Tapton Church Blog

Led by Edwin Ashforth

Readings:
John 20 v19-23 by Keith Bradley
John 20 v24ff by Darryl Lomas

As we commemorate 100 years since WWI and 70 years since WWII, Edwin read a poem recovered from a dead soldier killed in action in North Africa in 1944. The soldier was quite wild but as he wrote the poem his friend recalls how it was the last thing he did. He had come to know God, crying as he wrote “Look God, I’ve never spoken to you but…”

We need to know God is always there for us.

In the readings, the disciples are locked in the upper room, a point emphasised by it being repeated twice by John. The story is also contained in the gospels of Mark and Luke. John could have made the resurrection a revolutionary story with just the highlights but he chooses to use the truth with disciples hiding in fear in the upper room.

This is surprising as we know from Mark 16, John 20, Matthew 28, Luke 24 and 1 Corinthians that Jesus had already risen by this time and that fact would have spread like wildfire through the community. Here were the people who were closest to Jesus having walked and talked with him locked behind a closed door.

Do we live behind door locked doors? In the famous painting in St Pauls, Christ stands outside the door with no handle, saying ‘Behold I stand at the door and knock”. We need to know God is always there for us. We must unlock the door and let him in to talk with us.

Jesus appeared to the disciples at a time they were down and he filled the room with life and majesty and without admonishment says “Peace be with you”. He understood the fear of the disciples and the doubt of Thomas who fell to his knees as his scepticism disappeared.

Jesus loves us whatever the circumstances. We should think of his wounds and suffering for us and have no fear whilst he is with us, just invite him into our lives.

Leaders Rev.Bill and Mrs. Betty Bentham
This is the day that the Lord has made
We were told the story of a little boy, Steven. Just before Easter in Sunday school the teacher brought some empty cardboard Easter eggs and asked the children to take them home and bring back at Easter with what they thought Easter meant inside them. On Easter Sunday they put their eggs on the table, in one were some spring flowers, in another a small fluffy chicken, in another flowers and a chicken – all to show new life – the teacher knew the next one was Steven’s, she opened it and found nothing there, she was just about to put it back on the table when Steven shouted “no miss that’s my egg” – “but there’s nothing in it” – “Jesus is risen, the tomb was empty so is my egg” said Steven.
Readings : Isaiah 55 1-3 Come everyone who is thirsty come and drink.
Luke 24 1-11 The Resurrection
How was your journey onto the Christian path??
The Disciples were called, and they followed him, but their journey was slow – they faltered many times along the way.
Isaiah, Jeremiah and Hosea had prepared the way but people still could not accept and understand..
On our journey we arrive at his tomb – which was empty.
The Disciples did not believe what the women told them, even though Jesus had warned them what was to come.
Today we must celebrate the risen Lord, and believe, and travel his road.
The service was followed by Holy Communion

Leader : Darryl Lomas
Readings: Keith Bradley
Matthew 27 11-14
Pilate questions Jesus
Matthew 27 32-44 Jesus is crucified.
Sally Bradley Luke 22 31-34
Jesus predicts Peter’s denial
Luke 22 54 -62 Peter denies Jesus
Sheila Lomas Matthew 26 14 -16
Judas agrees to betray Jesus
Matthew 27 3 – 8 The death of Judas
Three characters in the Easter accounts other than Jesus
Peter Judas Pilate
Which character are you like ?? Where do your actions fit in with these three??
We all fall short of being a “Jesus”
Pilate washed his hands of the whole affair – do we?
Peter made promises he did not keep – do we – how many times have we denied something or said we will do something and then not done it? Do we let our friends down – the choice is ours – are we “Peter”
Judas – are we a Judas? – have we made a profit from some action taken against our friends? Do we pass on gossip or rumours to the detriment of our friends? Do we take offers to raise our status at the expense of others? Do we fall to temptation? Are we a “Judas” ?

Jesus – dignified
Peter – distraught
Judas – dead

Easter Sunday Service 20th April at 2.45p.m.
Leaders: Rev. Bill and Mrs Betty Bentham

Second in a series on the Gospels led by Edwin Ashforth
This study was on the gospel of Luke. Luke, provides a reliable historical account of the life of Jesus from his miraculous birth to his resurrection following death on the cross. The gospel starts with Luke saying he has investigated eye witness accounts and provides an orderly account for the most excellent Theophilus, suggesting a judge or lawyer.

Luke as a Gentile from Greece and a Doctor is the outsider to the Jews and probably sceptical about their claims, but is clearly convinced on the miraculous birth of Jesus. He was a friend of Paul and the gospel and Book of Acts were probably written whilst Paul was imprisoned to attempt to get his release.

Luke has 6 groups of people he favours: Samaritans, gentiles, outcasts, poor, women and widows. He uses parables to show what people thought of Jesus and was willing to speak to everyone as he sought the truth.

This is a humanitarian gospel with praise and worship, the Magnificat and Benedictus.and only gospel containing laughter.

The gospel ends with the disciples left happy and praising God.

A very interesting talk by Mike Spick on people, places, events and materials with Sheffield connections. Starting in Abbeydale and moving through to the zeppelin raids on the city.

The service arranged by John Silverton started by everyone gathering outside with palm crosses.
“Christ entered his own city to complete his work as our saviour, to suffer, to die, and to rise again. Let us go with Him in faith and love, so that, united with him in his sufferings we may share his risen life”
All re-entered the church singing All Glory Laud and Honour.
The Old Testament reading was Isaiah 50 v 4-9.
The New Testament reading was Phillipians 2 v 5-11
The address was given by Darryl Lomas.
All the gospels are slightly different so we need to read them all to get the full story.
Jesus entered riding on a donkey – a sign of peace. The crowds shouted “Hosannah” and praised him but he came with humility.
The crowds were inquisitive about “This Man” – we need to be inquisitive too – we must be triumphant but humble and this must show in our everyday lives. if we believe we will be given insight.
We then had readings by various members of the congregation on “The Passion according to Mark”
followed by a period of silence.
Final prayer : “Almighty and ever-living God, you have sent mankind Jesus Christ as a model of humility. He fulfilled your will by becoming man and giving his life on the cross. Help us to bear witness to you by following his example of suffering and make us worthy to share in his resurrection” Amen

Leader: Rev.Suzanne Nockels
Readings: John 13 1:16
Jesus washes the Disciples feet
Matthew 27 15:24
Jesus or Barabbas ?
Al Capone used to say “We don’t want no trouble”
We are all like that – we want a peaceful existence so long as someone else pays the price.
Jesus was the Master and yet he washed the disciples feet, a job for the lowest of the low. washing feet is something most of us would not want to do.
In the second reading Pilate washes his hands when the people shout for Barabbas. He did not want to be involved.
Are we feet washers, stooping to do the menial things or are we hand washers – not wanting to be involved with anything.
While we live in the world we must expect trouble – do we do the right thing when trouble comes?
Let us all pray that we are “foot washers” whenever we can, wherever we are. There are two bowls – choose the right one.

Led by guest speaker – Edwin Ashworth

Subject – Gospel of Mark

Edwin explained the gospels represented a bullet-in on the life of Christ and this first session was on the first gospel to be written – Mark.
We know it was written by John Mark from Ch 14:51. Here was a young man from a wealthy family who had lived alongside 4 main characters of the New Testament, Peter (1 Peter 5:13), Paul (Acts 15:36-39), Luke (2 Timothy 4:11) and Barnabas (Acts 12:25).

Mark does not place any emphasis on the fact he is writing the gospel, the focus is on Jesus Christ. The message contained is dynamic – always something happening. Chapters 1-9 cover the first 30 months of Christ’s teaching, Chapters 9-10 the next 6 months and then Chapters 11-12 a week, Chapters 13 -14 a few days.

It highlights how Jesus before the transfiguration did not generally want anyone to talk about his work (Messianic secret) but afterwards immediately started to tell people. Starting by asking Peter “Who am I?”

Edwin explained the difficulties encountered in the trials of Jesus and the need for the charges against him to be changed to allow his crucifixion by the Romans.

Finally Edwin commented on the fact the gospel ended mid sentence and the academic arguments over v19 & 20 added later.

The church is in the process of looking to appoint a Minister in conjunction with Hillsborough Tabernacle Church.

On Sunday we are very pleased to have the Rev Suzanne Nockels leading our service. Suzanne is currently considering if she feels a calling to the Sheffield churches.

This is a great opportunity to meet and speak with Suzanne.

Hope to see you at the service at 2:45 on Sunday 6 April.

We are pleased to welcome Edwin Ashton to lead our Bible Study for the next 4 sessions on a fortnightly basis.