Readings:
Mark 1: 29-39
Philippians 4: 4-9

Research on the Healing Power of Prayer indicates that the well-being impact of prayer is increased when it is not only practiced alone, but also within a faith community.

Today’s passage from Mark’s gospel is an early look at a day in the life of Jesus, a ‘specimen day’ as one commentator coins it, and, clearly, Jesus’ daily rhythm was prayer soaked!

It is such a trap to forgo prayer because of the busyness of life! Martin Luther once said
“Work, work, from morning until late at night. In fact, I have so much to do that I shall have to spend the first three hours in prayer.”

There are lots of studies that demonstrate the positive impact of prayer on well-being. If Jesus was so invested in the importance of prayer, this is surely a template for life as Christian people.

​Watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/3pxB34EVCqU

Readings:
John 17: 20-26
Acts 2:44-47

This sermon series explores living long and living well! What are the factors that lead to a good, long life?

Today’s theme is Life Giving Community and in our bible reading from the book of Acts we hear about the immediate and spontaneous result of the Pentecostal experience, the forming of a thriving faith community.

This was an attractive community. People liked what they saw and joined in their droves. And so it is that this very first Church community set a pattern that people have been drawn to and found life in for the centuries to follow.  And people have found Christian church community life giving!

​Watch the recording of the sermon here:  https://youtu.be/qcPnbhAbn3g

Come, and praise God!
In the company of the God’s people,
let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
Great are the works of God,
full of glory and majesty.
Our God is gracious and compassionate;
our God is merciful and forgiving
our God is faithful and trustworthy,
our God is just and good.
So come, let’s worship God together.
God’s praise will last forever

Readings:
Jonah 3:1-5
Mark 1:14-20
 
This week’s readings lead us to think about the theme of repentance – it’s the message God sent Jonah to Nineveh to deliver, and it’s the message that Jesus also began his ministry by proclaiming. In Mark’s gospel the first words Jesus speaks are: “The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”

The sermon, though, focuses on the call to holiness as part of discipleship. Watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/DoBantXfkBU

Readings:
Psalm 139
1 Samuel 3:1-20
John 1:43-51
 
We have come to worship God,
who loved us before we were yet born,
who knows us even better than we know ourselves,
whose presence never leaves us,
and whose love for us never ceases.
 
Today’s sermon considers the readings from Psalm 139 and from 1 Samuel 3. You can watch the recording of it here: https://youtu.be/SBmqX5Oudws

I bind unto myself today
the power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, his might to stay,
his ear to hearken to my need;
The wisdom of my God to teach,
his hand to guide, his shield to ward,
The word of God to give me speech,
his heavenly host to be my guard.
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

In today's service Hamish introduces a new sermon series, that will begin in late January, called Living Long in the Land. This Sunday he will look at this using the case studies of Simeon and Anna from Luke 2.

You can watch the recording of the sermon here: https://youtu.be/KJwM_1Uhdm4

Reading:
Luke 2: 1-14  

Christians, awake, salute the happy morn,
whereon the Saviour of the world was born;
rise to adore the mystery of love,
which hosts of angels chanted from above;
with them the joyful tidings were begun
of God incarnate and the Virgin’s son.
 
The Christmas Message – Finding Jesus – can be watched here: 
​https://youtu.be/YgsM_MNQcJ0

Bible readings:
Psalm 96:1-7, 11-13
Luke 1:26-38
 
Today the Advent candles of hope, peace, joy and love are all lit.
The first Advent candle reminds us of our confident hope for a better world through the coming of Jesus.
The second Advent candle reminds us that God’s dreams for peace in our world can come true, and that we can be part of making that happen.
The third Advent candle reminds us of the joy of Jesus’ birth, announced by angels to ordinary people, and that we can be part of bringing God’s gift of joy to our world.
The fourth Advent candle stands for love:
Love revealed in Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, and through all who live the way of Jesus.
Come, light of the world.
Shine your love in our hearts.
Amen.
 
Watch the recording of today’s sermon - Known by God and completely free
Here: https://youtu.be/euh4TLmNqco

From Psalm 126:
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter,
    our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us,
    and we are filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow with tears
    will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.
Come, Lord, and bring your joy to lift our spirits at this Christmas time.

​Today is the third Sunday in Advent, with the theme of Joy, and in the reading from 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul issues an inspiring and challenging command to rejoice. And so we reflect on some of the simple pleasures for which we are grateful.

Psalm 85: 10-13
Love and faithfulness meet together;
    righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
    and righteousness looks down from heaven.
The Lord will indeed give what is good,
    and our land will yield its harvest.
Righteousness goes before him
    and prepares the way for his steps.
 
Reflecting on Colossians 1:15-23, Hamish talks about the God who comes to reconcile.
Watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/TPtut66GtOM

Our Office Administrator is on leave for a couple of weeks, so sermon recordings won’t be uploaded during that time. You should, however, be able to access them from our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@cashmerepresbyterianchurch