What a joy it was today when the weather was cold and miserable to see all of you who came out to support our little Christmas Fayre. We hope that the things you bought will help you to celebrate the Christmas season (without running up large bills). It was with pleasure that we welcomed adults and children of all faiths and none as they came to visit, look around the Church and enjoy our simple Christmas fayre. We were blessed by your presence and pray God will bless you too.
Advent Sunday Readings: Isaiah 64v1-9; Psalm 80v1-8; 1 Corinthians 1v3-9; Mark 13v24-end. 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: Today is the first Sunday of our new Church Year, the first Sunday of Advent, the day that marks the start of a time of preparation for the festivities as we call to mind the coming of the Messiah at the first Christmas, as well as His coming return at the end of the age. In our readings, we hear the prophet Isaiah praying for God to come to earth and make His presence known to the nations. Isaiah reminds us that there is only one God, a God who works for all, a God who keeps in mind all who remember and live in accordance with His ways and those who wait eagerly and hopefully for God. Isaiah confesses that as a people we are made of clay because we sin, make ourselves unclean and then hide away from God; even though God is the potter who makes and transform us, the God who can set aside our sins and vices. For as the psalm tells us, God is the Shepherd of Israel, the Lord God of Hosts, the one enthroned in the angelic realm; the God who is calling us to turn back to Him for salvation and rescue. And, as the letter to the Corinthians tells us, God will strengthen everyone who is called into fellowship with His son, the people who are waiting for the return of the Lord and faithfully living as called by Jesus. For the end of times will one day arrive, and as we hear in Mark, Jesus tells us that when the end of this age arrives, the son of man will come with great power and glory and angels will be sent out to gather in all the living and the dead. Jesus also warns that as no-one other than God knows when this day will be, that we should all stay alert and ready for His return, by fulfilling the work He has given us to do, so we will not be found wanting at His return. I pray we hear and understand how important this warning is and then choose to live by it. Let us pray: Almighty God, give us grace to turn away from our sinful and ungodly ways and guide us to live as your light filled people. A people who watch and await the return of Jesus. A people who faithfully live our lives in accordance with God’s ways. A people who are active in service and joyful in praise. A people fit to be welcomed into eternity, when Jesus returns to judge us. Amen
join us for Advent Sunday worship at https://youtu.be/-zoCiHBa38YReadings: Isaiah 64.1-9; Psalm 80.1-8,18-19; 1 Corinthians 1.3-9; Mark 13.24-37Let us pray: May the words of my mouth and the thoughts and meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in thy sight, o lord, our strength and our Redeemer. AmenA Word from Lucy: Our readings today are full of prayers. The reading from the prophet Isaiah is a heartfelt prayer. First, Isaiah begs God to come to earth in might and majesty, just like in ancient times, in order to set down the enemies of God’s people. Next, Isaiah confesses that God‘s people have fallen into sin even though they know there is no other God, like their one true God. After this, Isaiah laments that none of God’s people call upon the Lord, that they are unclean in their sins and that God has turned his face from them. Then, in sorrow, Isaiah asks God to remember, verse 8: “Yet, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand”. Finally, Isaiah humbly asks God for mercy in verse 9. In the Psalm, we hear prayers that are an echo of the prophet’s prayer. The Psalmist’s heartfelt prayer is a cry to be saved from the contempt of neighbouring nations and for God to come and lead them like a Shepherd. The Psalmist asks God for mercy and restoration of God’s people in verse 19. In contrast, the Epistle is a prayer of thanksgiving to God for the grace, gifts and conviction given by God to the people in Corinth with the petition that God will strengthen them until the end, so that they would be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ with whom they were called into partnership. Paul prays this because he knew about the end of time, something that we learn about today in the Gospel. For, Jesus forewarned about the coming of the Son of Man in great power and glory with the angels to gather in the chosen ones from the four corners of the earth. Jesus said that only the Father knows when this will happen, but whenever it is, it will happen and when it does it will be sudden. So, we must get ready and stay ready, as well as be awake and alert, when Jesus returns. Today, I pray you will hear and believe that Jesus will return and take your place amongst God’s people. A people who pray to God and read the scriptures. A people who listen to God’s call and live as God calls. A people who are loved and chosen by God, even though we sin. A people called to be ready for Jesus return.Let us pray: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (St Paul’s prayer from the epistle, v3).
