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Minister: Reverend Pauline Crispin (Tel: 01202 883461)

Pastoral Support:

Joyce Wild: (Tel: 01258 454091)

Week beginning Sunday 16th August

BLANDFORD METHODIST CHURCH

THE LINK Linking us all together by keeping us in touch

CHURCH REOPENING: Blandford Methodist Church is planning to resume Sunday services on 6th

September and a letter has been sent to members and friends outlining the procedures put in place to help make the premises COVID secure. If you have any questions about the procedures, please get in touch with any of the Stewards. Please also bear in mind that, because of limited seat availability, you will need to book to attend on a weekly basis. You will also be required to wear a face covering whilst in church. David Wild

Methodist Women in Britain (MWiB) Since September we have embarked on a new District Partnership supporting two villages in Fiji, named Nabuna and Vanuakula. These villages are very much at risk from rising sea levels and the increasing number of tropical storms due to climate change. Consequently, these villages suffer from increasingly disastrous flooding. We are raising money in the District to buy two boats, with outboard motors, to ferry people to evacuation centres on higher ground when floods threaten. When the danger subsides, the women can then use these boats to fish and support their families with the catch. This Partnership is in conjunction with the World Church Office, who have provided a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the plight of these village people. A DVD of the presentation is available, and it is hoped that in the near future a Circuit or District Representative for MWiB will come and share this with us during a service here at The Close. It will be interesting to find out how the Christchurch and Wimborne Circuit raise funds for this particular charity. Joyce Wild

Harvest Festival 2020 How the months just fly by and before too long it will be our Harvest Festival Service on 20th September. The service will be led by Reverend Pauline Crispin and this year rather than gifts of food we are asking for a monetary donation. This will be shared equally between the Methodist Women in Britain project (see below) and a local charity of your choosing. If there is a specific charity you feel should benefit, then please contact Joyce Wild. Also don’t forget to book your seat in church as spaces are limited. Looking forward to receiving your suggestions. Joyce Wild

Ride and Stride 2020 The annual Ride and Stride takes place on 12th September this year. Due to Covid-19 restrictions our church will not be open to welcome folk. However, there will be a notice for Riders and Striders on the door as well as a Register of Visitors. From our congregation Jean Peck is taking part and would love you to sponsor her. Should you feel it is something you would like to undertake then please contact Joyce Wild for all the details.

Church bible studies to recommence Pauline will be restarting her weekly bible studies

from Wednesday 2nd September. The bible studies

will be held “virtually” on Zoom from 10 am to 11 am.

If you would like to be part of the bible study group,

please email Joyce by Wednesday 26th August.

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From the Methodist website:

Dial-a-Prayer

FREE phone lines for prayers and news from the Methodist Church

Listen to a prayer: 0808 281 2514

Listen to news: 0808 281 2478

Content is updated weekly on Thursday afternoon

Opening for private prayer

Crowe Hill Methodist Church will be opening for Private Prayer every Wednesday from 19th August from 2 pm to 4 pm. All precautions against COVID-19 will be in place - in line with official guidance. There will be stewards on duty to help all who come to comply with the procedures. All visitors will need to bring a face mask and use it whilst in the church Unfortunately it will not be possible at the moment to take wheelchairs as exit from the Church will have to be through the main door. This means having to go down steps. The Church Council hopes this opening will pave the way for having services of worship again in the near future. May all who come find peace and tranquillity as they meet with God in the quiet of this lovely place.

Prayer Request A mother aged 40 with three children has been a visitor at the Foodbank since December 2019 seeking help with her finances and sharing details of her journey through the years. Let’s call her “J”. J has had a very troublesome past, suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is a carer for her eldest son (aged 20) who has Downes Syndrome and is a carer for her mother. Another aspect of J’s life is that she has recently finished college and is keen to start her own business. This week J said that the times we have spent together in our CMA meetings mean a lot to her, and she has expressed her thanks. J said in her email to me that she does not trust many people but she trusts us all from the church. In her words “Such kind people and I guess life has knocked me around. But I keep going. Does the church have a

prayer list? If they do please can I be put on it? “ Please pray for J and her family as you feel led to do so. Her needs are for her peace of mind, holding her family together, finding a long-term solution to debt that is affordable, and making a success of her new business start up. And all this within the context of the limitations imposed by Coronavirus and two children returning to school in September.

A verse from a song that helps You seem discouraged, clouds around you, Your life full of problems don't know what to do. Racing troubled thoughts trying to work things out Instead of turning to the One who loves you He can work it out. God answers prayer Yes, yes, yes He does, God answers prayer I know, I know, He will

Songwriter: John Watson John Cornish

Managing Trustee Forms By now you should have received a copy of the Managing Trustee Forms from Tina: these need to be completed and returned to her by 31st August. If you have not received your copy then please let Tina know and she will send you the form. All those who have returned a completed form will be eligible to vote on matters at Church Council after 1st September 2020. If posting, then please allow plenty of extra time for deliveries. Pauline emailed me on Thursday with this clarification: “Non-voting members can attend (Church Council) with the agreement of the voting members”.

John Cornish

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David Wild

David Wild

The Ten Commandments for returning to Sunday worship at Blandford Methodist Church

1 Do not come to church with any COVID symp-toms (if you are unsure, play it safe and stay at home)

Thou shalt come not to church if thou showeth COVID symptoms

2 Don’t forget to book your seat before noon on Saturday (Due to limited seating availability)

Thou shalt book thy place before noon on Saturday

3 Please wait outside until called into church

Thou shalt wait outside until called into church

4 Please wear a face covering in church

Thou shalt cover thy face in church

5 Don’t forget ‘Track & Trace’

Thou shalt giveth thy name for ‘Track & Trace’

6 Use the hand sanitiser provided (as you enter and when you leave)

Thou shalt use the hand sanitiser provided

7 Please be kind to the Stewards and follow their guidance (This is new ground for everybody)

Honour thy Stewards and follow the guidance given

8 Please remain in your seat as much as possible (Try to maintain 2 metres separation)

Thou shalt remain in thy seat as much as possible

9 Please don’t sing in church

Thou shalt sing not in church

10 Only 1 person in the toilets at any time (This is church - not the ARK)

Thou shalt only go to the toilet one by one (This is church – not the ARK)

Just for Fun: When the Pastor came knocking

The NEW pastor moved into town and went out one Saturday to visit his parishioners. All went well until he came to one house. It was obvious that someone was home, but no one came to the door even after he had knocked several times. Finally, he took out his card, wrote on the back “Revelation 3:20” and stuck it in the door. The next day, as he was counting the offering, he found his card in the collection plate. Below his message were the words “Genesis 3:10”. Go on - get your bibles out.

David Wild

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The third of our August Bible Studies (courtesy of Roots)

Continued on next page

16th - 22nd August 2020 Jesus meets a Pharisee and a Canaanite women Jesus has two tricky encounters, first with the Pharisees, then with a Canaanite woman, that seemed to be linked by food. In fact, the link is deeper – faith and membership of God’s people – and the outcome of the encounters is something of a surprise. Matthew 15.10-28

This study can be used by an individual, a small family/

household group, or by an online group.

Begin with an opening prayer Lord God, as we come before you now, we open our hearts to you. Help us to see that we can learn so much from others, even from those with whom we think we may not share much in common. Make us willing to stand out from the crowd, to hear your voice, and act upon it. Amen.

Read the passage Consider different ways to read the text. For example, hearing it in more than one version of the Bible. In an online group, you could share parts between those present using or adapting this suggestion: Delegate a group of people to take on the role of the disciples in the reading, with one nominated as ‘Peter’. You will also need a narrator, Jesus and the Canaanite woman. The Bible text (15.10-28) – but omitting some of the ‘he/she/they said’ phrases – provides the script.

Explore and respond to the text Start by reading the Bible notes below. You may want to read them more than once, or pause after each paragraph to reflect on what you have read. Bible notes At first glance the two sections of this passage seem unconnected. But read together, the second story (from v.21) takes on a different hue. It all starts with the Pharisees criticising Jesus’ followers over their hygiene (v.2), to which Jesus replies that what makes people unclean does not come from what they put into their mouths, but from what is in their hearts. His disciples tell him that he has upset the Pharisees with this answer, and he tells them that he does not care – because they are blind guides. When Peter asks Jesus to explain the parable, it’s unclear what he is referring to – is it verse 11 or 14? Jesus explains his saying about food, and goes on to say that people demonstrate they are unclean by what they say and how they treat other people. The story of Jesus’ encounter with the woman shares the thematic link of food and belonging. Indeed, the

whole of chapter 15 can be seen as a collection of stories that have to do with the basis of inclusion in God’s people. So, a Canaanite – and we might recall that there are two such women, Rahab and Tamar, in Jesus’ family tree (Matthew 1.3-4) – seeks healing for her daughter. Jesus is silent. But the woman must have persisted because his disciples implore Jesus to send her away because of her incessant shouting. Jesus tells her he has come only for those born in the house of Israel – perhaps one of the disciples had suggested that if Jesus did what she wanted, she’d leave them alone. But she persists, kneeling before him, imploring him to help. Jesus reiterates his previous answer, injecting it with typical Jewish anti-Gentile invective – ‘dogs’ – suggesting that what is meant for Israel should not be given to outsiders. Generally, use of the term ‘dogs’ in the Old Testament is a derogatory one, a metaphor for people who are beyond the pale. It sounds like a final rejection of the woman’s request. Yet, it could be seen as a proverbial saying that offers an invitation to respond. And this the woman does, giving as good as she gets, concluding the proverbial statement by suggesting that the children, of course, are fed first – but the house dogs then get their share. Jesus is amazed. Peter, listening to this, was told a short time ago that he was a man of little faith; now he hears Jesus saying that this woman has great faith. The contrast is obvious, and not just with Peter but also with the leaders of Israel (15.1-9). Although Jesus has primarily come as Israel’s Messiah, his ultimate goal is to reach the nations with his saving grace. Reflection Spend a few moments thinking about what stands out for you from the Bible reading. This idea may help. The Pharisees are scandalised by Jesus’ words, so shocked that they cannot listen – the word Matthew uses literally means ‘a stumbling block’. The singer Stormzy has many songs with a religious message, but some people will find the style and the language so off-putting that they are unaware of the content. The style is a ‘stumbling block’ to hearing what he has to say. Are both Jesus and Stormzy deliberately provocative in their message? Do we need to be?

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Bible Study continued

Dr Chris Slade

Reflection for Sunday 16th August

Dr Christopher Slade invites you to watch his video reflection for one of this Sunday’s readings which can be found at: https://youtu.be/_luEP7tehho Alternatively it can be found on the Circuit website (https://www.candwmc.org.uk/ ) under “All Worship for the 16th August 2020”

Joyce Wild

Questions for reflection You may wish to use these questions and the picture to help you think about or discuss issues of sharing. In an online group, you could share your screen to display the image and questions. • When have you experienced life from the viewpoint of an outsider? • How can we be better at listening to those who are ‘outsiders’? • What new understandings might we gain from listen-ing to them? Listen carefully Listen to a challenging song! Do an internet search for ‘Stormzy Glastonbury knife crime 2019’ and find out about Stormzy’s performance wearing a stab-proof vest. In an online group, discuss what message this gives to you. Why might it be hard for some people to hear? Watch a video presentation of Stormzy’s song ‘Blinded by your grace’. What was moving? Did you miss the message of the song because of the bad language? What did you learn? A simple worship activity You will need paper, a pencil and scissors. Make some daisy chain people. Sing or listen to the song, ‘Jesus Christ is waiting’, and while doing so tear off a single figure and hold it in your hand to help you reflect on the people described in the song. Do it again as more people are mentioned. During the last verse, put down all the figures to make a line of those following the jour-ney Jesus calls us to.

Pray for others Sections of this prayer could be said by different people. Adapt it to your local context. The Canaanite woman sought your help, Lord Jesus. She loved her daughter so much, she was so desperately in need, that she wouldn’t give up till she had her answer. We pray in faith. Hear us, blessed Lord. Lord, may we learn from this woman, to wait on you expectantly, patiently, persistently, doggedly. Grant us the courage of our convictions when we truly believe we are doing your will. We pray in faith. Hear us, blessed Lord. We pray today for those who feel excluded, whatever their situation, whatever the reason: for prisoners, refu-gees, the homeless; for the sick, the mentally unstable; for any who feel that they are outsiders. We pray in faith. Hear us, blessed Lord. We pray for ourselves when our faith is weak, or we feel that we don’t belong. We pray in faith. Hear us, blessed Lord. Amen. A prayer to end the Bible study We go out today, renewed and strengthened in faith, ready to serve you, Lord, and find you in the people we meet. We go out to follow you, and our hearts. Lead us, good Lord. Amen. Live your faith Do something that gives you another perspective this week: e.g. listen to some music or watch a TV pro-gramme that you do not normally listen to/watch. Talk with a friend about the experience.

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A service for Sunday at home (from the Methodist Church): Live-streamed services Worship services: We hope the four options below will offer some breadth from our tradition. We are working in collaboration with:

Methodist Central Hall Westminster: Sundays 11.00 www.youtube.com/mchwevents

Wesley's Chapel London who will live-stream from the chapel (the Minister lives on the premises): Sundays 11am www.youtube.com/channel/UCUAUqhmhevz5sqhh72LIMxA

Swan Bank Methodist Church in Burslem, this worship will be studio based – with strict distancing rules being fol-lowed: Sundays 10:30 www.youtube.com/user/SwanBank and www.facebook.com/swanbank/

Sthie ('At home'): To join in a very different worship experience, try Sthie ('At home') from the Isle of Man. Join in live on Sundays by joining a Facebook group. For details see www.andyfishburne.com/2020/03/15/sthie-at-home-online-worship/ You can watch previous live-streamed videos at www.youtube.com/andyfishburne

Worship at home service sheet: https://www.methodist.org.uk/media/17960/16-august-worship-if-you-are-unable-to-attend-church.pdf

Morning Prayers 08:30 Monday-Friday - from Wesley House Cambridge: www.facebook.com/wesleycambridge. Resources for following the prayers and readings are available at: www.wesley.cam.ac.uk/prayer-space/ 10:00 Monday-Friday - from Wesley’s Chapel London: www.youtube.com/channelUCUAUqhmhevz5sqhh72LIMxA

Something to Sing About

Onward, Christian Soldiers (Author: Sabine Baring-Gould) Sabine Baring-Gould was a truly gifted preacher and literary man, whose publications include 85 books on various topics, all of which are notable works. It has been said that the British Museum shows more titles by him than any other writer of his time. Yet, amazingly, the work for which he is best remembered is the hymn he wrote in 1865. The hymn was written quickly and was never intended for publication. Whilst Baring-Gould was serving as a curate in a West Yorkshire village he related how it came about: “Whitmonday is a great day for school festivals in Yorkshire, and one year it was arranged that our school should join its forces with that of a neighbouring village. I wanted the children to sing when marching from one village to the other, but couldn’t think of anything quite suitable, so I sat up at night resolved to write something myself. “Onward, Christian Soldiers” was the result. It was written in great haste, and I am afraid some of the rhymes are faulty. Certainly, nothing has surprised me more than its great popularity.” Due to its militaristic theme, the hymn has encountered some resistance over the years, with some church denominations having removed it from their hymn books, (it was in ‘Hymns and Psalms’ but is not in ‘Singing the Faith’) or even replaced it with variations such as: “Onward, Comrades, Onward” and “Onward, Christian Pilgrims”. But it is important to remember that Scripture contains a great deal of warfare imagery. Paul commanded Timothy to “share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3) and he instructed the church to “put on the whole armour of God” because we wrestle against the spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6). The words of the hymn make it clear that the focus is on this spiritual battle - that our foe is Satan, not men, and that our King and ‘Commander in Chief’ is the eternal, omnipotent Christ whose kingdom cannot fail. Despite his unceasing labours as a writer and preacher, Sabine Baring-Gould lived to the ripe old age of 90. He died in 1924, but his hurriedly written “Onward, Christian Soldiers” is still marching on from the lips of young and old alike.

Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus Going on before! David Wild

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Milk bottle tops for Stars at Blandford Hospital

On Saturday, David and I delivered 1½ bags of milk bottle tops to Salisbury Hospital for their Stars Appeal. For many years Christine and Grahame Downer (and for this we give thanks) took the tops to a lady in Gillingham and they were used to raise money for the air ambulance. This lady has now retired and after searching on the internet I found the Stars Appeal at Salisbury Hospital. The lady I spoke to on the phone was lovely and very helpful and I felt our bottle tops were going to help a worthy cause.

Whilst dropping of our collection I picked up the Stars brochure. The charity helps people undergoing cancer treatment, supports the Neonatal unit, the Children’s ward, the Spinal centre, those who are elderly with dementia as well as buying much needed equipment for the hospital.

So please do carry on saving your red, blue and green milk bottle tops; they can and do make a difference to a lot of people. Joyce Wild

Creative Bible Study

LESSONS & RESOURCES TO HELP US CONNECT GOD'S WORD WITH OUR EVERYDAY LIVES

The Charles Blondin Story

I love using the Charles Blondin story as an illustration of faith! Not only was he a fascinating man, but the story of his pushing a wheelbarrow across Niagara Falls is one in which kids as well as adults can identify the difference between mere belief (head knowledge) and true faith (belief in action; heart knowledge). An Acrobat, A Wheelbarrow, and a Challenge of Faith Can you imagine a tightrope stretched over a quarter of a mile and spanning the breadth of Niagara Falls? The

thundering sound of the pounding water drowning out all other sounds as you watch a man step onto the rope and walk across!

This stunning feat made Charles Blondin famous in the summer of 1859. He walked 160 feet above the falls several times back and forth between Canada and the United States as huge crowds on both sides looked on with shock and awe. Once he crossed in a sack, once on stilts, another time on a bicycle, and once he even carried a stove and cooked an omelette!

On July 15, Blondin walked backward across the tightrope to Canada and returned pushing a wheelbarrow. The Blondin story is told that it was after pushing a

wheelbarrow across while blindfolded that Blondin asked for some audience participation. The crowds had watched and "Ooooohed" and "Aaaaahed!" He had proven that he could do it; of that, there was no doubt. But now he was asking for a volunteer to get into the wheelbarrow and take a ride across the Falls with him!

It is said that he asked his audience, "Do you believe I can carry a person across in this wheelbarrow?" Of course the crowd shouted that yes, they believed!

It was then that Blondin posed the question - "Who will get in the wheelbarrow?' Of course...none did. (Later in August of 1859, his manager, Harry Colcord, did ride on Blondin's back across the Falls.) The Charles Blondin Story - a Picture of Faith The story of Charles Blondin paints a real life picture of what faith actually is. The crowd had watched his daring feats. They said they believed, but their actions proved they truly didn't. It's one thing for us to say we believe in God. It's true faith though when we believe God and put our faith and trust in His Son, Jesus Christ. Don't worry, Jesus has carried many across to Heaven's gates. He can be trusted.

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Continued on next page

What’s “IN” a name? If you read the article about short hymns last week you will know that I did a search, in the 1933 MHB, for those with two verses. In the course of turning the pages my eye lighted on the first line of a very familiar hymn; only there was something odd about it!

Hymn 249, written by Caroline Maria Noel in the nineteenth Century – what had caught my eye was at the start of the first verse:

In the Name of Jesus Every knee shall bow, Every tongue confess Him King of Glory now. ‘Tis the Father’s pleasure We should call Him Lord, Who from the beginning Was the mighty Word.

Surely, the hymn stored away in my memory bank commences “At the name of Jesus”, not “In the name …….”.

Last Thursday I conducted a “straw poll” at Blandford’s ‘zoom’ coffee morning – giving them lines 2-4 and asking for the first line. Everybody opted for “At the name …….”. When I explained the reason for the question, there was one person who then said that they had come across this “alternative”.

In Hymns and Psalms (74) we have the more familiar form “At the name of Jesus”.

The attribution is to Caroline Maria Noel (alt.) . There has been at least one alteration – we find a different verse 3 in H&P as well as a wording change to the first line of the last verse as well as the change at the beginning of the hymn.

Singing the Faith (317) prints the same words as H&P but does not mention any alteration from the original text.

In or At, does it matter which version we sing; is there any difference in meaning between the two words?

The first line comes from Paul’s letter to the Philippians (chapter 2, NIV): In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 who, being in very nature] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

An inspection of many translations in “BibleGateway” has the word AT in verse 10. Use of this word is all ‘inclusive’; there will be a time when “all in heaven, on earth and under the earth” will acknowledge and bow to Jesus.

(I resist the temptation to say, in current parlance, they will ‘take a knee’ for Jesus!) Paul was proclaiming Jesus – to all, Jew and Gentile alike. Jesus is exalted to the highest place and a time will come when all will acknowledge Him and bow to Him. Until that time comes the Christian Church should be looking outwards to the community where we are situated, both serving and proclaiming Jesus. There is however a big temptation to turn inwards, concerning ourselves only with the affairs of the church. “In the name” suggests, to me, this latter course of action – something we do and keep within the confines of our closed societies. It was that, poorly expressed by me, distinction which I felt very strongly on seeing the first line of the familiar hymn in the 1933 hymn book.

Caroline Noel was the daughter of an Anglican clergyman and wrote a number of hymns, especially during the time she was bedridden for 25 years of her later life. ‘At the Name of Jesus’ was written as a processional hymn for Ascension Day and was first published in 1870. It would appear that the original first line started with In but was subsequently changed to At.

As is typical for a hymn of this age, when first published there were more verses than those printed in modern hymn books. If you look at various ‘hymn-lyrics’ web-sites you will find seven or even eight verses – more than are printed in any of our hymn books. The eight verses are printed on the next page, showing which are used in our various hymn books: Lines 1 and 2, 3 and 4 etc. of the hymn as we know it have been printed together, making a four rather than an 8 line verse.

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Eric Brown

v1: MHB, H&P, STF At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, Every tongue confess him King of Glory now: ‘Tis the Father’s pleasure we should call him Lord, Who from the beginning was the mighty Word. Mighty and mysterious in the highest height, God from everlasting, Very light of light; In the Father’s bosom, with the Spirit blest, Love in Love eternal, rest, in perfect rest. At his voice creation sprang at once to sight, All the angels faces all the hosts of light, Thrones and Dominations, stars upon their way, All the heavenly orders, in their great array. v2: MHB, H&P, STF Humbled for a season, to receive a name From the lips of sinners unto whom He came, Faithfully he bore it spotless to the last, Brought it back victorious, when from death he passed:

Coffee Morning Quiz - 13.08.20 There are three rounds (-Ologies, Phobias and Music) each with 6 questions. One mark per question, plus two

bonus marks in the Music Round.

“-Ologies” What is studied in each of the following?

ANEMOLOGY APIOLOGY FLUVIOLOGY LUDOLOGY NIDOLOGY SPELEOLOGY

Music

Which work by Edward Elgar contains ‘Land of Hope and Glory’?

Who was the first female to conduct “The Last Night of the Proms”?

What was Mozart’s middle name?

(Clue – it was used as the title of a 1984 film about Mozart, adapted by Peter Shaffer from his stage play

with the same name)

In 1921 a British patriotic hymn was created when Sir Cecil Sharp Rice’s poem “I vow to thee my country” was

set to music by …….. ?

The composer adapted music from which of their existing works?

What composition by Ralph Vaughan Williams names two people from a parable told by Jesus as recorded in

Luke’s Gospel?

Which composer wrote 9 symphonies, number 8 being “Unfinished”?

“Phobias” What is feared in each of the following?

CRYOPHOBIA BOTANOPHOBIA DENDROPHOBIA KOINONIPHOBIA SELENOPHOBIA POGONOPHOBIA

v3: H&P, STF (only) Bore it up triumphant with its human light, Through all ranks of creatures, to the central height, To the throne of Godhead, to the Father’s breast; Filled it with the glory of that perfect rest. v3: MHB (only) Name Him, brothers, name Him, with love as strong as death, But with awe and wonder and with bated breath: He is God the Saviour, He is Christ the Lord, Ever to be worshipped, trusted, and adored. v4: MHB, H&P, STF In your hearts enthrone him; there let Him subdue All that is not holy, all that is not true: Crown him as your captain in temptation’s hour; Let His will enfold you in its light and power. v5: MHB, H&P(alt), STF(alt) Brothers, this Lord Jesus shall return again, With His Father’s glory, with His angel train; For all wreaths of empire meet upon His brow, And our hearts confess Him King of glory now.

Eric Brown

Answers on page 12

What’s “IN” a name? continued

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I Am the Good Shepherd Shortly after saying He was the door, He then adds, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). The sheep are helpless without the shepherd because the shepherd leads them to green pastures, leads them to still waters (Psalm 23) because sheep are easily frightened by moving water, but this Shepherd says willingly, “I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:15). Question: "What did Jesus mean when He said, 'I am the good Shepherd'?" Answer: “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11) is the fourth of seven “I am” declarations of Jesus recorded only in John’s Gospel. These “I am” proclamations point to His unique, divine identity and purpose. Immediately after declaring that He is “the door” in John 10:7, Jesus declares “I am the good shepherd.” He describes Himself as not only “the shepherd” but the “good shepherd.” What does this mean? It should be understood that Jesus is “the” good shepherd, not simply “a” good shepherd, as others may be, but He is unique in character (Psalm 23; Zechariah 13:7; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25; 1 Peter 5:4). The Greek word kalos, translated “good,” describes that which is noble,

wholesome, good, and beautiful, in contrast to that which is wicked, mean, foul, and unlovely. It signifies not only that which is good inwardly—character—but also that which is attractive outwardly. It is an innate goodness. Therefore, in using the phrase “the good shepherd,” Jesus is referencing His inherent goodness, His righteousness, and His beauty. As shepherd of the sheep, He is the one who protects, guides, and nurtures His flock. As He did in declaring that He is “the door of the sheep” in John 10:7, Jesus is making a contrast between Himself and the religious leaders, the Pharisees (John 10:12–13). He compares them to a “hireling” or “hired hand” who doesn’t really care about the sheep. In John 10:9, Jesus speaks of thieves and robbers who sought to enter the sheepfold stealthily. In that passage the Jewish leaders (Pharisees) are contrasted with Christ, who is the Door. Here, in John 10:12, the hireling is contrasted with the true or faithful shepherd who willingly gives up his life for the sheep. He who is a “hireling” works for wages, which are his main consideration. His concern is not for the sheep but for himself. Interestingly enough, the shepherds of ancient times were not usually the owners of the flock. Nevertheless, they were expected to exercise the same care and concern the owners would. This was characteristic of a true shepherd. However, some of the hirelings thought only of themselves. As a result, when a wolf appeared—the most common threat to sheep in that day—the hireling abandoned the flock and fled, leaving the sheep to be scattered or killed (John 10:12–13). First, to better understand the purpose of a shepherd during the times of Jesus, it is helpful to realize that sheep are utterly defenseless and totally dependent upon the shepherd. Sheep are always subject to danger and must always be under the watchful eye of the shepherd as they graze. Rushing walls of water down the valleys from sudden, heavy rainfalls may sweep them away, robbers may steal them, and wolves may attack the flock. David tells how he killed a lion and a bear while defending his father’s flock as a shepherd boy (1 Samuel 17:36). Driving snow in winter, blinding dust and burning sands in summer, long, lonely hours each day—all these the shepherd patiently endures for the welfare of the flock. In fact, shepherds were frequently subjected to grave danger, sometimes even giving their lives to protect their sheep. Likewise, Jesus gave His life on the cross as “the Good Shepherd” for his own. He who would save others, though He had the power, did not choose to save Himself. “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Through His willing sacrifice, the Lord made salvation possible for all who come to Him in faith. In proclaiming that He is the Good Shepherd, Jesus speaks of “laying down” His life for His sheep (John 10:15, 17–18). Jesus’ death was divinely appointed. It is only through Him that we receive salvation. “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own” (John 10:14). Furthermore, Jesus makes it clear that it wasn’t just for the Jews that he laid down His life, but also for the “other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd” (John 10:16). The “other sheep” clearly refers to the Gentiles. As a result, Jesus is the Good Shepherd over all, both Jew and Gentile, who come to believe upon Him (John 3:16).

Joyce Wild

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Over the next few weeks in the Link there will be a piece of art work taken from the Methodist Website. You may wish to spend time contemplating what the picture has to say to you. Alongside this why not read the appropriate passage of scripture and pray about the thoughts and feelings evoked whilst undertaking this exercise. Joyce Wild

Craigie Aitchison - Pink Crucifixion

Matthew 27: 35–36 This seemingly simple image is in fact a very sophisticated construct of space and colour. The unflinching identification of Christ’s pain does not wholly negate the image’s immediate playfulness. The artist referred to the crucifixion as ‘the most horrific story I have ever heard’ and so there was no need to highlight the suffering: any depiction was enough to recall all its mystery, terror and wonder. A Bedlington terrier dog was originally shown at the foot of the cross. A printer trying to help finish the work added a tiny detail to the dog’s head but, on seeing it, the artist erased the dog completely. However, its ghostly outline is still visible to the bottom left hand side of the cross.

Craigie Aitchison (1926-2009) Etching on paper, made from four plates 78.7 x 67.5 cm 2004 Methodist Modern Art Collection No. AIT/2010 Image Copyright © Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes. The Methodist Church Registered Charity no. 1132208

Answers to coffee morning quiz

“-Ologies”

Wind

Bees

Rivers

Games

Bird’s Nests

Caves

Music

“Pomp and Circumstance (March)” Bonus: March Number 1 (in D Major)

Marin Alsop

Amadeus

Gustav Holst Bonus: From (Jupiter); the Planets (Suite)

(5 Variants of) ‘Dives and Lazarus’

Franz Schubert

“Phobias”

Ice or Cold

Plants

Trees

Rooms full of people

Moon

Beards