Dear Friends,

Let me begin by wishing you a Happy New Year! I am sorry I cannot do this in person, but I believe it makes good sense for us to worship from home this week.

I was very blessed to spend Christmas morning with many of you, and what a joy that was! It was made extra special by a quartet of voices, from the choir, singing and praising God. I do hope that we can hear their voices again in some of our future services.

Here, at Fairmount, we are getting ready to take down the Christmas decorations. Usually this makes me a little sad, as I have a fondness for all the twinkling lights, the friendly Christmas cards with messages from loved ones, but I particularly love my Christmas ‘Nutcracker’ Tree. I call it that because our tree reminds me of the one in the Nutcracker Ballet. Barry and I took our, at the time, young nieces to see it one year at the Royal Opera House in London. Three of us were mesmerised by the exquisite dancing, the beautiful costumes and spectacular architecture, but one of us was basically bored the whole way through! At the time I was a little disappointed by this, as I wanted everyone to love it as much as I did. I didn’t get to the opportunity to see a ballet performed until I was an adult. As a child money for tickets for such an outing would not have been easily found; lots of overtime or an extra part-time job would have probably been needed for such an extravagance. I got to have other treats though - less costly but just as memorable.

I remember particularly the years when my Dad, worked as a lorry driver for the local dairy. This meant he had to work on Christmas Day, up at 4am and then off out to the farms to collect the churns of milk, then back to the dairy delivering them in time to be processed. At home we would be all in our best clothes waiting patiently for his return. Our special family treat was to be taken out for Christmas lunch at the local pub. I think it would be the 1970’s, and I can remember the melon starter - it was unlike anything I had ever tasted, and I still love it today. Something else I won’t forget is the story Dad told us over lunch. On his way back to the dairy, his lorry full of churns of milk, he had passed people on their way to church, they had waved at him, and some took off their hats. He had been so moved by the respect he had been shown as a worker on Christmas Day. I felt so proud of him.

I suggest we show our respect for the NHS, and all the other keyworkers, emergency, and support services today, by sending our own special prayer of thanks from our homes. Imagine all of our individual prayers coming together through Jesus Christ – that is a lot of love my friends!   

And I, for one, will ‘take my hat off’ to them for all the work they do and, of course, for their families that love and support them in their vocation.

May God bless you, and all in our church family today, and every day through the year ahead! I have a sense that great things are to come!

Love & blessings

Julie Ann

Julie Ann Heath

07801 467348

01530 414549

julieannheath@pottersmaze.co.uk

 

Melbourne URC                               A Time of Worship & prayer                      Sunday 3rd January 2021

 

You may wish to use this introductory prayer or alternatively use your own, or simply be silent for a short time. God is with you.

 

God of love, we remember today, on the Epiphany Sunday, how wise men from the East came seeking the new-born king, how finally they reached the end of the journey, and how they knelt in worship before the infant Jesus.

Help us to learn from their example.

Guide our footsteps,

And lead us closer to Christ.

 

Teach us to continue faithfully on the path you set before us, remembering that true faith involves a journey of discovery as well as arrival at a destination.

Guide our footsteps,

And lead us closer to Christ.

 

Teach us to look at the world around us, and to recognise the signs through which you might be speaking to us.

Guide our footsteps,

And lead us closer to Christ.

 

Teach us to offer to Jesus our wholehearted devotion – not simply our gifts but our whole lives, given to him joyful worship and grateful praise.

Guide our footsteps,

And lead us closer to Christ, for in his name we ask it.

 

Reading:              Isaiah 60: 1-6

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Lift up your eyes and look around; they will gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.

They you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.

A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come.

They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.

 

Reading:              Matthew 2: 1 -12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking,

“Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.”

When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him,

“In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet;

‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying,

“Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”

When they had heard the king, they set out; and there ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

 

Reflection on a Hymn.

As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold, as with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright; so, most gracious Lord, may we evermore be led to thee.

What a beautiful prayer! The writer of this hymn connects the past with the future and petitions for all of us. The words in this first verse, I believe is asking that we may be always be drawn to the love and light of Christ. Does the author write this because he knows how hard it is to be distracted from the Light? That it can be all too easy to become so familiar with the traditions inspired by the Light, that we focus on them rather than Christ Himself? In singing these lyrics we are reminded of the great unfolding story of Christ’s love to which we belong, asking Him to hold us in His gaze, so that we might not stray, or be distracted, from His light.  

As with joyful steps they sped, Saviour, to thy lowly bed, there to bend the knee before thee whom heaven and earth adore; so may we with willing feet ever seek thy mercy-seat.

The journey to Christ by these wise men is described as joyful and glad. Not all of our journeys to Christ can be described in the same way. Our lives are filled with many emotions, some of which are painful and difficult to cope with. Trying to find a clear path to follow is not easy. That is why it is important to share our own stories and experiences with each other. Listening to one another, hearing how others have coped with their journey through life can help us to become more equipped for our own challenges. This takes humility on both sides. It takes humility to listen, and to listen is a gift, just as precious as gold. It takes sensitivity to know when it is appropriate to share, to prayerfully perceive, when the hearer is able to listen. These gifts, when offered with mercy, love and discretion, can be a blessing to both sides.

As they offered gifts most rare at thy cradle plain and bare; so may we with holy joy, pure, and free from sin’s alloy, all our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to thee our heavenly King.

 What is our costliest treasure? Our treasures will not be like those of the wise men, but they will be just as precious. Is our treasure our heart, our will, our status, our influence? Only we truly know.

Holy Jesus, every day keep us in the narrow way, and, when earthly things are past, bring our ransomed souls at last when they need no star to guide, where no clouds thy glory hide.

We are loved so much by Christ. He gave His life for us. To follow Him brings fulfilment and inner peace. To accept His love, and love to Him in return, brings not only eternal joy, but daily joy. Every day Christ is there waiting for us to speak to Him. Let us share our day with Him. Let Him help us on our ‘narrow way’. Let us make space to listen to Him throughout the day. Let us look for His love in others wherever we may be.

 

‘Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.

Your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.

Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.

Your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.’                                    Lord of all Hopefulness by Jan Struther

In the heavenly country bright need they no created light; thou its light, its joy, its crown, thou its sun which goes not down; there for ever may we sing alleluias to our King.

Let us trust in Christ’s love. Let His love lead us into eternal peace and praise.

This hymn tells the story of the Wise Men, and they are part of the greatest story ever told. They recognised that something extraordinary was happening, and they had the humility to put aside what they were doing to go on an adventure. They went to discover what this might mean, not only for the world, but for them. We are part of that story. We are on an adventure. We too follow the star. We also hold that star for others to see. We are witnesses to the Light. We have the love of Christ in our hearts, and the gift of the Holy Spirit burns brightly. Each time we draw near to Christ, when we call His name, the flame of love gets stronger.

 

“Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” asked the disciples.

Jesus called a child, whom he put among them and said,

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus calls us, just as He called that child, to be with Him, but also to be with each other. Let us discover together. Let us be strong in prayer. Let us be joyful in praise. Let us be eager to serve. Let us be kind and gentle. Let us listen. Let us hear. Let us shine like stars in the world, united by Christ’s love.

 

Prayers of Intercession (You may wish to use the prayers below.)

Living God, you came to our world through Christ to help, to heal, and to save.

So now we pray for all those in any kind of need.

We pray for the sick and suffering, the poor and hungry, and oppressed and exploited, and lonely and unloved, the aged and infirm, the frightened and anxious, the sorrowful and the bereaved, the helpless and the hopeless.

We pray for those we know to be suffering at this time………………………

(Our friends and family, community, church family, NHS etc.)

Show us where and how we can respond. Give us the means, the will, the commitment and the love to reach out in the name of Christ, offering something of ourselves to others, even as he offered his all for us.

Reach out to them in your love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

The Lord’s Prayer.

 

The Grace.

 

Be thou a bright flame before me,

be thou a guiding star above me,

be thou a smooth path below me,

be thou a kindly shepherd behind me,

today, tonight, and for ever.

 

St. Columba

 

© Archbishops’ Council 2006 – Times and Seasons

© Prayers for all Seasons – Nick Fawcett.

©Rejoice and Sing – W. C. Dix (1837-98)