Readings
1 Samuel 3:1-10
Mark 1: 14-20
 
Real Christianity
Many years ago, in an interaction with a Pentecostal Christian, Hamish was informed that he could not be a “real Christian” as he did not speak in tongues! That caused him to pause and think: What is a real Christian? What is real Christianity?

He speaks to these questions in today’s sermon, the recording of which can be found here: https://youtu.be/VaVeeVO4fSU

​The text of the sermon will be available from early next week on our News page.

Boxing Day
St Stephen’s Day

In Western Christianity, 26 December is called "Saint Stephen's Day", the "Feast of Stephen" mentioned in the English Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas". It is a public holiday in many nations that are of historic Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran traditions, including Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Poland, Italy, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Catalonia and the Balearic Isles. In Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom, the day is celebrated as "Boxing Day".

Readings: 
Luke 2:41-52
Colossians 3:12-17 

The title of this week's sermon is "Journeys", and the recorded version can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/0w6Zx2TQla4

This morning is our service of Service of Readings and Carols & Christmas music. Because there is more musical content to the service this week, there is no recorded sermon.

Our choir master has picked out a good selection of pieces for the Choir and soloists to sing. For those not able to join us, here are some YouTube links to versions of the pieces they are singing
 
Recitative and Air, from Messiah, G. F. Handel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dDjva1ecYo
 
Jesu, Joy of man’s desiring, from Cantata 147:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6OgZCCoXWc
 
Angel Tidings. Moravian traditional carol, arr. John Rutter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNvCKZ6EX3I
 
The Virgin’s Slumber Song. Text Michael Forster, Music Max Reger:
https://www.kampenboyschoir.nl/nl/video/249-reger.html
 
Cowboy Carol. Words and Music Cecil Broadhurst:
​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=145TOliMr_8

All Age Family Advent Service
​
Bible Reading: Isaiah 12:2-6
2 Surely God is my salvation;
    I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense[a];
    he has become my salvation.”
3 With joy you will draw water
    from the wells of salvation.
4 In that day you will say:
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done,
    and proclaim that his name is exalted.
5 Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things;
    let this be known to all the world.
6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,
    for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”
 
Today’s theme is Joy, and the church service will feature our young people performing “New Star”, a Christmas Pageant.
 
A recorded message for the day can be accessed here: https://youtu.be/l0USLqDkdjY

Second Sunday of Advent

Readings: Malachi 3:1-4 & Luke 3:1-6

Theme: Messengers of God

The recorded sermon for this week can be accessed here: ​https://youtu.be/KYGcgVVyImE

First Sunday in Advent

Readings: Luke 21:25-36 & Psalm 25:1-10

For the first Sunday in Advent, we light the Candle of Hope, and the theme of hope is throughout our service today.

For those who want a bit of a refresher, or who have not been able to join us in person, the recording of the sermon can be viewed here: ​https://youtu.be/wifkb_3Dxr8

Reign of Christ the King
Readings: Luke 1:59-80; Isaiah 9:1-7

Hamish’s message for this Sunday is around how we do Advent in COVID times?
How do the Advent themes of love, joy, peace and hope speak into our situation?
How does the birth of Jesus lighten the shadow of pandemic that hangs over us?

You can access the video message by using the following link: https://youtu.be/8hdhqgT2xhw

Everything she had
Reading: Mark 12: 38-44

It is interesting to note what we notice and what we fail to notice. Our vision is selective; it has to be. We can’t focus our gaze on everything that appears before our eyes.

In this reading, sitting in the Temple opposite the Treasury, Jesus uses the occasion to teach the disciples the difference between pride and humility.
 
You can view the recording here: https://youtu.be/7RD1FvA3Nh0, and download the service sheet from our News page.

Seed or Stone?
 
Readings: Ruth 1:1-18 & John 11: 32-44
 
A celebration of All Saints’ Day
In many churches, All Saints’ Day (1st November) celebrates all people of faith, recalling how, in New Testament usage, the word saints refer to Christians collectively, as well as those people of special significance who have been set apart by the church or canonized. It is the recognition of the common bond of Christians, both living and dead, and the common bond of the church here on earth and the church triumphant in heaven.
Revelation paints a picture of God’s victory in Jesus Christ, that place, that time when “the dwelling of God will be with humanity,” when God at last will have had God’s way with the world. That’s what Christian talk of heaven is about – God’s victory in Jesus Christ when God’s loving purposes will at last be accomplished forever and ever.
 
Today’s service sheet can be found on our News page, and the recorded sermon can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/N0V8i9SY6lk – a pdf of the sermon will be uploaded to the News page early next week.

The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10: 46-52)
 
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him (v.51)
 
We explore more about this story in this week’s sermon, which can be accessed here: https://youtu.be/2P5WtApnP5Y
 
To conclude, you may wish to listen to this music for reflection - John Rutter’s setting of a Celtic blessing, “Deep Peace,” sung by Aled Jones (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD9Ook_bp0w), the words of which are
 
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the gentle night to you.
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you.
Deep peace of Christ,
of Christ the light of the world to you.
Deep peace of Christ to you.