READINGS Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-9; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-end; Luke 21:25-36 Let us Pray: May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in thy sight, Lord our strength and our Redeemer. Amen A word from Barbara: In the Church of England, Advent is a season of expectation and preparation, as the Church prepares to celebrate the coming of Christ in his incarnation, and also looks ahead to his final advent as judge at the end of time. The readings and liturgies not only direct us towards Christ’s birth, they also challenge the modern reluctance to confront the theme of divine judgement: "Every eye shall now behold him robed in dreadful majesty". There are many distractions in our lives which can prevent us from focusing and preparing ourselves as Christians to walk with God in special times of the year. Advent is such a time, it is a season when see Christmas cards, lights, advertisements about toys, who is getting together for Christmas, presents and much more are highlighted in our society that can end up being at the forefront of our daily lives. Yes they are part of the way we celebrate - and there is nothing wrong with all this - but we can lose focus on what this season is about for us as Christians: a time of preparation and waiting. All these things contribute to our excitement and expectations leading up to Christmas, but Advent is a special time for us too, a time of preparing, while praying, and drawing closer to God. In Advent, we can continue to learn more from God and what God wants us to learn through this season - but to do this we need to spend time in God’s Word. This means that our Bibles are so important for through them God teaches us. As we read the Bible, a sentence, a verse, a chapter, may speak to and guide us as we read, pray about, meditate upon or question the meaning of the word of God that we read. In our Gospel from Luke, the fig tree “is the key to these Readings”. For we understand the seasons of winter, spring, summer and autumn and have certain expectations of what the world will be like. In the same way we are to train and prepare ourselves to try and recognize the coming of our Lord. To do this we need balance in our lives, so we can spend time in God’s presence with God’s word, in spite of all of the distractions at this time of the year. So, as we wait for Christmas, let's read the scriptures, pray, sing and meditate on God’s Word. To help here is a short meditation. Meditation *Close your eyes (eyes can be open also) *listen to the stillness or your heart beat (for a minute or so), *find a verse from the Bible and read it over a few times. My chosen verse is from our psalm: “Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation"; *spend a few minutes in silence thinking about what you have read For God wants us to walk this season of advent, a time of waiting and preparing in faith and for us to encourage others to walk it too. Let us pray: Lord God in this season of Advent help us to walk this time with you, taking time out to read and meditate on your Word, to stop and listen to you, to embrace the opportunities and different ways of preparing ourselves for Your Coming. Amen
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
