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The Presentation in the Temple

Malachi 3:1-4 Psalm 84 Hebrews 2:14-18 Luke 2:22-40 Introduction: There is a real sense of yearning in this Psalm for many who long to get back to church. Online platforms are good and have met a need, but there is something profound about worshipping God together in the same space; and there is something significance about place. At theContinue reading “The Presentation in the Temple”

Arise and Shine

Lectionary readings for the 17th January: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-18 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 John 1:43-51 Second set: Isaiah 60:9-22 Psalm 96 Hebrews 6:17—7:10 Mathew 8:5-13 We should hardly dare to ask that any notice be taken of ourselves. But we pine. The sense that in this universe we are treated as strangers, theContinue reading “Arise and Shine”

God’s initiative

Lectionary readings: Genesis 1:1-5 Psalm 29 Acts 19:1-7 Mark 1:4-11 Just when we thought it safe to come out after Advent in Year B, where we encounter John the Baptist in two gospels, we are back with St Mark and the baptism of Jesus. So what is baptism? When we lived in Cornwall, my youngerContinue reading “God’s initiative”

Response to the Christ child

Lectionary readings: Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:1-12 Matthew 2:1-12 Two men looked out through the same bars One saw mud and the other saw stars. (Frederick Langridge, 1896) And so begins 2021, a New Year with mixed emotions: mourning, fear, weariness, hope and joy. It is perhaps with added poignancy that Methodists will be turning to the annual covenantContinue reading “Response to the Christ child”

Joy is the serious business of heaven

Lectionary readings for the third Sunday in Advent: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Psalm 126 or Magnificat (Luke 1:46b-55) 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, 19-28 God of all joy, you draw us to yourself, through the grace given to us in Jesus Christ. Mould us into the family likeness so that as we live and breathe, we live eachContinue reading “Joy is the serious business of heaven”

Prepare

Second Sunday of Advent year B Isaiah 40:1-11 Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 2 Peter 3:8-15a Mark 1:1-8 Surely God’s salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Psalm 85:9 Hills of the north, rejoice;river and mountain spring,hark toContinue reading “Prepare”

Watch

Lectionary readings for the first Sunday of Advent year B Isaiah 64:1-9 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:24-37 Lo, he comes with clouds descending,once for favoured sinners slain;thousand thousand saints attendingswell the triumph of his train:Alleluia!God appears on earth to reign. Every eye shall now behold himrobed in dreadful majesty;those who set at nought and soldContinue reading “Watch”

Christ the King

Lectionary readings: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Psalm 95:1-7a Ephesians 1:15-23 Matthew 25:31-46 O come, and let us to the Lord in songs our voices raise, with joyful noise let us the Rock of our salvation praise. Let us before his presence come with praise and thankful voice; let us sing psalms to him with grace, and make aContinue reading “Christ the King”

Parables of end-times

Lectionary readings: Judges 4:1-7 Psalm 123 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Matthew 25:14-30 Collect Your glory, O God, fills heaven and earth and all creation resounds with your praise. As we rejoice in your presence, may we know your power to save and praise you for your faithfulness, now and forever; through Christ our Lord. Amen The news this weekContinue reading “Parables of end-times”

Remembrance Sunday

Lectionary Readings: Micah 4:1-8, Psalm 46, Romans 8:31-35, John 15:9-17 Call to worship: The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. James 3:17-18 AContinue reading “Remembrance Sunday”