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Service for Sunday 7th February – Second Sunday before Lent

Bible Readings for 2nd Sunday before Lent:

Click the links that take you straight to the text (CTRL and “Left Click”) if that helps:

Proverbs 8:1, 22-31 – Proverbs 8.1,22-31 NIVUK – Wisdom’s call – Does not wisdom call – Bible Gateway – this is a most beautiful passage.  When people say the Old Testament is full of wars and violence and an angry God of Judgment we need to be reminded of passages like this one.  The Wisdom of God, which some would later see to encapsulate the heart and person of Jesus and/or the Holy Spirit, “delights” in Creation and in humanity and is instrumental in both their creation existing, as she does, before the beginning of time.  The playfulness and delight of Wisdom certainly comes through. How much different our faith would be if we had but listened to her over the years.

Colossians 1:15-20 – Colossians 1:15-20 NIVUK – The supremacy of the Son of God – The – Bible Gateway – This is the ‘Colossians’ equivalent of the ‘big picture’ story we find famously captured in John 1:1-14. Colossians sees Jesus as the common bridge between the old Creation and the new, between heaven and earth, between Old and New Testaments.  Jesus’ death being the absolute pivot point to it all.  

John 1:1-14 – Probably one of the most famous and most loved passages of the Bible.  Read every Christmas.  In the context of our theme today – that of St Brigid of Kildare and the idea of “Soul friendship“– John’s Gospel provides us with a very real and practical example of how “soul friendship” can be put into practice. 

John begins his passage about who Jesus is by referring to abstract ideas , not least from Greek philosophy, that Jesus is “the Word” not only from God but also for all of creation and humanity.  But , by the time he gets to verse 14, that which is, in the beginning abstract, suddenly bursts forth into the real, the here and now and now of life experience, when Jesus so famously says, “Thy Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Suddenly salvation has dawned for the whole earth, whether not the Church or the rest of humanity can see it. 

 

Songs in the Service:

  1. “My Lighthouse:” by Rend Collective: (10) Rend Collective – My Lighthouse (Official Video) – YouTube

 

  1. “O, the deep, deep love of Jesus:”

 

  1. “We will meet” by John Bell (Iona Community): (11) ‘We Will Meet’ – YouTube

 

  1. “Brother, sister let me serve you:”

 

  1. “Simplicity” by Rend Collective: (11) Rend Collective – Simplicity – YouTube

 

Readings, Talks, and Prayers:

  1. “Bible Reading – John 1:1-14” by Romany Poppet-Price: (11) Romaney’s Bible Reading for Sunday 7th February – YouTube

 

  1. “Prayers” – Part 1 – by Howard: (11) Howard’s Prayer – Part 1 – YouTube
  2. “Prayers” – Part 2 – by Howard: (11) Howard’s Prayers – Part 2 – YouTube

 

Traditional Hymns and Songs:

  1. “God is love, let heaven adore him:”

 

  1. “It is well, with my soul:” cover version of this well known Spafford/Sankey hymn. Written originally in the face of huge adversity. Holding out for hope and faith come what may: (11) It Is Well With My Soul | Anthem Lights – YouTube

 

Modern:

  1. “Fix You” cover version of the ‘classic’ from Cold Play by Fearless Soul. One can almost imagine the Soul speaking to the Self.  Shows how intentionally, or unintentionally, wider society cries out with the same voice: (11) Try not to cry when you listen to this cover of FIX YOU by Coldplay – YouTube

 

  1. “What a friend”– Matt Maher – modern take on this traditional hymn: (11) Matt Maher – What a Friend (Official Lyric Video) – YouTube

 

Videos/DVD:

  1. “Talk by John O’Donohue – Anam Cara (Soul Friendship) – given at Greenbelt: (11) John O’Donohue at Greenbelt – YouTube

 

6.   “Anam Cara (Soul Friendship)”: reflective video set to Celtic  beautifully inspired music: (11) ANAM CARA ~ Aeone – YouTube

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Service for Sunday 10th January – The Baptism of Jesus

Bible Readings for Epiphany 1: The Baptism of Jesus:

Click the links that take you straight to the text (CTRL and “Left Click”) if that helps:

Genesis 1:1-5 – Genesis 1:1-5 NIVUK – The beginning – In the beginning God – Bible Gateway  – the very beginning of the Bible indicating how Baptism is symbolic not just of individual “new birth” but in Jesus’ case a “new birth” of all Creation.

Acts 19:1-7 –  Acts 19:1-7 NIVUK – Paul in Ephesus – While Apollos was at – Bible Gateway – Paul in this passage clearly makes a distinction between “the baptism of John” and “the baptism of Jesus:” one for repentance and knowledge about God, the other to enter into relationship and to share in His life.

Mark 1:4-11 – Mark 1:4-11 NIVUK – And so John the Baptist appeared in the – Bible Gateway – this short passage is full of imagery and symbolism linking together so many Old Testament passages of hopes and dreams.  At its hear however, is the idea that because “the one who will come after me” (words John himself uses) was the foretold Messiah – the link is that the word “Messiah” technically means “the Anointed One,” the Priest, the one who stands as a ‘bridge’ between the people and God.  Therefore, because Jesus is received into sonship and has the Holy Spirit bestowed upon Him by God, so too have we.

Remarkable.  And we will be looking into what this means today in our worship.

Traditional Hymns and Songs:

  1. “Spirit of God” (The Skye Boat Song):

–   cover version by Spatz auf dem Dach (simple clean female folk solo) with Lyrics: (137) Spirit of God (The Skye Boat Hymn) – Lyric-Video | Spatz auf dem Dach – YouTube

  1. “Will you come and follow me if I but call your name” (The Summons): by John Bell (Iona Community)

–   Cover version by St Michael’s Church, Verwood in Dorset with lyrics: (137) Will you come and follow me – YouTube

3.    “Guide me O Thou great Jehovah” (Cwm Rhondda – Guide me O Thou great Redeemer):

– cover version by the Morriston Orpheus Welsh Male Voice Choir,  very moving and powerful: (137) Cwm Rhondda (Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah) – Côr OrpheusTreforys/ Morriston Orpheus Choir – YouTube

  1. “Come let us sing of a wonderful love”:
  1. “All over the world the Spirit is moving” – cover by Squirrel 24 – version with lyrics. As Dinah says, “Impossible not to feel cheered up by doing a jig, sing, clap along with – singing accompanied by jaunty brass band, great rhythm.”  Link: (137) All Over The World The Spirit Is Moving – YouTube
  2. “It is well with my soul” – great version of this good old Sankey hymn, speaking of accepting God’s love into my life. Fits very well as a musical accompaniment with making the “Covenant Promise.” With lyrics: (137) It Is Well With My Soul – YouTube

Modern:

  1. “You Say” by Lauren Daigle – now over 190M views – one of the most successful songs not only of the Christian world but of YouTube itself:
  1. “Who am I” originally by Cast Crowns. Speaks of trusting in God’s promise of His love and our willingness then to submit:
  1. “Fix You” originally by Cold Play. Amazing cover by “Fearless Soul” – as good, if not better than the original: (137) Try not to cry when you listen to this cover of FIX YOU by Coldplay – YouTube
  1. “Baptized” Zach Williams, the earthy Country Gospel singer and worship leader, describes what it was like for him to reflect on his experience of baptism: (137) Zach Williams – “Baptized” Rescue Story Tour Live Session – YouTube
  1. “Something in the water” – by Carrie Underwood singing about the change that she went through by discovering a new life in Christ. Lyrics version: (137) Something in the Water- Carrie Underwood (lyrics) – YouTube

 

Videos/DVD:

  1. There are two good “Sergio and Rhoda” videos about Baptism from a Jewish perspective:
  • The first is from “Yardenit,” the “official Baptism site” for Israel, and gives an indication of how personal and powerful a person’s Baptism can be. Link: (137) Baptized in the Jordan River – YouTube
  • The second is from “Qasr el Yahud,” the most likely historical site of where Jesus was baptised, only recently re-opened after the clearing of mines. Speaks of the layers of Old Testament meaning of why the Baptism of Jesus needed to take place here:  (137) Baptism of Jesus in Jordan River – YouTube

13.           Tabernacle: A third very good video that helps to explain how these two videos and their meaning go together – see “Sergio and Rhoda Tabernacle of Moses Replica in Timna Park,” way down south where Solomon had his copper mines.  Jesus is the High Priest who not only enters the Holy of Holies (beyond the curtain) but who tears the curtain in two so we all can enter the Holy of Holies with Him and so receive sonship and daughtership from God.  See Link: (137) Tabernacle of Moses Replica in Timna Park – YouTube 

  1. “Melody Joy Cloud – her experience with American Idol” remarkable young lady and witness to her faith: (137) MY AMERICAN IDOL EXPERIENCE (w/pictures) – YouTube
  1. “The Chosen” – Episode “The Shepherds” is the Christmas Special that started this worldwide phenomenon. “The Chosen” can be obtained for free, either via YouTube (simply type in “The Chosen” or via an App, which can be downloaded to your Smartphone or Tablet.

Its all very exciting.  Details of how to find “The Shepherds” on YouTube: (127) The Chosen: The Shepherd (Pilot Episode) – YouTube

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Service for Sunday 3rd January 2021

Service for Epiphany. Recorded live at St. Andrew’s, Congresbury on Sunday 3rd January.

Bible Readings for Epiphany:

Click the links that take you straight to the text (CTRL and “Left Click”) if that helps:

Isaiah 60:1-6 – Isaiah 60:1-6 NIVUK – The glory of Zion – ‘Arise, shine, – Bible Gateway  – a great passage of encouragement and of God’s future glory fulfilled, in part, by the coming of the Magi.

Ephesians 3:1-12 –  Ephesians 3:1-12 NIVUK – God’s marvellous plan for the – Bible Gateway – a New Testament passage also of encouragement.  Paul glimpses that not only non-Jewish people will come to God (Isaiah 60:1-6), but that the message of Jesus was always intended for the whole world, to go out way beyond the Jewish nation – and this message was, and is, life.

Matt 2:1-12 – Matt 2:1-12 NIVUK – The Magi visit the Messiah – After – Bible Gateway – the great passage of the Bible from which we get the Story of the Magi.

Howard preached on these passages in two short videos from home.  Please see:

Howard Talk (1) by night: (127) Howard’s First Talk – YouTube

Howard Talk (2) by day: (127) Howard’s Second Talk – YouTube

Traditional Carols:

  1. “Hark the Herald, angels sing:”
  1. “God rest, ye merry gentlemen” – Lyrics Version: (127) God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – Christendom College – YouTube
  2. “Good King Wenceslas:
  1. “See amid the winter’s snow” – cover version by Chet Valley Churches, Norfolk with Lyrics: (127) See, Amid the Winter’s Snow [with lyrics for congregations] – YouTube
  1. “We three Kings” – cover version also by the Chet Valley Churches, Norfolk with Lyrics: (127) We Three Kings of Orient Are [with lyrics for congregations] – YouTube
  • See also the wonderful animated version by Kirk franklin for the film “The Star” for children and young people (details below).
  1. “The first Nowell” – version by Kings College, Cambridge: (127) King’s College Cambridge 2010 #15 The First Nowell – YouTube

Traditional Hymns and Songs:

  1. “As with gladness men of old” – Songs of Praise version with Lyrics: (127) As With Gladness Men Of Old – YouTube
  1. “Brightest and best new sons of the morning” – Songs of Praise version with Lyrics: (127) EPIPHANY-BRIGHTEST AND BEST – YouTube
  1. “O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” – Songs of Praise version with Lyrics: (127) CHESTER CATHEDRAL-O WORSHIP THE LORD – YouTube

Contemporary Hymns and Songs:

  1. “Carol of the Epiphany” – by John Bell and the Iona Community (with Lyrics). Challenges where we will find Jesus in our lives: (127) Carol of the Epiphany – YouTube
  1. “Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness” – by Tim Hughes. Lyrics version: (127) Light of the World lyric video – YouTube
  1. “Joy has dawned upon the world” – by Keith and Kirsten Getty. Cover by Boyce Seminary Worship Collective: (127) Joy Has Dawned – Boyce Worship Collective – YouTube

Children and Young People:

  1. “We three Kings” a version by Kirk Franklin as part of the film “The Star” – great animation fun: (127) Lyric Video – “We Three Kings” by Kirk Franklin | THE STAR – YouTube

Modern:

  1. “Song of the Magi” by Anais Mitchell – contrasts the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem two thousand years ago and then also if they visited today:
  1. “The Spirit and the Bride say come” by “One for Israel” – an incredible group of young people, Arab and Israeli, who have chosen to live, worship and learn togetehr by forming a new community “Israel College of the Bible:” (127) Jewish & Arab Teen from Israel in Hebrew, Arabic & English Worship – YouTube
  1. “This Train” version by Ruby Turner and Jools Holland (part of the 2010 “New Year’s Eve” celebrations – video visual quality has been massively improved since then). Great gospel song about the energy and drive of taking the Message of Jesus out: (127) Ruby Turner – This train – YouTube

Videos/DVD:

  1. “The Chosen” – Episode “The Shepherds” is the Christmas Special that started this worldwide phenomenon. “The Chosen” can be obtained for free, either via YouTube (simply type in “The Chosen” or via an App, which can be downloaded to your Smartphone or Tablet.

Its all very exciting.  Details of how to find “The Shepherds” on YouTube: (127) The Chosen: The Shepherd (Pilot Episode) – YouTube

Films and DVDs for Children and Young People:

  1. “The Star” – a wonderful; animated film which is like a fusion between the Nativity Story and character and humour of the film “Shrek.” The greatest story told from the point of view of the Donkey.  Great fun.  Available from Amazon (DVD) and to rent from Amazon Prime.
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Service for Sunday 20th December – Fourth Sunday of Advent

Bible Readings:

Key Bible Reading:

If you would like to look up the reading for yourself – simply click the link:

For Luke 1:26-38: Luke 1:26-38 NIVUK – The birth of Jesus foretold – In the – Bible Gateway

 

Set Readings for today (Fourth Sunday of Advent):

2Samuel 7:1-11, 16 – In many ways this seems a strange passage to be linking to Mary and the subject of Jesus’ birth as it seems to talking principally about building a Temple of stone and cedar in the time of King David.  How can these two events be linked?

The answer comes in the form of what the Temple represents – the meeting place between God and Creation, heaven and earth.  It is in this regard that vs 16 is interesting that such a meeting place needs to be created not by humanity but by God.

Of course, although David himself did not get to build a Temple, his Solomon did, and God did indeed make His home there.  But we should not loose sight that ultimately it is God who does indeed build there house, how and wherever He chooses – it can be in a building, it can, and truly is, in His Son (often considered to be the ‘new’ Temple – the ‘new’ place of meeting), but it can also be in our hearts and minds.  All of which are relevant and true – all of which involve not just human endeavour and partnership – but ultimately a willingness to submit and all “God to build the House” of His dwelling.       

Romans 16:25-end – Paul is closing his letter with an incredible exultation.  What is worth noting are two things.  First, that the foundations of how God was to ‘save’ and reconcile the earth to Himself through the birth, life and death of His Son, was indeed sown into the fabric and story of the world from the very earliest of times but which was hidden until those who could God in Jesus could see the long and good line of evidence and breadcrumbs that God had sown to point them to this fact over many hundreds, if not thousands of years.

The second thing is that this message is not just for the few, “the Chosen,” the Jews, but indeed for all people – the Gentiles.  Gentiles at the time of Paul were considered ‘other,’ somehow ‘lesser’ human beings than those created Jewish and in some sense ‘closer’ relationship to God.  By saying this message of salvation is for Gentiles, Paul is saying this message is “for everyone,” not just a religious elite, either then or now.  “God so loved the world,” the whole world and everyone in it as a child of God.  Something to keep in mind in this age of ‘identity politics’ and so many labels of ethnicity, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, whatever – that first and foremost 95-98% of who we are as human beings is the same, as a child of God, before ever we start looking at what makes us different.             

Luke 1:26-38 – The story of the Annunciation is one of the best known of all biblical stories and leads us head-on into having to wrestle with the idea of supernatural intervention and in a  most personal and intimate way as to lead to conception. 

But however much we struggle, and certainly before we dismiss such a possibility out of hand, let us look very briefly at what such an event could be trying to communicate and say.

First and foremost the passage, in some way or other, is trying to fulfil the words we have heard previously in 2Samuel7 – that it is God, not us, who is choosing to make His ‘new tabernacle,’ His ‘new tent’ amongst us and within us.

Secondly, let us look at what such an initiative on God’s behalf means – it means the spiritual ‘wedding’ itself to the physical in a way from which it can never go back.  Once, Immanuel, God with us has been born, God can never retreat again and hold humanity and creation at arm’s length.  From here on is God is stating He is fully committed, whether we are or not to the purpose for which God sent Jesus in the first place.

And thirdly, we should not under-estimate the wonder that God, in all His majesty, glory and strength, Creator of the Universe, should choose to engage in such a venture ‘in partnership’ with humanity rather than imposing Himself upon it; choosing to ‘ask’ Mary’ rather than dictating, or assuming, or takin Mary for granted.  Blessed be God Himself that He should wait and hope for our, “yes,” just like Mary gave that wonderful and beautiful day when all of heaven held its breath.            

Hymns and Songs for Fourth Sunday for Advent: today we have been looking at how Mary has inspired musicians and songwriters over the years, in all genres and traditions, to compose music and song inspired by the story of Mary and the Nativity:

Traditional:

  1. As per previous weeks, we have begun our Advent service with “O come, O come, Emmanuel” as we have been playing it Sunday by Sunday to introduce our service.
  1. “The Angel Gabriel from heaven came”:
  1. “What child is this” (set to the tune of Greensleeves):

– traditional version with Lyrics: (110) A Beautiful Christmas Carol – What Child is This – YouTube

  1. “Mary came with meekness” (tune Noel Nouvelet):

– Version with Liz, Hugh and Toby: (110) Mary came with meekness – YouTube

  1. “Tell out my Soul” (The Magnificat) – by Timothy Dudley-Smith:
  1. “Wexford Carol/The Magnificat” (Live) – by Keith and Kirsten Getty: (110) Wexford Carol/Magnificat (LIVE) – Keith & Kristyn Getty – YouTube

Meditation:

Thoughtful music to close your eyes and reflect upon one of the greatest events of history.

  1. “Christ our Emmanuel” by John Rutter (Choral Highlights 2020) – audio only, just released: (110) Christ our Emmanuel (SATB) – YouTube

Modern:

On the theme of Mary:

  1. “You’re here” by Francesca Battistelli:
  1. “Breath of heaven” (Mary’s Song) – by Amy Grant. Modern take on the traditional words of the Magnificat: (110) Amy Grant – Breath Of Heaven (Mary’s Song) (Lyric Video) – YouTube
  1. “Perfect Love” (Mary’s Song) – by Darlene Zschech.  Very powerful film/video clip (WARNING: from “The Passion of the Christ” – therefore “Adult content”) but very fitting: (110) Perfect Love (Mary’s Song) with lyrics – YouTube
  1. “Magnificat” (Mary’s Song) – by Christy Nockels. Modern setting of these familiar words. With Lyrics: (110) Magnificat – Mary’s Song (with lyrics) – YouTube
  1. “Mary did you know” – made famous by Pentatonix (Acapella artists):

 Videos/DVD:

  1. “Mary’s Song” – dramatized adaptation and expansion of what it means (2010.) Very good: (110) Mary’s Song – Christmas 2010 – YouTube
  2. “The Chosen” – Episode 1 – the worldwide phenomenon which is the world crowd funded TV adaptation of the Life of Jesus called “The Chosen.” Series 1 has already been released and funding for Series 2 is just about complete and due to be released over the Christmas period.

“The Chosen” can be obtained for free, either via YouTube (simply type in “The Chosen” or via an App, which can be downloaded to your Smartphone or Tablet.

Its all very exciting.  Details of how to find Episode 1 on YouTube: (92) The Chosen: Complete Episode One – YouTube