The most important thing I shared was this: ‘You are loved beyond measure’. The psalmist says to God “How priceless is your unfailing love; both high and low find refuge in the shadow of your wings; and feast in the abundance of your house….” Psalm 36: 7-8

Statistics tell us that almost half of all marriages in England and Wales will sadly end in divorce if current trends continue. Love, in society, can at times be conditional – ‘I love you because you because you make me happy’. It’s based on feelings and emotions that can change from one moment to the next. Love can be temporary, it can be withdrawn when something or someone better comes along. It’s based on needs being fulfilled. When the going gets tough love leaves through the door. Have you ever been let down by someone who was supposed to love you? Love can be fickle

But not so with God. You are loved beyond measure. God’s love for you is unconditional, committed, loyal and unfailing – “How priceless is your unfailing love”.

Mother Theresa said “There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.” We don’t need to be hungry for love and appreciation anymore – we’ve got it. The psalmist says that you can find refuge in the shadow of His wings; and feast in the abundance of God’s house. In Exodus 19 when God gave His eternal covenant of love He spoke of carrying you on eagles wings – the psalmist echoes this - find refuge in the shadows of his wings. In Leviticus 3 we read that the very choicest parts of an animal were sacrificed and given to God. God in turn wants to give them back to you – the psalmist says feast in the abundance of God’s house. It’s a simple analogy that says that He wants the very best for you.

He doesn’t love you because you’re lovable or because you can do anything for Him. He loves you because you’re His child – He’s made a covenant with you. He’s not going to drop you. You are loved beyond measure. In the Old Testament we read this “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart” Jeremiah 1: 5 You were loved even before you were born.

On over 500 separate occasions in the Bible you hear words of love from God to you.

“God’s love has been poured out into our hearts…..God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5: 5-8

You are loved beyond measure.

In John’s gospel the story’s told of a woman caught in adultery. That woman had done wrong and disgraced herself and her family. I guess many of us have known feelings ofdisgrace, feelings that you don’t deserve anything, that you’re not good enough. What does Jesus do for that woman? He reflects the graceful love of His Father – Jesus tells her “…I do not condemn you…” John 8: 11 (paraphrased) He reflects the love and mercy of the Father. You are loved as if there is no other.

The heart of God is not condemnation but love. You are not condemned. You are loved. You are wanted. You are needed.

This coming Sunday the readings in church will be Col 1:15-20 & John 1:1-14 and the theme is ‘God’s saving Grace’.

I’m away for a few days so I’ll see you next time in church.

With every blessing

Lee

The Reverend Lee Townend MA
All Saints’, Ilkley
Weddings Project
www.Ilkleypc.co.uk
Twitter: @Leethevicar
01943 430693

Anyway, that’s not what I would like to talk about.

In one of the meeting rooms at Lambeth Palace there is a painting of Archbishop Laud. Underneath the painting is a glass display stand and inside the stand is a………..tortoise! Well actually it’s the shell of a tortoise. This tortoise, called Timothy, belonged to the Archbishop and lived for many years (outliving Laud and nine other Archbishops no less).

The famous fable of the tortoise and the hare proclaims the tortoise as a hero. He’s a hero not because of his speed, as we all know he’s a very slow creature, but because of his gentle perseverance and constancy – he gets there in the end and actually beats the hare who sets off at such a pace that he thinks he can take it easy.

But that’s not why I think the tortoise is a hero.

I think the tortoise is a hero because he reminds me of what I should do in my life. In order to get anywhere the tortoise has to stick its neck out. A tortoise can’t physically move without sticking its neck out.

As Christians we are called to stick our neck out for the Gospel. We are called to take risks for God. We are called to not settle for the easy life. We are called to be adventurers.

In the Bible God said this to Joshua when calling him to take a risk but he also says it to you and me as Christian believers when we step out in faith for Him: “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous…..be strong and very courageous. Do not turn from the scriptures in that way you may have success wherever you go…meditate on the scriptures day and night….then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” Joshua 1: 5-9

C. S. Lewis said “Courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at the testing point”

Where do you need to stick your neck out for Jesus?

Looking forward to seeing you as we gather as church on Sunday. In preparation you might like to read the texts we will be using for the talks: Psalm 27: 4-5 Philippians 4: 10-19

Until then

Every blessing

Lee

The Reverend Lee Townend MA
All Saints’, Ilkley
Weddings Project
www.Ilkleypc.co.uk
Twitter: @Leethevicar
01943 430693

Change is something that happens to all of us as we grow in life. Indeed change is vital for healthy church life even if it sometimes feels uncomfortable – somebody once said this “Every major move or revolution we’ve had looked like it was going to kill us, & sometimes it almost did, but we’ve always come out better than before!”

The Bible speaks of change as something that leads to new horizons “Do not conform any longer but be changed (or transformed) by the renewing of your minds” Romans 12: 2

Are you coping with unexpected change? Chances are the answer is yes. Our world is changing on a grand scale, but our personal circumstances change all the time too. Either way, it’s not exactly a relaxing process. We’re often frustrated and frightened when the people and institutions we rely on are no longer what they were.

The Bible offers us very clear reminders that we can always rely on God. No matter how dire our circumstances, no matter how uncertain everything may be, God is eternal. You may like to reflect on the following verses as change occurs in your life:-

Psalm 18: 7

James 1: 17

See you in Church on Sunday

Every blessing

Lee

The Reverend Lee Townend MA
All Saints’, Ilkley
Weddings Project
www.Ilkleypc.co.uk
Twitter: @Leethevicar
01943 430693

A recent survey said that the top 3 fears at the moment are

1. The fear of public speaking

2. The fear of death

3. The fear of death while public speaking.

Fears are sometimes irrational.

Fear stops us from doing so much. We fear failure so we don’t try something new. We fear change so we stay as we are. We fear taking risks so we stand still and stagnate. Fear paralyses. What are you afraid of right now?

“My life has been full of terrible misfortunes most of which have never happened” John DeLaFontaine. Most of us live in fear of things which will probably never happen.

What is the most often repeated command by God in scripture? The answer – Do not fear; Do not be afraid; Fear not; It was repeated to David; Moses, Joseph, Mary, Paul, John and countless others in the scripture. Fearnot! In fact it’s been calculated that there are 365 occasions in scripture when God says ‘Don’t be afraid’ – one for every day of the year!

As we enter 2012 God wants you not to fear. God wants you to know that He can do anything! “I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will support you with my victorious right hand” Isaiah 41: 10

God can do anything – at Christmas Gabriel came to Mary and said she was to have a baby. “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” It was an impossibility for a virgin to have a child – Gabriel said “Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. Fornothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:36-37).

God can do anything

Gideon believed God to be with him in battle, and his tiny army of 300 slayed over 100,000. (Judges 8:10)

God can do anything

The disciples questioned Jesus about salvation – Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

God can do anything.

When the Israelites were faced with mighty enemies too big to defend against God said “Don’t be afraid, because I am with you. Don’t be intimidated;. I will support you with my victorious right hand” Isaiah 41: 10

God can do anything.

The apostles believed God would send power to them, and 3,000 became believers in one day. (Acts 2:1-41)

God can do anything.

Let’s go into this New Year full of confidence that our God can achieve anything.

With this in mind I will be preaching on “How to Live Well in 2012” this coming Sunday. You may like to look at some of these texts as a way of preparation beforehand: Psalm 91: 9-14; Romans 8: 28 and Matthew 5: 38-48.

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Every blessing

Lee

The Reverend Lee Townend MA
All Saints’, Ilkley
Weddings Project
www.Ilkleypc.co.uk
Twitter: @Leethevicar
01943 430693

In Matthew, before the Christmas narrative unfolds, we hear the family genealogy of Jesus “Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah” Matthew 1: 16

What’s really interesting about the much lengthier genaealogy of Jesus (please do read it for yourself in Matthew chapter 1) is that Matthew does not cover up any of the black sheep in Jesus’ family. It may have been tempting for Matthew to remove some of the less pleasant characters in the family but he doesn’t. They’re all there, from the really good to the, shall we say, less good! Matthew is brutally honest about what families are like and this just adds authenticity to his account of the life of Jesus.

Most families have the odd black sheep or two – that’s just how it is.

Most families, however, have one or two outstanding members as well. In the family line in Matthew chapter 1 the most outstanding member of that family comes right at the end and is, of course, Jesus!

It’s often been said about Christmas that ‘Jesus is the reason for the season’. We celebrate at Christmas the birth of the most outstanding person ever to have graced history. Without Jesus we have no reason to celebrate at this time of year.

However, a recent survey brought out some interesting thoughts about peoples perceptions of Christmas. A question was posed about which person is most associated with the Christmas season. Amongst notable names the Vicar of Dibley came tenth and Cliff ‘mistletoe and wine’ Richard came fourth. Morecambe and Wise came second. But the winner of the person most associated with Christmas was……….Del Boy from ‘Only Fools and Horses’. OnDigital found that, among under 30′s, more people knew about Christmas TV scheduling than they did about Christmas itself.

Now there’s nothing scientific about this survey but it does suggest that in some quarters the central figure of Christmas is missing.

Frank McKibben got to the heart of Christmas when he said this “This is Christmas: not the tinsel, not the giving and receiving, not even the carols, but the humble heart that receives anew the wondrous gift, the Christ.”. That’s what it’s all about and maybe, among the left over wrappings and the turkey, the games and the telly, the wine and the afternoon nap this Christmas Day we may just pause and find a quiet place to go and kneel and say thank you for the most amazing gift of Jesus.

Christmas is the gift from heaven
Of God’s Son given for free
If Christmas isn’t found in the heart
It wont be found under a tree (Anonymous)

Have a truly blessed Christmas and I really look forward to seeing you at the Christingles (4pm or 6pm) on Christmas Eve. And at 11.30pm on Christmas Eve if you can make it for the first communion of Christmas. Likewise looking forward to seeing you on Christmas Day itself at the usual service times (10.45 am is a special half hour service for all the family).

With every blessing

Lee

The Reverend Lee Townend MA
All Saints’, Ilkley
Weddings Project
www.Ilkleypc.co.uk
Twitter: @Leethevicar
01943 430693

Every year I try and think in creative ways of what to get Liz for Christmas. Sometimes that’s not necessary though as she often leaves me hints – but I’m not the best at getting them. A few years ago Liz, from around November time, showed me a pair of boots in the Next catalogue and said things like “These are nice, what do you think?” I was oblivious to this as I dislike looking in catalogues and just nodded and made appropriate noises. She would leave the catalogue open on the page where the boots were but I would miss what she was getting at and folded it up. She got the children to suggest, subtly, that a pair of boots might be a nice idea. She steered me into the shops where the boots were and picked them up lovingly but I just wanted to get out of the shop asap. I completely missed the point she was making and got her perfume instead!

Men are not the best at getting the point.

In December 1903, after countless attempts, the Wright brothers historically managed to get their plane to fly. They were absolutely thrilled and sent a brief telegram to their sister telling her the amazing news and also saying when they would be home “We have actually flown 120 feet. Will be home for Christmas”. Their sister hurried to the local paper and showed the editor the telegram. The editor glanced at it and said “How nice that your brothers will be home for Christmas”. He completely missed the main point that mankind had flown!

Christmas is a time when the point that God is making can sometimes be missed.

Mark Stibbe said this “THEY MISSED HIM! They were looking for a lion, He came as a lamb. They were looking for a warrior, He came as a peacemaker. They were looking for a king, He came as a servant. They were looking for a fit to their mould, He came as a mould breaker. They missed Him.”

The scripture tells us that God did not come as a super hero or warrior or statesman – He came as humble baby. To set us free. To give us hope. To give us life. To give us light. To give us a future. To be with us forever. The Bible says “The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel, which means God is with us” Matthew 1: 23 What gloriously good news.

This coming Sunday we rejoice in this truth with our nativity service at 10.45am in church and also our beautiful Carols by Candlelight at 6.30pm. Both these services are really warm, friendly and a great opportunity to bring along friends. Why not come to both and invite someone you know.

With every blessing

Lee

The Reverend Lee Townend MA
All Saints’, Ilkley
Weddings Project
www.Ilkleypc.co.uk
Twitter: @Leethevicar
01943 430693

Waiting can be very difficult yet the bible calls us to have patience “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.” Psalm 37: 7

The scripture says that Jesus is going to act but sometimes we have to wait. The Bible says that Jesus is going to come again and we need to be patiently alert to His return. It says this about when he returns “The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” 2 Peter 3: 10

On Friday my son Joe found that a thief had come in the night. Sadly he had his flat broken in to. While he was in bed sleeping a man, who assumed that Joe was out and the flat was empty, climbed on to the roof, jemmied open a window and entered the house. He went through the entire contents of Joe’s sitting room. He got together a wallet, cash, some clothing, a laptop and an iPod. Now this burglar, and this is an absolutely true story, is the epitome of patience. Because when Joe woke up in the morning and went into the sitting room….. he found the burglar asleep on the sofa! It’s absolutely true. The burglar assumed he had all the time in the world and decided to take a nap while he was on the job. Some people have too much patience.

But what about the rest of us? Waiting for God to act in our lives can be a real struggle – especially when we face really tough things. This is what the book of James says about patience and perseverance “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything….blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life….” James 1: 2-4, 12

Sometimes it’s in the struggle of things that God enables strength to come to us.

A man once watched a butterfly emerging from a cocoon. He watched the butterfly struggling to break free. Slowly and bit by bit, the butterfly pushed and squeezed its way through the tiny opening it had made. Inch by inch it squirmed and wriggled trying to free itself. After a while the man couldn’t stand to see it anymore and, out of kindness, decided to help and he took a sharp knife and slit the length of the cocoon to release the butterfly. The butterfly emerged very quickly but its wings were deformed and lifeless. What the man didn’t realise was that it’s in the lengthy struggle to free itself, it’s in every patient movement, that blood pumps around the wings and the body – without the struggle the blood can’t flow and the wings become deformed. It’s only through the patient struggle that strength comes.

Let me ask, are you struggling with something today? Bear with it, have patience, because God may well be strengthening you through it “…blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life….” James 1: 12

One thing we know for sure is that the Incarnation, the birth of Christ at Christmas, gives us the certain knowledge that no matter what we face He is alongside us supporting us every step of the way.

I really hope you are having a good build up to Christmas and things are not getting too stressed!

As we think of Christmas you may like to bring a friend along to one of the many services happening over the next few weeks. Why not come to your normal morning service this Sunday and then come along to our special ‘Contemporary Carol Service’ where you will find a really warming, gentle and different type of carol service. We’ll be using audio visual material and relaxing with the atmosphere of candles in our beautiful church. It starts at 6.30pm. Alternatively the week after is our more traditional ‘Carols by Candlelight’ at 6.30pm. Do please come along (and if you feel able to, please invite a friend).

This Sunday morning I’ll be sharing on Matthew 25: 31-40 if you’d like to read it in preparation.

See you Sunday.

With every blessing

Lee

The Reverend Lee Townend MA
All Saints’, Ilkley
Weddings Project
www.Ilkleypc.co.uk
Twitter: @Leethevicar
01943 430693

Redundancy, financial worries, depression, illness, things from the past. Many people find that things in their life are, at times, broken.

If you got married over thirty years ago the vicar would have said at the start of the service ‘Dearly beloved we are gathered together in the sight of God….’ At funerals it was the same greeting ‘Dearly beloved…’ Beloved is an amazing word that’s used all over the New Testament to describe you if you are a Christian “…beloved brothers” James 1: 16; “Therefore my beloved…” Philippians 2: 12; “Listen my beloved…” James 2: 5; “..beloved in the Lord” Romans 16: 8. If you are a Christian then you are a beloved! Beloved is a command, it’s an amalgamation of two words: Be and Loved.

At times I complicate Christianity. Many of us feel that we have to do something to earn favour with God. It’s no coincidence that we are called human be-ings and not human do-ings. But we feel we have to do more, pray more, give more, read the Bible more, do good in order to be accepted. We’re so used to having to buy our way or earn our way or strive our way to get anything – but God says “Cease striving” Psalm 46: 10 cease striving and first of all, be loved. Receive my gift of love.

How do you find satisfaction when broken? Accept God’s love. Be-loved.

The woman at the well could not change her past but she could change her present. All she had to do was accept the love of Jesus; be-loved. She didn’t have to dwell on her failures, her brokenness, she didn’t have to be good or do good, she simply had to let herself be loved “If you’d have asked me I would have given you living water” John 4: 10 Jesus is the living water, in the Temple on the last day of the feast he stood up and said in a loud voice “Is anyone thirsty? Let them come to me and drink” John 7: 37 He was saying that if anyone is in need, if anyone is craving satisfaction, if anyone is hurting, if anyone is desperate, if anyone is thirsty……..let them come to me and drink.

One of the first things we must do in life is come to Jesus and let ourselves ‘be-loved’ just as we are.

This Sunday we are looking at the following scriptures which you may want to read in advance as preparation 2 Peter 3:8–15 & Mark 1:1–8

You may recall that First Direct is this week and begins at the new time of 7.30pm – why not go to your normal morning service and then check out First Direct in the evening?

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Every blessing

Lee

The Reverend Lee Townend MA
All Saints’, Ilkley
Weddings Project
www.Ilkleypc.co.uk
Twitter: @Leethevicar
01943 430693

One of the ways people have found to lift the spirit, and this time of year many people do need a lift, is to gain a sense of thankfulness. The old hymn goes ‘Count your blessings one by one’ and many folk who lived through the war would recount the small insignificant things they had to be thankful for. This, they said, gave them a boost when their future looked decidedly uncertain.

The Bible says this “Bless, give thanks, and gratefully praise God…” Psalm 68: 26

As you probably know by now there is an incredible sense of thankfulness around church at the moment after last week’s gift day. You raised the incredible sum of £40,000 and counting. You are an amazing people and my heart is full of gratitude to you. We’ll share more about this in church on Sunday.

Sometimes though we can’t find really big things to be thankful for and yet the Bible still encourages this sense of gratitude. For example, in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul states, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Somebody once came up with the following list to help us think about things we could express thankfulness for:-
1) For the teenager who is endlessly watching TV, because that means that he or she is at home and not on the streets.

2) For the taxes that I pay, because it means that I am employed.

3) For the mess to clean up after a church luncheon, because it means that I have been surrounded by Christian friends.

4) For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.

5) For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am out in the sunshine.

6) For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.

7) For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means that we have freedom of speech.

8) For the parking spot I find at the far end of the car park, because it means I am capable of walking and that I have been blessed with transportation.

9) For my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm.

10) For the lady behind me in church that sings off key, because it means that I can hear.

11) For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.

12) For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been capable of working hard.

13) For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I am alive.

14) For too much e-mail, because it means I have friends who are thinking of me.

15) And finally ….. for the God of Heaven who cares not only for me but for all mankind (Acts 17:24-28; Philippians 4:19; 2 Peter 3:9).

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday where we will begin the Advent season together. You may like to read 1 Corinthians 1: 3-9 and Mark 13: 24-37 as preparation.

See you Sunday – every blessing, Lee

The Reverend Lee Townend MA
All Saints’, Ilkley
Weddings Project
www.Ilkleypc.co.uk
Twitter: @Leethevicar
01943 430693

Vision update

As you know our vision is to grow the church numerically and in depth of faith. Our statement is ‘Going for Growth through excellence in Welcome; Worship and Witness’ We aim to see an ever increasing number of people coming to an ever deepening relationship with God.

The good news is that the attendance figures, averaged across the services, have begun to see some real increase. Last Sunday, for example, which was an ordinary Sunday without baptisms saw 280 people in church. In an age where most churches are in decline this is good news indeed.

Oasis Café update.

We are delighted to share some really good news regarding the lunch club projects currently held in Oasis Café. CTI 2000 who hire the premises from us have had a very big and exciting vision to expand their work greatly. They want to open a full time 6 days a week training restaurant in the centre of townwhere they will be able to attract more customers and offer better training for their students. Rev Stuart Jenkins, Chair of CTI 2000, wrote to Lee “I’m delighted to be able to send you a positive response from the CTI 2000 committee……We have begun the process of seeking commercial (town centre) accommodation and turning (our) activities into a six day a week cafe / training restaurant…..we’re excited about the new venture…….”

We are thrilled that the project, which does so much good work, is going to become an even bigger entity in the future. We have delighted in being the host for the lunch clubs over the past few years and will continue to offeraccommodation until the right High t premises can be found.

Rev Jenkins said “The committee were very definite that we didn’t want anyone in town or in the churches to say or hear it said that All Saints had ‘kicked us out’ of the Oasis Café.”

We pray for the success of this exciting new venture.

Church Development update

We are pleased to share, as you probably saw in the paper yesterday,that we are just about to put in planning applications for the church development.

As a reminder the new project, as the church asked for at the discussion meetings, incorporates much of the best concepts of the previous scheme but at around half the cost. These plans, agreed and approved at the church meetings, will give us much needed extra space, accommodation, flexibility, comfort and warmth.

The diocese and other interested parties have given positive indications that the plans are good and will be helpful as the church grows. Funding plans will be discussed in due course.

The Reverend Lee Townend MA
All Saints’, Ilkley
Weddings Project
www.Ilkleypc.co.uk
Twitter: @Leethevicar
01943 430693