Ipswich Round

This is the online version of the circuit newsletter. The Ipswich Round is now issued each week via email – you can view the current edition by clicking here.

Past issues of the print version can be
found here.

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If you have any contributions for Ipswich Round, such as Articles, Reviews, Thoughts, Poems, Pictures, Studies, Recipes, Ideas, Musings, Stories, anything at all, you can submit them here or email ipswichround@methodistic.org.uk

Lectionary Reflections – Sunday 15th November 2026

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time                   Year A                                    15th November 2026. Lectionary Readings: Zephaniah 1 v7, 12-18;   Psalm 90 v1-8,12;   1 Thessalonians 5 v1-11;   Matthew 25 v14-30. Investment returns. The gospel reading this week is another parable on the theme of the Kingdom. “The Kingdom is also like what happened when a man went away…

Lectionary Reflections – Sunday 8th November 2026

32nd Sunday in ordinary Time                    Year A                                     8th November 2026. Lectionary readings: Amos 5 v18-24; Psalm 70; 1 Thessalonians 4 v13-18; Matthew 25 v1-13.                      Are you ready to join the celebration? Amos, like most of the Old Testament prophets, is impatiently explaining once again to the people of Israel what the Lord requires…

Lectionary Reflections – Sunday 1st November 2026

All Saints                                                        Year A                                     1st November 2026.                Lectionary Readings: Revelation 7 v9-17; Psalm 34 v1-10, 22; 1 John 3 v1-3; Matthew 5 v1-12. Children of God and citizens of the Kingdom of God. The psalmist exclaims: “Discover for yourself the the Lord is kind. Come to him for protection and you will be…

Lectionary Reflections – Sunday 25th October 2026

30th Sunday in ordinary Time                                             Year A                         25th October 2026 Lectionary Readings: Leviticus 19 v1-2, 15-18;       Psalm 1;       1 Thessalonians 2 v1-8;       Matthew 22 v 34-46.     Tricky questions, demanding answers. In the Old Testament passage, God says, “I am the Lord your God. I am holy and you must be holy too!”…

Lectionary Reflections – Sunday 18th October 2026

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time                                Year A                                     18th October 2026. Lectionary readings: Isaiah 45 v1-7;         Psalm 96 v1-9;         Thessalonians 1 v1-10;         Matthew 22 v15-22.                   Knowing and Believing. I wonder if King Cyrus of Persia ever knew that God was using him as an instrument in the release of God’s chosen people from captivity…

Lectionary Reflections – Sunday 11th October 2026

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time                    Year A                                     11th October 2026. Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 25 v1-9; Psalm 23; Philippians 4 v1-9; Matthew 22 v1-14.                      Actions have consequences. Matthew’s telling of the great banquet story contains some verses that are difficult to reconcile with a God of love. “Many are invited, but only a few are…

Lectionary Reflections – Sunday 4th October 2026

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time                   Year A                                                4th October 2026. Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 5 v1-7;         Psalm 80 v7-15;         Philippians 3 v4b-14;         Matthew 21 v33-46.                     “Are you receiving me? Over” In today’s gospel reading, Jesus is asking his listeners, (Chief Priests, Temple Leaders, Teachers of the Law and Pharisees) if they understand…

Lectionary Reflections – Sunday 27th September 2026

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time                    Year A                                     27th September 2026 Lectionary Readings: Ezekiel 18 v1-4, 25-32;       Psalm 25 v1-9;       Philippians 2 v1-13;       Matthew 21 v23-32.    Seeing is Believing.    (for some, but not all, it seems.) Jesus is challenging the religious leaders about their understanding of God’s love and purposes. Jesus says that they did…

Lectionary Reflections – Sunday 20th September 2026

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time                    Year A                                    20th September 2026. Lectionary Readings: Jonah 3 v10-4 v11;      Psalm 145 v1-8;      Philippians 1 v21-30;      Matthew 20 v1-16. Just to turn things on their head, I am starting with some questions for you to ponder:-  (assuming of course that you have read the lectionary readings first!).             What…

Lectionary Reflections – Sunday 13th September 2026

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time                    Year A                                     13th September 2026. Lectionary Readings: Genesis 50 v 15-21;         Psalm 103 v8-13;         Romans 14 v 1-12;        Matthew 18 v 21-35. Reluctance In the Old Testament reading, the brothers of Joseph seem reluctant to ask his forgiveness for selling him off as a slave many years before. It…