Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Third Sunday of Advent. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 at St Thomas'.
If you are unable to be with us in person, you will find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
Today's Gospel
Luke 3:7-18 John the Baptist Prepares the Way
John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."
And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?" In reply he said to them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." Even tax collectors came to be baptised, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?" He said to them, "Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you." Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what should we do?" He said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages."
As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptise you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.
Reflection
Today is the third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete comes from the Latin word for Rejoice.
For me, that means the feeling of joy and expectation as we get nearer and nearer to Christmas Day and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. It signals a move from solemn reflection to celebration and expectation.
Some of us no doubt are already beginning to feel a sense of anticipation as we look forward to all the festive activities that will happen – getting together with friends and family, exchanging presents and cards and sharing various forms of hospitality.
On the other hand, some of us may be feeling stressed at everything that needs to be done in such a short space of time.
The pressures of work, where deadlines and tasks still have to be met before the holidays.
And in the midst of that, as if we didn’t have enough to do, there are so many extra things that appear in diaries at this time of year - Carol concerts, taking the kids to parties or going to our own works party - and there’s always so much to plan!
And for some people, Christmas is a time of financial worry, especially for those who struggle to make ends meet at the best of times.
But no matter how busy and stressed we find ourselves, we still need to find time to be joyful.
Paul calls us to rejoice and says: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. He then comforts us when he says,
Rejoice and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4],
How positive and spiritually uplifting is that - as we prepare to ready our hearts for the coming of Jesus? In this short passage, Paul calls us to rejoice no less than 3 times.
By repeating the call to rejoice, it is almost like Paul is turning up the volume knob to make sure we haven’t missed the message. The joy he advocates is not simply happiness because we’ve enjoyed something or because something good has happened to us – It’s a special kind of joy; it’s joy in the knowledge of the peace of God shown to us in Jesus Christ.
In the gospel passage Luke tells us about John the Baptist exhorting the good news to the people.
I have to admit that at first reading the theme of joy didn’t immediately jump out at me.
He starts off by addressing them as “You brood of vipers!”
He goes on to talk about the axe that is waiting to chop down those who don’t bear fruit and sorting the wheat from the chaff before burning the chaff in unquenchable fire!
Wow, pretty strong stuff or what?
Sounds like we are all doomed, because the reality is, we all fall short of the glory of God and all sin at times. [Romans 3:23]
But for me this is not a message about judgement and punishment - it’s about repentance and hope and joy. Hope that we can be saved when we recognise what we have done wrong, and when we are genuinely sorry in our hearts. Joy that we have the opportunity to change our ways and be forgiven.
That’s probably why there were thousands of people at the River Jordan flocking to hear what John had to say and to be baptised. Some of them mistakenly thought that it was some easy way to avoid any kind of judgment or punishment.
They were sinners and were hoping for a quick fix that would absolve them of all their bad ways and cost nothing.
But of course that’s not what repentance is about. John tells them that in order to truly repent they also need to change their ways – that what repenting is – not just feeling bad and saying sorry, but it’s about committing to change our ways and stopping behaving sinfully.
When the crowds asked, “What should we do?” , They were asking, how do we bear the good fruit that John had been telling them about.
In response John doesn’t ask them to do momentous or impossible things.
He doesn’t tell the tax collector to resign his job and sell everything he has, He tells him to stop cheating the people and asking for more than what is prescribed. He’s saying, ‘change your ways’.
To the soldiers, who had been bullying people and abusing their power, he doesn’t say pack in your job and give everything you have away. - He tells them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.” He’s saying ‘change your ways’.
And to everyone, he tells them how they can bear good fruit by loving one another, being generous and showing hospitality.
“Whoever has two cloaks, should share with the person who has none.
And whoever has food should do likewise.”
Righteousness can begin by doing small, virtuous things. But also doing them diligently, and with a positive attitude. Repeated, small good deeds pave the way for righteousness and joyful hearts. The joy of God’s ways comes when we help others and respect them.
If we were to ask John the Baptist, “What should I do to bear good fruit? What might he say?
He would no doubt ask us to look closely at ourselves and examine what we might need to be sorry for in our hearts.
Do we always look for the good in others? Do we bear grudges? Have we taken advantage of a situation when we knew it was wrong? Are we as generous as we could be, or do we just share what we can easily afford with no real impact on ourselves?
When we live out our faith with a generosity of heart we create more space for joy in our heart.
Sometimes though, that can be hard, especially with people we dislike or those we don’t know.
But that’s OK because we have help.
We have help in the shape of Jesus, who came to give everything he had for those in need.
The same Jesus who didn’t reject and punish the tax collectors and sinners, but welcomed them and shared food with them and showed them how to love one another. The same Jesus who invited a tax collector to be a disciple.
When we genuinely say sorry and ask for help to change, Jesus is there for us, willing to forgive us and send the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with love – a love that is capable of spilling out with joy to others.
Advent joy springs from the realisation that the presence of Jesus in our lives can transform us for the better when we let him into our hearts, turn our back to sinful ways and follow Him.
As Jesus told us, there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don’t need to repent. [Luke 15:7]
So I hope, on this Gaudete Sunday, all our hearts are filled joy as we prepare in our own ways for the coming of our Lord Jesus. Paul
Our Prayers
Loving Father,
We thank you for the gift of joy in our hearts
As we look to the coming of you Holy Son.
Grant us wisdom to look at ourselves
and to see where we can be more like Him,
and give us determination to change our ways
where we need to.
In Jesus name we pray,
Amen
Today's final hymn is "Make Way!"
Notices
Our traditional service of Nine Lessons and Carols is at 6.30 pm this evening at St Thomas’, followed by seasonal refreshments and the Christmas Hamper raffle draw. Please wrap up warmly for this service, as the main heating system has failed.
Tomorrow at 6 pm we will be meeting at St Thomas’ to go Carolling around the village, and collecting money for the Booth Centre. This is really appreciated by people of all ages where we visit - especially those who are not able to get to a church service during Christmas. Families are especially welcome, and the children love the singing and collecting, so please do come and join us – the more the merrier!
The Tuesday morning service of Holy Communion is at 10 am at St Thomas’, and Worship for all Generations is at 6.30 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday at St Agnes’.
Next Sunday’s Services are at the usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes’ and 11 am at St Thomas’.
All of the Christmas Services and Events are on the blue poster below.
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the First Sunday of Advent. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 at St Thomas'.
If you are unable to be with us in person, you will find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "Wait for the Lord (Taize)"
Today's Gospel
Luke 3:1-6 The Proclamation of John the Baptist
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"
Reflection
Last week, we looked at how Advent tells us as much about the second coming of the Lord as well as His first coming two millennia ago.
This week we focus on the role of John the Baptist who had a very specific role - to point to the first coming of Jesus.
John is heralding the importance of someone significant coming, the Messiah and the Son of God.
Advent is a busy time, as the church prepares to celebrate the birth of Christ with endless activities such as carol concerts, Christingles, Advent services and myriad other events.
In our homes there is also an endless list of things to do as we prepare for get-togethers with relatives and friends, preparing food, buying and wrapping presents, sending cards, going to Christmas parties with friends or work colleagues and what seems like never ending amounts of cleaning and cooking.
It perhaps feels like there are two distinct lists of things to focus on. Things we need to do at church and things we need to do to meet the expectations of everyone around us. No wonder it so stressful and hectic!
But amidst all this palaver and commotion how are we personally and spiritually preparing for Jesus?
We read that the voice of God came to John the Baptist in the wilderness and immediately he began travelling around preparing the way for Jesus. So where is our equivalent of the wilderness, that time or space where we can make time to listen to that still small voice calling us to prepare for Jesus.
A voice that shows us how to prepare for Jesus in our hearts.
I don’t expect God to talk to me in a burning bush like he did to Moses, or the belly of a big fish like Jonah, but I can say with confidence that I’m sure He talks to us all in one way or another.
We just need to find a little bit of ‘God time’ to let Him into our lives and listen to what He is saying to us.
So, how do we even begin to think about preparing our hearts for Jesus? What valleys do we need to fill and roads do we need to make straight to prepare the way for Jesus in our heart?
We are shown the way by John - we can repent and ask forgiveness.
We can prepare our hearts for Jesus through meditation and self-examination and thinking about how we live our lives. What value we put on things that are important to us and others not only at Christmas but all the time.
We can look honestly at how we might do things differently going forward and then promise to change and stick to it. That’s what repentance really means, it’s not just saying sorry but also making a change for the better. Advent is the church’s New Year and, I suggest, a much better time to think about resolutions to make life changes than the 1st January.
If you are thinking about how to prepare your heart for Jesus, the person who died for us all to be redeemed, perhaps think about what you might get Him for a present this Christmas.
Pray to Him more regularly, point others to the good news of the gospel, make time to listen quietly and let the Holy Spirit help you to build a stronger relationship with Him who loves you.
Instead of an Advent calendar this year, why not buy yourself a few tea-lights and set aside time each day in Advent to light one and spend a few moments alone in His presence. Pray that He will speak in your mind and show you the straight path He wants you to take each day.
Paul
Our Prayers
Merciful God,
who sent your servant John and the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation:
Give us grace to heed their warnings
and repent of our sins,
And help us to prepare our hearts
as we await the coming of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "On Jordans Bank the Baptist's Cry"
Notices
This afternoon, our family Christingle Service will be at St Thomas’ at 3 pm. All are most welcome – please bring your own orange.
Churches Together Advent Praise is at Zion Methodist Church at 2.30 pm. Come and join our friends from the Christian churches in our area.
The Tuesday morning service of Holy Communion is at 10 am at St Thomas’, and Worship for all Generations is at 6.30 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday at St Agnes’.
Next Sunday’s Services are at the usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes’ and 11 am at St Thomas’. Then in the afternoon, Worship for all Generations Christmas Party is at 1 pm at St Agnes’ (tickets £3 from Neil).
Our traditional service of Nine Lessons and Carols is at 6.30 pm next Sunday at St Thomas’, followed by seasonal refreshments.
On Monday the 16th December we will be meeting at 6 pm at St Thomas’ to go Carolling around the village, and collecting money for the Booth Centre. Everyone is welcome to join us – the more the merrier!
Details of all the Christmas Services and Events are on the blue poster below.
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the First Sunday of Advent. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 at St Thomas'.
If you are unable to be with us in person, you will find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "Longing for Light, We Wait in Darkness (Christ be our Light)"
Today's Gospel
Luke 21:25-36Signs of the End of the Age
Jesus said, "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
Reflection
"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down…”
This sermon from Jesus is sometimes referred to as the ‘Little Apocalypse” sermon and was one of the last speeches Jesus gave before He started His passion journey.
He wasn’t ranting crazily about the end of the earth, He was calmly describing what is to come, to the hundreds of people who came to the Mount of Olives daily to hear him talk.
However, what He was saying would be horrifying to them. He had just predicted the fall of the Temple which would have seemed impossible - after all this is God’s temple which is glorious in every respect and stood for hundreds of years. Surely that cannot happen!
Yet within a few decades after his death, they would witness the fall of Jerusalem and the total destruction of the temple by the Greco-Roman forces. His followers, the early Christians, would be persecuted and scattered across the regions.
Jesus goes on to tell them that even more catastrophic events of cosmic proportions will follow - and predicts the signs that will foretell the ‘end of the age’.
Some people take this quite literally as the end of all mankind and the earth. However, others see this as the way people of that time used exaggeration and hyperbole as a way to get an important message across.
Whichever view you take it is still clear that there will be a massive and cataclysmic impact on everything as we know it. But when that will happen, only the Father knows, (Matt 13:32).
All this sounds very negative and even depressing, but that was not the message that Jesus wanted the people to take away. His message to them, and us, is one of hope and salvation; because He also promises us, that when this all happens it will be a sign that the Son of Man is returning to redeem the believers. It is not a threat of damnation but a promise of salvation.
“Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
Strangely, I am reminded of the image of meerkats, where one of them alerts the pack and they all stand up straight, raise their heads and look around. That’s what we are asked to do, stay alert. But not because of something bad, rather because when we see these signs something wonderful is about to happen. Jesus also provides us with comforting guidance when He says, “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life”.
He is reminding us how to live our lives in goodness. Not to waste time on meaningless things that add no value to ourselves or others, (dissipation). Dissipation is the opposite of stewardship, where instead of making the most our time, money, relationships and other God given gifts we waste them and have nothing to show for it. Similarly endless worrying burns up energy and diminishes hope [Matt: 6:31-33], do not worry but seek the righteousness of God.
Looked at in this light, Jesus’ message is really positive, when we turn to Him and pray and live our lives in a good and meaningful way, He will be our hope and salvation.
Advent is the time when we look forward to Jesus’ first coming, however none of us know when He will come again. Neither do we know what the End of Age will look like or when it will happen any more than the early Christians did. Maybe it will be a major war to end all wars, or climate disaster, or maybe something cosmic like a massive sunspot that destroys all our technology and sends us back to the stone age, because without computers there is no money apart from physical possessions.
However, for those who are in Christ, this is not something to fear, it is something to look forward to, because it is a signal of our redemption and the end of suffering.
A time when Jesus will return to transform all that we know and reign in glory. Paul
Our Prayers
As we begin this season of Advent,
may our hearts be filled with the hope that comes from knowing your promises are true.
We look toward the day when we will see You face to face.
May we live righteous lives, in faith and goodness,
Assured of your redeeming power and love.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "Hark, the Glad Sound! The Saviour Comes"
Notices
Next Sunday’s Services are at the usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes’ and 11 am at St Thomas’. Also next Sunday, our Christingle Service will be here at St Thomas’ at 3 pm, and the Churches Together Advent Praise is at Zion Methodist Church at 2.20 pm.
The Tuesday morning service of Holy Communion is at 10 am here at St Thomas’, and Worship for all Generations is at 6.30 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday at St Agnes’.
On Monday at 4.30 pm at St Thomas’ we’re having our ‘All-age Worship Singing’. This is a special one, where we’ll be practicing all our Christmas Carols, ready for our Christmas services and Carolling around the village, so please join us if you can.
The Ladies of Leesfield Coffee Morning is at 10.30 am on Saturday 7th December in the Community Room at St Thomas’ – all are most welcome!
