Text: 1 Corinthians 2: 1-12

Friends, we gather today, called to be a beacon of hope and love in our community. Remember the words of Jesus: "You are the light of the world."
We are called to shine brightly, illuminating the path for those who seek truth and love.
Just as a city on a hill cannot be hidden, may our faith be evident in all we do.
We will let our light shine before others, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.
As we worship today, let us commit to being reflections of God’s love and grace.
Together, we shine! Amen.

Hamish continues our Case Studies in Corinthians with a sermon based on 1 Corinthians 2. You can watch it here: 
https://youtu.be/Sy_HoR6h2zA

Text: 1 Corinthians 1: 18-31 

This passage reflects the debating culture in Corinth. It is imbued with the language of debate. The key message is that, whilst the Greeks and Jews perceived the death of Jesus on a cross as weak and foolish, it is actually the power and wisdom of God.

The Jews were scandalised by the idea of a seemingly weak and crucified God. The Greeks were offended by the ugliness of a bloodied, beaten man on a cross. And yet Paul reverses all that and points to the cross as the beautiful answer of a God prepared to suffer in order to reach us in our helplessness and lift us up to his level!

Watch the recorded sermon here:  https://youtu.be/upWbndO7IcA

Readings:
Psalm 133 
1 Corinthians 1:10-17

We gather today from different homes, different backgrounds, and different journeys.
But we gather as one people, called by one God.
We bring our unique gifts, our diverse stories, and our individual hearts.
Yet we are woven together by the Spirit into one body.
Let us lay aside what divides us and celebrate the love that binds us.
For in Christ, there is no stranger, only brothers and sisters in grace.
With one voice, let us lift up our praise.
With one heart, let us seek the peace of God.
 
1st Corinthians captures quite a bit of the dynamics of church life. The title of today’s sermon – United in Christ – signals the direction of the message. In the letter, Paul seeks to address the concerns raised because of believers dividing into different groups, depending on who they first heard the message of Christ from.
​
The recorded sermon can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/IVZp4r7seiQ

Text: 1 Corinthians 1: 1-9

Call to Worship (from Isaiah 49: 1-7)

Listen, all you peoples; hear, you who are far and near.
The Lord has called us by name and formed us for His purpose.
Before we knew Him, God knew us;
before we spoke, God gave us a voice of praise.
The Lord says, “You are my servant, in whom I will be glorified.”
Even when our labour feels hidden, God’s work is not in vain.
Our hope rests in the Lord,
our reward is held in the hands of our God.
The Lord is our light and our salvation,
calling us to shine grace to the nations.
We come to worship the Holy One of Israel,
faithful, redeeming, and worthy of all praise.
Let us worship the Lord.
 
In Acts 18 we get the picture of Paul’s visit to Corinth. He stayed there for 18 months, making many converts and setting up a lively and energetic church community. But there were big problems. Paul wrote 4 letters to try and address the issues, of which only 2 survive. This letter, 1 Corinthians, is the second letter, the first letter having not gone down well! So it is back to the drawing board for Paul! What do I say to get things back on track? And so this letter comes to them at a delicate time, and Paul draws the attention of the Corinthian church to 3 areas which needed addressing.
 
Watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/1JVbi-WV6nQ

We have watched; we have waited
In hope we lit the first candle.
With love we lit the second candle.
In joy we lit the third candle.
For peace we lit the fourth candle.
Now our redemption draws near!
We remember God with us!
And so the Christ candle bursts into flame!
​
Mark’s sermon for Christmas Day has been recorded, and you can view it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzBYs69gz18

Text: Luke 1: 39-56
  
Life is seldom a smooth journey. For most of us it is punctuated with a series of high and lows, and at times we are tossed about on an emotionally demanding rollercoaster ride of ups and downs. The story of Mary and Jesus certainly bears this out. Today’s passage captures the spirit-filled and heartfelt joy of Mary and Elizabeth regarding their pregnancies. This feeling of deep joy is wound through the whole incarnation narrative of scripture.
 
Today’s sermon explores where this joy fits in the ups and downs of the pregnancy and birth story, why there was such joy and how that joy impacted Mary and Elizabeth.

Watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/R0pJdwYshyo​

Today we light the fourth candle of Advent, the Candle of Joy.
The apostle writes: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.”
(Philippians 4:4)
Spiritual joy does not ignore suffering; rather, it springs from the nearness of God, who meets us in every circumstance.
We rejoice because God came to us in the baby Jesus.
Mary and Elizabeth rejoiced to be included in your plan.
We too hear you call on our lives!
Mary and Elizabeth responded with heartfelt joyful gratitude.
May we know that deep joy in our worship today.

Text: John 1:1-14

The Joy of Christmas is great and we need to know that God comes to us in a celebratory way in the birth of Jesus. But the Christmas message is primarily about the love of God, which comes to us both in times of Joy and times of sadness.
 
Watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/uN-Mlk1wpI4

Today we light the Candle of Love.
We remember the angel’s words to Mary: “Do not be afraid… for you have found favour with God.” (Luke 1:30)
God’s perfect love enters the world through the vulnerability of a child, inviting us into lives shaped by grace. God’s love is steadfast and eternal.
We give thanks for the love made known in Jesus Christ.
God finds us in even the most remote and dark places..
As God has loved us, so we will love.
Let love be our offering and our witness.
Come, Lord Jesus, enfold us in your love.
God of love, as we draw near to Christmas, fill our hearts with the love that casts out fear and draws us toward you and others. May this candle’s light remind us that your love has come to us in the birth of Jesus
Amen

Texts:
Matthew 2:1-7
Micah 5:1-5  
 
On the second Sunday of Advent we light the Candle of Peace.
The prophet proclaims: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder. And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace". (Isaiah 9:6)
Christ, the Prince of Peace, comes to guide our feet into the way of peace.
God’s peace is for all who long for wholeness.
Make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, bring love.
Where there is injury, bring healing.
Where there is fear, bring courage.
Christ, be our peace.
God of peace, calm our anxious hearts. As this candle reminds us of your presence, fill our lives and your world with your reconciling love. Help us to prepare the way for the peace of the Lord with compassion, justice, and mercy.
Amen.
 
Mark has recorded a Reflection on this theme, which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/fgYRPnUa46A

Focus Text: Luke 4:14-30

Welcome to our advent preaching series 2025.

The content, the substance, of Christmas is loaded with so much good for us to reflect on. Today we look at the theme of Hope.

The recorded sermon can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/JzKngtbLrbc

Reflection of Praise – Isaiah 9:6-7
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
We welcome Him with joy
We worship and praise Him
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
He is our hope
He is our sure foundation

Text: Jeremiah 23: 1-8

This passage is about the use and abuse of power. Particularly it is about keeping hope alive when powerful leaders are wreaking havoc through the misuse of their power! This message comes to us from the kingdom of Judah in the late 7th and early 6th centuries BC. But it is still as relevant today as it was then.
​
Watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/fl2Kq5W6ubU