Dear friends,

Reflection is here: https://stgeorgechorley.co.uk/news/news_inner/369

The notice sheet is here: https://stgeorgechorley.co.uk/brochure/theway.pdf

A hymn from today’s service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oGuGzCFEWI

God bless,

Fr Mike

Dear All,

We're blessed to have Simon preaching this morning for the first time, please find his sermon attached and give him your support

Also don't forget to come along to tonight's celebration, run by our youth group! There will be bacon butties, crafts and fun as we learn about God together.

John 2:1-11

"On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

Today's sermon:

What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Good morning just what to praise the lord and giving the strength to talk to you all today. I know I have talked at closer but feel is the start of what god has planned for me.

Today we are looking at the first of many miracles Jesus did; the turning of water to wine, I know this doesn’t seem as one of the ‘big’ miracles but this is where, once he does this, it starts the clock to the cross.

Jesus and his disciples were invited to this wedding in Cana, Mary was also invited to the wedding and we see that the wine is about to run out.

Now I have experience of this right here in this church not with wine but HOT POT. One minute I had plenty then my brother Alan came along and ten minutes later we run out. I couldn’t believe it in that moment I needed a miracle. I do hope I have enough bacon butties for closer tonight.

Now Mary says to Jesus they have no wine. What does she think Jesus can do she know that God has told her Jesus would do great things. Now Jesus says woman, what does have to do with me, my hour has not yet come.

MY HOUR HAS NOT YET COME

The only people to know his true plan was himself and his father. Bigger things where to come

Mary maybe isn’t sure what Jesus her son can do but says to the servants to do as he tells you. So Jesus asks the servants to fill the six stone jars, which were used for purification in Jewish tradition, with water so they do fill them to the brim, now these hold between 70 to 100 litres of water so if we work on the lower mark that’s 420 litres which turns out to be 560 bottles of wine today. Jesus then says draw some for the master of the feast and let him taste. He tastes and says why do you keep the good wine till the end. Remember the only people who know what has happened are the servants and the disciples. This is when the disciples believed in him.

What was the purpose of the miracle?

This is where Jesus shows that he is God in flesh, the creator of all. As God did in the beginning, bringing matter to life, Jesus takes water and turns it to wine. Jesus is the creator and truly is the same as God. How was this done with his words? His word is everything we have to believe, just like the disciples did after seeing the first miracle. No prophet could do this miracle, only him and his father God.

We have to look at our biggest miracle, the cross where Jesus was crucified and died for us so our sins could be taken away so we can live in God’s presence and feel his word. He then rose again this was for us. Jesus took all that pain and sin so we can see the glory of the world. This is the greatest miracle, wow how amazing is it that knows God give his only son so we can believe in him.

We become brand new; fit for the kingdom where greatness is and where we will be at Jesus; side. So today I want you to go away and instead of asking for a miracle believe in the one God sent us, which is Jesus Christ if we follow him, remember listen to his word.

That’s important as we need to go out there and spread his word so many more can come to into his church and be at one with the Lord. We are a growing church here at All Saints, Jesus is giving us the tools to make this an amazing place to meet and become a part of God’s family. We are Jesus’ disciples, we believe, but just like the servants at the wedding the people in the community need to see the miracle of God’s word.

God has a plan for all you just have to open your heart and accept what he has for you, look at myself 12 months I didn’t think I would be up here but God loves me he wants me here. My faith is stronger than ever and I hope yours is too. Amen.