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Mothering Sunday 6th March 2016

Luke 2.33 The child's father and mother marvelled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

A police recruit was asked during an exam, 'What would you do if you had to arrest your own mother?' He answered, 'Call for backup.'

Match of the Day 2, on Sunday evening, features “Some good, some bad” and looks at some humourous positive and negative events during the weekend's football matches.

Today we are going to look at “Some good, some bad” mothers found in the Bible, though some have little or no humour.

Bad mothers

Athaliah was the mother of King Ahaziah of Judah, her 22 year old son. Within a year he was murdered and was succeeded by his mother who tried to murder her whole family to guarantee her reign. One grandson escaped.

Athaliah encouraged the worship of false gods, and pulled down some of the temple using the materials for the temple to Baal. She reigned for six years until she was stabbed to death and succeeded by the grandson she failed to murder, Josiah. This was about 840BC. 2 Kings 8,11,12. 2 Chronicles 22-24.

This week, the news reported a 21 month old girl being stamped to death by one of her parents.

Herodias, hated John the Baptist, because of he spoke against her marriage to King Herod Antipas. She had been the wife of his half brother, Philip. Her daughter’s seductive dance pleased the king so much that he promised to give her anything she wished. Herodias had her daughter request the head of John the Baptist on a platter. (Matthew 14)

On this Mothering Sunday there will be people with a mother who fell well short of what they expected. That pain can be offered up to God who, in Christ, knew what it was to be betrayed, abandoned, rejected. As those who have received forgiveness for our shortcomings, forgiveness can also be given.

Of course, some mothers may feel that they are not good enough, feel that motherhood is difficult. They may need encouragement, practical support and our prayers, together with the prayers for those who support families in difficult situations.

For weeks a six-year-old lad kept telling his school teacher about the baby brother or sister that was expected at his house. One day the mother allowed the boy to feel the movements of the unborn child. The six-year old was obviously impressed, but made no comment. Furthermore, he stopped telling his teacher about the impending event.
The teacher was concerned at his silence and said, "Tommy, whatever has become of that baby brother or sister you were expecting at home?"
Tommy burst into tears and confessed, "I think Mummy ate it!"

Childless women.

The Bible has a number of women who were temporarily childless. Sarah, Abraham's wife and Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist are two.

Michal (mi'kuhl), the wife of King David is probably the only Biblical example of a permanently infertile woman. David’s dancing before the ark of the covenant as he brought the sacred box to Jerusalem enraged Michal, who criticized the king to his face. As punishment Michal was never allowed to bear children (2 Sam. 6:16-23).

About one in eight, or more couples experience infertility. Melanie and I were once told that we would not be able to have children. Mothering Sunday was very difficult after that until Joshua was born.

So, today let us remember those who are childless and for whom Mothering Sunday is painful, and those who treat them and support them.

Mother of baby that dies

King David had an adulterous relationship with Bathsheba, had her husband killed in battle, married her and fathered a son. 2 Samuel 12 features the death of the child after only a week.

Even though the infant mortality rate is, thankfully, low in this country, women will have miscarriages, still births, and some infants will dies. Let us remember them and those who support them, both professionally and personally. For example, Hospital Chaplains who take funeral services and comfort the bereaved.

Now we turn to a good mother.

Praise God that there are so many of these! Mary was young and unmarried when Jesus was conceived, she might be encouraged to have an abortion today

She is an example of faith & perseverance in difficulty. Soon after Jesus was born the family were refugees in Egypt, escaping from murderous Herod. People gossiped about her when Jesus was an adult because of Jesus conception.

She and her children were worried about what Jesus was doing at the start of his ministry ( Mark 3.20-35 says the family thought he was out of his mind). When the wine had run out at the wedding in Galilee, Jesus rejected her implication that now was the time to show his glory, though he quietly helped the couple by turning water into wine.

Mary had great faith in God and in Jesus. She willingly accepted the virginal conception. It seems her understanding of Jesus' person and ministry developed as she reflected upon things, something Luke (2.51) refers to. As her son's ministry developed she supported him, and followed him, even to the foot of the cross, which is what Simeon was referring to in his prophecy, featured in today's gospel. This happened when Jesus was only forty days old. Mary and Jesus' brothers were also praying with the disciples just before Pentecost, Acts 1.14.

Mary's is a great examples of the qualities to be found in a good mother. She was full of God's Spirit and grace, trusted in God, worshipped Him, prayed, and persevered when things were difficult.

Let us thank God for her and the art she played in bringing up our Lord.

Let us pray for mothers, good and bad, for those who wish to be mothers, for bereaved mothers, and those who support mothers in many different areas.

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Short Talk

Get children at front

Play James Bond movie theme.

I have just watched the latest James Bond "Skyfall"

Ask what job James Bond does? - Secret agent.

Did you realise that there could be some secret agents here today?

Some of them may be so secret that they don't realise that they are secret agents themselves! This is because they are God's secret agents! Their job is to love you and look after you. Who do you think we are talking about? Mums.

Nearly two thousand years ago a man called Paul, who wrote some of the Bible, sent a letter to a young man called Timothy. It showed how Timothy's mother and grandmother had helped Timothy to trust in God...

"I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." 2 Timothy 1:5

In "Skyfall" James Bond helps and cares for his boss, who is called "M". When she is bleeding he gives her something to stop it. When you are hurt your M-U-M might give you something, like a plaster. So, I would like to give you a plaster to put on for today to remind you of how your mum's help you.

Just as M needed James Bond's help, parents need their children's help. In doing what they are told to do by their parents, children can actually be helping themselves, because parents love their children and often know what is best for them.

The Bible talks about this;

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  "Honour your father and mother"- which is the first commandment with a promise - 3 "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth Eph 6:1-3 (NIV)

                                                                                                          

get children at front

Play James Bond movie theme.

I have just watched the latest James Bond "Skyfall"

Ask what job James Bond does? - Secret agent.

Did you realise that there could be some secret agents here today?

Some of them may be so secret that they don't realise that they are secret agents themselves! This is because they are God's secret agents! Their job is to love you and look after you. Who do you think we are talking about? Mums.

Nearly two thousand years ago a man called Paul, who wrote some of the Bible, sent a letter to a young man called Timothy. It showed how Timothy's mother and grandmother had helped Timothy to trust in God...

"I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." 2 Timothy 1:5

In "Skyfall" James Bond helps and cares for his boss, who is called "M". When she is bleeding he gives her something to stop it. When you are hurt your M-U-M might give you something, like a plaster. So, I would like to give you a plaster to put on for today to remind you of how your mum's help you.

Just as M needed James Bond's help, parents need their children's help. In doing what they are told to do by their parents, children can actually be helping themselves, because parents love their children and often know what is best for them.

The Bible talks about this;

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  "Honour your father and mother"- which is the first commandment with a promise - 3 "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth Eph 6:1-3 (NIV)

                                                                                                          

25/3/01 10.45 a.m. Mothering Sunday Family Service

Introductory Talk

On front of service sheets have been asked to see how many words to do with mothers you can make from the letters in 'Mothering Sunday'. What words have we got ?

Can include : dinner, roast, iron, dig, stare, ruin a story, moan, nag, rage, get mad, naughty one ! Others ones are :

Hugs. Most mums are good at hugs. When we feel are hurting, or feel sad, or rejected a hug can tell us how much we are loved and accepted.

Grins. Mums are able to make their children happy by grinning at them. Melanie will sometimes grin at Chloe who, although she is only four months old will give a large grin back again.

Doing. Mums spend lots of time doing things. I know this from personal experience because when Melanie was in hospital around the time of Chloe's birth I had to do the washing, ironing, cooking, cleaning, chauffeuring, shopping, helping Joshua with homework and so on. Sometimes children can help their mums, and dads by doing things with them, which is great. Joshua loves to help Melanie with baking cakes.

Strength. Mums need and show a lot of strength while their children are growing up.

Nurse. Mums sometimes have to take upon the role of a nurse. To decide if their children really are sick enough to miss school and to help them by keeping them warm and giving doses of Calpol !

In a few moments we will look at some of the things that Mary, the mother of Jesus experienced...

Main Talk

33 The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

Still using the letters from 'Mothering Sunday' we will look at four things that Simeon said would happen to Jesus.

Rise. Jesus would, verse 34, cause the falling and rising of many in Israel,

In his ministry Jesus would show that those who thought that they were religious and important were not part of God's people. Jesus came and mixed with people who were irreligious and considered unimportant. He enabled such people to be accepted by God and showed how precious they were. This is still true today. Jesus will accept us as we are because everyone is special to God.

Hated. Jesus was hated by the religious leaders of the day who he denounced. This is what Simeon was talking about in verse 34, to be a sign that will be spoken against,

No parent likes the thought that their child will be unpopular, but sometimes people have to stand up for what is right. Mary always supported Jesus, even when he endured opposition.

Hearts. 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.

By his life and teaching Jesus reveals what people are really like. Whether they are true followers of God or not.

Jesus came to bring forgiveness to those who follow him. It is by worshipping Jesus and obeying his teaching that we show that we have genuinely embraced his forgiveness.

Hurts; Misery; Agony; Anguish;

"And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

Mary had just been through the stigma of being unmarried and pregnant. She had gone through the pain of childbirth without pethadine, gas and air, or an epidural. A few days later she was being told that she would have to go through more pain.

No parent expects to bury their own child. It seems to go against the natural order of what you might expect. Unfortunately I have had to conduct such funerals at times.

Think of how difficult it would have been for Mary to see her son unjustly executed in a barbaric, humiliating way on the cross.

Of course, three days later she would have been overjoyed to learn that Jesus was alive and that her son had conquered sin and death and has opened the way to God for everyone.

Jesus went from death to being risen.

So on this Mothering Sunday let us thank God for our mothers. Not just what they have done for us but who they are.

Let us remember too that Mary is an model not just of motherhood but of Christian willingness to undergo suffering to further God's purpose. We can learn from her example of submission to God's will and seek to imitate this.