From the Rt Revd Dr W Martin Fair
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Dear friends,
Holy Week 2021
I’m not going to start an argument by insisting that Holy Week is THE most important week in the Christian calendar but, if it’s not, I’m sure we’d all agree it’s pretty high up the list!
With that in mind, and in the light of the continuing restrictions that we’re dealing with, I’ve created a digital resource that runs from Palm Sunday to Easter Day - a journey through Holy Week. It will air across the Church of Scotland’s various channels at 8am each morning or can be viewed later.
Each episode features a short reflection presented by myself, as Moderator of the General Assembly, together with the appropriate daily reading from John’s Gospel, a prayer and a piece of contemplative music. Colleagues from across the Church have contributed these various elements.
As stated, the episodes can be viewed directly from the Church’s platforms or you can visit https://stream1.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship/holy-week-2021 to embed them into your own channels, or even download to put on your own website and get specific YouTube links for each day’s video to share with your congregation. You’ll see that there is a transcript booklet too which can be printed off and given to those who might appreciate the content but would be unable to access the material online.
Those without internet access can also call 03333 409 200 and listen to each day’s reflection from 8am. Local call charges apply.
I’m very much aware that many congregations will be running their own Holy Week programmes and so will have no need of this resource. Not a problem. On the other hand, some congregations might find it to be helpful. Others still might use locally-produced material and point to this as an additional option. The key point is this: it is not offered with any other sentiment than ‘if you can use it, please do.’
I’d like to thank all those who have collaborated on this project by way of recording readings and prayers, etc. But I want to give a very particular ‘shout out’ to the small tech team which has done a huge amount of behind the scenes production work. Without that, it wouldn’t have happened.
Finally, through this coming week may we be reminded that though this year has been something of a ‘Friday’, Sunday is coming, and that together, we will join with all those who have gone before us in declaring ‘Christ is risen; He is risen indeed!’
With warmest best wishes,
Rt Revd Dr W Martin Fair
Moderator
General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Dear friends,
Holy Week 2021
I’m not going to start an argument by insisting that Holy Week is THE most important week in the Christian calendar but, if it’s not, I’m sure we’d all agree it’s pretty high up the list!
With that in mind, and in the light of the continuing restrictions that we’re dealing with, I’ve created a digital resource that runs from Palm Sunday to Easter Day - a journey through Holy Week. It will air across the Church of Scotland’s various channels at 8am each morning or can be viewed later.
Each episode features a short reflection presented by myself, as Moderator of the General Assembly, together with the appropriate daily reading from John’s Gospel, a prayer and a piece of contemplative music. Colleagues from across the Church have contributed these various elements.
As stated, the episodes can be viewed directly from the Church’s platforms or you can visit https://stream1.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship/holy-week-2021 to embed them into your own channels, or even download to put on your own website and get specific YouTube links for each day’s video to share with your congregation. You’ll see that there is a transcript booklet too which can be printed off and given to those who might appreciate the content but would be unable to access the material online.
Those without internet access can also call 03333 409 200 and listen to each day’s reflection from 8am. Local call charges apply.
I’m very much aware that many congregations will be running their own Holy Week programmes and so will have no need of this resource. Not a problem. On the other hand, some congregations might find it to be helpful. Others still might use locally-produced material and point to this as an additional option. The key point is this: it is not offered with any other sentiment than ‘if you can use it, please do.’
I’d like to thank all those who have collaborated on this project by way of recording readings and prayers, etc. But I want to give a very particular ‘shout out’ to the small tech team which has done a huge amount of behind the scenes production work. Without that, it wouldn’t have happened.
Finally, through this coming week may we be reminded that though this year has been something of a ‘Friday’, Sunday is coming, and that together, we will join with all those who have gone before us in declaring ‘Christ is risen; He is risen indeed!’
With warmest best wishes,
Rt Revd Dr W Martin Fair
Moderator
General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Click the emblem for all the latest news from the Church of Scotland website.
24th February 2021
Read the reaction of the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
to the First Minister's announcement about the Roadmap out of Covid-19 restrictions.
Read the reaction of the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
to the First Minister's announcement about the Roadmap out of Covid-19 restrictions.
Lent 2021
Hidden in Plain Sight:
The Moderator's Photography Competition
Harness your photography skills and enter the Moderator's competition.
As we head towards Easter, the Cross will come ever more into view - the central symbol of the Christian faith.
Generally speaking, we find Crosses set within church buildings or worn as jewellery. But when we open our eyes to the possibility, we can begin to see images of the Cross all around us - in both nature and the built environment.
Your challenge, should you choose to accept it: find a Cross that is hidden in plain sight and using your camera, or your phone, take a photograph of it. Perhaps it will be two branches on a tree which form a Cross shape. Perhaps you’ll see a Cross in a section of wrought-iron fencing. Maybe you’ll see it in a set of road markings or in a random piece of graffiti?
The only limit is your imagination. Open your eyes and you’ll see that the Cross is all around you.
Rules
The rules are very simple:
All entries will be featured in a special photo gallery on the website
Judging and PrizesThe Moderator will head a judging panel and the winners in each category will be announced in the lead up to Easter Sunday, with a gift to the charity of the winner’s choice being awarded in each category.
The winning entries will be displayed across the Church of Scotland’s social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and in a special online photo gallery.
Categories
When you submit your entry, please indicate which category you are in:
Let the fun begin. Get snapping!
Hidden in Plain Sight:
The Moderator's Photography Competition
Harness your photography skills and enter the Moderator's competition.
As we head towards Easter, the Cross will come ever more into view - the central symbol of the Christian faith.
Generally speaking, we find Crosses set within church buildings or worn as jewellery. But when we open our eyes to the possibility, we can begin to see images of the Cross all around us - in both nature and the built environment.
Your challenge, should you choose to accept it: find a Cross that is hidden in plain sight and using your camera, or your phone, take a photograph of it. Perhaps it will be two branches on a tree which form a Cross shape. Perhaps you’ll see a Cross in a section of wrought-iron fencing. Maybe you’ll see it in a set of road markings or in a random piece of graffiti?
The only limit is your imagination. Open your eyes and you’ll see that the Cross is all around you.
Rules
The rules are very simple:
- The photograph must be one that you’ve taken yourself
- You must take the photograph within your own community and must observe all COVID-related regulations when doing so
- Each entrant can submit up to three photographs
- Images can be taken on cameras or smart phones and must be submitted digitally. Please note, we unfortunately are unable to accept photographs submitted via post at this time.
All entries will be featured in a special photo gallery on the website
Judging and PrizesThe Moderator will head a judging panel and the winners in each category will be announced in the lead up to Easter Sunday, with a gift to the charity of the winner’s choice being awarded in each category.
The winning entries will be displayed across the Church of Scotland’s social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and in a special online photo gallery.
Categories
When you submit your entry, please indicate which category you are in:
- Primary school age
- Secondary school age
- 18 plus
Let the fun begin. Get snapping!
The Church of Scotland COVID-19 Guidance has been fully updated and is online.
There are now three pages from our previous guidance Reshaping Church Life: http://https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/resources/covid-19-coronavirus-advice/reshaping-church-life (Updated); Reopening and looking after your church buildings: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/resources/covid-19-coronavirus-advice/reopening-and-looking-after-your-church-buildings (New); and Assisting NHS Test and Protect Strategy: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/resources/covid-19-coronavirus-advice/assisting-nhs-test-and-protect-strategy (New).
Each page now has a "first published" date, and "updated on" date as well as a list of updates that have been applied for ease of reading. As previously advised, guidance will now be published in this web-based format which allows for quick updates to be made. We will not be publishing guidance in a PDF format which can be difficult to update, and so people should check the web-pages regularly.
There is important information contained in these pages, including in the new "Reopening and looking after your church buildings" page information on insurance and a new weekly inspection checklist and register for congregations to ensure they comply with the insurance requirements. it is vital that congregational office bearers read this information and apply it to their own local situation.
There are now three pages from our previous guidance Reshaping Church Life: http://https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/resources/covid-19-coronavirus-advice/reshaping-church-life (Updated); Reopening and looking after your church buildings: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/resources/covid-19-coronavirus-advice/reopening-and-looking-after-your-church-buildings (New); and Assisting NHS Test and Protect Strategy: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/resources/covid-19-coronavirus-advice/assisting-nhs-test-and-protect-strategy (New).
Each page now has a "first published" date, and "updated on" date as well as a list of updates that have been applied for ease of reading. As previously advised, guidance will now be published in this web-based format which allows for quick updates to be made. We will not be publishing guidance in a PDF format which can be difficult to update, and so people should check the web-pages regularly.
There is important information contained in these pages, including in the new "Reopening and looking after your church buildings" page information on insurance and a new weekly inspection checklist and register for congregations to ensure they comply with the insurance requirements. it is vital that congregational office bearers read this information and apply it to their own local situation.
An important letter to all,
from The Moderator of the General Assembly
of the Church of Scotland
Dear friends,
Perhaps as never before in recent times, folks have 'tried praying'!
The global pandemic has raised so many questions, not least about our vulnerability and mortality,
that many people have found themselves wondering about deeper matters
and not least that which is usually referred to as 'spiritual'.
There are some within the Christian fold who adopt a somewhat sneering, cynical attitude in response.
Much as they criticise those who worship at Christmas by asking: "Where are they on the other fifty-one weeks of the year?", they contemptuously dismiss those who have turned to prayer in recent times,
suggesting that looking for God in an emergency is shallow and infantile and hardly worthy of a response.
I take a different view. An entirely different view.
Should those who are genuinely seeking be dismissed and put off, or encouraged?
If there is even a mustard-seed worth of faith, shouldn't it be fed and nourished?
The trypraying initiative has grown significantly through the years
and now has a significant degree of 'brand recognition'.
Its simple seven-day format offers a challenge,
but one that seems attainable to those who may be doing no more than enquiring.
And just as importantly, trypraying has now built up a considerable case history;
that is, people who have tried praying and have met with significant responses.
I can't imagine that there's a better year for congregations to have a go with trypraying.
I'm delighted to commend it to you and offer my encouragement to those who make it happen,
that it may be a blessing to the whole Church at this time:
www.trypraying.co.uk
www.thereishope.co.uk
Every blessing,
Rt Revd Dr W Martin Fair
Moderator
General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
from The Moderator of the General Assembly
of the Church of Scotland
Dear friends,
Perhaps as never before in recent times, folks have 'tried praying'!
The global pandemic has raised so many questions, not least about our vulnerability and mortality,
that many people have found themselves wondering about deeper matters
and not least that which is usually referred to as 'spiritual'.
There are some within the Christian fold who adopt a somewhat sneering, cynical attitude in response.
Much as they criticise those who worship at Christmas by asking: "Where are they on the other fifty-one weeks of the year?", they contemptuously dismiss those who have turned to prayer in recent times,
suggesting that looking for God in an emergency is shallow and infantile and hardly worthy of a response.
I take a different view. An entirely different view.
Should those who are genuinely seeking be dismissed and put off, or encouraged?
If there is even a mustard-seed worth of faith, shouldn't it be fed and nourished?
The trypraying initiative has grown significantly through the years
and now has a significant degree of 'brand recognition'.
Its simple seven-day format offers a challenge,
but one that seems attainable to those who may be doing no more than enquiring.
And just as importantly, trypraying has now built up a considerable case history;
that is, people who have tried praying and have met with significant responses.
I can't imagine that there's a better year for congregations to have a go with trypraying.
I'm delighted to commend it to you and offer my encouragement to those who make it happen,
that it may be a blessing to the whole Church at this time:
www.trypraying.co.uk
www.thereishope.co.uk
Every blessing,
Rt Revd Dr W Martin Fair
Moderator
General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Week beginning Sunday 3rd December 2020
Week beginning Sunday 27th December 2020
Sunday 27th December
The Moderator’s Service
Worship conducted by The Moderator of the General Assembly with contributions from The Moderator’s Chaplains and music from The Heart & Soul Swing Band and Community Singers, Esther O’Connor and Alan Campbell. Transcript
Welcome and Call to Worship
Hi everybody. Welcome to worship.
How was your Christmas? How has your year been?
I know some of you have been able to be back in your sanctuaries. Others of you have not been able to set foot within your church for the better part of a year and I can imagine that that has been really tough. Personally speaking, I know how much I have missed being in our buildings and being with my brothers and sisters.
Well today, we are going to worship! It's a special time, the ending of one year the beginning of a new year. We give thanks to God that he has been with us and pray that he will continue to be with us in the time to come.
So together, let us worship God. Let us sing to his praise and glory. We are beginning with a brand-new Christmas song written and played for us by the heart and soul swing band.
Opening Praise: ‘Yo ho! Yo ho!
Yo ho! (Yo ho!)
Yo ho! (Yo ho!)
God loves (God loves)
us so! (us so!)
He sent (He sent)
his Son (his Son)
so he (so he)
would show (would show)
God’s grace (God’s grace)
so free (so free)
for all the world to see (That’s you and me!)
Yo ho! Yo ho! We truly know, God loves us so!
When the world was dark as night and in need of saving light (God was there before us)
In a tiny little boy came the gift of Christmas joy (God would soon restore us)
Through his love for you and me it was plain for all to see (God would not ignore us)
As we go from A to Z we’re as loved as loved can be, He’ll always adore us.
Yo ho! (Yo ho!)
Yo ho! (Yo ho!)
God loves (God loves)
us so! (us so!)
He sent (He sent)
his Son (his Son)
so he (so he)
would show (would show)
God’s grace (God’s grace)
so free (so free)
for all the world to see (That’s you and me!)
Yo ho! Yo ho! We truly, truly know God loves us so!
Let me tell it to you straight, coz the news is really great (God got there before us)
Through a tiny little child, we are fully reconciled (God would soon restore us)
When the world was down and out, full of dread and full of doubt (God would not ignore us)
Do not fret and do not fear, God is Love and Love is near! He’ll always adore us.
Yo ho! Yo ho! We truly know God loves us so!
Yeah!
Prayer: ‘Come let us adore’
Response:
Adore, come let us adore
O come let us adore Him.
The Lord, worship Christ, the Lord.
Let all that is within us, adore.
Almighty and everlasting God, with heads bowed and hearts lifted up, wee worship and adore you. For you are from everlasting to everlasting. In the beginning you brought all things into being and when the Time was right, you came among us in Jesus. And so we worship and adore for he is Christ the Lord!
Adore, come let us adore
O come let us adore Him.
The Lord, worship Christ, the Lord.
Let all that is within us, adore.
Lord, your love for us is extravagant beyond description and wholly undeserved. We know we have fallen short. We know we have made for ourselves other gods. We have given our worship in other directions. We have not followed in the footsteps of Jesus as you have invited us to do. And so for your amazing love, we worship, we worship and adore.
Adore, come let us adore
O come let us adore Him.
The Lord, worship Christ, the Lord.
Let all that is within us, adore.
Good and generous God, some ask ‘What Child is this?’ We answer, ‘This is Christ the Lord!’ And should give us voices with the angels to adore him, the excitement of the shepherds to speak of him and as those who travelled from afar to bow before him, receive the gift of our hearts. We love you Lord Jesus. We worship and adore you.
Adore, come let us adore
O come let us adore Him.
The Lord, worship Christ, the Lord.
Let all that is within us, adore.
In Jesus’ name, we pray Amen.
Bible reading: Luke 2:25-38
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss[d] your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[e] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Thanks be to God for his word, Amen.
The Message
The fact of the matter is that I know very little about art. I don't come at it with a critical eye; the most I know is that there are different genres, different time periods, some of which I am drawn to, others less so. But beyond that, my reaction to art is very much a gut reaction. Certain pictures I like, others I don't. Simple as that.
So my knowledge base is very limited but I think I know this; to properly appreciate a painting, you've got to step back. If we are to close, it's difficult if not impossible to see properly. If I am going to see the big picture, yes everything the artist intended, I need to step back. It's a matter of perspective.
These two pictures illustrate the point perfectly. If you home right in on one particular part of the painting, you might conclude that it's a painting about one small detail, for example the dog in the foreground. In fact the dog is just a small part of something that is much bigger scale. You don't get that unless you step back, to get everything in perspective.
If it's true that we need to step back to fully appreciate a painting, then I'd want to suggest that it's equally true for all of life as we try to see it in its fullness and, if at all possible, make sense of it. And if you really want to begin to ponder the big questions - what's it all about and where is God in all of it? - then absolutely you need to step back.
Well stopping might be difficult but absolutely, we can slow down and understand that we are in a long game, not a sprint.
I want to suggest that we need to do the following.
Number one, pause - which can be so difficult when life is lived at such a pace. There seems to be little time to step back. I think many folks have worked harder and have been busier in these last nine months than at any time before! And if not in offices and work spaces then from one zoom meeting to the next. It's been go, go, go! Friends, take some time to step back, to pause.
Even in the midst of the busyness, it's good to take a moment to focus on that which is a little more enduring than most of what competes for our attention.
Number two.
God acts. God makes good on every promise. God is completing the big picture. It's just that his timescales are of a different order to ours.
That's why we have to be patient. When I call a business or a CallCenter I want to be answered right away, no been put on hold! When I'm web browsing I want instant connection! And don't even start with traffic jams or Scott real delays! I mean I've got a life to live; things to do, places to go, people to see. You know, I'm in a hurry! Let's get this thing moving!
Reading the Bible, I never get the impression that God was in too much of a hurry. Think about Abram for example. He was 75 years of age when the promise was made to him - a promise repeated three times - that he would be the father of a great nation. Don't you think that in the 25 years between promise and fulfilment that he began to wonder if it was going to come to pass?
Or what about God's people in exile? For 70 years they were removed from Jerusalem. Don't you think they ever doubted that God was going to come through for them? Or the thousand years between David and Jesus?
No, God is not in any hurry. And that requires us to be patient in trusting him.
So we pause. We exercise patience. And we remember that that which is permanent is equally as deserving of our attention as that which is passing. That’s number three.
Now of course, this modern day church before me is much more recent but there is evidence that there has been Christian worship on this site for some 1300 years. Can you even begin to imagine what happened through all of that time? While people have worshipped on this site, there have been wars, famines, plagues, revolutions, reformations, unions, ups and downs, comings and going is, blessings and curses. All of life.
Even today, all of life streams past the holy place. And the backdrop to all of that? The eternal God who is the same yesterday, today and forever. We are reminded that ‘we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, and wither and perish but naught changeth Thee.’
Much passes but much remains.
So there was Simeon, a God-fearing man, waiting for the salvation of his people. How long he waited for, we have no idea, but he never gave up on the promise that was made to him by the spirit, that he would not die before seeing the Messiah, the coming of the Lord. ‘The grass withers, the flowers fall but the Word of the Lord and yours for ever.’ Simeon persistent.
And beside him, Anna, the old prophetess., no doubt written off by many as an old fool and yet there she was, worshipping, fasting, praying, waiting - trusting that God would deliver on his promise.
That's number four. That’s persistence.
Folks, the big picture is that God always keeps his word. Abraham and Sarah were able to have a son. The X sales were able to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild the city walls.
And a descendent of David was born. Jesus. Immanuel.
And Anna and Simeon were able to see that for which they had waited so long. Simeon declared, ‘for my eyes have seen the glory of that which you have revealed.’
What about us? Will we pause? Will we exercise patience? Will we keep our eyes open for that which is permanent and not just passing? And like Anna and Simeon, will we persist that we too mate see that God is acting, that God is with us, that the salvation of God is ours too - and that his Kingdom is coming, little by little, for those who have eyes to see.
I know, in the thick of it, it can be difficult but let us step back that we might see the whole scene of what God has done, is doing right now, and of what God will do in all the days to come.
That's the big picture.
Amen, and may God bless us in this reflecting.
Prayer
‘And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.’
Let us pray,
Lord God, we look back on a year like no other and we could stay looking back, mourning for the loss of lives, the cancelling of so many events, the separation of family and friends. We could stay complaining about all that was done and undone.
But your boundless energy invites us to move forward, taking the energy of your spirit with us as we step into a new year.
Lead us into 2021 with
But if we take our own light into the year ahead, we will end up walking on the wrong paths. Let us take the light in the gospel which belongs to our saviour Jesus, that we will, instead of our mistakes, build trust in you as the shining light upon the church that it may know what to do, what to stand for and what to become. Show us the opportunities to serve our neighbours in Jesus’ name, telling them and our communities about the faithful God who stays beside us in trouble, loss and loneliness, believing that you are inviting us to be a church that builds be-friends and helps others to believe.
And in Jesus name, we say to the darkness of midwinter, ‘I will put my hand into the hand of God and that will be a better light and a way for us to trust.
Amen.
Closing Praise: ‘What Child is This?
What child is this
Who lay to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring him laud
The Babe, the Son of Mary
So bring him incense, gold and myrrh
Come peasant king to own him
The King of Kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone him
Raise, raise a song on high
The virgin sings a lullaby
Joy, oh joy for Christ is born
The Babe, the son of Mary
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring him laud
The Babe, the Son of Mary
Nails, spears shall pierce him through
The cross he bore for me, for you
Hail, hail the word made flesh
The babe, the son of Mary
Benediction
Thank you for worshipping with us today.
And now, may the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you and remain with you, today and forevermore.
Amen.
The Moderator’s Service
Worship conducted by The Moderator of the General Assembly with contributions from The Moderator’s Chaplains and music from The Heart & Soul Swing Band and Community Singers, Esther O’Connor and Alan Campbell. Transcript
Welcome and Call to Worship
Hi everybody. Welcome to worship.
How was your Christmas? How has your year been?
I know some of you have been able to be back in your sanctuaries. Others of you have not been able to set foot within your church for the better part of a year and I can imagine that that has been really tough. Personally speaking, I know how much I have missed being in our buildings and being with my brothers and sisters.
Well today, we are going to worship! It's a special time, the ending of one year the beginning of a new year. We give thanks to God that he has been with us and pray that he will continue to be with us in the time to come.
So together, let us worship God. Let us sing to his praise and glory. We are beginning with a brand-new Christmas song written and played for us by the heart and soul swing band.
Opening Praise: ‘Yo ho! Yo ho!
Yo ho! (Yo ho!)
Yo ho! (Yo ho!)
God loves (God loves)
us so! (us so!)
He sent (He sent)
his Son (his Son)
so he (so he)
would show (would show)
God’s grace (God’s grace)
so free (so free)
for all the world to see (That’s you and me!)
Yo ho! Yo ho! We truly know, God loves us so!
When the world was dark as night and in need of saving light (God was there before us)
In a tiny little boy came the gift of Christmas joy (God would soon restore us)
Through his love for you and me it was plain for all to see (God would not ignore us)
As we go from A to Z we’re as loved as loved can be, He’ll always adore us.
Yo ho! (Yo ho!)
Yo ho! (Yo ho!)
God loves (God loves)
us so! (us so!)
He sent (He sent)
his Son (his Son)
so he (so he)
would show (would show)
God’s grace (God’s grace)
so free (so free)
for all the world to see (That’s you and me!)
Yo ho! Yo ho! We truly, truly know God loves us so!
Let me tell it to you straight, coz the news is really great (God got there before us)
Through a tiny little child, we are fully reconciled (God would soon restore us)
When the world was down and out, full of dread and full of doubt (God would not ignore us)
Do not fret and do not fear, God is Love and Love is near! He’ll always adore us.
Yo ho! Yo ho! We truly know God loves us so!
Yeah!
Prayer: ‘Come let us adore’
Response:
Adore, come let us adore
O come let us adore Him.
The Lord, worship Christ, the Lord.
Let all that is within us, adore.
Almighty and everlasting God, with heads bowed and hearts lifted up, wee worship and adore you. For you are from everlasting to everlasting. In the beginning you brought all things into being and when the Time was right, you came among us in Jesus. And so we worship and adore for he is Christ the Lord!
Adore, come let us adore
O come let us adore Him.
The Lord, worship Christ, the Lord.
Let all that is within us, adore.
Lord, your love for us is extravagant beyond description and wholly undeserved. We know we have fallen short. We know we have made for ourselves other gods. We have given our worship in other directions. We have not followed in the footsteps of Jesus as you have invited us to do. And so for your amazing love, we worship, we worship and adore.
Adore, come let us adore
O come let us adore Him.
The Lord, worship Christ, the Lord.
Let all that is within us, adore.
Good and generous God, some ask ‘What Child is this?’ We answer, ‘This is Christ the Lord!’ And should give us voices with the angels to adore him, the excitement of the shepherds to speak of him and as those who travelled from afar to bow before him, receive the gift of our hearts. We love you Lord Jesus. We worship and adore you.
Adore, come let us adore
O come let us adore Him.
The Lord, worship Christ, the Lord.
Let all that is within us, adore.
In Jesus’ name, we pray Amen.
Bible reading: Luke 2:25-38
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss[d] your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[e] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Thanks be to God for his word, Amen.
The Message
The fact of the matter is that I know very little about art. I don't come at it with a critical eye; the most I know is that there are different genres, different time periods, some of which I am drawn to, others less so. But beyond that, my reaction to art is very much a gut reaction. Certain pictures I like, others I don't. Simple as that.
So my knowledge base is very limited but I think I know this; to properly appreciate a painting, you've got to step back. If we are to close, it's difficult if not impossible to see properly. If I am going to see the big picture, yes everything the artist intended, I need to step back. It's a matter of perspective.
These two pictures illustrate the point perfectly. If you home right in on one particular part of the painting, you might conclude that it's a painting about one small detail, for example the dog in the foreground. In fact the dog is just a small part of something that is much bigger scale. You don't get that unless you step back, to get everything in perspective.
If it's true that we need to step back to fully appreciate a painting, then I'd want to suggest that it's equally true for all of life as we try to see it in its fullness and, if at all possible, make sense of it. And if you really want to begin to ponder the big questions - what's it all about and where is God in all of it? - then absolutely you need to step back.
Well stopping might be difficult but absolutely, we can slow down and understand that we are in a long game, not a sprint.
I want to suggest that we need to do the following.
- We need to Pause
- We need to be Patient
- We need to focus on the Permanent and not just the passing
- We need to Persist
Number one, pause - which can be so difficult when life is lived at such a pace. There seems to be little time to step back. I think many folks have worked harder and have been busier in these last nine months than at any time before! And if not in offices and work spaces then from one zoom meeting to the next. It's been go, go, go! Friends, take some time to step back, to pause.
Even in the midst of the busyness, it's good to take a moment to focus on that which is a little more enduring than most of what competes for our attention.
Number two.
God acts. God makes good on every promise. God is completing the big picture. It's just that his timescales are of a different order to ours.
That's why we have to be patient. When I call a business or a CallCenter I want to be answered right away, no been put on hold! When I'm web browsing I want instant connection! And don't even start with traffic jams or Scott real delays! I mean I've got a life to live; things to do, places to go, people to see. You know, I'm in a hurry! Let's get this thing moving!
Reading the Bible, I never get the impression that God was in too much of a hurry. Think about Abram for example. He was 75 years of age when the promise was made to him - a promise repeated three times - that he would be the father of a great nation. Don't you think that in the 25 years between promise and fulfilment that he began to wonder if it was going to come to pass?
Or what about God's people in exile? For 70 years they were removed from Jerusalem. Don't you think they ever doubted that God was going to come through for them? Or the thousand years between David and Jesus?
No, God is not in any hurry. And that requires us to be patient in trusting him.
So we pause. We exercise patience. And we remember that that which is permanent is equally as deserving of our attention as that which is passing. That’s number three.
Now of course, this modern day church before me is much more recent but there is evidence that there has been Christian worship on this site for some 1300 years. Can you even begin to imagine what happened through all of that time? While people have worshipped on this site, there have been wars, famines, plagues, revolutions, reformations, unions, ups and downs, comings and going is, blessings and curses. All of life.
Even today, all of life streams past the holy place. And the backdrop to all of that? The eternal God who is the same yesterday, today and forever. We are reminded that ‘we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, and wither and perish but naught changeth Thee.’
Much passes but much remains.
So there was Simeon, a God-fearing man, waiting for the salvation of his people. How long he waited for, we have no idea, but he never gave up on the promise that was made to him by the spirit, that he would not die before seeing the Messiah, the coming of the Lord. ‘The grass withers, the flowers fall but the Word of the Lord and yours for ever.’ Simeon persistent.
And beside him, Anna, the old prophetess., no doubt written off by many as an old fool and yet there she was, worshipping, fasting, praying, waiting - trusting that God would deliver on his promise.
That's number four. That’s persistence.
Folks, the big picture is that God always keeps his word. Abraham and Sarah were able to have a son. The X sales were able to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild the city walls.
And a descendent of David was born. Jesus. Immanuel.
And Anna and Simeon were able to see that for which they had waited so long. Simeon declared, ‘for my eyes have seen the glory of that which you have revealed.’
What about us? Will we pause? Will we exercise patience? Will we keep our eyes open for that which is permanent and not just passing? And like Anna and Simeon, will we persist that we too mate see that God is acting, that God is with us, that the salvation of God is ours too - and that his Kingdom is coming, little by little, for those who have eyes to see.
I know, in the thick of it, it can be difficult but let us step back that we might see the whole scene of what God has done, is doing right now, and of what God will do in all the days to come.
That's the big picture.
Amen, and may God bless us in this reflecting.
Prayer
‘And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.’
Let us pray,
Lord God, we look back on a year like no other and we could stay looking back, mourning for the loss of lives, the cancelling of so many events, the separation of family and friends. We could stay complaining about all that was done and undone.
But your boundless energy invites us to move forward, taking the energy of your spirit with us as we step into a new year.
Lead us into 2021 with
- expectation of the work and efficacy of vaccines
- expectation of finding you in each month that passes
- expectation that you will comfort and strengthen us to bear the losses
- excitement and a sense of compulsion to serve in your Son's name.
- the assurance that as we travel into the unknown months in front of us, you will love, guard and guide us.
But if we take our own light into the year ahead, we will end up walking on the wrong paths. Let us take the light in the gospel which belongs to our saviour Jesus, that we will, instead of our mistakes, build trust in you as the shining light upon the church that it may know what to do, what to stand for and what to become. Show us the opportunities to serve our neighbours in Jesus’ name, telling them and our communities about the faithful God who stays beside us in trouble, loss and loneliness, believing that you are inviting us to be a church that builds be-friends and helps others to believe.
And in Jesus name, we say to the darkness of midwinter, ‘I will put my hand into the hand of God and that will be a better light and a way for us to trust.
Amen.
Closing Praise: ‘What Child is This?
What child is this
Who lay to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring him laud
The Babe, the Son of Mary
So bring him incense, gold and myrrh
Come peasant king to own him
The King of Kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone him
Raise, raise a song on high
The virgin sings a lullaby
Joy, oh joy for Christ is born
The Babe, the son of Mary
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring him laud
The Babe, the Son of Mary
Nails, spears shall pierce him through
The cross he bore for me, for you
Hail, hail the word made flesh
The babe, the son of Mary
Benediction
Thank you for worshipping with us today.
And now, may the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you and remain with you, today and forevermore.
Amen.
Week beginning Sunday 20th December 2020
Please see below the email and supporting information about The Food Train, who are accepting referrals for their Grocery Shopping service for older people.
(The information has come via Presbytery)
(The information has come via Presbytery)
From: Jennifer Kaney <Jennifer@foodtrainconnects.org.uk>
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 2020, 15:35
Subject: new shopping service
To: Jennifer Kaney <Jennifer@foodtrainconnects.org.uk>
Good Afternoon
My name is Jennifer Kaney and I am working as a Development Officer with the Food Train.
We have developed a new service called Connects and we provide a one to one grocery shopping service for older people who are no longer able to manage independently. Our Connects shopping friends service is a fantastic way to make an impact on the lives of older people.
Below you will see some more information about the Food Train Connects service and how to refer older people over 65 and how volunteers can sign up. I have also attached our leaflets.
Obviously many older people are needing help with their shopping due to COVID-19 restriction and many local communities are doing a brilliant job of enabling this to happen, our service hopes to fill any gaps there may be in this provision and, of course, will be a long term service providing access to food that will continue after current restrictions are lifted.
We currently have volunteer shoppers registered ready to be paired up with anyone over 65 needing shopping support. We continue to take volunteer enquiries here as we want to make sure we have enough shoppers in every local authority area in Scotland.
I would really appreciate it if you could share this information with your parishioners.
The customer referral information is below.
Food Train Connects - 1:1 Shopping
In all Scottish local authority areas we are now offering 'Food Train Connects' shopping service where a volunteer undertakes a customer's weekly grocery shopping.
Find out more and make a referral here
If you would like further information or to discuss any details, please do get in touch.
Kind regards
Jennifer
Jennifer Kaney
Development Officer (Mon-Wed)
Food Train Connects
( 07541 615836
+ Hestan Southwest, The Crichton, Bankend Road, Dumfries, DG1 4TA
8 Jennifer@foodtrainconnects.org.uk
🔎 Food Train Food Train Connects Mealmakers Eat Well Age Well
Week beginning Sunday 13th December 2020
From the Church of Scotland Thursday 10th December 2020
We recommend that you keep abreast of the current version of the Church of Scotland Guidance, all of which can be accessed at https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/resources/covid-19-coronavirus-advice
Should you need any support we recommend contacting your Presbytery Clerk in the first instance or emailing covid19guidance@churchofscotland.org.uk
We recommend that you keep abreast of the current version of the Church of Scotland Guidance, all of which can be accessed at https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/resources/covid-19-coronavirus-advice
Should you need any support we recommend contacting your Presbytery Clerk in the first instance or emailing covid19guidance@churchofscotland.org.uk
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'Bright Hope for Tomorrow'
is the theme of this year's Church of Scotland online Advent Calendar. The line comes from the Hymn 'Great is Thy faithfullness' Follow the link below to sign up to get the daily advent instalment thechurchofscotland.adventcalendar.com |
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Church of Scotland 'Scented Lament' Giant Rosemary Wreath Art Installation During December, Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, will be inviting people to send a sprig of rosemary, to represent their own personal experience of 2020. These sprigs will then be incorporated into a giant rosemary wreath, a visual symbol of the nation’s lament for a sorrow-filled year, so that we can all look forward to happier times - Bright Hope for Tomorrow :https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news-and-events/news/2020/Moderator-invites-contributions-to-end-of-year-art-installation The story of this giant wreath will air on television on New Year's Day. It offers a wonderful opportunity for us to make a collective response to the losses and sadness of this last year. |
How to send your Rosemary
Seal your cut sprig of rosemary inside a sandwich bag, then placed in an envelope and post to: Gardner & Gardner Studio 118 The Briggait 141 Bridgegate Glasgow G1 5HZ Post the rosemary sprig around Thursday 10 December, so that it will arrive at the Gardner & Gardner studio between Monday 14 December and Friday 18 December, as fresh as possible. |
Reflections from the Quay
BBC Scotland's televised worship services
will continue through to Easter
The Moderator of the Church of Scotland says, " We've been glad that (BBC Scotland) has recognised the value of televised worship services throughout the period of the pandemic - a 'God-send' particularly for those who had no access to digital technology. The good news is that it's continuing with 'The Service', and a second series of 'Reflections from the Quay' will run from Advent to Easter.
A good number of Church of Scotland's own ministers have featured, along with representatives of our ecumenical partners and other faith communities. I'm humbled to have been asked to preach at 'The Service' that will go out from St Giles' Cathedral on Christmas Day.
I mention this in case there will be people who are not able to attend a Christmas Day service - whether because there isn't one happening locally or through lack of digital access."
BBC Scotland's televised worship services
will continue through to Easter
The Moderator of the Church of Scotland says, " We've been glad that (BBC Scotland) has recognised the value of televised worship services throughout the period of the pandemic - a 'God-send' particularly for those who had no access to digital technology. The good news is that it's continuing with 'The Service', and a second series of 'Reflections from the Quay' will run from Advent to Easter.
A good number of Church of Scotland's own ministers have featured, along with representatives of our ecumenical partners and other faith communities. I'm humbled to have been asked to preach at 'The Service' that will go out from St Giles' Cathedral on Christmas Day.
I mention this in case there will be people who are not able to attend a Christmas Day service - whether because there isn't one happening locally or through lack of digital access."
A message from the Moderator of the Church of Scotland
Let me assure you of my ongoing prayers for you and for your congregations.
In what will be a very different Christmas season
- almost unthinkable that we won't be raising the roof with 'O come, all ye faithful' -
my prayer is that, nonetheless, the joy and peace of the season will be known to you
and to the people of our communities.
He came down that we might have love.
He came down that we might have peace.
He came down that we might have joy.
Let me assure you of my ongoing prayers for you and for your congregations.
In what will be a very different Christmas season
- almost unthinkable that we won't be raising the roof with 'O come, all ye faithful' -
my prayer is that, nonetheless, the joy and peace of the season will be known to you
and to the people of our communities.
He came down that we might have love.
He came down that we might have peace.
He came down that we might have joy.
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New Prayer App launched!!
The Church of Scotland has launched a new Prayer App for mobile phones. A collection of short ready-made prayers, useful for pastoral visiting or personal prayer, the App works works on both smart and android phones. Look for 'Shall we Pray' on your App Store today! More than fifty prayers are split into groups. Each set starts with a prayer focussing one one particular part of God's loving nature. Some have places for a name to be inserted and can be adapted to suit particular situations. Each prayer follows a similar pattern and is preceded by a short passage of Scripture to encourage reflection or to serve as an introduction to the prayer itself. |
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St Quivox Parish Church: Ayr (Church of Scotland) (known as Ayr:St Quivox Parish Church) is a Scottish Charity, SC004906, regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)