H A prayer meeting will be held at 4 Mill Lane on Tuesday 4 July starting at 2.30pm. This time we will focus on countries on the Arabian Peninsula. Please speak to Mike Langtree for more information. 1 2 t h C E N T U R Y B E A U T Y 2 1 s t C E N T U R Y C H U R C H

7 NOTICEBOARD N E W W I N E Every summer of us spend a week camping at the Christian festival NEW WINE. Join us this year in week 2, 30 th July 5 th August. It takes place in Shepton Mallet which is only just over one hour away. There is inspiring teaching and worship, great nights for adults, amazing daytime groups for kids and a fantastic opportunity to spend time with others from the Abbey. Either camp with us for the week or come along and meet up with us for a day or two. for more details or visit week-2 C H R I S T I A N A I D We are pleased to report that the final amount raised during Christian Aid week in Malmesbury now stands at Amazing! With love and thanks for all who supported. T H A N K Y O U Rachel, Dan, Catriona, Kirsty and David Robertson would like to say Thank you for the wonderful send-off, beautiful flowers, card, prayers and excellent book we were given. We so appreciate the love and support the Abbey have shown to us. Please continue to pray for the Robertson family as they settle into their new surroundings, jobs and school life.

8 CONTAC T ABBEY OFFICE Tuesday-Friday 9.30am-3pm office@malmesburyabbey.com issuu.com/malmesburyabbey Staff members can be contacted by name@malmesburyabbey.com ABBEY CAFÉ Monday-Friday Friday (normal) 9.30am 4pm Happy Hour (drinks 1) From am 10.30am café@malmesburyabbey.com MalmesburyAbbeyKitchen MALMESBURY ABBEY At Malmesbury Abbey we love to welcome new people, so don t be shy, please make yourselves known to us today or contact the Parish Office during weekday office hours (details above). We also love to show care for our community, please help us by letting us know if you, or anyone you know, needs our help. 12th CEN TU RY BE AU T Y 21st CEN TU RY CHU R CH