Christine Wilson, Dean Mark Hocknull, Chancellor John Patrick, Subdean
Philippa White, Succentor
Why do you come to church each Sunday? No doubt there as many answers to that question as there are people in the congregation this morning. For me, the reason we gather each week together isn’t to make God happy (though I’m sure it does) or to learn sound morals (though perhaps that happens) or even to learn the essentials of the Christian faith (it would be nice if that happens from time to time, too). Rather, we gather so that we might encounter the Risen Christ one more time and be caught up in faith so that we may experience God’s abundant life. My regular prayer before every communion service for many years has been ‘go before us oh Lord, enable us to worship you in spirit and in truth and open our hearts that we may have that encounter with you of which this sacrament speaks… ’
The writer of John’s gospel describes many encounters between Jesus and different people: Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, the man who receives his sight, Martha, Peter, Pilate. At the end of all of this comes Thomas, as something of a climax of this panoply. Thomas’ movement from scepticism to doubt in today’s reading, and finally to profession of faith, is, I think, John’s hope for all of us.
We come together because the life of faith can be joyous and wonderful and all that, but it can also be rather challenging. The life of faith very often is challenging I find. The loss of a loved one, or end of a relationship, or the inability to find a job or get into the school or university of one’s choice, or the persistent ache of loneliness, or a prolonged bout of illness, or a pervasive sense of anxiety about our larger community, country, or world – all these things wear at you and chip away at our faith. At times of great stress or worry, faith can be a great strength and support, or it can be a casualty of these assaults. And so we come together to hear the stories of Jesus read and interpreted so that we might hear Jesus speaking to us and, in turn, we might leave renewed in faith, hope, and confidence.
From this vantage point, Jesus’ words to Thomas at the end of their encounter are less a rebuke of Thomas’ lack of believing and more of a blessing to all those who came after Thomas, right up to you and me, that have believed without seeing! We come together so that Jesus might encounter us and, through this encounter, change us into the people God wants us to be. That change won’t happen overnight. But thank heavens there’s another Sunday just seven days away!
Mark Hocknull, Chancellor
Roy Dowson: Heather, Philip, Sue and Cherry would like to express their gratitude to those who visited, prayed for and prayed with Roy during his time in hospital and the nursing home. Thank you all so much for the many cards, prayers, emails, phone calls and support that you’ve given us as a family since father’s passing to glory. Funeral service to take place at Lincoln Cathedral on Friday 28 April at 2.30pm. Please join us, colourful dress welcome. Family flowers only, donations if desired to Lincoln Cathedral Fabric Fund.
The Chapter Clerk writes: As many of you will know the Chancellor, Canon Dr Mark Hocknull, is leaving the Cathedral and his last service will be on Sunday 14th May 2017 at 10.30am, with a glass of something fizzy in the Chapter House afterwards for all to wish Mark, Kate and family well and to say our goodbyes to him as a Residentiary Canon. The leaving card will be in the Chapter House for signature after each Sunday (9.30am) service and there will also be an envelope for any contribution you might wish to make to the collection.
Coffee Rota: Looking to join with a team of people to help build the cathedral community? Here is the opportunity for you! We are looking for volunteers to join the rota and serve coffee after the 9:30 service. Is this something you could offer? We also need someone to take over the organization of the rota after Kate Hocknull leaves. Please have a word with Kate or those serving coffee after the service if you feel you can help.
Bible Readings
Sunday 23 April 2nd Sunday of Easter
Sung Eucharist Acts 2.14a, 22-32; 1 Peter 1.3-9; John 20.19-end
Mattins Exodus 12.1-17; 1 Corinthians 5.6b-8
Evensong Daniel 6.1-23; Mark 15.46-16.8
Sunday 30 April 3rd Sunday of Easter
Sung Eucharist Zephaniah 3.14-end; Acts 2.14a, 36-41; 1 Peter 1.17-23; Luke 24.13-35
Mattins Isaiah 40.1-11; 1 Peter 5.1-11
Evensong Haggai 1.13-2.9; 1 Corinthians 3.10-17; Isaiah 40.27-end; John 12.20-26
