This week, in writing the Blog, I will have to
rely on my “scratchy” notes - now almost unreadable even by me – but made most
enthusiastically during an inspiring New Year Service led by Chris. It was important for the flow of the service so
thoughtfully prepared by Chris that he began by introducing the meaning and
significance of the Christian festival of the Epiphany we were celebrating
today. Epiphany commemorates the
manifestation of Christ to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi on the
Twelfth Day of Christmas. I really liked the dictionary explanation of epiphany
as; ”A sudden intuitive leap of understanding, especially through an
ordinary but striking occurrence.” Does this sound like a description of Faith
itself at the moment we acknowledge our Christian Faith? I think it does!
Hymn AHB 235 “Angels from
the realms of glory”
“A great company of the
heavenly host appeared with the angel, saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.’” Luke 2:13-14. This Bible verse inspired James Montgomery
(1771–1854) to write this beautiful hymn, just one of 400 he wrote in his
life. For 32 years he was the Editor of
the Sheffield Iris and it was there he
first published this hymn on Christmas Eve, 1816. He was an advocate for foreign missions and
the Bible Society and a poet of some repute.
He used his paper to reprint a song in commemoration of the fall of the
Bastille and printed an account of a riot in Sheffield. He went to goal for both of these perceived
transgressions, however, in 1833 he was “rewarded” with an annual royal pension
of £200 per
year.
After we sang the last refrain: “Come and worship, come and
worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King.” We were really
ready for Worship and felt blessed by the:
Prayers
of Praise and Thanksgiving Chris spoke in these prayers of the way our
hearts rejoice in God’s presence - as he is the fulfillment of all our dreams –
our Father and Mother, who knows every one of us by name and loves us. God is the source of all that is lovely and
all that is good. He is willing to
listen when we tell Him of the ways we have fallen short.
Prayer
of Confession/Words of Assurance Chris mentioned impatience and particularly
the way our impatient explosions can “scald” others and cause tensions for
everyone around us. In asking for God’s
forgiveness, we were told we would feel His reassuring hand on our shoulders.
Bible Reading: Isaiah 60:
1-6 “Jerusalem’s glorious future”
This Old Testament passage is a thrilling prophecy for us to consider
and enjoy – Verse 1; “Arise, Jerusalem, rise clothed
in light; your light has come and the glory of the Lord shines over you”.
Verse 6; “Camels in droves shall
cover the land, dromedaries of Midian and Ephah, all coming from Sheba laden
with golden spices and frankincense, heralds of the Lord’s praise.”
Jack also read the Gospel reading Matthew
2: 1-12 “Visitors from the East”
This is a very familiar annual story which I thought must present a
challenge to our preachers.
Hymn AHB 237 “As
with gladness men of old”
Following the theme “When they saw
the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” Matthew 2:10, this hymn was
written in 1860 on the day of the Epiphany by William C. Dix, while he was sick
in bed. The first four lines of each
verse tell the wonderful story of “the star” and the journey of the Wise Men,
but I realized that the final two lines of each verse were centred upon our personal journey in seeking God and singing “Alleluias to our King!”
A Story for all
Ages “The
three wise Camels”
Chris assured us this was the REAL
story – from the perspective of the Camels and told to him in Egypt;
“straight from the camel’s mouth!” It
was actually the camel’s idea to go in search of baby Jesus, so they had to
look for riders to go with them. It was
great fun and really - looking at anything from another point of view is always
constructive – even in fun!
Hymn AHB 80 “Immortal
invisible, God only wise”
We sang this Walter Chalmers Smith hymn just last week after the
Blessing of young Ella – but it was a joy to sing it again this week.
Reflection:
Chris had given so much contemplation to the preparation of this thought
provoking Reflection I am not sure that I can put together my hastily written
notes which consist of half finished sentences and ideas, in a way to do it
justice. He noted that Mark and John
leave Christmas out of their gospels altogether and therefore Matthew’s Gospel
is the only source and it certainly doesn’t mention camels. Yet just as we travel today by cars or
trains, it perhaps seemed obvious to suggest the wise astronomers would have
travelled by camel in Biblical times.
Today, Bethlehem
seems to be in the news for unrest and troubles, but Chris reminded us that the
East was at the time of the birth of Jesus an enlightened place of
culture. Following the Dark Ages and
Medieval times, we have come to accept that Western Culture is the source of
all enlightenment. However he went on to
suggest perhaps South America is becoming the
new place of Christian enlightenment. I
immediately thought about Pope Francis who was Archbishop of Buenos Aires before he became Pope.
Guided by Chris, we considered the meanings of important words like
knowledge and wisdom and the belief that wisdom is usually associated with
age. He floated the idea that knowledge
is prominent but wisdom is not. We
explored the Calvinist ideas that suggest we don’t have choices about what we
believe – freewill versus predestination – certainly not a concept I could
accept.
WOW – so many ideas to challenge our thinking, but so well put to us
that I found the challenge quite exciting.
We need to Praise God – God does not need our Praise! We are dependent on Him! God is not safe but he is good and God is
awesome – ie. He inspires real awe. God
became human – He is a Friend. God is
Our Father. God is Our King.
God is Love – we need to Praise Him!
Prayers of the People: Our prayers were led by Ruth, who thanked Our
Father for all the love and care we received during 2014 and reminded us that
nothing can separate us from Him in the coming year of 2015. She prayed for the broken and divided world
where refugees, homeless people and many who suffer through natural disasters,
war or other devastating events in their lives are in need of our help and our
prayers. We also prayed for Australia and
for the people we personally know and for whom we care. Then we joined together in the Lord’s
Prayer.
Announcements: Warwick told us he has
been doing some research about the first wooden church in which the first
service was held in Marsden Road Carllingford 190 years ago next Wednesday. I found it exciting to see a copy of the
original deeds for the land – now I will always look at that spot and remember
our pioneer “saints” each time I drive along Marsden Road.
Offering / Prayer: The offering was taken by Nerida and Alan and was presented for; “The work of the church here and in the
wider world”. We were also urged to;
“Give the gifts of our lives and
Worship.” Amen.
Hymn AHB 68 “Praise
my Soul the King of Heaven”
Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847) graduated
in 1814 from Trinity College Dublin with the intention of studying Medicine,
but he changed this and studied Theology, taking Holy Orders in 1815. He was a prolific writer of poems and hymns -
with perhaps his best known hymn being, “Abide with me”. His final appointment in 1823 was the
position of Perpetual Curate of Lower Brixham, Devon,
which he held until his death in November 1847. All the verses of this hymn are great, but my
favourite is the third verse which offers assurance, comfort and mercy!
“Fatherlike he tends and spares us; well
our feeble frame he knows.
In his hand he gently bears us, rescues us
from all our foes.
Alleluia, alleluia! Widely yet his
mercy flows!”
The Benediction & Blessing Chris urged us to; “Go now and seek out the Christ wherever he may be found.” We received a Blessing and were assured; “God will fill us with a sense of what is
right if we follow Him.” Amen.
Retiring hymn: “May
the feet of God walk with you”
Most appropriately, Grahame played “The March of the Magi” on the organ
as we left the church - Thanks Grahame.
