Bible Month
June is Bible Month - a month in which we celebrate scripture by dedicating our worship services to exploring a book from the Bible. This year, we are exploring the Book of John; through which we will be deepening our understanding of and our relationship with Jesus, specifically looking at the “I am” sayings of Jesus.
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We encourage you to join us on this journey.
What will we hear afresh this month? What new things will we discover?
The Weekly Themes
Sunday 1st June
Jesus said: "I am the Bread of Life"
(John 6: 35-51)​
Sunday 15th June
Jesus said: "I am the Good Shepherd" and "I am the gate for the sheep" (John 10: 1-18)
Sunday 29th June
Jesus said: "I am the vine"
(John 15: 1-17)
Sunday 8th June (Pentecost)
Jesus said: "I am the Light of the World"
(John 8: 12-20 and John 9: 1-12)
Sunday 22nd June
Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth and the life"
(John 14: 1-7)
Weekly Thoughts on the Themes
Sunday 1st June: Jesus said "I am the bread of life"
(John 6: 35-51)
What is your favourite bread?
White loaf, Brown, Best of Both, Garlic Bread, Focaccia, Bagel, Brioche, Baguette, Ciabatta, Sour dough… The list could go on. I wonder if I’ve mentioned your favourite, or maybe it’s something different. Bread is a staple in most cultures; it’s a fundamental source of nourishment that gives is energy for the day. Without it, we grow weak.
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In our reading for today, Jesus says: “I am the BREAD OF LIFE; whoever comes to me shall not hunger and whoever believes in me shall never thirst”. ​I don’t think Jesus was talking about fulfilling our physical need, but more our spiritual need. Jesus is saying that he is there to provide. He is there to satisfy our hunger for meaning – to bring clarity in the chaos. He is there to quench our thirst for peace – to bring calmness in a world that contains many storms. He is there to offer sustenance on our spiritual journey – to bring strength in times of challenge and temptation.
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So whatever your favourite bread is, know that Jesus is at the centre. He is there promising to give you life, to give you a foundation in which to live from. Will you come take a seat at his table and feast on his bread of life?
Sunday 8th June: Jesus said "I am the light of the world"
(John 8: 12-20 and John 9: 1-12)
Have you ever been in a power cut?
​Not that long ago, we had a power cut that happened at about 9pm at night. At the time of the power cut, it was when the nights were much darker, so we were literally plunged into darkness. The streetlamps were off; all the lights in our house were off; there were no idle lights from devices. Nothing. Just darkness.
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What do you do when you suddenly find yourself in darkness? Look for light? Find something to give you hope?
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Today we continued our journey through Bible Month with the promise from Jesus saying: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” It’s a reminder to us that, even in the darkest of moments, Jesus’ light is there to guide, to bring peace, and to offer hope.
So when you suddenly find yourself in darkness, look for the light. Look for the light of Jesus shining. It may be shining through kind actions, thoughtful words, the lyrics in a song, a sign from nature, a quote from a film… Where will you spot the light of Jesus in your life this week?
Sunday 15th June: Jesus said "I am the good shepherd"
(John 10: 1-18)
Do you enjoy walking?
When I was growing up, we used to go to The Lake District for holidays. As much as I enjoyed the beautiful scenery we would experience as we were walking, I was not the most keen of walkers within my family, and would usually be at the back … complaining! Especially when the keeper of the directions would get us lost, and said walk became hours and hours long!! I much preferred a walk that contained a designated path with the occasional arrow to follow with a guarantee of not getting lost!
How good (or bad) are you at giving directions?
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In today’s reading from John’s gospel, we hear Jesus offer assurance by saying: “I am the good shepherd”. By Jesus saying these words to us, he is letting us know that he knows us, like a shepherd knows their sheep – Jesus knows our name, he understands us and he loves us. He is letting us know that he cares, like a shepherd would tend to their sheep – Jesus sees us when we are hurt, and he sees us when we are rejoicing, and through it all he wants to be with us. He is letting us know that he will show us the way, like a shepherd directs their sheep – Jesus provides us with guidance and protection.
Life throws so many paths at us, and it's easy to feel a little disoriented, unsure of which way to turn, or even completely off track. It’s important to remember, especially in those moments of uncertainty, that you have a Good Shepherd who cares deeply, knows the way, and is always there to guide you home. You are known, you are loved, and Jesus, our Shepherd, will never give up on you.