Tapton Church Blog

Led by Rev. Suzanne Nockels

Readings 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 & Luke 10:1-12 & 14-16

Having returned from Glastonbury Music Festival in Somerset, Suzanne explained how she had spent her time in the Iona Community ‘space’ in company with Tapton Church Secretary Darryl Lomas. The Iona Community is a dispersed Christian ecumenical community working for peace and social justice, rebuilding of community and the renewal of worship who are provided with a space at the Festival each year.

During their time there, they mingled and chatted with about 250 people from all walks of life.  This was not just about religion but touched on amongst other things; relationships, abuse and grief amongst party goers.

Having informed us of what little she had taken to the Festival, Suzanne asked if we pack light to go on our travels or prepare for all eventualities? In the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy it states all you need is a towel.  Jesus in Luke sends his disciples out with nothing. WHY?

1. They have to rely on others for everything. In fact Jesus commands they accept hospitality and by doing so it offers an opportunity to receive.  In addition being empty handed meant they were not posing a threat to the communities they visited.  Jesus had harsh words for communities who rejected his disciples. The real sin of Sodom in Genesis is not about same-sex acts but mob rule and refusing hospitality to strangers and the needy within their midst.  When we host someone, do we expect to offer them a gift or are we open to receiving a gift from them?
2. Jesus instructs the disciples to offer greetings to those they meet; ‘Peace to this house’ and ‘The Kingdom of God has come near’ whilst  not making any  judgements. In our pessimistic world we are called to shout out ‘joy’ and highlight the good things provided for us by God. We should share our faith and the awareness of God’s presence.  Disciples went out in pairs and we are not alone, church can provide a comfort, share burdens and comfort others.  We may be accepted or rejected as was Jesus Christ.

How do we build opportunities around these statements?

Led by Mr Keith Nockels

Readings: 1 Kings 19:15-21,  2 Kings 2:1-15,  Luke 9:51-62

Keith opened the service with a quiz to identify a character in the bible who turned out to be Elijah.

Clues: Didn’t die, appears in the Koran, fed by Ravens, present at the transfiguration, God spoke to him

He followed this by asking who or what we might follow?  eg a map/football/advice/Jesus

Keith summarised the story of Elijah and his relationship with Elisha and the many references to Elijah in both the Old and New Testament.

He considered if Elisha, out ploughing, had time to inform his family of his calling

When we receive the call:

• Do we need to change?
• Do we need to give up other things?
• Do we need to put things off and not rush into something?

Jesus in Luke 9:62 appears to refer to not looking back stating our focus should be on the Kingdom of God.

Elijah passed the mantel of his work onto Elisha and we must recognise we cannot always finish what we start and we should be prepared to pass on the work for someone else to finish or just continue.

Who do you follow, when do you follow them and what does it mean?

Follow Jesus.

Leaders : Rev.Bill and Mrs Betty Bentham  (from Scunthorpe)                                                                                   Betty’s talk :  at this time of year many students are worried about examinations and results and parents are worried s to how they will get on    so we think of them all.  She told us a true story  of a class of 92 students in Canada  who were told, muc to their dismay,  that the school had decided that in future no religion or the name of God would be mentioned.     At their graduation day there were a lot of speeches and then it was time for the head boy to speak   he started and then all 91 of the students sneezed at the same time  –  “God bless you all” he said.

Reading :Mark1  v29  Jesus had been preaching in the synagogue and was tired so he went home with Simon  – when they got there Simons Mother in law was ill  – Jesus healed her  and word soon spread round the village and any turned up at the house wanting to see Jesus  so he left the house to be on his own – but his disciples found him and told him there were a lot of people wanting to see him but he said he wanted to move on.          There are many dramatic events in the bible    all need to be interpreted.   In the old testament some dramatic events are :   Creation  and there are more than one version of this.  Abraham going to sacrifice his son Isaac but was stopped by God.    Joshua stormed Jericho.  All these and others  need interpretation    Its not what happens its how you interpret it.    The Church must be prepared for when Jesus comes again.

Leader :  Suzanne Nockels   Psalm  68   “God is father to the fatherless and defender of the vulnerable”

COPYING  How would you copy a picture   – photocopier?  carbon paper? tracing paper ? pantagraph? take a photo of it?     Copying  people   woukd you copy someone you admire   or be an individual and stay as you are ?   If you are copying someone it has to be worthwhile.    The Disciples lived with Jesus   he was their role model     Perhaps there is someone you know who has copied Jesus   Are you worth copying?

Readings :   Proverbs 8 1-11 22-35    Romans 5 1-5        What is wise ?   what do we associate with   wisdom ?  Families have sayings shar are passed down through generations  and there are many sayings regarding wisdom in the bible      If we have a deep and profound awe of God it will put everything in perspective.

All  the men were given a Fathers Day bag

As part of the ‘Season of Joy’ programme put together for the Sheffield Congregational Churches by our Minister, Suzanne, a number of us gathered in Rivelin Valley and enjoyed a walk through Rivelin Valley enjoying good company and taking in the beauty on our doorstep.

This valley was at the centre of Sheffield cutlery Industry in the 18th & 19th century when it was noisy, dirty and dangerous but with  new innovations the old water driven mills closed down and nature has reclaimed much of the valley.

As one member commented ‘Fresh air and company is always good’ and so say all of us.

Led by Keith Bradley

Theme ‘Emotions’

Reading: John 9

Following John 8 where the Pharisees and Jewish people continually question Jesus in Chapter 9 he again faces questions, this time initially from his own disciples.  Why is the man blind? Is it he or his parents who have sinned?  Given those two options Jesus gives them an alternative.

We considered the frustrations of being continually asked the same or similar questions, in the case of Jesus usually to trap him but Jesus is only too aware and is able to turn the questions around.  Had Jesus deliberately healed the man on the Sabbath to show it is ok to care for people on the Sabbath?

The blind man healed by Jesus also faced a barrage of questions from people who knew him, certainly from the Jewish authorities but he also asked questions of Jesus.

Here we read of a blind beggar, in a fairly lowly place, probably elated that he could see, frustrated that no one believed he was that beggar, even more frustrated at the questioning and then to cap it all he is excluded from the synagogue and therefore the community.  Elation through frustration to despair.

He had no idea why Jesus picked him out to be healed, in fact never saw Jesus as Jesus sent him to the pool of Siloam to wash and that’s where he could see but by this time Jesus had gone. But when he was cast out Jesus came and found him and we read of the blind man’s faith.

When we are suffering don’t ask God ‘Why me’ ask him for the strength to face whatever trial you are facing and an understanding of what is happening.

As in previous years a number of folk from Tapton took part with over 100 walkers in the Christian Aid May Day Treks.  Meeting people from Lincoln and Ripon as they walked.  Sally Bradley was sponsored by members from the church and raised over £150.

Tapton also provided the official front and back walkers on the 6 and 12 mile walks.

Leader : Suzanne Nockels      How strong is your faith ?    Do you sometimes wonder if something you have been told is true ?  The women who went to Jesus’ tomb could not believe what they were seeing, they ran to tell their friends that the tomb was empty and Jesus had risen  but when they got there they were not believed  and Peter had to go to he tomb to prove it to himself.

Reading :  John 21  v 24  Thomas did not believe that Jesus had visited his friends and needed proof for himself.  When Jesus showed him His hands he said “My Lord  my God”  he knew beyond doubt,  Do we doubt ourselves, our belief,   Easter is not just one day   it was a testing ground for a lot of people and it is a testing ground now for us  DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE IN THE EASTER STORY?

Leader : Fiona Ball (from Crookes)

Psalm 46  God is our Refuge and Strength a very present help in trouble.

Ecclesiastes 4  9  Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labour

Relationships  with God – He said “Lo I will always be with you” and as we go through life we know that He has kept His word     we all suffer rejection, failure,  happy times,  blessings  – good times and bad but He is constant whatever happens He is with us.  Sometimes it is not easy to remember this and we find our true friends when we are in trouble.

We were then each  given a small stone – sharing – if we share and love one another then He will be with us –  we are not perfect but we do our best.

Fiona sang and accompanied herself on the guitar “Jesus you are my friend”

Leader : Suzanne Nockels