Dear All
I hope you are well.
Today is Advent Sunday. We had a lovely service this morning celebrating the beginning of Advent and the churches new year plus we also, because of the covid restrictions, celebrated our Patronal Festival a day early. Once again our worship was enhanced by music. Today we had a selection of recordings chosen by Gail, with Gail herself, singing the communion settings. A huge thanks go to Gail and Gordon for all their hard work in putting this service together.
Below is the script of the sermon and a YouTube recording will follow.
In our prayers this morning we gave thanks for the wonderful news of the safe arrival of baby David – born to Sarah and Richard, grandchild to Robin and Marie. Congratulations and many prayers for all the family.
We also prayed for Rev Harriet Johnston of St James The Less, Bishopbriggs, who to be priested this afternoon.
Next Sunday, the Second Sunday in Advent, the theme will be “waiting” Fraser will be preaching, which we very much look forward to.
I also would like to encourage you to undertake some Advent reading, particularly this year when things are so different and we perhaps have more time on our hands!
The three books I recommend are “Advent for Everyone through the Apostles” by Tom Wright. This book offers daily readings and reflections throughout the season. I also recommend “Journey to The manger” by Paula Gooder, a biblical exploration of the birth of Jesus. And for those of you who love art and a more pictorial offering “The Art of Advent” by Jane Williams, wife of Rowen, a painting a day from Advent to Epiphany. Please let me know if you would like me to get one for you or you could send off for it yourself.
Another piece of exciting news is that Steve McVey has offered to do a Christmas magazine! He would be delighted to receive material from any of you. Please do send to him or me, via email, any articles and photos that you would like to be included. He is hoping for lots of lockdowns stories and adventures!
Have a good week!
Andrea x
Isaiah 64 1-9
1 Corinthians 1 3-9
Matthew 4 18-22
“The light shone in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it”
Every year when I was at school in Salisbury, we visited the cathedral on Advent Sunday for a special service called “From darkness to Light” it was magnificent act of worship. The service would start in darkness and in the context of beautiful liturgy, music and singing gradually more light was introduced until the cathedral was filled with light. The experience was profound and spiritually very inspiring.
At its core Advent is about waiting and preparing for this great light that is about to come into the world. In other words, we prepare to welcome the Christ child – the light that “the darkness does not overcome.”
During Advent this year, in this most extraordinary of years, we are once again following the RSCM advent pilgrimage with extra music and a theme for each week. This week the theme is hoping.
In the spirit and language of Advent, the world is certainly hoping, waiting and anticipating the launch of a vaccine that will release us from the restrictions of our daily habits and the fear of disease. We are also assured that there is light at the end of the tunnel – that there will be an end to all this and that we can hope for better times.
Throughout history and throughout the centuries humanity has been no stranger to difficult times through plagues, war and famine. There have endless been times of despair and hopelessness.
But into this chaos came a child, God incarnate, who brought light to this world. He grew up to teach a message of love and forgiveness. He brought hope to the many who crowded round him to hear his words of encouragement. He even overcame death – our ultimate fear – to bring eternal salvation to us – that light that the darkness does not overcome.
Today, as well as Advent Sunday, we also celebrate our patronal festival, the feast of St Andrew. Andrew, one of the apostles, who perhaps had been part of those crowds, and had heard extraordinary things about Jesus. Then astonishingly, when he does meet Jesus face to face, Jesus calls him to follow, and he did just that.
We have much to thank him for. It is the apostles who were responsible for beginning the early church, for proclaiming the gospel to those first Christians who in turn passed on the word, the good news, and so keeping the light of Christ glowing throughout the centuries. Years and years when people through thick and thin have so needed to know the presence of Christ of their lives and the light that he brings to us. The hope in the darkness.
In our scripture in the OT Isaiah’s people find hope from their despair as they look to the lord for compassion and forgiveness
“Yet you, Lord, are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
Do not be angry beyond measure, Lord;
do not remember our sins forever.
Oh, look on us, we pray,
for we are all your people.” Isaiah 64:6ff
In the epistle Paul sends his greetings to his brothers and sisters in Corinth followed by a strong statement of the Christian hope of resurrection
“for in every way you have been enriched in Christ, in speech and knowledge of every kind……He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ……..1 Corinthians 1:4ff
On this Advent Sunday we give thanks to God that he came amongst us as the person of Christ to bring light to our world – to lighten our darkness.
We also give thanks for Saint Andrew and all the early evangelists who were responsible for keeping that light burning in our hearts and our souls through the centuries.
And we pray for the life of our church here, dedicated to Saint Andrew. For each other and the part we are all called to play in keeping this great light aflame, so bringing hope to communities and our world today.
As Paul said in his letter to the Romans, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13
Amen