For our final service of the year, in lieu of a “traditional” message we return to a style of reflection on God’s word that we previously used for our summer series. We take a close look at Simeon and Anna’s responses to meeting the infant Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem and think about the…
Christmas carols, Bible readings, Video, a Christmas message and prayers. Video featured in this service https://youtu.be/lVt14Ug-GOs?si=MaiigrG2XGJ6xPL5
We continue on the journey towards Christmas by lighting the forth candle on our advent wreath, this year representing love. Chris speaks on the word given to Joseph by the angel of the Lord in a dream leading to his decision to marry Mary. We discover the love of Joseph, Mary and most of all,…
We continue on the journey towards Christmas by lighting the third candle on our advent wreath, this year representing joy. Chris speaks on the word given to Mary by Gabriel and her subsequent visit to see Zechariah and Elizabeth. In this we see the three aspects of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, all present, working as one and inviting Mary to participate in God’s great plan. He then contrasts it with the act of communion, the Lord’s Supper, where at the other end of Jesus’ earthly life we are all now invited to participate in that great plan of God.
Andy leads the rest of the service thinking about the origin of the word joy and its importance in the Bible whilst Lynne and Dave lead our sung worship.
Ant leads our all-age service for December, choosing the theme of wonder as his subject for this month. God has many names in the Bible, at this time of year we focus on the name Immanuel, God With Us, and the wonder that Jesus’ coming brings into our lives.
Mike leads our sung worship this week.
This week we held our annual Science Sunday service where we invite a guest speaker to join us (through one of Chris’ many science contacts!) and explore the intersection of faith and science. This year we are joined by Andy Boston, a physicist by training, who has worked in the energy sector for several decades, latterly heading up a government-commissioned group to look at how the energy industry can more easily transition to green alternatives. Andy speaks on where our energy comes from, both in terms of our physical and spiritual needs.
Chris leads the rest of the service as we light the first candle on our Advent wreath (yes, it is that time of year already), and Pete leads our sung worship.