(All our songs this morning are from Singing the Faith (StF) numbers will be given where available)
Welcome to our Sunday Service, this week comes courtesy of The Vine at Home and Twelve Baskets
Click on the blue links to follow them for bible readings and associated links
Opening Prayers
Sit down, close your eyes and breathe three deep, slow breaths.
Keeping your eyes closed, pay attention to your breath for a minute or more and in doing
so, when you breathe in, imagine you are breathing in the love of God.
When you open your eyes look around you, what do you notice in your room that reminds
you of the love of God?
If this is something you can hold, hold it, if it is to be looked at, look at it. As you do so,
remember that you are in the presence of God.
When you are ready, offer this time of worship to God, you might like to say these words
out loud:
Around me and within me, Spirit of God I thank you for your presence here. I offer each
breath in worship to you.
Amen.
You may now wish to say the Lord’s Prayer in a version or translation with which
you are familiar.
Readings
Matthew 14:22-33
Responding to the reading
As we step into this story in the middle of Matthew’s gospel, we recognise that this day in
the Jesus-story has already been extraordinary. Five thousand people have been fed, and
now, as evening falls, Jesus sends the disciples ahead by boat while he climbs the
mountain to pray.
The disciples are left to cross the lake alone. Before long, the wind rises, the waves grow
stronger, progress becomes difficult. They find themselves battered by forces beyond their
control.
It is a scene that feels surprisingly familiar. There are seasons in every life when we feel as
though we are rowing against the wind. We may be facing illness, grief, uncertainty,
conflict, or simply the exhaustion of trying to keep going. We wonder whether God has
sent us into the storm and then disappeared.
But while the disciples cannot see him, Jesus has not forgotten them. In the darkest part of
the night, he comes towards them.
At first, they don’t recognise him. Fear often distorts our vision. They think he is a ghost.
Then comes one of the most repeated commands in Scripture: “Take heart, it is I; do not
be afraid.”
Not because the storm has stopped, not because everything has suddenly become easy,
but because God is present within the storm. Present for us today, as he is for the
disciples in the story.
Peter responds with characteristic courage, and perhaps a little impulsiveness: “Lord, if it
is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
Jesus simply replies: “Come.”
And remarkably, Peter does. For a few moments, he walks on the water. It is only when he
shifts his attention from Jesus to the strength of the wind that fear takes hold, and he
begins to sink.
We are often taught that this story is about Peter’s lack of faith, but perhaps there is
another way to read it. Peter is the only one who gets out of the boat.
His faith is imperfect, his courage wavers, he becomes afraid. Yet when he cries out,
“Lord, save me!”, Jesus reaches out immediately.
There is no lecture. No disappointment. No delay. Only an outstretched hand. For those of
us following Jesus today, this is deeply reassuring.
Discipleship is not about never feeling afraid. It is not about walking perfectly across every
storm. It is about trusting that when fear overwhelms us, Christ’s hand is already reaching
towards us.
Perhaps the greatest danger is not sinking, perhaps it is never leaving the boat.
As we step into this next chapter of what it means to be the church in 2026, there will
always be moments that feel risky. There will be a need to speak up for those who are
excluded, we have to find ways to choose generosity over self-protection, to love across
differences, to work for peace in a divided world, to redefine boundaries and borders we
have taken for granted for many years or even decades.
The promise of this story is not that the waves disappear, it is that Christ is already there.
So today, you might like to reflect on these questions and pray about your responses:
- What “boat” feels safe but may be keeping you from deeper discipleship?
- Where is Jesus inviting you to take one courageous step, even if it feels uncertain?
- And when fear inevitably comes, can you trust that God’s hand is already reaching
towards you?
Faith is not the absence of storms. It is discovering, again and again, that we are never
asked to face them alone.
May you have the courage to step beyond what feels safe, the humility to call for help
when you need it, and the deep assurance that wherever the waters rise, Christ is already
there, holding you with grace that never lets go.
Song – 570 STF – As we gather, Father, seal us
Song – 367 STF – When I was lost, you came and rescued me
Blessing
Go out into a world crying out for healing,
Go out to seek reconciliation, possibility, peace,
Go out, and may the Spirit of God go before you, lighting your path.
Go in peace, and serve the Lord.
Amen
