Sunday Service Marsden Road Uniting Church 4th January 2015

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.