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).
Christ the KingReadings: Ezekiel 34v11-16&20-24; Psalm 95v1-7; Ephesians 1v15-end; Matthew 25v31-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 last Sunday of this Church Year and is the Feast of Christ the King. This is the day when we call to mind that we have a heavenly King who rolls up his sleeves and serves his creation. For as we hear in Ezekiel, the Lord of heaven and earth promises to come, search for and rescue his people; just like a shepherd goes out to search for and gather the sheep who wandered away. For the Lord of heaven and earth is promising to send a shepherd to gather up the lost, to help the injured, to fortify the exhausted and to put right injustice. Today we hear that all of this was fulfilled through Jesus, because in Ephesians we hear that God raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at the right hand in heaven to rule over all things with authority, power and dominium in this age and the age yet to come. For the risen and ascended Lord Jesus now rules as Christ the King and as the head of the Church, his body here on earth. This is why Psalm 90 calls us to sing praise and thanksgiving to God because: God is great and the Lord of everything, the creator of all that exists and the King over the whole of creation. However, as we call to mind all that God is doing, we also need to bear in mind the words of Matthew for when the Son of Man returns, he will come in glory, accompanied by the angels, and sit on a throne to judge all people. It is then that we shall be sorted out and placed into two groups. The one group will include everyone who has shown love, care and service to others; these are the ones who will be invited into the Kingdom of eternal life. The other group will include everyone who has been uncaring, without compassion and unwilling to serve others; these will be dismissed and sent to the eternal punishment prepared for the devil and his angels. Today we are warned! For Jesus will one day return as the King of all to pronounce judgement on how we have lived our lives; and Jesus says that how we serve others in this world will be counted as service to him. Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we give you thanks that your son Jesus ascended into heaven to rule as Lord and King. Stir us up Lord so we desire to do your will, that we desire to do good works, that we become a faithful people, your body the Church here on earth, a people working together in peace with one another and in harmony with your spirit, so that the whole created order will be brought to worship our Lord and King. Amen Thank you for joining us.
Advent Sunday - We begin the season of Advent at our 10am Sunday Service on 3rd December 2023. Doors open from 9amFree Family Film show - Come and join us as we gather to enjoy ourselves as we celebrate the Season. Refreshments on sale and you are welcome to join us for this on Sunday 3rd December, doors open at 2pm, film at 2.30pmChristmas Fayre - Free entry to our fayre where we have toys, books, DVDs, raffle, tombola, and refreshments on sale. Come and see Santa for free too. Join us for this on Saturday 9th December, doors open at 11amChristmas Eve Family Service - join us to hear once more the Nativity story and to sing Carols by candlelight. Doors open at 5.30pm for the service at 6pm on Sunday 24th December.Christmas Day - We celebrate Christmas at our short 10am Service on Sunday 25th December. Doors open from 9.30am.Epiphany - We hear once more the story of the visit of the three Kings at our 10am Sunday service on 7th January 2023. Doors open at 9.30am.Candlemas - We close the season at our 6pm candle-lit service on Sunday 28th January 2024. Doors open at 5.30pm
