Shipley Church Self-Service Sunday 10th January 2021 Thought for the Week – A New Beginning Many of your Christmas cards will have expressed the hope that times will be better and more enjoyable in the New Year. The difficulties and disappointments suffered by so many during the pandemic in 2020 will reverberate in modern history. And now, here we are in another “lockdown”! But, really, it’s a new beginning, because we read in Mark’s gospel, that John’s baptism offered a new beginning, the beginning of Jesus’ ministry on earth. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Isaiah); “In the beginning was the Word” (John). And now God is made Man; this is where the way of life that Jesus taught is established and begins! (Mark 1: 4-11) We trust in the Lord, that – even through the hopes and fears of all the years - 2021 will be better for us all. With the wonderful support of the Shipley Volunteer Hub, and the reassurance of vaccination, we can expect to be able to meet again with our friends and loved-ones before too long. Gradually, day by day, the night-time hours will shorten, as the early morning light awakens folk, whose keen sense of belonging, knowledge of being valued, and a sense of mutual care and optimism about the future, characterises our precious Shipley community. “Let nothing you dismay, remember Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas Day”. Happy New Year!Hymn for todayJoy to the world, the Lord has come! Let Earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and heaven, and nature sing.Prayer for TodayWe pray: Make us thankful, Lord, for all the possibilities ahead in this new year. Give us wisdom, courage, and discernment in the face of despair and uncertainty. May we come to know your peace wherever there is doubt.Note: The Gospel and Readings for today can be downloaded from the top right of this page.
Shipley Church Self-Service Sunday 3rd January 2021 Thought for the Week – God makes himself known to Humanity Epiphany commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men (the Magi) to the infant Jesus, and is seen as evidence that Christ the Messiah came also to manifest himself to the Gentiles (those who were not of the Jewish faith), and thus to the world and all its inhabitants. Their gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh represented spiritual significance for a King. It is not immediately obvious to people of the 21st century, but virtually everyone in the ancient world believed in the supernatural and, as part of their religious duty, used to burn incense in their temples. The gifts brought by the Wise Men were worthy for one who was to be anointed and proclaimed Divine. Gold was for Kingship, Frankincense for Divinity, and Myrrh for sacrificial death – a prophetic gift because Jesus would die for the sins of the world. As we watch a baby gently opening its eyes on the world for the first time, we might ask, “What Child is this?” This child was Christ the King; Creator of the stars of night; and His glory was to be revealed - to all, without any exclusion! (Matthew 2: 1-12)Hymn for the weekO worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Bow down before him, his glory proclaim; With gold of obedience, and incense of lowliness, Kneel and adore him, the Lord is his name!Prayer for todayGlory to the new-born King! By prayer, we thank you, Lord, for calling us into the company of those who trust in Christ and seek to obey his will. May your spirit guide and strengthen us in mission and service to your world, as we begin another New year.Note: The Readings and Gospel set for Epiphany can be downloaded from the top right of this page
Sunday 27th December 2020 Thought for the Week – The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. The Word becomes flesh in Bethlehem; but that truth cannot be packed away with the Christmas lights, out of sight, for another year. Mary and Joseph’s child is named as the angel directed; the shepherds proclaim what they have seen and heard; God has become a human being. In these first days after his birth, the child is already changing the lives of those who know him. The story is just beginning. (Luke 2: 15-21) The Nativity is perhaps the most celebrated account of any birth in human history. The image of a child chosen by God to enter the world in a situation of such vulnerability and in such menial circumstances, serves to emphasise God’s humility, and that the more we trust that he really did enter our world as one of us, the more we can be reassured that we shall finally be raised up into the company of heaven. God chose, out of love and compassion, to enter the dark, and often lonely and afflicted place of human existence. He chose to encounter us where we are. His light has shone steadily through the darkness of this world, and it has not been vanquished, even in the troubles and disappointments of our own time. (John 1: 5)Hymn for TodayAs with gladness men of old Did the guiding star behold. As with joy they hailed its light, Leading onward, beaming bright: So, most gracious Lord, may we Evermore your splendour see.Prayer for TodayWe pray: To save us from eternal death, the great Messiah came to earth. Then let us with united voice sing Alleluia, and rejoice!Note: The Gospel and Readings Set for Today can be downloaded from the top right of this page.
Shipley Church Self-Service Sunday 20th December 2020 Thought for Christmas Week – The angel visits Mary and foretells the birth of Jesus The Son of God was born into the world, after a young Galilean girl risked everything by giving her consent to what the angel proposed (Luke 1: 26-38). Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but not yet married. The apprehension she experienced at the news from the Angel Gabriel that she would conceive through the power of the Holy Spirit and without a human father - “Mary was deeply troubled” - was because of Jewish law that would have brought humiliation and shame upon her if she wasn’t believed. But she obeyed the Lord, and marvelled that she had been chosen to give birth to the Messiah. Her subsequent outpouring of praise, joy, and trust in God – known as the Magnificat – could be described as the origin of all Christmas carols that have followed. Our own Carol Service is traditionally held on the Sunday nearest to Christmas Day, and will often include the carol, “Gabriel’s Message” which follows:Carol for the DayThe Angel Gabriel from heaven came, His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame; “All hail,” said he, “thou lowly maiden Mary, Most highly favoured lady, Gloria!” Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn, And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say, “Most highly favoured lady, Gloria!”Prayer for TodayWe pray: Jesus Christ, thou child so wise, bless mine hands and fill mine eyes, and bring my soul to Paradise.Hilaire BellocNote: The Gospel and Readings set for today can be downloaded from the top right of this page.
