Robin and Fraser led the service this morning with John’s accompaniment on the organ.
September is the month when the church has a focus on creation leading up to our Harvest Thanksgiving service on the 6th October. Robin encouraged us to look on the Diocesan website where there is a link to Eco Congregation Scotland which provides more information.
This week
Tuesday 10am – Prayer Group in the Garden Room.
Thursday 10am – Said Holy Communion followed by coffee in Friendship House
Next week’s readings – Isaiah 35:4-7, James 2: 1-10, 14-17, Mark 7:24 to end
Today’s readings – Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9, James 1:17-end, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Themes of today’s readings were a reflection on God’s law, contrasting the adherence to detailed outward observances as we read in the Old Testament with the teaching of Jesus which focuses on loving God and loving others. When questioned by the Pharisees and scribes who criticised the behaviour of Jesus and his disciples, he responded ‘Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites as it is written “This people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Mark &:6-7)
In the James passage headed ‘Hearing and Doing the Word’ Robin drew out some of the practical ways James describes that might help us to live out the gospel of love.
Live generously, ‘Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights …..’ Verse 17
‘Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger’ (v19.)
James uses the mirror image: ”If any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror, for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like.’ (V 22) James encourages us to reflect on our behaviour and our inner lives in the way that we would look in a mirror to adjust our outward appearance.