Lakes, rivers and seas may seem idyllic to us but in bible times they were viewed as places of terror, even death. As one bible commentator I read recently puts it: Israel didn’t have a surf culture!
The Psalms talk of the swirling rivers, and the last book of the Bible, Revelation, describes Paradise as a place where the sea will be no more. For all us ‘coast’ lovers that’s a bit disappointing!
However, I do recall an afternoon on a boat that shook me up a bit. We were brand new parents grabbing a late season, last minute holiday in Torquay. During the week we went on one of the final trips across the bay to Brixham. We boarded with the pushchair not knowing if this was really sensible. As the swell got up we were horrified to see that the teenager driving the boat (excuse my landlubber speak) did so reclining on his seat with a mug of coffee in one hand, steering the boat with his feet whilst reading the paper! But we survived!
Lake Galilee, which will feature in Sunday’s gospel, was famous for its unexpected storms. Even seasoned fishermen got caught out. Matthew has two stories which are connected: Jesus stilling the storm when he was in the boat, and later, as he walked on the water, rescuing Peter as he began to sink.
It might feel to us, at the moment, as if we’ve all been through (and are still experiencing) a collective ‘storm’. These have been worrying and anxious months and the waters have been choppy.
So, it will be good to look at the story once again of Jesus out on Lake Galilee, of the disciples in the boat and Peter sinking – and as we so we’ll ask the question: based on a chorus I used to sing in Sunday School: With Christ in the vessel – can I, can you, can we, really smile at the storm…?
CHURCH FOCUS...
…As from this Sunday face coverings in church are mandatory, unless you have a medical reason which prevents you from wearing one. We have now received updated advice from Church Authorities stating that those leading th service, preaching, reading or praying, do not need to wear either a mask or a visor. Our intention is to follow all this advice from Sunday 8th August until further notice. The audio service will continue for the foreseeable future.
…Whilst on the subject of face coverings, our church member, Olga Palmer has a friend making them for £8 and the proceeds are going to support a family who have had to flee from South Africa. If you’d like to buy a mask from Olga do get in touch with her either on01494776392 or olgapalmer776@gmail.com
…And our good friend, Sylvia Parrott who has been worshipping with us during the Pandemic has also been making and selling masks, to support a community that she visited whilst on a WorkAid mission trip to Uganda. This community has been flooded during Lockdown and there is now much hunger. If you would like to lend your support please get in contact with Sylvia.
...We hold the family of Claire Tandara in our prayers as, on Thursday at 1.30pm, they will be attending the funeral for Claire's Mum, first at her church and then at the Crematorium in Ruislip. We were so pleased to hear that Claire's Dad is now out of hospital and recovering. Our thoughts go out to Claire, Vlado, Sophie and Alexander.
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