Advent: a time of watching, waiting, wonders and a wake up call!In our Gospel reading for this first week of Advent, Jesus describes a world where all hell has broken loose. Creation is in uproar, humanity in a panic, even the heavenly bodies are shaken and a sense of doom and terror prevails. How like our world today! I recently watched the David Attenborough film, ‘A Life on Our Planet’ which predicts doom for all creation if we don’t turn about and look after our planet. The Covid pandemic has created fear and anxiety. Some even believe we are in end times but Jesus tells us that only God the Father knows when Jesus will come again. Jesus tells not to turn away when we see these things because it’s a wake up call to turn to God the Creator of all things. Heaven and earth will pass away but his words will not.The Church begins its new year when the days are getting darker. The Gospel reading starts not with images of twinkly stars, and woolly lambs but with the world falling apart. Julian of Norwich likens our world to a hazel nut, small and fragile yet God holds it in the palm of his hands. Julian lived in a time of famine, plagues, war, fire and brimstone but she knew that ultimately all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well. This is the hope we have in Christ, who came to put the world to rights. Advent means coming. Advent brings us the invitation to wait on the Lord, whose day is near, to be strong and take heart. Advent reminds us that things worth waiting for happen in the dark. Next spring's seeds break open in dark winter soil. God's Spirit hovers over dark water, preparing to create worlds. The child we wait for grows in the deep darkness of the womb. Advent is a time of waiting, to celebrate Jesus coming into our world and to anticipate the hope of his second coming with great power and glory whenever that may be. Jesus tells us only The Father knows when that will be. We live in God’s kingdom in the here and now and are also aware of the kingdom yet to come. We see signs and wonders of the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. We see the terror and splendour of God, whose nature is both justice and love. During Advent, we live with quiet anticipation of the yet to come. Our modern culture wants quick arrivals, finish lines, shortcuts, and end products and results. The Christian life is counter-cultural to this speed and greed and involves obedience to Jesus our servant king, who came into the world as a helpless babe.Advent is a time to perceive wonders. Christmas lights only shine in the dark and Jesus is the Light of the World. In Advent, we are called to hope and trust in the light that shines in the darkness and acknowledge that darkness is part of the light. Advent invites us to dwell richly in the here and now, precisely because here is where God dwells when the oceans heave, the ground shakes, and our hearts are gripped by fear. Deep in the gathering dark, something tender continues to grow, wait for it, imagine it. Something beautiful, something for the world's saving, waits to be born. Perceive the signs and wonders that happen when the earth seems dormant but is gathering strength for its future harvest. In the same way our unique gifts are nurtured within us during dark times spent with God. Let us practice mindfulness, by being in the now, watching, waiting, feeling and seeing God’s presence around and within us. Advent is an invitation to meet with God, who sets us free from the prison of our human limitations. Our reading today tells us to keep alert, to be always on the watch. To develop a way of looking at our broken world to see the signs and wonders where God is working and to join with The Holy Spirit the in the dance of love, hope and joy.Angela Stewart, Lay Minister
Lord, direct our thoughts, and teach us to pray. Lift up our hearts to worship you in spirit and in truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ‘To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust. Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. (Psalm 25:1-2a, 4-5) Hymn: God is working his purpose out...1 Thessalonians 3: 9-13When the Lord comes, he will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness, and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Therefore in the light of Christ let us confess our sins: Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen. May the God of love bring us back to himself, forgive us our sins, and assure us of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Prayer for the day: Almighty God, as your kingdom dawns, turn us from the darkness of sin to the light of holiness, that we may be ready to meet you in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. Luke 21: 25-36 Please see the message from the minister. Let us join in prayer, as we look forward to our Lord’s coming: We pray for St Peter’s Church and the Church throughout the world, that this season leading up to Christmas will be a special time of peace and joy; We pray for our world, that the Earth and all of its creatures will thrive; We pray for our friends, families and neighbours - may we all share the love of Christ; We pray for people who are sick or suffering, to know the Holy Spirit’s healing presence; We remember the departed, including Hazel Smith, and pray for all who mourn. Let us pray for the coming of God’s kingdom in the prayer that Jesus taught us: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hymn: The God of Abraham praise...May Christ the Sun of Righteousness shine upon us, scatter the darkness from before our path, and make us ready to meet him when he comes in glory; and may the blessing of God Almighty who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon us and remain with us always. Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in the name of Christ. Amen.
There can be negative associations when we think of the word ‘King’. Either that or the word simply has no relevance in our lives. I was not born when King George VI reigned so I do not have any images to draw upon to understand what it might be like to be ruled over by a King. Whilst writing this I realised that when I think of the word ‘King’ the associations that spring to mind for me are quite negative. Vague images of news stories involving dictators and war-torn countries, abuse of power, tangled up and messy dynamics involving money, weapons, government, voting rights, poverty and, oppression.In John 18:33-37 which is our Gospel reading for today, those who were living and working during this period would have also had a completely different concept of what a King’s role would be and how they might behave in society. It would have been very different from our Monarchy today who has a more supportive and constitutional role than absolute governance which was the case in New Testament times. The Kings of ancient times were all-powerful and they were driven by their wishes and whims and exercised their governance through violence and punishment.Then we have Jesus’ Kingship. A completely different expression of what it means to be King. One that neither the Jewish people, The High Priests of the temple in Jerusalem Annas and Caiaphas, nor the Roman Governor Pilate could comprehend or had eyes to see. So when Pilate asks Jesus if he is the King of the Jews, he knows this poor man from low social standing is not going to be King, but Pilate wants to know if this man is just deluded or if there is something else going on amongst the Jewish people, an uprising perhaps? It happens a lot when Jesus communicates with others and here it happens again, he does not answer straightforwardly. And when he speaks about his Kingdom to Pilate (yes he agrees he does have a Kingdom), not only is it incriminating but it is also revealing. Pilate and those around him do not understand that which is right under their noses. They are blind to Jesus speaking on a cosmic level. Pilate and the others are preoccupied with all things earthly whereas Jesus is revealing that his authority is not granted from earthly power. The people on earth are not the people who can elect him King, his identity cannot be changed and controlled, his identity is fully divine! Jesus as King exercises his power through incorporation, not domination. Jesus’ reality is not limited to only the earthly, he and others who can see the truth are living in two realities at the same time – the earthly and the eternal. Jesus through his incarnation on earth brings to us this eternal reality too. Sometimes we get glimpses in this life, glimpses of this other reality that we too are participating in, when we pray, worship or sense and respond to the Holy Spirit’s movement in our lives when we enter deeper into a relationship with God. Once we de-centre our human notions of power from a stance that those on earth have the absolute power over us and remember that there is in existence God’s Kingdom as our other reality, then we remember that Jesus is our true King and our true leader. Yes we need to abide by the governance of our earthly leaders for our feet are grounded on earth and our lives are playing out under the governance of earthly powers but Jesus reigns in a reality that is more interesting and much bigger than just our earthly reality. Jesus himself is the other reality made present in this one, and Jesus coming to live in our reality and revealing this to us means that this other reality seems to want us to participate in it too. Modern-day earthly leaders have a long way to go before they can honestly say that they are governing in ways that draw on how Jesus reigned whilst here on earth. Certain people will always need to be in positions of power over others but it should be less about stopping people from having power over one another and more about how the Kingship of Jesus can show us how good governance can be exercised in this life. How his example of power can be exercised well and in alignment with his teachings and acts. Governance that never forgets our true King who when he journeyed with us in his earthly ministry, revealed the other reality, God's Kingdom in both, Jesus is our true King. Natalie Rees, ordinand
Lord, direct our thoughts, and teach us to pray. Lift up our hearts to worship you in spirit and in truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ‘The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity..’ (Psalm 93:1-2)Hymn: King of Kings, Majesty...Revelation 1:4b-8The gospel calls us to turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ. As we offer ourselves to him in penitence and faith, we renew our confidence and trust in his mercy. Let us confess our sins: Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen. May the God of love bring us back to himself, forgive us our sins, and assure us of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Prayer for the day: Eternal Father, whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord and King: keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace, and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.John 18:33-37As we bow before the throne of majesty, let us pray: We pray for St Peter’s Church and the Church throughout the world: for the strength and courage to share God’s love; We pray for the world: for reconciliation where there is conflict, for justice and peace; We pray for our communities, families and friends: for relationships to flourish; We pray for all who are sick or suffering: for healing in mind, body and spirit; We pray for people who have been bereaved: for comfort in their grief. Let us pray the prayer that Jesus taught us: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hymn: Rejoice, the Lord is King!May the love of the Lord Jesus draw us to himself, the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in his service, the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our hearts, and may the blessing of God Almighty who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon us and and be with us always. Amen. Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in the name of Christ. Amen.
