The Gospel passage for today may not be the sort of story we want to hear amidst parties and holidays. It’s a fascinating but harrowing account, told only by Matthew in his gospel, of how God watched over the early years of the life of Jesus – and of how wrong humanity sometimes gets it, as shown by the jealous reaction of King Herod. Opening Prayers Let us pray. Resolution time. Expectations for the year, Optimism: Full. Optimism vs. War, Natural Disasters, Greed, Hate, Poverty. Against this darkness What hope do we have to help Build your kingdom here, Christ? My hope is in you. You share our sorrows, worries, weep with and love all. Born in a manger. Taught peace, love, understanding. Crucified on that cross. Kyrie eleison. What can I change, I am only one person, yes? Today, as I pray, help me to Begin with loving friends. Love one another. Love as a community. Support each other. Build your Kingdom here Lord. Help me to love as you would Each and every day. Amen. Opening prayers written 1 by Tim Annan-Hood Lord’s prayer Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours. Now and for ever. Amen Hymn: 83 STF – Praise my soul, the King of heaven Response to the readings The Gospel passage for today may not be the sort of story we want to hear amidst parties and holidays. It’s a fascinating but harrowing account, told only by Matthew in his gospel, of how God watched over the early years of the life of Jesus – and of how wrong humanity sometimes gets it, as shown by the jealous reaction of King Herod. For so many families, this was the end of a part of their story, and we lament and wail with them – as we do when we hear of violence against children continuing today; as we do when we consider the statistics about baby loss here in the UK and recognise the many tidal waves of grief which are always lapping at our shores. Herod himself dies next and so God once again alerts Joseph to the possibility of return to Israel – although there is still a threat around, so Joseph heads to the north, to Nazareth in Galilee. Perhaps we haven’t been caught up in a massacre ourselves – although tragically they still happen all too frequently – but almost all of us have known heartache and loss… and yet there is something within us which wants to be able to keep hoping in a ‘Happy New Year’. As you look back at 2022, although there will have been tears, I hope it wasn’t an unmitigated disaster. Where might you join with the prophet in not just calling to mind, but ‘recounting’, talking about, telling others about, God’s goodness? It is a surprisingly powerful antidote to the kind of low feelings which sometimes hit after the excitement of Christmas is over and the series of sugar-rushes tails off… God’s love and pity are not to be doubted, God seeks to lift and carry us all in the same way as the people of Israel were carried and held throughout their life of disaster and triumph. Some questions for reflection [maybe this week you could find a time to discuss these with someone you trust, or start a conversation with a friend around these issues. Perhaps it will help take a conversation about New Year’s Resolutions more seriously.]
178 STF – Long ago, prophets knew Christ would come Blessing I am a part of the family of Christ, the people of Christmas, living the incarnation story in my day to day lives, I am a guardian of the greatest story ever told: the story of a God come to be amongst us, As I step out into this week, God of the incarnation, Show me how to live that story, share that story, make that story real for each and every person who I meet, including myself, In Jesus’ name, Amen. This worship at home service is reproduced here by kind permission of The Vine at Home and is compiled and produced by twelvebaskets.
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ServicesThese are the Worship at Home versions of the In Person Services, led by our Minister :- Each Service has the videos of the songs and a transcript of the Sermon or reflection.
The Song references (StF) are from the Singing the Faith song book.
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September 2024
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