Fourth Sunday of Advent Readings: Micah 5v2-5a; Psalm 80v1-8; Hebrews 10v5-10; Luke 1v39-55. Let us pray: May the words of my mouth and the thoughts and meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer. A Word : The prophet Micah tells us that God , the ancient one from the days of old, is sending his Messiah into the world in the town of Bethlehem to rule Israel, to bring peace, to be known across the whole of the earth, to feed the people of God’s flock and help them to live securely. This is the Messiah that the psalm is praying for during a time of great difficulty. This is the Messiah that we hear is coming into the world in the meeting between Mary and Elizabeth. The Messiah that Mary has agreed to bear and that Elizabeth declares is the Lord of all, the fulfilment of a long awaited promise from God. The Messiah that Mary says will lift up the lowly, feed the hungry and bring mercy to all who put their trust in him in every generation by turning the world upside down and bringing down the powerful, scattering the proud, and sending away the rich. The letter to the Hebrews tells us that through Jesus, the Messiah, the anointed one, the Christ that God’s will was done. First by abolishing the burnt offering and sin offering that God did not want and in its place establishing real sanctification through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. This is the wonder and joy of Christmas – that God the son came into the world to do for us that which we are unable to do for ourselves: to clean us from our sins; and to make us fit to live with God in heaven. But this gift came to us at a terrible price – the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross. A price that we did not deserve to have paid for us. A price already paid for us even if we ignore or reject it. For this is the only price that can sanctify us – no matter how bad we are or have been. A price paid that I believe only the hard of heart can ignore and the foolish reject. For in Jesus we are shown how much we are loved by God. For Jesus came to save all who dare to put their trust in him. And, one day all of us will face our maker, and when we do we will have chosen either to accept or reject God’s gift. Today, those of us who know the Christian story need to put our trust in the God of love, the God of our Salvation, the God who came to save us. We also need to do as Mary did and follow God’s call into a world that needs to hear the wonderful news of God’s love, for the salvation of everyone depends on each one of us accepting God’s gift and the sanctification that comes with it. Let us Pray: Heavenly Father, redeeming God we thank you for choosing Mary who agreed to be the mother of Jesus, your son and our saviour. Fill us with your grace that like Mary we will embrace your holy will and look for the coming of your son. Help us to rejoice in your gift of the salvation that Jesus offers us and to be ready to meet him when he returns to judge us at the end of time. Amen Thanks for joining us today.
Join us in Church for a short family friendly communion service in which we hear the Christmas story and sing carols. If unable to join us - take a look at our child friendly animation on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTtYrCqBnhg&feature=youtu.beOr for a more traditional option: https://youtu.be/hQg2Y9Qrj5A.
We hope you will be able to visit or join us for the Advent to Candlemas Season. All are welcome, whether Christians, of other faiths or non. Our new Church Year begins on Sunday 1st December, when we light the 1st Candle on our Advent Wreath during our 10am Communion service. Each Sunday we shall light the other Advent candles during our 10am Communion services.On Saturday 14th December we are holding a Christmas fete with free visits to see Santa Claus (St Nicholas). This will take place in Church between 11am and 2.30pm. There will also be sales of clothes, toys and books as well as a tombola stall and raffle. Light refreshments at reasonable prices will also be on sale. On Sunday 22nd December we are holding a Free Family Film Show in Church, doors open at 1pm and all are welcome.Our Christmas Season will begin on Tuesday 24th December with our 6pm short Family Service of readings and carols, in Church, followed by light refreshments. On Wednesday 25th December we shall be holding a short family Communion service at 10am - all are welcome.On Sunday 29th December we shall be holding a short family Communion service at 10amOn Sunday 5th January 2025 we shall be holding a short family Communion service to celebrate the Epiphany and remember the visit of the Magi (three Kings) at 10am. Come and see our simple pageant. Each Sunday during Epiphany, we shall be holding 10am Communion services.Our Christmas season will end at our candle lit, family friendly, short and simple Candlemas service on Sunday 2 February 2025 at 6pm.
Third Sunday of AdventReadings: Zephaniah 3v14-end; Psalm 146v4-end; Philippians 4v4-7; Luke 3v7-18.Let us pray: May the words of my mouth and the thoughts and meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer.A Word : The prophet Zephaniah calls us to sing, rejoice and exult because God is in the midst of us bringing us to victory. For we have a God who is saving the lame, gathering in outsiders and bringing his people home to be seen by all the peoples as a people renewed and restored through God’s love. For, as the psalm tells us, the God who is the creator of all things and reigns forever is also the God who: always keeps his promises; is just to all who suffer wrongs; sets free the bound and lifts up those who are bowed down. This is an amazing God who: opens the eyes of the blind; watches over strangers; upholds the widows and the orphans; and brings bread to those who are hungry. For this is the God who loves the righteous and turns the way of the wicked upside down.This is the one true God who sent John the Baptiser into the world to prepare God’s people for the coming of the promised Messiah. As a messenger John told sinners to bear fruits worthy of their repentance because all who did not bear good fruit would be cut down. John also instructed those who listened to him to share what they had with those who did not have enough and to be fair in their dealings with others, so they would be ready when the Messiah arrived.This is the one true God who Paul says guards our hearts and minds in Jesus and whose peace surpasses all understanding. The one true God that Paul tells us to rejoice in, to pray to, to give thanks to and to offer intercessions for all that we need.Today, let us consider all that God is, all that God does for us and then step up in worship, prayer and praise.Let us Pray: Wondrous, awesome, amazing God, set us on fire by your Spirit so we are found shining as lights in the world when Jesus returns. Help us to be good ministers and stewards of your word, so we help the disobedient to turn into the wise and just and help people to be found acceptable in your sight when you return at the time of the 2nd coming. AmenThanks for joining us today.
