Daily ScriptureMake music to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the voice of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn sound praises before the Lord, the King (Psalm 98 v 7 & 8)Daily Reflection Music has the ability to lift the spirits, to evoke memories and to bring us together. Collectively taking part in creating music, whether that be playing an instrument, banging a drum or singing, has been shown to be beneficial to our mental wellbeing. Unfortunately, this year, we have not had the chance to do many of these things - even our congregations in church have not had the benefit of joining in the singing of hymns, However, singing at home is allowed, so if you feel the urge to join in with our online Parish Carol Service this year please go to the church website and on Monday evening at 7.30pm we can all join together to sing praises to the Lord. Wishing you all a very peaceful Christmas and a healthy and Happy New Year. Lyn Hayes ALM
The link for the Parish Carol service is here https://youtu.be/xAZAt1P2tbg Please do join us for this service.The link will go "public" (ie be accessible) from just before 7:30pm on Monday 21st December so that we can all listen to the readings and sing along to the carols together - even if we're in our own homes whilst we do so.Please see the download attached for the service sheet. Printed copies are available to pick up from church.Revd David
Daily ScriptureThe Lord has made known his salvation; his deliverance has he openly shown in the sight of the nations. Sound praises to the Lord, all the earth; break into singing and make music. (Psalm 98:3&5)Daily ReflectionWhen did the Lord make known His salvation? When did He show His deliverance? If we haven’t been listening to the message of the prophets, then we see the first signs of God’s salvation and deliverance one week today….. as we celebrate, once again, the birth of God’s son. God come down to earth to live as one of us. Not parachuted in, but born as one of us; lived as one of us; and showed us how to live life to the full. That really is worth singing and making joyful music about! In these Covid-times we have really missed singing in church; on Monday we can – please join in with the singing (and listen to the prophets!) in our on-line Parish Carol service….and praise God for the gift of His salvation. [NB Further details and service link on the church websites and Facebook pages] Revd David
Daily ScriptureO God, make speed to save me; O Lord, make haste to help me…. I am poor and needy; come to me quickly, O God. (Psalm 70.1,5)Daily ReflectionHow can God answer such prayers? Well, today the Church remembers the founder of the Save the Children charity, Eglantyne Jebb. In her twenties, she had a decisive vision of Christ, and after that, whenever she faced a challenge or a question, she would ask herself, what would Christ do? It led her, in the face of countries torn apart from wars in Europe, to practical support for the children who were victims. At the end of the First World War, when the government refused any aid to the defeated enemy, she launched a defiant appeal at the Royal Albert Hall and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds overnight in public donations. She launched Save the Children, which went international in 1920. All this time she had battled thyroid illness which ended her life on 17 December 1928, aged 52. David Harmsworth
