Week beginning 26th December

 

Song: It came upon the midnight clear

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (Tune: Noel - 4vv) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube

Reading: Book of Isaiah, chapter 40; verses 1 to 11

Song: While Shepherds watched their flocks by night

While shepherds watched their flocks by night. Lyric video (StF 221) - YouTube

Reading: Luke’s gospel, chapter 2, verses 8 to 20

Song: See amid the winter’s snow

See amid the winters snow - Lyric Video - YouTube

Reading: “Seth”

oblations: David Kossoff, "Seth"

Over the years there have been many memorable advertising campaigns. Perhaps you can think of some of them. Of course, some of them are so memorable, we can remember the advert, but the product being advertised escapes us completely. In the main, the ones which are most memorable are those which do the unexpected.

Many years ago I was a teacher. On one occasion, the class had been told to attend in a different room. I waited in the new room, and about half the class appeared. I duly sent a class member to the other room to collect the rest. He came back without them. Eventually, I went and found the rest of class. When I asked why they had not come when I sent the other pupil, they replied that he had not come!

This is exactly the situation described by Jesus in the parable of the tenants in the vineyard (Mark’s gospel. Chapter 12, verses 1 -12)

The story of the shepherds is an example of God getting the people’s attention by doing the unexpected. God presented his message to the shepherds; the poor, the less educated, the ordinary people who were unable to follow the religious rules due to their employment. These were not the people who might have been expected to receive a message from God.

The leaders, the priests and the educated would have expected to be the recipients.

Several times in the Old Testament, the leaders and priests are referred to as “Shepherds”. These were the people who should have been defending and caring for the people. Who should have been looking for the lost and bringing them back to God.

Perhaps shepherds are not a great image in our modern world, perhaps they are seen as a bit rustic, or slow living to be seen as dynamic leaders.

This asks the question of who the shepherds would appear today? Many churches are convinced that they are the ones who would receive such a revelation. The posters outside proclaim something along the lines of: “Come inside and meet with Jesus!”. Clearly they believe that they control who Jesus will meet with! As if anyone controls Jesus!! The authorities of Jesu’s day would have been equally convinced that they had all the answers, and yet, who does the bible say will receive angels?

Those who will entertain angels are those who show hospitality to; the poor, the foreigners, the widows, the strangers.

When the angels sing, will they sing to the cathedral officers, or to the protesters outside? Would they sing to the government or to the unemployed? Who would expect the angels to sing to the son of two alcoholics? But that son became the archbishop of Canterbury.

When the angels sing, make sure you are there. You can’t afford to miss it.

Song: Behold the grace appears

Tune. “Back Lane”

Back Lane (Behold The Grace Appears) - YouTube

Behold the grace appears,

The promise is fulfilled,

Mary, the wondrous Virgin bears,

And Jesus is the Child.

“Go, humble swains,” said he,

“To David's city fly;

The promised infant born today

Doth in a manger lie.”

“With looks and hearts serene,

Go visit Christ your King;”

And straight a flaming troop was seen,

The angels heard them sing.

Prayers:

God our Father, we come to this act of worship by many different roads-in more senses than one. For each of us, the journey has been along ma private road; each of us is ignorant of what the others have been through; and so we cannot help arriving here to a large extent alone.

Yet we are united by our faith, by our desire to meet together to worship. May this help us to remember how much we have in common; we breathe the same air, drink the same water; we touch the same earth and see and hear the same shapes and sounds. We make our way through the same world of feelings- of regret and delight, heartache and buoyancy, jealousy and gratitude.

In all this, we are travelling through your world. It is this which unites us. So it is fitting that our paths should cross here, in your worship. For here we can meet as one people to offer you our service, through our one mediator, Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord.

Amen

Song: Hark, the Herald angels sing

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing with Lyrics (Choral) (4K) - YouTube

Christmas day

 Christmas Day

Song: Christians Awake

Christians Awake with Lyrics (Choral) (4K) - YouTube

Prayers:

With joy we worship God made man.  

Lord of all worlds and galaxies, today you confront us with a wonder so great that we can hardly believe it.  We knew that you were here, as everywhere, an invisible presence: but it was only when Jesus was born that we found you actually sharing our human existence.

We thank you for the words of all the forerunners, in whose minds the truth had made a home, so that they could help people to be looking in the right direction for you.

We thank you for Mary and joseph.  But for them your plan could never have been carried through.

Every home, every family, every human life has new meaning and dignity because of your coming among us.

The true colours of Christmas have been too much overlaid for us by pious legend and pagan festivity; and on top of all lies time's thick and darkening varnish.  Help us to take advantage of the scholarship of critics and translators, to reveal the glory to us again.  We are confident that in the record of the earthly days of Jesus and his friends we may still meet you face to face.

Amen

Song: Come and join the celebration

Come and Join the Celebration (Valerie Collison) (StF 196) - YouTube

Reading: Luke’s gospel, chapter 2, verses 1 to 12

Song: Sing all ye people of the earth today (Tune Stannington)

Stannington - YouTube

Sing all ye people of the earth today,

For Jesus Christ was born on Christmas day;

Ring out ye joyous bells in Heaven, Ring on

For Christ is born!

Born in a stable bare, of humble birth,

Born of a virgin pure, to dwell on earth;

Let all mankind rejoice on this great day

For Christ is born!

He came to us that wars on earth may cease;

He came to bring us hope, and joy, and peace;

Worship, O nations at His feet today

For Christ is born!

Glory to God on high, we all will sing,

Glory and praise we render to our King;

Peace on the earth, goodwill to men this day

For Christ is born!

Song:  Angels from the realms of Glory

Angels From the Realms of Glory (Tune: Gloria {Iris} - 4vv) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube

Week beginning 19th December

The Holly and the Ivy,
Are dancing in a ring,
Round the berry-bright red candles,
and the white and shining King.

And One is for God's people,
In every age and day.
We are watching for His coming.
We believe and we obey

And Two is for the Prophets,
And for the light they bring ,
They are candles in the darkness.
All alight for Christ the king .

And Three for John the Baptist,
He calls on us to sing;
‘O prepare the way for Jesus Christ,
He is coming, Christ the King.

And Four for mother Mary,
I cannot see the way,
But you promised me a baby.
I believe you. I obey.’

Reading: Psalm 113

Carol : Once in royal David’s City

once in royal davids city - YouTube

Reading: Jeremiah, chapter 31, verses 31-34

Carol: Joy to the World

Joy to the World, the Lord is Come (Tune: Antioch - 3vv) [with lyrics for congregation] - YouTube

Reading: Luke’s gospel, chapter 2, verses 1-7

Carol : Away in a manger

Away in a Manger with Lyrics | Christmas Carol & Song - YouTube

Reading: Luke’s gospel, chapter 2, verses 8-20

Carol: Bright and joyful is the morn,

Tune: Malin Bridge. a well known tune in the Sheffield area.

Malin Bridge 2020 - YouTube

Bright and joyful is the morn,

For to us a child is born;

From the highest realms of heaven,

Unto us a Son is given.

On His shoulders he shall bear

Power and majesty and wear

On His vesture, and His thigh,

Names most awful, names most high.

Wonderful in counsel He,

The incarnate Deity;

Sire of ages ne’er to cease,

King of kings, and Prince of peace.

Come and worship at His feet,

Yield to Christ, the homage meet,

From His manger or His throne,

Homage due to God alone.

James Montgomery

Carol : While Shepherds watched their flocks by night.

Tune: Sweet chiming bells.

Sweet Chiming Bells Sung by Stannington Choir - YouTube

While shepherds watched their flocks by night,

All seated on the ground,

The angel of the Lord came down

And glory shone around.

Sweet Bells, sweet chiming Christmas bells,

They cheer us on our Heav’nly way, sweet chiming bells

“Fear not,” said he-for mighty dread

Had seized their troubled mind-

“Glad tidings of great joy I bring

To you and all mankind:

“To you in David’s town this day

Is born of David’s line,

A Saviour who is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be the sign:

“The heavenly babe you there shall find

To human view displayed,

All meanly wrapped in swaddling bands,

And in a manger laid.”

Thus spake the angel; and forthwith

Appeared a shining throng

Of angels praising God, who thus

Addressed their joyful song:

“All glory be to God on high,

And to the earth be peace;

Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men

Begin and never cease!”

Nahum Tate (1652-1715)

Carol : Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - YouTube

Week beginning December 12th

 

The Holly and the Ivy,

Are dancing in a ring,

Round the berry-bright red candles,

and the white and shining King.

And One is for God's people,

In every age and day.

We are watching for His coming.

We believe and we obey  

And Two is for the Prophets,

And for the light they bring ,

They are candles in the darkness.

All alight for Christ the king . 

And Three for John the Baptist,

He calls on us to sing;

‘O prepare the way for Jesus Christ,

He is coming, Christ the King. 

Song: Come Thou long expected Jesus

88 - Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus - YouTube

Prayer.

Eternal God, we believe that your purpose is unalterable love, but that you are active, moving and making, changing things. Thankfully, we acknowledge that your Spirit can transform people for the better, and that wherever your power is realised, your creation is being renewed.

Father, we do not always know for sure how to apply the gospel to the choices that confront us. Keep us in the right direction. Give us confidence to choose instead of just accepting. May we back up our choices with active endeavour. We want to be able to change when change is required, and yet, not to be reeds bent by every wind. This we struggle to achieve; and we ask that your love may achieve it for us and in us.

Amen

Reading: Malachi 3: 1-5

Song: On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry

On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry. Lyric video (StF 182) - YouTube

Reading: Isaiah 40: 1-11

Song: Joy to the world

Vineyard - Joy To The World [with lyrics] - YouTube

Reading: Matthew 3: 1-12

Song: Hark the glad sound

Hark, the Glad Sound! The Saviour Comes (Tune: Bristol - 4vv) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube

Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near!

Advent is a time of preparation, of getting ready to celebrate. We are celebrating the coming of Jesus. Both the birth 2000 years ago, and the coming in the future.

Some criticise the celebration of Christmas: the bible does not mention the date, or even the season. Some criticise that the early church adopted the date, used as an early pagan festival.

The date is not relevant. Jesus was born. We celebrate. A bit like the queen's birthday, .not celebrated on the actual anniversary, but on the “official birthday”

We prepare to remember the celebration of the birth, the coming to earth of God's son. We look at the examples of those in history who were part of the story.

In many churches candles are lit on an advent crown.

These candles symbolise: People, Prophets, John the Baptist, Mary and Jesus.

The prophets, foretold the future. They anticipated the future coming of the Messiah, God's anointed one. Many times is history, people were given visions of what was to come.

Many faithful people looked forward to the time when God's kingdom would arrive, and His rule would be established. Some of their stories are recorded in the Bible, others are part of our history, others are known only to a few.

Think about the people who are responsible for you being here today. If you mentioned their names, would anyone else here know who they were? Who inspired you to become a Christian?

What do we know about John the Baptist? A miraculous birth to an elderly couple. An unconventional looking man. Perhaps reminding people of the prophets. Wearing a camel hair coat, living in the wilderness.

How do you like your preachers? What sort of person do you like in the pulpit? Conventionally dressed? Presentable?

Probably would not like John? If I produced a pair of wellington boots, and a newspaper, you might think of Edie Pegden in “Last of the summer Wine.” If someone came into her house dressed in a way she did not like, such as Compo in his wellies, or Wesley in his overalls, she put newspaper doen on the floor to keep her house clean. John the Baptist would have had that sort of effect on people.

He was an austere man, dressed only in necessities.

He eventually preached “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near!” That is all we know of his message. Perhaps he said more that that, because it attracted crowds, including the elite and the educated. We can assume that he spoke at greater length, and perhaps with some passion, but this was the content of his message.

Malachi said that the one who would be the messenger to prepare the way would bring his message to the priests first. The sons of Levi would be cleansed with the most powerful agents of the time; the refiners fire and fullers earth. Perhaps nowadays he would use images like Domestos, Harpic, 1001, Persil, or Mr Muscle.?

What is the message?

The general opinion is that “Repent” is a poor translation of the Greek word used at this point. Repent has associations of being sorry, being penitent, but this is not what John's message was at all.

The Greek word is “Metanoia” which means turning round, changing minds and attitudes

Different translations attempt to convey this meaning:

New Living Translation: "baptized to show that they had turned from their sins and turned to God"

• Common English Bible: "baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives"

• New International Readers Version: "baptized and turn away from their sins"

• The Message: "a baptism of life-change"

It has been said that if you were to find a column of marching soldiers and shout “metanoia!” at them, they would not start saying that they were sorry, instead they would immediately start to march in the opposite direction. “About Turn” is the meaning (presumably, the soldiers would have to be Greek ones (or at least bi-lingual)).

People's acceptance of baptism by John was a sign that they believed that they needed to change their ways. A public commitment to a new life.

Is near, or traditionally, “is at hand”, perhaps “has come near”.

The prophets proclaimed that the Kingdom of God would come. John’s message is that the kingdom of the heavens, the rule of God is here, available .

No longer is it something to aspire to, no longer is it going to happen at some indeterminate time on the future, it is here, available for the taking, all people have to do is to change the way they live.

It is important to remember that John’s message was not to the unbelievers, but to the religious leaders. They were the ones who needed to change their direction.

John was the forerunner. He was the one with the message that Jesus was the means by which the division between the things of earth and things of the heavens would be brought together. He may not have known exactly how this would be achieved, but he knew that Jesus was the one who would achieve it.

He was addressing the attitude that they could depend on their past, they were “Sons of Abraham.” and therefore they were alright. God can raise up new sons of Abraham from the cobbles under your feet. They were told.

What might the message of John be to us today? In the 21^st century as we prepare to meet Jesus?

The same as it was back then. Not to rest on our laurels. Not to live in the past. Those of us who follow in the Methodist tradition might say that we are O.K., we are followers of Wesley. Followers of John Wesley are ten a penny, he might say. What Good are you doing?

Later in the gospels, we have the account which tells us that at the time of Jesu's death, The curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The division between the things of God, and the things of earth is no more.

As we prepare to celebrate the coming to earth of Jesus, the baby in the manger, we also celebrate the coming to earth of the kingdom of God. The fact that in Jesu's life, death and resurrection the divisions between mankind and God have been overcome.

In the old Methodist Hymn Book, there is a hymn, number 862, “Wise men seeking Jesus” Wise men seeking Jesus - YouTube

The message of this hymn is that we can find Jesus anywhere, if we choose to look. This is the message of Christmas.

Turn round, change your way of life and you can meet with God.

Song: Hail to the Lord’s anointed

Hail to the Lord's Anointed - Aldersgate Chorale - YouTube

Week beginning December 5th

 

The Holly and the Ivy,

Are dancing in a ring,

Round the berry-bright red candles,

and the white and shining King.

And One is for God's people,

In every age and day.

We are watching for His coming.

We believe and we obey

And Two is for the Prophets,

And for the light they bring ,

They are candles in the darkness.

All alight for Christ the king . 

Prophets

Psalm 97 The Message Translation

 God rules: there’s something to shout over!
On the double, mainlands and islands—celebrate!

2 Bright clouds and storm clouds circle ’round him;
Right and justice anchor his rule.

3 Fire blazes out before him,
Flaming high up the craggy mountains.

4 His lightnings light up the world;
Earth, wide-eyed, trembles in fear.

5 The mountains take one look at God
And melt, melt like wax before earth’s Lord.

6 The heavens announce that he’ll set everything right,
And everyone will see it happen—glorious!

7-8 All who serve handcrafted gods will be sorry—
And they were so proud of their ragamuffin gods!

On your knees, all you gods—worship him!
And Zion, you listen and take heart!

Daughters of Zion, sing your hearts out:
God has done it all, has set everything right.

9 You, God, are High God of the cosmos,
Far, far higher than any of the gods.

10 God loves all who hate evil,
And those who love him he keeps safe,
Snatches them from the grip of the wicked.

11 Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God’s people,
Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil.

12 So, God’s people, shout praise to God,
Give thanks to our Holy God!

Song: God has spoken

God Has Spoken by His Prophets (Tune: Hyfrydol - 3vv) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube

Prayer:

God, with us,
As we enter this season of longing and waiting,
bear with us a little longer; be patient with our impatience.

You have journeyed alongside us from the beginning of time,
yet still we miss the signs of your presence.

When we are blinded by the brashness of this season:
Open our eyes to the glimpses of your glory.

When we want simple answers:
Open our minds to the hints of incarnation.

When we are deafened by our own shouting:
Open our ears to the whispers of your grace.

May we share with you in longing for restoration and renewal
and may we be watchful for the light that breaks through
the darkness of our world.
In Christ’s name. Amen

God says ‘Be patient, watch and wait,
for the time is close at hand.’
Know that you are loved, forgiven and healed.
Amen. Thanks be to God.

Song: O come, O come Immanuel

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Tune: Veni Immanuel - 5vv) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube

Micah 5: 2-4

Micah 4: 1-8

Song: The race that long in darkness pined

The race that long in darkness pined - YouTube

Matthew 2: 1-8

Song: Hark the glad sound

Hark the glad sound! The Saviour comes (Tune: Bristol) - YouTube

Prophets.

In the Harry Potter films a prophecy is made, about which one should survive.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies...."

— Sybill Trelawney's prophecy made to Albus Dumbledore

Sybill was the Divination Teacher., played by Emma Thompson.

A prophecy is a prediction made by a Seer— someone with the ability to see into the future. They can take many different forms, but are often rendered in cryptic language that does not allow easy or direct interpretation.

According to a dictionary, a person who speaks for God, or by divine inspiration.

However, there are other definitions which are relevant.

Prophecy:

the foretelling or prediction of what is to come.

something that is declared by a prophet, especially a divinely inspired prediction, instruction, or exhortation.

a divinely inspired utterance or revelation:

the action, function, or faculty of a prophet.

To prophesy:

to foretell or predict.

to indicate beforehand.

to declare or foretell by or as if by divine inspiration.

to utter in prophecy or as a prophet.

to make predictions.

to make inspired declarations of what is to come.

to speak as a mediator between God and humankind or in God's stead.

Archaic. to teach religious subjects.

Clearly, there is much more to this than those who predict the future. More than making utterances which are difficult to understand.

Many passages in the Old Testament can be seen as predictions of the future. There are those which predict the birth of Jesus. The son born to a young woman. The "Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

There are many more predicting the times when the Kingdom of God will flourish. When swords will be beaten into ploughshares, when there will be no more pain.

But other passages use the word "Prophet" or "prophesy" differently.. In Ezekiel Chapter37: Ezekiel is told to prophesy to the dry bones, these acquire flesh, and eventually acquire breath. Clearly this cannot mean "Predict the future".

You may know the song.

Dem Dry Bones - YouTube

Hear the word of the Lord!

The prophets are those who proclaimed the word of the Lord, Those who told the people what the future would/could/should be . Those who set standards, who were pointing people towards God.

Those who were setting up a plumbline against their nation, like Amos. Those who were telling the people the type of person that the anointed one (Christ/Messiah) would be, like Isaiah.

There were those who had visions of God's splendour like Jeremiah and Isaiah.

But all these people were human, with limitations, insecurities and failings.

Just like us

Many of them must have seemed like real dreamers. Imagine telling people that a time would come when their security would come from their gardens, not from their weapons!

Remember the CND? A group who campaign for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Seen as hopeless idealists by some, as the solution to many problems by others.

This is how many of the prophets would have been seen. And are still seen.

The prophetic voice is not always a popular message. It will often disturb the status quo and seem to be disruptive

We remember today, and give thanks for those of every age who spoke, and speak with a prophetic voice, those who point people to God, those who show and tell people what life with God can be like, Those who look forward to the "time that shall surely, be. When the earth shall be filled with the glory of God, as the waters cover the sea." (Arthur Campbell Aigner, after Habakkuk 2:14)

Many of these people would not presume to call themselves prophets, and might be offended if others gave them this title, but they speak with a prophetic voice. We rejoice in their ministry today.

Most people would probably not regard Noddy Holder as a prophet? But his song, “Merry Christmas Everybody.” from 1973 contains a prophetic line:

So here it is, Merry Christmas, Everybody’s having fun. Look to the future, its only just begun.

There is nothing wrong with celebrating Christmas; nothing wrong with having a good time and enjoying ourselves; but we must remember that we are going to live in the future, not the past.

Song: Jesus shall reign

Jesus Shall Reign Where'er the Sun - YouTube