The Warrington Carol

Traditionally each year the staff team perform a song at the annual CarolCade in aid of Action for children - this year was no exception. So we put pen to paper and using the tune to Mary's Boy child wrote the following. It went down a stormer....

Long time ago in the North West
In the town with a golden gate
There is a circuit Warrington
a varied town it longs to relate

Hark now hear the district say
Does one go into five?
As we responded yes we pray
Pre-empting mapping the way

In the centre two churches meet,
To celebrate their call
Bold street, Latchford oh so sweet
In joyous praise to one and all

Chorus

These angels all delight and sing
No people they forsake
The central sing in harmony
Jackie’s love of chocolate cake

Chorus

By and by there stood a bearded man
Stephen Kingsnorth was his name
A big red bus named after him
The Borough council never the same

Chorus

Up in the north of Ice & snow
St. Philip proclaims the word
From the Health Centre to the Odeon
We are being increasingly heard

Chorus

Some Methodists from Antrobus one night
they saw a wondrous beaming light
was it a bright and shining star
it was Stockton Heath in full flight

Chorus

So off they journeyed to Stockton Heath
to see what’s going free
Invited to join in partnership
whilst Mark drank a cup of tea
Chorus

By and by, oh they have met
so many times they do agree
enablers working night and day
whilst mark still drinks lots of tea

Chorus

The Padgate star shone from the tower
Bringing wise men from afar
From Woolston, Lymm & Rixton they came
All squashed up in Malcolm’s car

Chorus

We like to feast those of us in the East
Lymm’s market lunches are a charm
With Rixton’s bakes and St Martins cakes
& Padgate’s bacon barm!

Chorus

There were some gifts came from the East
So the Holy Bible says
But God good gifts to us in the west
Are new things being started instead.

Chorus

Tiddlywinks, 3SA, and Monday Mums,
Little Angels, Chat and Chill,
For Penketh and Hood Manor too
All think they are really brill


Hark now hear the district say
Does one go into five?
As we responded yes we pray
Pre-empting mapping the way

Hark now hear the angels sing
Swelling our circuit praise
Stick the sat nav in the car
As we follow the Warrington ways

Just done this on Facebook

I have just undertaken this on facebook under the title "what kind of woman are you" the outcome is below .. interesting...

You are lovely and caring. You help others and spread out a lot of sympathy. Your life aim maybe is to serve the people. But your weakness is that you forget about yourself, your own needs. All your time is hold back for your friends and family. You are always there for people in trouble. Ready for any emergency. You make a lot of sacrifices just to be a good human. But every woman has her needs, her longings and a destiny. Don't loose yourself in work or curing other people's souls. You will have your own problems in your life. Another problem is that you don't say your opinion when it's right and important to say it. People trample onto your soul if you are always so kind and lovely and helpful. They will play on you. Though you should try to relax more and enjoy your life, you should not loose the gift that was given to you to help others . Not everyone is created this way... You are unique and rare!

hmmmm......

Christmas Day – Emmanuel - God with Us

Reading

Then Isaiah said: "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.

Reflection

Emmanuel God is with us. In other words “he is here” not somewhere else but right here. In the midst, the centre of the world and OUR world.

Emmanuel. God with us. He who was in heaven, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and Spirit, descended into our world. Breathing our air, he felt our pain, knew our sorrows, and died for our sins. He didn't come to frighten us, but to show us the way to warmth and safety. Another way of putting it – Emmanuel God is with us – we are not alone. A God born as a helpless baby – the word becoming flesh unable to speak a word. The word vulnerable, relying on others and the community. God with us learning to walk, talk – this is not the remote God but the one.

May the peace and love of the Christ Child fill your hearts this day

Prayer
Welcome Holy Child. Your presence here transforms us.
All praise to you O Lord. You have come and become one of us. We thank you for this Word made flesh, revealed to us in the manger. Grant that we may find in his birth the new birth that he brings in us, to live out your gospel of love in the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Christmas Eve – Wonderful Counsellor

Reading

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Reflection
Advent speaks of the coming of the "Promised One" into the world. The promised one Jesus Christ – he is a Wonderful, Counsellor. Justly is He called Wonderful, for He is both God and man.

Wonderful Counsellor… this is literally wonder-counsellor or supernatural counsellor, one who will come with great wisdom and insight that is beyond human capability. When Jesus came he came with a different level of teaching (Mk 1:23,27, Mt 22:33) and knew what people were thinking (Mt 12:25, Mk 2:8, Lk 5:22, 6:8, 11:17) and stopped the mouths of the religious teachers with his wisdom and insight. He knew and he still knows our heart desire, our delights. our joys and the depth of our sorrows. In that knowing God draws so very near and in such an extravagant demonstration of love – as a baby.

Prayer
God,
creator of all life, you made us in your image, and sent your Son to share our flesh.
On this Christmas Eve as we celebrate the glad time of his birth,
we pray that your love may be born anew in us.

Help us to respond to the greatness of your love by sharing it with others.
Amen.

Away in a Manger

Just how many times do we sing this? 15 times so far this year with three services to go - I am determined not to have them at those. It is not that I have anything too major against it - its nice enough - but you can have enough of a good thing.

Thomas - I am sorry i divulged your secret at the Carol Service - for those that made it I am sure he will forgive me - for those that didn't it is up to Tom whether he shares or not....

Caption Competition

Taken from the New Christian Voice website - what could the caption be....

hmmm please post your suggestions

23rd December - Prince of Peace

Reading

"Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" John 14:27

Reflection

What is Peace? According to Webster's dictionary, peace is a state of tranquillity, quiet, calm, freedom from civil disturbance, A state of security - being secure within a community, freedom from oppression, strife and disorder. In harmony in personal relations. Untroubled by conflict, agitation or commotion. Is peace desirable? Do you have it? Would you like to have it? How may we receive true peace.
Jesus in His last discourse with His disciples before His crucifixion said to them “Peace I leave with you”, How is it that Jesus could give His disciples "peace" when He was about to suffer on Calvary and His disciples would soon go through the worst experience of their lives up to that time? Just three days later, at evening on the day of His resurrection, Jesus came and stood in the midst of His disciples and said to them, "Peace be with you.-- Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord" (John 20:19, 20). What a Prince! Death and the grave could not hold Him.

Prayer

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, the light of the world to you,
Deep peace of Christ to you.

22 December - Everlasting Father

Reading

Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.

Reflection

How complex is the person of the Lord Jesus, in just a few breaths he is called Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God and now Everlasting Father.

Jesus is our Everlasting Father in the sense that He is the one who brings us to spiritual life. In John 14:6 Jesus told us that "no man comes to the Father, except through Him". We are new creatures in and because of Christ. It is because of Jesus that we have the opportunity to know eternal life. It is because of Jesus that we can know a new and life-giving relationship with the Father. Also, both aspects of His name give us great hope for our personal lives. The name "Father" is a familial term. And the name "Everlasting" describes how great He is. He's without beginning and without end. He was, is, and always will be. He's the One who revealed Himself to Moses when he asked God about His name. The answer was, "I am that I am." God revealed Himself to Moses as "I am." Yesterday, He was "I am," and today He's still "I am." And tomorrow He will still be "I am."

Prayer

Lord, be like treasure to me this Christmas.
Let me be willing to listen when I'm told of your glory.
Take away my fear and bring me peace.
Whatever else I may receive let me be glad to accept you into my life and to share you with those around me.
Amen.

21 December - Fourth Sunday in Advent - Light of the World

Reading

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

Reflection

The sun is the light of the earth. No matter how bad the storm may be, the sun shines above it, and will triumph over it.
Jesus is the light of the world. No matter how tough the times are, no matter what indignities we must suffer in this life, someday the indignities will end and Jesus’ triumph will be revealed. The sun never ceases shining; sometimes clouds get in our way and prevent us from observing it, yet we do not lose faith in the sun! We do not call up the local astronomical observatory and ask where the sun has gone and when it will return! We think that is funny, but why is it that when the clouds of adversity cloud our view of Jesus, we run to a church and ask why God has gone away and when He will come back? Or we lose faith altogether, conclude that we have been abandoned—until the clouds clear up as clouds always do and we can see Jesus in our lives again. Fools as we are, we forget the lesson we’ve just learned and repeat the panic the next time. For sometimes he comes in the clouds.

Prayer

God of light and longing, with hope we look to you this day.
At this season of the year - this time of short days and long nights -
we are looking for the turning of the tide,
that movement which assures us that darkness
will not overcome the world.

O Come O Come Emmanuel and lighten our lives

20 December - Lion of Judah

Reading

Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Revelation 5: 5

Reflection

The central figure in C.S. Lewis’ "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" is Aslan the lion. He is the true ruler of the mystical land called Narnia. In the story Aslan fights the White Witch and saves Narnia from perpetual darkness. He sacrifices his life for the people of Narnia. It is thought that Lewis had Jesus in mind as wrote and in some ways it almost appears as though Lewis sat with the New Testament open, especially the book of Revelation, as he wrote this famous children’s novel. Aslan was a wonderful, magical lion, the embodiment of goodness, full of love, a type of Jesus. When Susan, one of the children in the story, meets Aslan she begins to believe in Narnia and understands that things are going to be okay. Aslan, the lion is a symbol of hope, especially when he rises from the dead! The image of Lion from the tribe of Judah that we read in this verse, suggests to us the authority and power of Jesus. He has triumphed over death. Of all the images presented in the Bible for Jesus, the lion is perhaps the most magnificent. The strength of the lion and his undoubted place as king of beasts make him a fitting emblem of the all-powerful messiah. We have a sense of his majesty and his splendour all of which was set aside as he humbled himself, became human and for our sake died the death of a criminal; such was his love for us.

Prayer

Lord God, We stand amazed at your power and majesty bowed by such humility. We stand amazed at the suffering love that transforms our lives. We stand amazed that you, O God most high, were brought low for our sake.
We bow down, to praise, to worship and to adore.
Amen

19 December - Morning Star

Reading
We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eye witnesses of his Majesty……. And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until, the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
2 Peter 1: 16, 19

Reflection

In many Moravian churches, the fourth Sunday in Advent was known as “Morning Star Sunday." A large multi-pointed paper star would hang from the ceiling of the church and the congregation would sing, “Morning Star, O cheering sight; ere thou camest how dark earth's night! Jesus, mine, in me shine; fill my heart with light divine." Today the service is better known as the Christingle service and is celebrated in many denominations. The Christingle itself is made up of an orange that represents the world; a red ribbon that indicates the blood of Christ; four cocktail sticks bearing dried fruit or sweets to signify the four seasons and the fruits of the earth and a lighted candle that symbolizes Jesus, who brings light to the World.
Jesus, the morning star, is the light of salvation to the world. He is the brightest star seen in the east just before dawn. In this passage the writer encourages his readers to hold on to the old prophecies and Jesus fulfillment of them. He says they are light in a dark and murky place that will be sufficient until the day dawns and the Morning Star rises in their hearts. This refers not to the coming of Jesus as a baby in Bethlehem but a second coming, when Jesus will come in glory and majesty. This star signals the end of the night and the dawn of the new day, filling the darkness of our lives and of our world, with light.

Prayer

Lord, lighten our darkness. Let the bright shafts of your love colour our lives. Let us be transformed as the light of the morning star blazes in our hearts, that we may show your light in the dark places of this world. Amen

18 December - Alpha and Omega

Reading

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “Who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 1: 8

Reflection

Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. I suppose we might say God is the A to Z, but of course the writer of Revelation is talking about a truth much greater than alphabets. He is saying that God is the beginning and the end, the ruler of past, present and future. Everything originates in him and everything somehow will end with him. This one verse speaks a truth about God that it is difficult for us to comprehend. Before him there was nothing. In fact there was no "before him". For millions and billions and trillions of unending years God has existed and never had a beginning for he is the beginning. From everlasting to everlasting, he is God. There never was a time when he was not. It is difficult to put into words never mind understand!I find this image of the eternal nature of God both comforting and reassuring. For it reminds me that God will never abandon us, he will always be there loving us throughout life’s highs and lows. He will be there at our end just as he was there at our beginning. What an incredible God!

Prayer

We worship you eternal and everlasting God;
Alpha and Omega – the first and the last.
For you are the source of all life.
You set the world in motion, creating solar systems and planets;
You are beyond our understanding more than we can ever imagine.
Thank you for your love, the delicate wrapping in which you enfold us from our beginning to our end. Amen

17 December - The Life

Reading
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel, will save it.”
Mark 8: 34 - 35
Reflection

In John’s gospel Jesus refers to himself as the Life; for by knowing and following him we can have life in all its fullness, life in abundance. In him we can truly be alive! But that may not mean we have an easy life, a life filled with joy, a life without pain, a nicely paved road to wealth and ease. In fact, as these verses from Mark’s gospel demonstrate, we may well experience just the opposite. Jesus tells us that we should deny ourselves, take up a cross and follow him. And that might mean a huge effort, moment by moment, it may leave us open to persecution and ridicule, but we must follow his path even when the work is difficult and the future looks bleak.

Carrying a cross reminds us that our wants and desires are not the centre of the universe. Carrying a cross reminds us that there are others who suffer and reminds us to fight for justice. Carrying a cross has to do with discipline and hard work. It has to do with unselfishness and committing ourselves to the finest of which we are capable. It has to do with forgetting ourselves and concentrating on the needs of others, this is what Jesus meant when he talked about losing our lives; this is way to abundant life, new life lived with him.

Prayer

Loving Lord, we thank you,
For the life that you breathe into each of us;
For the promise of eternal life you offer to us;
For the abundant life that you share with us.
Help us to unselfishly, day by day, surrender ourselves to your will, your way of living that we might find ourselves truly alive in you.
Amen

16 December - The Truth

Reading

To the Jews who had believed in him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you really are my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8: 31 - 32

Reflection

For many people in the secular world, Christianity is viewed as something that is stifling, something that prevents them from living a satisfied and happy life. ‘Thou shalt not this and thou shalt not that’ far too restricting! But actually, as these two verses show, there is a wonderful freedom to be found in knowing Jesus. He is the truth that can set us free; free from our past wrongdoing, free from our guilt, free from the things that weigh us down, free from anxiety about the future in fact free from all that binds us and saps our energy.

Jesus is the source of all truth, showing us the way to eternal life, enabling us to have a fresh, exciting and loving relationship with a God who loves us. This truth does not set us free to do whatever we like; rather it gives us the freedom to follow God and enables us to become all that God meant us to be. If we pay attention to the teaching of Jesus and become his disciples then we can know his truth, and be set free.

Prayer

Lord God we come to you rejoicing that you have revealed to us your truth in Jesus. Help us to open our hands and our hearts to let go of our fear, our guilt and our anxiety that we might be set free to be true disciples. Amen

15 December - The Way: Jesus said- I am the way

Reflection

How I am able to envy you
the people of the day
He walked among you
healing your sick, raising your dead
turning your water into wine
what joy it must have been
to see Him, to touch Him and hear Him speak

How I am able to envy you
the ones He raised to life how it must have felt
life returning to your eyes thrust to your blood
volume to your lungs, waking from your sleep
to tear filled eyes suddenly dry
clouds of grief blown aside by the wind of true joy
could life have been better having tasted death
and knowing its defeat seeing its Conqueror

How I am able to envy you
the seventy He sent out
His divine commission
upon your head the power of His name
fire in your blood you performed miracles!
in His name what a feeling it must have been
to be His hands, and His feet on that long ago road

And how I am able to envy you
the twelve He called His own
walking, talking, being with Him
for years on end how I long to learn those words
the way that you learned them
you loved Him as a man
as I never can
Author unknown.

Prayer

Lord our God you say “I am the way” today we pray that you will show us your way, your way of peace, your way of love, your way of justice, your way of feeding the hungry, your way of humility, your way of grace, Your way, for you are the way, teach us your way we pray.
Amen

14 December - Third Sunday in Advent - Saviour

Reading

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And we know that the story continues as the shepherds go to visit the Christ child.

Reflection

"The Lord is close: come, let us adore him". With this invocation, the liturgy invites us in these days of Advent to approach as it were on tip-toe the Bethlehem scene where the extraordinary event that changed the course of history took place: the birth of the Saviour. On Christmas Night we will pause, once again, before the crib and contemplate with wonder the "Word made flesh". Sentiments of joy and gratitude will be renewed in our hearts, as they are every year, while we listen to the Christmas carols that sing of the extraordinary event in so many languages. It was out of love that the Creator of the universe came to dwell among us. In his Letter to the Philippians, St Paul says that Christ, "though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" (2:6). He appeared in human form, adds the Apostle, humbling himself. At Christmas we will relive the fulfilment of this sublime mystery of grace and mercy.

Prayer

We tiptoe, we move ever closer to the stable, look inside and what do we see, but the Christ child and we give thanks for the Saviour of the world.

13 December - Anointed One

ReadingJesus Christ "Christ" meaning anointed or chosen one as in the Old Testament indicated by Isaiah .

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Reflection

As Christians we believe the "anointed" one referred to in various biblical verses is the promised Messiah. According to the Bible, whenever someone was anointed with the specific holy anointing oil formula and ceremony, the Spirit of God came upon this person, to qualify him or her for a God-given task. Understanding that Jesus was never anointed in this way. Christians take a spiritual reading of anointed, and believe that Jesus was "anointed" with the Holy Spirit directly. According to the New Testament, Jesus of Nazareth is this Anointed One, the Messiah (John 1:41; Acts 9:22; 17:2-3; 18:5, 18:28). The word Christ which is now used as though it were a surname is actually a title derived from the Greek Christos roughly meaning 'anointed'.

Prayer

“Holy and anointed one, Jesus, spend a few minutes repeating the phrase “Jesus holy and anointed one“ as a breath prayer. Speak the phrase in your mind to the rhythm of your breathing, allowing it to move from a ‘thought’ to a truth in your heart.

Christmas Quiz Part Two

Here you go folks - Christmas Quiz part 2 - multiple choices available:

1. Who discovered Christmas Islands in 1777?
a) Ranulph Fiennes b) Christopher Columbus c)James Cook d) Richard Attenborough

2. Which popular poem was alternatively known as A Visit from St Nicholas? a) Old Saint Nick b)Twas the night before christmas c) Santa Claus is coming today d) At Christmas Eve

3.From which era does the custom of carol singing originate?
a) The Georgian Era b)Middle Ages c)The Victorian Era d) The Edwardian Era

4.Who wrote the Carol “In the bleak mid winter?”
a) Christina Rossetti b) Charles Wesley c) Fanny Crosby d) William Morris

5.Who wrote the song "I’m dreaming of a white Christmas"?
a) Bing Crosby b) Andrew Lloyd Webber c) Leonard Bernstein d) Irving Berlin

6. Sir Henry Cole was the inventor of which Christmas item?
a) Mince Pies b) Christmas Cards c) Fairy Lights d) Advent Calendar

7. From which town did Good King Wenceslas come from?
a) Widnes b) Bethlehem c) Bohemia d) Prague

8. Who banned Christmas for one year?
a) Henry VIII b) Oliver Cromwell c) Queen Victoria d) King George VI

9. In which Pantomime does Widow Twanky appear?
a) Dick Whittington b) Aladdin c) Cinderella d) Jack in the Beanstalk

10. In which gospel are the Shepherds mentioned?
a) Matthew b) Mark c) Luke d) John

12 December - The Vine

Reading

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” John 15:1-8

Reflection

Jesus wanted His followers to have a clear picture about their relationship with Him after His resurrection. So He chooses the vine, abundantly grown throughout Israel, as His object lesson. I pray that as we think of the earthly vine, we will discover the heavenly truth about our place in the Kingdom. But more, I pray that we will not just learn about our relationship with Christ, but will experience a deeper more trusting relationship with our Lord. Keep in mind that when Jesus said, “I am the true vine” to the disciples they would have had Old Testament Scriptures in mind. They would have known about the imagery. With the coming of Jesus the image now changes a bit. One thing remains the same; God still looks for fruit from his vine.

Prayer

Dear Lord:
Thank you that by faith you live in me and enable me to more and more like Your Son. Teach me today how I can bear fruit for you. Amen

11 December - Word of God

Reading

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

Reflection

"In the beginning…" So John the evangelists begins his gospel. Matthew, in giving the genealogy of Jesus goes back to Abraham, the father of God's people (although there are a few Gentiles found on the list). Luke's genealogy of Jesus' ancestry goes all the way back to Adam and so embraces the whole human race. We are all brothers and sisters in Jesus' family. John, however, goes back to the very origins of God himself. "In the beginning" echoes the first words of Genesis and creation but John speaks of an even earlier beginning, a beginning that has no beginning but stretches infinitely back into the eternity of God himself. We use words as a way of communicating self. And there are many different kinds of words: superficial, deep, constructive, destructive, factual, emotional, funny, sad, encouraging, discouraging, loving, abusive... God's Word is special. It is creative (as ours too can be). God's Word does not just communicate an idea. It is active; it brings things into existence. Everything that exists flows from the creative Word of God. In a special way it brings into being; it gives life. A real word, too, communicates its speaker. Communication comes not just from our mouth but from our whole body. We speak of "body language". We can communicate very effectively by not saying anything at all, by remaining coldly silent, by turning our backs, by the expression on our face, by a warm smile or an ear to ear grin.

Prayer

Lord by our words forgive.
Lord by our words might others know you.
Lord by our words might others experience you.
Lord by our words might others receive your love.
Lord by our words bring healing.
Amen.

10 December - Lamb of God

Reading

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfilment in the kingdom of God." After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. Luke 22:14-20

Reflection

Passover commemorated Israel’s escape from Egypt when the blood of a lamb painted on their doorframes saved their firstborn sons from death (Exodus 12). This event foreshadowed Jesus’ work on the cross. As the spotless Lamb of God, his blood would be spilled in order to save his people from the penalty of death brought by sin. In Old Testament times, God agreed to forgive people’s sins if they brought animals for the priests to sacrifice. But animal blood did not in itself remove sin (only God can forgive sin), and animal sacrifices had to be repeated day by day and year after year. Jesus instituted a “new covenant” or agreement between humans and God. Under this new covenant, Jesus would die in the place of sinners. Unlike the blood of animals, his blood (because he is God) would truly remove the sins of all who put their faith in him. Jesus’ sacrifice would never have to be repeated; it would be good for all eternity. The prophets looked forward to this new covenant that would fulfil the old sacrificial agreement (Jeremiah 31:31-34), and John the Baptist called Jesus “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice for me, your body broken, your blood shed. As I remember what you have done for me, through the symbols of bread and the wine, may I know my sins forgiven, my life renewed, as I live for you each day. Amen

Fancy a quiz? A Christmas Quiz?

Carols – Can you identify the Carol from the Lyric?

1. To touch their harps of gold
2. Radiant beams from Thy holy face
3. Close by me for ever and love me, I pray
4. To you in David’s town this day Is born of David’s line
5. Born, the King of angels:
6. Love and watch the lowly maiden
7. Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.
8. While mortals sleep, the angels keep
9. And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
10. When the snow lay round about Deep and crisp and even;

Another quiz to follow

9 December - Lord of Lord's

Reading
But you, man of God, flee from all ungodliness, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honour and might forever. Amen. Italics are my addition, please see verses 1 – 10 for the ungodliness this refers to. MTC 1 Tim. 6:11-16

Reflection

Perhaps the most astonishing and scandalizing element of the early Christians' proclamation concerning Jesus was their statement that he was Lord (Greek kurios). To the Jews who did not accept Jesus this was blasphemy, since the title was reserved only for Yahweh, the transcendent God of the entire universe. The word kurios does not necessarily have religious significance; it can mean "sir," "master" or "owner." One of the more common connotations of kurios is in Acts 25:26, where the Roman official Festus refers to the emperor as to kurio, "the Lord." The word was also used as a polite form of address to a stranger, as in John 12:21 where the Greeks address Philip as kurie, "Lord". Nevertheless, when the early Church said that God had made Jesus "Lord," it was clear that they meant Jesus' divinity by the term, and it became the principal title to refer to Christ thus acknowledging his true nature, as the Son of God. Accordingly, saying that Jesus was the Lords of Lords, was affirming him as the Lord, master, leader over all things, on earth and in heaven! Is Jesus Lord to us, is he the leader of our lives, are we willing to follow the master?

Prayer
Lord of Lords and King of Kings, may I give you all the glory, all the worship of my life, today and everyday. Amen

8 December - Good Shepherd

Reading

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

Reflection

Christ is the Good Shepherd, who continually cares for the sheep, never abandoning the sheep in times of peril; this is the opposite, to the hired hand, who were not only careless in their duty, and so by their neglect the flock were hurt, but who will abandon the sheep, if peril or trial should come. And so, Christ like any Good Shepherd, knows his sheep. Christ our Saviour, knows whom he has chosen, and as his people, we know who we have trusted, and we are therefore sure of Him.
Christ as our Good Shepherd walks with us in trail or peril, or using the imagery of a shepherd lifts us up on his shoulders and carries us. In this passage from John, we recognise the amazing grace of Christ; since none could demand his life of him, he laid it down of himself for our redemption. He offered himself to be the Saviour.

Prayer
Lord may I hear your voice this day, calling my name. May I have the confidence to know, that whatever I am going through, you are with me. Thank you, that you love me so much, that you laid down your life in love for me, that I may know grace and love, forgiveness and peace, life to its fullest in you. Amen

7 December - Second Sunday in Advent - Priest

Reading

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:14-17

Reflection
In the Old Testament, the high priest was the mediator between God and his people. His job was to regularly offer animal sacrifices according to the law and to intercede with God for forgiveness for the people’s sins. But on one special day in the year, there was the Day of Atonement, during this once-a-year ceremony; a sacrifice was made for the sins of the entire Israelite nation. This was the only day; the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, the innermost room of the tabernacle. Here he asked God to forgive the people. The Day of Atonement served as a reminder that the daily, weekly, and monthly sacrifices could cover sins only temporarily. It pointed toward Jesus Christ, the perfect atonement, who could remove sins forever.
Jesus Christ is now our high priest. He came to earth as a human being; therefore, he understands our weaknesses and shows mercy to us. He has once and for all paid the penalty for our sins by his own sacrificial death (atonement), and he can be depended on to restore our broken relationship with God. Christ is our advocate, the mediator between us and God. He looks after our interests and makes perpetual intercession before God, for us, sitting at the right hand of the father. We can have the assurance that Christ’s sacrifice has released from sin’s power over us, when we commit ourselves fully to Christ, trusting completely in what he has done for us.

Prayer

Christ my Saviour, my Lord, thank you that I am wonderfully loved, completely forgiven, may I live for you, this day and always. Amen

6 December - Healer

Reading
“Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed”. Matthew 14:33-36

Reflection

This passage comes at the end of Jesus walking on the sea of Galilee. The disciples who were at first terrified, and somewhat amazed, not least when Peter attempts to walk on water as well, finally exclaim “truly you are the Son Of God” to what they have witnessed. It must be said, that the people recognized Jesus as a great healer, but I wonder how many understood who he truly was? Yes they came to Jesus for physical healing, but did they come for spiritual healing? They came to prolong their lives on earth, but did they come to secure their eternal lives? Just as 2000 years ago, and today, people may well seek Jesus, to learn valuable lessons from his life or in hopes of finding relief from pain. But I believe, that we miss Jesus’ whole message, if we seek him only to heal our bodies, but not our souls, if we look to him for help only in this life, rather than for his eternal plan for us. For it is only when we understand the real Jesus Christ, can we appreciate how he can truly change our lives.

Prayer

Lord give me the faith, to recognise Christ as my Saviour, my Lord and my Friend. May this be the prayer, of my heart, my whole being, not just my lips. Thank you, that you offer healing of body, mind and spirit, through your victory on the cross, and that one day I will wholly praise, in heaven, for all eternity. Amen

5 December - Mighty God

Reading
‘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, Counseller,
The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.’ (AV)

Reflection

It’s not only hard, it’s impossible to imagine just how mighty Jesus is. Before his ascension, he tells his followers that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him. Paul in Colossians attempts to grasp the bounds of this might in a hymn:

“For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth: everything visible and everything invisible, thrones, ruling forces, sovereignties, powers- all things were created through him and for him.He exists before all things and in him all things hold together.”(1.16&17)

Why should we fear ‘though the earth should rock’, when we have such a Saviour?

Prayer

‘Be still my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them
while he dwelt below.’

Katherina von Schlegel (b.1697)

4 December - Redeemer

Reading
‘It is because the Lord loves you, and is keeping the oath which he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has redeemed you from the house of bondage.’ (RSV)Deuteronomy 7.8

‘In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 14 which is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.’ (RSV)
Ephesians 1.7&14

Reflection

From its basic meaning to buy back by paying a ransom, the term redeemer was extended within Hebrew Scriptures, to cover major deliverances of any kind, whether or not a payment was involved. Above all was the liberation of the Hebrew tribes from the bondage of their Egyptian oppressors.

In the Hellenistic world of New Testament writers, the daily sight of human slave trafficking, provided a powerful symbolism to represent what Christ had done for humanity.

‘By identifying himself with humans in their temptations, trials, hopelessness, suffering and death, Christ paid an immeasurably costly price and brought into being a new humanity, bearing his image and committed to following his example.

Prayer

‘There is a redeemer, Jesus, God’s own Son
Precious lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One
Thank you O my Father,
For giving us your Son,
And leaving your Spirit-
Till the work on earth is done.’ (Melody Green)

3 December - The Christ

Reading

‘So the word became flesh; he came to dwell among us and we saw his glory, such glory as befits the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.’ John 1. 14 Christ the incarnate Word.

Reflection

What’s in a word ?

The word ‘Christ’, from the Greek Christos meaning ‘the anointed’, is used for the Hebrew word ‘Messiah’, ‘one who is anointed’ by the 70 scholars translating the Hebrew bible into Greek in the centuries immediately before Christ’s birth.
But while the Jewish tradition understands ‘Messiah’ as a human being without any overtone of deity or divinity, for Christians ‘Christ’ becomes the pre existent ‘Son of God’, revealing the mystery of God’s very self in human form, emptied of all but love, that we might become part of the Father’s heart.

Prayer

‘Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to min 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.’

St. Patrick’s Breastplate (5th -7th cent. Gaelic)

Advent retreat

I am in Leicestershire looking at sheep through the snow and sleet which is falling. In the midst of the space has been reflections on Mary's Song, Zechariah's Song and Simeon and Anna's song. Our challenege is to write a poem or reflection on what we feel at Advent. For me this is hard especially with how I feel at the moment , nevertheless here goes...

It's all confused
It's all upside down

"Now let your servant depart in peace" - to what and why?

Simeon - Old, pious and just was drawn
to wait for Israel's consolation
as a watchman awaits the dawn.

Anna, she offered her widow's mite
praying and fasting in adoration
for many a day and many a night

Now I uncertain, frail and alone
Long to remember his favour and grace
As I humbly kneel before his throne.

So God calls me to put my dreams in his hands
releasing the grip that once held them
forever surrendering my plans

And as I lay them down at his feet
I turn not knowing
How, when I may be complete

So as I leave this place
and pray like Anna in hopeful expectation
that I this Advent may see your face.

2 December - King of Kings

Reading

Jesus replied, “Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my men would have fought to prevent me being surrendered to the Jews. As it is, my kingdom does not belong here.” Pilate said, “ So, then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “It is you who say that I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this, to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.” (JB) John 18:36-37

Reflection

Matthew’s Gospel begins with Iranian Magi from the Persian Empire (where the title king of kings was first used) seeking the infant king of the Jews (ch.2.2)- A king great enough to affect stars in their courses and bring the earths wisest to their knees. By the end of the Gospel Jesus reveals, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
But just in case, like Pilate, we become obsessed by power and glory, Jesus earths us in the need always to seek truth.

Prayer

They all were looking for a king
To slay their foes
and lift them high
Thou cam’st a little Baby thing
That made a woman cry.’
George MacDonald (1824-1905)

Lord Jesus,
King of kings and Lord of lords
the only ruler of princes
Help me not to seek to possess truth
but to strive towards its goal

1 December - Cornerstone

Reading

“The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.
This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” (RSV) Psalm 118.22-23
(See also Matthew.21-42 & Ephesians 2.20)

Reflection

I’d always imagined this stone to be a foundation stone, laid as buildings begin to take shape. But Paul and Matthew both give me the image of a final testing stone that either completes the structure or brings it crashing down.
To be built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, I am led to reflect:

Whose are the lives I am building my own life on?

And to stand ready to be brought crashing down and reshaped by the Christ who comes

Prayer

‘O Christ, the master carpenter
who at the last
through wood and nails
purchased our whole salvation
wield well your tools
in the workshop of your world
so that we
who come rough-hewn to your bench
may here be fashioned
to a truer beauty of your hand.’

(Prayer of the Iona Community)

1st Sunday in Advent - I am

Reading

“Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?”
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (RSV) Exodus 3:13-14

Reflection

Our roots lie deep in the journey of faith. Moses, rooted in Abraham’s response, finds himself in the presence.

Knowing a name brings with it a sense of power and so Moses is keen to know the name he should use. But this reply takes him to depths and heights far beyond any time trapped deity of his owning.

Tell them “I AM WHO I AM” or “I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE” has sent you.

Prayer

Lord of Life
Beyond our conceiving
You reveal yourself
As only you can
Bring me again to hear you saying
Here I am in the birth of a babe
Here I will be
In the unfathomable abyss of Love.

Advent Meditation - The Wait is on

Daily reflections and meditations will be posted here - created by the Presbyters of the Warrington Circuit.

waiting

longing

anticipating

promise

preparation