Sunday Worship
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.
