The 10 am Eucharist was celebrated by Father Stephen. The Gospel reading was from St Mark, and told the story of Jesus teaching for the first time in the Synagogue in Nazareth. St Mark tells us that the people were amazed, because he taught with such authority. In his sermon Father Stephen discussed the season of  Epiphany, and how the readings, starting with the Three Wise Men and progressing through the baptismal story and the Wedding at Cana to this story of teaching with authority and expelling evil spirits all show us how Jesus coming was truly the coming of the Light, and the world was utterly changed by His presence.
During Communion the Choir sang 'The Lamb' by John Tavener, and choir and congregation sang a communion hymn.

There was coffee in the rooms after the service.
Next week will be Candlemas, and our service will start with a procession, with candles, from the New Rooms. Please enter the church first, and then assemble in the New Rooms, as directed by the sidespersons. (Weather allowing)

Tickets for the Moroccan Supper are available form the Church Wardens, and if you have any items for the silent auction on the 3rd of March, please also let the Church Wardens know.

The winter is in retreat, there are snow drops out in the Church Yard!

Dr Lesley was away today, so no photo's I'm afraid.

Father Stephen's sermon was as follows:

At this time of the year it is usual to go to a performance of a pantomime or ballet.  Father Stephen remembered going to Coven Garden to see a production of the ballet "The Nutcracker".  The transformation scene had a huge impact on him, when the mice come out and the toys have their moment.  In particular, there was a Christmas tree and it grew and grew.  Quite an achievement of the production team.  However the Gospel reading today of the miracle in Cana of the turning of water into wine is not a magic trick but a transformation.  When Jesus chose his new disciples, they were not taken to a retreat or an intensive course over a few days, but to a lively wedding feast. Weddings at the time of Jesus would have lasted a week, with the guests going to their usual day job and returning to the celebration in the evening. It would have been a huge humiliation in society to run out of wine.  When Mary appeals to Jesus she gets "the brush off" from Jesus, but still tells the servants to do exactly as he says.  This begins Jesus' ministry, a miracle of social niceties rather than healing. The disciples saw the miracle and knew his glory.  The turning of water into wine prefigures the lavishness of the heavenly banquet and the generosity of God, to enrich lives and bring luxury into poverty.

In Christ, God makes all things new and perfects in us the image of his glory.

Don't forget to get your tickets for the Moroccan Dinner on 10th February from the Church wardens.  A few people have asked if the food will be spicy - yes, but in the way a mince pie at Christmas is spicy, not like a hot Indian curry.

Also don't forget the Silent Auction on the 3rd March and to volunteer now for the summer fete on 28th July.  Get the dates into your diary.

This morning our 10 am was a Eucharist, and Father Stephen was the Celebrant. Unfortunately our Director of Music, Joanna, was unwell, but we were fortunate that Miss Beryl Rodd was available to play the Piano for the service.
The Gospel this morning was from St John, and described the call of Phillip and Nathaniel to be Disciples. Our Lord promises Nathaniel that he will see great wonders, Angels ascending and descending from Heaven. In his Sermon Father Stephen developed the theme of this poetic vision of the reconciliation of man with God that is achieved in Christ Jesus.This vision is sustaining for us in such difficult and fractious times.
We were joined by the Sunday School for the distribution of communion. After the service we had coffee in the Rooms.



 

The first Sunday of the Year, and of the Month, our 10 am service was a family service. It also being the Feast of the Epiphany, we sang Carols associated with the arrival of the Magi, and the children and young people gave us a presentation about the story. Three youngsters took up the roles of the three camels who carried Caspar Melchior and Balthazar to see the Young Messiah. Although these names are traditional rather than biblical they, and their presents of Myrrh, Frankincense and Gold, represent the future of Jesus, who was a King, a Messiah and who's death on the cross is foreseen, in the gift of Myrrh used to prepare the dead for burial. The Narrator, in the Pulpit, Joseph Mary and the baby Jesus and the Kings themselves were all played by members of the Congregation, with a fine announcement from the Angel standing in the Organ loft, making a totally engaging story for everyone.
During the Offertory while we sang 'We three Kings of Orient are' Three Kings took up their gifts to the Altar.
After communion the Choir sang 'Nativity Carol' by John Rutter as the Anthem, and we closed our worship with the traditional,  'As with gladness men of Old'

There was coffee in the Rooms after the service.

Our next Social event will be a Moroccan Supper, once again Hillary and her Team will be producing a selection of delights, this time from North Africa. Tickets available from the Church Wardens, for this event on the 10th of February!

The Kings have arrived!!

Having Fun in Church!

Some Kings

More Kings

The Holy Family Receiving gifts!