Sunday 27th December 2020 Thought for the Week – The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. The Word becomes flesh in Bethlehem; but that truth cannot be packed away with the Christmas lights, out of sight, for another year. Mary and Joseph’s child is named as the angel directed; the shepherds proclaim what they have seen and heard; God has become a human being. In these first days after his birth, the child is already changing the lives of those who know him. The story is just beginning. (Luke 2: 15-21) The Nativity is perhaps the most celebrated account of any birth in human history. The image of a child chosen by God to enter the world in a situation of such vulnerability and in such menial circumstances, serves to emphasise God’s humility, and that the more we trust that he really did enter our world as one of us, the more we can be reassured that we shall finally be raised up into the company of heaven. God chose, out of love and compassion, to enter the dark, and often lonely and afflicted place of human existence. He chose to encounter us where we are. His light has shone steadily through the darkness of this world, and it has not been vanquished, even in the troubles and disappointments of our own time. (John 1: 5)Hymn for TodayAs with gladness men of old Did the guiding star behold. As with joy they hailed its light, Leading onward, beaming bright: So, most gracious Lord, may we Evermore your splendour see.Prayer for TodayWe pray: To save us from eternal death, the great Messiah came to earth. Then let us with united voice sing Alleluia, and rejoice!Note: The Gospel and Readings Set for Today can be downloaded from the top right of this page.
Shipley Church Self-Service Sunday 20th December 2020 Thought for Christmas Week – The angel visits Mary and foretells the birth of Jesus The Son of God was born into the world, after a young Galilean girl risked everything by giving her consent to what the angel proposed (Luke 1: 26-38). Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but not yet married. The apprehension she experienced at the news from the Angel Gabriel that she would conceive through the power of the Holy Spirit and without a human father - “Mary was deeply troubled” - was because of Jewish law that would have brought humiliation and shame upon her if she wasn’t believed. But she obeyed the Lord, and marvelled that she had been chosen to give birth to the Messiah. Her subsequent outpouring of praise, joy, and trust in God – known as the Magnificat – could be described as the origin of all Christmas carols that have followed. Our own Carol Service is traditionally held on the Sunday nearest to Christmas Day, and will often include the carol, “Gabriel’s Message” which follows:Carol for the DayThe Angel Gabriel from heaven came, His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame; “All hail,” said he, “thou lowly maiden Mary, Most highly favoured lady, Gloria!” Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn, And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say, “Most highly favoured lady, Gloria!”Prayer for TodayWe pray: Jesus Christ, thou child so wise, bless mine hands and fill mine eyes, and bring my soul to Paradise.Hilaire BellocNote: The Gospel and Readings set for today can be downloaded from the top right of this page.
Shipley Church Self-Service Sunday 13<sup>th</sup> December 2020 Thought for the Week – Bible prophecies are fulfilled by the birth of Jesus Christ The Old Testament prophets laid the foundation for the arrival of a deliverer who would save mankind from the treachery of evil. Isaiah’s specific prophecy of the birth of Jesus was made more than 700 years earlier, and even predicted in detail the manner of his coming: the Messiah would be of Jewish descent from the tribe of Judah and the house of King David; he would be born of a virgin in Bethlehem, a descendant of Abraham and Isaac; and he would be called God even though he would also be human. Someone once said that Jesus began the most revolutionary movement in human history: a movement grounded in the unconditional love of God for the world, that sprung from the teachings of Moses. (John 1: 6-8) How extraordinary is all of that? Our modern minds might ask whether the arrival of the Messiah on planet Earth was an after-thought or a sudden decision from God? Obviously not, for long before him, it was proclaimed that the world needed a Saviour. The “Word” of God was finally made flesh and came among us. “Let us go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass!” Hymn for TodayLong ago, prophets knew Christ would come, born a Jew, Come to make all things new; Bear his people’s burden, Freely love and pardon.Prayer for TodayKeep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy, sustain and support the anxious, be with those who care for the sick, and lift up all who are brought low, that we all may enjoy that special sense of the Christmas message of hope and joy.Note: The Gospel and Readings set for today can be downloaded from the top right hand corner of this page.
<h1 align="center">Shipley Church</h1> <h1 align="center">Christmas Services</h1> We are intending to hold our Christmas Services this year, albeit in a socially distanced way. The following are our current plans, however, please be aware that these may have to change depending on what rules are in place at the time. Please checkback here regularly for the latest on Christmas Services. Also due to COVID-19 Restrictions and the need for Social Distancing, attendance at all the services listed below will need to use a booking system to limit numbers. If you are not booked in, then it is highly unlikely you will be able to attend the Service. You will need to book separately for each service. The booking page for each service is listed in the table below: <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" width="83"> Date </td> <td valign="top" width="143"> Service </td> <td valign="top" width="161"> Time </td> <td valign="top" width="214"> Booking </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="83"> 20<sup>th</sup> Dec </td> <td valign="top" width="143"> Carol Service </td> <td valign="top" width="161"> 6.00pm </td> <td valign="top" width="214"> https://prayin.io/yfu-jmt-dte </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="83"> 24<sup>th</sup> Dec </td> <td valign="top" width="143"> Crib Service </td> <td valign="top" width="161"> 5.00pm </td> <td valign="top" width="214"> https://prayin.io/crm-eee-csv </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="83"> 24<sup>th</sup> Dec </td> <td valign="top" width="143"> Midnight Mass </td> <td valign="top" width="161"> 11.00pm </td> <td valign="top" width="214"> https://prayin.io/gpm-hgy-bfq </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="83"> 25<sup>th</sup> Dec </td> <td valign="top" width="143"> Christmas Morning </td> <td valign="top" width="161"> 10.00am </td> <td valign="top" width="214"> https://prayin.io/jfy-xaw-nef </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="83"> 27<sup>th</sup> Dec </td> <td valign="top" width="143"> Sunday Service </td> <td valign="top" width="161"> 10.00am (Said Service) </td> <td valign="top" width="214"> https://prayin.io/icy-pzh-cjz </td> </tr> </tbody></table>
