TO KNOW GOD AND TO MAKE GOD KNOWN
Lent with the Church of England
Jesus, Servant of All
Week 4 • Monday
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’ And he said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’ And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’ But Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’ They replied, ‘We are able.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.’
When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, ‘You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’
Mark 10.35-45
Jesus is so good at challenging our expectations and assumptions.
Here, as in many other places throughout the gospels, Jesus is clear: “I have not come to be served, but to serve.” Imagine the facial expressions of his hearers: initial anger from the ten disciples giving way to smugness from some as Jesus resisted James and John’s gloryseeking request to have seats of honour; perhaps a look of embarrassment from any who knew that Zebedee, their father, was a fisherman; and confusion from the lads themselves, so certain they could drink the cup of suffering that Christlike service involves.
It is hard to imagine Jesus was angry, smug, or embarrassed. This was a lesson, so he taught them. The kingdom of God is upside down: glory is found in service, not position. This is Jesus’ way, and so it must be for any who would follow him.
Response
Where in your life are you looking for a “seat of honour”? How can you step back in humility instead?
Our vicar is Rev Elaine Atack
Contact: revelaine@nym.hush.com
PRAYER WALL:
You can write a prayer and light a virtual candle on our prayer wall: https://slfchurch.org/prayerwall
Please pass your requests to Rev Elaine at the Vicarage if you haven’t got internet access.
ONLINE PODCASTS:
The menu for our podcasts is at the top left of the page
Our Parish Hall
Frodsham Parish Hall
Frodsham Parish Hall is owned by St Laurence Church and can be booked by contacting our Booking Secretary: Louise Wright on 07869 265791
or emailing her at saintells@gmail.com
You can go to the Parish Hall Facebook page here
About Us
Who are we?
Baptisms and Weddings
Baptisms and Weddings
We are a warm, welcoming and inclusive Church of England congregation in the small market town of Frodsham. We belong to Inclusive Church and welcome all people to our services.
Normally, our church is open during the day on most weekdays - please see the notice above for this week's times.
You are most welcome to visit.
We have a Church School which you can link to here.
Baptisms and Weddings
Baptisms and Weddings
Baptisms and Weddings
Sunday Services
Baptisms and Weddings
Sunday Services
We have 3 communion services each week - please check our timetable above
Sunday 8am - said
Sunday 10am - with music
Tuesday 7pm - said
Messy Church is at 3pm on the first Sunday of the month in term time.
Still Point (a reflective service) is at 4pm on the third Sunday of each month.
Evensong is sung on various Sundays through the year and will be shown on our timetable which you can see above.
Online donations page and QR code
The work of our church is reliant on people’s generosity. We worship in a beautiful Grade 1 listed building which is open most weekdays between 10am and 4pm and we welcome you to visit us. Please check times in the timetable near the top of this page.
If you wish to make a donation to St Laurence Church you can do so here.
We give to our church in a variety of ways but there are two ways it can be done online, both described below.
YOU CAN MAKE A DONATION BY CLICKING HERE or use our QR code
