Categories
Minister Prayers Sermon

Do not be afraid: for 20 Dec 2020

Dear Friends,

This letter is going to run two weeks together as I’m unlikely to be able to get the posted letters out next week before Christmas Day. We are working hard to make sure that we can celebrate Christmas in a way that will lighten our lives and prepare us for light returning in so many ways. I know that many of us are struggling with the isolation we are being forced to live with and many are ready to rebel. However, there appears to be some light and we need to look after one another  for a few months longer. I’m really glad that so far the incidences of Covid within our congregations have been mild, and we need to aim to keep it that way.

Our morning service this Sunday 20 December  will be at 10:15am for a 10:30 start and will be led from Ansty Road via zoom by myself. 

Our Carol Service will also be Sunday 20 December at 6:30pm, led from Ansty Road & via zoom. 

Our Christmas Morning Service will only be available & via zoom 10:15 for 10:30 am

Our Communion Service at 10:30am on Sunday 27 December is due to be led from Ansty Road & via zoom by myself. It will focus on giving thanks for St.Columba’s on what is our last Sunday. However I’m conscious that this is within the 5 days where the Government is allowing more household mixing and I’m getting nervous about adding church to the mix. It might be useful for you to let me know if you intend being in church that morning as we might decide to just use zoom, in which case I could work alone from St. Columba’s. 

Whether you wish to be in church or not will be your own decision, but please do not come if you feel vulnerable or ill and please obey the restrictions that are in place. Remember we are in Tier 3 because it is deemed that there is a very high risk of spreading the virus and the hospital is working at capacity. For those who prefer to join via zoom the link is 

 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83142689496. 

You can also join by phone by dialling one of the following numbers

0131 460 1196, 0203 051 2874, 0203 481 5237, 0203 481 5240

When asked to enter your Meeting ID, key in 831 4268 9496#-  if asked for a Participant key just dial #. If asked for a password it is 512001 

A reminder that we are supporting a number of charities as part of our Carol Service. For Ansty Road that is The Coventry Boot Fund and St. Andrew’s Home. Our Church Meeting agreed that we would support both from the proceeds of the charity fund, but if you would like to add to those sums please send your gift by cheque to Caroline or via the church account Sort code is 202355 a/c no 60995746. Mark it for the Charity Fund in the reference box. For St. Columba’s it is to Christian Aid, https://www.christianaid.org.uk or send a cheque to me made payable to St. Columba’s URC, but tell me it’s for Christian Aid.

Be blessed, Craig

Worship for Sunday 20th December 

Hymn

No wind at the window, no knock on the door
No light from the lamp stand, no foot on the floor
No dream born of tiredness, no ghost raised by fear
Just an angel and a woman and a voice in her ear.

No payment was promised, no promises made;
No wedding was dated, no blue print displayed.
Yet Mary, consenting to what none could guess,
replied with conviction, “Tell God I say,  “Yes”’.

John L. Bell (b1949) © WGRG, The Iona Community 1992

Prayer 

Into our world as into Mary’s womb

Come, Lord Jesus

Into the forgotten planes as into the stable

Come Lord Jesus

Into the lives of the poor, bringing hope

Into the lives of the powerful, bringing caution

Into the lives of the weary, bringing rest

Into the lives of the wise, bringing restlessness

and into our lives and longings

whatever our estate

Come Lord Jesus

This is the good news

Christ is coming

and blessed are those who wait on the Lord

Therefore come quickly Lord.

(Cloth for the Cradle p57)

Come that we may know mercy

for the times when we have known no hope

for the times when we have acted in power

for the times when we impose upon the weary

for the times when we have not listened to wisdom

Come that we may know grace

that we may know your blessing

that we may live following your Way

this day and each day.

Craig Muir

Bible: Luke 1:26-38

“Do not be afraid” What apt words for our time. 

Mary was not to fear the angel or the challenge before her. The same phrase had been heard time and again throughout the Hebrew Bible. First by Abraham as God made a covenant with him, then by Hagar in the wilderness as she feared for the life of her son. From Moses as the Israelites fled Egypt, from Boaz as he arranged to marry Ruth, from Elijah as he spoke with the widow of Zarephath and then by the angel to Elijah as he faced the soldiers of King Ahaziah. That is just a few examples as so many times people have had to face an uncertain future and be reminded to be unafraid.

Later Jesus would repeat this to James and John as they were called to be disciples, then to all the disciples as they faced a future empowered by resurrection and then to John as he received the book of Revelation.

“Do not be afraid.” How much do we need that for ourselves? 

You will know your own fears, for yourself and your family.You will know the fear we all have for public health, for our economy, for a changing political landscape. As we look back through history we can see that humanity has often been here before, and that at such times some have been aware of God’s presence encouraging them to be courageous. But that does not mean that we ignore the reality of particular grief, dread, dismay. It does not mean we ignore injustice, oppression, abuse. It does not mean that we no longer hold to account those who profit from fear. Mary’s response will challenge the powerful and proclaim good news for the lowly and hungry. 

“Do not be afraid.” It is time to step forward with faith.

Prayer

We can hardly wait, dear God.

Looking out upon a world

that is far too familiar with Isaiah’s sorrows, 

the mounting ashes of our failures

and the heavy heart of human suffering, 

your coming cannot be too soon.

So pour out your Spirit now, today. 

Bind up broken hearts

and release the good word

and the goodwill

that we have held back too long.

Announce your clear intentions now. 

Garland your sorry world with joy 

and clothe it with

the splendour of your presence here. 

Plant a new way of life

in which truth and justice 

stand rooted like a tree.

Psalm 126 paraphrase

Make us into a new race of people

who love justice,

cherish their commitment to each other 

and are eager for your coming.

We can hardly wait. Amen

Lord Jesus Christ,

born for us in a stable,

making your humble way into our lives,

we praise you for your tireless search 

for lost humanity. 

Hold us we pray.

And so that we might serve you, 

and you alone,

grant us your Spirit’s wisdom

to know and reject all that is evil and harmful,

to turn only to you for our pleasure,

and to spend ourselves for the sake of your kingdom and its peace. Amen

Duncan Wilson: URC Worship Book

Hymn 

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! 

Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice; 

tender to me the promise of his word; 

in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.

 

Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word! 

Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure. 

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord 

to children’s children and for evermore!

© Timothy Dudley-Smith, 9 Ashlands, Ford, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 6DY England

 

Lessons and Carols 20 December 2020

Voluntary: Love came down at Christmas

Lesson 1  Mark 1:1

RS 167 Once in royal David’s city

Lesson 2  Psalm 80:1-7

RS 135 Joy to the world

Lesson 3  Isaiah 61:1-4,8-11

RS 144 It came upon the midnight clear  

Lesson 4  Mark 1:2-8

Song: What joy is mine

Lesson 5  Luke 2:1-7

RS 145 O Little Town of Bethlehem

Poem:BC:AD

Song   Silent Night, Holy Night

Lesson 6  Mark 1:21-45

Song: O Holy Night

Reflection  Mark’s Christmas

Hymn: Dream a dream, a hopeful dream

Poem read by David Monks 

Song  God rest ye merry gentlemen

Prayers of Intercession

Lesson 7John 1:1-14

RS 160 O Come all ye Faithful

Share in your own mince pies, mulled wine, coffee and tea from home. 

Categories
Minister News

Second Sunday of Social Distancing

Had I been leading worship this morning, my planned theme was Friendship. The gospel reading today was the one where Jesus is called to the home of his friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus. By the time he arrives Lazarus has been dead four days, Mary and Martha are grieving and Jesus grieves with them. This, despite knowing new life is coming for Lazarus. That need for friends to share human emotion becomes central to their relationship and the experiences they share.

Instead, I spent the morning watching/listening to various friends presenting worship via video/podcast. Each had their own ways of doing so, their own emphasis on the passages. But in each case something of the grief of isolation was expressed, of being apart from other human company. It was good to see them all, to remember how each of these friends has played a part in my life, how much their friendship is valued.

This time of social distancing, has emphasised how much being in the company of other people is central to who we are. Yes we can meet online, we can worship via video link, we can meet in video conference, we can work from home and keep in touch via a variety of social media. But none of it compensates for being with people, their presence and their interaction. I’m even missing the odd hug – not too many, but the occasional expression that come only come from human touch. It makes me realise how important social spaces are for isolated people – those who just come for a cup of tea, speak with no one, but value being able to do so. How meeting as a church is as much about the greeting and gathering as it is the content of a prayer or sermon. These are lessons we must remember when we return from isolation.

This mornings Old Testament text was Ezekiel being invited to see dry bones come to life. It reminds us that throughout human history, people have struggled through hard barren times and emerged with hope. we will do so as well.