https://chantry.methodistic.org.uk/

Chantry Methodist Church, Kingfisher Avenue, Ipswich (2026)

31/05/2026

Liz Cope brings us this weeks recorded sermon. The sermon can be viewed by clicking the following link https://bit.ly/3cpjlty.

31/05/2026

Today’s thought for the day is brought to us by Rev Steve Mann

Sing to the Lord a New Song

We continue a series that seeks to take inspiration from the words of newer hymns and songs.

You don’t need me to tell you that Psalm 23 has resonated with readers of the Bible down through the ages and, today, we consider the first of three songs based upon it (watch out for the other two in subsequent thoughts).

King of Love

The King of Love my Shepherd is

Whose goodness faileth never

I nothing lack if I am His

And He is mine forever

And He is mine forever

Where streams of living water flow

My ransomed soul He leadeth

And where the verdant pastures grow

With food celestial feedeth

Never failing, Ruler of my heart

Everlasting, Lover of my soul

On the mountain high or in the valley low

The King of Love my Shepherd is

The King of Love my Shepherd is

Lost and foolish off I strayed

But yet in love He sought me

And on His shoulder gently laid

And home rejoicing brought me

In death’s dark veil I fear no ill

With Thee, dear Lord, beside me

Thy rod and staff my comfort still

Thy cross before to guide me

Oh, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Oh, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

And so through all the length of days

Thy goodness faileth never

Good Shepherd, may I sing Your praise

Within Your house forever

Within Your house forever

Songwriters: Adam Palmer, Jonathan Smith, Matthew Hein, Stephanie Kulla, Stuart Garrard
©2013 All Essential Music, Be Essential Songs, I Am "They" Publishing, Jingram Music Publishing, So Essential Tunes, Stugio Music Publishing CCLI: 6529824

You can listen to the song here: https://bit.ly/4f0TCG3

This song was written by a Christian worship group called ‘I Am They’ who came together to lead worship for a one-off event in Nevada in 2008 but then continued writing and recording together until 2022. Their name is based on John 17 where Jesus repeatedly uses ‘they’/’them’ to refer to his present and future followers as in verses 22 and 23:

I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one – I in them and you in me – so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

For members of the group it was a way of saying, ‘I am counted among those followers’.

As I grew up, the two most notable hymns based upon Psalm 23 were ‘The Lord’s my Shepherd’ by Francis Rous and H. W. Baker’s ‘The King of Love my Shepherd Is’. Then came Stuart Townend’s ‘The Lord’s my Shepherd’ and today we consider a song that takes its inspiration not just from Psalm 23 but from a reworking of ‘The King of Love my Shepherd Is’.

‘King of Love’ is one of I Am They’s earliest songs and became a firm favourite when I introduced it to the churches I was then serving in Oxfordshire but one thing puzzled me. A chorus has been added to H W Baker’s hymn but the most significant change to the words themselves is in the fourth verse where ‘vale’ has been replaced by ‘veil’. Is this a typo or was the original considered unintelligible to a non-UK audience or too antiquated? I don’t know the answer to those questions but the change does give us plenty to ponder as we ask ‘What’s in a word?’.

‘Vale’, at least to British ears, takes us into the countryside with its sheep and shepherds. ‘Death’s dark vale’ (the valley of the shadow of death) pictures dangerous times or places where you may face the threat or even the reality of death but, in either scenario, there can be trust in the protection of the shepherd who accompanies us.

By contrast, ‘Death’s dark veil’ focuses on the point of death itself and the unknown territory that lies concealed from our sight beyond the veil. Here again, you can trust in Jesus, the good shepherd, who has gone before you into the unknown and promises, as you yourself face death, that he will be there to accompany you onward.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that your loving presence, like that of the shepherd, is always with me. May I have a clear sense of your nearness, particularly when I am facing death’s dark vale or veil, and lead me to your house within which I will sing your praise forever. Amen.

If you have any contributions for thought of the day, please send them to: [email protected]

30/05/2026

Today’s thought for the day is brought to us by Patricia Lake
www.ellel.uk

God’s Suddenly

“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.”
Acts 2:2, KJV

The word ‘suddenly’ in scripture has often been used to describe when God unexpectedly breaks through into human circumstances which are impossible with men. However, for a ‘suddenly’ of God to come, you have to be waiting, for what may seem to be a very long time, and it usually happens when all hope, from a human perspective, has gone.

I was listening to a sermon recently where the local pastor expressed it like this: “Only those who’ve waited know how to appreciate God’s suddenly when it comes”. God’s suddenly equips you with something new; new energy for your body and new vision. And God’s suddenly cannot be imitated.

God’s suddenly can also affect any given situation. The Apostles receiving the sudden infilling of the Holy Spirit, where the Lord had instructed them to wait for the promise of the Father, in the upper room, ushered in the coming of the Holy Spirit, and was quite different from Paul and Silas’ situation. Paul and Silas were imprisoned for the sake of the gospel, but then God’s suddenly arrived, and everyone’s chains were loosed.

Whatever the situation, both sets of circumstances show us that the right attitude will activate the presence of God and others may be depending on our ‘suddenly’ for their freedom to arrive. The timing has to be perfect in a specific place, and with the right people. The wrong company can hinder you from receiving your ‘suddenly’.

So, if you’re still waiting patiently for a breakthrough, it’s on its way. God knows your name and your circumstances, and He always arrives on time, in His perfect time. When God’s ‘suddenly’ arrives, you’ll be glad you waited, it will be more than worth it.

Prayer - Dear Lord, thank You for the ‘suddenlys’ you have in store for each of us. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on You and to trust You for Your perfect plans and purposes in Your time for each of our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you have any contributions for thought of the day, please send them to: [email protected]

29/05/2026

Today’s thought for the day is brought to us by Christine O’Neill

Psalm 10:12
‘Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up Thine hand, forget not the helpless.’

It always amazes me how relevant God’s Word is today, even though it was compiled centuries ago. In this psalm, David shows himself to be a man who isn’t getting his ‘Why?’ questions answered. He trusts God completely but doesn’t understand why unjust things happen. You may be feeling the same today. Often in our family life, people who were partners can turn against each other cruelly. In our workplace, we may witness colleagues being compromised or taken advantage of. In our country, one community may discriminate against another. In our world, nation may attack another with little provocation. Where is God when life gets grubby, threatening and scary?

The Psalmist calls on God to arise, act for the helpless victims and against the perpetrators. He knows God sees and listens but is frustrated that He doesn’t appear to do anything. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

While the day of justice may still be in the future, the promise of encouragement is in the present. We can trust God even though we see oppression and injustice reigning. We know He loves the helpless, grief-stricken and oppressed – so much that He became one of them literally.

God personally identified with all victims for all time when He came as Jesus and lived among sin, dying an undeserved horrific death for each of us.

Prayer: Lord, the world is filled with so many tragedies and injustices. We always search for meaning and reasons, but we are human and can’t see from Your vantage point. Make us aware that You do see and listen; just because we don’t see Your response in particular situations, we know that by living and dying as one of us, Your Son has intimate experience of unjust suffering. Help us to trust Your wisdom and give us the encouragement and strength that only You can give. Amen

If you have any contributions for thought of the day, please send them to: [email protected]

28/05/2026

Today’s thought for the day is brought to us by William Glasse

Rivers everywhere

Read: John 7:37–39

If you have always lived in East Suffolk, you may have become desensitised to the impact on our lives of the many rivers that make their way into the sea between Harwich and Lowestoft. The coast is very beautiful, but the rivers can also make travel tortuous. For example, the distance from Felixstowe to Harwich is short if you have a boat; without one, however, the journey involves a drive of fifty minutes over thirty to forty miles, depending on the route taken.

The rivers have shaped our landscape and they shape our lives. Recreationally and logistically, we are changed by them.

In today’s reading, Jesus offers himself as drink and goes on to say that those who believe in him will find that living water flows from within them. This is a metaphor for the Holy Spirit which, at the time of Jesus’s statement, had not yet been poured out. When the Holy Spirit came, the way in which the Good News was spread changed; the days of going to hear and see Jesus gave way to the involvement of all believers in preaching, healing, and teaching.

Suffolk has not been shaped by one river but by many. They vary in size from the Stour and Orwell estuaries to the Alde and Deben. Some move and continually change direction, like the Alde and the shifting landscape of Orford Ness, while others are more fixed.

So, it is with our faith and our response to the Gospel. Believers come in all shapes and sizes, and at different stages of maturity, but each one has a part to play and an impact to make on the life of the world.

A Prayer
Creator God, you have made the landscape and you have made us. Just as geography is constantly evolving, so we pray that we may continue to change as we respond to you and to the world around us. Enable us to impact life for good and to be a revelation of you to those we meet, even as others reveal you to us. We ask this for Jesus’s sake. Amen.

If you have any contributions for thought of the day, please send them to: [email protected]

27/05/2026

Every week, we publish a 10 minute service to help you relax, refresh and renew. Make yourself a drink and join us at a time to suit you by clicking the following link : https://bit.ly/3rKggKa

27/05/2026

Today’s thought for the day is brought to us by Judy Steward

In February I had a most interesting, if cold, visit to Bristol to visit my granddaughter who is now studying there. A priority on the sightseeing list was to visit the "New Room". I knew it had been an important site in the development of Methodism but had never studied its history. Our visit there was fascinating as the New Room has been beautifully renovated and is used for services and courses as well as being a most informative museum giving a great insight into the early days of Methodism.

In February 1739 George Whitfield, one of Britain's greatest preachers, began preaching in the open air in Bristol and drew immense crowds. Whitfield had committed himself to working in America, so he asked his friend, John Wesley, to continue his work in Bristol. At first Wesley was reluctant to preach outdoors because the church - Anglican - disapproved of such behaviour, but he then became convinced of its value by seeing the impact on people that Whitfield was having. He also recalled that Jesus Christ preached in the open. On Monday 2nd April 1739 John Wesley preached to a crowd of about 3,000

"At four in the afternoon I submitted to be more 'vile' and proclaimed in the highways the glad tidings of salvation".

Members of 2 religious societies asked Wesley to help them build a " New Room" where there could be meetings and also run a school to educate the poor. The original New Room was probably an extension to an existing building and would be used as Wesley's home when he was in the city as well as offering accommodation to other visiting preachers and philanthropists. The first meeting was held there on June 3rd 1739.

“In the evening, we met in the shell of our new society Room. We sang " Arm of the Lord awake, awake...and God gave us his blessing!"

As well as the meeting room and chapel there are a number of smaller rooms used for lodgings and for a housekeeper, and a kitchen.

The Christians who met there were very aware of the very poor living conditions in which the poor of Bristol lived at the time.

So, as well as preaching the gospel they ran a school and lending library there, dispensed free medicines, and appointed visitors to the sick and dying. In times of extreme need they acted as a food bank and offered recycled clothing to the needy. Wesley encouraged regular visits to the nearby Newgate prison to help support prisoners and he encouraged Methodists to campaign for better prison conditions. The New Room was certainly a space for everyone.

Prayer - Dear Lord. We thank you for the example of John Wesley and other preachers and philanthropists who were truly salt and light people in the 18th century in Bristol, and had the vision to build and use the New Room in your service. We remember that John Wesley had to change his mind about outdoor preaching and we thank you for all the lives he touched through that. May we be willing work in a relevant way to the society we live in, in our work and witness for you. Amen

If you have any contributions for thought of the day, please send them to: [email protected]

26/05/2026

Today’s thought for the day is brought to us by David Stone

Continuing reflection on the Prayer Card from the Christian organisation called Medical Missionary News (https://mmn.uk.com), Thursday’s prayer is for HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES.

“Prevention is better than cure, so pray for those seeking to deliver teaching programmes that will educate the community on how they can minimise the risk of illness or how they can support those who are suffering. Pray that the local church will see this as an opportunity to be an outreach and witness to the community.”

I recall a time, many years ago, when I was under great pressure at work but was unwilling to share it with anyone. At the end of a church service, I was asked, “How are you? To which I replied, “Fine, thank you”. To my surprise, the Christian friend continued, “No, you are not, are you?” “Well, I am under a bit of stress at the moment”, I admitted and then received an “arm hug”. No further words were said, but I was amazed that this man perceived something about me that no one else had mentioned.

Suffering has been described as - the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship. Like my Christian friend who sensed, or was divinely guided to ask the question, may we be sensitive to the needs of others.

I recall a comment that “the world is divided into two types of people: Those who love to talk and those who are waiting for the other person to stop so they can start”. While there may be an element of truth in that comment, I trust that we may, with God’s help, not be too self-centred as to miss any opportunity to help anyone that we meet, who is “suffering”.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help us to be sensitive to the needs of those we meet, and give us the wisdom to know how to best serve you in any situation. AMEN

If you have any contributions for thought of the day, please send them to: [email protected]

25/05/2026

Today’s thought for the day is brought to us by Liz Cope

More body parts

Oliver Sacks, an eminent neurologist wrote a book entitled, “The man who mistook his wife for a hat.” This describes the phenomenon of visual agnosia – where despite normal vision the brain cannot recognise the object. Vision is dependent on our eyes, including the lens, the muscles of the iris, as well as the muscles that move the eyes together. The retina then translates the information into nerve impulses that travel along the optic nerve to the part of the brain responsible for vision, the occipital lobe. As you can imagine it is not as “simple” as that. The occipital lobe has several other functions including visual spatial processing – the computer part of our vision, memory formation – how recognise objects we’ve seen before, and distance and depth perception – seeing things in 3D. What is our spiritual vision? Where do we see Jesus? Do we recognise him in others? Do we sometimes search for him in the wrong places, or ignore him when he is in “plain sight”? Prayer: Merciful Lord, help us to have our eyes opened to your love. Forgive our spiritual blindness and our faithless searching. Thank you that you are the visible and risen Lord, who appears to us in so many different ways. Amen

If you have any contributions for thought of the day, please send them to: [email protected]

24/05/2026

William Glasse brings us this weeks recorded sermon. The sermon can be viewed by clicking the following link https://bit.ly/3cpjlty.

Chantry Methodist Church

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